As she releases her new single “ASAP” featuring Chris Patrick,HEYOON granted us an exclusive interview to talk about her experience in the international group Now United,her musical turn after leaving the group,and her inspirations.Meet HEYOON,an artist with an atypical career path.
>Can you introduce yourself?
“Bonjour”.This is Heyoon.
>You just released your new single ‘ASAP’ featuring Chris Patrick,can you tell us more about it?
“ASAP” is my second single as a solo artist.It just came out only a week ago.I’m here[in Paris]to celebrate,soak in Fashion Week.“ASAP” is such an energetic and sexy 30 song.It is about the desire of when you love somebody so much and you’re kind of obsessed with them,you want them to be in that reckless love back with you.It’s about being so bold and honest and telling them what you like.So,it’s a fun song.
>So,it’s something you’ve experienced?
Mmh…[laughs]It would be a lie if I said I didn’t.I think everybody has,a little…
>What’s your favorite line in the song?
Can I swear?
[Yeah,you can.]“Fuck being responsible”.It’s a life motto.It’s also the main line I think,it gives that essence in the song.Fuck being responsible and just have fun in life.
>How did that feature happen?Were you looking for a male voice?Is this someone your label introduced you to or were you already familiar with his work?
I was always a fan of Chris.I listen to his music,and we have mutual friends we could get connected through.I sent over my song and within two hours he sent his verse.I was blown away.He’s been so locked in,he’s down to do anything,so I’m really grateful.He’s such a good person.We had him fly to Korea too,it was fun.
>Compared to the music you released before,you took a much more “mature” turn.How do you feel about that?How did your fans react?
I was excited and nervous at the same time before releasing my music just as a solo artist,because it’s very different from how fans have been seeing me and what they expect.But I knew that they’re gonna be there for me regardless cause they’ve been loyal since day 1 and they’ve been so supportive of who I am as well.I actually took a year off after leaving the group so I can just focus on music and make sure I know the story I’m trying to tell,what is the sound I want to build… It’s really exciting right now,it’s like a new beginning to introduce my sound as a solo artist to the world and to the fans.It’s a journey,and I would say it’s just beginning.
>I know dancing is important to you and you have a background as an instructor,plus you’ve done ballet.Does that influence how you approach demos,music creation,and concepts,or does it come into play once everything else is set?
Dancing has been such a big part of my life and it’s really just a part of me,so it just comes naturally when I listen to music,no matter what.I’m always looking for that groove,how would I dance to this speed… So,I think a lot of the time it happens that way.When I’m building from scratch even,I need to make sure I know exactly how my body would move to it.
[You’re not an instructor anymore.Do you not want to teach people or is it something you would like to do again?]I mean,I feel a little bit more shy about that nowadays.I think,because at the time I was doing my own choreography,that was a big part for me,I can still teach my choreos so people can join me and dance,but who knows,maybe at some point.
>So this is a grand comeback for you,releasing ‘Pivot’ and ‘ASAP’.How do you see 2025?What do you want to achieve or what are your expectations for this year?
A lot of music!I want to work on an EP,at the end of the year or after.I just want to have a lot of music out,I have a lot of music written that I haven’t shared just yet to the fans.I want to go back on tour again and meet the fans in person,cause I miss that so much and the fans have been so patient with me while I take a break to focus on music,so I want to hurry and give it back to them and see them in person.
>Do your fans have a name?
They have a name they already made,but I want to give something special to them.It’s already special because they want off of my name,but I want to give them a name.I’m thinking about it.It’s gonna come soon.We will chat soon about it.
>I’ve seen that you’ve directed some MVs in the past.How was that experience?Is it something you’d like to do again,or would you prefer to leave it to others?
I’ve been blessed enough to be a big part of the things I’ve been doing so far.My team has that trust in me and I trust them to create something really collaborative so I’ve been blessed enough to work with really talented directors on the first two music videos.I’m such a visual person so even when I’m writing or thinking of a performance like working on a choreography,I always think about the scene,what the colors are,what it’s gonna look like,the storyline… I think everything comes together:the music,the fashion,what is gonna look like,so naturally I like to get as involved as I can in all the creative process.It’s been fun.
>How do you feel about performing live solo?Is that something you really look up to or that frightens you?
It’s definitely scary[laughs].I’m so used to performing with 10+people,so I know that I can get away with things.But now that I’m on my own I know that all eyes are on me so there is definitely more pressure but it also comes with more freedom to do whatever I want.And I love working with my dancers,so that’s the fun thing about “ASAP”,I got to work with my dancers,film a music video with them and also do a performance video with them.I’ve missed that feeling so it was nice to have that again.
>Since you’re based in Korea and signed to Universal Music,a global company,do you think there’s a difference in how you work and how the company views you as an artist compared to other Korean idols signed to local agencies?
I can only speak from my experience and I had such a unique experience growing up in Korea as a Korean and then debuting outside of Korea and travelling the world.I’ve never met somebody that has the same experience as me,so I try to focus on what’s happening in front of me and what feels right to me and that was my decision into finding my team right now.
I definitely want to keep pursuing my career as an international artist but also reconnect with my roots.At the end of the day,that’s my home.So I’m trying to do both.I just want to be that bridge for people because I know in the future there’s gonna be more artists and young talents upcoming that would want the same journey that I got to have,so I just want to be a voice for them and make people feel like they can do what I was blessed enough to do.
>How do you feel when you look back on your time with Now United?You’re still close to your members?How did they react to your new music?
They’ve been so supportive.They’re my family.We went through so much together,we grew up together basically.I know that even if we can’t call every single day,they will always feel so close to my heart.We all still talk,we have that groupchat,we check in every once in a while.Everyone has been so supportive,I just want to see everyone be happy and do their own thing.It’s cool to look back,and again,it was a life-changing experience.That’s the only reason I’m able to do what I’m doing right now.I’m really grateful for that.
>You had quite international fans,all the members are from different places… Some people speak French,right?
Yes,we have a French member.I practiced the language a little bit with them.
>You’re fluent in English and Korean,is there any other language you want to tackle?
Well,actually French was the third language I was trying to learn for a long time,and then I realized how hard the pronunciation is.It is like the opposite of Korean so I was like “maybe I should work on other languages and then…”.French feels like the boss level.I just can’t get the “r” sound right.
>Who are your inspirations today?Who do you look up to?
Growing up,I was obsessed with the 2000s divas like Britney Spears,Pussycat Dolls,Christina Aguilera,Aaliyah also.Sade is also an amazing artist that I look up to.These days artists that I listen to are like Frank Ocean,Don Toliver… R&B,soul… I grew up listening to a lot of R&B,hip-hop,soul,for sure.
>How would you describe ‘ASAP’ in one word?
Fun.
>What’s up with the spoon necklace you’re wearing in the ASAP MV?
My stylists custom-made it.Each spoon,they went to vintage stores and bought and custom-made it for the look.The whole vision for the music video,but also fashion in life,is I like to mix fun things.It’s a dress-y outfit but with a little bit of wit,a little bit of fun in it.It’s all about the details.I didn’t get to keep it,but I wish!It was so special.
>Talking about MV,on ‘Pivot’,the music video is quite intimate,right?How was the shooting?How did you tackle being that close with someone you just met I suppose?
First of all,I’m just so grateful because the dancer,GUMP,was so open to diving in.There was a lot of acting we needed to do,but that’s the thing when you work with creatives,everyone is locked in right away,it’s like acting.It was so much fun.We got close so fast because we had to play a bit of jujutsu,we needed to learn.It’s goofy so we got close right away.
>Did you guys develop the choreography together?
For the choreography,I worked with Che Yubina,she’s a choreographer and dancer who’s also a long time friend for me,so we worked together.
>For ‘Pivot’ you went for light pink,now you’re strawberry,what’s the next one you want to go to?
To be honest,I went darker because my hair started to cut off because of all the bleaching.So I was like “okay,it’s time,I had fun doing pink hair”.I need to be dark for a while so my hair can live again.Maybe I’ll use wigs.[laughs]
>I saw it’s not your first time in Paris?How do you like it here?
I love Paris.This morning I was like “I could totally move here.” It is similar to Seoul in some ways but also very different and the culture is very different.I just love the view.I woke up this morning,opened the hotel balcony window and saw the view of all Paris,the sun was shining and I thought “All I need is birds to chirp right now to feel like a Disney princess.”
>You are also a model and previously worked with fashion brands and attended défilé.What’s your favorite French luxury brand?
A bunch,but I would say Lacoste and Marine Serre,and many more.I’m here for Fashion Week also so I can’t wait to attend more shows.Last year,I went to the Lacoste show so I got to see how the Fashion Week is “wow”.There are a lot of people.It is so fun.
>Do you listen or even know any French music or artists?
I love Angèle.I’ve been a big fan for a long time and honestly,that’s how I figured out how beautiful the French language sounds and music too.I do listen to other artists that I can’t name on the top of my head.
>To finish,Do you have anything to say to your fans here in France?
I’m so happy to be here in Paris.To my French fans,I miss you guys,I love you.Thank you for your love and support.Stay tuned for more music and go stream “ASAP”![kiss]
Thank you to HEYOON for answering our questions and to Polydor for making it possible!
Watch the video of the interview onYouTube,InstagramandTikTok!
