1. Hello! Please introduce yourself briefly
Hello, I am Jin-young Woo, 23 years old, who just came up to Seoul for music
2. Is there any special means for your stage name?
As you can see, my stage name is Ylem. When I joined in military service, I was looking for a wonderful stage name for myself. Then I randomly searched initials of my name in the dictionary and the word ‘Ylem’ came up. It sounded cool to me; the definition of the word was ‘origins of elements’. So, if I call myself ‘Ylem’, it is like calling me ‘origin’ of Hip-Hop(giggle). I, the origin of hip-hop, will be there for hip-hop beginners, and Hip-hop could exist because of me. Yes, yes. There are people calling it Wal-rem, but actually it can be pronounced as why-lem(laugh)
3. What made you to start music?
Around grade 8, I thought music is only about ballad genre. One day, I listened a song named ‘fell on deaf ears’ of Bae-chi-gi from ‘Do it’ of TV Show called ‘Woot-chatsa’. The song was interesting how sounds of choir and drum harmonize well together. That was the first time I heard rap song, and was surprised how it has long lyric compare to average ballad music. Also, I was pretty interested how musicians wrote their story as lyric with proper rhyme, flow, and punch line. Since then, I mostly listened hip-hop music, and thought I should do it too. I started to write lyrics and sang along instruments. The time passed, and I become 23 years old now.
4. In that process, who were you influenced from the most?
I have so many artists I was influenced from. If I have to pick only one, it would be ‘Beenzino’ the famous rapper in Korea. I was shocked when I firstly heard his rap, and soon became a huge fan of him and deeply listening to his music; I listened every each song he is in part of. I believe he is more of an artist rather than a rapper. I want to be a good artist like him.
5. Do you have any music color of you are aimed for?
This is the hardest part I’m faced with. I’ve tried so hard to squeeze all ideas in my mind to make my own music color, but if someone mentions it does not sound like my music… then I wouldn’t be happy. I hope people to say ‘oh! It’s Ylem!’ whenever they hear my song.
6. How do you compose your music?
Since I learned music only in the school, I may not be a fully professional composer. Well, I firstly place the lyric to the inst. from random person on online, and go through mixing and mastering process. If it comes out well, I upload it on soundcloud or SNS.
7. When was your happiest and hardest moment during your music career?
I remember the moment when I gathered up crew of my high school friends, and had a cover song of other artists. Those were my happiest moments. The hardest moment is right now I think.
8. What is your future plan?
I came up to Seoul few days ago, and set up a small studio. My goal is to compose mixtape, and send it to other agencies whether they hear it or not. Also, I want to be at ‘Show Me the Money’ after I go through lots of practices. I need to try my best, but it sometimes becomes difficult because I get lazy often. I want to communicate with other rappers.
9. Who is your favorite artist?
For domestic artist, I love ‘XXX’ now. I don’t know much of foreign Hip-hop, but I like ‘Chance The Rapper’.
10. Do you have romantic dream as an artist?
I want to earn money from my music, and be able to continue my music career with it. I wonder if it is too much.
11. Do you have any artists you want to work with?
I desperately want to put my sound on Genius No-chang’s beat
12. Do you have any last words to say?
I want to start everything properly, but I do not yet have enough works. I think it depends on how I do it. For this, I can do it by myself. Well, first of all, I want to communicate with other musicians. That is my biggest goal right now. Whoever wants to work with me while reading this interview, please feel free to contact me~!
