If you’ve been paying attention to the music scene lately, chances are that you’ve come across K-R&B. The genre itself has been growing in popularity over the years, and while K-pop is still one of the most dominant music genres on the Korean market, K-R&B offers a new listening experience.
Kang Juwon, a.k.a. Oceanfromtheblue, is a true R&B treasure. Debuting back in 2018 with Luv-fi (2018), the artist not only presented his skills in songwriting but also showed that his vocals are one-of-a-kind. He recently completed his European tour, Way To Blue 2023, visiting 14 cities, including London.
His latest release, Mixtape Vol 1, NEWRNBERA, has impressed me with its fresh take on the genre, and while staying in London, Oceanfromtheblue and I grabbed a cold brew at one of East London’s coffee shops, and sat down for a candid conversation about his London show and NEWRNBERA. The singer also delved into his creative process, collaborations, and musical influences.
After listening to Mixtape Vol 1, NEWRNBERA, I have realised that Oceanfromtheblue’s passion for R&B music is immense. Although his earlier releases are reminiscent of Brian McKnight and D’Angelo at times, Chris Brown’s influence is also clearly present.
While sipping on our coffees, the singer shares his motivation for creating the album, saying, “I have been listening to R&B music since I was in high school. Now that I’ve matured, I often look around and see that there are lots of colleagues who are doing R&B, however, I don’t hear R&B songs that got me into this type of music. Therefore, I wanted to create music that reflected what drew me to it in the first place. [At the same time], I want to show the journey of rediscovering it. That’s why I called my [latest album] NEWRNBERA”.
![Oceanfromtheblue at Courtyard Theatre in London / Image © Yaiza Nicole Rayo](https://viewofthearts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/027-1.jpeg?w=1000)
With a desire to recapture the essence of the R&B music that initially drew him into the genre, Oceanfromtheblue embarked on a creative journey. He explains the album’s intriguing title, NEWRNBERA, as a means of opening a door to the music that has inspired him. He adds, “I wouldn’t say I’m the beginning of an era. It’s rather that I would like to be there when that era opens up”.
Oceanfromtheblue’s album features collaborations with various artists, including Kid Wine, Paloalto, and The Quiett. When asked about any artistic differences that emerged during the creation of NEWRNBERA, the singer reflects on the unique qualities of each collaborator.
In the case of Kid Wine, Oceanfromtheblue notes their prior work together and Kid Wine’s compatibility with K-R&B style singing, particularly ballads. He also delves into his collaboration with Paloalto and The Quiett, highlighting the honour and excitement of working with artists he had long admired.
“Paloalto and The Quiett are people that I had always dreamed of working with when I started doing Hip-hop and R&B. And as I grew [as an artist], I got to know them, and I was put in a position where I was able to ask them to work with me. Of course, I thought the most important priority was to create songs that were right for them [as well]”, the singer confesses.
Despite the evolution of his music, Oceanfromtheblue emphasises the continuity of his creative approach. He explains, “There was no change. I always wanted to take, [be inspired by], old songs to make music and also absorb new songs to make music”. He speaks of his affinity for mixtapes and his desire to bring a sense of longing with his releases, reflecting his admiration for artists like Chris Brown and Little Wayne.
![Oceanfromtheblue at Courtyard Theatre in London / Image © Yaiza Nicole Rayo Oceanfromtheblue at Courtyard Theatre in London / Image © Yaiza Nicole Rayo](https://viewofthearts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/029.jpeg?w=1000)
Oceanfromtheblue also provides insigghts into his songwriting process, mentioning how he selects thoughts and emotions that align with a particular beat. While he used to prioritise personal expression, he now considers how listeners will respond to his music. He has evolved to be more attuned to the emotional impact of his songs on his fans.
When asked about which song on his latest album he believes he delivered his best, both emotionally and technically, Oceanfromtheblue singles out the opening track, Newrnbera. He sees it as a concise yet emotionally rich piece that summarises the album’s essence. The singer’s future projects promise to be a mix of genres, with R&B at their core. He expresses, “I think I’ll mix several genres, but the roots are in R&B, so I think it will continue to be R&B, blended with something new. R&B is what my ears pick up the most”.
As mentioned before, the Korean R&B and Soul scene has been gaining recognition for its quality and talent. However, Oceanfromtheblue recognises the dominance of K-pop in the market. “I think we need a star to promote R&B. R&B artists need to stand their ground long enough for people to get used to listening to that genre and get into it”, he claims.
He draws parallels with the rise of K-pop and envisions a similar path for R&B, if given the right exposure.
“K-Pop is obviously about the music, but I think maybe people raved over certain groups and the visual aspect of it all, and then they realised that K-Pop songs are good, which made them continue listening to the genre. I think it would be great if that happened with R&B, too, since there’s a precedent. But I think each artist will do it in their own way. I think it depends on each artist’s capacity. For me, I got my name out there with my music first. And now I think I’m investing more in the external aspects. I want to do both”, he tells me, then adds: “As for the industry, I don’t think I’m qualified to read the trends. I would say I’m at a stage where I’m preparing for whatever trend may come so that I can go with the flow when it does.”
In addition, Oceanfromtheblue reflects on his journey as a musician and the challenges he has faced. He acknowledges that comparisons and feelings of being unappreciated were once a concern, but he has since embraced a more positive outlook. He believes in the gradual climb and is content with the progress he has made. And when not immersed in music, he turns to fitness and self-care. He spends time working on his physical appearance and enjoys the rewards it brings. For him, music is an ever-present companion in his life.
![Oceanfromtheblue at Courtyard Theatre in London / Image © Yaiza Nicole Rayo Oceanfromtheblue at Courtyard Theatre in London / Image © Yaiza Nicole Rayo](https://viewofthearts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/023.jpeg?w=1024)
While improvisation is a large part of the creative process for many artists, Oceanfromtheblue tells me, “I think that’s meaningless. I let the music come out, whether it’s done consciously or unconsciously. If I go into thinking [that] I have to do a good job, [the process] becomes more difficult”.
Recently, fans of Oceanfromtheblue had the pleasure of attending his live shows around Europe. Despite the demanding schedule of the tour, the singer highlights the importance of maintaining physical and mental well-being. “I had time to rest”, he shares. “I really tried to remain in good condition while I was on tour, so it’s okay”. Interestingly, he also reveals that he found touring less exhausting than his experiences in Korea. He attributed this to the structured itinerary that tours often entail, as opposed to the more open-ended nature of his work at home. “In Korea, I would seek out things to do and would often overwork myself”, he admits. “Like, I would just keep working on my music until I passed out because I was so tired”.
And while reflecting on his recent London performance, he describes it as “the most fun of all my performances”. He noted that, unlike previous tours where he worked to win over audiences, this time, everyone came to see him specifically. The vibrant energy of the crowd was obvious, and he seized the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
During our interview, Oceanfromtheblue was brimming with happiness and energy. The singer also tells me that his fans can look forward to more music on the horizon; he shares his plans for a second mixtape and a live album, both of which are in the works. With 70% of an album already completed, he envisions a release in the near future. “Now that the tour is done, I plan to release a whole bunch of songs”, he exclaimed.
Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler
View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.