While I am not a huge fan of social media, there is always something good about it, especially Instagram. The algorithm occasionally sends you artists that just debuted, whether they’re in Europe or Asia. This happened to me when I came across Yun Junghwan, also known as Luven.

Yun is an artist whose hard work is bound to lead him to something extraordinary. His debut EP, Cancellation, is a superb piece of work. Not only is Yun’s voice great, well-controlled, and full of emotion, but the musical arrangements are top-notch. While in Seoul, I had the pleasure of meeting the artist. Despite the scorching heat, we sat over iced coffee in a blessedly air-conditioned cafe. The singer’s drive and enthusiasm for his debut release were unmistakable. Given what he has produced with Cancellation, I cannot wait to hear what comes next. South Korea truly produces amazing artists outside the K-pop sphere. If given the chance to roam free, I believe K-rock and other genres could easily challenge K-pop’s dominance of the Korean market.

Yun’s creative process is rooted in his departure from the idol scene, where he initially found himself as a member of the group BDC. He explained, “I think it started when I stopped being an idol. After I was done with that phase, I thought I would never go back on stage and would just produce music. But then a hyung [older male friend] asked me to do a guest appearance on his show and perform. When I did, I realised I had to be on stage. I’m the kind of person who needs to perform. Not long after, he went to the army, and that’s when I started working on my own music, which led to Cancellation. The EP includes songs I wrote a while back, and I wanted to show who I am as an artist, not as an idol. I wanted to make an album without thinking about fans or a wider audience.”

This album [“Cancellation”] was created during a time when everyone was saying, ‘You can’t do anything.’ The title reflects my decision to cancel out all the meaningless criticism and choose my own path – Luvne

The journey from working as part of a group to releasing a solo album often brings both challenges and freedom. For Yun, working independently allowed him to explore his true musical preferences. “It was much easier and more comfortable doing it by myself. All I had to do was please myself. I prefer the kind of music bands and other artists make, rather than idol songs, so it was much easier for me to work on this project.”

A striking feature of Cancellation is the diversity of musical styles Yun decided to explore. His intention was to engage the listener and ensure his EP offered variety from start to finish. “When I listen to an album, I listen to it from start to finish. When making Cancellation, I didn’t want people to get bored while listening. This applied to both the music style and the lyrics. I was aware of this while working on the EP, and the tracklist follows the order in which I wrote the songs.”

One of the most interesting tracks on the EP – that’s purely my personal preference – is Sacrifice, a slower, stripped-down song that reflects Yun’s personal transition from idol to solo artist. He explained, “I wanted to express myself through the lyrics. The other songs can be enjoyed together, but Sacrifice represents a moment of rest for me, especially after I quit the group. The song’s title reflects two sacrifices: one from my time as a K-pop idol and another as I transitioned into a solo artist. I kept the instrumentation minimal so the lyrics could take centre stage.”

[For this EP] the main influence was J-rock. There’s so much diversity in Japanese rock, and the lyrics are very honest – Luvne

Yun also shared the story behind the track Again, which opens the album with an upbeat pop-rock feel. “I wrote Again when I was 19, during the hardest time of my life. Although the lyrics sound hopeful, they are sad to me. I was going through a difficult period but still wanted to make music. The song ended up being the first track on the album because it felt like it needed to be there. The lyrics convey that no matter what happens, even if it seems like I’m taking a break, I will always rise again. I wanted to inspire others going through tough times to pick themselves up and start again.”

The track No Answer, featuring Saabyuk, is an interesting collaboration. Yun described their partnership as “flawless”, saying, “We didn’t have any differences of opinion during the collaboration. I trusted him completely with the lyrics. The only issue was that the original lyrics I wrote were more suitable for a 19+ audience, so he advised me to tone it down a bit. Other than that, there were no problems.”

The emotional depth of Cancellation is further highlighted by tracks like Like Wind and Forever. Both songs deal with personal turning points in Yun’s life but from different perspectives. “Both Like Wind and Forever are about turning points in my life. I wrote Like Wind right before my group disbanded, and it was my way of comforting the fans. It’s about pursuing my dreams, even as an idol. Forever shares a similar message but from an artist’s perspective. It’s dedicated to the fans who stood by us, even after the group disbanded. The song also represents the friendship I have with those who worked on the album, people I’ve known since high school. Forever was our first project together, and it signifies that we will keep working together.”

The sound of Cancellation is heavily influenced by Japanese rock, a genre Yun admires for its diversity and emotional honesty. “The main influence was J-rock. There’s so much diversity in Japanese rock, and the lyrics are very honest. If I had to name one artist who influenced this album, it would be Kenshi Yonezu. J-rock definitely influenced the overall mood of the EP.”

While working on “Cancellation“, people kept saying I should go back to being an idol, and that I wouldn’t make it. But I refused to accept that. I told myself I had to at least try – Luvne

When asked how he decided which songs would make it onto the album, Yun said “When I was working as an idol and even on this album, many people told me I should quit, that it wouldn’t work. While working on Cancellation, people kept saying I should go back to being an idol, and that I wouldn’t make it. But I refused to accept that. I told myself I had to at least try. This album was created during a time when everyone was saying, ‘You can’t do anything.’ The title reflects my decision to cancel out all the meaningless criticism and choose my own path.”

Despite his intense focus on music, Yun’s life outside of work is simple. “I sleep a lot. [laughs] My hobby became my job, so I don’t have many other hobbies. But yes, I sleep a lot when I have time.”

As for what’s next, Yun is already working on his next release. “I’m working on new music right now. I didn’t have much time when I made Cancellation, but I have more time for the next one, so I’m hoping it will be even better. I can’t give too many details, but it might be something rare to find in Korea. I don’t have a company behind me, I don’t have a huge team, but this album is going to be on a large scale. Let’s see how it goes.”

Yun’s journey as an artist is just beginning, and if Cancellation is any indication, he is on a path that will continue to surprise and inspire.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Translator: Roc Lee

Feature image © Nicole Rayo for View of the Arts

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