If you’re unfamiliar with Joh! – yes, the exclamation point is part of the name, and yes, he earns it – consider this your official introduction to one of the most exciting genre-pushing voices coming out of Korea right now.

A former hip-hop kid turned hyperpop-R&B romantic with a chaotic soul, Joh! is the type of artist who doesn’t just bend the rules, he melts them down and reshapes them into something entirely his own. And with his new single cupid, a track about love, loss, and the emotional wreckage in between, he’s proving that vulnerability is his loudest weapon.

But before plunging into the heartbreak trenches, we take a detour into Joh!’s musical DNA, and it becomes immediately clear: this guy doesn’t do anything halfway.

“I’ve always been drawn to R&B emotionally,” he says, his voice calm but thoughtful. “But hyperpop gave me a way to express things more chaotically and freely. Mixing the two just felt like the most honest way to represent how I feel.”

“cupid” came from a space between wanting love and losing myself in the process.

It makes sense. Listening to Joh!’s music is like stepping into a glittering emotional rollercoaster – one that’s equal parts 3 a.m. breakdown and middle-of-the-dancefloor catharsis. There’s a softness to his voice that makes you lean in and a wildness to the production that knocks you back out. And if that sounds contradictory, well, that’s the point.

Joh!’s roots are in Korea’s hip-hop scene, a world built on precision, swagger, and often, a rigid definition of cool. But at some point, the rules started to feel like restraints.

“Hip-hop was my foundation,” he says, “but I started feeling limited by the structure. Exploring different sounds felt natural as I wanted to express more complex emotions.”

And express he does. His songs don’t just talk about emotions; they drag them onto the floor, spin them around, and dare you to look away. Of course, with musical exploration comes the occasional identity crisis. How does one stay grounded while experimenting with soundscapes and emotional wavelengths like a musical alchemist?

“I always start from emotion,” he tells me. “If the story is real, it doesn’t matter what genre I’m using – it still feels like me.”

This philosophy is clear in cupid, the star of the show and the opening act to Joh!’s upcoming album Discord Kid, set for release in the first half of 2025. The song is a hazy, melancholic portrait of a heart too bruised to believe in romance but still aching for connection. In other words, it’s the most painfully relatable thing since… well, ever.

“cupid came from a space between wanting love and losing myself in the process,” he explains. “It’s about how connection can sometimes feel like self-destruction.”

I first heard the demo when Jun, a manager on our team NAISU agency, played it for me. I was immediately drawn to the song [“cupid“].

We’ve all been there, right? One minute you’re happily single, the next you’re staring at your phone like it holds the secrets of the universe, wondering if sending that 2 a.m. ‘you up?’ text is really such a bad idea.

The track, originally a demo made by Asian producers steeped in R&B and hyperpop, took on new life once Joh! got involved. “I first heard the demo when Jun, a manager on our team NAISU agency, played it for me. I was immediately drawn to the song. I rewrote the topline of the second verse to match the emotional flow I needed. I wanted it to feel personal while keeping the original energy alive.”

And personal it is. The second verse – full of haunting lines like “Told cupid I’m done taking chances with love” – hits like a punch to the chest. I ask what headspace he was in when writing it.

“I was dealing with a lot of self-doubt at the time,” he admits. “That verse is raw because that’s exactly how the moment felt – messy and honest.”

To match the mood, the music video for cupid was shot entirely in black and white. No flashy sets, no neon distractions – just emotion, stark and unfiltered.

“I wanted the visuals to focus purely on emotion without distraction,” he says. “Black and white felt like the best way to highlight contrast and vulnerability.”

Social media makes creative collaborations happen faster. It’s breaking down barriers and letting artists connect in real-time from anywhere.

But before you box Joh! into the sadboi genre, know this: he’s also hilarious, online and off. His social media presence is filled with chaotic Gen Z humour, ironic captions, and a level of self-awareness that makes him incredibly likable. He’s not trying to be mysterious or aloof – he’s just being himself. And somehow, it works.

Take his album title, Discord Kid, for example. It’s a nod to internet culture and emotional complexity all rolled into one.

“It feels like this project captures the real ‘me’ – the version of myself that’s confused, lonely, and at times, even childishly vulnerable. More than ever, I’m creating with complete emotional honesty.”

If cupid is any indication, Discord Kid is going to be a journey – messy, melodic, and deeply human. Joh! is also no stranger to collaboration. His track Movin’ with starfall has racked up over 300,000 streams, and he’s worked with artists like sunkis, Ethan Low, and 0wave.

“When I write for others, I focus on their energy and identity,” he explains. “For ‘Sticky,’ [KISS OF LIFE} I wanted it to feel fun and confident but still meaningful.”

He’s also part of the growing wave of artists using social media not just for promotion, but for genuine collaboration. “Social media makes creative collaborations happen faster. It’s breaking down barriers and letting artists connect in real-time from anywhere.”

So what’s next after Discord Kid drops?

“Even after the album drops, I’m planning to keep releasing music consistently,” he says with a grin. “I’ll probably be chasing newer, more fun ideas [laughs]. There might even be some collabs that people can look forward to! Nothing’s set in stone yet, but stay tuned!”

For someone who claims to be confused and chaotic, Joh! knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s building a world where heartbreak is art, vulnerability is power, and musical categories are more like suggestions than boundaries. And if cupid is just the start, we can’t wait to see the rest of the chaos reveal itself.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of NAISU AGENCY

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}