Interviewer: Bhavya Chopra, Delhi, India

Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh

Zeboria, known professionally as RUSUR, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer making waves in the K-pop scene. As the first Black male K-pop idol, RUSUR, also known as Johnny Gr4ves, is celebrated for his groundbreaking journey as a songwriter and unique artistry. With a passion for connecting cultures through music and a dedication to inspiring others, RUSUR continues to defy boundaries and redefine the K-pop landscape.

Keep an eye out for his next chapter, as he is planning a comeback release on March 4th, 2025. This will be his first official K-pop comeback, and he is super excited to be recognized as a K-pop artist with his new single, “I’M BACK.” Let’s dive into the interview right away to learn more about this upcoming comeback.

This comeback seems to be a significant moment in your career. Can you share what sparked the initial concept and how it shaped this release’s overall sound and direction? Were there any particular artists, experiences, or themes that heavily influenced the music?

This is one of the most important releases I have had in the last 10 years of my career because of what it represents. My first official K-Pop comeback, “I’M BACK,” was created back in the fall of 2021 when I just started getting traction with my K-Pop covers and I was introduced to my K-Pop producer, Young Minnie. This was at a time in my journey when I had so much that I wanted to prove and my passion wouldn’t let anyone get in my way.

It has officially been 4 years since I started my K-pop journey and it finally feels that with the release of “I’M BACK,” I can proudly say that I belong to K-pop. For a long time, I struggled with stepping into the spotlight because I didn’t feel ready, and it wasn’t until I took my first trip to Korea in 2023, that I accepted my calling. Together, Young Minnie and I created a plan to release this song as a homecoming celebration when I was ready to step into my role as a leader and mentor.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RUSUR (Zeboria) (@itsrusur)

How does your upcoming project differ from your previous work? What unique elements of Black culture and rock music you’ve planned to incorporate?

I see this release as an evolution of my journey as well as K-pop as a whole. It’s important to acknowledge that K-pop has borrowed a lot of its influence from black culture, and I believe that it’s time for voices directly involved in the culture to have a place in the conversation. I think it’s very exciting to see how cultures interpret the different ways of creating music around the world. However, I think it’s equally important to seek out that knowledge personally to understand the intention behind the art.

I recently took a trip to New York City with Young Minnie to explore museums, black history, and the overall culture so that she could have a better context when creating music inspired by hip-hop. I believe sharing culture with those who have a genuine interest is what makes this world so beautiful. The exposure to new ideas opens fresh ways to see the world by combining perspectives.

What’s the core message you hope fans will take away from this comeback? What feelings or thoughts do you want to evoke with this music and visuals?

I have documented the process of becoming a K-pop artist to demonstrate how much is truly possible when you believe in yourself; I learned Korean, made history, created music with K-pop’s leading producers, was noticed by some of K-pop’s top artists, and became a professional actor through this journey. Finally, the release of “I’M BACK” celebrates these last 4 years of hard work and marks the completion of this pursuit. I feel like I’m screaming at the top of the mountain, finally able to see the world around me and what I’ve created after years of pushing forward no matter what got in my way.

Every project has its unique journey. Could you give us a glimpse behind the scenes of this comeback? Were there any particularly interesting, funny, or challenging moments during the creative process, recording sessions, or music video production that fans would find fascinating?

This comeback was 4 years in the making. I even took an intentional one-year hiatus to finally say “I’M BACK” and make my first official K-pop comeback as intentional as possible. I would say the most challenging and rewarding part of preparing for this comeback was producing the music video. Usually, I would have a hand in the entire process from start to end, but due to the magnitude of this release, I needed to bring in the pros: director Stacy Lee, DOP Renaud Robert, and their all-star team.

Being able to let go of some creative control to work as a solid unit was an excellent challenge, and I really couldn’t have produced my first music video without my partner Shani Karjalainen, who made taking on this intense challenge bearable with her administrative prowess. The choreography created by John Manabat was also so much of a challenge that I questioned if I was even able to do it justice in the timeframe given for this project, but it truly couldn’t have gone any better, and I’m so proud to celebrate “I’M BACK” with this amazing team. It’s only lonely at the top if you bring yourself.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by RUSUR (Zeboria) (@itsrusur)

This comeback is highly anticipated! Can you tease any unexpected elements or surprises that fans can look forward to? Perhaps a surprise collaboration, a unique visual element, or a genre-bending twist that will catch listeners off guard?

Originally, “I’M BACK” was created to pitch to K-pop groups, so building the skills to fit all of those shoes in one was no easy task. You’ll hear me rapping in Korean, belting my heart out, and dancing like my life depends on it when the song and music video releases on March 4th! I think it’s a pretty exciting moment as a fan of K-Pop to watch the evolution of becoming an official K-pop artist because that rarely happens in this genre, and sometimes seeing is believing.

The excitement is building for your comeback! Are there any special performances, events, or promotional activities planned around this release that fans should keep an eye out for? Any opportunities for fans to engage with you and the music in a unique way?

Well, coincidentally, a day after my release (a.k.a. March 5th), season 2 of Gangnam Project releases to the world! You can see me on the screen as ROOK in new and exciting ways, and it’s really special for me because this is a scripted series based around K-pop trainees, so it’s almost like art imitating reality. If you want to catch up on the series and see me do my thang, I believe season 1 is available on YouTube!

You describe your fans as “ROUGIES,” a community of curious and creative individuals. What does being a “ROUGIE” entail, and how do you foster a sense of community among your fans?

Wow! I like you guys; y’all are doing your research, and it shows. I appreciate you asking this because my goal is to foster a community where people feel empowered to explore their creativity and always maintain that childhood whimsy. I believe that it’s important to lead by example, which is why I’m not stopping at K-pop! This project under the artist name RUSUR is so much bigger than a genre; I’m excited to explore new cultures along this journey and share all the curious experiences I gain along the way. All of this is done to inspire you to keep seeking out new ways to learn about yourself and your capabilities. You are only one decision away from greatness, and it’s time you realize that your life expands the moment you believe you are worthy.

If this comeback had a motto or message for fans, what would it be?

“Tell me what you’re waiting for? CATCH. THAT. LIGHT. I say you’ve got one life!” The world can try its best to keep you down and make you feel powerless, but you have everything you need to create the reality that you’ve always imagined. Let your light guide you to a brighter tomorrow!

What advice would you give to other aspiring artists from underrepresented backgrounds who are trying to break into the K-Pop industry?

The best advice I can give is to start. Start with what you have to prepare yourself for the next step! My success found me because I didn’t wait for someone to tell me that I could start; I let my work do the talking, and I just kept pushing forward. I started in the music industry 10 years ago with no connections and absolutely zero nepotism, so the only thing that would lead me to more opportunities was if I showed up, was ready to learn, and gave my all. As you continue down that path, your skills will naturally build, and you will have the chance to celebrate how far you’ve come! I believe in you because I did it too 🙂

The Korean wave is rapidly expanding in India, with many fans deeply passionate about K-pop. Would you like to share a special message for your Indian K-Pop fans?

To my lovely fans in India: I hope that this interview sparked a new idea for you to chase. I don’t know where my life is leading, but I think that’s what’s so exciting about it all. There are so many beautiful things that are waiting for you just over the wall of doubt, so stay curious, stay creative, and most importantly…

STAY ROUGIE

P.S. I was in the studio with AP Dhillon before he got super famous, so maybe one day we will reunite at the top! I still have a little more of a journey ahead, but that would be pretty fun!

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and sharing insights about your journey. Thank you so much. On behalf of the entire team at Hallyuism, we wish you all the best for your future projects and lots of love from India!

We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!