K-Interview: SamUIL Lee (Singer-Songwriter and Producer)

Interviewer: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (New Delhi, India)

Meet SamUIL Lee, a multiplatinum singer-songwriter from South Korea who is making waves with his music and has been on quite a ride lately. Having recently worked on the hit American animated musical film K-Pop Demon Hunters, he also brought the character of Romance Saja, a member of the Saja Boys, to life and released his first EP, Taebot, in June, marking another significant milestone in his career. Having collaborated with numerous big names, including SHINee, NCT, NCT Dream, BTOB, and SEVENTEEN, among others, SamUIL has significantly contributed to the development of Korean music and its ability to connect with listeners worldwide. Step into his world as he opens up about his creative process, offering a glimpse into his journey, his vision for the future, and what truly defines him as an artist in this interview.

Could you please introduce yourself and say hello to our readers before we begin this interview?

Hello! My name is SamUIL Lee. I’m a songwriter, producer, and singer. Thanks for having me, Hallyuism!

Music, as they say, holds diverse meanings for everyone. When did you realize it was the path you truly wanted to follow, and pursue it professionally?

I’m not sure if I ever made the definitive decision to pursue it “professionally” at a specific given time, but ever since I began writing songs, albeit terribly, at the age of 11, I knew that  I’d be happy if I could just keep doing music. I always loved music as an escape from the mundane or harsh things of life, and I think any great art is. 

You’re also the singing voice behind Romance Saja, a member of the demon boy band Saja Boys from K-pop Demon Hunters. How did you get involved with the character and make him likable through your distinct vocals and mannerisms? 

Honestly, I didn’t really have to change much to match the vibe of Romance. I think the people making the film liked my voice because it naturally had what Romance was supposed to be, so that was fortunate for me. As for the likability of any of the Saja Boys,  the credit goes to the creators of both the film and songs, and to the fans. I don’t know of a lot of “villains” that were so well-liked by the viewers, so thanks to the fans for that! 

Your first EP, Taebot, released in June, marked an exciting chapter in your life.  Where did this idea come from, and what key message or feeling did you hope listeners would take away? 

Taebot was actually a project I made nearly ten years ago! I brought it back onto listening platforms only recently. As an artist, you typically want to move past the things you have already done and make newer and better things, and for a while, I felt the same about  Taebot. After some time away from it, however, I realized Taebot will always be a part of my creative growth, and it’s almost like a photographic documentation of my development as a songwriter.  

It’s a project that I made with the intention of conveying melancholy and loneliness. I thought making it super poppy and melodic would help juxtapose the starkly contrasted lyrical content. In other words, the overall pop-rock vibe was made to help the “bitter pill”  go down easier. I think I was successful in balancing that. I’m proud of the fact that the songs do what they were made to do, but I see it as a fond, faded memory of the past.  Melancholy and loneliness aren’t something I revel in much these days. The songs are still fun, though! 

The title’s kind of quirky and sparks curiosity. What made you choose it, and does it reflect who you are as an artist in a way?

I think any artist would agree that titles, lyrics, or anything in a song should provoke some kind of reaction. I just never wanted to make anything that floats by and goes unnoticed.  Making something mundane and forgettable wouldn’t only be something an artist wants to avoid. It’s really an indication that the ideas being expressed are somehow missing the mark. When it comes to creative expression, I find it much better to be bold and even risk being perceived as foolish than to be safe and forgettable.

Getting conferred with the tag of multiplatinum is quite a big deal. How has that recognition changed your perspective on how you work around and push yourself creatively?

The term “multi-platinum”, on one hand, can indicate a certain level of quality I operate at,  and that’s great if the term is used to get more opportunities and work. On the other hand, I  see it more accurately as an indication of a fandom’s dedication. Someone can write the greatest song of our generation, and if there isn’t enough support from the audience it’s made for, it would simply miss out on the “multi-platinum” label it probably deserves on its own merit. The credit for a lot of accolades, especially when it comes to the creative field, once again, largely goes to the fans.

You’ve worked alongside some of K-pop’s biggest names, such as SHINee,  SEVENTEEN, NCT, &TEAM, BTOB, and VIXX, among others. How have these iconic collaborations helped you grow and achieve new heights in your journey? 

I think it’s been such a blessing from God to get opportunities like these because these groups are some of the top artists in Asia. It really makes me think back on the origins of my love for music. I used to be a pretty shy kid. I used to listen to punk rock on the school bus going home, and at home, I quietly mimicked their voices as I wrote my own songs in my room. I secretly crafted songs in my room because I didn’t really want anyone to know what I was doing. It was deeply personal for me, but very necessary for some reason. It was the only thing I really cared about growing up, but I was too shy to share it with even my parents. Seeing where that quiet, bashful young passion eventually led me to is mind-blowing to me. 

When we talk about the future, where do you see yourself going, and what kind of legacy do you intend to leave as a songwriter? 

I’d like to see myself taking part in big, highly anticipated projects. Of course, any songwriter wants that, but I think even setting ego aside, I would love to make great music with like-minded people for the sake of making large-scale connections. I want to be part of making things that really resonate with listeners and help them realize they aren’t alone in the world. Someone else out there understands them. A great song or album can really do that.

It’s like a message in a bottle you find and open up. It might have been written by a stranger far away, but it’s a wonderful thing when the message touches a truth about you as if it’s a letter from an old friend who knows you through and through. It really makes life better. I guess that really sums it up. I want to help make life better with the music I make. Sounds a bit general and grand, I know, but what’s the point if that isn’t the end goal for anything we do creatively? 

Is there anything you’d like to share with your Indian fans and everyone in general who has been following your work closely and supporting the kind of music you make?

I want to earnestly thank the Indian fans out there who have given love to any of the music  I’ve had the privilege of taking part in. It’s truly such an encouragement, and it only pushes me upward to work harder and with more zeal. I look forward to sharing more works with you in the future! Thank you!

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and for 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!