Interviewer: Deena Jasmine (Chikkmagaluru, Karnataka, India)

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

Jo Gwang-il is one of the fastest-rising names in Korean hip-hop. Born in Gwangju, he made his official debut in 2019 and quickly caught attention with his sharp delivery and unique flow. His breakthrough came with the 2020 single “Acrobat”, a track that went viral for its Fast-paced rap and bold style. In 2021, Gwang-il reached a wider audience by winning “Show Me the Money 10,” earning praise for both his skill and stage presence. Beyond the spotlight, he also gained respect for donating his prize money to children’s charities.

In this interview, we explore Jo Gwang-il’s journey, his approach to rap, and the mindset that drives his music.

What inspired you to become a rapper and songwriter? Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realize music was your path?

After I started liking rap, I saw how rappers earned money, gained fame, and had many opportunities. But honestly, the reason I became a rapper was simply that it was fun. From the very beginning until now, making songs and working on music have always been purely enjoyable for me. I would lose track of time while doing it, and that’s when I realized, “Ah, this is what I love the most.” That realization kept me going until now.

Looking back at your debut, what do you remember most about releasing your first song, and how did it feel to take that first step as an artist?

When I released my first song, I only earned about 4,000 won in royalties. At that moment, I thought, “Wow, this isn’t going to be easy.” At the same time, it gave me a lot of motivation. I felt both emptiness and a strong push to keep going. Honestly, I think that period was when I worked the hardest in my life.

Your rapid-fire rap style has caught a lot of attention. How did you develop your signature “machine-gun” flow?

In the beginning, I had this routine called “one day, one verse.” I wrote at least one verse a day, and I always wanted to put more ideas and different flows into a single track. Later on, I started writing 4–5 verses every day. As I tried to fit more of what I wanted to say and experimented with rhythms, I ended up putting more syllables into each line. That naturally made my rap faster, but it also made my pronunciation unclear. Since I wanted to deliver each word clearly, I kept practicing—even biting my lips, tongue, and teeth in the process. Over time, it became easier, my articulation improved, and it was still fun for me. That’s how I became who I am today.

Many fans admire the clarity and articulation in your verses, even at high speed. Do you have any practice routines or techniques to perfect that?

A lot of people have asked me this, and I always give the same answer. I just practiced until I could pronounce every word perfectly at that speed. Sometimes I would spend days practicing just a single sentence, repeating it until it was flawless.

Winning Show Me the Money 10 was a big milestone. How did that experience shape your approach to music and performing?

After winning Show Me the Money 10, nothing really changed about me as a person, but musically and professionally, it had a huge impact. Performing on big stages broadened my perspective and showed me how much I didn’t know yet. It made me think more carefully and thoroughly about everything. But in terms of my attitude toward music, nothing changed. For me, it has always been about enjoying it first and being satisfied with what I create. As for areas outside my expertise, I learned to trust professionals and let them handle it.

Your single “Acrobat” made waves for its fast flow and punchy lyrics. What was the process of creating that track, and did you expect it to have such an impact?

I started working on “Acrobat” just like any other track, beginning with Verse 1. After finishing that verse, I felt really proud and thought, “I have to finish this song no matter what.” When I completed it and shared it with people, most of them said it was too intense and exhausting because it was nonstop rap from start to finish. But I believed in myself and trusted that once this song came out into the world, it would create some kind of impact. That belief is what pushed me to release it.

During Show Me The Money, you were part of the massive ‘+82’ project with artists like Dynamicduo, Giriboy, and Paloalto. What was the most memorable moment from that experience, and how did it influence you as an artist?

The most memorable moment was simply standing on that stage and rapping. Those moments reminded me of why I still find joy in rapping to this day.

Your latest album, TONGUE, has just been released. What inspired this project? How did you approach creating it? And what do you hope listeners take away from it?

The only inspiration for this album was myself. By reflecting on Jo Gwang-il as a rapper from an objective point of view, the concept started to take shape. Looking back, the moments I enjoyed the most in my career were when I was rapping aggressively, fast, and intensely. So this album wasn’t planned—it came out instinctively. I just followed my instincts. What I want listeners to feel is, “This is Jo Gwang-il’s rap.” I want them to experience my identity as a rapper once again.

From your earlier tracks to your latest music, how would you describe your growth as an artist?

If I had to sum it up in one sentence: I’ve become stronger—both as a person and as an artist.

What challenges have you encountered in the industry, and how did overcoming them shape you as an artist? How do you stay inspired and motivated in your music career?

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve really faced hardships in music. It has always been fun for me, and that was everything. My only source of inspiration and motivation is the pride I feel when I listen to the music I’ve created.

If you could recommend one of your songs to someone new to your music, which one would it be and why?

Definitely “Acrobat.” Many people have loved that song, and I think it captures everything about me as a rapper in just three minutes. Instead of trying to explain myself, I’d let that song do it.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about, new projects or collaborations? Is there anything your fans can look forward to that you’d like to share?

Until now, I’ve mostly worked alone because my music had such a strong color. But now, I’m thinking about collaborating with many different artists, even ones people might find surprising. I want to create tracks with artists who will make people say, “Wow, I didn’t expect this.”

K-pop and Korean music are growing fast in India. What message would you like to share with your fans here?

Hello, this is Jo Gwang-il. Thank you so much to all the fans in India for loving Korean music. I promise that one day I’ll go to India and perform on stage for you. 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 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 below.