Sometimes it happens, and it’s wonderful. Sometimes, some days, you wake up as Person A, and you go to sleep that you are Person B. A few months ago one of those days happened to me. He was sponsoring his music on Instagram, and I, as a diligent music explorer, clicked. The first one ever, the memory is still crystal clear, was her. Levitate: my personal, precious key to JYLEE’s art and mind.
From that day a journey of curiosity and discovery began, culminating – but not ending – here, today, with these questions to which he, kind and helpful beyond measure despite in pre-release moment (ONCE IN A LIFE came out last Friday!), agreed to answer for us.
Without further ado, let’s meet JYLEE.
Koreami: Hi! Please introduce youself to the Italian audience.
I’m JYLEE, an artist and musician living in the space between sound and emotion. I’m Korean-American, and my background plays a huge role in shaping the way I create. Music and art have always been my way of making sense of the world—turning emotions into something tangible. My sound is a blend of electronic, R&B, and alternative influences, with classical textures. I love building immersive atmospheres, whether through music, visuals, or storytelling.
Koreami: You are a polyhedric artist—a talented musician and a wonderful visual artist. Which one came first in your life, and how do they influence each other?
Art and music were my first languages. I was drawing with pastels and charcoal and playing piano before I even understood how to express what I was feeling in words. The two mediums constantly influence each other—when I’m writing a song, I often see the visuals while producing the track. When I’m creating visuals, the mood of the music dictates the colors, textures, and movement. They feed into each other in a way that makes my work feel whole.
Koreami: How would you describe your music? Is there a concept, a word, or an image that comes to mind when you think of it?
My fans have told me my music feels like a late-night drive through neon-lit streets, somewhere between a dream and a memory. It’s been described as cinematic, emotional, and deeply personal, often exploring themes of resilience, desire, and transformation. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be “cathartic.” My songs feel like a release—whether it’s heartbreak, nostalgia, or euphoria, I want listeners to feel something visceral.
A song that best represents this vision? Probably ONCE IN A LIFE—it’s hypnotic, emotional, and layered in a way that holds both vulnerability and seduction.
Koreami: Your website describes your music as a ‘cathartic blend of introspection, resilience, and heart-wrenching emotion.’ What are the most difficult and most beautiful moments in creating a song?
The challenging part is translating raw emotion into something tangible. Sometimes, I’ll have a strong feeling or a vivid image in my mind, but it takes time to find the right words, melodies, and textures to bring it to life. I can get lost in the details, chasing a sound or the way a word is sung to perfectly reflect what I’m feeling.
But the most beautiful moment is when everything clicks—when the lyrics, production, and emotion align, and I realize: this is exactly what I wanted to say. That moment makes the process worth it.
Koreami: Tell us about your inspiration. Your music is genre-bending—does that come from listening to a wide range of artists? Who are your biggest inspirations?
I’ve never felt tied to one genre because the music I love is so diverse. I take inspiration from artists like James Blake, The Weeknd, FKA twigs, Tame Impala, Flume, Chopin, and Mike Dean, who all push boundaries in different ways. I’m drawn to artists who create atmospheres rather than just songs—people who make you feel like you’re stepping into their world.
Outside of music, I’m heavily influenced by film and visual art—directors like Wong Kar-wai and Denis Villeneuve, the paintings of Rembrandt, and the architecture of Tadao Ando. The way light, movement, and space interact inspires how I think about sound design and composition.
Koreami: We understand you have Korean roots. Do you incorporate any elements of traditional Korean music in your work? Are there any Korean artists who inspire you?
Yes, I’m Korean-American, and while my music doesn’t always directly incorporate traditional Korean elements, I feel like its emotional core is very much influenced by my heritage. Korean music, film, and art carry a deep sense of Han (한)—a complex feeling of deep sorrow—which I resonate with a lot.
As for Korean artists, I’m inspired by Crush, DPR Live, DEAN, and Glen Check—they all have this ability to blur genres and create something uniquely their own.
Koreami: We’ve been listening to your music for months and have some favorites. Koreana loves Top Speed and Levitate. Simodreams really likes In The Night and Make Up. Can you share an anecdote about any of these songs?
That means so much—thank you!
🖤 In The Night came from a place of reflection and longing. It’s about the distance between two people and how it can make the feeling of desire even stronger. I wrote the song in Tokyo and finished it when I got back to LA. That distance between the two places definitely shaped the song’s vibe.
🖤 Make Up was an emotional rollercoaster to write—so much so that I brought in the amazing co-writer Antoinette Gentempo to help me sort out my thoughts. It’s about knowing someone is thinking about you, even though they’re with someone else.
🖤 Levitate was a completely different process—it was written in a purely creative state. The production and chorus melodies came to me while I was rehearsing with my live band.
Each of these songs holds a different piece of me, and I’ll be releasing many more this year. Thanks so much for listening!
