Hello and welcome to HallyuTones – always dedicated to the music, production and performance at the heart of K-Pop!
Today, I am pleased to share our interview with the incredibly talented and creative soloist, Shin Jiyoon (신지윤) who has kindly taken the time to answer a few questions for us about her music and her goals as an artist!
But first, for those of you who may be unfamiliar with Shin Jiyoon and her work, below is a short artist introduction!
Artist Introduction:
Shin Jiyoon (Also known as Swan/Yoonie) is an independent artist who performs as both a singer and a DJ.
Her first song release was Yellow Light, which was a song that was finalised while she was studying at university. It has a Cinderella concept and was produced by herself alongside some school friends/professors. This song was later remixed and rereleased as ‘Yellow Light (Ray Remix)’ under her birth name of Shin Jiyoon, which featured rapping from rapper Yang Jeong Man.
Shin Jiyoon then released her second digital single Madagascar on 15th September, 2024. This song was accompanied by a self directed music video with her own animations and story. The story focuses on her going on an adventure to find someone and eventually reaching Madagascar, where she begins to process her emotions. This is supported with gorgeous animated visuals, dance segments and funny animal costumes, making for a really entertaining watch.
That brings us to Shin Jiyoon’s latest release! ‘Did You Love Me?’ is her third digital single, which released on 22nd May, 2025, alongside a music video for the song.
As she gears up promotions for her new single, we asked Shin Jiyoon a few questions to learn more about her as an artist, her production process, and her new single!
(All questions were answered in Korean by Shin Jiyoon, translations by @rachaflex . The full original Korean language answers will be posted at the end of this article/이 인터뷰의 한국어 버전은 기사의 마지막에 있습니다.).
Interview:
1. Please introduce yourself and your music!
Hello! I’m Shin Jiyoon, an artist who writes stories and paints pictures through music.
2. Who are your inspirations and who would you like to collaborate with if you had a chance to?
Lady Gaga has always been my role model. It’s my dream to collaborate with Lady Gaga someday.
3. What is it like working in the Korean music industry as an independent artist?
It’s very enjoyable, but it’s a series of challenges. Getting people to listen to my music is the most difficult. Still, I’m working hard/doing my best.
4. You also do work as a DJ, how is the club scene different from your work as a singer and dancer?
I haven’t tried performing at a club before. I always DJ at festivals or events, but I don’t think there’s a big difference between DJ-ing and performances as a dancer and singer. Making the audience enjoy it is the most important thing. Both are enjoyable.
5. I love your song ‘Madagascar’ and the art you created for the music video, what inspired you to create this song?
Just… the melody and the keyword Madagascar suddenly came to mind. Haha!! I wrote the lyrics as if I was writing down a fairy tale. I like imagining things, so I made and wrote the story as if i was drawing a comic. I was happy because many people empathized with it and also felt sad.
6. What is the song writing and production process like for you?
When a melody or key word comes to mind, I take a memo of it and open it later when needed. Sometimes a melody comes to me in my dreams while I’m sleeping, and I wake up and record it. I use the inspiration/ideas I’ve gathered to create a track and make it concrete.
7. Your new song ‘Did You Love Me?’ Is super catchy and fun. Can you tell us some more about the message of the song?
‘Did You Love Me?’ is a song based on my experience of heartbreak during my middle school days. It expresses the confused and upset feelings of a girl after a breakup through an exciting rhythm and flashy lines. I wanted to blow away those sad feelings with this song. If I were to recite one line of the lyrics, “You swan, he’s a frog. Stop overthinking and go to sleep!” This is what I want to say to all the girls struggling because of a romantic relationship. Girls who spend every day in tears because of boys and love! Let’s get rid of the bad love that makes you cry, and blow away the stress while dancing to this song.
8. Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to become a singer, dancer, or independent artist?
Hmm, Because I also don’t think I’m a successful artist yet, I don’t have any advice to give yet. I want to work hard, become more successful, and give truly meaningful advice.
9. Do have a message to send your fans?
I love you always!!!~ Have regular and healthy meals.
10. What are your goals as an artist?
I want to become a singer that sells out solo concert tickets!
Thank you again to Shin Jiyoon for taking the time to answer these questions! Please check out her new song ‘Did You Love Me?’ and leave some positive comments on her social media below!
Do you have any artists that you’d love to see spotlighted here? Whether they are a soloist, an independent artist, a producer, or a group, leave us a comment @hallyutones ! Thank you again for taking the time to read this article.
Korean Language Interview (Original responses):
1. 본인과 음악에 대한 소개를 부탁드립니다!
안녕하세요! 이야기를 쓰고, 음악으로 그림을 그리는 아티스트 신지윤입니다
2. 영감을 주는 사람은 누구이며, 기회가 된다면 누구와 협업하고 싶으신가요?
레이디 가가는 항상 제 롤모델입니다. 언젠가 레이디 가가와 협업하는게 꿈입니다.
3. 한국 음악계에서 인디 아티스트로 활동하는 것은 어떤가요?
굉장히 즐겁지만 도전의 연속이에요. 사람들이 제 음악을 듣게 하는 것이 가장 어려워요. 그래도 열심히 하고 있어요.
4. DJ로도 활동하시는데, 클럽 씬과 가수, 댄서로서의 활동은 어떻게 다른가요?
제가 클럽에서는 공연을 안 해봤고, 항상 축제나 행사에서 디제잉을 하는데,
디제잉과 댄스가수로서의 공연은 크게 다르지 않은 것 같아요. 관객을 즐겁게 하는 게 가장 중요하죠. 둘다 즐거워요.
5. ‘마다가스카’라는 곡과 뮤직비디오 아트가 정말 마음에 드는데, 이 곡을 만들게 된 영감은 무엇인가?
그냥 .. 멜로디와 마다가스카라는 키워드가 갑자기 떠올랐어요. 하하!!
동화를 써내려나가듯이 가사를 썼어요.
저는 상상하는 걸 좋아해서, 만화를 그리듯이 스토리를 만들고 썼는데
많은 분들이 공감해주고 슬퍼하기도 해서 기뻤어요.
6. 작곡 및 제작 과정은 어떻게 진행되나요?
하나의 멜로디나 키워드가 떠오르면 메모해 두고 나중에 필요할 때 열어봐요.
자다가 꿈속에서 멜로디가 떠올라서, 일어나서 음성 녹음해두기도 하고요. 그렇게 모인 영감들을 가지고 트랙을 만들고 구체화해요.
7. 신곡 ‘Did You Love Me?’는 정말 중독성 있고 재밌는 곡입니다. 이 곡의 메시지에 대해 좀 더 자세히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Did you love me는 제가 중학생 시절 겪은 실연의 경험을 바탕으로,
실연 후 알쏭달쏭하고 속상한 여자의 마음을 신나는 리듬과 화려한 라인으로 표현한 곡입니다. 저는 이 노래로 그런 슬픈 마음을 날려버리고 싶었어요.
가사 한 줄을 읊어 드리자면,
“You swan, he’s a frog. Stop overthinking and go to sleep!”
연애 때문에 힘들어하는 모든 소녀에게 하고 싶은 말이랍니다.
남자 때문에, 사랑 때문에 매일 눈물로 지새는 소녀들!
여러분을 울리는 나쁜 사랑은 버리고 이 노래에 춤추면서 스트레스나 날려 버립시다.
8. 가수, 댄서, 또는 인디 아티스트가 되고 싶은 사람들에게 해주고 싶은 조언이 있나요?
흠,, 아직 저도 성공한 아티스트가 아니라고 생각해서 조언해줄 게 아직 없어요. 열심히 해서 더 성공하고, 진짜 의미있는 조언을 해주고 싶네요.
9. 팬들에게 전하고 싶은 메시지가 있나요?
항상 사랑해!!!~ 식사를 규칙적으로 건강하게 하세요.
10. 아티스트로서 어떤 목표를 가지고 있나요?
단독 콘서트의 표를 매진하는 가수가 되고 싶어요.
If you would like to listen to Shin Jiyoon’s music please follow her on the below platforms:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWyA1Yrc-Zx2myw0jcFk4uA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/shin-jiyoon/1739754548
Twitter/X: https://x.com/official_yoonie?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanflies/?hl=en
HallyuTones 
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