Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.
Today, we are bringing you something very different. This site has covered K-Pop idols, indie artists, city pop idols and bands. However, today’s group fall under a completely different genre, that being A Capella.
There is a high chance that when you have scrolled through TikTok, YouTube shorts, or Instagram reels, you have come across some short videos by today’s featured artist – MayTree. MayTree have a huge social media following of over 18 Million followers across all platforms. But beyond their immense success is a story of friendship, of relatability, of creativity, and most importantly an understanding of what music is truly about.
Introduction:
MayTree are a South Korean A Capella group consisting of 5 members: Jang Sangin (S.I.), Kang Sookyung (Soo), Kim Wonjong, Im Suyeon (Erika), and Kwon Younghoon (Hoony). The group was initially formed back in the year 2000, with their first EP, ‘Maybe’ being released in 2006. They blew up in popularity in the 2020s with their short video A Capella covers of wide-known sound effects, songs and instumental tracks. They have performed on America’s Got Talent, and on stages all around the world.
Interview:
Q1. Please introduce yourselves as a group and individually.
S.I.
Hello, nice to meet you! We are MayTree, an acapella group from South Korea.
I’m S.I., and I handle vocal percussion in the group.
People often ask us why we’re called “MayTree.” In Korea, winters are long and trees endure the cold until they bloom with fresh green leaves in May. I named the group “MayTree” to symbolize that spirit — to overcome hardships and still remain vibrant and passionate, just like those spring leaves, even after gaining success or recognition.
Soo
Hi there! I’m Soo, and I usually take care of the more detailed work in the group.
Wonjong
I’m Wonjong, and I sing the bass — the lowest part in our harmonies.
Erika
I’m Erika — you might recognize me as the one holding the tablet in our videos!
Hoony
Hi everyone! I’m Hoony, and I usually sing lead male vocals in our arrangements. So happy to be here!
Q2. How did MayTree first come together as a group and what has been your secret for staying together so long?
S.I.
MayTree was formed in the year 2000, when I brought the original members together through PC communication platforms and online communities.
We’ve been performing for 25 years now. In this industry, even staying together for 10 years is considered a long time, so we feel very fortunate to have come this far.
Of course, we’ve had our share of challenges — especially when facing financial difficulties. But our deep love and consistent passion for acapella music helped us overcome each obstacle and keep going.
Soo
I believe the secret to our longevity is in understanding and respecting each other’s differences. Each member has unique strengths and weaknesses based on their personality and character. Over time, we’ve come to understand what makes each other happy and where our talents truly shine. Supporting one another in those moments has made all the difference.
Q3. What do you all love the most about the A Cappella genre?
S.I.
At first, I was simply enchanted just by listening to acapella music. But I was so inspired that I wanted to try singing it myself.
I remember harmonizing “Do-Mi-Sol” with two friends during a break in class — the moment we sang together, the noisy classroom fell silent. That’s how magical human-made harmony can be.
I believe the biggest charm of acapella is the ability to create beautiful music anywhere, anytime, without any instruments.
Soo
I love minimalism, and to me, a cappella is musical minimalism. Even with just a few voices, you can express so many stories and emotions — that’s what draws me to it the most.
Wonjong
I think a cappella is one of the few art forms that only humans can create. If electronic music is like a car race, a cappella is more like a track-and-field event — raw, human, and exhilarating in a very different way.
Erika
The human voice is the warmest sound, yet it can express even the coldest of emotions. That emotional range is a big part of its charm. Also, the fact that you’re limited to only voices to build the entire soundscape — that creative constraint is actually what makes it so interesting to me.
Hoony
To me, the voice is the most primal and essential sound — it’s what we first hear in our mother’s womb. That connection makes a cappella deeply human and endlessly captivating.
Q4. You gained widespread international popularity with your Windows and video game sound videos. Why do you think these resonated so well with people?
Erika
Perhaps it’s because we turned sounds that people hear in their daily lives into musical expressions — something familiar, yet surprising.
Our everyday life is filled with subtle sounds and rhythms, even if we don’t consciously notice them. When we gave musical focus to those fleeting moments, I think it sparked a sense of joy and recognition.
Also, those videos came out during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people felt limited in their day-to-day routines. I remember reading comments from viewers who said the videos brought them comfort during those difficult times.
Q5. You have covered many songs from popular artists both within Korea and from around the world. Who are the members’ favourite artists to cover and why?
S.I.
We once did a short cover of a song by Alan Walker, and it was quite a challenge. His music is rich and vibrant, yet sometimes minimal and clean, with catchy melodies and well-structured beats.
Turning those elements into vocal arrangements gave us an exciting opportunity to explore a different kind of a cappella — something beyond the traditional.
We’ve developed many techniques through covering a wide range of artists, but personally, I find musicians like Alan Walker really push our creativity.
Soo
I’ve loved working on the delicate and lyrical music of Joe Hisaishi. His compositions blend beautifully with the human voice, and the emotional depth is something I truly enjoy conveying through a cappella.
Wonjong
I had a great time covering film scores by John Williams. Reimagining full orchestral music into a cappella was both fun and fulfilling.
Erika
When we covered “The Murder” from Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho soundtrack, I was deeply moved by how he used string instruments to express fear. It reminded me how powerful music can be in reaching the extremes of human emotion — even when using only voices.
Hoony
The raw intensity of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” is unforgettable. Singing something that powerful and iconic — and recreating that energy through voices alone — was truly thrilling.
Q6. MayTree also release your own original songs too. Your most recent release was ‘Missing Bees’. Could you tell us more about this song?
Erika
This song is connected thematically to one of our earlier originals, Water in the World, which was about the importance of water.
Missing Bees was inspired by news reports about the dramatic decline in bee populations due to climate change, and how this could have a devastating impact on the entire ecosystem — including us.
The lyrics go, “The days grow colder and hotter, the bees are disappearing.” Through this song, we wanted to raise awareness about this crisis and start a conversation about what we can do together.
We released the song on May 20, 2025, to mark World Bee Day.
We also have a new single coming soon — it’s a remake of “Stay With Me” (真夜中のドア) by Japanese artist Miki Matsubara.
Our version stays true to the nostalgic, elegant vibe of classic City Pop, while adding our own modern harmonies and playful vocal chops.
For a while, we’re planning to continue reinterpreting beloved songs from the past in fresh, creative ways — and maybe, from that process, create our own original song, too.
Q7. What is the typical production and arranging process for your A Cappella covers?
Erika
For our YouTube channel, we usually aim for short and snackable videos — something that’s easy and enjoyable to watch without feeling too long or heavy.
Take our recent KPop Demon Hunters medley, for example. We watched the animation ourselves, picked out the most memorable musical moments, and curated the sound effects and melodies that would bring those scenes to life through a cappella.
Even for viewers who haven’t seen the animation, we want the music to stand on its own — that’s always our goal: to move people with nothing but our voices.
When we have that goal in mind, arranging actually becomes less difficult. We start by identifying the essential sounds that must be preserved, and then build our signature “MayTree-style” a cappella around them.
After that, we design a clean and easy-to-follow visual layout for the tablet (which you might recognize from our videos), and then we shoot in front of the camera. And just like that — it’s done!
Q8. Some of your most popular covers are associated with the Squid Game series. How did it feel to have your work recognised by the cast of the show?
Hoony
We originally made those covers just because we truly enjoyed the show, so we were really surprised — and deeply grateful — when the cast actually saw and reacted to our videos.
It felt like such a huge honor, and we’re so thankful for the love they showed us.
Q9. If you were able to work with any artist to make an A Cappella version of their song, who would you like to collaborate with and why?
S.I.
There are honestly so many artists we’d love to collaborate with — it’s hard to choose!
But if I had to pick just two…
First, Stevie Wonder. His music and harmonica playing are instantly recognizable and so full of soul. I can imagine his harmonica layered on top of our harmonies — that would be a dream collaboration, truly moving.
Second, Pentatonix, the superstars of the a cappella world. Our styles are very different, but I love both.
I’ve always hoped we could work together to show the world that the human voice has no limits. It’s been a longtime wish of mine, and I still believe it could happen someday.
Q10. Who are each of the member’s biggest musical inspirations?
S.I.
As a child, I used to listen to Simon & Garfunkel on cassette tapes and vinyl records until they wore out. Later, I discovered groups like The King’s Singers, Boney M, and most importantly, Boyz II Men — who truly inspired me to pursue a cappella.
These days, I draw inspiration from very different sources: the cinematic works of Ryuichi Sakamoto and even EDM.
Since I also handle mixing within the group, I try to listen to a wide range of music from every genre.
Soo
For me, The Real Group is the ultimate a cappella inspiration.
They opened up a whole new world of vocal music and showed just how beautiful, fresh, and limitless the human voice can be.
Wonjong
As a vocalist, I admire Luther Vandross. Musically, I’ve always respected Al Jarreau — his style continues to influence me deeply.
Erika
I used to listen to Jamiroquai nonstop when I was younger.
But honestly, I’m always discovering new artists with fascinating sounds, so my “biggest” inspiration keeps evolving. It’s like I’m constantly falling in love with music all over again.
Hoony
I’ve been completely captivated by Jacob Collier for years now — and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
His music feels like diving into the deepest parts of the ocean — imaginative, limitless, and full of wonder.
Q11. You recently held a Tokyo concert. What are your favourite memories from these performances?
Soo
There was one moment during the concert when all of us stepped down from the stage and handed out flowers to the audience.
Looking each person in the eye and sharing a smile — that connection was unforgettable. It was more than just music; it felt like a heartfelt exchange between human beings.
Wonjong
I remember the fans we met during our signing event — especially the one who wore the same kind of bow tie I use in our videos, and another who came in a wheelchair. I’m so thankful for their support and warmth.
Hoony
Whenever we perform in Japan, I always feel how deeply the audience is focused and emotionally present.
You can see it in their eyes. That level of engagement actually makes me more focused — and even a little nervous — in the best way.
Q12. Lastly, do you have a message for your fans and new viewers?
S.I.
To everyone who has supported us, and to those who are just discovering MayTree — we’re so happy to connect with you.
We hope this interview gave you a little more insight into who we are.
We never take your love for granted.
Just like the name “MayTree,” we’ll continue creating fresh and heartfelt a cappella music with sincerity and gratitude.
Hoony
We’ll keep making music that’s fresh, diverse, and comforting.
Please stay with us on this journey — thank you so much!
Thank you so much to MayTree for taking the time to answer our questions. A Capella is such a fascinating and understated musical genre. The human voice really is so versatile and can do incredible things, and that’s what makes MayTree’s work really resonate with me.
Please check out MayTree’s socials below and drop them a follow:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3mY2SKYhPjqImtBBXsR6_Q
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maytree_music?lang=en
X: https://x.com/maytreemusic?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maytree_music/?hl=en
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/maytree/666206491
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Vyy20gV4w3Eb8KY6Hmosq
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