Yebit says her music career started with a 'reckless ambition'

연합뉴스 / 2022-05-06 16:43:08

▲ This photo, provided by beamz, shows singer-songwriter Yebit. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- "I tried to find what I could do among my outstanding (Hanlim Arts School) friends, and I found out that singing and writing songs were what I could do. The related contest was the Yoo Jae-ha Music contest. As the age limit for participation was lifted when I was in high school, I took on the challenge with my reckless ambition."

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency on the 6th, singer-songwriter Yebit said that the opportunity to challenge music was a "reckless ambition."

Born in January 2000, a "Generation Z," she is a musician who is now studying in Seoul Institutes Of The Arts after graduating from Hanlim Arts School. She debuted when she was awarded the bronze medal in the 29th Yoo Jae-ha Music Contest in 2018.

As it is beyond a reckless ambition to win a bronze medal in a famous competition like this as a high school student, more details had to be heard.

"I begged my parents to learn vocal music after I went to a children's song contest that I went with my parents when I was six. Then, around 2013, I decided that I wanted to learn practical music and that was why I went to Hanlim Arts School."

The reason on why she chose to pursue practical music instead of vocal music is also interesting. This is because BEAST (now known as Highlight), who was very popular during that time, was the reason behind this. As a young age, she thought "I wish I could be like them." However, the reality that awaited her was different.

"I went to a practical music academy, and while learning to dance there, I realized I was horrible at dancing," said Yebit as she laughed. "After I found out that I had no talent in dancing, I decided that I should solely sing."

Hanlim Arts High School has produced many outstanding K-pop stars such as SHINee's Taemin, f(x)'s Krystal, Itzy's Ryujin and Chaeryeong. As she was looking for what she could do among all her friends who were preparing to become idols, she knocked on Yoo Jae-ha music contest.

"I never learnt composition officially," said Yebit. "I just wrote and submitted a song called 'Late Summer' with the chords of the guitar and I got good results."

After her award, she has been active with a variety of songs starting from "Smile For Me" in 2020, "The Two Words," "Home," and "On Air."

These songs have succeeded in portraying the feelings of Generation Z. Her previous work, "On Air" is conveyed at a speedy pace just like the ending scene of an anime.

The lyric that says that there is nothing to worry about even when the last train is cut off when you look at your friend's drunk red face, makes one slowly smile.

The new single "Sarang," released after 9 months, is a song that contains the sensibility and nostalgia of the youth of this age and feels like the "retro of Generation Z." The harmony of acoustic guitar and clarinet also conveys a spring-like warmth.

"I think that my songs are healthy songs that one could listen to comfortably," said Yebit. "The strength of my type of music is that it has an analog vibe to it. One could call it pollution-free or organic."

"Through the new song, 'Sarang,' I wanted to convey a message about loving the future opportunities and the memories of the past. Thus, I wanted to say that we should love ourselves," said Yebit. "We're living in an era where it's hard to love anyone, including ourselves. So, I hope that my fans will have a chance to share at least a little bit of love after listening to my songs.

Yebit is also communicating with her fans by uploading cover videos of other singer's songs on YouTube. Her YouTube channel has over 360,000 subscribers.

"YouTube is a window that allows me to open up a whole new world," she said. "As we're living with COVID-19, YouTube has become a really good way to communicate."

"I want to be remembered as a steady artist," she added. "As much as I make healthy music, I believe that people will be able to listen to my music comfortably."

"I don't know how other people write songs, but when I write a song, I try my best to finish it in a day. I try to capture my emotions of that day," Yebit said.