The “Alchemy” Behind YOU Sieun’s Style

From HOUDINI to The Little Mermaid to black cats, YOU Sieun describes the sources of her musical inspiration and passion.

Photo courtesy of Palindrome Syndrome

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “YOU Sieun is ___” or “YOU Sieun’s music is ___”?
“YOU Sieun’s music is like ‘Love 101,’ an introduction to the study of love.” I take the truths and theories I’ve learned through experiencing love and put them into my lyrics. Love isn’t just romantic love between partners; it also includes love between family members, friends, and even the love we have for our own lives. Since I believe we all live inside love, my songs naturally become stories about love in all its forms. 

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
My mentor and label boss, HOUDINI. He was the first person who taught me about music, so his influence on me is especially strong. The thoughts and worries I have now are things he already went through many years ago. That’s why he always gives me the perfect answers [regarding] how I should move forward, what kind of mindset I should have, and so on. Sometimes when I’m stuck on lyrics, I’ll have long conversations with him, and [then] the words just start flowing.

Please describe your newest EP, Love Alchemist!
Love Alchemist is the story of an alchemist’s apprentice. It’s about realizing that separation is the completion of love. Through breakups, confusion, hardships, and adversity, you eventually come to understand and accept that love is only completed when you let go. Of course, each song has its own story, but that’s the main message I want to convey. It’s the album that completes one important piece of the puzzle in my overall universe and worldview. 

Can you share more about some of the specific songs on Love Alchemist and where the ideas for them originated? 
“Stan” is actually about the love between a fan and a star. I named it “Stan” because while obsessive love that crosses the line can’t really be called “love,” I think the way ordinary fans love their idols is incredibly pure. They love unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. They proudly introduce their favorite artists to others and spend all day watching their music videos and content. I [find] that kind of love really beautiful and powerful, so I wrote the song from fans’ perspective.

“The Little Mermaid” came about when I didn’t know what to write and thought, “Whatever, let me just write what I really want to say.” Because I was so honest and poured my real feelings into it, it became one of my most cherished songs. Since I started working at a very young age, I often feel a bit disconnected from people my age when I talk to them. While trying to find a metaphor for that loneliness, the story of The Little Mermaid came to mind. Usually people focus on the romance between the mermaid and the prince, but I imagined how the mermaid would feel after gaining human legs, living in the human world, and then having to return to the sea. I thought she might realize that the world she originally belonged to wasn’t actually where she fits in. She must feel incredibly lonely, desperately hoping someone will come save her after seeing a world where she doesn’t truly belong. That’s the feeling I put into the lyrics. 

What is the reason behind the black cat motif you frequently use, and do you plan to ever stop using it?
I get asked about the black cat motif a lot! The black cat symbolizes both good luck and bad luck, depending on the culture and country. I [find] that duality really interesting. I also believe that many things in life can’t simply be divided into black and white. In my universe, the black cat acts as a guide, so I plan to keep using it throughout my music career. 

Photo courtesy of Palindrome Syndrome

Out of all of your songs, which one…

… has the most interesting story behind it?: The song with the most interesting hidden story is “Stan.” On the surface, it sounds like a fan loving a star, but there’s a twist at the end. It’s actually about the star falling in love with one particular fan!

… was the most fun to make, and why?: The most fun song to make was “The Little Mermaid.” Because I was writing very honestly about feelings I had kept bottled up inside, the process felt really enjoyable and was finished quickly. 

… took the longest to finish, and why?: The song that took the longest was “Home sweet home.” When I write lyrics, I don’t just write whatever I want to say. I also have to build the worldview and storyline. So I spent a lot of time figuring out how to include the messages I wanted to deliver while making sure everything fit properly into the overall story of the album. 

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
In the short term, I really want to successfully wrap up my upcoming concert. It’s my first solo concert, so I’m incredibly excited to perform the songs I’ve worked so hard on right in front of the audience. Honestly, I became an artist because I love standing on stage. I could almost say I make music for the sake of performing. 

In the long term, my dream is to travel around the world and do a lot of world tours.

As for career goals, hmm… maybe seeing my album on the Billboard charts?! keshi and Justin Bieber are my biggest role models, so I’d love to do a collaboration album with them one day. 

Ultimately, my goal is to keep expressing all the stories I want to tell through music and to continue living a life where I can do that. If music disappeared from my life, I think it would lose all its light. 

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
I feel like I’ll have so much more I want to say as I continue living and growing, so please keep listening to my stories from now on! I hope you spend happy days with my music!

Check out Love Alchemist here, and learn more about YOU Sieun here!

View the Substack version of this piece here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.