The Korea Herald is introducing Korean singers, musicians and actors poised to join the next wave of top stars in a twice-monthly series. -- Ed.


At one point, virtually every clubber in Korea was grooving to the vocals of singer Babylon, featured in the popular single “Boys and Girls” by Zico.

The R&B singer, who debuted in 2015 with “Pray,” has one of the more recognizable voices in the Korean music scene, a result of his many collaborations with prominent artists.

But the 29-year-old says he is ready to take the next step in letting the public know what kind of artist Babylon really is.

“I was featured in a lot of (other people’s) songs, but now I’m focusing more on my music,” Babylon said in an interview with The Korea Herald.

“At the time of my debut, I was just ‘thrown’ into the field. I didn’t know anything and nobody expected anything, so I just followed other people. Now I know better, and it makes me think,” he said. “People expect more from me, and I feel more responsible (for my music).”

The musician, who once was content just getting his name out there, is now looking to carve his music into the minds of the public. Nearly two years after he first surfaced, Babylon says this is an opportune time for him to grow as an artist.

Babylon’s story actually starts a little over a decade ago, when a high school student by the name of Lee Jong-min first took the stage during a school festival.

“I just loved music. It started when I was a freshman in high school, and when I was on the stage and saw how people reacted, I knew music was the way to go for me,” he said.

“Back then, I was going through a stage in life where I was talking less. And I felt (performing onstage) made me discover a side of me that I didn’t even know that I had. ... Even now, that is what keeps me going. The bustling in the crowd before the show, their anticipation as they await with bated breath and all that.”

Unlike some singers, Babylon is actively involved in writing and producing his works. He wrote four songs for his latest EP “S.S.F.W.”

The EP is unique in that it features the emotions of love in four seasons depicted in four songs.

“The emotions that you feel are inconsistent, so I had the idea to describe the happiness, loneliness, sadness and sense of longing in the four seasons,” he said.

A cinephile in his spare time, Babylon gets a lot of inspiration for his songs from movies.

One particular film even contributed to the creation of his stage name.

Babylon is the name of the club where the rise and fall of Tony Montana -- the iconic protagonist of the masterful film “Scarface” -- took place. By taking on the name, the artist said he wants to rise to the top of the world as Al Pacino’s legendary character had. “Except for the downfall part, of course,” he added.

Babylon is now putting the finishing touches on the upcoming EP, set to be released next month. He has finished working on three of the five songs that will be in it.

Entering the next stage of his career, Babylon says he is cautious not to get caught up in the success or failure of one or two albums. “I will be doing this (music) for a long time, so I have to look at it from a long-term perspective,” he said.

After shedding the title of a rookie, Babylon’s thoughts are now on how to communicate better with fans through music.

“I try to find things that people can relate to. I think it’s important for musicians to tell his story through music that the public can understand,” he said. “Because ultimately, the public are the ones consuming the music.” 


By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)