May 31

YOUNA (KR): "I believe it's important to focus on the essence of music itself"

YOUNA is an emerging DJ/Producer in the realm of melodic techno and progressive house. Originally from South Korea, YOUNA's musical journey took an unexpected turn when she found herself in Dubai, where she discovered a love for house music. Channeling her passion into honing her skills, YOUNA crafted a distinctive sound, seamlessly blending emotional melodies with the infectious energy of the tunes.

Your journey from South Korea to Dubai seems like quite the adventure. How has your cultural background influenced your music, especially in genres like melodic techno and progressive house?

Absolutely, it has been a significant transformation both musically and culturally. I used to be a huge fan of EDM when I was in middle school. Back then, my friends and I would download melody loops and add our own lyrics just for fun, haha. However, my deep dive into house music began after I moved to Dubai. In Korea, the mainstream genres were big room EDM and hip-hop, so melodic techno and progressive house were almost nonexistent. It's only recently that people have started to become more familiar with these genres, as I've heard.

In Korea, most popular club music is bright and energetic. So when I first listened to melodic techno and progressive house, I felt something profoundly different. It wasn't just about the "happy" vibe; it was emotional, sometimes dark, and the drops gave a cathartic explosion of energy. I knew immediately that this genre was for me. It felt like each track told a complete story with complex emotions. Gradually, I became deeply immersed in these genres. Luckily, in Dubai, world-renowned melodic techno artists perform almost every week, which has allowed me to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the genre.

"Dark Side" is your latest collaboration with RoelBeat on Exx Muzik. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how did the collaboration come about?

“Dark Side” was inspired by the extended storyline of RoelBeat’s hit track "Asgard." I loved the his signature stab bass sound and played his tracks "Top Gun" and "Um (RoelBeat Remix)" in my YouTube live set. After he saw the video, he proposed a collaboration. Additionally, we had a connection since both of us had released tracks under the Exx Muzik label. So we developed the project using the signature sound from "Asgard." As intended, the collaboration track evoked the essence of "Asgard" while blending with new vocals to create an enchanting melody, resulting in a collaboration we were very satisfied with.

Your debut single “Self-Doubt” achieved remarkable success on Beatport, reaching the top 14 in progressive house. How did you feel about this achievement, and did it impact your approach to subsequent releases?

It was truly an unexpected outcome. Honestly, just like the title suggests, I had a lot of self-doubt about my producing abilities before my first release. I often found myself stuck in a rut while working on tracks. Something that sounded great late at night would sometimes sound terrible the next day. I think many producers can relate to this experience, haha. Regardless, I am immensely grateful that so many listeners appreciated my debut release.

In fact, even after my subsequent releases charted, my approach hasn’t changed significantly. Rather than being influenced by past successes, I am always trying to experiment with new sounds and discover my unique style. The desire to continually evolve and improve through new attempts is what I believe to be most important.

In your opinion, how does your music contribute to breaking down cultural barriers and fostering a sense of unity on the global stage?

Actually, I'm one of the few, or perhaps the only Korean in Melodic Techno scene. There are preconceived notions about what music or style people from certain countries prefer, although these notions are based somewhat in reality, not everyone fits into those boxes. When I unexpectedly played melodic techno at an underground club as a Korean, some people might have reacted with surprise, thinking, "Oh, a Korean is into this kind of music?" However, rather than eliciting such alien reactions based on my nationality or background, I simply want people to get lost in and enjoy my music, regardless of where I'm from.

We listen to music and go to parties to satisfy our senses and enjoy the sounds we love. I believe it's important to focus on the essence of music itself, not external factors like age, gender, or race. I strive to bring satisfaction to people who love this genre, regardless of their age, gender, or race. That's how I believe I contribute to breaking down cultural barriers and fostering unity on the global stage.

Dubai is known for its vibrant music scene. How has being based in Dubai influenced your artistic growth and the evolution of your sound?

As mentioned earlier, Dubai is renowned as a destination frequented by global house, techno, and melodic techno artists. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to attend shows by my favorite artists every week and to have learned valuable insights through live shows and received invaluable advice from kindred spirits.

Recently, I had the privilege of performing alongside Chris Avantgarde and Olympe at one of Dubai's biggest clubs, where renowned artists like Tale of Us, Argy, Amelie Lens, and Peggy Gou have also graced the stage. Being part of this vibrant scene has not only activated my preferred genres but also provided me with numerous opportunities to connect with a diverse audience, for which I am truly thankful and consider myself fortunate.