by martina rexrode
photo courtesy of yunhway
For an artist as multifaceted as YUNHWAY, innovation is everything. The Korean rapper, singer, and songwriter’s latest EP, ARRIVED, is proof that you don’t need to rush into creating the perfect body of work; sometimes the music that represents your artistry best comes when you least expect it. With a history of participating in South Korean competition shows like Show Me The Money and a sound that blends every aspect of her own background, the future is bright for YUNHWAY. Unclear Magazine chatted with YUNHWAY about her new EP, her creative process, her favorite artists, and more.
Congratulations on your latest EP, ARRIVED! What made you decide to choose a word like “arrived” for the title? Does it symbolize a specific moment or turning point in your career?
YUNHWAY: “ARRIVED felt like the right word because it captures this moment where I’ve finally stepped into the sound and identity that I’ve been building quietly for years. It’s not about ‘I made it’ — it’s more like I’ve shown up as my full self now. There were so many moments in my career where I felt like I was almost there, almost understood, almost seen… and this EP was the first time I felt completely aligned with my direction. So it symbolizes arrival not as a destination, but as a declaration.”
How has the reception been towards this EP over a month since it dropped?
YUNHWAY: “The reception has honestly been really encouraging. I feel like listeners who’ve been with me for years are saying, ‘This sounds like you but evolved,’ and newer listeners are discovering me through the sound of this project, especially internationally. Brazil and Mexico — a lot of unexpected places have been showing love, which means a lot because this EP was designed to travel outside of borders.”
What was the creative process like when making ARRIVED? Is there a specific order you follow (lyrics first, beats first, etc.), or do you tend to come at every track from a different angle?
photo courtesy of yunhway
YUNHWAY: “I usually start with the beat — that’s where the emotion and attitude come from for me. I react to sound first. Sometimes the flow comes immediately while I’m listening, and the lyrics follow naturally; other times I sit with the beat for a bit until I find the exact pocket I want to hit. I don’t have one strict process because each track demands a different energy.”
Not to make you pick favorites, but which track on this EP or in your discography as a whole are you the most proud of and why?
YUNHWAY: “On ARRIVED, I’m most proud of ‘XXS.’ It’s my fans’ favourite as well. I’m not a big dancer but this song gets me bouncing and my listeners have also found the energy of the song so powerful that some have said it gets them going through their morning commute to work. I love that my sound has evolved to where it sticks with listeners through their day.”
How has having roots in Korea, Vanuatu, and Portland shaped you as an artist? Which aspects of each culture do you bring into your music, if any?
YUNHWAY: “My background has definitely shaped my perspective in music. Korea gave me the discipline to take this craft seriously and grind and work for it. Vanuatu gave me the rhythm and emotion that feels natural and instinctive — and being really in tune with how you feel. Portland allowed me to embrace different genres, especially alternative sounds. I think my music naturally mixes those elements: precision, emotion, and individuality.”
Which artists have influenced your musical evolution? Who are you listening to on a regular basis and finding inspiration in?
YUNHWAY: “I listen very widely, but the artists who consistently influence me are the ones who create their own pockets in the industry — people like SZA, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and so many more. I’m inspired by listening to artists that create their own world.”
What are your biggest, most aspirational dreams for your future as an artist?
YUNHWAY: “My biggest dream is to become a global artist in the true sense — not confined to one country or one scene. I want my music to travel the way I’ve lived my life: across cultures, across languages, across genres.”