K-RNB’S FAVOURITE SHY BOY JEY IS BACK, PREPARING TO RELEASE HIS BRAND NEW ALBUM POV. AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, THIS TIME AROUND, HE WILL BE SHARING MOMENTS OF HIS LIFE AND WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD. HOPING THAT HIS SONGS REACH LISTENERS FAR AND NEAR WHO MAYBE AREN’T ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH KOREAN MUSIC, JEY ALREADY HAS A STRONG, DEVOTED FAN BASE WHO ALLOW HIS QUIET NATURE TO DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS HE PERFORMS FOR THEM. ALTHOUGH HE DESCRIBES HIS PERSONALITY AS RESERVED, HE WISHES TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP MORE AND DISCUSS HIS THOUGHTS FREELY WITH OTHERS, AS HE CONTINUES TO GROW AS A PERFORMER.

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Leather shirt **Zadig&Voltaire**, shirt and pants **Lacoste**

We last spoke a year ago, what have you been up to since? You released another EP Contact last year, how did that project come about?

I had a strong desire to create emotional R&B music. Without overthinking, I wanted to make music that was very relaxed and had a soft vibe. That naturally led to the creation and release of the Contact album. Since then, I’ve been working on my upcoming record POV for the past year and a half. Of course, I’ve been touring as well.

When you were a child, how did you first discover that you could sing? Do you think training as an idol helped your growth as an artist?

Honestly, I was more interested in rapping than singing, but I started singing when someone suggested I try it. Since then, I’ve been doing it without much thought, and it turned out to be a great opportunity. Instead of the training as an idol helping me, I think it’s the fact that I’ve experienced such a variety of worlds that has been beneficial.

Coat and necklace **Givenchy**, pants **Zadig&Voltaire**, shoes stylist’s own

You were touring this year around Europe – what was the energy like during this time?

My usual energy level is quite low. I prefer quiet environments and don’t move around much. But when I’m performing, I tend to shout louder and move more energetically. The rush I get from performing is immense, and I naturally become more energetic.

Your performances go viral, I always see them on my social media and I feel like your fans love watching you perform so much. What goes into the preparation for a performance? Do you ever get stage fright?

I actually get very nervous before going on stage. I have to keep reminding myself to act like there’s no tomorrow. But as soon as I step on stage, everything feels fine, and I’m not nervous at all.

Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

Recently, you released a few new tracks like Juicy and Close2U. What goes into creating a track, are you actively participating in the production, sampling and writing? And do you have a favourite part of making music?

I mainly handle the melody and lyrics, while the rest of the composition and musical aspects are left to my producer, M/N. It’s like telling them what I want to wear, and they graciously dress me in something that fits perfectly.

How do you film your visuals for songs? Who do you enjoy working with and where do you get inspired for the clips?

There isn’t a clear process for how I shoot visuals. I tend to go with whatever draws me in. Life itself is my inspiration, whether it’s my life or someone else’s.

Leather shirt **Zadig&Voltaire**, shirt and pants **Lacoste**

You've publicly posted some pics of your relationship online, which is something that is becoming more and more democratised in the industry. Was sharing that side of your life something complicated for you?

There wasn’t anything complicated about posting everyday moments with someone I love. The real consideration is in how I choose to share them.

What’s your favourite thing about Mayu Kitazawa, and what has your relationship taught you?

I love everything about her and cherish every moment. I’ve learned almost everything, and she’s the only person I want to experience everything with.

Coat and necklace **Givenchy**, pants **Zadig&Voltaire**

You’re quite a fashion icon, from your bleached eyebrows to various hairstyles that you change up every couple of months. Do you have a favourite look of all time?

Rather than focusing on what I’ve worn so far, I’m more excited about my future style, which is unpredictable but already something I love.

Left Full look **Dior Men**
Right Leather shirt **Zadig&Voltaire**, shirt and pants **Lacoste**

I admire you, I’ve always wanted to be fully bleached – wasn’t it hard to maintain your bleached eyebrows and hair?

Of course, it’s difficult, but sometimes when you stop worrying about the hard stuff, it actually becomes easier.

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Coat and necklace **Givenchy**, pants **Zadig&Voltaire**, shoes stylist’s own

You also post a lot of great outfits online, is there a fashion brand that you currently love? And a brand that you’d love to work with in the future?

I like brands like EgonLab and Alexander Digenova, and I’d love to collaborate with them in the future.

Left Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Full look **Dior Men**

Where do you hope to go with your sound in the future? Do you have any dream collaborations?

I want my sound to reach someone on the other side of the world who doesn’t even know what Korean is. If that happens, it means we share similar thoughts. There are always artists I want to work with. I’m always open and ready to reach out. Right now, I’m listening [a lot] to Tame Impala’s The Less I Know The Better.

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

There are few interviews of you online, why do you choose to keep information about yourself as an individual but also as an artist private? Do you think that also allows you to detach yourself from interpretation and perception?

I’d love to do more interviews and openly share everything, but I think it’s just due to my personality that it hasn’t happened. I’m just living according to my nature. I’m not trying to separate my life as an artist from my personal life. The way others see me and the way I see myself aren’t all that different.