Story by M. A. Lee
Editor-at-Large CAROLINA OGLIARO
South Korea’s vibrant music industry is largely dominated by pop, emphasizing choreography, intense training, and dance-driven tracks that have been at the forefront over several decades. As a result, R&B artists have faced significant challenges in pursuing a niche audience, especially compared to its dominant presence in the United States. Enter emerging artist Min Jiwoon, whose smooth, rich vocals immediately captivate. With stunning vocal control, she effortlessly transitions from low to high notes—showcasing the mastery expected in R&B. There is a vulnerability in her sound that makes her music feel deeply relatable, drawing listeners in with every note.
We asked Min about how she fell in love with R&B and felt about the difficulties of being a part of the genre in Korea: “Idol and dance music are incredibly beloved, pursuing R&B can feel like a challenge. However, there are definitely amazing R&B artists who have paved the way and expanded the market. I believe my role is to carve out my own space and showcase my own music style.” With a limited amount of mainstream exposure in shows and radio, streaming platforms are proving to be a great way for these artists to gain reach. What’s exciting is the global audience that has caught on and continues to fall in love with Korean R&B songs. The timing for Min is perfect as more streaming services are picking up on the international appreciation for these artists.
“I loved listening to music since I was young,” Min tells us. “I would always sing, whether at home or during school breaks. Getting into music felt like something I had promised myself as a child.” We wanted to know what artists influenced her sound while she was exploring this new path. “The first song that truly shocked me was by India Arie. As I grew up, I listened to a lot of hip-hop and pop R&B music, and if I had to pick one favorite artist, I’d pick Ariana Grande.” There’s something about her music that creates a contemporary and romantic nostalgia when you listen. It’s contributing to a genre that’s growing more and more in Korea while showcasing songwriting abilities that true R&B fans everywhere appreciate. This fresh, new music from Min is garnering her a rapidly growing fan base. Drawing inspiration from her musician friends, she shares “I feel like I’m in a phase where I’m slowly expressing things I’ve been wanting to say through my music.”
As we learn more about Min Jiwoon, we were most excited about her upcoming single “If You Were The Rain” featuring Crush. A fellow R&B artist who debuted in 2014, and gained success pushing forward in the genre. “I’ve always admired and respected Crush as an artist,” Min says. “Just having the opportunity to work with him was an incredible honor. It was also a great source of motivation for me.” As we await the song’s release, the anticipation of these two incredible talents together has us on edge!
If haven’t had the chance to listen to Min Jiwoon’s soulful voice, please do so. We’re sure you’ll be as captivated as we were, and want to know more about this up-and-coming talent!
