There are artists whose journeys are told not just through dates or titles, but through an energy, an inner trajectory, a singular way of standing in the world. JUNGL$ is one of them. Behind his name, and the symbol of the wild tiger he claims, hides a creator who moves forward with rare, almost raw sincerity, transforming every stage of his life into artistic material. To understand his universe, one must step off the beaten path, leave behind usual categories, and let oneself be guided by a voice that does not seek to please, but to be true.

Born into a family where African-American music resonated daily, JUNGL$—whom we interviewed by email on September 17—grew up with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and the great soul voices as childhood companions. This early immersion shaped his ear, his sense of rhythm, and his instinctive relationship to melody. Very young, he sang, danced, and expressed himself through body and voice. In his adolescence, he crossed a decisive threshold: auditions, intensive training, and eventually entering as a trainee at SM Entertainment, one of South Korea's biggest agencies. It was a demanding, formative experience, but one that could not contain his need to create his own musical identity.

Because JUNGL$ is not an artist content with merely interpreting. He wants to compose, produce, and mold sound until it exactly reflects what he feels. He studies composition and production, exploring textures, influences, and potential hybridizations between American soul and Korean sensibility. Today, he carries this blend as a signature: music that breathes the warmth of the 80s and 90s while anchoring itself in the modernity of Korean Gayo.

Beyond styles, JUNGL$ pursues a more intimate quest: that of the 'true self.' A search running through his work, his collaborations, and his artistic choices. He moves forward as if in a jungle—sometimes dense, sometimes luminous—where every encounter, every project, and every song becomes one step closer to this inner truth he wishes to share with the public. And it is precisely this authenticity that makes him a unique artist, deeply human, and deeply free.

JUNGL$ Atmosphere
© UNISYVERS - Atmos Studio
1. To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us how you started making music?
JUNGL$ : Hello. I am JUNGL$, the wild tiger of Korea. I sing and make music. My mother was a fan of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, so I naturally grew up listening to African-American music. Back then, I loved singing and dancing. In my teens, I auditioned and even became a trainee at SM Entertainment, one of Korea's biggest agencies. Afterward, I wanted to create my own music, so I studied composition and production. Today, I am searching for my 'true self' while wandering through a wild jungle.
2. How would you describe your musical identity and style?
JUNGL$ : It's soul music. When I was young, I loved 80s–90s African-American music, and today I love Korean music (Gayo). I think the fusion of these two worlds represents the ideal form of what I want to be.
3. Which artists or cultures have had the greatest influence on your work?
JUNGL$ : Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, R. Kelly, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, and in Korea: Yoo Jae-ha, Lee Moon-se, Jo Sung-mo. There are so many... To me, they are more than artists: they are 'historical figures.'
4. How did your collaboration with huiAe begin?
JUNGL$ : huiAe was my student. She has a very nice voice and a lot of potential, so she naturally became a musical partner.
5. How did you experience supporting huiAe at Eurovision?
JUNGL$ : We were working on her new single If I Knew Love. One day, she told me she was participating in Eurovision. I didn't really know the vibe of the contest, and we simply offered If I Knew Love, a Korean ballad we were already creating. I told her: 'Let's not calculate, let's not look for luck. Let's just sing with sincerity. Like your song.'
6. Do you have a specific method or routine for creating your tracks?
JUNGL$ : I often record melodies on my phone, and when an idea comes to me while walking, I write it down in my memo. They are my treasures. Then, I create the melody and add the lyrics. In the end, I adapt everything to make it enjoyable to sing. The beginning of the process is free and spontaneous, but to finalize a track, I discipline myself enormously and push my body to the limit.
7. Can you tell us about your current or future projects?
JUNGL$ : I want to try a style I've never done before: electronic music and acoustic house. Music that makes the body move! And after that, I'll do something completely calm and peaceful.
8. What do you think of the current Korean music scene?
JUNGL$ : In Korea, there are two major forces: idols from large agencies, and indie artists from small structures. It feels like you have to belong to one of these two worlds to make a living from music. From an artist's point of view, it's a real question. Where do I fit in?
9. Which artists would you like to collaborate with?
JUNGL$ : Any talented composer, arranger, or musician, as long as the communication is good and the musical direction is aligned. And of course, masters of AI are welcome.
10. A message for Korea.net readers?
JUNGL$ : Be Yourself!

The Wild Tiger of Korean Soul

An authentic artistic journey bridging 80s-90s African-American soul warmth with modern Korean Gayo sensibility.