HEYOON is Getting “seriously unserious” in Her First Solo EP

HEYOON is no stranger to the stage, but now, she’s stepping into the spotlight solo. From performing as a choreographer to a member of global pop group Now United, she’s built an international fanbase through unbound creativity. In her new EP, seriously unserious, HEYOON is inviting listeners to join her and “Leave Your Brain @ Home and Party.”

Following several single releases, seriously unserious is her first EP since joining Universal Music Korea as a solo artist in 2024. This milestone introduces fans to a high-energy and unapologetic side of HEYOON’s musicality. The project consists of four songs, including the single “swipe,” featuring Brazilian artist Lou Garcia. 

HEYOON warmly joined EnVi over Zoom from South Korea to deep dive into her solo career progression, creative approaches, and future aspirations.

“Leave Your Brain @ Home and Party!”

While on the surface seriously unserious is all about being carefree and having fun, the EP was inspired by internal pressures. Still in the early stages of her solo artistry, the concept of the album reflected a personal note to self for HEYOON. “The mantra ‘leave your brain at home’ kind of came out naturally in a conversation I was having with my team last year,” she revealed. Speaking candidly about her perspective at the time, HEYOON shared past struggles with exploring her sound and navigating the steps to come. “I hit a wall because I was overthinking everything,” she confessed.

As the EP opens with the first track “aiaiai_(monitor),” it sets a clear tone for the rest of the project. The fast-paced electronic pop song showcases HEYOON’s desire to worry less and live more. “I just want to feel free and not take life too seriously,” she expressed. “So, yeah, that’s why I put together an album like this, where you can really party and be present.” All four songs on seriously unserious encourage listeners to dance through the catchy lyrics and pulsating beats. Within this project, HEYOON conveys a hyperpop sound through stylistic features such as pitch shifting and autotune. Experimentation is at the core of both the sound and concept of this EP.

Throughout the promotional period for seriously unserious, HEYOON has remained committed to immersing fans into this state of mind. To celebrate the drop of the EP, she hosted an intimate release party with friends and allowed fans to tune in via Instagram live. Connecting with fans has been one of HEYOON’s priorities for this era. “I honestly think that we’re all kind of feeling the same way,” she shared with EnVi empathetically. “We’re overwhelmed with so much information, we’re consuming the same things, and I knew that something that I feel, the more personal, it’s going to connect with people even more.” 

These creative choices are a reflection of the intentionality that went into the seriously unserious concept. HEYOON wants fans to take inspiration and apply this perspective to their own lives. “I made it for people to really get out of their head and more into their body, and feel more intuitively, live more intuitively,” she explained.

Behind the Scenes of seriously unserious

In the process of making this EP, HEYOON found herself naturally taking an unconventional approach. “Actually, I did everything the opposite of what I would usually do,” she shared as she reflected on her experience with a smile. While she’d typically write a full song and continuously revisit it to make adjustments, with this project, she decided to go with the flow. “We wrote all of the songs mostly in under three hours, and then I really didn’t overthink it. I didn’t want to re-record, because I wanted to make sure the feeling was raw when I was writing these lyrics.” 

One special addition to seriously unserious is a collaboration with Lou Garcia on the single “swipe.” While reminiscing on working on the track, HEYOON spoke highly of their connection. “Oh my God, Lou is such a dope artist. I got to meet her last year in São Paulo and we connected instantly on music, spirituality, all of the things.” 

Excitedly, she shared that Lou even taught her about Brazilian club culture. “So there’s this thing called clacking with the fans,” she explained as she showed the camera her own personalized folding fan. “I got really inspired by that and made my own fan for everyone to party to.” Her enthusiasm for the cross-cultural bonding she shared with Lou displayed her strong appreciation for connecting with others globally. “She taught me a lot about her culture and music, and I got to do the same so it felt really natural and fun.” 

From Now United to Solo

Music has been a significant aspect of HEYOON’s life since she was young. While she’s established herself over time as an artist, she credits her interest in pursuing music to her mother’s influence. “It was really natural for me because my mom actually always played amazing music growing up,” HEYOON reflected. Exposure to artists such as ABBA and Queen, in addition to other international musicians, inspired her to become a dancer. “I’ve been dancing my whole life, and that led me into writing my own music. So I would say it was just a creative journey throughout my life.” 

Currently living between Seoul and Los Angeles, HEYOON’s creativity has broken barriers and expanded her reach to audiences worldwide. Her participation as a member of the global pop group Now United was one experience that allowed her to connect with fans and creatives around the world. During her time in the group, HEYOON toured in sold out stadiums in over 30 countries, participated in the direction of music videos, and released over 100 songs. 

The transition into her solo career is a new endeavor for her, but she expressed appreciation for her past experiences: “I’m so grateful for being in the group with Now United. We got to travel the whole world and perform in giant stadiums to little stages where it can feel more intimate.” From these opportunities, HEYOON feels that being in the group prepped her for the performing aspect of her solo career. “I learned so much about culture and different experiences throughout the traveling that reflects in my music right now,” she expressed.

Finding Her Sound, Personal Favorites, and Future Goals

When asked about her personal favorite off of seriously unserious, HEYOON let out a laugh as she struggled to choose only one track. “It changes all the time. Today there’s two, I know you asked for one, but I’m gonna say two,” she prefaced. “One is ‘swipe’ because it’s a song that I can perform and put out my feminine, sexy energy.” She views the song as a positive manifestation. “It’s about attracting the things in your life with your own power, money, and your name.” HEYOON’s second song of choice was “money,” the final track of the EP. “I got to use my vocals as an instrument in that song, so I had fun,” she explained. She added that because it’s a techno track, it successfully makes listeners feel in tune with their bodies. 

The explorative nature of this project is something that HEYOON hopes to continue incorporating. “I’m really open to different genres. “I’m all about collaborating and exploring,” she expressed. She noted reggaeton and baile funk as two genres she’d like to continue exploring due to the dance aspect and her global fanbase. “My fans over there [South America] have been my day ones as well.” 

In terms of some of her aspirations as a solo artist, she expressed the desire to bring the party to music festivals. “It’s such a good time, you know, and this whole album fits perfectly for people to just jump around and enjoy.” HEYOON highlighted the overall excellence showcased by female artists at Coachella this year as one of her inspirations. Her passion for performing continued to show as she emphasized her desire to get back on stage. 

…And Then Some

As we concluded the interview, HEYOON wanted to share a surprise with EnVi’s readers. “I have a remix album coming out this week, actually,” she announced. The new EP, titled seriously unserious (…and then some), was released on April 30. The surprise project consists of five remixes, including an “aiaiai” remix with Brazilian DJ Carlos de Complexo. “He did an amazing baile funk remix,” HEYOON remarked.

Each remix delivers listeners a new version of their favorite tracks from the original EP. The remixes are just as vibrant, playful, and energetic, but with a fresh sound to party to. HEYOON also teased another visualizer coming soon. “I always want to make sure there’s always more surprises coming out,” she said. 

Keep up with what’s yet to come from HEYOON by following her on Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Listen in to seriously unserious and seriously unserious (…and then some) on streaming platforms.

Interested in supporting more women making waves in the music industry? Check out our exclusive interview with pami.