{"id":278118,"date":"2023-07-27T10:34:20","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T02:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/?p=278118"},"modified":"2023-07-28T12:02:45","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T04:02:45","slug":"hongjoin-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/hongjoin-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Up and coming indie musician Hongjoin on his passion for music and how it led him to play for his idol"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Upon first glance and conversation, Hongjoin strikes me as a soft-spoken and shy individual with his gentle tone of voice. It\u2019s expected, given that he\u2019s written songs about heartbreak and longing in beautifully melancholic indie tunes. But the minute we clip a microphone on the coriander-lover, he charms us with his charisma and passion for music. The 21-year-old becomes starry-eyed, eagerly getting into the details of his latest EP with us. As part of our new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cu1dgjYNgQ8\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Honey Unplugged series<\/a>, where we get intimate with <a href=\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/new-singapore-music-albums-songs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local musicians<\/a> and discover more about their journey, we sit down with Hongjoin to find out more about his recent EP and his musical journey.<\/p>\n<h3>Stumbling into love<\/h3>\n<div class=\"\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cu1dgjYNgQ8\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cu1dgjYNgQ8\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Cu1dgjYNgQ8\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Honeycombers Singapore (@honeycombers)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p>Like most musicians, Hongjoin has a lifelong love for music. Before his <a href=\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/national-service-singapore\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Service<\/a>, he worked on a song with friends that ended up blowing up on YouTube. Cue his journey into learning how to produce music and playing live shows &#8211; he even produced two EPs and debuted in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>This adoration for tunes has also seeped into his personal life. Initially, his education took him down the straight and narrow path, with plans to attend a local university. However, being accepted into a US music program that he applied to on a whim took him on a whirlwind of a journey.<\/p>\n<p>Now back in Singapore for his summer break, he&#8217;s just launched his second EP, F(OOL). This collection of songs speaks of longing for someone out of reach, playing on nostalgia and growth through its heartwrenching lyrics. Debuting the EP at a live concert for an audience of over 200, his presence on stage is like dynamite. He commands the crowd with his energy, backed by a band consisting of close friends. But as electrifying as the vibe may be, his expressions still convey the sombre nature of his lyrics.<\/p>\n<h3>We stan a multi-talented king<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_278120\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-278120\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-278120 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-3-900x643.png\" alt=\"hongjoin interview honeycombers\" width=\"900\" height=\"643\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-3-900x643.png 900w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-3-768x549.png 768w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-3.png 1400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/643;\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-278120\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photography: Thomas Nguyen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dedicating yourself to an EP production from start to finish is no easy task, especially when you don\u2019t have the necessary expertise. But that hasn\u2019t stopped Hongjoin from achieving this massive feat. Despite having a large repertoire of songs under his belt, the seven-track EP still took a year to complete. But this was a calculated effort, as Hongjoin explains to me that he\u2019s incredibly intentional about the songs he chooses to release.<\/p>\n<p>While music is a means of expressing himself, he takes messaging into consideration. \u201cI feel a sense of responsibility to speak of good things in common experiences. I want to tell people that life is okay, and everything will be fine eventually,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>Producing his tracks isn\u2019t the only skill he\u2019s picked up on the way. Not wanting to turn to the conventional route of using simulated instruments, he spent time learning how to play the piano and drums. Although Hongjoin\u2019s skills in those instruments are basic (according to him), you can\u2019t deny his dedication to the craft. Out of everything he\u2019s learned so far, he tells us that synths were the most interesting in creating a new sonic environment for his tracks.<\/p>\n<h3>When success isn\u2019t a numbers game<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_278121\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-278121\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-278121 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-2-900x643.png\" alt=\"hongjoin interview honeycombers\" width=\"900\" height=\"643\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-2-900x643.png 900w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-2-768x549.png 768w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-2.png 1400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/643;\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-278121\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photography: Nathan Ng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I ask him what the success of this second EP looks like for him, and Hongjoin pauses to think. Is there a particular number of listens, streams, or downloads he\u2019s looking for? \u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d he responds immediately with conviction.<\/p>\n<p>While quantifiable metrics of success are valuable, that\u2019s not something he chooses to focus on. \u201cThe fact that it\u2019s already out there is something I\u2019m already very proud of,\u201d he gushes, showing genuine pride for his hard work. To know that there are lives changed and a positive impact made is the most satisfying thing he can ask for.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s no surprise that his combination of cinematic soundscapes and hard-hitting lyrics has resonated with people. He takes the time to dig deep into his experiences and creates authentic, relatable tracks. As for his next steps? He&#8217;s taking his music live and looking forward to meeting people who have been influenced by him. The ability to connect with an in-person audience is something Hongjoin cares about deeply. He credits his listeners as his motivation to keep producing music.<\/p>\n<h3>From fanboy to opening act<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_278122\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-278122\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-278122 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-900x643.png\" alt=\"hongjoin interview honeycombers\" width=\"900\" height=\"643\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-900x643.png 900w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview-768x549.png 768w, https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/hongjoin-interview.png 1400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/643;\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-278122\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photography: Nathan Ng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hongjoin considers being the opening act for fellow indie singer-songwriter Matt Maltese one of the most memorable points of his career. It also happens to also be a sweet full circle moment! Being a huge fan, Hongjoin fondly recalls the experience of being up on stage and meeting the British singer. His joy is evident as he gushes about performing in front of a crowd that was there for both him and Matt. \u201cI couldn\u2019t think straight; I was just happy to play for him and meet his band in person,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>The local singer is also making his own waves in the Singapore music scene, having garnered a substantial fanbase in a short amount of time. Some of his most wholesome experiences with fans include receiving presents from listeners that attend his live shows. \u201cIt\u2019s so sweet knowing that they\u2019re thinking of me and my music when they give me something,\u201d he says, showing me bracelets and necklaces he\u2019s received.<\/p>\n<h3>What\u2019s to come<\/h3>\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\"><iframe title=\"hongjoin - dear abbey (Live @ Gateway Blackbox)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MTfN0aH2xI8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The release of F(OOL) marks a stepping stone in the direction that Hongjoin wants for his music. He\u2019s written a number of songs but doesn\u2019t plan on releasing them till the time is right. Until then, he plans to stay focused on university and aims to have music be his full-time career. \u201cI don\u2019t know if my career will take off, but I\u2019ll be doing it no matter where I am,\u201d he declares determinedly.<\/p>\n<p>He tells me of his ambitions to play at the Head in the Clouds Festival and hopes that his music will take him across different continents. His listeners are scattered all over the world, and as someone who values meeting the people who\u2019ve shown him so much support, he plans to meet them beyond Singapore&#8217;s borders.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, he has plenty of collaborations in the works, including a set of songs that are \u201creally danceable\u201d. We got teasers on upcoming songs co-created with local talents like Marian Carmel and Rene &#8211; and possible collabs with Joey Tan and Lew Low &#8211; and we can&#8217;t wait to see where his music takes him.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s evident that Hongjoin has no intentions of slowing down. He\u2019s eager to make his mark in the world of music while staying true to his songs and the messages he wants to send. For now, we\u2019ll be listening to <a href=\"https:\/\/bfan.link\/f-ool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">F(OOL)<\/a> as we await his next release.<\/p>\n<p><em>Want us to spotlight a local artist for the next edition of Honey Unplugged? Drop us a DM <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/honeycombers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">@honeycombers<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Upon first glance and conversation, Hongjoin strikes me as a soft-spoken and shy individual with his gentle tone of voice. It\u2019s expected, given that he\u2019s written songs about heartbreak and longing in beautifully melancholic indie tunes. But the minute we clip a microphone on the coriander-lover, he charms us with his charisma and passion for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107581,"featured_media":278119,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[25073],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.7 (Yoast SEO v23.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>From fan to fellow musician: Hongjoin\u2019s musical journey | Honeycombers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We sit with local musician Hongjoin about his latest projects, what success looks like past numbers, and his biggest career achievements.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/hongjoin-interview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From YouTube to EP: Hongjoin&#039;s musical mark\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Upon first glance and conversation, Hongjoin strikes me as a soft-spoken and shy individual with his gentle tone of voice. 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