TLDR; singer-songwriter, producer, visual artist who feels too much

In Korean, attaching “ya” to a name signals intimacy—something reserved for family, old friends, and familiar faces. For HUNJIYA, the Korean-American singer, producer, and songwriter, the name captures her artistry: lush vocal layers and confessional lyrics that feel like conversations with a close friend. Known for her multi-genre versatility, HUNJIYA moves seamlessly across pop, R&B, EDM, and K-pop, bridging indie experimentation with mainstream sensibilities.

HUNJIYA released her debut EP Lineage in 2017, a stripped-down project dedicated to her grandparents, who had never heard her music prior to its release. Featuring voice notes in Korean, the EP retells the story of how her grandparents fell in love. Two years later came her first full-length album, Look After August (2019), an exploration of self-care that garnered attention from British Vogue, who premiered her first music video for “give it/what i get.”

In 2020, she released Fold as part of the duo indigoworld with producer Justin Trout, marking an evolution in her production and vocal style. This project caught the attention of South Korean producer Millic, who discovered her on SoundCloud and offered her a record deal. Later that year, she relocated to Seoul, where she entered a new chapter of opportunities and challenges, both musically and personally.

Her 2022 album KHAMAI embraced the chameleon-like nature of identity and transformation. The project has since surpassed 2.7 million streams across Apple Music and Spotify, while its standout single “FAVORITE” earned over 1.5 million YouTube views. The album’s success drew press support from outlets including Nylon, Paper Mag, and Rolling Stone Korea, cementing her international presence.

Having returned to independence in 2024, HUNJIYA has continued to expand her artistry. She released an official remix for K-pop legend Taeyeon’s single “To. X,” collaborated with rising Korean artists such as GEMINI, The Deep, L-Like, and Millic, and was nominated for a Korean Music Award for her electronic collaboration “EVOLUTION” with swimrabbit. Her 2024 singles have been featured on editorial Apple Music and Spotify playlists, with “tourguide” selected as one of Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2024. Beyond her artist projects, she is currently preparing her next EP while also composing music for commercials and starting her career as a tattoo artist.