K-pop often conjures thoughts of acrobatic dance moves and bass-heavy hits performed by the many members of the boy bands and girl groups Korea has to offer, but the pool of talented indie singer-songwriters is just as rich and colorful as the sounds they create. Unlike many of the idol bands that perform songs written and produced by others, these singers take their music into their own hands and establish fan bases solely based on their songs. Through this series, the Korea JoongAng Daily will sit down with up-and-coming solo indie singers and learn the stories behind their lyrics, while also finding out more about their lives, loves and interests.

When singer-songwriter Yoon Hyun-sang debuted in 2014, he introduced himself as “A vocalist with a feel and color.” Six years have passed, and he says he can finally call himself a singer, not just a vocalist.

Yoon’s path to becoming a singer began in 2012 when he became one of the top seven contestants in the first season of TV channel SBS’s audition program “Kpop Star,” impressing a panel of judges consisting of some of the biggest names in K-pop. What impressed the judges, as well as the viewers, was not only the tenderness of his velvety voice, but also his command over his vocals that was only heightened by the songs he had composed.

As a singer, he immerses himself into the emotions of the song so truly and deeply that what he emanates dyes the listeners’ mood in the same color as his own, whether it’s a song about love, heartbreak or even a hangover. As a songwriter, he employs the utmost scrutiny and intention to bring out the best from his songs.

“I like to think that I’m ambivalent,” Yoon said. “There is a side of myself when I’m making music and a side of myself outside of that, and they’re different. I focus on the emotions of the song when I’m writing it. But just because you listen to a love song, it doesn’t mean you’re thinking about the undying emotions of love throughout the 24 hours of the day, right?”

It took him two years after appearing on the audition show to debut with his EP “Pianoforte,” but when the time came, he was more than ready for his entrance onto the music scene.

Not only did he write every song on the six-track EP himself, but the lead track “When would it be” also caught the attention of singer IU — who was also signed at Yoon’s then-agency Loen Entertainment. When IU asked if she could have the song to release herself, the agency suggested that the two singers duet, leading to a collaboration between Yoon and one of the most popular singers in K-pop.

Yoon has since been building his repertoire with his own songs that span across a variety of genres, including folk, ballad and R&B, “anything except for EDM and hip-hop,” according to the singer. He held his very first solo concert in 2018 and released his single “Mild” in July, promising fans that he will be releasing an EP by the end of this year, filled with songs that he has, of course, written himself.

His songs are loved for their casual and easygoing mood, along with a touch of uniqueness that comes from his one-of-a-kind voice. Even with celebrity endorsements from actor Lee Min-ho and singer Dino of Seventeen, Yoon remains humble.

The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with Yoon, to delve deeper into his songwriting and who he is outside of music. The following are edited excerpts.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]