Q&A: HEYOON’S SPARKLING EXPLORATION OF DREAM CHASING ON “ADDICTED”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY NTHATILE MAVUSO ☆
LEADING BOTH THE WRITING AND COMPOSITION, AS WELL AS CHAMPIONING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS – HEYOON delivers a song that is as conceptually creative as it is sonically enjoyable with “Addicted.” The ethereal and disquieting sound that characterizes this track is inspired by R.E.M. (rapid eye movement) sleep.
Raised in South Korea and now dividing her time between Seoul and Los Angeles, HEYOON’s solo journey began after five years as a member of global pop group Now United, where she performed in sold-out stadiums across more than 30 countries and appeared in over 100 music videos. The singer is currently signed to Universal Music Korea with her first two solo singles—”Pivot (featuring Armani White)” and “ASAP” gaining traction and earning praise from media giants such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, and MTV.
In both the song “Addicted” and its accompanying visuals, a dream-born figure enchants its victims with hypnotic movements, drawing them into a spiraling cycle of insomniac obsession. As the narrative unfolds, HEYOON skillfully blends the worlds of ecstasy and collapse, offering a shimmering metaphor for the irresistible desire and the dangerous grip of addiction.
Luna sat down with HEYOON to talk about the story behind the single, her creative evolution, and the visions that fuel her music.
LUNA: “Addicted” dives into the surreal realm of R.E.M. sleep and dream-chasing. What sparked the idea for this concept, and how did you translate that vision into sound and visuals?
HEYOON: Lucid dreaming and dance are a big part of my life, so I think it came naturally. I definitely used my imagination to give a fun story to talk about the feeling of being addicted to something. I wanted to capture a deep house, heavy yet dreamy sound. Along with BHAV and Taneisha, we were able to write this fun song!
LUNA: You were deeply involved in writing, composing, and producing “Addicted.” How did taking the reins creatively shift the way you see yourself as an artist, and why was this important for you to do this time around?
HEYOON: I just want people to have fun, resonate with, and feel inspired through my music, so I’m trying to share more of the authentic me as I evolve, hoping it’ll inspire a lot more people.
LUNA: Your music blends cinematic storytelling with pop ambition. How do you approach songwriting, and what influences your lyricism
HEYOON: Recently, I’ve been trying to break away from the way I used to write and approach things with fewer restrictions. A lot of my lyrical inspirations come from conversations with people or sometimes dreams, etc. Inspiration can come from anything.
LUNA: You have lived between Seoul and Los Angeles, and your career has spanned continents. How have those global experiences shaped your sound and how you connect with listeners around the world
HEYOON: I have experienced such unique and diverse experiences throughout my career, and I hope to keep being the bridge for people to connect by sharing my story.
LUNA: I loved the music video for “Addicted”! What was the vision behind these alternating realities and experiences, and how did this connect with the music?
HEYOON: I had a great time working with Director Bang Jae Yeob. We wanted to play with the fantasy element, and I got to play every character possible. It was so much fun creating with him.
LUNA: From “Pivot” to “ASAP” and now “Addicted,” each release shows a new side of you. What phase of your artistic journey are you in right now, and where do you see it heading next?
HEYOON: I’m having fun exploring, re-discovering myself throughout the creative journey, and I am definitely working on a body of work like an EP or mixtape that captures what I’m going through at this time of my life. It is so exciting. I am especially looking forward to performing again and seeing the fans in person.
