Photo Courtesy of Yumewanaii
In the ever-evolving landscape of K-hip hop, few artists stand out quite like Yumewanaii. Known for her distinct tone, raw lyricism, and the emotional honesty woven into her music, she has steadily carved her own space both in the underground scene and beyond. From her beginnings on SoundCloud to her appearances on Show Me the Money, Yumewanaii continues to capture attention with her versatility and fearless approach to creativity.
In this exclusive written interview, we dive deeper into her artistic journey — exploring her inspirations, her growth as a rapper, and the stories behind her notable tracks and collaborations. Get ready to learn more about the voice, vision, and drive behind one of today’s rising figures in Korean hip-hop: Yumewanaii.
You’ve built such a distinct name in the Korean hip-hop scene. How did your journey as Yumewanaii first begin?
Back in school, there was this talent show I had to perform in! I ended up really enjoying being on stage, and that’s how I started doing music.
The prize for winning was actually a Kahlúa milk cocktail — so I guess you could say my music career started with alcohol, which is kinda funny, right?
Your stage name has a dreamy tone — “Yume” means “dream.” What’s the deeper meaning or inspiration behind “Yumewanaii”?
Yeah, it actually has a pretty deep meaning. In Korean, ‘Yumewanaii’ sounds like Yumyeonghan-ai, which means ‘famous kid.’
But in Japanese, it comes from Yume wa nai-no, which means ‘no dream.’ People sometimes joke with me, like, ‘So, are you famous?’ But the real idea behind the name is about staying grounded — focusing on reality and building something real for myself instead of just chasing dreams.
So, it’s kind of a name with two sides!
Growing up in Busan, how did your surroundings or early influences shape the artist you’ve become?
Busan’s one of the few cities in Korea by the sea, and it’s known for being tough but full of heart.
People there are warm, loyal, and full of energy. Growing up in that environment made me really value the people around me — especially my friends who I make music with. I think that’s where I got the energy and focus to stay true to my music.
And of course, being bright and cheerful? That’s just part of being a Busan girl!
Your music often blends lyrical vulnerability with experimental beats. How would you describe your signature sound?
Songs that I genuinely enjoy listening to — ones that feel real and relatable to me.
I don’t fake or exaggerate things; I just make songs that I can really vibe with.
Sometimes you’re happy, sometimes you’re sad — I just follow whatever I’m feeling and don’t limit myself to one genre.
From early singles like “Shall We” to recent tracks like “Bing-Bing” and “Galleria,” how has your artistic vision evolved?
At first, I was more focused on singing and performance.
But starting from Bing-Bing and Galleria, I began to focus more on telling my own stories — about my life and the kind of music I really want to make.
You’ve appeared on Show Me The Money 10 & 11 — how did those experiences influence your growth and mindset as an artist?
Honestly, I didn’t come out of Show Me the Money with huge achievements — but I gained a lot of growth.
There are so many talented artists from that show, but I think my biggest strength is that I never stop learning and growing.
And it really taught me humility.
When writing a new track, what usually comes first for you — the emotion, melody, or story?
I used to focus more on melodies and what sounded nice, but now I start with the story — what message I want to share, what kind of story could comfort someone,
or even become a little gift to myself.
Your lyrics often mix strength with softness. How do you strike that emotional balance in your songwriting?
The softness is just a natural part of my music,but the strength — that’s part of who I am.
People joke that my nickname’s “cockroach” because they say I could survive anywhere. I’ve got a feminine side, but I’ve also had to be tough and responsible, so that strength really shows through.
Is there one song in your discography that you consider a personal turning point?
Definitely Geumcheon-gu Doksan-ro.
It’s literally named after my home address — I just put it out there!
It’s super personal, but people are really connected with it and that made me think about music in a whole new way.
Let’s talk about your latest single, “Ambitious B.” What inspired this song and its title?
I’m honestly a super ambitious person. Sometimes I want to rap hard, sometimes I want to make hyperpop or emo rap.
A lot of artists focus on what’ll be successful or what others expect,
but I just wanted to be honest — like, yeah, I am ambitious! That’s who I am — Ambitious B.
The track has a fierce yet confident energy. What message were you hoping to send with “Ambitious B”?
Pretty much, “I’m gonna do whatever I want!
It’s also the first track off my upcoming EP that’s dropping in December.
Instead of just going for that “strong” image people expect from me,
I wanted to talk about love this time — without worrying about what others think.
The visuals in the music video feel bold and unapologetic — can you tell us about the creative direction or styling behind it?
I wanted to show my most natural, cheerful side — the real me. I didn’t use heavy makeup or anything too fancy. I even filmed it with one of my closest friends so it would feel genuine, warm, and like a special memory we created together.
How does “Ambitious B” represent where you are right now as an artist, compared to your past releases?
It might not be a huge hit, but I think it shows my color the best.
I’m getting more comfortable expressing my thoughts and feelings honestly through music.
Your single “금천구 독산로 (Geumcheon-gu Doksan-ro)” feels deeply personal. What story were you expressing through that track?
It’s about the neighborhood where I live.
I’ve had tough times there, but also really good memories.
There’s nothing fancy about it — just the subway passing by and the people living their lives.
I wanted to capture myself among all of that.
You’ve been experimenting with sound and visuals recently. What’s next — are you working on a new EP or collaboration?
I really want to do more international collaborations — like, with artists from 100 different countries if I can!
So far, I’ve worked with friends from Indonesia, the UK, Nepal, and the US.
My next EP is coming out in December — it’ll have more singing-focused tracks!
The K-hiphop scene is more diverse than ever. What role do you see yourself playing in its next chapter?
I want to be the kind of artist who feels approachable — like a friend you think of from time to time.
Being cool is nice, but I’d rather make music that feels warm and easy to connect with.
Lastly, what do you want people to feel when they hear the name Yumewanaii ten years from now?
I hope they think, “She’s still doing her thing — still going strong.
There’s this idea that artists have an age limit, but I want to keep writing my story and living through my music — consistently and passionately.
Follow Yumewanaii’s journey and stay updated on her music — click the link here!
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