Photo Courtesy of MIRAERO
In the ever-evolving landscape of Korean indie music, new voices continue to emerge with fresh perspectives and distinct sonic identities. Among them is MIRAERO, a rising South Korean indie project steadily carving its own space through evocative sound and thoughtful storytelling.
With a growing catalog of releases and a sound that leans into alternative and experimental influences, MIRAERO captures a sense of emotion and atmosphere that resonates with listeners looking for something beyond the mainstream. As their music continues to reach new audiences, curiosity around the project and the creative mind behind it continues to grow.
In this exclusive written interview, we sit down with MIRAERO to talk about their musical journey, creative process, inspirations, and what lies ahead as they continue to shape their path in the indie scene.
Please introduce MIRAERO to our readers and tell us how the project began.
Woojin:
Hello, readers. Our name “MIRAERO” translates to “go to the future.” We are a band formed by three members all born in 1999, consisting of vocals, guitar, and drums.
MIRAERO draws inspiration from retro-futurism. The future we once imagined in the past may be very different from the present, but we gather the emotions and feelings from those imagined futures and express them through dreamy, synth-based sounds. Our music aims to capture a coexistence of vintage warmth and fresh modernity.
As for how we came together—Dawon and Jaewoo have known each other since high school. They were already familiar and had performed together a few times. As time passed, Dawon reached out to Jaewoo to form a band, and then Jaewoo contacted me. That’s how we became a three-member band with vocals, guitar, and drums.
What is the meaning behind the name “MIRAERO”?
Dawon:
While we were 고민ing our name, I happened to hear the lyric “to a long, long future” in the song “Pony” by Jannabi, and it really stuck with me.
It made me realize that no matter how far in the past or future, everyone is ultimately heading toward the same place—the “future.” Although the word “future” is modern, it also gives off a nostalgic, almost early-2000s feeling. That contradiction perfectly matches our retro-futurism concept.
MIRAERO feels more like a project than a traditional band—how would you define yourselves?
Jaewoo:
We actually see ourselves as closer to a traditional band. Our members are fixed, each of us has a distinct role, and we work closely together to create music as a team.
How do you usually start working on a song? Lyrics, melody, or concept first?
Jaewoo:
We usually begin with the overall mood or concept of the song. We first decide what emotions we want to convey and what kind of sound and color we want to achieve. Then we compose the music, and finally, we write the lyrics.
Starting with a concept helps maintain consistency in mood and detail throughout the process. It also allows the music and lyrics to flow together like a single story.
Your music has a very emotional and introspective tone—where do you draw inspiration from?
Dawon:
I tend to spend a lot of time reflecting, and that’s where much of my musical inspiration comes from. Naturally, my thoughts and emotions find their way into our songs. Over the past couple of years, I’ve especially needed love, hope, and courage, and those feelings have naturally shaped our lyrics and emotional expression.
How do you approach collaborations with other musicians or producers?
Woojin:
At the moment, we don’t collaborate with other musicians or producers. We create our own music and build our own universe. However, we’re definitely open to collaborations if good opportunities arise.
How did Miraero Project 1.0 and 2.0 begin?
Jaewoo:
The MIRAERO Project series was inspired by the Apollo program. Since retro-futurism is a core concept for us, we drew from this symbolic project of humanity striving toward the future.
I’ve always been interested in space, and the sense of mystery, romance, and imagination it brings naturally became a source of musical inspiration.
Is there an overarching story or message connecting the series?
Dawon:
Rather than following one continuous storyline, the “MIRAERO Project” explores different stories within a shared theme and purpose.
That said, “MIRAERO No.1” and “No.2” are connected. Both songs depict a meeting between a mature self and an immature self, where they exchange love and strength. “No.2” portrays their meeting, while “No.1” shows how they move forward afterward—so you could see “No.2” as a prequel to “No.1.”
Of course, this is just one interpretation. We hope listeners will interpret and complete the story in their own way.
How does “2.0” differ from “1.0” in sound or growth?
Jaewoo:
Both tracks were actually composed and arranged around the same time. However, as we released them sequentially, we gained more experience in recording, mixing, and mastering.
As a result, “2.0” feels more refined sonically, with subtle improvements in overall quality. We’re still learning, but those changes naturally show in the music.
Can fans expect a “Project 3.0”?
Woojin:
Of course! The MIRAERO Project represents our identity and expresses us best. We plan to continue—3.0, 4.0, and beyond—for as long as we’re together.
How would you describe your sound to new listeners?
Jaewoo:
We create retro synth-pop with a dreamy, emotional atmosphere—blending the feeling of the past and the future in a natural way.
Which artists have influenced your music?
Jaewoo:
I really love old pop, especially disco from the ’70s and ’80s and early synth-pop. Among them, I’m particularly inspired by Bee Gees. Their melodies and the emotional character of that era have had a strong influence on our music.
How do you balance indie authenticity with reaching a wider audience?
Woojin:
We believe that if the music is good and our message is sincere, it will naturally reach more people. It all comes down to how we approach our music. That’s why we focus on creating meaningful music without prejudice.
How has your experience been in the Korean indie scene so far?
Dawon:
We haven’t been active for very long, but we’ve already realized how many artists are making music. It made us see how many people truly love music. That motivates us to keep showing our unique identity clearly and honestly.
What kind of audience do you hope to connect with?
Dawon:
We hope as many people as possible will listen, but especially those who find it difficult to move forward in life. I’m not always strong myself, so I try to write lyrics that can help me as well.
I believe in the power of words, and I want our music to positively impact people. Life isn’t easy, but through our music, I hope we can all move toward the future together, hand in hand.
What can fans expect next?
Woojin:
We’re currently preparing our EP (Epilogue) album. That’s probably the most exciting news for fans right now. We’re not sure exactly what songs will be included yet, but we’ll do our best to showcase our unique color.
We also plan to be more active on social media, so please continue to support and look forward to our upcoming content.
Any message for international fans, especially in the Philippines?
Dawon:
It’s amazing and truly appreciated that people in the Philippines are listening to our music. So far, our songs have mostly been in Korean, but we’re planning to release songs with English lyrics as well. We hope to create music that allows us to connect deeply, even across distances. We’d love to meet you in person someday.
Jaewoo:
I actually lived in the Philippines for about a year when I was younger, so it feels especially meaningful to me. I still remember how warm and kind the people were.
I hope our music can feel like a small comfort or a peaceful moment for our international fans. I look forward to visiting someday and sharing our music with you in person.
Woojin:
Hello! We know that many people in the Philippines are listening to our music, and we’re truly grateful. If we get the chance, we’d love to visit and perform live for you. Until that day comes, we’ll keep working hard.
To all our international fans, thank you so much for your support—it means everything to us. We hope you stay happy and healthy until we can meet someday. Thank you!
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