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Get to know YOOMEi’s incredible story and the heartfelt inspiration behind her new music in our exclusive interview.
YOOMEi (pronounced oo-mei) is an artist who’s never been afraid to evolve. A former K-pop and J-pop trainee, she’s spent the past five years mastering her craft—first debuting with the group ZIOLETTA, then carving her own path as a solo J-rock/J-pop artist in 2022. Known for her captivating vocals, sharp songwriting instincts, and magnetic stage presence, YOOMEi made waves behind the scenes as well, passing high-stakes auditions with top industry giants like MODHAUS, HYBE, WakeOne, and AKB48. Even during her year-long hiatus in 2023, she stayed committed to growth, undergoing intense training in Korea and Japan before making the bold move to return to the U.S. to reimagine her sound.
Now under Youand Entertainment, YOOMEi is stepping into the spotlight with a fresh identity and a genre all her own. Embracing the dreamy, synth-laced world of city pop, her music channels both retro charm and forward-thinking artistry. Her debut EP, Echoes of Love, is a stunning introduction to this new era—melding emotional storytelling with sleek, immersive production. The lead single “Ever Begin” is a shimmering, bittersweet ode to first love, laced with airy vocals and the nostalgic glow of ’80s pop influences, showcasing her ability to make vulnerability feel cinematic.
In this exclusive interview with Hellokpop, YOOMEi takes us behind the scenes of Echoes of Love, revealing the inspiration behind her rebrand, the lessons she’s carried from her trainee years, and how she’s crafting a sound that reflects every layer of who she is. With the EP out today and the “Ever Begin” music video set to premiere July 30, YOOMEi is ready to reintroduce herself—not just as an artist to watch, but as one who’s here to stay.
Hellokpop: Hi YOOMEi! Your journey has taken you through K-pop, J-pop, and now city pop. How would you describe who you are as an artist today?
YOOMEi: Hi! I’m a City Pop-inspired artist who not only loves lyric writing and composing but also the world of digital art and creative direction. I designed my album art by myself, and I created all the retro stickers with items I found at home. I’m very passionate about all things art-related, and I’m looking forward to sharing this part of me with everyone through my re-debut!
HKP: Congratulations on the release of your first EP, Echoes of Love! How do you hope listeners will feel after experiencing the EP from start to finish?
YOOMEi: Thank you so much! I hope that many people can resonate with the lyrics, as they are written from the point of view of a hopeless romantic and a dreamer.
HKP: “Ever Begin” leads the EP with a nostalgic yet refreshing energy. Why did you choose this track as the title single, and what does it personally mean to you?
YOOMEi: I chose “Ever Begin” as the title track because I believed that it matched best with the retro, romance-comedy drama style that my team intended to center the Music Video around. One of my greatest insecurities, especially living in the US, is having a youthful visual appearance. But my team decided that it would be cool to debut with a nostalgic and refreshing concept that embraces my insecurity instead.
HKP: Can you walk us through the Echoes of Love tracklist and what each song represents to you?
YOOMEi: All four tracks on the EP follow the same story of a struggling musician who reminisces about her first love. Although most of my work was inspired by fiction, a few parts of it were based on reality. These songs represent broken dreams and love letters that could never be sent.
HKP: Is there a song on Echoes of Love that felt the most personal or vulnerable to record? Why?
YOOMEi: I think my B-side “Lonely City Night” resonates most deeply with me because it expresses the main character’s feelings of regret while walking alone through a city that only reminds her of what she has lost.
HKP: Are there any lyrics from the EP that are especially meaningful to you?
YOOMEi: Some of the lyrics of “Lonely City Night” hit really hard for me, such as: “And I’m still watching from behind.” As an underground singer, I always wonder if I would’ve had the same opportunities as others if my circumstances were different.
HKP: What inspired your transition to city pop, and what does the genre allow you to express that you haven’t before?
YOOMEi: A lot of City Pop songs have a melancholic undertone, which makes it easier to incorporate my deepest feelings that I’m unable to express normally.
HKP: As someone who’s worked in both Eastern and Western music industries, what do you hope to bring to listeners that blends the best of both worlds?
YOOMEi: My team and I love the promotion styles of K-Pop, as my wonderful manager Jason also works in that industry. My team collectively decided that we would incorporate various aspects of idol culture into our City Pop re-brand.
HKP: Having trained and performed extensively in both Korea and Japan, how did those experiences shape the artist you are today?
YOOMEi: Although it sometimes feels like everything I did in the past was pointless, I don’t think that’s entirely true. I acquired various skills and was able to build a kind and supportive community through sharing my stories of struggling to debut as an idol.
HKP: During your time in the U.S., what valuable lessons or insights did you gain that influenced your music or mindset moving forward?
YOOMEi:Although I’m American, the entertainment industry here in LA still feels so foreign to me. Perhaps I’m still a “Bay Area girl” at heart since I go back and forth often. I really struggle to make real friends here in LA because I don’t fit in. It has hurt my confidence and turned me into a 100% introvert. But I’ve been learning how to embrace my unique qualities and interests instead of trying to conform. This also applies to my artistry; I want to be unique.
HKP: What was the most challenging part of bringing Echoes of Love to life? And what helped you push through it?
YOOMEi: There are many things that happened behind the scenes that I’m not allowed to share, so I have been surviving off of pure optimism and liquid IVs. Something that I can share, is how our TikTok videos got removed due to “violations” without any specific reason stated. Unfortunately, nowadays, social media marketing is essential for music artists to grow. So, it has caused my team a lot of stress because we are trying our best to work around these issues quickly. This wasn’t on our bingo card.
What’s a hobby or interest you’ve been loving lately that fans might not expect from you?
YOOMEi: Video games, such as Persona 4 Golden and Dragon Quest 11, are always on my mind. I love games with a good story, especially ones that can make me both laugh and cry. I haven’t had a lot of time lately to relax and catch up on new games, but I do find a similar joy in simply listening to the soundtracks while working. I would love to incorporate these interests into my artistry in the future.
HKP: If your fans could only bring one item to a YOOMEi performance to match your vibe, what should it be?
YOOMEi: We’re planning on producing a really cool lightstick in the future, but since it’s not available for purchase yet, I think it would be fun if the fans brought plums since that’s the meaning of my name.
HKP: Looking ahead, how do you envision your sound evolving beyond this first EP? Is there a dream concept you’d love to try next?
YOOMEi: I would love to try leaning harder into classic City Pop. My team has already started writing the plot, creating moodboards, and scouting talent for my comeback, but we’re trying to be extra careful about concept leaks from now on. If we can pull off this next concept as planned, it would visually be the coolest thing I’ve ever done. We plan to tap into a bunch of my favorite things.
HKP: Lastly, please leave a message for fans reading this.
YOOMEi: Hi MEiBEs! Honestly, I was so afraid that I couldn’t ever recover from my long hiatus and considered never returning to the public eye because I was too embarrassed to face everyone again. But after having the honor of opening up my heart during these thoughtful interviews, I realized how far I’ve come and how excited I am to be back to share my stories with you all, even if I’m basically starting over fresh. I love you all so much. You guys have given this girl’s life so much meaning. You’re my best friends, and I’ll never forget our times together.
Connect with YOOMEi on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
* Special thanks to YOOMEi and Youand Entertainment for this exclusive interview.
Image and Video Credits by: Youand Entertainment
English (US) · 