Emerging from Seoul’s vibrant music scene is a cinematic-pop duo with musicians Yohan Lee and Yeji Lee. The Vignettes have carved a niche with their vintage-inspired rock sound, blending soulful melodies with modern energy. Known for their retro aesthetic, heartfelt lyrics and stylish performances, the band has become a force in Korea’s music circuit.
This interview offers a closer look at the creative mind behind The Vignettes, exploring their inspirations, journey as an independent duo in Korea and what’s next on their horizon.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with them from July 13 – 15.
1.Could you share how The Vignettes first came together as a duo? How did your individual backgrounds and experiences lead to this collaboration?
Yohan: The Vignettes started from a friendship rooted in music. Yeji and I met while studying film scoring, and from the beginning, we were drawn to each other’s taste in harmony and storytelling. I came from a background in pop music and media, while Yeji was deeply rooted in classical music. After my solo contract ended, I was looking for a new direction—something more personal, more cinematic. We began casually working together, and it quickly turned into something that felt like more than just a one-off project. Our different experiences naturally complemented each other, and forming a duo felt like the most honest next step.
2.For readers new to your work, how would you describe The Vignettes’ musical style? What drew you to the cinematic pop genre specifically?
Yeji: We like to call our sound cinematic pop. It’s emotional, orchestral, and built around storytelling. In a way, our songs feel like the soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist—at least not on screen. Both of us grew up with a deep love for movies and music that felt like it belonged in movies, so it felt natural to write that way. Cinematic pop allows us to blend the grandeur of film scores with the intimacy of singer-songwriter storytelling. It gives us room to be expansive and detailed, but also emotionally grounded.
3.What does your songwriting and production process usually look like as a team? How do you balance both of your creative inputs when composing or arranging music?
Yohan: Our process changes depending on the song, but it usually starts with an idea we want to capture. I might bring in a musical motif or lyrics, and Yeji will respond with musical ideas. Other times it starts with her at the piano, and we build everything around that. We both come from different musical worlds, so we rely a lot on communication and mutual trust. We give each other space to experiment, and we’re not afraid to challenge one another if it helps the song grow.
4.Both of you have multicultural backgrounds and experiences in different countries. How does this influence your music, both lyrically and sonically? Yohan: It influences everything, honestly. I grew up between Korea and Canada, and Yeji has spent time abroad as well. That duality shows up in our songwriting—we often write in English, but the emotional tone of our music still carries a lot of Korean sensibility. We’re inspired by Western film scores, but also by the restraint and beauty in Korean melodies. These experiences allow us to move between emotional and cultural spaces quite naturally, and it’s helped shape a sound that doesn’t belong to just one place.
5.Your debut single Afterimage was recently released. Could you tell us more about the story behind the song and how it reflects The Vignettes’ artistic vision?
Yeji: Afterimage is about the emotional traces people leave behind—the way memories can linger, shift, or even intensify over time. The concept began with the image of someone experiencing the afterimage of a person they truly loved. We wanted the song to feel like the final scene of a film you’ve never watched yet instantly recognize. Musically, it blends live orchestration (recorded in collaboration with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra) with rock textures, which reflects the core of our sound. It sets the tone for what The Vignettes represents: nostalgia, restraint, and cinematic emotion.
6.Are there any upcoming projects, performances, or releases you would like to share with our readers?
Yohan: We’re currently wrapping up our next single—a heartfelt track that explores the delicate boundary between friendship and love. Alongside that, we’ve been working on a short documentary that traces the origins of The Vignettes. It features behind-the-scenes footage from our orchestra sessions, our creative process, and the people behind our small but passionate collective. The documentary will premiere on our YouTube channel, and if the opportunity arises, we hope to host a small theater screening in Seoul as well. We’re also developing an animated video that introduces a fictional universe designed to connect and expand upon our music. As part of that project, we’ll be unveiling our official mascot very soon.
7.Lastly, is there any message you would like to share with your fans and readers of Korea.net around the world?
Yohan and Yeji: Thank you so much for reading. As an independent team, every stream, message, and word of encouragement truly means the world to us. We’re building this project slowly and intentionally, with the hope of creating music that resonates deeply and feels real. If our songs become a part of someone’s memory or personal story, that’s the greatest reward we could ask for. We have so much more in store, and we’d love for you to stay with us on this journey. Please follow us on social media to stay updated. Thank again!
As The Vignettes continues to define their place in Korea’s music scene, their commitment to authenticity and timeless style remains clear. Their blend of retro sounds and modern sensibilities resonates with fans across generations and borders. The Vignettes offer a reminder that great music is both a nod to the past and a step into the future.
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