[Interview] Voices That Soar: LA POEM on Music, Meaning and the Boryeong Mud Festival
2025-07-29In a music scene dominated by synth beats and dance pop, these voices are rewriting the rules – with operatic finesse, poetic storytelling and harmonies that stir the soul. LA POEM, the crossover vocal group that captivated Korea by winning Phantom Singer 3, has quickly grown into one of the most respected and emotionally resonant acts in Korean music today. Their soaring vocals and theatrical stage presence have garnered them a loyal following not only in Korea but increasingly among global audiences drawn to the elegance of their sound.
Ahead of their appearance at the Boryeong Mud Festival’s K-POP SUPER LIVE, I caught up with LA POEM for an exclusive email interview. In this interview, the group reflects on their artistic journey, musical values and the universal power of harmony.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with them from July 23–24.
1.To begin, could you please introduce yourselves to our global readers?
LA POEM: Hello, we are LA POEM, a crossover vocal group.
We are the winning team of the Korean music competition show Phantom Singer 3 in 2020. All of our members are classically trained vocalists, and together we present a wide range of music that blends classical techniques with popular music, crossing genres with our own unique tones and styles.
2.How did LA POEM come together, and what inspired the group’s name?
LA POEM: The name “LA POEM” combines La Bohème—a French term representing free-spirited artists—and the English word poem.
As free artists, we aim to create music that resonates like a heartfelt poem, leaving a lasting impression in the hearts of our listeners.
3.LA POEM’s music is known for blending classical technique with modern emotion. How do you select or create the songs you perform?
You Chaehoon: We’re always asking ourselves, “How can we express this song with LA POEM’s sound?” To choose just one song, we list and sing through many options, searching for the right feeling. Once we find a song that we feel can truly be interpreted in LA POEM’s style, that’s when we know it’s the one.
Choi Sunghoon: We usually select songs that align with the purpose of the performance and often reinterpret them in our own style. Sometimes we take on genres that are currently gaining attention, and other times we choose genres we’re confident in. Based on the experience we've gained from performing in many concerts, we also include songs that audiences truly want to hear.
Jeong Minseong: We select or create songs based on the nature of each performance or event. We also tend to choose songs that are currently popular or widely recognized.
4.You’re performing at the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival’s K-POP SUPER LIVE — how do you feel about participating in such a unique and energetic cultural event?
You Chaehoon: Yes! This is our first time participating in the Boryeong Mud Festival, and we think it’ll be a truly unique experience for us as well! We’ve performed at other festivals before, but each one has its own free-spirited energy—and this one, being a mud festival, feels especially exciting!
Choi Sunghoon: We’re truly happy to be part of the 28th Boryeong Mud Festival, one of the city’s most iconic events, alongside so many amazing artists. Please look forward to our energetic performance that will bring extra heat to this summer with our voices!
Jeong Minseong: It’s such a great honor to participate in one of Korea’s most iconic festivals that every Korean knows! Through this event, we hope to showcase LA POEM’s strength to the world!
5.Many fans around the world are drawn to your heartfelt harmonies and emotional storytelling. What do you hope international listeners take away from your music?
You Chaehoon: We’d love to let the world know that Korea is home to so many artists beyond K-pop idols, each exploring diverse genres. LA POEM hopes to lead the way in introducing a new genre we call K-Crossover (Korean crossover music that blends classical and popular styles) to global audiences.
Choi Sunghoon: We hope that the meaning of the lyrics and the emotions conveyed through our voices will linger in listeners’ hearts for a long time, even after time has passed.
Jeong Minseong: We hope that global listeners will come to realize that crossover music is a beautiful and approachable genre. Just as you love K-pop, we hope you’ll also show love for K-crossover.
6.Lastly, do you have a message you’d like to share with your international fans and Korea.net readers?
You Chaehoon: Dear subscribers, we’re so happy to be doing this interview with you! We’ll continue working hard to bring music that resonates with your hearts and to show you different sides of LA POEM. Thank you, and please keep supporting us!
Choi Sunghoon: Thank you for inviting LA POEM to such a wonderful stage. We’ll deliver a performance that only LA POEM can present. Please continue to support us as we explore and share even more diverse music!
Jeong Minseong: Please look forward to even more exciting performances from us.
We’ll continue to bring you fresh and wonderful music. Thank you!
Whether performing a sweeping ballad or reinterpreting a pop song with classical fair, LA POEM continues to show that music transcends genre – and language. Their voices, united in emotion and discipline, offer a glimpse of what happens when tradition meets innovation.
As they prepare to grace the stage at one of Korea’s most iconic festivals, LA POEM remains grounded in their mission: to move hearts and expand the boundaries of vocal performance. With every note, they remind us, that music – especially when sung with sincerity – can be timeless.
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