Korean singer-songwriter Woo Yerin first captivated audiences with her soulful voice and heartfelt performances on K-Pop Star Season 5, where she made a lasting impression with her sincerity and artistry. Since then, she has steadily built her career as a versatile musician under RUBY RECORDS, drawing listeners in with her lyrical honesty and delicate soundscapes.
Now, with the release of her new single she continues to evolve as an artist while sharing her unique perspective through music. This interview offers a glimpse into her creative process and the significance of this latest chapter in her journey.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with Woo from August 19 to September 15.
1.Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello! I’m Woo Yerin, a singer-songwriter who weaves the language of flowers into my songs.
2.You’ve released songs across diverse genres—ballad, folk, blues, R&B, and even showtune-like arrangements. What inspires you to explore so many different styles?
I suppose it comes down to my own curiosity and ambition. I don’t want to limit myself to what I’m good at—I want to pursue what I love. Just as emotions are diverse and flowers carry different meanings, I feel it’s only natural for me to write songs across many genres.
3.You’re not only a vocalist but also a songwriter, composer, and instrumentalist. Can you describe your creative process when writing or arranging a new piece?
My creative process often begins with something very small, such as a misplaced belonging on the street, an unusually pink evening sky, or the feelings from new seasons. From those moments I pull out a word or a phrase, and that becomes the seed of a song. From there, I start shaping the imagery into music, sketching out chords on the piano or sometimes the guitar, and gradually layering melodies on top.
4.What do you hope international listeners discover about Korea or Korean music when they listen to your songs?
I hope they can sense the beauty of the Korean language. It can be incredibly soft, yet at times powerful, and it carries emotions in written form in a way that feels unique and striking.
5.You’re releasing a new single in September. Can you share a little about the inspiration or theme behind this song?
The English title is Ashes of a Burning Heart, while the Korean title is Song of Withered Flowers (마른 꽃들의 노래) (maleun kkochdeul-ui nolae). It’s a song about despair and helplessness about the things you can never truly grab, no matter how desperately you reach for them. I wrote it out of that raw sense of longing and futility, when even after giving everything—time, effort, and passion—what you desire slips away. What’s left is only ashes, with no strength left to burn again. That is the heart of the song.
6.How do you hope this new single will connect with your audience, and is there anything different they can expect compared to your earlier releases?
I hope it resonates in a different way than my brighter, more hopeful songs such as <Red Rose>, <tulip>. By adding this slightly darker, more resentful emotion into my work, I feel that my musical world as a singer-songwriter will become richer and more expansive.
As Yerin unveils her new single, she once again invites listeners to connect with her music on a deeper level – one that speaks to both vulnerability and resilience.
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