"It was really hot!"
That was the first thing South Korean singer-songwriter Ilhoon told StarLifestyle when asked about his last trip to Malaysia during this online interview, and he wasn’t talking just about the tropical climate.
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Jung Il-hoon, last visited the country in 2018 for a mini concert and fan meeting with his former group, BTOB.
“It’s been so long, but I still remember how hot it was because of both the weather and the love from fans,” he said in an exclusive virtual interview from South Korea.
In fact, the region ranks among his biggest listener markets on streaming platforms.
“I’m thankful that there are still so many fans who love me, but I’m also sorry it took me so long to perform for South-East Asian fans again,” Ilhoon said.
“There are still so many people calling out for me, and I’m doing my best to meet as many of them as possible.
“It’s amazing that the love I receive in this region is just as big and hot as the love from my fans in Korea.”
That unwavering support means even more to Ilhoon now as he finds his footing in a fresh chapter of his career.
No longer creating music within the confines of a group, he’s embracing the creative freedom of being a solo artiste and giving fans a more authentic glimpse of who he is.
Newfound identity
Ilhoon debuted as a member of K-pop boy group BTOB in 2012, alongside Seo Eun-kwang, Lee Min-hyuk, Lee Chang-sub, Im Hyun-sik, Peniel and Yook Sung-jae.
Together with the group, he delivered a string of hits such as It’s Okay, Missing You, Only One For Me and more.
He subsequently stepped away from the spotlight to focus on his personal life.
During his break, Ilhoon travelled across Europe and immersed himself in painting, using the time away to reconnect with himself before returning to music with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.
In 2024, he made his comeback with the single, Lullaby, before releasing his solo album, The Adam, the following year.
Earlier this year, Ilhoon dropped two more singles, Merry Go Round and Closet.
Going solo has given the singer greater freedom to shape both his music and artistic identity.
“In the past, I made a lot of music for the team and other idols – more than I did for my own personal work.
“Now, I’m focusing more on making my own music with my own colours, and the sounds are very different.
“I think I’m able to show more of my personality now,” he said.
Despite the newfound creative freedom, Ilhoon reiterated that he doesn’t want to draw a line between past and present, as both phases are integral to his musical journey.
“I don’t think there’s a big gap between being an idol and a solo artiste. It’s just part of how you change as you go through life,” he added.
While much has changed since his return, one thing that remains constant is the importance of the people around him.
“I’m a sensitive guy,” Ilhoon admitted, smiling.
“I feel like the environment I’ve created keeps me grounded. It’s so important to know how to build genuine connections with others.”
Bold and unafraid
Last month, Ilhoon unveiled two new singles, Devil Can Wait and Glory.
The first track – a pop-punk anthem inspired by Jean-Claude Ellena’s perfume Heaven Can Wait – explores the temptation of returning to a love one knows is wrong.
Even when faced with the consequences, the narrator remains willing to make that choice again and again.
“I kept thinking of other words which could expand the expression that says, ‘It’s so wonderful that even heaven is willing to wait.’
“One day, the word ‘devil’ just came to me, and I expanded on that to convey a message about having no fear of making the same choice while staying true to oneself,” Ilhoon said.
On the other hand, Glory takes on a lighter, hip-hop-inspired tone.
As the musician put it: “While Devil Can Wait revolves around conflict and going against reality, Glory has a brighter mood overall, with more positive lyrics.”
For Ilhoon, being an artiste is about staying focused on what he genuinely wants to create.
“It’s only when you make something that you personally like that you can feel happy and satisfied with the result,” he said.
But balancing personal expression with audience expectations hasn’t always been easy.
“I always think about whether my personal story and sound will appeal to people,” Ilhoon admitted.
“You wonder whether or not they are going to like it.”
The concern is understandable in an industry where trends shift rapidly.
Rather than pursuing whatever happens to be popular, Ilhoon finds himself gravitating towards the sounds he grew up with, including pop-punk, R&B and neo-soul.
“These were the genres that dominated the market when I was younger.
“These sounds influenced me a lot,” he said, citing pop-punk artiste Avril Lavigne and 13-time Grammy-winning musician Pharrell Williams as inspirations.
Driven by purpose
Today, Ilhoon enjoys reinterpreting his favourite genres through his own lens and giving them a more “modern” touch.
However, he’s not closing the door on exploring other genres in the future.
Rather than viewing uncertainty as a setback, Ilhoon embraces it as an essential part of being an artiste.
“Trends will always change. What’s most important to me is the message of the music and the story I want to convey,” he added.
Looking ahead, Ilhoon isn’t chasing chart positions or industry accolades.
At the heart of his ambitions is a simple goal: to continue growing as an artiste without ever losing his passion for music.
“I want to experience the same journey and challenges that the artistes I respect went through, and enjoy every step of the process,” he said.
Ilhoon added that he’s working hard to create meaningful music that resonates with people who need it most.
Having witnessed the impact his music has had on listeners over the years, the singer hopes his future work can continue offering that same comfort to others.
“Many fans have told me my music helped them through difficult times when they were younger, so I want to share my music with as many people as possible.
“If someone is having a hard time, I hope my music can help them overcome it,” he said.
