Today we’d like to introduce you to HEESU
Hi HEESU, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always known I wanted to be a singer—it’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Korea, I was surrounded by Noraebang culture. I would practically live in those Korean singing rooms, singing all day, completely lost in the music. It was my happy place.
When I moved to the U.S. at 13 as an international student, music became my anchor. In high school, I threw myself into anything that let me sing—musical theater, choir, jazz ensemble. But the it moment happened at my high school talent show when I sang “Girl on Fire”. The crowd waved their phone flashlights, and for the first time, I felt like I was truly living. That’s when I knew—this wasn’t just something I loved; it was what I had to do.
I thought going to music school would help me get to where I wanted to be, so I applied to a bunch of musical theater programs and Berklee. But at some point, I realized I wanted more than just performing—I wanted to create. I wanted to tell my own stories. So I chose Berklee and studied Contemporary Writing & Production and Songwriting. That’s where I really started honing in on my artistry.
In 2019, I released my first original song, “Keep Drawing”, and from there, I kept refining my production skills.
Then came “Honey Eyes”—the first track I fully produced myself. That song was a turning point. I incorporated traditional Korean sounds into my music for the first time, blending them with my own style. It was the moment I truly found my sound.
After graduating from Berklee, I moved to NYC—the city where art lives and breathes. Since then, I’ve been performing, creating, and carving out my own space in music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’d say the people I work with have made the journey a lot easier—I’ve been lucky to find good collaborators for my projects. But it hasn’t always been smooth. Managing a one-woman show, handling everything from music to production to business, can be overwhelming at times.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a singer-songwriter, producer, and creative director, professionally known as HEESU. My music invites listeners into a dreamy world, blending a synth-heavy fusion of traditional Korean sounds with Electropop, House, and Alternative R&B.
I’m proud to embrace my Korean heritage by incorporating traditional sounds into my production—it’s what sets me apart as an artist. I also creative direct my own projects to ensure they truly reflect who I am, both as an artist and as a person.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck and hard work go hand in hand. I’ve had lucky moments, like meeting the right people at the right time, but those moments only mattered because I was ready for them. At the same time, there have been challenges that felt like bad luck, but I’ve learned to turn them into lessons and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heesu.biz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heesu_yu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HEESU.music/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heesuyu
