On October 18, Sunwoojunga released the second part of her concept album Beyond, titled Beyond [2. White Shade], marking the culmination of her journey towards freedom.

As she explained to us last upon the release of the first part of this musical project, Beyond [1. Black Shimmer], Sunwoojunga (선우정아) had always imagined the album to be divided into two separate chapters, each representing a process phase with its own atmospheres and emotions, but both deeply connected at the core. She said: “Beyond can refer to both the future and the past. I wanted to create an album like a universe where time is intertwined and coexists.”

In the post above, we read: “After the lively liberation of Black Shimmer, White Shade offers a quiet encounter with oneself in the search for true freedom.” Also, in a recent interview, Sunwoojunga stated that while working on her music she realized: “You can't be free until you face your shadows, your dark and vulnerable parts.” It’s interesting to note how one might associate softer sounds (maybe on the sorrowful or bitter side) with the image of a person going through hardship, and then more joyous, upbeat ones with the sense of freedom that comes after getting rid of all the burdens.

Yet, Sunwoojungs inverts the process: Black Shimmer has more vibrant tones and dynamic rhythms, but White Shade is pervaded by a peaceful clarity, where sounds and Sunwoojunga’s singing style convey a sense of being both lighter and more rooted, with a heightened awareness of who you are after it all, even when dealing with passional forces such as greed or jealousy.

We start still out in space with the title track about a fading star, “Used Star (유즈드 스타),” blaming its loss of light on the indifference and prejudice of others; then we start descending gently towards the Earth on the notes of “please be greedy (욕심),” a song about longing for the nearness of another person, and “Jealous (시샘),”that expresses the self-doubt and yearning for someone. We bend a little before jumping once more in “Too Late (투 레이트),” with its music prompting us to not let a chance pass by, no matter what other people say. Finally, we raise our eyes to the sky and soar free in “PRAY (기도),” now fully equipped to face hardship with strength. 

“PRAY”

“PRAY” was the title track that anticipated the album, with a very beautiful music video to go along with it. Sunwoojunga whispers sweetly, almost unobtrusive and comforting, conveying that very peculiar state of calmness and composure one can experience when life feels difficult and overwhelming. The video is directed by Jo Hyuncheol (조현철), actor and director of the movie You and Me (presented at Busan Film Festival in 2022 and released in Korean theaters in 2023).

“please be greedy”

On Sunwoojunga’s Instagram profile the drop of the second music video for “please be greedy” was recently anticipated by a caption that informed us how the video is made by AI, and further explained the meaning of the song: “Like a fantasy where all hardships and conflicts are resolved and healed through each other’s love alone, there is an intense desire to love and be loved, in the most extreme way. In the shadows of reality, I dream deeply of that desire. I touch my own longing to be completely embraced within your desire.”

The caption went on: “Opening a mysterious-looking book, reading the rich, almost thirst-inducing affection written inside, and then closing the book while the emotions linger—this is the feeling I hoped to evoke in my work. With Kang Ichae’s violin, alongside Im Sooyeon’s cello and the mandolin ensemble of Kang Ichae and Ha Beomseok from the Dear Jazz Orchestra (디어 재즈 오케스트라), a powerful energy has been added.”

“Jealous” 

The video stars the famous actress Lim Soojung (dramas Search: WWW, Chicago Typewriter; movies Mothers, Come Rain, Come Shine). It depicts a woman working at an airport delivering lost luggage to customers, projecting fantasies or being haunted by memories while looking at unknown travelers.

When presenting the video on her official page, Sunwoojunga said: “Through the cracks of a device in my hand, I catch glimpses of other people's lives, full of things to envy. I think the saddest part of being consumed by jealousy is the profound loneliness it brings. I wanted to envelop the pensive vocals in a shimmering, wavering piano sound, leaving them in solitude. This is a song sung by a version of myself who looks at everything I wish to become—yet, not even I can become that person.”

Last August, in an interview with Vogue Korea, Sunwoojunga proved how working on her latest music resembles the journey to self-discovery narrated in her album: “While working on Beyond, I came to clearly understand what producing and great directing were. Up until then, I honestly worked while hesitating. Now, I feel like I have entered another stage. That is why I am even more excited about the albums I will make in the future.”

Well, we surely can’t wait to see what she will come up with next!