LOUDER, SHARPER, AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY LØREN

BY: JESSE ZAPATERO

PHOTOGRAPHER: JUSTIN AYERS, STYLING: JOSHUA ALAN CLARK, HAIR: ANDI OJEDA, MAKEUP: CARLOS GONZALEZ, PHOTO ASSTS: ROMINA AUTRIQUE, MARCUS CARRILLO

Løren doesn’t walk into a room so much as he storms into it—quietly, subtly, and yet with the kind of presence that makes you straighten up. South Korea has no shortage of polished, mainstream pop exports, but Løren has always been the outlier—the one ripping open the frame and sketching something rawer, louder, and defiantly his own. A producer and songwriter who has laced tracks for icons like G-Dragon and BLACKPINK, he’s also a frontman in every sense of the word, building a solo career that blurs punk grit with indie edge.

The work itself is messy, by design. He rarely lets himself feel “done” with a track, admitting he often swings from loving something to hating it overnight. But he’s learning to trust the spark. It’s a discipline as much as it is a gamble. And when he describes his shift from carefully constructing songs alone in his bedroom to jumping in the booth with collaborators in a fully spontaneous blur, you can hear how far he’s traveled.

Yet behind the edge and energy, there’s a current of vulnerability that Løren refuses to disguise. He admits it’s rare for him to feel satisfied with what he’s created, but rather than seeing that as a curse, he treats it as fuel. Doubt, dissonance, even the weight of being misunderstood—they all become part of the art.

It’s why his fans lean in. They don’t just hear songs like “Empty Trash” or “FYN,” they hear someone unafraid to translate both chaos and confession into sound. he knows exactly what keeps him moving: the refusal to play it safe, the drive to make something better, and the stubborn truth that the boy who once saved up for a drum kit is still chasing the noise in his head—louder, sharper, and unapologetically his own.

Turtleneck and Pants by: ANNAKIKI, Jacket by Homme + Femme

Hi LØREN , how are you doing today? First of all I just want to say it was an honor to be on set with you. The team and I had a lot of fun creating with you.  I know things have been moving fast lately—creatively, personally—so I’m curious, when you think about everything you’ve been working on recently, what’s the feeling that’s been driving it all?

Hi! Thank you for saying that and honestly, it's my pleasure. It was hella fun working with you guys! A lot went on recently for sure, but I love the feeling of progress. Whether it be making new music, doing photoshoots or interviews, I'm more than happy to get things moving. I'm hungry for more if anything.

Is there a particular sound or emotion you haven’t been able to fully translate into music yet, but you’re actively chasing?

I think at this turning point of my journey, especially with a new chapter with AYLA, I've been feeling a dissonance between how much I've tried and how much I hope is to come. Sometimes, especially when I'm back in Seoul, I've come to realize how difficult it is to stay motivated and inspired by myself. It's almost like a depleted feeling after working so rapidly in LA. As of recent days, even as I write this, I've been trying to translate this particular struggle I'm feeling back into music. The frustration and dissatisfaction we all face towards our life has been the primary source of material I've been trying to utilize, if that makes sense.

Suit by Les Benjamins, Necklace and Rings by KIMITAKE

As someone who experiences music almost physically—visually, emotionally—how do you know when a track is complete?

If I'm being honest, it's rather rare for me to feel like something I made is clearly good. I could feel like it's the best thing I've made so far, only to hate it the very next morning. I guess it's somewhat of a gut feeling that gives me some reassurance but I can barely recall a time when I felt unfaltering satisfaction of what I've made. I did, however, come to realize that constantly changing what felt right at the time isn't a way to improve. I do try my best to believe in whatever magic I felt at the time and keep myself there.

What’s something about your creative process now that would’ve shocked or inspired the version of you making music alone in your bedroom years ago?

Without a doubt, it would be the spontaneous approach towards writing. I used to have a very specific, almost constructional approach to writing. I needed every melody, every lyric fully written in order for me to record anything. The process that happened as I worked with other talented musicians in LA required a much more spur-of-the-moment process. We would literally just sketch something out, jump into the booth, and start singing on the spot. It was a huge leap from my comfort zone, which led to some fantastic results. A learning experience and a gateway to a whole new world of writing, for sure.

You've built a sound that doesn't easily fit into boxes. If you could shatter one stereotype about what Korean music should sound like globally, what would it be?

If I could name one thing I'm absolutely sure of, it's that the perception of 'Korean Music' had nothing to do with what I ever made. To me, good music has always been good music, regardless of its point of origin or culture. I hope my music comes off as just that—good music. If that means it breaks stereotypes of how people see 'Korean Music', then sure, but it's not and never was something I intended or strived for. I have and will continue to create what I want to, and I hope to be seen as just another musician—not a different Korean artist.

In the past you’ve worked with titans like G-Dragon and BLACKPINK, but when you imagine your dream collaboration, who’s someone unexpected—alive or not—you’d love to create with?

Man, it's hard to name artists that I feel are worlds and worlds apart from where I am. Cliche as it may be, "I am not worthy" would be how I'd put it. IF I somehow could though, it would probably be Liam Gallagher. What a legend.

What do you look for in a collaborator—someone who challenges you, reflects you, or complements your beautiful chaos?

I always hope to be of help when I work with people—despite my shortcomings. Because I've worked with absolute giants recently, (John Feldmann and Brian Lee to name a few) I had to force myself to make 110% of the time we spent together. I'm not afraid to admit where I am and how much more I have to learn. Working with artists I respect and admire should be a challenge, a connection, and an educational experience, I feel.

Jacket by Ed Hardy x Namilla, Shirt by COLORS, Rings by KIMITAKE

You've been in rooms with icons, but who’s an underground or rising artist you think the world should be watching right now?

Man, there are so many phenomenal artists nowadays I have to stop myself from envy. If i had to name someone, it would probably be Kennyhoopla. He's made a name for himself so I wouldn't call him anywhere near 'underground', but his talent and persona perfectly embodies rock and roll. I've been a fan for years now.

Is there ever pressure in your circle to conform to a more polished, mainstream sound—or do you feel protected by your independence?

I don't think I've ever had the urge nor the hope to let anything 'mainstream' affect my work. I do, however, think that having as many people as I can feel connected to my music is important. In the past, I did feel pressured into making what was 'mainstream' by my old circumstances, but now that I've moved on, I feel an absolute sense of freedom to express myself with no strings attached.

When you’re not being LØREN the artist, who are you when it’s just silence and no one’s watching?

I guess it's hard for me to answer because LØREN essentially is just me. I couldn't and can't separate myself into two. The less constructive ,and quite pathetic, at times me is still LØREN. The creator of music I put out is also LØREN. I admire and respect those that can make turn on and off the 'artist mode', but that was not what I wanted from the get-go. I'm still me—on or off stage—and hope people can see that.

Coat by COLORS, Jeans by INTODUSK, Gloves by Ritual Fashion

You've said before that people will judge you no matter what. What armor have you built to protect yourself from that now—and what do you still struggle to shake off? In the moments where you doubted yourself—what kept you moving forward when you felt undeserving?

From what I experienced, there is no armor to shut off judgement from others—nor should anyone feel the need for one. Some will like me and some will hate me, and that's perfectly fine. Love and hate is universal, and I'm no exception. The only part I really think about (or care about, really), is how they feel towards my music. The same rule applies, but their thoughts about my music does matter to me. Affection or hatred towards me as a person—well I don't feel the need to worry too much.

As for doubt and feeling of undeserving, that's exactly what drives me. That's what makes me get out of bed, and spend the day searching. Satisfaction, to me, is the polar opposite of the urge to progress and evolve. It does get difficult—living in my head sometimes—but that's the price I'm more than happy to pay in order to better myself and my craft.

You’ve talked about rebellion and defiance. But what’s something soft you’ve learned to embrace about yourself lately?

There wasn't anything specific recently, but on a broader scale, I've been trying to feel more responsibility about my time. The freedom to create is not something anyone should ever take for granted, and I felt like I was damn close to doing just that. Being more aware of my days, weeks and months, and reflecting on how I spent them, is something I've been trying to do.

If “FYN” was a declaration of creative freedom, what’s the next statement you want to make?

Whatever comes out, really. My mind operates in an odd way where I realize my thoughts as I express them. It's like as I speak, I get myself to organize the mess I've made in my head. The next thing that I create, which I myself isn't even sure of, will be the next statement. Kinda crazy, when I think about it.

Your fans have been waiting patiently—and sometimes not so patiently—for a full-length project. Is that something on your radar right now, or are you more focused on letting singles speak for themselves for the time being?

Happy to inform that I have an entire album ready-to-go. I'm a little unsure of the exact order in which the songs will be released, AYLA could answer this better, but I hope people feel their patience, or lack of, was rewarded. Patient or not, eager or angry, I appreciate and love everyone who's still interested enough to stick around. My honest gratitude to all of them.

Cpat by Entire Studios, Gloves by Vex Latex, Jewelry by Rare Romance

Can you give us any hints about the next single? Is it building off the energy of “FYN,” or are you taking things in a completely different direction?

It definitely feels like a drift away from FYN, but at the same time it doesn't. It's hard to explain. One thing I can say for sure is that there's a lot more energy. A little closer to the edge, if you know what I mean.

Fans always try to guess what’s next, but in your own words—what can we really expect from you in the months ahead? More chaos? More vulnerability? Something no one’s ready for?

I think people had more than enough of my vulnerability, but I've gotta say that's going to stay around forever. I'm a vulnerable person and I don't think I'll ever pretend to be anything but. Apart from that, definitely more chaos, definitely more emotion, and definitely more calls for help.

Let’s say five years from now you’ve built everything you dreamed of—what scares you about that version of success?

It doesn't. I think—I KNOW I won't ever feel like I've reached where I want to be. I chase a car that's moving just as fast as me—if not faster. I pray no amount of success (which itself is hard to define) will ever change or distort my hunger to make something better. For now though, that's not something that I dare to worry about.

When you think about your younger self—alone, uncertain, and saving up for a drum kit—what would you say to him today?

I'll probably tell him the nine years you spent with no friends were crucial to become an artist. Whenever you felt rejected, whenever you felt your chest sinking, they all happened for a reason. I'll also let him know that feeling does stay with you forever, but that it's okay. The damage done will help you build something new.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

Probably one of those stop motion flip books. Easy to read, easy to neglect.