@aswakii<\/a>, reads \u201ci wish my eyes could take pictures.\u201d With someone who has such a distinct visual identity, whether it be in the way you dress, curate your Instagram profile or even in your album artwork, I wanted to ask a more open-ended, almost abstract question: What does the world look like through your eyes?<\/p>\nYves:<\/strong> I think the world can feel very harsh sometimes, and also very lonely. But at the same time, I don\u2019t think people are only made of hate or coldness. A lot of the time, underneath those emotions, I think there\u2019s still a desire to be understood, to be loved or to feel close to someone.<\/p>\nSo when I look at the world, I think I see both sides at once. It can feel sharp and heavy, but also very fragile and tender. Maybe that\u2019s why I\u2019m always drawn to small emotions, quiet moments and things that feel easy to miss. I think those are often the most honest parts of life.<\/p>\n
TMD: <\/strong>Artists performing at universities is something that both South Korea and the United States have in common. As a college paper, we have to ask \u2014 does the idea of performing at schools, whether it be back home or in the U.S., something you would want to pursue in the future?<\/p>\nYves: <\/strong>A university is such a strong symbol of youth, energy and possibility. So the idea of performing in that kind of space honestly feels very exciting to me. If I ever get the chance, I\u2019d love to be there not just as someone performing, but as someone sharing that energy together with the students. I think it would be really fun to bring my own kind of energy into a place that already feels so alive.<\/p>\nTMD: <\/strong>The past (and first) two years in your solo career has seen you growing significantly as an artist. With 2026 already having the release of NAIL<\/em> and this current tour, how do you reflect on this journey so far, and what do you hope the rest of the year brings you?<\/p>\nYves: <\/strong>If I only look back in terms of results or achievements, sometimes it still doesn\u2019t feel completely real, because that was never the only thing I was running toward. But even so, I feel very grateful for everything that has happened. Of course there were difficult moments too, but I think the reason I was able to keep going was because I kept trying to enjoy each moment and move forward quietly, step by step.<\/p>\nI also feel very thankful to the people around me and to my company, who always supported\u00a0me and helped guide me. I want to keep moving forward without losing that gratitude. I hope my voice can reach even more people, and I hope I can keep growing in a way that feels honest. Of course, I\u2019d be happy if even bigger results come, but I don\u2019t want to live only chasing those things.<\/p>\n
TMD: <\/strong>Thank you for taking the time to talk to The Michigan Daily, Yves! As one final question, is there anything you would like to leave with our student readership, for both those fans of you and those discovering you for the first time?<\/p>\nYves:<\/strong> Hi everyone \u2014 I\u2019m Yves.\u00a0<\/p>\nI\u2019m not sure if I\u2019m really in a position to give advice, because I think I\u2019m still learning too. But if there\u2019s one thing I want to say, it\u2019s that I hope you don\u2019t feel like you have to have everything figured out already. I know a lot of you are probably thinking a lot about the future \u2014 feeling pressure about what comes next, struggling with the weight of where you are now and sometimes feeling afraid of the unknown. So if my music can give you even a small moment to breathe, or make you feel a little less alone in those feelings, that would mean a lot to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019ve known me for a long time or you\u2019re just discovering me now, thank you for being here. I really hope you can be kind to yourself, and that there are a lot of good things waiting for you ahead.<\/p>\n
Film Beat Editor JC Rafal can be reached at <\/em>rafaljc@umich.edu<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/aside>\n
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