Moon's Orbit
Exclusive interview
Interviewed by Chichi Nyangoni
July 26, 2024
In the ever-evolving world of music, few artists manage to capture the essence of the new generation quite like MOON.
Hailing from South Korea, Moon has quickly emerged as a formidable force in the music industry; Moon's rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. Moon has gained widespread attention with her breakout single, “SEOUL CITY DRIFT”; which not only showcased her distinct style but also established her as a voice to be reckoned with in the competitive world of K-hip hop; crafting a sound that resonates on a global scale.
Since then, Moon has continued to push boundaries making her one of the most exciting artists to watch in recent years. Moon, alongside photographer Hong Seong-Jip, treated me to an exclusive photoshoot for our third issue's theme: The Modern Medieval.
In this exclusive interview, I had the opportunity to talk with Moon about her journey as an artist, the challenges she has faced, and what drives her to keep creating. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to her craft—qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to her rapid ascent in the world of music.
Hi Moon! Can you tell us a little about your journey from France to South Korea and what inspired you to pursue a career in the K-Rap scene?
"My journey kind of began even before I was born! My roots and heritage from both sides of cultures (Senegalese and Vietnamese) always gave me this envy to discover more about my Asian sides because I knew everything about my African side.
In my family, every member had their own music taste so I had to get my own different taste from my family. I started to get interested into Asian music (Hip-Hop/Pop/R&B); and Korean music was the one I particularly liked.
So at first I was just looking for freedom and went to South Korea when I was 17 years old and this solo trip changed everything. I started to think about music in a serious way, I learnt Korean by myself; travelled to Korea back and forth during 3 years and after an incredible opportunity, I finally officially moved to South Korea in April 2023."
"I'm still working on finding the perfect balance of my different inspirations to create what I call 'Moon's music."
How have your multicultural roots (Senegal-Vietnamese) influenced your music and style?
"It's extremely simple—it's in my blood. We all know that traumas and genes are passed down from generation to generation, and I believe that certain convictions are passed down too. My Vietnamese great-grandmother fell in love with my Central African great-grandfather, and her entire family was against their relationship because he was a Black man. But she chose love over everything else and left Vietnam to move to Central Africa, a country she didn't know at all.
Today, history repeats itself. I didn’t leave France for love, but I did for my dream. I'm sure the courage and conviction came from her because I never had any doubt, even when everyone was against my choice. I want to express this in my music and mix my cultures because it's more than just a part of me—it's all of me. I try to incorporate my African roots, especially in the beats I choose and the way I present myself. When it comes to my Asian heritage, it’s mostly reflected in the language, the artists I collaborate with, and, of course, in my appearance. I'm still working on finding the perfect balance of my different inspirations to create what I call 'Moon's music."
"I know I’m not meant to fit in completely because I never truly will, but I came here to make an impact with my music and my unique world"
Your debut single "SEOUL CITY DRIFT" has been described as a hard-hitting Korean language drill track. What was the creative process behind this song, and what message did you want to convey through it?
"SEOUL CITY DRIFT was initially inspired by the American movie 'Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift' in terms of its creative and artistic dimension. However, the meaning behind the song goes deeper. SEOUL CITY DRIFT literally describes my journey from France to Korea and how I envision my entry into the Korean hip-hop industry. I know I’m not meant to fit in completely because I never truly will, but I came here to make an impact with my music and my unique world.
When people pay attention to the lyrics, it's clear that I express my mindset: fierce femininity and personal hustle. The choice of the sample and genre was intentional as well. Drill is typically a genre dominated by men, and I wanted to add my own touch to it. The sample used in the track was also featured in 'She Knows' by J. Cole, one of my favorite rappers, and the title itself serves as an answer. I just felt like I 'knew' from the start that I should drift to Seoul and pursue my music career there."
Could you share the inspiration behind your single “RIDAH”?
"The inspiration for the song was primarily focused on the visuals and its underlying message. A lot of women are judged for their sexual lives, and often, when a man makes a statement about a woman, society prioritizes the man's opinion. I'm against that. So, I addressed the frustration some men feel when they don't get what they want from a woman.
Since men often take pride in showing off when they do get what they want, I wanted to flip the script, which is evident in the music video. No disrespect to any man—this is simply about advocating for gender equality in all aspects. Women should be able to fiercely dominate men without feeling any shame."
How has your experience as a fashion model/influencer influenced your music career and the way you present yourself as an artist?
"I intentionally started my influencer 'career' from the very beginning. My plan was to build a supportive community that would be there to hear my music, giving me visibility and helping me gain confidence as an artist.
I'll never forget that my first viral TikTok was of me rapping in Korean, and it was the French fans who gave me my first real musical joy, if I can put it that way. From the start, I knew that music was the only thing I wanted to live for."
"The biggest challenge for any rapper in the world is earning credibility, and that's what I'm building right now."
As a Black Korean rapper in South Korea, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
"The biggest challenge for any rapper in the world is earning credibility, and that's what I'm building right now. You usually gain it through your artistic circle, your label, and years of hard work and hustle."
How do you integrate your diverse cultural background into your music, and how has it been received by your audience in South Korea and internationally?
"It's all about inspiration—a blend of everything I love from my cultures to create something new. The few Korean people I've met, along with international fans, have shown great respect for my work. However, my exposure here in Korea isn't significant enough yet for me to provide a perfectly accurate answer. As for international fans, the support comes from many different countries, and it's been more than enough for me."
You are fluent in Korean and English, and you learned both languages on your own. How did you manage to do that, and what motivated you to become bilingual? What other languages do you speak?
"Long story short—and it's not an exaggeration—it's all about music. I've wanted to make music since I was 10 years old, so I learned English through my favorite artists' songs and at school.
As for Korean, I taught myself during the summer break to prepare for moving here and fully immersing myself in the culture.
I also speak French, which is my mother language, and I studied Vietnamese at university and Spanish at school. Unfortunately, I haven't practiced Vietnamese and Spanish much, so I've forgotten a lot. However, I can still understand Spanish easily, and I also know Sango, a dialect spoken in Central Africa."
"I feel like any experience you have in a foreign country is a hundred times better when you can communicate with the locals."
How important do you think it is for artists to learn multiple languages, especially when working in a multicultural industry like K-pop?
"I don't think learning languages is a must, but it's definitely a significant plus. It opens up so many different paths in life, and I feel like any experience you have in a foreign country is a hundred times better when you can communicate with the locals. The same goes for being in an industry like music—communication is essential. It's a hundred times easier when you can freely express yourself and connect with others."
What can we expect from you in the near future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
"I can't reveal all my plans just yet, but I can make a promise. I'm currently working on my first project—no release date is set yet, but the concept is clear. I'm creating this project with the intention of showing you what I've always aspired to: a multicultural record. It's a challenging endeavor, which makes me even more determined to make it a success. My first collaboration will be featured on it, and I'm so excited for you to discover it."
"From what I can see my career looks bright."
How do you see your career evolving in the next few years, both in South Korea and globally?
"Only God knows. I only focus on the present. From what I can see my career looks bright."
What are some of your favourite hobbies or activities outside of music?
"I don't really have hobbies anymore, which is a little sad. I spend a lot of time working on myself, so I’d say I use my free time to educate myself more and more. Gaining knowledge is essential, and continuing to educate myself after leaving university is really important to me."
Who are your biggest influences in the music industry or life?
"God. I'm a believer in God, so I strive to live my life and behave in a way that I would never be ashamed of if God or my parents knew about it.
Mom and Dad. Words aren't enough to describe how much they inspire me.
Music. Dean, when I crave melodies and calm. Woodie Gochild and Haon, when I miss some good flow. Suran and Bibi, when I long for feminine calm."
-Quick Fire Questions-
If you could collaborate with 3 artists worldwide who would they be?
"Two of them already passed away XXXtentacion, Bob Marley and the last one is Mura Masa."
What is your favourite place to travel to and where do you want to visit next?
"Any place where my mom would like to go. I wish it will be my next destination."
What's your go-to comfort food?
"Rice and dry seaweeds."
What is something you can’t stand?
"Society's constant judgement."
Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them!
"I do. Her name is Shibuya… She's like my daughter. After my family and I adopted her, I truly understood what people mean by 'maternal instinct.' For the past two years, I haven't been able to stop thinking about my baby dog, my nephews, little brothers, and the idea of having my own children and family. It's one of my biggest wishes."
Do you have a motto or quote you live by?
"What more can be said? If God is for us, who will be against us?
ROMANS 8:31"
What TV shows or movies are you currently watching?
"Nana. For the 4th time? Again. And I’ll watch it again if needed."
Are you in a relationship?
"I’m lovesick. I might be too loyal and classic when it comes to love for nowadays and this generation of 'men'."
What is your most valued personality trait in a partner??
"Loyalty"
What do you enjoy most about living in South Korea?
"Freedom. Nobody feels the need to judge me, I think?"
What’s one dream or goal you hope to achieve in the next few years?
"To have a successful music career, help my parents retire from their jobs, and start my own family."