Breaking boundaries in both music and visual storytelling may seem daunting, but that's only until you've encountered from20. Get to know him in this exclusive interview.
from20, the talented singer-songwriter and video director, is a name that has become synonymous with musical excellence and boundless creativity. With a career that spans genres and spans generations, from20 has become a musical architect, constructing songs between the realms of sound and emotion.
As an artist, from20 defies categorization, taking the lead in all aspects of producing his music and transcending the limitations of other labels or agencies through his own company, THE FAKER CLUB. His music, a harmonious fusion of pop, electronic, R&B, and soul, is a testament to their versatility and willingness to explore uncharted musical territories. As a video director, he possesses an uncanny ability to construct one-of-a-kind cinematography that further serves as an extension of his creativity and connection to his music.
His latest release, “Beat It,” is a retro-inspired synth-pop song that highlights from20’s song independent spirit, alluring visuals, and shines a light on his strength of mind and character as an idol, independent musician, record label owner, etc., for over the last decade.
To celebrate his latest comeback, Hellokpop caught up with from20 for an exclusive interview about his return, what THE FAKER CLUB means to him, his career, and more. Continue reading to learn more about from20!
Congratulations on your latest single album, “Beat It.” What makes this album different from your previous releases?
I think this album is the true pinnacle of from20's unique take on retro synth pop. This album has a hotter and stronger performance. In addition, after a long time, the lyrics are not about love. This song focuses on my eager and hardworking mindset towards life in general.
Can you tell us more about the music video? Why is it described as a film?
The music video for "Beat It" is my first "Full-Performance Video". I wanted to emphasize from20's strong performance from the moment I started this project. So, I mapped out the entire filming plan as a synced choreography and ultimately wanted the theme of dancing in a war setting. Although it's a performance video, I filmed it with a cinema camera to emphasize movie-like color and video tone.
You're a multi-talented artist who does acting, singing, songwriting, and video directing. What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day is mostly a continuation of work. The first thing I do when I wake up is check my daily tasks and get them done one by one. But I do try to have a little bit of a break and enjoy my free time in between busy schedules. Of course, I never miss my gym day as well. To abbreviate, it's a repetition of home -> work -> gym.
What does THE FAKER CLUB mean to you?
It's my dream. THE FAKER CLUB is where I can freely express my art in whichever form I think is cool. THE FAKER CLUB is not only a place but also people that I work with. I am so proud of myself for being able to keep this company running for over two years.
Can you tell us more about your stage name? Is there a story behind it?
I was only 20 years old when I first arrived in Seoul with a dream of becoming a musician. I ended up settling on the name from20 because I wanted to remember my original intentions, courage, and confidence back then and create music with that mindset. I always had the ambition of wanting to move forward with a sense of dream in my heart, just like when I was 20 years old.
How has your music and sound evolved since the beginning of your career?
At the beginning of my career, I couldn't imagine myself doing this much pop and danceable music since it's hard for an independent artist like myself to pull off large-scale sound engineering and music video filming. I've always dreamed of becoming an artist like Michael Jackson. I feel like I'm getting closer to achieving that dream thanks to all the people around me who support me.
Read the full interview at Hellokpop.