 |
| Photo Cr. Hyoju Kim |
Music has long been a healer. A way to tell stories of comfort, love and joy, or simply a space for people to connect with one another, and themselves. South Korean artist Jihoon Park aka Dailog is a creator of such music. His name, a blend of 'daily' and 'log', reflects his music catalogue as he sings about the complex mundanity of everyday life and musings that come with it. His new EP basecamp expresses that exact sentiment. Six tracks create pockets of joy against a story arc spanning various genres, showing that no one has to be confined into one box.
Aside from his own music, Dailog comes with an already impressive background including composing, producing and writing for hundreds of K-drama soundtracks from My Liberation Notes to Hospital Playlist. If that wasn’t enough - he’s also worked with artists such as DK of SEVENTEEN and the members of TWICE. All these skills and experiences have amalgamated, combining to create a slice of heaven with his new EP. As part of our ongoing K-wave series, we spoke to Dailog about how he likes to create stories, what genres he’s currently enjoying, and of course, the new EP basecamp.
Kpopwise: On your new 6-track EP basecamp, you seem to create little pockets of comfort and storytelling. Have you always approached music with the intention of creating a story arc across your songs?
Dailog: I’ve always thought of music as a kind of diary. I often want to capture a specific scene or feeling, and with this album I wanted to express the flow of a single day and the warmth of love as a shelter. The songs naturally connected, creating one continuous story arc.
Kpopwise: The opening track, “morning twist”, really feels like a time machine into the 60s – bright, joyful and the perfect burst of morning energy. What inspires you to move across genres so freely? Do you consciously explore multiple genres and styles, or do you just create whatever motivates you?
Dailog: I don’t set a genre in advance. Since I’ve loved many styles of music from a young age, I naturally end up creating across genres. When I want to borrow something from the 60s, I sketch freely at first but then dig deeper into the essence of that genre during the final stage. morning twist is my reinterpretation of 60s twist music.
Kpopwise: Are there particular sounds and textures you find yourself drawn to when building narratives, as “basecamp” features chill beats to lo-fi sounds as heard on “doodle”?
Dailog: I’m drawn to raw and human textures. Vintage tones, warm guitar riffs, and tape-like sounds make a story feel richer. For doodle, I wanted to capture the feeling of casually drawing, so I leaned into lo-fi textures.
Kpopwise: What makes for a good captivating story as a producer? What sounds do you get drawn to, especially for telling a story that varies from intimate to a dreamland?
Dailog: I think a good sound always comes from the emotion you want to convey. When expressing something personal, I try to keep the vocal as natural as possible. For dreamlike moods, I use reverb and space. That contrast helps build a more three-dimensional world.
Kpopwise: Are there any other genres or sounds that you want to explore that you haven’t yet?
Dailog: Lately, I’ve been fascinated by Britpop, especially guitar-driven sounds. I’d also love to create music that blends Britpop with analog synthesizers.
Kpopwise: With this new chapter you aim to tell stories in your own voice, which you’ve done beautifully on this EP. What made you want to go down this path, and what track is your favourite?
Dailog: I felt the joy and freedom of expressing different emotions vocally, and I wanted to sing songs that truly fit my voice and emotions. My favorite track is the final one, campfire. It’s about the lingering warmth that remains even when love ends, and I wrote the melody specifically to match my voice and style, which makes it even more special to me.
 |
| Photo Cr. Hyoju Kim |
Kpopwise: Alongside the EP, you’ll be releasing lyric videos for all the songs on YouTube. Will these be like visual snapshots of the stories you’ve told through the music?
Dailog: Yes, I tried to capture the emotions and atmosphere of each song visually. I wanted the little scenes in the music to flow together on screen. The lyric video for the first track is especially unique and fun—I hope many people will enjoy it.
Kpopwise: Having a hands-on approach with this project must feel incredibly fulfilling. Does it feel like a new beginning in your work as an independent artist?
Dailog: Absolutely. From writing to recording, mixing, and mastering, I was responsible for everything. It was difficult at times, but it allowed me to capture my own colour completely. It really feels like a new starting point.
Kpopwise: What drew you to music in the first place?
Dailog: Back in college, making beats alone at home after class was my happiest time. I felt so alive in those moments, losing track of time while choosing kicks and snares, while everyone else was out drinking.
Kpopwise: Over the years you’ve worked with artists like DK of SEVENTEEN and TWICE, what lessons from those experiences have you been able to incorporate into your own work?
Dailog:I learned that the best artists always pursue detail and sincerity. Watching DK pay attention to every single breath taught me how important it is to give your all for the best result.
Kpopwise: Having already worked with such a strong list of artists, who’s on your dream collaboration list? Or is there a key influence that helps motivate you?
Dailog: I’d love to collaborate with artists like Clairo and Men I Trust. Their music feels vintage yet modern, and it always inspires me.
Kpopwise: When it comes to composing and producing K-drama soundtracks, what do you feel are the perfect ingredients? What elements do you always make sure to include to create those famous emotional moments?
Dailog: Drama music has to capture the emotion of a scene precisely. I usually use simple melodies with warm guitar or piano to express feelings directly. The best drama songs instantly bring a scene to life, almost like a movie, and I always strive to create that effect.
Kpopwise: Where would you like to be in 5 or 10 years time? Whether in your career or with life in general.
Dailog: I want to remain both a composer who writes diverse songs and a singer-songwriter who consistently releases my own music. Honestly, sustaining music for 5 or 10 years is already a huge challenge, but I work toward that every day.
What is your ultimate goal or dream?
Dailog: I don’t live with a grand dream or goal in mind. For me, the ultimate dream is to keep doing what I love and to spend time with the people I love. That’s my goal in life.
For listeners who may be discovering you for the first time, which track do you think perfectly captures who Dailog is as an artist and producer?
Dailog: I’d recommend the fourth track, doodle. I think it reflects my sensibility the most. But to be honest, every track on this album shows who I am as both an artist and producer. If you listen to the whole record like one continuous piece, you’ll get to know what kind of musician Dailog is.
Follow Dailog:
Interviewed and Written by Kirsty Bright and May S. Be sure to follow KpopWise for more on The K-Wave!