Meet Yejune Kim

We recently connected with Yejune Kim and have shared our conversation below.

Yejune, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I always try to find something that only I can do. Rather than aiming to be “excellent,” I want people to say, “That’s a Yejune Kim piece,” the moment they hear my work. That’s what I consider true skill.
For example, Heavy Heaven—a musical I wrote book, lyrics, and music for—features my favorite animal as the protagonist: a pig. Who else would write a musical about a pig? I poured into this show all the emotions I’ve felt living in the U.S. as an outsider—difference, loneliness, confusion—and also love and understanding that embrace those feelings. This show was nominated in three categories at the New York Theatre Festival, including Best Short Production. I believe the audience resonated with the sincerity I embedded in the story.
Whenever I feel discouraged, I revisit the works I’ve created so far. I sometimes make a playlist of the songs I’ve written. As I listen, the emotions I had while creating each piece return vividly. Rather than questioning whether the music is technically “good,” I feel reassured by the fact that each song captured a part of my story. That authenticity gives me strength and keeps the imposter syndrome in check.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a musical theatre composer and lyricist from South Korea, currently based in New York City. I was recently honored to be nominated in the Contemporary Pop category at the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards. My work has been performed at various venues across NYC, including 54 Below, Joe’s Pub, TADA! Theatre, and DROM. I often music direct and accompany my own performances on piano.

Before moving to the U.S., I also worked as a producer for the music accompaniment app Instream Music in Korea. My team recorded over 1,000 tracks across various genres—mostly classical—and helped make them available globally through the app.

I strive to be a musical theatre creator who tells diverse, meaningful stories—not just for entertainment, but to open conversations on society, identity, and empathy. Musically, I care deeply about genre fusion. For instance, in Bari: The Abandoned Princess, a show I presented at the Spark Theatre Festival, I drew inspiration from Korean folktale and traditional music. I incorporated Korean folk songs and blended traditional instruments with Western musical language.

Earlier this year, I won the 2024 Write Out Loud Songwriting Contest, and my song Self-Portrait, inspired by Frida Kahlo, was released on their official album. It’s a Latin-pop song brought to life by the incredible voice of Broadway star Ana Villafañe. I hope many people will listen to it.

Looking ahead, I plan to further develop my musicals and bring them to larger audiences on stage. I will soon begin collaborating with a Korean creative team on a new musical titled Musical: Destruction Game, and with a Japanese team on another upcoming project, Magical Lulu. Both are exciting international productions in development, with artists working across Korea, Japan, and the U.S.—please stay tuned!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilience:
I always hope my work will be chosen and loved by others—but that doesn’t happen easily. Rejections are much more common than acceptances. And yes, it stings and can shake your confidence. But I bounce back quickly. Rejection doesn’t define me. I keep pushing forward, trying more, taking risks. That ability to rise again has carried me far.

Authentic storytelling:
I always strive to be honest in my lyrics and stories, expressing what I truly feel. I don’t want to simply follow trends or create something just to please others—those stories feel empty. I want the audience to come to me, not the other way around. I believe that’s why my lyrics often resonate as something unique and special.

Collaboration:
What sets musical theatre apart from other musical genres is that it’s never a one-person effort. It’s a collaborative process involving actors, directors, stage managers, music directors, and more. Clear and respectful communication is essential.

My advice for those starting out? Talk to yourself often. Really listen to your inner voice and learn to express yourself in your own words. Even if a project fails, if you told your story, there will be no regrets. The more you understand yourself, the more you’ll be able to truly hear others—and create work together that is richer because of it.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Until recently, I had mostly focused on developing my own work. But over the past year, I’ve stepped into roles as a music director and pianist for other creators’ projects. Through these collaborations, I’ve grown tremendously in leadership, musical versatility, and stage experience.

One standout experience was playing Keyboard 2 in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at Suffolk County Community College this past April. As a jukebox musical, Priscilla required me to quickly master a wide range of unfamiliar pop styles. It was also my first time using the Mainstage software on a live stage—which, I discovered, was quite tricky to operate! But by the end of the run, I felt my musical range had expanded, especially in terms of listening and adapting in real time with other instrumentalists. I also became more confident on stage and in fast-changing performance settings.

Moving forward, I plan to continue developing my own shows while also serving as keyboardist for upcoming productions with The Parkside Players. I’m excited for the inspiration these collaborations will bring.

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