Rising artist minijoy shares her love of electronic music, how she integrates her Korean heritage with NYC’s diverse music scene, and her future plans.
Korean-born, LA/NYC-based artist minijoy‘s music is more than just sounds — it uniquely reflects her lived experiences, global perspectives, and personal emotions. Initially drawn to the rhythmic elements of rap and hip hop, she started experimenting with club music and refined her ability to blend diverse electronic music genres with superlative skills. Bringing an unconventional touch of K-hip-hop, crisp R&B, and indie music, she has quickly garnered a fervent community through her house, trance, and techno productions.
As she continues to deliver high-energy performances at major club venues like MUSICA, Mission, and Slate NY, minijoy’s ability to challenge expectations showcases her innovation and artistic growth. More recently, she made a splash in her career by performing at Pulse Events‘ Spring Festival and S2O Festival, which featured major headlining acts like Alan Walker, Zedd, Marshmello, Subtronics, and SLANDER.
Entering the last four months of 2024, minijoy has set her sights on an even brighter future. Her latest curated project — an event concept called minijoy, Your Joy — is all about celebrating diversity and culture through the power of music. She draws on her experiences in Seoul and the US to merge the distinct cultural influences into her DJ set and offer the fans a reflection of her artistic vision while embracing the freedom to explore ideas more deeply.
As she gears up for the next show on September 13 with other talented artists like Dan Miles, Sangarang, Daniel Pinho, Soundspider, Take22, Vida, Clubby, and Tanya Kwiin on the roster, we caught up with the rising talent to unpack her story. It is marked by a conscientious mindset and unshakable musical passion for her DJing career. Listen to minijoy’s exclusive guest mix and read on for the full conversation.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 436 || minijoy on SoundCloud:
Hey Hanna, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today! Let’s start from the beginning. Can you talk about the moment that led you to pursue DJing as a music career? How did you first get involved in dance music?
It’s a funny story! My ex and I loved hip-hop and R&B, but I was having a hard time after a breakup. I couldn’t listen to it after that, as it reminded me of the moments we had together. One day, I asked Alexa to play something else, and she started with deep house. I was like, “Hmm, this is pretty good!” I didn’t know there were that many sub-genres for electronic music.
At that time, I was working in marketing and was in charge of making a playlist for the company. I put on some house music that my co-worker had recommended; that’s how I started to DJ. I have loved Daft Punk since I was in middle school, where I met some good party friends with whom I went to shows. They introduced me to artists like Boris Brejcha, Marten Horger, and Dom Dolla. I also found out about D.O.D., Kx5, and Porter Robinson. I never thought I would be a DJ, but after everything that happened, it was more like “I should be a DJ” than “I want to be a DJ.”
2024 is a big year for you as an artist! We love seeing you’ve been playing at numerous clubs and festivals around the US! What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you started DJing?
Oh my god, yeah! I’ve played 85 shows! Nine different cities. I can’t believe I did that and lost 18 lbs last year from DJing. Most of the time, I’m happy, but last year, it was very tough because right before my first club gig, I heard that my grandfather was sick. I was hoping that he could wait a little, but he passed away soon after. I felt sad that I couldn’t make it in person for his last day, and it made me realize, “Wow.. this is what I’m going for.” It’s not going to be easy, but I believe he would be so proud of me, as he has always wanted me to explore the world and grow into a bigger person.
I decided that I could share with others what he had taught me through my set. That is how I got into trance music. It gives me a vibe that life is sometimes sad but that’s okay, we should be thankful for what we have. I remembered playing “Gratitude” by Above & Beyond during my set at Slate NYC at that time, and I could feel him saying that I was doing good. There were a lot of friends who came out to support me; it felt like they were lighting up my life.
The biggest challenges for me are loneliness and longing. These feelings make me feel weak, so I try not to text or call my family too much—otherwise, I’d probably cry every day. We stay connected on Instagram, though. I hold onto the belief that we’ll hopefully have a big family reunion soon. I came to the US on my own without knowing anyone, but looking back over the past 3-4 years, I felt so grateful and happy.
I was lucky to meet many good friends who would randomly check in on me, asking, “How are you feeling?” Sometimes, I’d cry, but those moments helped me to realize that I’ve found a team, a family here. I feel so loved, happy, and thankful. The happiness they gave me has filled me with even more joy to share with others. That’s why I’m confident we can make great things happen!
As an NYC-based Korean artist, we’d love to know more about your cultural roots! How did your background shape your approach to music production? Does it give you any unique perspective?
[Laughs] It’s like another long story. I started getting into music as a rapper after I saw Kid Ash (Keith Ape now). I still have his signature! It was cool to see rappers tell their stories and have empathy with people. I thought about how this could perhaps be what I was looking for, so I started a hip-hop club in high school and threw some concerts, performed, and met many people through planning shows. I hung out with rappers and producer friends, sometimes at a music studio, a show, or a club room, and they taught me how to use Ableton, Cubase, and Pro tools to produce and mix. It was fun, but I thought, “Nah, I’m just gonna be a rapper.” At the time, I was considering whether I should drop out of school to focus on music full-time, but my friends said that I should study other subjects that would help my music career, so I went to a design school instead.
After graduation, I wanted to dedicate a year to music to see how far I could go. However, my mom suggested applying for an internship in the US, which brought me here for the first time in 2020. That’s when COVID-19 hit. Stuck at home and bored, I bought an audio interface and a mic. Around the same time, a producer friend stranded in Japan reached out and asked if I was still making music. He sent me some beats, and after listening, I felt inspired to experiment with melodic rap.
Over the past 2-3 years, we released seven songs together, which marked the beginning of me putting more of my vocals on the tracks. I also started producing more frequently because I realized there were feelings I couldn’t fully express through lyrics alone—sometimes, sounds conveyed emotions better. I’ve always been searching for tools to express myself, whether as a DJ, rapper, or singer. In the future, I aim to create a hybrid genre that’s uniquely “minijoy.”
I’ve always loved K-hip-hop, R&B, and indie music from artists like Jazzyfact and Ebonyhill. But honestly, I enjoy all genres of music. My cultural roots and diverse musical interests shape my approach to music production, giving me a unique perspective that blends different styles and emotions into something distinctly my own.
Your music blends a unique sound of K-pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B! As you continue to grow as an artist, are there any new sounds or styles you are interested in exploring?
I’m interested in exploring Latin music more! My dad used to teach Salsa and bachata, and my parents would dance together, so they love Latin music.
You recently played at the US debut of the S2O Festival, which marks an important celebration of the Thai New Year. How important is it for you as an artist to represent your Korean heritage and balance this cultural root with the diverse musical scene in NYC?
I’ve always been fascinated by traditional Korean instruments and old songs, and I’ve often thought about how to blend them into dance music. Around March, my friends asked if I could DJ for a Samiljeol event (March 1 is our Korean Independence Movement Day). Most of them are Korean-American, but they didn’t know about that significant day and felt a discount from Korea. That’s how they started the group ‘Manse,’ and I wanted to make a special set with Korean music for that event.
I know K-pop idol music is now popular, and I hope people will explore other genres of Korean music. I’m trying to make some songs with the traditional Korean instrument and sound called ‘Pansori’ for the next album called ‘Han.’
I love that you’ve been debuting new IDs at your recent shows! Can the fans expect a new project or album from minijoy anytime soon?
Yes! I have an ID with Daniel Pinho. He is an amazing friend and producer DJ. I have learned a lot from his story and working with him. He played at Avalone and opened for PVD one time; I was so hyped and happy for him! I’m pretty sure you’d like the song we made together.
There’s also one ID with Clubby 돈벌어(Donbuluh) and a remix of “She Knows” by Sangstaa. I was hanging out with him and about his favorite song. He then showed me that song and the lyrics ‘she knows, I’m not afraid no more’ really inspired me so I made a drum and bass remix.
With Paulie Beat, we have a piece of cute house music! It’s called “Star Night.” I got inspired by the weekend I spent hanging out with Larry, Andy, Peach, Shonny, Logan, Clubby, and Danny. We talked a lot about music and life. I also have one song with Tanya Kwiin and have been working on “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis, but I haven’t figured out the second drop. I’m so excited to finish and play at some point!
We read that “Minijoy, your joy” is your curated project about expanding diversity in the EDM scene. This is super interesting! Could you share more about this project and what you have planned for the performance? Is there anything different that the fans can expect?
“Minijoy, your joy” is really about bringing more diversity, culture, and unique perspectives to the EDM scene. As someone who has lived in both Seoul and the US, I’m always thinking about how to merge different worlds—whether it’s through blending genres or incorporating cultural elements into my sets. The project allows me to explore these ideas further and bring something fresh and authentic to the table.
I’ve got something exciting planned for the upcoming show on September 13 at The Meadows! I’m collaborating with many incredibly talented artists—Dan Miles, Sangarang, Daniel Pinho, Soundspider, Take22, Vida, Clubby, and Tanya Kwiin—and we’re pushing the boundaries of our sets. I’ll be debuting new music incorporating Korean sounds, which I’ve been experimenting with recently. Fans can expect a fusion of house, techno, and trance, but with some surprise elements that reflect my roots.
I also just had a show in LA, which was an amazing experience. It gave me the chance to showcase some of these new ideas and see how the audience responded. The energy was incredible, and it inspired me to keep pushing forward. So, I’m ready to take things to the next level for this NYC performance.
Ideally, I’d like to spotlight new artists for the next series. Like ‘( artist ), your joy.’ I’ve been having a hard time sticking to just one genre for DJing, but recently, my friend took me to a Porter Robinson show in NYC, and it reminded me of why I started in the first place. It brought me back to my first set, and I thought, “Oh yeah, I started because I wanted to tell my story.” I’ve realized I need to stay true to my style, even if each set might differ. I want my music to reflect my journey and connect with others. So, expect that I’ll continue to evolve and explore, and hopefully, we’ll create more joy together along the way!
As we head towards the last four months of 2024, are there any professional goals that you have for impacting the dance music scene, both in NYC and globally?
I’d love to have friends to start a project for 2025 with me. I came to NYC to meet a diverse group of people, open my worldview, and have a good influence on people. I’d like to gather some creative friends and work on a project together. It could be with anyone, such as a designer, rapper, singer, chef, producer, dancer, video director, developer, and more. If we can work on one topic and release the project together to have an impact on others, I believe that would be a success for me. Let’s say the topic is about love, and we created a project that made people think of love once more, which is very meaningful.
Regarding my music goals, I’d love to work with diverse artists and start working on the ‘Han’ album project. My Korean name is Han Na and the word ‘Han’ refers to a combined feeling of anger, injustice, sadness, regret, and pity in Korean and I aim to create some music based on that ‘Han’ feeling.
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