[THE K-WAVE] Meet Sungjoon: The Powerful Voice in the Streets of London

You might have walked around the streets of London and seen crowds of people filming and swaying to music. That music is accompanied by a gorgeous voice, and that voice belongs to Sungjoon, a famous busker who has a strong social presence thanks to his videos. Arriving in London from South Korea with dreams of becoming a singer and to become the artist he wished to be, busking was his way to fulfil that.

Over time he’s seen K-pop become the forefront of the mainstream, allowing him to show the beauty of not just his voice but the language itself. Having amassed a following, he’s gone from singing popular covers to reaching his dream of releasing his own original music. His latest release, “Can’t You Still Be My Love”, is out now. We are thrilled to have Sungjoon join the K-wave series as he discusses his music journey, dreams, and aspirations. 

Kpopwise: Let’s start with your busking journey. What made you first go out and begin busking in London?

Sungjoon: I came to London because I wanted to become a singer, more precisely, because I wanted to live as an artist. When I first arrived, I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t know where to begin, and I could barely speak English. Busking was the only starting point I had.

Kpopwise: Where do you get the confidence to go out and sing in such a vibrant and bustling place like Leicester Square? What is the most rewarding part of singing to the public?

Sungjoon: I’m naturally introverted, shy, and easily nervous. So yes, I was scared at first. But I was also desperate, and I believed that true courage is choosing to face fear. So I pushed myself. As I kept going, I slowly adapted, and the fear faded while confidence grew. That confidence has become one of the most valuable things I earned from busking.

Also, singing in front of people, sharing my story, and being able to make someone’s day more meaningful — that still feels like a huge blessing to me.

Kpopwise: Culturally, do you aim to bring your Korean heritage into your performances? You’ve mentioned that you often tend to sing English songs, but audiences really enjoy it when you perform Korean tracks too. Your reels showcasing the audience’s reactions to BTS songs in particular draw heartwarming reactions. What do you prefer to sing? 

Sungjoon: As a pop artist, I try to sing songs people love (as long as they match my style). If that’s K-pop, I sing K-pop. If it’s English songs, I sing English songs.

In the beginning, I mostly sang English songs in London because the crowd were mainly English speakers. Sometimes, when I sang Korean songs, people even told me to “sing in English.” But as K-pop became more mainstream, and as more supporters started coming to see me through my videos, I naturally began singing more Korean songs.

As a Korean artist, my emotional sensibility naturally shows in my song choices and compositions. Thankfully, many listeners love that, and those moments make me proud to be Korean.

Kpopwise: Do you think the beauty of the Korean language is what makes many stop and listen, even getting emotional at times?

Sungjoon: Yes, and for people who are interested in Korean culture, I definitely think so. Korean isn’t unfamiliar anymore, and many listeners seem genuinely drawn to the sound of the language.

Kpopwise: Through busking, you’ve built quite a well-known following on social media. Do you feel that social media is an important tool/platform for artists to share their art to reach new audiences?

Sungjoon: I think social media is now essential for artists. Opportunities rarely come to newcomers nowadays, so you have to build your own audience.

Through creating content, you discover what you love, what people want from you, and who resonates with your music. That process itself becomes a huge asset as an artist.

Kpopwise: You performed a beautiful version of “Creep”. How do you approach singing and recording covers of well-known songs?

Sungjoon: For “Creep”, I also rearranged it slightly to fit my own voice and emotional style. When I cover a well-known song, I always try to sing it in a way that conveys the meaning I feel from the lyrics. Deep down, I always hope my version might comfort someone who listens that day.

Kpopwise: Would you ever record and release a compilation of your most popular cover versions?

Sungjoon: I’ve thought about it, but right now my priority is releasing my original music. From a branding perspective, it feels a bit early to release official covers. After I’ve put out more of my own songs, I’d love to properly remake and release some covers one day.

Kpopwise: You also have plenty of your own original music. In 2024, you released “If You Were My Love”, an incredibly powerful track. How do you approach expressing so much emotion in a song like this?

Sungjoon: I usually start by building a story and finding emotional keywords. Once I know who I’m singing to and where the story takes place, the genre, melody, and chords naturally follow. After that, I arrange and refine the song step by step.

Kpopwise: Having recently performed in Berlin. How did it feel going from the streets of London to a different setting? How did you prepare for that particular show?

Sungjoon: Performing abroad and meeting listeners who come specifically to see me — it’s incredibly moving. It feels like taking one more step toward my dream.

For Berlin, I chose songs that matched the atmosphere and showcased my identity. I even performed unreleased originals, and one of them will be released soon.

Kpopwise: You were also an opening guest for Johnny Drille’s Canada tour. What experiences did you endure that you felt helped enhance your approach to performing?

Sungjoon: It helped me realise what kind of musician I want to become. I want to be an artist who tours—big shows, small shows, any size—and meets fans through live performances. And to do that, I know I need to write a lot of great songs, which is a challenge I happily embrace.

Kpopwise: Are there any other songs that you’re practising right now? 

Sungjoon: Right now, I’m preparing my upcoming releases and practising for future live shows. I also rehearse various covers for content shoots from time to time.

Kpopwise: What is the ultimate goal with your career as a singer?

Sungjoon: Professionally, my goal is simple: I want to make a living by touring — whether the shows are big or small — and meeting fans through live music.

But my dream goes beyond that. I’m walking a different path from many Korean artists, and I hope my story and my music can give courage to people who feel like they’re also walking an unusual path.

I strongly believe that effort alone cannot achieve everything. It may sound ironic coming from someone who started by singing on the streets, but many opportunities in my life came from outside my own strength. The fact that I can sing at all is a gift. The fact that I could come to London was also because life gave me that chance.

Not everyone becomes successful just by working hard — and if an opportunity comes to me, it might mean someone else didn’t receive it. Understanding that has made me want to become an artist who eventually shares those opportunities with others.

Of course, without relentless effort, you cannot grab an opportunity even if it appears. So I continue to work hard every day, and I hope that someday I’ll be given the chance to achieve that dream.

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