We were lucky to catch up with Sunwoo Han recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sunwoo, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

As a creative striving to reach the top in Los Angeles, I’ve faced many rejections that have led to self-doubt. Each rejection made me question my skills and qualifications, even though the reason was often beyond my control. Even when I felt that I wasn’t skilled enough, it was difficult to stay optimistic and maintain a positive outlook.

Despite experiencing moments of depression, I continued to hone my craft as a music producer. My persistence paid off gradually, and I began to get recognized and secure decent gigs. Through these hard times, I learned a crucial lesson: I don’t need to doubt myself over things I cannot control. It’s common for creatives not to land their dream job on day one, and I had to accept that reality. Instead of fixating on rejections, I focused on improving my skills and finding a supportive community where I could grow alongside other creatives.

This realization brought me peace of mind and helped me maintain my mental health, which is vital for success in the creative industry. By accepting what I couldn’t control and concentrating on my growth, I became more resilient and confident in my art.

Sunwoo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve become a music producer after I graduated from Berklee College of Music with a major in Music Production and I have been producing my own music and collaborated with local and international artists such as Haezy, FLORA, SHALLYN and many more over the past 7 years in Los Angeles.

My sound specializes in Pop, R&B, Hip-hop, and Electronic, a style I have firmly developed after years of working and collaborating with various artists and companies. It makes people nod with groovy, strong drums and bass sound, while also creating mellow vibes with the soft textures I add to the synth instruments. Currently I am venturing into the K-pop industry, collaborating with other K-pop producers and songwriters.
I offer music production, mixing, and recording sessions for artists and when collaborating with artists, I find it important to observe and discover their distinct sound to create harmonious final craft. I continuously strive to push the boundaries of my sound and bring fresh, innovative ideas to each project.
One of my proudest achievements is my second EP album, “Chasin’ ____,” released in 2023. This album encapsulates my unique sound and artistry, and its success has led to numerous producing and mixing gigs.

Additionally, I have built a notable career in the stock music industry over the past 4 years, collaborating with companies such as Kinemaster, Shutterstock, and, most recently, Artlist. In 2023, I was honored with The Create Fund by Shutterstock, which solidified my role as a stock music creator for their catalog.

What sets me apart is my dedication to crafting high-quality and distinctive music, developed through continuous analysis and study of various soundscapes and genres.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives might struggle to understand the lifestyle and instability inherent in a creative journey. As creatives, we often face spontaneous changes that require us to adapt quickly to seize opportunities and follow our dreams. This can involve relocating, switching day jobs, and accepting low-paying or even unpaid gigs. We also need to be ready for on-call opportunities.
To outsiders, this lifestyle might seem hopeless or meaningless, especially when success doesn’t come as quickly as we hope despite our relentless efforts. However, we find joy and fulfillment in the gradual progress we make toward our goals. Sometimes, we even choose our dreams over spending time with family and loved ones, which can lead to disappointment.
This sacrifice and dedication are difficult for non-creatives to comprehend. The creative industry is highly competitive and challenging, and it demands a level of commitment that can be hard to grasp for those outside it. But it’s this very dedication that fuels our passion and drives us to keep pushing forward.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There were times when I lost gigs that provided most of my income. I was dumbfounded by the news because it was completely unexpected. It impacted me financially and mentally, to the point that I could’ve started doubting myself again and thrown myself into a depression hole. However, I decided to use the extra time to create a portfolio of my work and submit it to potential clients and companies. Thankfully, I landed a great deal with one of the companies I reached out to and was able to earn a better income than before.

This was possible because I didn’t lose my hope and tried to get back on my feet. Additionally, I had some savings to sustain me during the period when I wasn’t making enough to pay the bills. This experience taught me the importance of being prepared both mentally and financially to overcome such setbacks. It demonstrated that resilience, combined with proactive efforts, can turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunwo0othemusician
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunwoo-han-b7b0a712b
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sunwo0o
• Other: This is a Spotify playlist featuring my music production and mixing work.

  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4SSlDu2YY68EIROD185rPq?si=4fb6138687674a21

Image Credits

PIXUHL by Aanya Nigam