SPOTLIGHT ON CREATIVES: CHOI SEONG-UEN (SOUTH KOREA)

Photographer Rachel Loh invited us into part of her creative world as she brings together talented friends from Singapore and South Korea to share about themselves and their works, while also capturing our latest collection in their own unique way.

Please introduce yourself and what you do.

Hello, I’m Choi Seong-eun, a violinist and composer from BandSinsum (Joyful Island). I also release solo work under the name Uaieo. I create and perform music that is delicate yet playful.

My band has been active for 15 years, and I compose and play the violin as part of the team. I’m also involved in various projects, including albums, film music, musical plays, and cinema concerts.

 

Seong-uen styles Maya Shirred Top in Mulberry Pink with her blue skirt

 

How did you get into music?

I began playing in a band after attending an art high school and studying music in college. Through acoustic band performances—where we could open our instruments anywhere and fill the space with joyful sound—music became a way for me to share my own language and imagination in the moment of direct connection with the audience.

I have continued to work with dedication, creating several albums and performances that explore emotions beyond simple joy.

 

 

When you play the violin, how does it make you feel? And how does this inspire you to create more?

When I play the violin, my breathing seems to change—becoming slower and deeper. I often feel as if the sound is guiding me, much like the moments when a melody or a scene appears vividly in my mind. There are times when I get nervous before a performance, but my instrument, which has been my friend and a part of me for such a long time, gives me strength. Even the simple act of lifting the violin brings a sense of reassurance.

 

Seong-uen wears Maya Shirred Top in Pear and Iris Elasticated Back Waist Biased Skirt in White

 

How does being a musician affect the way you dress?

In the process of making and refining songs, I often dress to match the mood of the music and head to the studio. The clothes I wear in performance mode, music-working mode, and on my days off are all very different, but I personally enjoy outfits that feel like an extension of the performance itself. They’re comfortable, yet a little inventive, offering an unexpected twist—much like my music.

I find that these subtle choices help me sink more deeply into the atmosphere of the work, and sometimes they even inspire new ideas or shifts in tone as I compose.

 

Photography & Interview: Rachel Loh
Featured Artist: Choi Seong-uen
Styled in: Maya Top (Mulberry Pink), Maya Top (Pear) and Iris Skirt (white)