[INTERVIEW] AGER, a Singer-Songwriter & Cafe Owner

AGER (아거) is a singer-songwriter, composer, and in 2020, became a cafe owner. He joins HypnoticAsia for an interview about his music career as well as, his recently opened cafe.

AGER began posting music to his YouTube channel 6 years ago and since then, he’s been gracing the internet with his wonderful vocals. Through covers and official releases, everyone will find his style to be unique and refreshing.

In 2020, the singer-songwriter opened a cafe called Enmer in Seoul, South Korea. He has been actively running that cafe since learning the art of coffee from a friend in Daegu. Day6’s YoungK also recorded a video cover for his YOUNG ONE series there.

Find out about AGER’s music and cafe through his interview below.

INTRODUCTION

Please introduce yourself to the readers of HypnoticAsia. 

AGER: Hello, I’m Lee Kun-soo, a singer-songwriter, 아거 (AGER) in Seoul and running a small cafe called 엔메르 (Enmer)

MUSIC BY AGER

How and when did you get into music?

AGER: I happened to join a band when I was 15 and that was my first start. Of course, it was a hobby then.

Who or what would you say is your biggest musical influence?

AGER: I like Eric Benet and Musiq Soulchild. I like R&B [from the] 2000s.

What is your process of writing and composing? 

AGER: [For] most of them, [I] compose songs while playing the piano and write melodies and lyrics first. After that, it proceeds by making beats or collaborating with a good composer.

Is there a certain artist you’d like to collaborate with?

AGER: I don’t have any these days. Because I haven’t listened to music for a long time since I started a cafe.

On your track, “Wanna Know” you worked with Crucial Star. How was that experience? 

AGER: It was amazing to collaborate with a famous artist, and it was certainly a great feature despite the short time. I felt he was capable.

For our readers who may not know you, which song would you recommend they listen to first?

AGER:

1. 알고싶어(Wanna know),
2. 집에갈 때,
3. 안녕

I like all my songs because they are like diaries. I hope you like one of them.

We saw on Instagram that your international fan made you a cake for your birthday! How did that make you feel? 

AGER: I [am not a] famous artist and I wasn’t active, so I actually don’t have many fans. Especially in foreign countries. It’s the first gift I’ve ever received from a foreign fan. I was really touched and I want to repay her if she comes to Korea later.

CAFE (Enmer)

When did you open Enmer in Seoul, South Korea? 

AGER: It opened on October 24, 2020.

Have you always wanted to run a cafe or did an opportunity you couldn’t give up come your way?

AGER:  [Opening a ] cafe was one of the things I always wanted to do and I really wanted to do it before I got older.

How did you learn the art of coffee? 

AGER: It moved as soon as I made up my mind. My friend ran a large cafe in Daegu, one of the regions in Korea, and prepared for a start-up while learning there.

Do you have any plans to expand the cafe internationally? 

AGER: I wish I could do that in the future. I think I still lack a lot and still have a lot to learn. But if I have a good chance, I want to do it.

While we haven’t had the pleasure of visiting your cafe yet, many fans have mentioned the unique interior design and the eye-catching blue color. Who came up with the design and why did you choose the color blue? 

AGER: I really like the sea and it is a small cafe, but I wanted to put that feeling. So I started to make one by one with my designer friend, and it became a unique cafe even though it might be a little lacking.

We saw that Young K of Day6 recorded a cover in your cafe. Tell us how that came to be. 

AGER: My friend who works at JYP was working as a team with Day6 and recommended my cafe because there was a place to shoot a video. Thanks to you [AGER’s friend], it was good that many fans visited. And Young-K is really handsome.

Do you have any plans to release more music soon? 

AGER: I think a song called “Go Out” might be released this year. In fact, I can’t work much because the cafe is too busy. Still, I’m progressing little by little for someone who’s waiting.

Is there something you’d like to say to your fans and supporters from around the world?

AGER: Most of you probably don’t know me, but I’m happy to let you know about me as a person who lives with me in an era, I hope you have a happy life anytime, anywhere!

Thank you AGER for your willingness to hold this interview for the readers of HypnoticAsia. Everyone, be sure to check out his official social media accounts and to support his music. Also, according to AGER himself, be sure to look forward to the release of his upcoming track, “Go Out” releasing sometime this year.

And of course, if you plan to visit Seoul, stop by Enmer and grab something to eat or drink!

CONNECT WITH AGER:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Soundcloud
• Instagram