We first stumbled upon SEOA in 2023 with her single ‘COMFY’—a hazy, heart-hugging R&B track that immediately stood out in Korea’s vibrant indie scene. A recent rediscovery of her latest release, ‘EDGE’, brought her back to our radar—but this time, she arrived louder, bolder, and unmistakably more confident. Curious about her evolution, we got in touch with the rising artist to explore her journey, inspirations, and what lies ahead.
Where It All Began
While SEOA’s stage name might sound like a stylized artistic alias, it’s actually her real name: Seo A Lee. And like her name, her entry into music came from an honest and organic place. “I think it was around my first year of high school,” she recalls. “Before that, I loved covering songs and practicing vocals, but at some point, I started thinking, ‘I want to make something of my own.’”
Initially, she even dabbled in producing, aspiring to become an all-rounder. But over time, her heart gravitated toward toplining and singing—crafting melodic layers and lyrical stories, where her voice could shine the brightest.
Her love for R&B didn’t just happen. “I was into hip-hop at first, and through that, I naturally started listening to artists who blended R&B with hip-hop, like Chris Brown and Tory Lanez. That’s when I fell in love with R&B,” she explains. Today, her musical compass is deeply influenced by artists like Kehlani and Summer Walker.
Since her debut in 2023, SEOA has watched her sound evolve, becoming more dynamic and emotionally rich. “I’ve been exposed to a lot more music and have started leaning toward more intense styles. I’ve also started paying more attention to detail,” she says. Although she occasionally worries her songs might challenge casual listeners, she’s firmly committed to expressing a sound that feels true to her.
Rhythm and Release
A defining element of SEOA’s sound is the interplay between rapping and singing—a style she leans into with ease. “Even in my toplines, I tend to write rhythmically dense and talkative melodies. I think that comes from the influence of the artists I look up to,” she shares. “Honestly, I just really love my style of singing—it feels very me.”
That unapologetic ownership of self pulses strongly in her latest single, ‘EDGE’. Compared to her earlier work, the track feels more daring—sonically and emotionally. SEOA tells us the session began in the dead of night. “I was super tired—my eyes were closing around 4 AM. But when the final bass version dropped, I got so excited that I ended up working through the morning.”
Unlike previous solo sessions, this one involved real-time collaboration, which transformed the creative energy. “The interaction made the whole process more fun and helped the song come to life in a new way,” she says. At its core, ‘EDGE’ became a vessel for boldness, rebellion, and emotional escape—all the things she’d been craving in her otherwise routine days.
A New Artistic Layer
Beyond the sound, ‘EDGE’ also marks a turning point in SEOA’s self-image. “I used to have a complex about my appearance,” she admits. “But this time, I planned and did a photo shoot with friends to visually present myself more to the public.” This wasn’t just a stylistic move—it was a personal milestone.
“In terms of both sound and lyrics, it feels like I’ve leveled up,” she adds. “I’m finally expressing what I’d always pictured in my head.”
Listeners should pay special attention to a moment in the hook where the topline shifts into a major key—a spark of catharsis, she says. “Also, the added chorus in the final hook is something I really love. Lyrically, I tried to be more direct than usual and skipped a lot of refining. I hope people find that boldness refreshing.”
What’s Next for SEOA
Having already carved out a signature R&B style, SEOA hints that there’s much more on the way. “You’ll definitely see more sides of me,” she says. “I’ve been trying out different genres lately, so I think people will be surprised to hear, ‘Oh, she can do this too?’”
She’s also deep in an album-listening phase, currently obsessed with Skrillex’s ‘FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!!<3*’ and KAIRO’s ‘ARE WE THERE YET?’. “Both of these albums are ones you can play all the way through without getting bored,” she notes. “The way each track progresses is really interesting and keeps you engaged the whole time.”
Looking ahead to 2025, SEOA is planning to expand her creative world: “I want to focus more on visual concepts and start new projects. I’m also hoping to release more music and collaborate with different artists. So just stay tuned a little longer!”
To keep up with SEOA’s evolving sound and creative journey, follow her on Instagram: @seoa_rt. Whether she’s exploring new genres, dropping bold visuals, or collaborating with fellow artists, one thing’s for sure—SEOA is just getting started.
