Korean American artist Yejin Hong celebrates the release of her video "New Workout"

Photo Credit: Stefan Bunbury

Korean American singer and songwriter Yejin Hong has taken the music industry by storm with the release of her anticipated music video “New Workout”. Avery “MsArtistry” Watson, the CEO of M.A.E. Multi Artistry Entertainment, joined forces with Yejin Hong to host the music video release event that took place in Glen Cove Long Island at the Giants Studio. The night started when Yejin Hong announced her pregnancy and many of her friends and family had so much to celebrate. DJ Playdvt kept the event flowing as he played the most current and trending mainstream artist. Photographers Stefan Bunbury and Richard Rameau II were also there to capture all these amazing moments. Yejin Hong proved that anything is possible and that nothing will stop her dreams from coming true. Thank you for sitting with Short N Sweet Ent to discuss your journey as a female powerhouse.

Congratulations on the baby and the release of your new music video to New Workout. What is the concept behind the video?

The video is actually pretty interesting. I dropped the single last year right around when Covid happened. Originally, the record came about to highlight body positivity, women being fierce, and being one with themselves. I wanted to shot the video last year but Covid kind of messed things up. So I planned on shooting it this year and I found out I was pregnant in January. Avery and my manager was like we need to wait and I was like no. If Cardi and Nicki can do it then I could do it too. We shot the video and I was 3 and a half pregnant. It’s a different meaning to me now because when I drop this baby it’s going to be a “New Workout” for real. The concept of the video was based off of retro vibes because we are all 90’s babies. I wanted to create that actual gym lifestyle. Overall, it was for body positivity, women accepting themselves, and having that feeling where they can be their true selves without feeling like they have to hold anything back.

There is a new wave of new female artists that are being overly sexualized in the industry right now. What are your thoughts about all the new female artists?

I have a very different opinion on that. I am half Black and half Korean and I was raised in the church. I was very conservative but I don’t knock the female hustle. We grew up watching Kim and them with a G-String and Pasties and that was dope and hot. I’m not opposed to women being in their sexy and 100% owning what they are. I love that. It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are. I think it’s a good thing. I love Lizzo and that no hate or comments are going to make her feel like she can’t be who she is and I appreciate that. Growing up plus size women were not looked at like that at all. We always got made fun of. I’m not too much on the plus size but in the Korean market, they consider me plus size. I’m open to all forms of sexiness whether it’s in a business suit and tie because I’m half corporate or whether it’s on the pole – Cardi B and them. We all together.

How did you transition into becoming a singer and songwriter?

I was interested in Diddy with music and fashion. I was always an artist. I was always into music, recording, and writing songs. I felt like at that time I was 21 when I first started working with Diddy. I needed a way in and I wanted to learn. They tell you, show you who your mentors are and I’ll show you show you are. I was very young and he was just starting to do Making The Band. I started styling for him at Sean John on 5th Ave and from there because of my relationships, it just progressed. From there I was working with the BlueFlame agency working as an assistant for the VP and then from there working as a Ciroc girl. I built my relationships working with Diddy then Rick Ross as a Black Bottle girl. It’s all a combination of my work ethic and that stems from the love of music. At the end of the day even though I was corporate, working behind the scenes, and doing red carpets – I was still in the studio doing work and trying to pursue my career in music. I went to Korea in 2018 and I realized that I need to drop. I wasn’t going to hold back anymore and I haven’t turned back ever since.

What is the songwriting process like for you?

Every song is different. Sometimes I’m emotional and I write a song that’s full of emotion. For New Workout we were just actually in the car listening to beats and it was like oh this beat came on and I was

like I want to pop mu p*&$^ to this. It was an idea in the car and one night we were drunk and we went to the studio and recorded the hook. It was like wow yeah this is really a vibe. So every song is different. Sometimes I’m in my bag and I want to talk that corporate money, get to the money Boss B~^@% S**** but lately I am on my Motherhood vibe. I’ve wanted to get more emotional and talk about being a woman and show my sensitivity because things are changing. I’ve realized that my songwriting process has definitely changed. I want to say because of Covid I did have a little bit of writers’ block but right now with the new things evolving my pen is changing. It’s a whole new journey for me.

What is one tip you would have for someone that wants to get into the industry?

Well, the game has changed. Let’s say that you just can’t walk into Def Jam and get a job anymore or intern your way to the top. You most certainly need to have a social media presence and have to be a social-able person. A lot of the younger generation is hiding behind their pages. You can’t just have 100k followers and expect that to just translate on every other platform. It’s not the same. When we grew up I was OUTSIDE. I was part of Diddy’s street team passing out towels and Ciroc bottles at the Puerto Rican and Dominican Day Parade. We were really doing it, sweating with no make-up and no glow up but it’s a different time now. With the social media presence, you have to have a personality. You can’t just have good pictures and be cute, no you got to talk. It’s not just about the look; it’s about the overall look. The look gets the attention but how do you keep the attention. To the new kids, you have to perfect what it is that you want to do and make sure that you are pushing yourself out there. Lastly, do research on how to be professional and how to conduct yourself as a businessperson. People think all they want is the ratchet, the ghetto, and the hood but can you progress from that. Can you go from being on the block to being in the boardroom and speak for yourself? You have to be able to multi-task.

How important is teamwork for you?

Avery and I grew up together since Bad Boy. You cannot make it without a team. I want to stress that so much. You will not make it in life, it doesn’t matter what it is, without a team. There is no I in team and no just you in the world. You have to do it with a great support system whether it’s your family or essential people in your life. That’s why I want to go back to the younger generation because they are confused. They think they can just do it on their own and pay for all these things but you can’t pay for LOYALTY and HARD WORK. There are certain people that come across your path that you have to know as a person so that you can bring them along with you. No bandwagon-type vibes. You want something that’s going to be authentic and that only person that’s going to know that is you. Also, show your appreciation. You have to shout people out; you have to show them love. I appreciate everyone that is around me. Yejin Hong is the brand but it’s not just about me. The people who are at the top have a team with them and they cultivate that culture around them. Teamwork is definitely important to me 100%.