“The cloud follows the storm and the dragon follows the cloud.” - Korean proverb
Happy February and Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Seollal (설날) which is what Koreans call Lunar New Year taking place February 10.
2024 is the Year of the Blue Dragon (청룡) called gabjinnyeon (갑진년) which I’m excited about since I was born in the year of the dragon 🐉
Artwork by Gu + Postcard by Kang In-gu. I've been connecting with these Korean designers on Instagram, and it's been a lot of fun seeing their creative approach to Korean typeface and lettering. All images shared with permission.
Dragons are historically symbolic in Korean culture, signifying protection, strength and success. Our ancestors prayed to dragons for water and rain in abundance for their agriculture and fishing endeavors. The Korean proverb in the subject line thus reads “the cloud follows the storm and the dragon follows the cloud.”
Dragon elements and art are integrated into so many things and structures in Korea—on ceilings and rooftops for protection, royal tombs to ward off negative spirits and fires, on brushes and ink stones to cultivate success. I found a cool Tumblr that’s a guide for dragons of the world where I learned more about some of the fascinating dragons in Korean mythology. I’m channeling dragon energy as much as possible in 2024: be fearless, take action, take up space, step into my power.
January seemed to come and go, simultaneously slow and fast. I tried to savor each day, each experience, each emotion with acceptance and compassion. Here’s a round-up of January highlights and bits:
Jane Shin January gems - my favorites in rotation:
I selected 10 songs to highlight as part of my January music discovery and enjoyment process. They’ve been compiled into a playlist you can listen to here and read more below:
Anycia x Latto - BACK OUTSIDE
This collaboration between Atlanta’s own Anycia and Latto is an instant hit to me. I love Anycia’s laid back, raspy voice and her “huh?” ad libs are my favorite. “BACK OUTSIDE” makes for a fun one to listen to especially on a Friday to kick off the weekend.
Balming Tiger - UP!
If you aren’t familiar with 11-piece Korean band Balming Tiger, read about them in this interesting New York Times feature here. Their show at the Echoplex last year was easily one of my favorites of 2023. They’ve been growing beyond Korea as evidenced by being on the Camp Flog Gnaw line-up last year. Uplifting, chaotic, fun, mega creative energy is the best way to describe them. “UP!” is from the latest album January Never Dies, and they just released the music video for “UP!” filmed in an IKEA in Korea.
Ben Reilly x KEY! - Clones (Flattery)
I got introduced to Ben Reilly by artist champion and music exec Kei Henderson whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years in music starting with my journey at SoundCloud. Ben is managed through her company and label, Third & Hayden. “Clones (Flattery)” is from his EP Not Your Hero 4 Hire. I love Ben’s rap style layered with the production and this song also gets me hyped since it features Atlanta rapper, KEY! who is also one of my favorites and a pioneer of the Atlanta rap scene.
SiR - No Evil
I’m so excited for SiR’s new music this year. I got a chance to work with him recently on a video called Art of Wellness that I conceptualized and creative produced. I was first blessed to work with SiR in 2019 during the promotion of Chasing Summer which you can watch here. I love full circle moments when I get to reunite with an artist because it allows me to reflect on my own growth. SiR mentioned he wrote “No Evil” while in rehab. To witness his commitment to taking care of himself is an inspiring message to keep going and that change is possible.
Larry June x Cardo - Glasshouse Knockin’
Larry June comes swinging again with The Night Shift, a project in collaboration with Dallas-based producer Cardo. This is a perfect album to cruise to, and I especially love “Glasshouse Knockin.’” The production is impeccable, and a fan said that it sounds like Larry is speaking in cursive. I love that description.
Westside Gunn x Conway the Machine x BADBADNOTGOOD - MiNt cHoCoLaTE
Love this crossover with rappers Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine and Toronto based jazz ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD. Effortless flow across the board, and the flutes are the icing on the cake for me as a former flute player.
April + VISTA x Little Dragon - Nowhere Else to Go
“Breathe out and land on your feet, don’t worry about how…” Meditative with just the right amount of bounce and bass is how I’d describe “Nowhere Else to Go.” April + VISTA had an epic tour run with Little Dragon in the US and Europe at the end of 2023. The bands came together to also create and release Slipping into Color EP which “Nowhere Else to Go” is featured on. Read their Washington Post write-up on the tour and EP collab here.
Inner Wave x Schoolgirl Byebye - Automatic
I can’t remember when I first got put on to LA-based band Inner Wave, but I do remember how fun their Coachella 2022 set was. I got to meet the lovely band at the Amazon Music Grammys party last week, and I’m excited for what’s ahead for them this year. They put out this sweet song called “Automatic” in collaboration with Chinese indie rock band Schoolgirl Byebye from Nanjing whom they toured with throughout China last year. Send this song to your crush on Valentine’s Day.
Dress x eAeon (이이언) x Ahn Dayoung (안다영) - Crack (금)
I came across this song because I follow eAeon (이이언, pronounced “e-e-un”), producer, artist and one half of Korean indie duo Night Off–they have this song called “Friend” 친구 that I love. eAeon has also collaborated with RM of BTS and co-wrote and produced “Change pt.2”, my favorite song off of RM’s 2022 album Indigo. 금 means crack (and gold!) in Korean. This is one of the dreamiest breakup songs I’ve heard. It also fits the mood of this past rainy week. The guitar and drums intro of this song always gets me and the way the three artists complement each other has me listening to this one on repeat.
Destiny Rogers - Make Up
This song got me a bit misty eyed upon first listen, not going to even front. I love a good pop record, and Destiny is a great songwriter. “Make Up” is a catchy, bittersweet tune that captures being caught in the throes of the post-break-up back and forth. She just announced she’ll be supporting Madison Beer on some East Coast dates for her tour in May which is exciting.
What songs were in rotation for you this past month?
Finding more intentionality in goal setting through the “12 week year:”
I’ve written out goals and resolutions in past new years, but often I’d get overwhelmed, and they’d sit cold as lofty goals without much action or follow-up.
My best friend Chrystal shared with me the concept of the “12 week year” which also happens to be a book that encourages people to have more structure and focus in defining and reaching goals.
Being more intentional and focused within a container of 12 weeks helps things feel more action-oriented and possible so you’re treating roughly each quarter like a year.
Chrystal also has a beautiful newsletter if you’re interested in receiving energy reports, mystical resources around trusting your intuition and creativity and more. You can book Akashic readings with her as well that I always find so affirming, insightful and healing.
Monthly archiving process:
On my past visit to Korea in the Fall, I bought an “archive planner.” After every blank set of monthly and weekly planning pages, there is a section on archiving moments that occurred in the month based on different categories: music, people, books, food, places, films, wishes, etc.
I often use my phone and Photos app to recall what happened within a month or length of time, but the act of writing and notating like this feels like another special way to fortify memories.
There are a few blank spaces in the “Archive of the Month” section in which I also added Learnings: What did I learn that month? What did I work through that month?
I feel archiving monthly in this way is a fun exercise that gives room for reflection.
How has the start of the new year been for you?
Much love and thanks for reading,
Jane Shin