JUNNY Finds Himself on 'Heaven Can Wait' After Years of Searching

JUNNY's upcoming single "Heaven Can Wait" is more than just a new release. For the Korean Canadian singer-songwriter, it represents the moment when years of searching for his artistic identity finally began to make sense.

For years, JUNNY built a successful career as both a songwriter and artist. He contributed to songs for major K-POP acts, including NCT, EXO and IU, while steadily growing a global fanbase through his own releases. Yet despite the achievements, he often found himself asking a simple question.

Ahead of the release of "Heaven Can Wait," and while preparing his next album, JUNNY met with K-POPIT at his studio in Seoul. There, he reflected on the years-long search for his artistic identity, the inspiration behind his latest release and the philosophy that shaped what he describes as a new chapter in his career.

"I was always asking myself, 'Who am I? What is my sound?'" JUNNY told K-POPIT. "I love so many different genres that I used to get stressed trying to figure out which one was really me."

The answer, he said, began to emerge after the release of his second full-length album "null" last year. Unlike earlier projects that were often written with listeners in mind, the album encouraged him to be more honest about his own experiences and emotions. That shift eventually led to "Heaven Can Wait."

"When I made this song, it felt like I had finally found clothes that fit me," he said. "For the first time, I felt like I could confidently say, 'This is my music.'"

The song was created through a process unlike anything he had done before. Instead of spending countless hours in the studio searching for ideas, JUNNY and his collaborators focused on conversations and experiences. They traveled, explored restaurants and discussed what they were feeling before writing a single lyric.

"We would talk about what we were feeling and what was on our minds first," he said. "Then we'd go experience things together. It wasn't about forcing a song to happen."

Those experiences became closely tied to the concept of "quiet luxury," the central theme behind the song. For JUNNY, luxury is not about flashy displays of wealth but about confidence, comfort and authenticity.

"If you're an artist or performer, people often think you need luxury things or something flashy to appeal to people," he said. "But I think there's something beautiful about stepping back and being genuine."

He credits part of that perspective to experiences outside music. Visits to Michelin-starred restaurants left a lasting impression on him, not because of extravagance but because of how effortless the experience felt.

"The most luxurious places weren't trying to show luxury in your face," he said. "They made you feel welcome. That's what stayed with me."

That idea eventually became the foundation of "Heaven Can Wait." While many artists chase bigger sounds and stronger stimulation, JUNNY wanted the song to feel restrained and natural.

"We live in a world where everything is trying to be more stimulating," he said. "I wanted to tone things down and make something people could listen to comfortably."

Even the title carries multiple layers of meaning. JUNNY revealed that "Heaven Can Wait" was originally inspired by a fragrance of the same name, whose scent captured the sophisticated mood he wanted the song to convey. The title later took on another meaning when JUNNY realized it shared its name with a Michael Jackson song. The influence of the late pop icon can be heard throughout the track, from its subtle ad-libs and vocal textures to the groove that helped shape its overall feel.

The song's original working title was actually "Genuine."

"We called it 'Genuine' because that's what we felt when we were making it," he said. "When we started writing the lyrics, it eventually became 'Heaven Can Wait.'"

That emphasis on sincerity extends to the lyrics themselves. Rather than declaring love outright, JUNNY wanted the song to feel like a natural conversation.

"I didn't want it to be 'I love you' in a very direct way," he said. "I wanted it to feel more genuine and natural."

The release also arrives as JUNNY continues to expand his global reach. Having completed tours across North America, Europe and Asia, he is preparing to visit South America for the first time later this year. While touring can be exhausting, he says the connection with audiences makes every challenge worthwhile.

"Every tour is honestly exhausting," he said with a laugh. "But the moment you step on stage and feel that energy, that's why you keep doing it."

The experience has shaped him not only as a musician but also as a person.

"The fans give me a different idea of what kind of person I should become. More than music itself, they inspire me to become a better person," he said.

As he enters this new chapter with "Heaven Can Wait," JUNNY hopes longtime listeners can see that growth reflected in his work.

"To everyone who has come to my shows from the beginning, I want to make them proud," he said. "I want them to see that I'm evolving as an artist. Everything I do is possible because of them, and I'll always be grateful."

JUNNY's digital single "Heaven Can Wait" will be released at 6 p.m. KST on Thursday. He will hold his first solo concert in Korea on July 13 at Hyundai Card Understage in Seoul.