CREATOR STORIES: Interview with AHREUM
At Electrofans, we like to cover people who “wear a lot of hats.” For this first feature in a new series we are kicking off, “Creator Stories,” we bring you a special interview with Ahreum!
Ahreum is a DJ/Producer from Tokyo. Recently, she has also been involved in organizing events.
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Hi Ahreum, thanks for joining us today! First question, a really basic one: how do you pronounce your name? (Is it like “Arr-ee-um” or more like “Ah-room”??)
Hi Kevin! Thanks for having me.:)
Yeah, my name can be a bit tricky to pronounce. In Korean, it’s pronounced “Ah-room,” but in Japan, people say “Ah-roomu.” I actually find the Japanese pronunciation quite charming and familiar. Haha.
Hi Kevin! Thanks for having me.:)
Yeah, my name can be a bit tricky to pronounce. In Korean, it’s pronounced “Ah-room,” but in Japan, people say “Ah-roomu.” I actually find the Japanese pronunciation quite charming and familiar. Haha.
You are originally from South Korea, now based in Tokyo, right? What brought you to Japan, and what would you say are some of the differences/similarities between electronic music audiences in South Korea and Japan?
I studied Japanese for a short time in school, and that’s when I really got into Japanese culture. I always thought I’d end up in Japan someday and eventually, I did.
I actually started DJing after moving here, so it’s not easy for me to make a direct comparison between the scenes in Japan and Korea.
From my experience, electronic music audiences in Japan, rather than being very expressive on the dancefloor, often seem to be quite attentive to the music and the flow of a set, but I also feel a lot of it depends on the night—the event, the atmosphere, and the situation on the day.
At the same time, I also feel there is a strong core audience here. It’s not just casual listeners—there are people who genuinely follow specific artists, labels, and club nights quite closely.
Once they connect with a sound or an artist, they tend to support them consistently over time, which creates a very loyal, trust-based scene. Compared to what I’ve seen so far, Japan has a more long-term, deep listening culture.
As a DJ, where are some of the places that you’ve played, and which one(s) are your favorite, and why?
I’m currently based in Tokyo, and I’ve had the opportunity to perform across Asia, including China, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Every stage has its own meaning to me, so it’s not easy to choose just one. However, there’s a beautiful beach in Chiba, Japan called INAGE, where I had the chance to play last year. Performing there, with the ocean and the sunset behind me, is a feeling I’ll never forget.
What’s it been like playing events like Womb… and in Tokyo? (what are some of the other gigs you’ve played in Tokyo?!)
I often play at WOMB Tokyo, but I also perform at clubs like ZERO Tokyo and OR Tokyo, as well as various venues across Tokyo. Lately, I’ve also been hosting events at Z Maruyama, WOMB’s brand new venue.
What would be your ideal place(s) to play next, if you could play anywhere in the world?!
I’d be grateful for any opportunity to play anywhere and connect with audiences around the world.
When you’re playing live as a DJ, do you ever make live changes on the spot to your set, based on crowd reaction?
Whether it’s the main floor or a lounge, I always think carefully about what music fits the space and the moment. That said, the vibe of the night and the crowd’s energy can change everything, so if things don’t go as I imagined, I’m always ready to adjust my set accordingly.
What’s the coolest or most exciting thing would you say about being a DJ?
For me, the most exciting part of being a DJ is feeling a sense of unity with the audience through music. It’s when my musical vision aligns perfectly with the crowd’s energy, and in that moment, the feeling is beyond words.
Who have been some of the most memorable DJs you’ve played alongside of in your career so far, and why?
Every DJ I’ve shared the booth with, and every show I’ve played it all means a lot to me. But when I hosted my first party, Resonance, last year, having Mia Mendi as my very first guest ever was really special, so it definitely stands out for me.
When you make a DJ mix, say for uploading to SoundCloud, YouTube, or an online radio station, do you approach the process of putting together the mix differently from creating a live set, would you say?
Most of the mixes I’ve uploaded are live recordings. But when I put together a mix separately, I approach it a bit differently—I often include tracks I didn’t get the chance to play live, and I focus more on making it easy to listen to, rather than trying to recreate the intensity of a live set.
You are now starting to move beyond being a DJ, into the realm of becoming a producer. How is that progressing, and what are some ways you are using to learn production methods? What would you like to accomplish with your original music?
I feel like I have a lot to say about production… laughs
I wouldn’t say I’m perfect, but I do have a tendency to aim for perfection, and that’s often put me in difficult situations while producing. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and even avoided opening my projects for months. haha^^;
but recently I’ve been trying to embrace the process and enjoy the challenges that come with it.
I didn’t start producing with a clear goal in mind, at least not at first—it was more something that came naturally through DJing. There were moments when I thought, “This part would work better with a different vocal,” or “I wish there were more tracks with this kind of vibe.” That’s what made me want to create music that fits my own sets.
But as I continued, I found a new goal: to create good music and share it with more people. Moving forward, just like with my DJing, I want to express my own world through my original tracks and connect with a wider audience.
Any idea when (and on what label) you might be releasing your first original tracks?
Nothing is confirmed yet, and I’m not sure how things will unfold, but I’m aiming to release my first solo track within this year.
Any thoughts or comments for our Electrofans audience?
Thank you for always supporting so many artists. I truly hope this continues to grow into an amazing community. And Kevin, thank you as always!
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