Sooyong Yoon, Shyun Lee, Jifan Lee and Young J are just getting started. (Derek Blanks | Courtesy of Character Media)

I had the pleasure to interview the men of Korean Soul for Character Media’s 2022 annual issue. Thank you to the fam at CM for always highlighting Asian American trailblazers, and keeping me in mind to be a part of it.

When we think of new music groups emerging from Korea, we typically picture glossy, all-boy and all-girl entourages, singing catchy pop songs to flashy choreography. With enviable fashion pieces and songs that appeal to a global audience, K-pop stars have become worldwide icons, setting trends for their millions of fans.

But in another arena of Korean music, groups of young men and women get together to sing gospel and worship songs. And during a global pandemic, a sense of spirituality felt all the more necessary.

Sooyong Yoon, Shyun Lee, Jifan Lee and Young J of Korean Soul touched millions of viewers with their rendition of the R&B classic “All My Life,” by K-Ci and JoJo, for their audition on the 16th season of “America’s Got Talent.” Making it all the way to the semifinals, the quartet proved they’ve got enough talent, heart and soul to affect a global audience. (…)

This article appeared in Character Media’s Annual 2021 Issue. To view the rest of this article, go to charactermedia.com.