Rising global star Peggy Gou to release debut album
Peggy Gou, a South Korean DJ, singer, songwriter and record producer / Courtesy of XL Recordings
Peggy Gou, 33, boasts a number of accolades that underscore her prominent status in the global music scene.
She ranked third on BBC Radio's list of the most promising musicians of the year, making her the first Korean artist to be nominated for the International Song category at the 2024 Brit Awards. Additionally, she was the highest-ranked female and ninth overall in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs of 2023.
Gou, now as famous and influential in the global pop music scene as K-pop stars like BTS and BLACKPINK, is set to release her first full-length album, "I Hear You," on June 7.
Ahead of the album's release, Gou (whose real name is Kim Min-ji) returned to her homeland for a brief visit.
"I love coming to Korea because I have people who are like tranquilizers to me, including my family and friends," she said in a recent phone interview. "When I'm in Korea, I receive skincare treatments and get introduced to new creators and brands in the music and fashion industries. I feel my brain can rest, and I always get inspired no matter who I meet or what I do."
Peggy Gou is set to release her first full-length album, "I Hear You," on June 7. Courtesy of XL Recordings
Debut album infused with Korean identity
Gou’s first full-length album marks a milestone in her career, coming more than a decade after her debut as a DJ and eight years since the release of her original track, "Hungboo."
"My perfectionist tendencies delayed the release by about two years. While I’m a musician, I started as a DJ, so I didn’t initially think an album was essential," she said. "At first, I thought having a few of my own tracks to play during DJ sets would be enough. But seeing people sing along to my songs made me realize I wanted to pursue a deeper path as a musician, which led me to start working on this album in 2018."
Throughout "I Hear You," Gou’s Korean identity is prominently featured. "I feel most like myself when singing in Korean," she says.
The album reflects her unique blend of experiences and influences, anchored by her cultural roots.
Her debut single, "(It Goes Like) Nanana," released last year, became a global hit, reaching No. 5 on the UK Official Singles Chart.
"Before, people would get to know me and then my music. After 'Nanana,' many people discovered my music first and then got to know me," she said, reflecting on the change in her popularity.
With her rising fame, her value has skyrocketed. Following her performances at the Coachella Festival in the U.S. last month, she is set to appear at major festivals such as the UK's Glastonbury, Spain's Primavera Sound, and Japan's Fuji Rock Festival.
She will also return to Seoul on July 27 for "Boiler Room Seoul 2024," giving her Korean fans a chance to see her live.
Peggy Gou, the highest-ranked female in DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs of 2023 / Courtesy of XL Recordings
Finding solace in 90s music
Her new album, "I Hear You," which reinterprets 1990s house music with a modern twist, features 10 tracks. It includes familiar songs like "Nanana," which are easy to sing along to, as well as more pop-oriented tracks like "I Believe in Love Again," featuring American pop star Lenny Kravitz. The album also contains underground-leaning tracks, showcasing a diverse range of styles.
Gou often writes lyrics in Korean, saying, "I feel most like myself when singing in Korean because I am a proud Korean."
Her Korean identity is interwoven throughout the album. The track "I Go" plays on the Korean exclamation "aigo," while "Seoul City Peggy Goo" incorporates traditional Korean instruments like the gayageum, blending them with dance beats.
This song, with a tempo of 150 BPM, the fastest on the album, was named after a playful nickname given by her fans, as she thought it suited the energy of Seoul.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Gou was known as a "DJ and producer." However, that order seems to have reversed. Touring non-stop and performing in three countries within 24 hours took a toll on her, leading to near burnout.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of all her performances, teaching her the importance of prioritizing health. During that time, she found solace in 90s music, which inspired her hit "Nanana" and the new album.
Cover image of Peggy Gou's debut album 'I Hear You.' Courtesy of XL Recordings
From rebellion to global DJ stardom
Behind Gou's success story lies the unwavering support of her parents. Unlike her Mensa-member and prodigy brother, they embraced their quirky daughter who often did the opposite of what she was told.
Her parents sent her to the U.K. hoping that she would at least learn English and become a teacher. Although her mother once said, "She goes out and returns at dawn, and we have no idea what she's up to," they did not stop her when she shifted her focus from fashion studies to music.
Her journey into music began with the influence of her first boyfriend, a DJ. Realizing that "decorating oneself and decorating others are entirely different," she abandoned her dream of becoming a stylist and chose music instead. She juggled a daytime job at a record store with nighttime DJ lessons in clubs, becoming the first Korean DJ to perform at the renowned Berghain club in Berlin.
It took a long time for a Korean female DJ to gain recognition in the male-dominated DJ world.
She faced racism, sexism, and jealousy, hearing remarks like, "Who will buy your records?" and "You'll never succeed."
Against all odds, Gou persevered, proving herself through her talent. She rose to the top as a DJ and musician, briefly showcasing her unique fashion sense through her brand, Kirin.
"There were times when I felt inferior and unqualified due to the discrimination and disdain I faced," she recalls. "But that became my fuel. I thought, 'You belittle me? I'll prove you wrong.' The more successful I became, the more attacks and unfounded rumors I faced. But I saw that as a positive; getting hit makes you tougher. Now, I’ve reached a point where I can enjoy it. When someone criticizes me, I think, 'That means I'm doing well.'"
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.