Kat Harlton
Photos: provided via artist/PR Team
J.Fla is a South Korean singer-songwriter, producer, and performer whose journey began with heartfelt YouTube covers that captivated a global audience. With over 17 million subscribers and billions of views, she quickly became one of the platform’s most recognizable music creators. But behind the viral success, J.Fla always had a bigger vision — to share her own voice through original music.
Now entering a bold new chapter as an independent artist, J.Fla recently released her EP “Moon Eater”, fully written, produced, and recorded in her private studio in Seoul. Blending alternative pop-rock with vintage textures and modern electronic flourishes, the EP captures her evolution as a self-sufficient artist breaking away from the “cover artist” label.
At the heart of this release is her powerful new single, “Stellar Paradox,” a track that fuses raw emotion with high-energy pop-rock production. Written in the quiet of her bedroom in 2020 and completed four years later, the song explores themes of duality, inner conflict, and cosmic wonder — a reflection of J.Fla’s long personal and artistic journey.
With a meticulous DIY approach — from lyrics and melody to mixing and final production — J.Fla’s new music is deeply personal and sonically rich. Drawing inspiration from vintage rock, pop, and her own inner world, the EP stands as a bold statement of independence, authenticity, and transformation.
As she reintroduces herself to the world, J.Fla isn’t just releasing new music, she’s redefining who she is as an artist.
I had the opportunity to chat with J.Fla about her new single, her musical journey so far, and what’s next.
Kat: You’ve been known globally for your covers, but “Stellar Paradox” marks a sharp turn into original music. Was there a specific moment when you knew it was time to fully step into your own voice?
J.Fla: One day in 2022 I realised I had been living in a bit of a misconception. I asked myself whether I could truly say I had my own music. That question stayed with me, and it was the moment I began to take change seriously. It felt a little scary and very exciting.
Kat: How did creating music entirely on your own writing, producing, recording change your relationship with your art compared to when you were making covers?
J.Fla: Covering world famous songs felt like learning. Writing my own songs feels like a proper little challenge.
Kat: You first wrote “Stellar Paradox” in 2020 but only completed it years later. What changed in you personally or artistically that finally allowed the song to come to life?
J.Fla: As a little more life passed, the story became clear. I learned to trust my instincts and to leave space.
Kat: You used vintage gear and ribbon microphones to achieve a retro-analog sound. What drew you to that specific sonic texture, and how does it complement the emotional themes of the track?
J.Fla: While listening to soul music from the 1960s and 1970s, I fell in love with the soft, rounded character of ribbon microphones and older gear. For me it is one way to make music with real sincerity.
Kat: The title “Stellar Paradox” is both cosmic and philosophical. Can you unpack the meaning behind it, and how it connects to what you explore in the song?
J.Fla: It is a story about holding two truths at once. Light can feel far and close at the same time. We can be gentle and strong. The song explores those contradictions and invites you to live with them rather than choosing only one.
Kat: You’ve said you want listeners to “find the courage to be true to themselves.” What were some of the biggest expectations or roles you had to break free from in your own journey?
J.Fla: I let go of the idea that I must always be neat and perfect and always look like what the algorithm expects. I kept my gratitude for the past, and I gave myself permission to grow into something new.
Kat: As someone who rose to global fame through YouTube, was it difficult to shed the “cover artist” identity in the eyes of fans and the industry and how are you navigating that shift now?
J.Fla: It required patience. Many people still prefer the earlier chapter, and I understand that. I keep releasing originals, I share them on stage, and I talk about the stories behind them. Little by little I believe the picture will change.
Kat: With this new chapter, how do you define success differently than you might have during your early viral days?
J.Fla: My measure is whether I can make work I am truly happy with, without regret. It also matters that I create with a calm mind and a healthy heart, without pushing too hard.
Kat: Your music has always been a global connector, even before it was in your own words. What do you hope international fans take away from Stellar Paradox and your upcoming EP?
J.Fla: I hope you feel a little braver and a little kinder to yourself. If you ever feel out of place, I hope these songs keep you company.
Kat: Now that you’re fully independent and creating on your own terms, what’s one creative risk or experiment you’re excited to explore next?
J.Fla: I am looking for producers and artists to collaborate with so that I can step into retro soul. I would love to make live tracks played only by people, all recorded together in the room.
Connect With J.Fla:
https://www.youtube.com/user/JFlaMusic
https://www.instagram.com/jfla