Balancing Two Worlds: Rising Artist LMST Talks Music, Life, and His New Single Satellite
Meet LMST - IT Sales Director by day, musician by night. As an artist who balances a professional day job with a music career, LMST’s songs reflect not only his personal experiences but also the universal struggles and emotions of ordinary people. His latest release, Satellite, explores the metaphorical and literal paths we all follow. In this interview, LMST opens up about his career, his creative process, and his dreams as an emerging artist - including his ambition to one day perform on iconic stages like the UK's very own Glastonbury.
Hallyu Doing: Hi, LMST! Let’s start with your artist name. How did you come up with LMST, and what does it mean to you?
LMST: Spontaneity. LENNY was the name I chose when they made me choose an English name during English class in middle school. I was pondering which name to choose and then I saw Lenny Kravitz on my mp3 player. I thought it was cool. From then on people started to call me ‘Lenny’ as much as they called me “Byung-hyun”, my Korean name.
“I wanted to bring out the words I truly want to say and express myself in ways I could not express by living ordinary life.”
Time passed and I arrived at that moment where I had to choose an artist name for my first single. Actually, the biggest reason I wanted to do music was because I wanted to bring out the words I truly want to say and express myself in ways I could not express by living ordinary life. On top of that, I just simply wanted to create no matter the method.
With all of these things in mind, I focused on “me” instead of the name “Byung-hyun” which my parents have given me and came up with ‘LENNY MAKES SOME-THING’ which translates to ‘Lenny, a restless creator of catchy music and art content’. I believe these contents can stir up a feeling and create “something” in all of those who listen to my music. This is “LMST”s origin…! Haha
Hallyu Doing: Could you share what inspired you to begin your music career?
LMST: I’d like to emphasise the genius aspect of being born with talent, but actually not so long ago, I was just an average person who loved music. However, I liked singing and music quite a bit, given that I like to be in public, sang at talent shows and school festivals, and often sang songs suggested by people around me who remember me.
After quitting my first job, I set up a complex of coffee, food, and cultural programmes, and invested some of the profits in indie musicians and directors making diverse films. One day, when I had been stimulated and impressed by many artists struggling to achieve their dreams by planning cultural programmes in three spaces, one sentence in my diary, “What Is My Dream,” was enough to heat up something that had been hidden. The fact that I released my first single “NO FANTASY” with the help of people in the depths of the breakup that happened to me was the direct trigger for the artist LMST to be born.
Currently, I am in charge of sales at an IT company. I’ve been busy thinking about and implementing strategies to convince people, but I still have no hesitation in turning into LMST when the sun goes down. And like Spider-Man, I’m more bold and sensual and funny and sexy...Yes. Anyway, it’s full of charms that I don’t know for some reason.
“I still have no hesitation in turning into LMST when the sun goes down.”
And I’m going to continue doing the music that I want to do. I want to convey my various aspects in an honest and sophisticated manner in line with the changing life and time. And I’m sure the stories in the music are in touch with the self-portraits of ordinary people who have dreams in their hearts.
Hallyu Doing: Balancing your day job and music career sounds intense. How do you manage it?
LMST: Balancing both is definitely not easy. That’s why I believe the two complement each other, and in fact, they really do.
When I’m working, the tasks are clear. I have to be meticulous in analysing and comparing everything, but once a decision is made, I need to move quickly and measure the results accurately. This can be stressful at times, but the habits I develop at work help me bring more precision to my music.
On the other hand, music allows for a bit more looseness and freedom, and it lets me try bold approaches and ideas that I might not be able to explore in my work. Through this process, I can relieve work-related stress and open up more possibilities for myself.
I’m very aware of the advantages of both sides, so I focus on work for 4.5 days a week and prioritise music for the remaining 2.5 days. It’s like switching modes. To ensure that switch works effectively, I stick to a routine of exercising for more than an hour each day, getting 7 hours of sleep, and meeting new people by visiting a popular place at least once a week. I believe that having the stamina to handle both and receiving external energy, even if forced, is essential.
Hallyu Doing: Congratulations on the release of Satellite! What inspired this track?
LMST: Each of us is living our lives, orbiting in our own unique paths. One day, as I was following my not-so-different orbit, a flood of questions overwhelmed me. The endless dissatisfaction with my present life overlapped with the memories of the past that seemed good—though they might have only appeared that way—and the comparison of my own life with the seemingly impressive paths of others. I found myself searching for answers, yet failing to find them, feeling like I was drifting further away each day. And then, I quietly murmured to myself, “I’m like a satellite.”
“Satellite” is a song that reflects our lives, orbiting through our daily routines, likening ourselves to satellites. Satellites that, for some reason, revolve around planets—far larger and brighter than themselves—sometimes envying the planet, and at other times, wondering about the world beyond their own orbit. I wanted to tell the story and thoughts of these satellites.
“I found myself searching for answers, yet failing to find them, feeling like I was drifting further away each day. And then, I quietly murmured to myself, “I’m like a satellite.” ”
On a night as summer was approaching, during a sleepless walk, I reflected on myself and finally decided to try and make a change. Even if I didn’t immediately find a clear method, I resolved to focus on every moment I encountered in my daily orbit and try to find answers.
I hope you listen to this song on a summer night, when the intense heat of the day has subsided. Even after summer has passed, I hope you listen to it when you are reflecting on your own orbit or facing a change. In that moment, I hope our orbits can briefly touch, allowing us to greet each other.
Watch the MV for Satellite here:
Hallyu Doing: How do you think Satellite fits into your discography?
LMST: I think it’s a really big turning point. If I’ve made dance songs with beats, I’ve gained confidence that I can do anything well. I think I’m able to confidently present a variety of songs with a variety of themes and styles to people all over the world.
Also, as in the lyrics of the song, every day is uncertain and scary, but I feel more confident about my daily life somehow. If I stick to my orbit, I’m confident that I can move toward a better place one day.
Hallyu Doing: You’ve collaborated with some exciting talent on Satellite. How was the experience of working with the VYD team?
LMST: Since VYD is a talented team that has already worked with major artists like Kang Daniel and Yugyeom, I approached the collaboration with a mindset of learning from them. We had many discussions and spent a lot of time thinking about and exploring new musical styles that we could try out.
Throughout the process, we communicated openly and exchanged a lot of ideas about the song. As a result, we were able to create Satellite, a song that both the VYD team and I are extremely satisfied with.
Hallyu Doing: Your journey as LMST has already involved a lot of courageous moments. What’s been a significant one?
LMST: This seems like the right moment to talk about the changes and fears I’m currently facing. I love the work I do during my day job, but my passion for music is growing stronger in my heart. That’s why I’m planning to focus more on music based on the success of Satellite and the new EP Mystery Box coming out at the end of the year, and the possibilities I discover from that.
I often look back on the time when I released my first single album, “NO FANTASY.” The sleepless nights filled with anxiety, thinking that no one would ever listen to my music. But then I overcame that and took my first step as LMST, which led to many positive changes. I’ve become happier, more confident, and more ambitious.
“I never really imagined in detail what it would be like if LMST became successful. But lately, I’ve been trying to visualize it more concretely.”
In the past, I never really imagined in detail what it would be like if LMST became successful. But lately, I’ve been trying to visualize it more concretely. I imagine people all over the world listening to my music, and I see myself meeting them directly through concerts, traveling around the world. And I am confident that this vision will become a reality in the near future.
Hallyu Doing: You’ve mentioned plans for an EP called Mystery Box. Can you share more about what we can expect?
LMST: The project is still in progress, so I can’t reveal all the details yet, but as I mentioned earlier, it will be an EP with Soul and R&B elements, incorporating live instrument sounds. The EP is titled Mystery Box, and it aims to explore the uncertain moments and emotions we experience in everyday life.
One track is already completed, and it features a unique groove. The few people who have listened to it have said it’s really, really, really good! So, you can look forward to it
Hallyu Doing: Looking back on Satellite and ahead to the future, what are some goals you've achieved with this release, and what milestones are you aiming for next?
LMST: The first goal I want to achieve through Satellite is to have LMST recognized worldwide and for many people to enjoy my music. I have an ambitious goal of Satellite being streamed over a million times on global platforms like YouTube Music or Spotify. Based on that, next year, I hope to hold solo concerts, even if they are small, both in Korea and abroad.
The goal I’ve already accomplished is successfully attempting and delivering a song with a calm vibe like Satellite. There were a lot of challenges and difficulties during the process of making this song, but overcoming them made me feel like I’ve grown as an artist.
And another thing—I’ve begun to think about how to spread the word about LMST with people like you and started sharing myself and my music with people all around the world! :-)
Hallyu Doing: You’ve shared your dream of performing solo shows in Korea and internationally. Are there any specific cities, countries, or iconic venues where you’d love to take the stage?
LMST: I’ve watched a live concert video by the band Vulfpeck at Madison Square Garden, and I can confidently say it’s the best concert video I’ve ever seen. Of course, the venue is so grand and massive, and not just anyone can hold a concert there, but I’ve always had a big dream of performing there.
As for the UK, where you are, especially London—though I’ve never been there—it’s another hub of music, like Britpop, so I definitely want to perform there. Plus, I’d be able to feel the presence of British artists I love, like Craig David! Performing on a global festival stage like Glastonbury is also one of my dreams.
Just imagining it already makes me so happy...!
“London—it’s another hub of music, like Britpop, so I definitely want to perform there. Plus, I’d be able to feel the presence of British artists I love, like Craig David!
Hallyu Doing: Are there any new musical styles or directions you're interested in exploring for your future projects?
LMST: I’ve been thinking about incorporating more live instrument sounds into my music. While creating “Satellite,” I fell in love with the charm of the guitar. I’d like to experiment with music that features real instruments like guitar, live drums, and live piano. My goal is to create music that’s more vibrant and brings out another layer of appeal when performing at concerts or recording live video clips.
As for the theme of my music, I want to explore and focus more on the small emotions we experience in everyday life, making them relatable to people all around the world. I aim to write lyrics and create themes that can be visualized in the listener’s mind through the music.
As LMST continues to orbit between his day job and his growing career in music, it’s clear his journey is just beginning. With Satellite marking a turning point in his artistry, he remains driven by a desire to connect with listeners worldwide, sharing stories that speak to both the heart and the mind. From dreams of performing on global stages like Glastonbury to his ever-evolving sound, LMST is an artist to watch. As he moves forward, we can’t wait to see where his unique path will take him—and the music he’ll create along the way.
