Exclusive interview with dailog

The man behind the scenes, now front and center in an exclusive interview.

He wrote for SEVENTEEN, composed for Red Velvet, and was part of the machine that pushed TWICE to the top of the charts. Years of behind-the-scenes work have established his name as a creator, but now dailog is emerging as a solo artist seeking to tell his own personal story.

In an exclusive interview with Israel X Korea, I spoke with him to learn from him about his process in the K-pop industry, and what his plans are for his musical future.

When I asked him about the defining moments in his career as a songwriter, he thought back to the early days. “One of the biggest turning points was working on an OST with Red Velvet’s Joy,” he says. “At the time, I was still a rookie composer and very nervous, but seeing the drama and the song loved by many, and watching my track rise to the top of the charts, felt truly surreal. Another memorable moment was working with SEVENTEEN’s DK. Even though he is already an outstanding vocalist, watching him polish even the smallest breaths reminded me that sincerity in music is ultimately about dedication and attitude.”

So what does it really take to create a

K-pop song? For dailog, the answer lies in balance. “In K-pop, the music has to highlight the artist, it has to be polished, sophisticated, and performance-driven. OSTs, on the other hand, are about capturing emotions on screen.

Indie projects give me the freedom to pour in my own feelings, without limits.”

Behind every hit lies a competitive process fans rarely see.

“People usually remember the artist, but behind every album are hundreds of songwriters and producers. Hundreds of tracks are pitched, and only a handful make it onto the record. It’s an environment where you have to keep pushing, keep trying to create something memorable.”

And what about collaborations that taught him something unexpected? He returns to his experience with SEVENTEEN’s DK. “That work stands out the most. Seeing him pay attention to every detail, even though he’s already known for his great vocals, showed me that true sincerity in music comes from effort and attitude.”

The question of balancing creativity with commercial appeal naturally comes up in our conversation. dailog admits it has always been one of his biggest challenges.

“When writing for K-pop, I always had to make sure the songs carried familiar, accessible melodies while still reflecting the artist’s unique color. I constantly thought about how to create something both familiar and fresh at the same time. That ‘familiar freshness’ is one of K-pop’s strongest assets.”

But eventually there came a point when he realized he wanted to tell his own story.

“For a long time I expressed other people’s stories through music, but eventually I felt a growing desire to tell my own story with my own voice. I wanted to rediscover the pure joy of making music without conditions or expectations, and that became the reason I started this solo project.”

I asked if there was a specific turning point that gave him the courage to step forward.

He nods.

“Yes, when my demo vocal for the OST True to Love (Bo-ra! Deborah), ‘Again,’ was released as it was. The response showed me that people could connect with my voice too, and that gave me the confidence to step forward.”

The transition from writing for others to personal creation was not easy.

“The biggest challenge was taking responsibility for everything: recordings, mixing, mastering, visuals, promotion. It was a lot on my shoulders, but it also gave me a huge sense of satisfaction, because I was finally able to capture my identity.”

Even the stage name he chose, dailog, tells a story. “It’s short for ‘daily log.’ For me, it’s not about big events, but about documenting small, everyday moments. It’s the truest expression of who I am.”

So how does he see himself today, as an artist?

"As a producer, my priority was always to respect the artist’s story. As an artist, honesty comes first, I share my emotions directly and create music that feels true to me. I reflected deeply on my own musical assets and preferences, and from there I chose the songs that resonated most strongly with me.”

That philosophy shapes his new album, basecamp.

“I experienced love that felt like more than just happiness, it felt like a shelter. In that space, I could return to a childlike sense of purity and find comfort. Simply holding someone I loved on a weekend morning made me feel like I had returned to the happiness of childhood. Those small, everyday joys became the foundation for basecamp.”

Musically, the album moves away from the K-pop mainstream.

“I chose to combine folk, dream pop and surf rock, styles I have always loved. They feel closest to my identity as an artist, and were the most natural way to express the universality of love from a personal perspective.”

The last song on the album, “Campfire,” is also the most personal:

“The final track, ‘campfire,’ is the most personal to me. When I was deeply in love, I often feared, ‘What if this happiness disappears?’ Just as embers remain glowing even after the fire goes out, I wanted to capture the will to keep love alive. Sadly, in reality, that love didn’t last, but the song carries that vow.”

And what does he hope listeners will feel when they hear the album?

“I hope they feel warm, like a little haven. It may not be flashy or big, but I wanted to convey the courage and excitement that love brings, and inspire a new beginning.”

Finally, I ask him what comes next. “I want to continue balancing both OST work and solo projects while expanding my musical world. My goal is to keep creating consistently, grow as a musician, and have meaningful conversations with people through music.”

basecamp

A musical diary of love as a refuge

At the heart of dailog’s new project is basecamp, a six-track EP crafted with warm, vintage textures. Each song has its own mood and emotion, yet together they form a unified journey told through his voice, a record about finding love as a place of refuge amid life’s climb.

From the brightness of morning to the quiet glow of night, the tracks chart a path of strength, longing, and courage.

The album opens with “morning twist,” 

a retro-inspired dance track with an uplifting groove.

It feels like waking up to sunlight with someone you love, where every step through the day feels like a dance.

From there, the energy rises with “boyscout,” a rock-driven anthem that explodes with a guitar solo. Beneath its raw power lies a message: that even when life feels exhausting and lonely, the presence of someone by your side can give you the courage to face anything.

At the center of the record is the title track, “basecamp.” With chill, groovy beats, it paints love as a safe haven, a resting place wrapped in warmth all day long.

This theme of intimate simplicity continues in “doodle,” a lo-fi indie pop piece that feels like sketching little hearts in the margins of a notebook.

It’s a soft, poetic plea whispered again and again: “Tell me you love me, every single day.”

The tone then shifts toward playfulness with “pajama party,” a breezy track with coastal vibes. It builds an imaginary dream garden filled with love, laughter, and freedom, a space designed for two.

Finally, the EP closes with “campfire,” the calmest and most intimate song.

Carried by a warm vocal tone, it lingers like the last embers of love: even if the flames fade, the warmth remains.

Musically, basecamp is a bold step away from mainstream K-pop, blending surf rock, folk, and dream pop into a soundscape that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It’s not about grandeur or spectacle, but about capturing fleeting, everyday moments and turning them into music that feels personal, honest, and alive.

It's definitely worth following and seeing what else dailog has to tell us through his music, we're already following and exciting to see what may come next!

You can find him on his YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Apple Music.