DAMONS YEAR is a Korean independent singer-songwriter known for his finely etched depictions of time, emotion, and fleeting inner moments. Since its release in 2019, “yours” has continued to resonate with listeners worldwide, becoming a defining piece that encapsulates his musical worldview.

In January 2026, DAMONS YEAR will return to Taipei with his latest album CORPUS 0, presenting two headline shows at Billboard Live TAIPEI. Within this intimate setting, he prepares to share his music and stories at close range with his audience.

Q: Although this is not your first time performing in Taiwan, it is your first solo headline show here, and the venue allows for close interaction with the audience. Do you have any particular feelings about this stage? Was there anything you approached differently or with special care during preparation?

This time, I plan to perform with a full band setup—the format that best expresses the colors of my music. My previous performances in Taiwan felt more like a casual greeting. For this show, I want to present myself fully prepared, almost as if dressed for a formal occasion, and show a more complete version of who I am.

Q: Your music is often described as gently capturing the passage of time, inner monologues, and fleeting emotional moments. What role does “music” play in your daily life and creative process?

In truth, I have rarely thought of myself as a “musician.” Rather than creating with a clear objective, I see music as an act. In order to turn a certain state of mind or experience into a “perfect past,” I seal it away, bury it, and send it off. It may sound somewhat dark, but I find it difficult to detach myself from what I’ve lost or from the past, and I struggle to organize those feelings. As a result, I often feel as though I’ve never truly lived in the present. For me, music functions as a kind of funeral ritual.

Q: Your latest album, CORPUS 0, carries a restrained yet profound atmosphere. If this album were a single sentence addressed to the world, what emotion or message would you want listeners to take away from it?

I hope listeners use this album as an opportunity to excavate the things buried deep within themselves—things that have not yet fully died. What I want to say is this: avoiding memory is not a real solution.

Q: Although “yours” was released some time ago, it continues to be loved by listeners overseas. When you think about this song accompanying people in different places, how do you feel? Is there anything you’d like to say to your international audience?

It reminds me once again that, regardless of where we live, human emotions are fundamentally shared. In front of love, we are all equally awkward and shy. Because we exist in similar emotional phases, I believe that even when languages differ, something still gets through. That is what I hope to convey in this performance as well.

Q: Aside from performing, are there any small moments you’re looking forward to during this visit to Taiwan—food you want to try, places you’d like to go, or simply moments of everyday life you’d like to experience?

I actually traveled alone to Taipei in 2023. I really wanted to enjoy the night market atmosphere, but because I’m extremely introverted, I ended up just looking around before leaving, which felt like a missed opportunity. This time, I’d like to enjoy Taiwan’s nights together with my staff and band members—perhaps in a slightly tipsy state.

Q: Looking ahead to 2026, do you have any plans or goals in mind, whether in music, live performances, or your personal life?

This year, I’m planning to hold concerts with different concepts in the first, middle, and latter halves of the year. As a small hint, the performances will be expressed through various “forms”—being veiled, breaking through the veil, becoming a shadow, and so on. On a personal level, after completing this album, my health declined quite a bit, so my goal is to manage my health better. I’ll also try to drink less.