With “Wishing for Rain,” Sonnet steps fully into her own creative world, having written, composed, and produced the track entirely herself. Known for her powerhouse performances on stages like The Masked Singer, she now turns inward, crafting a song that blends vulnerability, resilience, and raw emotion. In this interview, Sonnet opens up about breaking free from the constraints of Korea’s entertainment system, the intimate inspiration behind the lyrics, and the delicate balance of showing strength while embracing softness in her music. The result is a hauntingly beautiful piece that feels unmistakably personal—a true reflection of the artist herself.
“Wishing for Rain” was written, composed, and produced entirely by you. What motivated you to take on every part of the creative process this time?
Being an independent artist in Korea is never easy. The system here is built in a way where entertainment companies plan and produce everything, so as an artist, I often found myself releasing music that fit the current trends or what the market expected rather than what I truly wanted to say. After spending so many years inside that system, I realized I want to trust myself as an artist and tell my own stories honestly.
The inspiration for the song came from a comment your mother made on a rainy day. How do you usually approach songwriting—do you begin with lyrics, melody, or an emotional image?
I usually start with melody first, and then I think about what lyrics would suit it. For this song, the words came from something my mom said. The day after a light drizzle, she was cleaning the house and sighed, saying, “It feels so uncomfortable to clean in this weather. I wish the rain would just pour down and wash everything away.” That simple comment became the seed of the song. Because we all know pain and memories don’t disappear easily—it takes effort and time to overcome them. That contrast between wanting everything to be washed away but knowing it’s not that simple really stayed with me.
What role did vulnerability play in shaping this song compared to your past projects?
For me, it’s all about authenticity. I believe in the power of honest music. I could only write this song after going through a year of failures—in relationships, love, and even friendships. Vulnerability means opening myself up and putting that truth into the music, and I think that’s what shaped this song.
Rain is a powerful metaphor throughout the track. Beyond heartbreak, what does rain symbolize for you personally?
In this track, rain represents time. While it’s falling, I’m reminded of people or love I’ve lost. But after the rain passes, it feels like turning a page—like one season ends and a new chapter in life begins.
You’ve said this song is not only about a breakup but about resilience and self-confrontation. How important was it for you to go beyond the traditional love ballad narrative?
Of course, it is a breakup song in some ways. (laughs) But I wanted it to go beyond just that. We all know time heals everything, but we also know it doesn’t feel that easy when you’re in the middle of it. So this song is also about resilience and the idea that even though it hurts, little by little, we do get better. I feel that healing every time I sing it.
The chorus asks: “If it’s not the rain, but if it were you, could I forget you?” What do you hope listeners take away from this haunting question?
There are always moments when you think you’re okay, but then the memories come back and you find yourself hurting again. That’s when the “if” thoughts come in—“What if things had been different?” I think it’s natural. But even those thoughts are part of the process. Accepting them as something we have to go through is what I hope people take away from that question in the chorus.
The arrangement is minimalist, relying heavily on piano. Why did you choose to keep the instrumentation so stripped back?
For the color and weight of this song, I recorded everything acoustically and tried to preserve the raw sound in the mix. That meant cutting back and stripping things away, because sometimes less really is more. Both I and the musicians understood that restraint was what the song needed.
Was there a moment during the production process where you felt the song finally clicked into place?
When I recorded the guitar, that’s when I felt it was finally complete. The guitar filled in the spaces so beautifully—it really brought everything together.
Producing your own track gives you full control over the sound. Did that freedom feel more liberating or more daunting?
It felt liberating. For the first time, I felt like I was standing in front of listeners fully as myself, with my own sound and my own voice. That freedom was powerful.
You’ve dazzled audiences on massive stages like The Masked Singer. How does performing in front of millions compare to creating a quiet, intimate song like this?
On big stages, it’s often about showing what you can do best. But creating a quiet and intimate song requires a different kind of effort—it’s about holding back, controlling even the smallest breath. In some ways, that’s even harder, but also more rewarding.
Many people see you as one of Korea’s most powerful vocalists. How do you balance that reputation with your desire to show vulnerability and softness?
I’ve taken part in many competition shows in Korea, so naturally, people expect a lot from me vocally. But when it comes to the stories I want to tell, I try to strip away the unnecessary things and just stay honest. I’ve already shown a lot on stage—I wanted this song to reveal another side of me.
Does “Wishing for Rain” represent a new chapter in your artistry—one where you take on more songwriting and producing?
Honestly, it’s both. I’ll definitely keep challenging myself by writing and producing my own music, but at the same time, I want to continue expanding and opening new chapters in my artistry.
What conversations do you hope “Wishing for Rain” sparks among your listeners?
Music has the power to bring back memories—nostalgia, longing, love, and all kinds of emotions and images. I hope this song sparks those feelings and becomes a part of people’s own stories.
Looking ahead, how do you want this single to be remembered within your career—what place do you think it holds in your artistic journey?
Out of everything I’ve released so far, I want this to be remembered as the song that feels the most like “me.” And I want it to set the tone for the kind of music I’ll continue to release in the future.
