Story / Christine Terrisse (@ms_terrisse)

Creative Direction: Justin Ayers (@justinnayers)

Photographer: Justin Ayers (@justinnayers)

Lighting Designer / Digi Tech: Mike Anderson (@msa_photography)

Photo Assistant: Jacob Telo (@jacob.telo)

Hair & Makeup: Leticia Llesmin (@leticiallesmin) for Exclusive Artists using Dior Beauty

Stylist: Aidan Palermo (@aidanjosephpalermo)

Stylist Assistant: Makayla Godden (@mak__godden)

Fresh off her <NOW> North American tour, South Korea’s acclaimed frontwoman finds peace and inspiration in L.A.

Soyoon Hwang pulls up, waving from the window of her sedan. It’s a rare rainy day in L.A., and the intensity of the downpour, even more rare. She finds parking and runs up, her delicate features enveloped in a hoodie emblazoned with her band’s name, SO SE NEON. 

Soyoon, who styles her name So!YoOn! for solo projects, with her unfussy demeanor, could be a friendly neighbor talking about her garden rather than the leader of one of South Korea’s most successful rock groups, one who is at once, an intrepid solo artist, a consummate collaborator, and a killer guitarist. 

Here, huddled into a nondescript diner in very un-rockstarlike Burbank, California, a “studio town” just north of Hollywood, she opens up about her creative process and building a life in Los Angeles. “I’m always just focusing on my present,” she says over the din of elderly men at a table across from us. 

Lately,her ability to stay present has served the 28-year-old singer-songwriter well, both creatively and personally. She faced the challenge of moving from her bustling neighborhood in Seoul to Los Angeles with fearless flow, much like the way she moves between creative endeavors. “I have to see sunshine. I have to feel the breeze and see the trees,” she says, pointing out that she still wanted to be near people.“The decision to start living here didn’t scare me.” 

In the first few months, she hopped around, staying with friends while exploring the city’s different neighborhoods. “It was really interesting,” she explains. “I still feel like I’m in a theme park. Every block has a different vibe. And it’s a whole different culture. Like Koreatown. I was kind of shocked the first time I visited there. It’s so different from the Korea I’m from.”

Eventually, she settled on the homey neighborhood of Atwater Village, which borders Griffith Park, an oasis of nature in the middle of the city sprawl.

jacket: diesel pants: dolce & gabbana (archive)

Soyoon rose to fame in South Korea over 10 years ago as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of SE SO NEON. The name of the group, she explained in an earlier interview, comes from a phrase meaning “new birds” or “new boys/kids.” Her earliest collaborators on SO SE NEON included drummer Ganto and bassist Fancy Moon, and in its later incarnations included bassist Park Hyunjin and drummer U-su. Today, she remains SO SE NEON’s one constant. Fluent in English, whether on solo or band work, she switches languages depending on what a song calls for.

In 2017, their debut EP, Summer Plumage, brought immediate acclaim. It was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2018 Korean Music Awards, the industry’s top recognition and won Best Rock Song for “The Wave.” They were crowned Rookie of the Year. 

The following year, Soyoon released her first solo studio album, So!YoOn! expanding her artistic horizons to include pop, R&B, hip-hop, funk, and even visual arts–she received special permission from Australian artist Patricia Piccinini to feature her sculpture “The Rookie” as album cover art. 

The same 2018 Korean Music Awards that put Soyoon and SO SE NEON on the map saw supergroup BTS winning Artist of the Year. Years later, a fateful chance meeting in a recording studio would bring Soyoon to collaborate with BTS’s leader, RM where the two found kinship as leaders of creative projects who were also  balancing solo efforts. 

In the organic, old-fashioned way, the two began to collaborate, resulting in the longing-filled neo-soul “Smoke Sprite” off her second solo album, “Episode1: Love.” Directing or co-directing all of her videos, for “Smoke Sprite,” Soyoon saw herself inhabit various female personas from a futuristic rock goddess to a huntress, from a sunburnt warrior queen to a mysterious golden-haired siren. 

And although both Soyoon and SO SE NEON had already been acclaimed outside Korea by that time, the collaboration brought her to the attention of a new audience. 

“People [may] recognize me from any random place, like, from BTS,” she says, “Or the alternative indie rock scene. The nice thing about me is that I’m the type of person who can exist anywhere. It means I have a huge boundary…even my environment– as a Korean artist who lives in L.A. and not…without a huge label here. I literally started living here by myself to figure out my career and my life.” 

Last August, Soyoon returned to SO SE NEON and released a full debut studio album <NOW>. Which was born out of intense studio sessions in New York City. An only child from an artistic family, Soyoon first took up piano lessons but fell in love with the guitar as an adolescent. <NOW> is anchored in her relationship with her instrument and also gave rise to a renewed focus on staying within the present moment.

One of the highlights of <NOW> is “Remember!” inspired by her relationship with the late, great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who reached out to Soyoon years ago after seeing her perform on TV. “We had an interesting relationship,” she says of Sakamoto. “Because it wasn’t like a mentor/mentee…but I was so grateful [for the support],” she says, her eyes full of emotion. “Because I didn’t have any mentor or person who could advise me.” 

blazer: saint laurent pants: r13 tee: world vintage shoes: dr. Martens

Soyoon wrapped up a huge world tour last fall, one that took her across the U.S. and into Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia, her new’ 70s-vintage Fender Strat in tow, bought after much thought before she left. 

After the tour she cherishes time balancing work and rest. She finds comfort in routine, cooking pasta at home more often than going out. Always productive, she  finds life in L.A. a little less fast-paced than in Seoul. This life feels like turning the page on a new chapter. 

As a testament to the free-flowing nature of her pursuits, her latest collaboration is for the globally successful K-pop group Enhypen. On “No Way Back (feat. So!YoOn!)” from their Billboard 200-charting mini-album The Sin: Vanish, Soyoon’s voice gives a poignant counterweight to the group’s vocal trade-offs. 

“I used to follow the rules,” she admits. “There are so many things I can do on a more personal level. What can I do? Even without music as a person, as an artist, what can I do, and what does it mean? I think this year I’m going to do more personal work, not only in music, maybe do more producing, or like a film story, or like any other projects. I’m interested in photography, so it will be really fun.” 

One new project she is really excited to launch is SSN Books, a physical project where fans can sign up to receive slow mail from her every six weeks or so. “It’s not like a typical book publisher,” she says, “But a personal project of writing poetry. 

“These days, she says people only use social media or TikTok, something really fast and easy…but that’s not my way.” Because she’s always traveling the notes can act almost like a postcard and perhaps one day, the writings can be collected into a book. 

And what about performing? Will there come a time when she slows down? 

“I want to perform in my ‘70s,” she says with a smile. 

top: stylist’s own denim: ACNE studios (talent’s own) shoes: nike (talent’s own)

CONNECT WITH SOYOON:
INSTA

The post SOYOON: IN THE FLOW appeared first on LADYGUNN.

After years navigating the Los Angeles punk and rock circuits, Cooper Gillespie and Greg Gordon set their sights on the High Desert and formed Landroid. The move to Landers, California, marked a shift in direction, with the surrounding landscape beginning to influence their sound in a tangible way. Gillespie carries vocals and bass, while Gordon propels the project with drums and sequences. Offstage, they co-founded Mojave Gold in Joshua Tree, channeling that same ethos into a venue dedicated to cultivating creative community.

Their 2019 debut album, “Imperial Dunes,” introduced a sound that felt expansive yet grounded, blending atmosphere with tight songwriting. The single “Yellow Sea” drew attention for its dreamlike quality and established the band’s ability to balance mood with melody. Since then, Landroid has continued refining its approach, working toward its forthcoming album “Constellation,” set for release in 2026. The new record promises a broader narrative scope, moving between cosmic themes and deeply personal storytelling.

Their latest single, “Hank the Dragon,” stands as a clear step forward. The track blends synths, distorted guitars, and hypnotic drums into a cohesive whole that feels both familiar and slightly off-center. There is a distinct nod to the 70s in its structure and tone, with a streak of psychedelia running through the arrangement. At the same time, the production keeps it grounded rather than drifting too far into nostalgia.

Cooper Gillespie’s vocal performance anchors the song. Her delivery is ethereal but controlled, carrying the emotional weight without overselling it. The lyrics sit in that uneasy space where a mistake has been made, and the future of a relationship feels uncertain.

As the band explains, “Hank the Dragon” is about replaying conversations, questioning timing, and wondering whether the foundation of a relationship still exists after something has gone wrong. It does not offer easy answers. Instead, it asks, “Are we still made of what brought us together in the first place?” Every element of the track works toward that tension, making “Hank the Dragon” a strong and focused addition to Landroid’s growing catalog.

CONNECT WITH LANDROID 

INSTAGRAM

The post SYNTHS, SAND, AND SHADOWS: LANDROID’S “HANK THE DRAGON” appeared first on LADYGUNN.

“Sleepwalking,” Jessie Altman‘s new EP, feels like her most focused and conceptually cohesive work to date. Built around a quiet yet persistent sense of awakening, the four songs unfold as fragments of the same realization, each circling the fragile boundary between illusion and clarity. Produced by Grammy-winning Jason Lehning and mixed by Craig Alvin, the project carries a cinematic warmth that enhances the material without overwhelming it. In many ways, it plays like a four-part epiphany delivered through sharp, streamlined pop.

The EP marks Jessie’s first full project under her new artist name. It arrives during a period of growing visibility, with Jessie touring alongside BBMAK and Tyler Hilton and earning recognition from SPIN as one of 2025’s Top Emerging Artists.

Spend enough time in certain corners of the internet, and you’ll notice the quiet revival of Frutiger Aero aesthetics. Younger generations are revisiting that early-internet visual language with its gloss, optimism, and the belief that the digital future would be bright. It often resurfaces in playlists centered on music from that era or on songs that evoke its atmosphere. If that’s your wavelength, three of the four tracks here align naturally. Jessie likely didn’t set out with that reference point in mind, yet the textures land there anyway.

Her rich, electro-flavored sound and the reasonably ethereal production elevate her vocal performance to near-spiritual terrain, with a sensibility that has helped her music surpass one million global streams while steadily expanding her audience.

“Sleepwalking” captures the feeling of moving through life without really being present. Something more mundane and insidious than the surreal detachment of depersonalization, like falling into unproductive lulls where you invest less and less of yourself in the world around you, until you suddenly realize you can’t remember the last time you felt anything genuine.

“Mirror Mirror” follows that thread by questioning who you actually see when you look at yourself, beyond the face you present to the world and toward the one underneath. The question lingers because the answer shifts from day to day, shaped by the very realization introduced in the previous track.

“Trick of the Light” engages perception more directly. It reflects on the stories we tell ourselves, because they feel easier than confronting uncomfortable truths, and on the ways we gradually soften reality until it becomes bearable. The risk, of course, is that this softening can harden into permanence. Given enough time, you can convince yourself of almost anything.

“Hypnotic” shifts into different territory, examining what happens when another person becomes the escape and the intoxicating pull dissolves into someone else. Losing yourself can feel like transcendence; it can just as easily feel like erasure. 

Each song in “Sleepwalking” approaches the same pivotal moment from a different angle, when the fog lifts just enough for you to notice you’ve been living half-awake, and time suddenly feels urgent. What happens next becomes the only question that matters.

CONNECT WITH JESSIE ALTMAN

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK

SEO Description: TAGS: 

The post THE MOMENT THE FOG LIFTS: JESSIE ALTMAN’S “SLEEPWALKING” EP appeared first on LADYGUNN.

What are you up to this weekend? I’m going on a date to a hotel pool (!!) and wearing my favorite swimsuit. Eeks. Hope you have a good one, and here are a few links from around the web…

Can you draw all 50 states from memory?… Read more

The post Have a Sweet Weekend. appeared first on Cup of Jo.

Peas with Mint and Parsley is currently one of my favorite quick & healthy side dishes!

It’s inexpensive and a fun way to add flavor and elevate peas. This simple spring recipe might just become your new favorite vegetable side dish.

These peas with mint and parsley are light, buttery, and full of fresh garden flavor. A splash of lemon juice adds a touch of brightness, while a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes brings a subtle kick. It’s the perfect last-minute addition to any meal. This recipe is so versatile. It’s light enough for spring and summer but cozy enough for colder months, too.

Best of all, it comes together in just 10 minutes and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

What You’ll Love About Peas With Mint And Parsley

• Quick & Easy: Ready in 10 minutes, with minimal prep. Its great for a quick side dish when you have company over, but want to jazz up boring peas.
• Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of mint, parsley, and lemon gives frozen peas a vibrant upgrade. Plus, the mint leave makes it visually pretty.
• Healthy & Nourishing: Peas are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins like C, K, and folate.
• Naturally Gluten-Free & Vegetarian: A beautiful option for many dietary preferences.
• Versatile: Works beautifully as a side dish, a light lunch with protein, or even a savory salad topper.

What You Need To Make Peas With Mint And Parsley

• Frozen peas: Frozen peas work perfectly here. We will give them a quick boil to soften.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and depth to the dish. Use vegan butter or olive oil if preferred.
• Fresh garlic: One medium sized clove, finely minced for that delicious garlic aromatic flavor.
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Perfect for a pop of color and touch of gentle heat.
• Fresh mint and parsley: Bright, herby, and refreshing. These fresh herbs really do bring this dish to life. Sometimes I use all mint if I don’t have fresh parsley in the fridge.
• Lemon juice: Just a squeeze, about 1 tablespoon, brightens and balances the flavors.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural sweetness of the peas.

(See the printable recipe card below for exact measurements.)

How To Make Peas With Mint And Parsley

1. Cook the peas: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the peas and cook for 2–3 minutes, or until just tender. Drain well and set aside.
2. Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, just until fragrant.
3. Combine peas and herbs: Add the cooked peas back into the pot along with the chopped mint and parsley. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.
4. Lightly mash: Use a fork or potato masher to gently mashing some of the peas. You want a chunky, rustic texture, be sure to not over-mash.
5. Finish with lemon: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, and herbs as needed.

Tips & Variations

• Vegan & Dairy-free option: Use olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute to make it dairy-free.
• Add protein: Try mixing in cooked quinoa, topping with a soft-boiled egg, or serving alongside grilled chicken or roast beef.
• Make it spreadable: Mash the peas more thoroughly and spread onto toast with whipped feta dip and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Switch up the herbs: If you don’t have mint, fresh basil also works well for a different flavor profile.
• Storage: Keep leftover peas in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

The post Peas with Mint & Parsley appeared first on Elizabeth Rider – Modern Healthy Living.

By the lovely Grace Farris. Her new book, See One, Do One, Teach One: the Art of Becoming a Doctor, comes out March 24.… Read more

The post The Mathematical Parenting Point of No Return appeared first on Cup of Jo.

With a new season comes a new reason to buy shoes – sandals, in this case! While we love a good sneak, nothing beats simply sliding into a sandal [and the fact that it’s 70+ degrees when we’re wearing them]. Today we’re sharing our favorite sandals of the moment, so that all that’s left to do is schedule that pedicure!

Erin’s Sandals

Target Sandals [True to size]

Sam Edelman Sandals [True to size]

Wedge Sandals [True to size]

Olukai Sandals [True to size]

AVARA Sandals [True to size, Use code YELLOW15 to save!]

Katy’s Sandals

Sandals [true to size]

Sandals [true to size]

Hannah’s Sandals

Arezzo Makayla Sandals [size up .5 if in between]

Jeffrey Campbell Plated Embellished Sandals [size up] // Jeffrey Campbell Gum Drop Jelly Sandals [size up]

Lauren’s Sandals

Teva Slim Sandals [true to size]

OluKai Kanani Vario [size up if in between]

Claire’s Sandals

Dolce Vita Barty Sandal [Size up .5 if in between]

Amazon Flip Flops [True to size]

Shop the Post:

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

Mimicry is a way to make someone laugh and be happy.

By imitating someone from Bollywood or television.

Or famous author of the book.

From a known play.

All the audience are chuckling out loud.

Especially the children.

Holding their stomach.

No one should get offended by mimicry.

It’s a great thing to relieve tension and frustration.

Just like watching a drama or TV show!

We always called my Nannie and Pawpaw’s place “the farm.” They had acreage and a house with a detached shop that kept their tractor. They never had animals beyond a outdoor dog, but my Nannie was an amazing gardener, growing the best spinach you’ve ever eaten in your life, juicy tomatoes, and other wonders I’m sure if I could remember back a little further.

So it feels a little weird referring to my own home as a farm, but I like the sound of it and I do have chickens, so what exactly are the qualifiers to call one’s home a farm? A goat or a donkey you say? Ok, well, if you say so…. In my dreams. We aren’t actually permitted to have one of those but if I find one that resembles a dog well enough, all bets are off.

I’ll file these home/farm updates under the HOME category where I put all the posts relating to building, decor, garden, etc (for the few people beyond myself that might go searching for a particular topic). So let’s hop to!

Life with the Chickens

Let’s dive in with the chicken drama. To start, Earl has hit puberty. Our lone remaining rooster who we cuddled and snuggled from birth has a bit on an attitude now that he has hormones rushing through him.

I did my research and learned not to run away, not to physically manhandle him, but to assert my dominance in his space until he learned to give way. I came out fully decked out for our first face off and have gotten a bit more relaxed with it since then. He does seem to respect me more now and isn’t flying at my legs nearly as often, but I don’t love the idea of having a feisty rooster around with kids so I’m really hoping he starts to chill out a bit.

.

On one hand, I have to respect that he’s doing his job well. He watches after the ladies, keeps them rounded up, and alerts them when he’s found something good to eat. He doesn’t go out looking for a fight but definitely doesn’t like anyone or anything to get close to his ladies. But I don’t love that the kids are now scared to go in with the chickens.

In other news, one of our Copper Maran girls, Bellatrix, got our farm’s first booty bath. She had dried excrement stuck on her super fluffy booty feathers. We filled up a bin with warm water and had to soak her back end in it while I “shampooed” (with a gentle soap) the feathers until she was all clean. This took about 20 minutes. Then we gave me booty a blow dry so she wouldn’t catch a chill.

Non chicken owners are probably cringing at this. This chicken owner is, too, believe me. I couldn’t get in the shower fast enough.

.

The last nugget of chicken drama is that I caught them trying to roost on the wooden ladder toy in the run. I had to teach them to go back in the coop where it’s safest and temperature is best controlled, so I’ve been going out every late afternoon and knocking over their wooden play structure. Since chickens naturally want to roost in the highest place they can find, they’ve been heading back into the coop in the evenings on their own now.

But despite the drama, I love having chickens. I love learning about them, caring for them (usually), and I love the rainbow of eggs they provide us with daily. We have eggs coming out our ears, usually a full 6-8 per day, which means everyone is laying!

In the Garden

Oh this week’s sunshine and 70’s sure had me thinking about plants! Currently in my garden I have cilantro and thyme that have just done their own thing and are thriving. I have carrots I haphazardly planted a few months back. Finley LOVES them and the chickens love the green tops. They are only a few inches long but they’ve been fun. I also have garlic starting to pop up, which is helpful for me to remember exactly where I had planted it.

The big news is that my seeds came in! Am I late to start growing from seed? Maybe. But I’m a very type B gardener and am excited to get them started this weekend.

I planted (ahem, I placed and David actually planted) three new blueberry bushes this week. I also want to get another plum tree and maybe a fig tree, too.

.

For the main garden, I need to get some fresh soil or compost (research is yet to be done) and till it all up (best tool ever for easy tilling). I’ll be doing that over the next few weeks and then it will be getting close to garden planting season- ahhh!

Outdoor Projects

In outdoor project updates, the shed is built! It still needs a few finishing touches, like epoxy floor and filling in some spaces to ensure birds don’t get in, but for now it’s functional and so nice to have the storage space.

The sauna is really coming along. David has done an incredible job at building the outer “box,” installing the oiled pine siding, and laying the floors. He is waiting on the company to send him the interior wood cuts to finish it all out, which hopefully will be soon. Our traditional sauna should be up and running just in time for summer! (ha ;))

.

Fencing. My new fixation is a fence for our chickens. Right now I’m letting them out to free range for just 1-2 hours at the end of the day. I’d like to let them out more but I worry about predators and them running into neighboring yards (most neighbors don’t mind, but still). I got a quote for a fence for an area for them to forage within boundaries with some tree coverage for hopefully increased protection. Now if I could just get David’s work schedule to chill out a bit so we’d have time to discuss it!

That about sums up the “farm” projects. Now I just need to come up with a fun name for our chickens so I can create a sticker or stamp for the cartons. Hmm… any ideas?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that the sun shines brightly for you!