Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay (Jaehun) Sung.
Hi Jay (Jaehun), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first started in Korea and eventually moved to the U.S. to pursue music full-time. The transition wasn’t easy. I attended three different high schools while adjusting to English and a new environment, but I always knew I wanted to build my path in music. I studied at Berklee College of Music, which gave me the foundation as an audio engineer and the chance to collaborate with artists from diverse backgrounds.
I originally entered Berklee as a singer-songwriter, but over time, I became fascinated with the behind-the-scenes side of music production. That’s when I decided to fully commit to becoming a mixing engineer. Mixing was something I learned in school, but it was the countless hours of self-study and hands-on experience that really helped me grow professionally.
After graduating, I interned at three different studios while in school and found Cybersound Recording Studios in Boston to be the best fit. I started there as an intern and eventually grew into an engineer role. Wanting to challenge myself further, I moved to Los Angeles, where many of the engineers I admire are based.
At one point, I also pursued an MBA to better understand the business side of the industry, which gave me tools to combine creativity with entrepreneurship and opened new ways of looking at my career. Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow as a mixing engineer while exploring opportunities that connect creativity and business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving to a new country early on really pushed me out of my comfort zone. In the studio world, things can be unpredictable. You might work 10-hour sessions with little sleep, deal with sudden changes, or have projects that never see the light of day despite all the effort.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance the creative and business sides of my career. As much as I love working purely on music, navigating contracts, finances, and even visa restrictions has been a big part of the journey. There were times when I questioned whether the sacrifices and uncertainty were worth it, but I realized those struggles taught me perseverance and adaptability.
Looking back, I see those challenges as necessary steps. They forced me to grow not just as an engineer, but also as a person, and they continue to shape the way I approach both music and life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in mixing and audio engineering, focusing on shaping and enhancing music from behind the scenes. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with artists like Gareth.T, Justin Park, Kevin Chung, SIRUP, and Yel, as well as Korean artists such as Hoody, JUNNY, CHEEZE, Brody, pH-1, DAUL, CHANGMO, and g0nny.
Some highlights of my work include contributing to Yerin Baek’s “Turn on That Blue Vinyl” live concert clips, which I co-mixed and have since surpassed a total of 5 million views on YouTube. I also worked on Hoody’s track “Blind” from her Sailing album, which was nominated for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 21st Korean Music Awards.
Another highlight is my collaboration with Yel, an artist I discovered when she had around 150,000 monthly listeners. Believing in her talent, I reached out directly, and we began working together on multiple projects. Today, Yel has nearly 700,000 monthly listeners and has signed a U.S. record deal. Most recently, I mixed 3 songs from her album “Perfect Blue”, I believe she has tremendous potential, and I hope this album continues to elevate her career. It has been a privilege to contribute to her journey, and I plan to continue working with her on future projects.
I am also especially proud of my work with Gareth.T, where I mixed two of his songs, “before you” and “Colors.” Even though the lyrics were in Chinese, I focused on capturing his artistic intention and creating a mix that translated the emotions universally. Together, these tracks have now reached over 7 million streams on Spotify, proving that music can transcend language barriers and connect with a global audience.
Similarly, my collaboration with producer DAUL on a track called “SIMPLE” featuring JUNNY—one of Korea’s fastest rising artists—and CHANGMO, one of the Korea’s most recognized rappers, was particularly memorable. I was asked to mix the track with only one day left before its deadline, and I delivered a clean, polished mix that allowed the release to go live on schedule. That experience reinforced my ability to perform under high-pressure, time-sensitive situations while maintaining creative quality.
Recently, I also took a step into the world of film and television by mixing songs for the OST of The Potato Lab, a drama that aired on Netflix. It was my first time collaborating with a major company like CJ ENM Studios on an OST project, and the experience opened new doors creatively. I mixed two songs for the series: “Hailey” performed by lead actress Lee Sun Bin, and “Like a Dream” performed by Cheeze, ensuring both tracks blended seamlessly with the cinematic atmosphere.
I also recently worked on a track for the OST of another popular Korean show. While I can’t disclose the details yet since the song hasn’t been released, I can share that the previous season of this show reached a cumulative 300 million clip views by the end of its run. Knowing the scale and impact of the series, I’m especially excited to see how my mix resonates with such a wide audience once it’s released!!
What sets me apart is my experience collaborating with artists from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Working with such a diverse range of talent has strengthened my communication skills and taught me how to understand and bring out each artist’s unique vision. I believe this ability to connect creatively across cultures is one of the key aspects that make my work stand out.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, I’m deeply grateful to my parents for supporting me when I first started my journey in music. I also want to thank all the clients and companies who have trusted me with their projects along the way. Above all, I owe special thanks and credit to producer DAUL, who has continuously collaborated with me; AllThou from Rhombus Company in Korea; Warner Music Korea artist Brody; and Tristan from NOTA Studio, who have all believed in me and given me opportunities to grow through our work together.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysung__/
