NCT’s JOHNNY was born and raised in Chicago, but moved to South Korea as a teenager to train as an artist. Years later, he’s still discovering new things about his adopted home every day. Now he’s inviting fans to explore Korean culture alongside him with JOURNEY with JOHNNY, a new video podcast available now on Spotify.
The show brings together personal stories and conversations about Korean customs and culture. Each episode also features a song handpicked by Johnny, connecting the conversation to music and moments from his everyday life.
For the Record caught up with Johnny to talk about these unexpected discoveries, music’s power to connect people, and why he hopes listeners leave each episode feeling warm and cozy.
What inspired you to start JOURNEY with JOHNNY, and what made this the right moment to bring it to life?
I’ve always thought it would be great to have more ways to talk and connect with fans around the world. So when this opportunity came up, I was excited to take it. The timing also felt right because, after spending many years in Korea, I feel like I’m now at a point where I can really put my experiences into words and share them in a more personal way.
Was there anything that surprised you when you were recording the show?
While filming, I actually caught myself being surprised quite a lot. There were so many things about Korea that I realized I still didn’t know, but also things that I didn’t realize I did know. Those little moments of discovery and realization will really be the key highlights. I really hope K-pop fans and anyone who’s curious about Korean culture can experience Korea alongside me. I’m still learning and discovering things too, so it really does feel like we’re going on this journey together.
Why was it important to you to make music a part of every episode?
JOURNEY with JOHNNY is on Spotify, so how could I not have music? [Laughs.] I thought of it as an opportunity not only to share some of my own taste, but also to really dive into music together with the listeners—what fans want to hear, what songs are trending right now, why I think those songs are popular. A lot of people tuning into the podcast probably discovered me through listening to K-pop in the first place. Music has always had this incredible ability to connect and find unity around the world.
With the podcast, NCTzens now have a new way to engage with you. What does it mean to you to have that kind of space, and how do you hope this show sits alongside your work in NCT?
I hope JOURNEY with JOHNNY can become a space that spreads positivity. Meeting fans throughout the years has taught me how much not only our music, but our personal experiences can give them strength. I think it will give people another way to get to know me, which hopefully also makes them curious about NCT, too. And if someone listens to the podcast without knowing NCT yet…I might have to make it my personal mission to change that. [Laughs.]
If you had to sum up the vibe of JOURNEY with JOHNNY in three words, what would they be?
Personal, relaxed, playful.
What are your biggest hopes for JOURNEY with JOHNNY?
Just like the name suggests, I want this podcast to feel like a journey—for me and for everyone listening. I hope listeners can simply have a good time with it. The goal for me would be for listeners to feel warm and cozy. And, hopefully, we can keep this journey going for a long time.
Ready to take a journey with Johnny? Watch the first episodes on Spotify now. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 11 p.m. KST.
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