Following his own path has always been second nature to pH-1. The Korean singer-songwriter recently released his 15-track album WHAT HAVE WE DONE, a genre-blending collection that moves seamlessly from mellow introspection to high-energy anthems.
With its mix of vulnerability, power, and innovation, the project stands as a bold statement piece that redefines his sound and sets a new standard for others to follow.
Following his own path has always been second nature to pH-1. The Korean singer-songwriter recently released his 15-track album WHAT HAVE WE DONE — a genre-blending project that captures his evolution both musically and personally.
“You can really hear how my mindset was shifting throughout,” pH-1 explains. “It wasn’t something I planned as a big concept or anything like that. It’s more like a personal record of me trying to grow, to become a better and healthier version of myself.”
The album features an impressive global lineup of collaborators, including NMIXX’s HAEWON, Thama, aiai, Min Jiwwon, Karencici, IIIBOI, CHANMINA, and CAMO. Across its 15 tracks, pH-1 moves effortlessly between moods, from heartfelt, emotional moments like “SOAK IN BLUE,” accompanied by a striking visualizer, to explosive, high-energy tracks like “CRASHINNN OUTTT!!!” that showcase his signature rap flow.
In an exclusive conversation with The Knockturnal, pH-1 opened up about the intense creative process behind the album, overcoming emotional and creative blocks, and building connections with international fans and artists around the world.
The Knockturnal: pH-1, congratulations on your latest album, WHAT HAVE WE DONE. Featuring 15 powerful tracks, this release feels both deeply personal and musically expansive. Let’s dive into what you have done.
It’s been about three years since your last full-length project, and WHAT HAVE WE DONE feels like such a statement piece, 15 tracks, each touched by your own pen, composition, and vision. What was your mindset during the creation of this album? Did you go in with a specific concept or simply let things flow naturally?
pH-1: This album kind of ended up being more like a timeline; it just naturally followed everything I was going through at the time. You can really hear how my mindset was shifting throughout. It wasn’t something I planned as a big concept or anything like that. It’s more like a personal record of me trying to grow, to become a better and healthier version of myself. So yeah, it feels more like a diary than a traditional album, honestly.
The Knockturnal: The album feels incredibly cohesive, sonically and emotionally. Did you have any key inspirations, artistic influences, or life experiences that guided its direction?
pH-1: I’m always influenced by the people around me, especially the ones I work with. People like Sumin, Slom, Spray, and Brody really have an impact on me. But when it comes to sound, I’d say I’m super inspired by artists like Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Mac Miller, Daniel Caesar… you know, that kind of vibe.
The Knockturnal: Were there any moments where the process felt difficult or uncertain, maybe times you felt like you were “CRASHINNN OUTTT”? How did you push through creative blocks or doubts during this project?
pH-1: Nah, for this album, I didn’t really deal with writer’s block that much. Like I said, it was more of a natural flow, a real reflection of my emotions at the time, so the songs came out pretty organically. But emotionally, it definitely took a toll. Even if I had already moved past certain phases, I had to go back and tap into those darker, heavier feelings to finish some of the songs. That part was tough, kind of like reopening old wounds, you know? It was draining, but I think it was necessary to keep the songs real.
The Knockturnal: WHAT HAVE WE DONE balances a lot of moods, from raw vulnerability on the title track to the energy of “Party Ppl” or the brightness of “54321 (feat. Haewon of NMIXX).” How do you approach switching between those emotional tones while keeping your sound consistent?
pH-1: To be honest, it’s not like I’m trying super hard to make everything sound cohesive. I think it just naturally happens because of my voice, the way I ride a beat, or the kind of words and top lines I tend to use. It’s just me being me; I’m not trying to sound like anyone else. So even if I’m experimenting or doing different things, it still ends up feeling cohesive and sounding consistent in the end, just because it’s all coming from me.
The Knockturnal: When working on the lyrics, were there specific lines or songs that felt especially personal or difficult to write?
pH-1: The last track, “SOAK IN BLUE,” is definitely one of the most personal songs I’ve ever made. Writing it wasn’t hard at all, it actually came out really naturally and super fast. I think I finished it in like an hour. But the hard part was recording it over and over to get the emotion just right. Like I said before, I had to tap back into some pretty heavy memories to really bring that feeling out, and that part was emotionally tough. So technically it was easy to finish, but mentally and emotionally, it took a lot.
The Knockturnal: The visuals for this album are next-level, from the cinematic “DRUGGED2THRILLS” music video to the still, emotional beauty of “SOAK IN BLUE”. How involved were you in developing the visual concepts?
pH-1: The whole concept was really created by SUMIN. She played a huge role in shaping the album visually and creatively. And Soyo also did an amazing job with all the visuals, from the album cover to the merch, everything. So yeah, big shoutout to them. We had a lot of deep conversations about what I was going through and how I wanted to approach the album. I think she really pulled from those talks and used that as inspiration to come up with the whole visual direction.
Watch the visually and sonically emotional music video for “SOAK IN BLUE” below.
The Knockturnal: I love how “DRUGGED2THRILLS” continues where your “KEEP IT ON THE LOW” live clip left off, it’s such a clever storytelling detail. Can you tell me more about how those visuals connect and what story you wanted to tell?
pH-1: “KEEP IT ON THE LOW” is definitely one of the more lighthearted tracks; it’s got that rapper lifestyle, kind of braggadocious energy. But we connected it to “DRUGGED2THRILLS” for a reason. Like, underneath all the spotlight and hype, once the stage lights go off and the performances are over, I’m still left with myself. That contrast was something we really wanted to show, how even after all the attention and noise, there’s this quiet loneliness that creeps in. So it’s kind of like showing both sides of that life.
Watch the “KEEP IT ON THE LOW” music video below.
The Knockturnal: Any fun behind-the-scenes moments or details from the MV shoots that fans might not know about yet? Any inspirations?
pH-1: For the “DRUGGED2THRILLS” video, I was looking up the whole time, so my neck was killing me during and after the shoot. Plus, I was on this rotating platform, and I thought that in post-production, I’d be fixed in the center while everything else spun around me. But yeah… that wasn’t the case. Turns out SUMIN had a totally different vision from what I imagined, so our ideas didn’t really match up there, haha.
And for the “SOAK IN BLUE” video, we actually only shot it three times, and we ended up using the very first take. It was just one take, super raw, but it felt right.
The Knockturnal: This album features a seriously global roster: Min Jiwon, ILLBOI, CHANMINA, CAMO, Karencici, Haewon of NMIXX, THAMA, aiai. What was your intention behind including artists from such diverse genres and regions?
pH-1: I think, subconsciously, it comes from my desire to tour and connect with international fans someday. I’ve always had more international listeners than Korean ones, and since I write a lot in English, I feel like my music naturally leans towards that audience. So featuring international artists just made sense to me. I wasn’t really thinking about how famous someone is or their accolades; if someone had the right voice for the song, that’s who I wanted to work with.
The Knockturnal: How did you choose the collaborators for this album? Were these long-time connections, or did some come together unexpectedly?
pH-1: Adding to what I answered to the question prior, these are artists I’ve been a fan of for a while, so the collaborations felt kind of natural to see their influence come through in my music.
The Knockturnal: Was there any collaboration that stood out to you personally, not necessarily a favorite, but one that surprised you or taught you something new?
pH-1: I’d probably say Brody. Brody produced a lot of the tracks on this album. He’s still pretty new in the scene, but he’s super versatile and talented. Whatever style I ask him to produce, he just nails it, like a machine. Working with him was really fun. Even though he’s younger and a rising talent, his skills are seriously top-tier. Big shoutout to Brody.
The Knockturnal: I have to ask about “ERYKAH BADU (feat. CAMO)” ~ such a bold and intriguing title. What inspired that track, and how did CAMO’s involvement shape the song? If Erykah Badu herself heard it, how do you think you’d feel?
pH-1: I’d say the vibe I was going for was more like… smooth and soulful. I wanted to make something that feels intimate and emotional, kind of that late-night, R&B type of sound, but without being too explicit. In the song, I’m talking about falling for someone on a deeper level, like saying, “I love your soul.” Erykah Badu is one of the most iconic Neo Soul artists, so her influence naturally came through; it almost felt like a freestyle. And CAMO, she’s super talented, I’m a big fan of her work and her career. She’s got this natural charisma and presence that really fit the song perfectly.
The Knockturnal: For someone new to pH-1’s music, which songs from WHAT HAVE WE DONE would you recommend they start with, tracks that best represent who you are as an artist right now?
pH-1: This album really shows all the different genres I can do; I don’t stick to just one style. I’d say I’m pretty versatile. And honestly, my recent work always represents who I am at that moment. I like to think I’m constantly evolving, so my latest songs are kind of like the newest, updated version of me and my music.
The Knockturnal: Lastly, thank you so much for the conversation. Do you have a message you’d like to share with fans who’ll be tuning in to this album.
pH-1: As always, thank you so much for listening to my music, even if some of the songs are in Korean and you might not fully understand the lyrics. As an Asian American artist making hip-hop, it really means a lot to see people outside of Korea and Asia connecting with my music. That support honestly keeps me going; it’s one of my biggest motivations. Love you guys, and thank you again!
FOR MORE pH-1:
Instagram | TikTok | X | Spotify | YouTube
