Move over Kevin Nguyen, it is time to warn everyone about the latest heart breaker and red flag in town: “DAVID LEE.” Playing off the notorious Gen Z meme persona, rising Korean American R&B singer-songwriter, hyejin, took a jab at her own personal manifestation of the phenomena in her latest single. Released on May 19, hyejin was joined by fellow Korean American artist, hevel, to create a delightfully blunt track.

hyejin is not one to shy away when speaking her mind. Her eccentric debut EP, WHAT A SHAME!, was released earlier this year and set a confident, unapologetically honest tone for her career. Her latest project “DAVID LEE” is no different. So who exactly is David Lee anyways? Described in a press release about the track, he is not a specific person, but rather a representation of the character of “…a typical Korean-American boy who attends Sunday service, while still engaging in unholy activities such as screwing over girls.” 

Calling Out All David Lee’s

This fresh, hip-hop driven track is countered with lush, orchestral yet modern production from longtime collaborator Lio. hyejin is a paradox as she kicks off the song with her sweet vocals while singing the heart-piercing lines, “‘Cause I’m still toxic as ever / Your bitch is basic as ever.” Swooping in on the second verse, hevel begs hyejin to open her eyes to the fact that David Lee is nothing worth pining over as they sing, “He wears that fucking polo shirt and khakis / I’m wearing my Rick, he’s the worst / Girl, my heart breaks in pieces.” hevel’s buoyant and bright voice blends perfectly with hyejin’s pleasant tone, making this collaboration an audible treat.

More To Come

“DAVID LEE” is a project that showcases hyejin’s broad vocal palette. From bittersweet raps to saccharine vocals, she knows just how to utilize both her upper and lower registers. The rising star’s future is one to look forward to. In the future, she seeks to evolve her musicality by balancing both modern and nostalgic sounds with her signature vulnerable lyricism. Make sure to follow her on TikTok to stay up-to-date with her upcoming projects. You can now listen to “DAVID LEE” on Apple Music and Spotify!

Want to learn more about hyejin and her music? Check out our breakdown on her debut EP here!