Music hits differently when it feels like a weighted blanket. That’s the vibe. When you look at the landscape of Korean indie and R&B from the late 2010s, a few tracks just stuck. They didn't just trend; they stayed. By My Side Joon is one of those rare instances where a collaborator manages to anchor a song so deeply that you can’t imagine it existing in any other universe. It’s soulful. It’s a bit lonely. Honestly, it’s the kind of track you play at 2:00 AM when the house is too quiet and your brain is too loud.
The song, officially titled "By My Side" by the late singer-songwriter Crush featuring Joon (often associated with the versatile artist and producer Soma or the wider Crucial Star circle depending on which deep-dive credit list you're reading), appeared on the soundtrack for the 2018 K-drama Are You Human Too?. But forget the show for a second. Even if you never saw a single frame of that android-human romance, the song stands on its own legs. It’s a masterclass in vocal restraint.
The Raw Appeal of By My Side Joon
Why do we keep coming back to this?
It isn't about flashy high notes. There are no glass-shattering crescendos or over-produced EDM drops. Instead, By My Side Joon relies on a grounded, almost conversational delivery. Joon’s voice has this specific texture—kind of smoky, a little breathy, but incredibly stable. When it weaves into the production, it creates this sense of immediate intimacy. It’s like someone is sitting right next to you on a velvet couch, just talking.
Most people recognize the name Joon in this context through his work as an indie artist who frequently blends jazz, soul, and R&B. This isn't the high-energy K-pop that dominates the Billboard charts. This is the "K-Indie" subculture that thrives in the cafes of Hongdae.
The lyrics are simple. They deal with the desperation of wanting someone to stay—not out of toxic possession, but out of a fundamental human need for connection. "Please stay by my side." It’s a plea. It’s vulnerable. In a world where everyone is trying to look "cool" and detached, hearing a voice sound that genuinely needy is refreshing. It’s honest.
Breaking Down the Soundscape
The production on this track is deliberate. You’ve got these soft piano chords that feel like raindrops hitting a window. Then the bass kicks in, but it’s muted. It’s warm.
When Joon enters the booth, the EQ feels like it’s been dialed in to prioritize the lower-mid frequencies. This makes the vocal feel "thick." It’s a production trick, sure, but it serves the emotional core of the song perfectly. If the vocals were too crisp or too bright, that late-night "comfort" feeling would vanish instantly.
📖 Related: Why Lynyrd Skynyrd One More From the Road Still Captures the Chaos of 70s Rock
We see this a lot in modern lo-fi, but By My Side Joon predates the massive explosion of "lo-fi beats to study to" as a mainstream aesthetic. It was doing the work before the trend became a caricature of itself.
Why the Collaboration Worked
- Contrast: Crush has a very distinct, slightly higher tenor that can soar. Joon provides the anchor.
- Mood: Both artists understand the "blue" note. They know how to sing around the beat rather than just on top of it.
- Restraint: They don't over-sing. That’s the biggest mistake in R&B. They let the silence between the notes breathe.
People often confuse this Joon with other artists of the same name, but for those who follow the specific lineage of the Are You Human Too? OST, the identity is clear. This Joon is an artist who understands atmosphere.
The Cultural Impact of the "Stay" Narrative
There is a specific trope in Korean balladry and R&B: the "Begging for Presence." It’s a cultural touchstone. In a fast-paced society like South Korea, the idea of someone just being there—not necessarily doing anything, just existing in the same space—is a luxury. By My Side Joon taps into that collective yearning.
It’s about the fear of the "empty chair."
Music critics have pointed out that the 2018-2019 era was a turning point for K-OSTs. They stopped being just background noise for dramatic scenes and started becoming viable, standalone R&B hits. You started seeing tracks like this one appearing on Spotify’s "Chill Vibes" or "K-Indie Essentials" playlists, reaching listeners in Brazil, the US, and France who had never even heard of the drama it was written for.
That’s the power of a good vocal. Language barriers fall apart when the tone of the voice conveys the meaning better than a dictionary ever could.
Common Misconceptions About the Artist
Let's clear some things up. Because the name "Joon" is relatively common in the Korean music industry, listeners often get their wires crossed.
Some think it’s a member of a major boy group. It isn't.
Others think it’s a one-hit-wonder from a reality show. Wrong again.
The Joon featured on this track is an established part of the independent R&B scene. This is an artist who values anonymity and craft over "idol" fame. If you go down the rabbit hole of his other features, you’ll find a consistent thread of jazz-influenced melodies and a refusal to follow the "pop" formula. He’s a "musician’s musician."
This matters because it changes how you listen to the song. It’s not a polished product handed down by a massive corporation. It’s a collaborative effort between two people who actually care about the soul of the music.
How to Truly Experience the Track
If you’re just listening to this through your phone speakers while doing the dishes, you’re missing 60% of the experience. Honestly.
To get what By My Side Joon is trying to do, you need decent headphones. You need to hear the way his voice cracks slightly on the lower notes. You need to hear the decay of the piano notes.
The song is built on "headspace." It’s designed to sound like it’s happening inside your own skull.
Recommended Listening Environment:
- Time: After 11:00 PM.
- Weather: Overcast or raining (ideal, but optional).
- Gear: Over-ear headphones. Skip the earbuds if you can.
- Mindset: Stop scrolling. Just sit.
The Technical Mastery of the "Feat"
Usually, a "featured" artist gets a 30-second verse and then disappears. Not here. The chemistry between the lead and the feature is so tight that it feels like a duet.
They trade lines like they’re having a conversation.
👉 See also: TV Shows with Shaní Lozano: Why Everyone Is Watching Right Now
This is where the E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) of the production comes in. The producers knew that Joon’s specific timbre was the "secret sauce." They didn't bury him in the mix. They pushed him forward.
The Long-Term Legacy
Seven years later, the song still pulls numbers on streaming platforms. It hasn't aged. Because it didn't rely on trendy "future bass" synths or trap drums that scream "2018," it feels timeless. It could have been released in 1995 or 2025.
That’s the hallmark of quality songwriting.
When you strip away the marketing and the K-drama tie-ins, you’re left with a melody that sticks in your throat. It’s a song about the universal human condition: the dread of being alone and the hope that someone will choose to stay.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you've fallen in love with By My Side Joon, don't just stop there. The rabbit hole goes much deeper.
First, track down the rest of the Are You Human Too? soundtrack. While "By My Side" is the standout, the entire album is a masterclass in atmospheric pop.
Second, look up the artist Joon (often stylized as JOON) on platforms like SoundCloud or Bandcamp. This is where the real "raw" material lives. You'll find demos and side projects that never made it to the major streaming services, offering a glimpse into the creative process that birthed this specific sound.
Third, explore the broader K-R&B scene from that specific era. Look for artists like DEAN, Colde, and Rad Museum. They share that same DNA of "mood over everything."
Finally, check the credits of your favorite songs more often. Often, the "feature" is the one carrying the emotional weight of the track. By supporting these independent artists directly through their solo work or social media, you ensure that the industry continues to produce music that actually feels something, rather than just sounding like something.
Stop settling for the top 40. The best music is usually found in the credits.
Insight Summary:
✨ Don't miss: Why Finding Good Movies About Fashion Is Harder Than It Looks
- By My Side Joon is an R&B staple from the 2018 soundtrack of Are You Human Too?.
- The song succeeds because of its emotional vulnerability and "smoky" vocal texture.
- It represents a peak era for Korean independent artists collaborating with mainstream OST productions.
- The track's longevity is due to its timeless, minimalist production rather than chasing trends.
Check your favorite streaming app for the "Official Audio" version to hear the highest bitrate available; the difference in vocal clarity is worth the extra effort.