INTERVIEW: RYLAI on “Fall For You,” Life Between Two Cities, and Cycling 72 Miles for Music
- Srishti Pandey
- Sep 8
- 7 min read
When an artist describes their music as a series of 'chapters,' it’s clear there’s a bigger picture in motion. For Seoul-born singer-songwriter RYLAI, every release is more than a single track. His newest song “Fall For You” marks another step in a carefully woven storyline while also standing on its own as a catchy, heartfelt anthem “for everyone who loved harder than they were loved back.”
The New York-based musician has poured himself into bringing "Fall For You" to life across two years, three continents and four collaborators. This results in a track layered with emotion and details meant to hook listeners instantly while also hinting at something deeper. Beyond the studio, his creative process includes bold choices—from cycling 72 miles as a form of promotion to leaving cryptic Potemkin City clues across his social media.
In this interview with Mido Media, RYLAI opens up about the making of “Fall For You,” his creative identity, and the lessons he’s learning as his story unfolds.
Q: Congratulations on the release of “Fall For You!” One of your reels of the song had the caption, “for everyone who loved harder than they were loved back.” Is that the emotion driving the song? What message do you hope first-time listeners will carry with them, and does this track continue the overarching “storyline” you’ve said your music is building chapter by chapter?
RYLAI: Thank you so much! Yes! That was the main idea behind the song. Honestly, I don’t think you even need to focus too much on the lyrics when you first listen to it. It’s a catchy track and we packed it with little bits of ear candy throughout. Most of the songs we listen to are love songs, right? I think that’s because we’re all products of love and are constantly yearning for it. This song is no different. When you listen, I hope you don’t overthink it—just let the music take over and enjoy it. And yes, this track also carries a story within the larger storyline. As for what that story is…it’s still a bit too early to reveal!
Q: You’ve described the journey of creating the song as “four guys, three continents, two years and one song we poured everything into.” That sounds intense. Looking back, what is the best memory that kept you going and was there ever a point where the challenges felt too much?
RYLAI: When I first came up with this song, I remember having all the sounds and melodies playing in my head, but also feeling unsure of where or how to begin. I gathered my thoughts, quickly formed a team, and we started working. From the moment the song came to me, I was clear about what it meant and what the final sound needed to be. Even if it took time or faced delays, I knew that by tackling things one step at a time, we would eventually complete it.
And now you get to hear the finished result. I’ve been hearing this song in my head for two years, so I think you can understand—for a song like this, no challenge ever feels like too much!
Q: On your YouTube Shorts, it can be seen that you cycled 72 miles to promote “Fall For You.” That’s not a typical promo strategy. How did the idea come about and did the ride feel symbolic of the endurance it takes to create music or was it simply a fun challenge for your fans?
RYLAI: I like traveling. I love going to places I’ve never been before, and they always move me with breathtaking scenery I’ve never seen. That’s why I sometimes enjoy going on long trips by bike. In early July, I found a 72-mile route and rode it for the first time, and I wanted to share the amazing views and experiences from that ride. So I went back and filmed the journey to show everyone!
Q: Your Instagram bio reads “Rebel Plotter from Potemkin City,” which is intriguing and mysterious. Can you unpack what that means for you creatively? And while we’re on the subject, how did you decide on “RYLAI” as your stage name? Does it hold a personal story or symbolism?
RYLAI: You know, earlier in the first question, I mentioned that all the tracks are connected by one storyline—the name of that album is Potemkin City.
For the “rebel plotter” part, if you look back at the captions I’ve been posting with the photos, you’ll notice that each artwork comes together to complete certain sentences. That’s all the hint I can give you for now! Solving it is a little puzzle I’m leaving for you. For the name “RYLAI,” it’s a slight twist on the pronunciation of my own name, Ryan Lee. Try saying “Ryan Lee” very quickly, over and over—and you’ll get Rylai.
Q: You were born and raised in Seoul, but your Instagram profile now says Seoul → New York. What does New York mean to you, and why did you decide to include this in your bio?
RYLAI: Before I answer, I want to remind you that music is never created by just one artist alone. Just as it takes producers, musicians and many others working hard behind the spotlight to bring a single song to life. I believe I’ve been able to come this far thanks to the precious team members who have worked alongside me. Half of my team is based in New York, and I’ve been flying there both for the production of my music and for visual content. If Seoul is my hometown, then New York has become my musical home!
Q: Your Spotify bio asks, “Do you believe that music can change the world, transcend borders, and bring people together?” How has music changed your own world so far, and do you see your cross-continental collaborations on “Fall For You” as proof of that belief in action?
RYLAI: Yes, music changed my life for the better! It allowed me to break out of the small world I was living in, gave me a broader perspective, and became the reason I was able to meet so many diverse and wonderful people. Music definitely transcends borders and brings people together. I felt that in moments when, no matter where we came from or what kind of music we had made before, we all reacted the same way to what we felt was a beautiful sound.
Q: Both “Without You” and “Fall For You” are in English. Do you envision writing and releasing songs entirely in Korean someday, or perhaps blending languages, especially since language can shape how deeply listeners connect?
RYLAI: Oh, yes! Getting into specifics would be a spoiler, haha. But yes, I do have a plan to write a song that uses multiple languages, although that song won’t be coming out within the next two years.
Q: Your vocals stand out strongly in both singles. Once the lyrics and melodies are finalized, what does your preparation for recording look like? Do you rehearse heavily or do you rely on capturing raw emotion in the booth? And do you have any rituals or practices that help clear your mind before stepping up to the mic?
RYLAI: Thanks a lot! I actually have my own setup where I can work and record freely, which gives me the freedom to experiment a lot on my own.
Before I go into recording, I usually have a vague idea of what kind of tone I want to sing with. But sometimes, once I actually start recording, things turn out differently than I expected. Even if I’ve found the tone that fits the song, during recording, there are often moments when a certain take feels more compelling than the others—maybe a bend comes out more attractively or a pronunciation feels much more expressive. That’s why even if I’m satisfied with the earlier takes, I still like to record a lot more and experiment further. I don’t really have a special routine for recording, aside from making sure I eat a good meal beforehand, since it takes a lot of energy. It’s not exactly a ritual before recording, but every Thursday night when I do laundry, I stop by karaoke while the machine is running and sing a few songs for practice. Every Wednesday, I post those karaoke singing videos on TikTok, so you can check them out!
Q: Looking ahead, who are the artists, whether global icons or indie peers, you
dream of collaborating with?
RYLAI: There are a lot of artists and producers who inspire me, whether in big or small ways, and I also have a list of artists I want to collaborate with. After this journey, I’d love to dive in and make those collabs happen!
Beyond those global icons, when I look around my own city and surroundings, I see peers who have carved out their own paths in niche fields. Drawing on their strengths might become part of the music I share with you in the future. I’d rather surprise people, you know :)
Q: Finally, from your debut “Without You” to now “Fall For You,” what do you feel has shifted most in you as an artist? And if you could leave one message that will bind listeners to your music through every chapter, what would it be?
RYLAI: Now I know that there are people who are really excited about what I’m doing, and people who truly love my song. We have three bomb tracks in stock—“Fall For You” is one of them. And you don’t want to miss a thing, so go listen right now. Don’t be the person who only discovers the song three months later and then comes back to read this interview, haha. Thank you so much for having me in this interview! I hope everybody has a great day! :D
Listen to RYLAI’s “Fall For You” now. Be a part of his unfolding musical story, and there’s a promise of a lot more to come.
What did you think of RYLAI’s “Fall For You?” Let us know by leaving a comment below or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X.
TO STAY UPDATED ON RYLAI: INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE MUSIC
ARTIST FACTS:
Name/Stage Name: RYLAI
Birthday: 24 December
Nationality: South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Fave Foods: Any good source of protein :D
Fave Drinks: Dr Pepper Zero calories, or Smoothie Beer
Fave Movies: Parasite
Day or Night?: Night
First Concert You Attended: Skrillex DJ set
Song you’re most proud of: There’s a song I wrote in my second year of high school that I still believe has the best melody I’ve ever written, even after all these years. That song won’t be released within the next ten years.
Edited by Sam Chacko
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