Artist Hwang So Yoon has expanded her career into film scoring by acting as the music director for the animated movie Pilgrims Don’t Return, which releases its original soundtrack worldwide today, according to sportschosun.com.
Hwang So Yoon Releases Seventeen Tracks for Animated Film
The soundtrack album features a total of 17 tracks, including an ending song sung directly by Hwang So Yoon. The project originated from a proposal by director Heo Pyeong-gang. It was completed through a collaboration with Milan Records, a label that has previously released soundtracks for films like Midsommar, Poor Things, Challengers, and Minari, as reported by sportschosun.com.
Hwang Soyoon (SE SO NEON) debut sebagai pengarah musik film melalui animasi 'Pilgrims'Album OST 'Pilgrims' terdiri dari 17 lagu, termasuk lagu penutup film yang dinyanyikan oleh Hwang Soyoon.Film yang tayang perdana di bulan Juni 2026 ini akan merilis album OST nya tanggal 14… pic.twitter.com/ZMXC191TvU
To focus on the production, Hwang relocated to the United States. She aimed to break away from traditional animation music conventions and create a diverse range of tracks that fit the film’s specific atmosphere. Rather than translating character narratives directly into lyrics, she connected the themes of love and longing explored in the movie to her own environment during the production process.
Guitar and Traditional Instruments Shape the Musical Style
Hwang built the score around the guitar—an instrument she has played for a long time—while adding janggu samples and analog synthesizers to create a distinct sonic palette. Etnews.com noted that she described the resulting music as more authentically her own than any of her ongoing projects, calling it rough yet pure and warm.
Hwang explained her artistic approach for the film. “Because it’s a movie that asks heavy questions about what love is and what we should pursue, I wanted to make music that stays by the side of the movie rather than something flashy and stylish,” she said.
Future Projects and Solo Career Expansion
Having started her career with the band SE SO NEON before establishing herself as a solo artist, Hwang continues to widen her professional scope. Her transition into a film music director marks a new chapter, bringing her delicate expressive style and distinct musical identity to the project.
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