Meet Yujin Han | Jazz Pianist & Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yujin Han and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yujin, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
Because improvisation is unpredictable by nature, we can’t fully prepare for the unknown. The best approach is to appreciate the moment and find ways to respond to it.

While studying at Berklee, my mentor, Danilo Pérez, introduced us to fear training. It is about facing unexpected, unplanned situations with trust. My experience with it was to listen deeply to what was happening and decide what the music needed. Deep listening suggested a direction, and I decided what to do with it. Playing or remaining silent. This experience opened new possibilities for me, extending beyond music into life itself. I realized that sometimes leaving space is more powerful than adding more.

Another valuable lesson I learned is that improvisation is about appreciating the moment. If I carefully listen to the moments, it creates what we call magic. It’s essential never to go on autopilot—if you’re not fully present and simply rely on what you’ve done, the audience will notice. You’ll miss out on what the music could become. These magic moments bring joy, healing both the players and listeners.
As improvisers, we choose how to act and respond by embracing the unknown.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I compose and perform music, I want to create a meaningful listening experience for my audience. I believe in the healing power of music. Not only for those who listen but also for those who play it.
I have always sought to be different. As a child, if a friend asked my favorite color, I would choose another just to be unique. This extended to my taste in films and music. I was drawn to fresh, unconventional, and artful works rather than typical ones.
Jazz became the perfect choice for me because it embodies creativity. The more I study and play, the more I discover about world and myself. I aspire to be both a thoughtful musician and a strong communicator, expressing through my music.
Recently I graduated Berklee, I encountered many talented young musicians, and it was challenging to maintain a healthy mindset. I often compared myself to others and questioned whether I was good enough. While those doubts were overwhelmed, I have decided to believe ‘I do have a beautiful music inside me,’ and ‘I want to share it.’
Jazz, a deeply creative music, provides a safe space where each musician can fully be themselves.
My ultimate goal is to find my own answer of the question as an artist and to live the journey as fully and grandly as possible.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my family first. Thank you for being great life role models.
I learned sincerity from my father and mother. My mother prayed for my family every morning 5am so many years and my father dedicated himself to serving the country with diligence and commitment as a soldier his whole life. He recently retired after his service for 30 years. Congrats!! By watching them, I’ve learned what is caring and trusting with whole heart.
The reason I have been able to continue studying abroad and pursuing this demanding career is their guidance and faith in God. In every important and difficult decision, they encouraged me to discover what I truly want to do and supported me both financially and emotionally.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Berklee Global Jazz Institute!
They provided learning opportunities I could never have imagined. Their guidance helped me find the musical direction with various approaches at music, and their vision of making a positive impact on society transformed my values regarding life and music. Their insights and wisdom that I heard from the masters I met every week, became the fuel that kept me going through the challenges during my school years.
I also had the privilege of meeting incredibly talented friends who share the same dream. Practicing and performing with them allowed me to experience the pure joy and excitement that music brings.

Instagram: @yujinhands_

Image Credits
Peaches.n.cream photo
Seoyeon Park