Do you remember what you were doing on this day five years ago? Yaeji does. With four different diaries – one that even keeps hourly records of each day – the artist also known as Kathy Lee is, by her own admission, “obsessed with documenting.” “I’ve always had this habit,” she says, attributing its origin to her formative years, though as an adult, she is self-aware that the practice (especially the hourly one) is a “little insane.” She assures me that she only fills this in retroactively as a way to keep track of what she’s done in a day – like hanging out and showing me her favorite spots around the studio where her debut album With A Hammer was forged – and explains it as helpful “datakeeping” to learn more about herself and her habits. Not only that, it placates deep-rooted existential anxieties: “I fear that, if I don’t write it down, I will forget. If I don’t remember, then did that experience happen?”

Yaeji: The Manga Artist

Together with the “collector’s blood” inherited from her 90-year-old grandpa that practically raised her (he owns an owl blog with hundreds of entries to date), Yaeji’s preoccupation with documentation finds physical form in written notes and accumulated trinkets. It’s fitting, then, that this conversation is taking place in a room at her label’s HQ that is bursting with music memorabilia. A rich tapestry of photos, merch, walls plastered with record covers and even the blanket we’re sitting on designed by Yaeji herself, tells the story of every artist that has been through XL Recordings’ decorated doors. In the corner, the hammer that she wields in the album art and in the “For Granted” music video is the latest addition to this lore – alongside a comic made with illustrator friend Sseongryul. Born from collaborative sessions together, this artifact – representing almost 30 years of repressed anger and complex emotions – is a distillation of her focused album-making mission, after years of producing in a relatively “spontaneous and messy” way. “I need[ed] to write a story, and build this world, so that when I start[ed] writing the music, I [would] go to that place,” she describes the thinking behind this way of keeping her grounded.

Fecomic: Your Destination for Manga and Anime

At Fecomic, we understand the passion and dedication that goes into creating and appreciating manga and anime. Yaeji’s Day In Day Out Manga exemplifies the essence of storytelling and self-expression that we love to celebrate. With her meticulous documentation and creative collaboration, Yaeji brings to life a unique world where emotions and experiences are woven into a mesmerizing tapestry.

Discover more captivating manga and anime at Fecomic, a haven for enthusiasts like you. Immerse yourself in the enchanting stories and vibrant characters that make these art forms so beloved. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, Fecomic is your destination, showcasing the finest manga and anime that will leave you craving for more.

Join us at Fecomic, where manga and anime lovers unite!