DJ CHEN: “It's been incredible just seeing all the people that have come out to every show…”

Apr 12

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EVERLAST KOREA is proud to present an exclusive interview with DJ CHEN! On Saturday, January 11, 2025, DJ CHEN began his 2025 Tour and Residency for Kpop Club Night. From starting off in San Francisco, California, to embarking on a 50+ more stop tour throughout the rest of this year, let’s dive more into what Kpop Club Night is all about, as well as learn more about DJ CHEN and his experience with K-Pop fans across Canada and the United States!

THIS IS DJ CHEN

Based in Los Angeles, California, Andrew Chen is an experienced music industry professional, but as DJ CHEN, he is a club, tour, event, and mobile DJ. Born and raised in New Jersey, Andrew Chen had an eventful childhood filled with skills, passions, and different hobbies. He played basketball and volleyball, played different instruments including the cello, trumpet, and trombone, but also loved to watch sports and play video games in his free time. While in middle school, Andrew Chen’s love and passion for DJing came to life after listening to EDM and Dubstep for the first time, but it wasn’t until his freshman year of high school at just 14 years old, when he joined the DJ Club and started to DJ himself. After evolving and developing his skills, the first gig Andrew Chen booked was at 16 years old for a surprise birthday party, which included a 3-hour set that changed his life forever. Even though he was nervous to perform his first-ever DJ set in front of a live audience, after receiving positive feedback from the crowd and getting his first-ever paycheck of $400, he realized how rewarding that experience was, and it’s what motivated him to keep going and pursue a career as a DJ. Andrew Chen and DJ CHEN would later make memorable moments and gain valuable experiences within the music industry from here on out.

With 8 years of professional experience, Andrew Chen has expanded his skills and knowledge on many fronts within the music industry. From concessions to the box office, from marketing to artist management, from promotions to community engagement, these are just some of the professional experiences Andrew Chen has gained over the years. In 2017, Andrew Chen began his professional experience within the music industry while attending Drexel University, and he also participated in the Well Dunn Foundation’s Program and Endeavor’s The Excellent Program. Andrew Chen began working with local companies based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, such as Mad Dragon Music, Dragon Concert Series, Steez Promo, and Culture Fusion Agency. He then went on to work with companies based in New York City, such as 237 Global, Soka Talent Group, Red Light Management, and Press Here Publicity. There are other companies and organizations that Andrew worked for throughout the years, but to emphasize, he has also worked with well-established and globally known companies like Wasserman Music, Insomniac Events, Goldenvoice, and The Recording Academy. Highlighting his professional career within the K-Pop sector of entertainment, Andrew Chen worked for EN Management, an independent management and entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California. EN Management was created and formerly operated by Eddie Nam, who most notably managed the act EPIK HIGH, as well as solo artists Eric Nam and Jamie Miller. Andrew Chen worked as an Executive Assistant at EN Management, where he worked on Eric Nam’s There and Back Again 2022 Tour in North America. Additionally, Andrew Chen worked for POWERHOUSE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, an event and concert promoter company based in Los Angeles, California. POWERHOUSE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT has been hosting Korean-related events and artist concerts worldwide since 2008, and has worked with Korean actors and artists, athletes and sports leagues, art exhibitions and cultural events, and more. Andrew Chen worked as a VIP Assistant for ATEEZ’s 2022 THE FELLOWSHIP: BREAK THE WALL North America Tour at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where he helped set up and clean up VIP locations, managed VIP ticket holder-related inquiries, and arranged and distributed VIP wristbands and merchandise. To date, Andrew Chen has garnered 18 years of musical experience and is continuing to evolve his music career and professional experience through his passion for being behind-the-scenes at live events and DJing his very own sets at numerous events on a yearly and consistent basis. After gaining valuable networks and experience within the world of live events, Andrew Chen has moved onto the next chapter of his career as DJ CHEN.

With 13 years of DJing experience, Andrew Chen’s next move career-wise was to focus on booking gigs as DJ CHEN. From 2018 to 2023, DJ CHEN evolved his work from smaller parties and big weddings to performing as an opener and closer for other DJs and artists' concerts, as well as performing his own DJ sets at many events and festivals nationwide. In 2024, he most notably became a Resident DJ for Kpop Club Night, a Canadian-based event organizer hosting DJ sets and performances in nightclubs with its dedication to playing K-Pop music and connecting K-Pop fandoms across the country. Kpop Club Night’s DJs play a wide range of music from solo artists to idol groups, from K-R&B to K-Indie, from 1st Gen artists to 5th Gen artists, and beyond. In an exclusive podcast episode on BibimPOP with Sean, DJ CHEN stated, “You know, when I think about the world, there's just a lot of stress and a lot of pressure and just a lot of expectations that people are feeling. And to have an event where people can go to this space (Kpop Club Night) that just is inclusive of everyone, where people can just get down, have a good time, dance the night away – we need more of that, and especially in like a K-Pop space.” Over the years, DJ CHEN has opened for and supported the likes of P-Lo, Gryffin, Alan Walker, Cheat Codes, ILLENIUM, and many more. Additionally, he has participated in K-Pop fan events with his own DJ sets in collaboration with the likes of XGALX, Pledis Entertainment, and HYBE LABELS. Overall, DJ CHEN has gained valuable experience behind-the-scenes and on-stage throughout the years, and his dedicated listeners and followers are looking forward to seeing him again throughout his 2025 Tour with Kpop Club Night. Definitely stay in the loop and see what the rave is all about with DJ CHEN by attending one of his Kpop Club Night events, by watching his DJ sets at festivals, and even at other DJ and artists' concerts where he could make a special appearance.

LET’S WELCOME DJ CHEN

EVERLAST KOREA: Hi DJ CHEN! Thank you so much for joining us today. We are excited to conduct our first-ever exclusive interview with you. How have you been doing lately since the start of the new year?

DJ CHEN: Hi John, EVERLAST KOREA, and EVERLASTERS! I’ve been doing amazing, thank you so much for asking. It’s been a blessing just being able to travel around the country, DJing – doing what I love – and having the support of friends, family, colleagues, peers, and more importantly, the attendees and fans. It’s been really, really amazing!

HELLO, THIS IS DJ CHEN

EVERLAST KOREA: What's one fun fact or interesting hobby that your fans might not know about you?

DJ CHEN: Oh, that’s a good question! I would say that what most people don’t know about me is that I am a HUGE basketball fan. I grew up playing basketball and volleyball – I liked both sports, but preferred basketball – and I still play a bit to this day, and I also still love watching the NBA. So, right now, I am rooting for the New York Knicks because they’ve been doing well, and also it’s kind of my hometown team, since I’m from New Jersey.

EVERLAST KOREA: When you're traveling to perform at shows, what's one thing you always pack or have with you on the road?

DJ CHEN: One must have that I always bring on the road, other than the obvious things like my laptop, USBs, and my headphones are earplugs. I always bring earplugs, no matter where I go, and I bring backup earplugs as well. Ear damage is no joke, and the fact that I am DJing for a living, I need to protect my hearing. So, earplugs are a MUST wherever I go.

EVERLAST KOREA: What’s the most unexpected genre of music you enjoy listening to that people wouldn’t guess by looking at your DJ sets?

DJ CHEN: Oh, that’s another really great question! I would say as a whole genre, R&B – R&B is my favorite genre. Lately, I have been listening to Giveon, he’s great. I’ve been listening to his record, TWENTIES, which recently dropped, and I love that record. I also really like Bryson Tiller, SZA, Ella Mai, H.E.R, etc. There are a lot of other great singers and artists out there. And the latest from Jennie and Doechii, “ExtraL,” is a BANGER! I just played it in my set on Saturday (February 22, 2025) in Orlando, Florida, after the song dropped that Friday, and I would say it’s already a club record.

EVERLAST KOREA: Can you please share how you first got into DJing and what drew you to the world of music?

DJ CHEN: At first, what got me into music in general was being a music kid from the beginning. I played the cello for two years, and then switched over to the trumpet because I thought it was cool. So, I actually was a band kid from elementary school, and I was also in choir for a couple of years. Then I played the trombone, and switched over from playing the trumpet because I saw myself as just an average trumpet player, and I wasn’t very good. My band director at the time recommended that I try something with a bigger mouth piece, so I checked out all the low brass instruments, and I ended up wanting to play the trombone because it looked like it was fun to play – it was much, much better playing the trumpet.
I’ve always been involved in music, so what got me into DJing was my interest in listening to Dubstep and EDM, which was around 7th and 8th grade. For starters, I was listening to Skrillex – he definitely became one of my inspirations, and he’s one of the reasons why I am doing what I am doing now. Hearing the record, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” that’s what really drew me into the genre of Dubstep. Then I went on YouTube to look up other DJ sets from other artists like Zed, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, and so many others. To hear all of these artists’ songs and to watch them perform at festivals like EDC, Tomorrowland, or Ultra, I was like, “wow that looks really cool,” and “I want to do that.” So, in my freshman year of high school, coincidentally enough, there was a club called, “DJ Club,” and it was run by two upperclassmen. This was really how I got my foot in the door, which was with the DJ Club, and that’s how I started learning how to DJ at 14 years old. They taught all the basics, and that’s how I got my start.

DJING EXPERIENCE

EVERLAST KOREA: What was your first DJ set like, and how did it feel to perform in front of an audience as a DJ for the first time?

DJ CHEN: I would say the first real paying gig I got was when I was 16 (years old), and it was for someone’s dad’s surprise birthday party. I definitely felt a little nervous because it was my first time playing in front of strangers, and I was getting paid to provide a service, so I was like, “I can’t mess this up right?”
Fortunately, my dad helped me set everything up. I am also very grateful that he helped me get the equipment I needed in order to do the gig – a microphone, DJ controllers, speakers, lighting, etc. I just did what the client at the time wanted, and I made sure that I had all of their songs. Once that was out of the way, after the first 30-45 minutes or so, I felt a lot more comfortable, and I started to notice like no one was screaming or yelling at me. In general, I hadn’t gotten any bad or negative feedback, and that’s when I knew that this gig was really dope.
When I was packing at the end of the night, and I noticed how much money I got from it, I was like “wow, I can actually do something and have it be something I can actually pursue potentially.” It felt really good to get some bucks as a 16 year old, and I only worked for like 3-4 hours, then I got $400.00. That’s not bad at all, and it was very rewarding.

EVERLAST KOREA: What’s been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your DJ career, and how did you overcome it?

DJ CHEN: I'd say one of the biggest challenges I faced was during a period of time after I had graduated from college. Last year, I initially became unemployed, after I was let go from my full-time job that was based in LA. During this time, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do, and just regarding DJing, I asked myself, “where can I go with this” or “should I just look for other opportunities for DJing?” But I was struggling a bit when I was researching to find other job opportunities, and wondering where I could find other opportunities to DJ out in LA.
Prior to being let go, I was only working full-time, at my full-time job. So I focused, purely, all of my time and energy on that. When the news broke, it was very unexpected. There was a point where I was trying to figure things out, and I was also thinking if I wanted to spend more time and hone in on producing and making my own music. I would say how I overcame it was through graciously getting another opportunity to get me out of the house and work part-time. The biggest thing, though, was definitely becoming a Resident DJ for Kpop Club Night. And that is what led me to do what I do now, and I really enjoy what I do. So, that's how I did it!

EVERLAST KOREA: What are some of the key elements that you focus on to create a seamless flow between songs and to help keep the energy up throughout your sets?

DJ CHEN: I'd say some of the key elements that I focus on is one of the rules or one of the things you learn when you first learn how to DJ – you need to be able to read a crowd. This is not necessarily a skill that can be taught, it's more of you just having to look out into the crowd every so often, and honestly see whether or not they're vibing to a song. So, I always have my head up and I glance around and see like, “oh, are these people, the fans, whoever's in the crowd, are they having a good time? Are they singing? Are they dancing? Are they moving around? Are they, you know, going crazy or are they not really feeling it? They're kind of just standing around, you know, or like they seem bored or what not.” I make sure that I'm always reading the crowd and making sure that the crowd is liking what they're hearing or they're liking the music I play – that’s the key.
Also, when I mix, especially with any set in general, depending on what time I'm playing, what my role is for the night, whether I'm opening, headlining, or closing, as a DJ, I always read the room, see what's already been played, and go off of the genres that I've been told to play – “oh, this is kind of the vibe, this is kind of what we go for here (in terms of music styles)” – and I just do my due diligence and research that prior to the set. So, when I get there it's a lot less stressful, and I already have an idea of what I'm going to play and what kind of vibe I'm going for.
For some folks, it takes them longer to nail down that skill compared to others. What I have noticed though, at least from the smaller cities that I've played at, they're definitely more fans of newer groups. I like to incorporate playing smaller artists that the crowd requested, especially if it's records I haven't played out before or songs I've never heard of before. But I'm like, “hey, clearly, x y and z, is popular. I should definitely play their record out in this city.” But overall, there isn't too much of a difference between the energies of each city.
For example, specifically with Kpop Club Night, during the week before a show, there'll be TikTok videos that are posted on their account, and attendees can request their songs on the TikTok videos because it will be for a specific date and a specific city. So, I like to make sure that I compile all of those songs and incorporate as many of those as I possibly can. Of course, you know, sometimes it'll be folks that will request stuff, they'll put it on their phone and they'll show to me, but usually I like to try and accommodate as many of those requests as I can because I'd say a good, you know, 9 times out of 10, it's actually a great request or like a good song I wasn’t thinking of playing at the time.
I tell myself, “let me prepare this, let me tag this, and save this for later.” I've also learned a lot from the fans and from the attendees of who they're requesting, and I take in that knowledge as well.

EVERLAST KOREA: You’re planning to release your own music soon, which is very exciting! What can listeners expect from your upcoming tracks?

DJ CHEN: Currently, I don't really have anything necessarily in the works, but I do have multiple DJ mixes and edits, as well as mashups that are on my pages on both SoundCloud and MixCloud. And, yeah, on my Linktree too (link is down below).
There's a lot of great mixes that I put up all across different genres from K-Pop to EDM to Hip-hop, R&B, Pop. Almost any genre you can imagine, I have a mix of it. All that's already posted, and at the moment, I’m always coming up with new ideas for mixes, for edits, and for mashups. So, please stay tuned to all of that when it comes out.

2025 KPOP CLUB NIGHT TOUR

EVERLAST KOREA: How did the opportunity to tour with Kpop Club Night come about?

DJ CHEN: So, I'm very grateful to DJ Yuka. I initially reached out to DJ Yuka via Instagram, she responded back, and that's how it all started. She is the one that really brought me onboard as a Resident DJ. Her and the team were very grateful for me to join. After getting interviewed, submitting a mix, and doing two different sets in two different cities last year, they brought me onboard in September 2024.

EVERLAST KOREA: K-Pop has a huge and dedicated fan-base. How has performing for this particular audience influenced your approach to DJing?

DJ CHEN: Honestly for myself, I am also a K-Pop fan and music listener. I definitely understand the mindset, and also what K-Pop fans like – this was definitely a big plus for me. The group that really got me into K-Pop as a fan was BLACKPINK. So, back in 2020, that's when I really started diving in. It was the “DDU-DU DDU-DU” music video and I was like, “wait, this is sick!” Like, the production, obviously, the record itself, the instrumentals, and their vocals – it was so crazy seeing that much production in a music video. I'd never seen that before, and that made me intrigued. At the end of it, I was like, “this is really dope! Everyone's so talented, and they can all sing and rap.” That's what led me down the whole K-Pop rabbit hole.
I'd say currently, who I've been listening to a lot lately is LE SSERAFIM and aespa, as well as TWICE. I’ve also been enjoying BLACKPINK and TWICE, and even on the male group side, ATEEZ and Stray Kids are super dope, and NCT 127, they're dope too. TXT and ENHYPEN also – I'm always listening to so many artists and groups. But, yeah, I would say those groups especially. It's been and has been cool.
I've gone to a few concerts as well, and I've seen some of those artists that I had mentioned. I've seen aespa twice, I've seen TWICE three times, and I've seen BLACKPINK twice. I've seen ITZY once too, and I saw IU last year – just incredible. And I've also seen like ENHYPEN and ATEEZ, once each. There's so many great artists and even more from the K-R&B side with artists like DEAN. Well, everyone's just so talented.
Recently, I would say “Whiplash” by aespa, is one that I would play. This goes great in the club! It's definitely a club banger already. I like playing “GGUM” by Yeonjun as well, and when I transition into “Whiplash” because they're both around the same tempo, and they're both the same key, it becomes very important. So, when you're listening to it, it's a super clean transition.
You know, when I started to DJ and I played K-Pop music back in 2021, it’s already been four years, and I'd say performing for K-Pop fans is very much more based on song selection versus technical skills and technical mixing. Obviously, whenever I play and mix, I still incorporate those technical elements like loops and I love scratching – I scratch at every show, and even if it's not super audible or loud, I'm still doing it. It's a matter of playing what people wanna hear and playing the right songs. More importantly, one of my favorite parts about DJing is when you play a song that people weren't expecting to hear – it’s one of my favorite parts because you just hear and see from the crowd, and get even more of a reaction out of those songs, especially songs that are from smaller groups or smaller artists, and even just playing a big song from a bigger group. But maybe, you know, it's not as commonly heard or whatnot at a club or at Kpop Club Night. So, I love that I'm able to set that environment and vibe with it by doing that.

EVERLAST KOREA: K-Pop music is so diverse, with genres ranging from pop to hip-hop, from reggaeton to EDM, and much more. How do you curate the setlist for a Kpop Club Night event?

DJ CHEN: I do not play the same set, from one city to another. For each city, I make sure I have all of the song requests, I have all of the songs ready to go, and more specifically in a folder – that way I can just easily go through and have it all in one place. So, I like to go off of that and play the majority of the songs that I'm playing based on that specific night, as a request. And also, like, I'll take some requests the night of the show, as more people and the attendees get inside the venue. But also there's sometimes songs I think of on the fly, and then I'm like, “oh, this would be good to play right now,” so, I would prepare that, tag that song, and go about it that way. But that's how I usually curate all my sets, and I just like having, you know, everything in one place, so it's all there. But when I mix, when I actually play the records, all I do is play everything on the fly.

EVERLAST KOREA: What has been your most memorable moment so far, while touring with Kpop Club Night?

DJ CHEN: I would say it's been incredible just seeing all the attendees! And now for the fans, who have come and see me DJ, especially in the cities I've played at more than once now, it’s awesome. Seeing repeat attendees / fans, and hearing from them and seeing their enthusiasm, as well as getting their feedback, it’s rewarding. I love interacting with all of them, hearing from them, and seeing what they thought of the show – as it helps me a lot by getting that feedback. If there are any improvements or anything I can do on my end, I will make sure that I can make an even more enjoyable experience.
Also, I would actually say one specific moment that stands out to me is just how incredible it was seeing thousands of people over these past few months, but I just played in Orlando, Florida on Friday, February 21st, and it was my second time playing in that city. I received a poster saying, “Happy Birthday DJ Chen,” since it was my birthday the day before the show. It was very sweet, and it was signed by a lot of the attendees. Now from the fans, it was very, very special getting that poster because it was the first time I ever received something like that. So, it was very heartwarming.

HERE’S TO THE FUTURE

EVERLAST KOREA: Since the new year just started, do you have any goals that you would like to accomplish this year or are there any specific milestones you would like to reach as a DJ?

DJ CHEN: I would say goals that I would like to accomplish this year, for me, number one is to keep expanding Kpop Club Night. Working with my team and playing in different cities, especially ones that usually do not get K-Pop shows or concerts, and in general don’t get a lot or only receive very few chances to see shows, it’s been great. So, I want to mainly focus on really expanding these events, and we just started doing that ever since I joined the team in September 2024. For example, I played in cities and states like Boise, Idaho, Birmingham, Alabama, Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida, and more. Those were Kpop Club Nights’ first times ever playing in those specific cities, and we are planning on doing even more. Fingers crossed that it works out!
We're trying to mostly focus on getting shows out in the Midwest, the South, and Southeast as, from my research, those areas do not get a lot of K-Pop shows or any types of these club nights or club events in general. So, expanding Kpop Club Night and also expanding the team as well by bringing on other DJs who can help and assist, can be a part of the K-Pop experience. So, that's what I would love to see.
On a more personal level, doing more gigs across different genres in LA, California, and beyond would be awesome. Also, picking up even more side gigs, mobile gigs, like weddings or sweet sixteens, birthday parties, that kind of thing. Just putting my name more out there in the eyes of the public, as someone who is well rounded, is capable, and professional in playing multiple genres, it would be nice to gain more opportunities.

EVERLAST KOREA: Now that you have reflected on your experiences from this past year, as well as your whole journey of becoming the DJ that you are today, what are some next steps for you as you continue to further develop your own individual name and career within the music industry?

DJ CHEN: I would say utilizing social media and word-of-mouth to expand my brand, can help me develop who I am as a DJ and MC, and then eventually have the ability to produce music. But, you know, I need to keep utilizing these tools and different websites to get feedback from other peers and friends, especially those who are musicians themselves or DJs – getting their feedback is important.

EVERLAST KOREA: Are there any other upcoming activities and/or promotions that you can share with EVERLASTERS and fellow K-Pop fans, in which they can look forward to seeing more of you in the near future?

DJ CHEN: Yes! So, for Kpop Club Night, you will see me all across North America, more specifically the US and Canada this year. I will be traveling over in both countries through the remainder of this year. And you will likely see me in a city near you! So, please stay tuned in with me and Kpop Club Night on social media.

EVERLAST KOREA: As always, we want to end our exclusive interviews with a question that caters to your dedicated fan-base! What have your listeners and fellow K-Pop fans meant to you, as they’ve shown support for you as a DJ and for the music you create and/or mash together?

DJ CHEN: They've meant everything to me. They've meant the world, and, you know, without them, I would not be able to do any of this. I wouldn't be able to do what I do now, and just the fact that I'm traveling, I am grateful. Like, I'm flying to different cities, different states, and eventually different countries, for one reason, you know, to play K-Pop and Korean music. It's been an honor – I always feel so lucky whenever I go on the road and travel to a new city because I know it's not like everybody gets to have this opportunity to even just travel and do what they love and really take it all in, as well as see what the world has to offer. It's been incredible just seeing all the people that have come out to every show, and for those who have gotten to know me a bit more as a person and even as a DJ. Those specific moments have been incredible.
And I'll say this, in every city there's always at least one person who will reach out to me on Instagram, prior to the show just to get to know me a bit more or if they have specific song requests. But I'll say specifically, I just played in Boise, Idaho, just about four weeks ago, in early February. One of the attendees, we've gotten a bit closer, and his name is Young. Young reached out to me on Instagram and mentioned that he helps run a group, called Idaho K-pop Stans. And it's a great community up in Idaho with many other K-Pop fans. He reached out to me to see if he could meet with me and also introduce me to his dance team, which was really sweet over dinner. So, he invited me to dinner and right before the show, I met all of his friends and his dance crew, and we all had wonderful sushi before the show. I got to know all of his friends a bit more and see what it was really like growing up in Idaho, since I didn’t know anybody that was born or grew up in Idaho. So, that was a very special moment that I've had so far. Just meeting so many people who have the same interests and especially in different cities. Like, I would have never thought like, “oh, Boise, Idaho.” Like, who would have known? But, it was a very special moment.

CREDITS

We want to give a big thank you to McCayla McClard and Kpop Club Night for allowing EVERLAST KOREA to cover DJ CHEN’s activities and promotions. We also want to give a special thank you to Andrew Chen for spending time with EVERLAST KOREA in order to conduct this exclusive interview.

SOURCES

All photos and videos are credited to Kpop Club Night.

FOLLOW DJ CHEN

DJ CHEN – TikTok
DJ CHEN – Twitch
DJ CHEN – YouTube
DJ CHEN – Facebook
DJ CHEN – Instagram
DJ CHEN - Official Website

DJ CHEN – Spotify
DJ CHEN – MixCloud
DJ CHEN – SoundCloud
DJ CHEN – Official Links

K-POPDJ CHENKpop Club NightMusicToursEventsFan EventsK-Pop CommunityDJsInterviewsExclusivesEdition 2025Digital Magazine

John (존)

Media Coordinator

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-brazelton-82aa6a1a6/