Shubostar on Cosmic Disco, Aliens, and Why Her Music Line Would Be… Naked

South Korean-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Shubostar has built her orbit around what she calls cosmic disco: a blend of light and dark, glitter and gravity, psychedelia without the psychedelics. Having lived and danced across Seoul, Mexico City, Bangkok, and Berlin, her sound is less about geography and more astral projection — like disco if it was beamed down from Jupiter.

Shubostar shot by ChadPark

With her own label uju (cosmic), a string of hypnotic productions like Estacion Espacial, and sets that feel half spaceship launch, half cult ceremony, Shubostar is carving out her own galactic lane. She’s been called “cosmic,” “dark,” even “visionary,” but she describes herself as something far less glamorous: a monk. Minimalist, DIY, always moving, always searching.

We shot her some ultra-playful cosmic questions — from aliens to cheat codes to whether DJs are astronauts or cult leaders — and she delivered answers as magnetic and mischievous as you'd hope.

You describe your sound as “cosmic disco.” Be honest — how many psychedelic trips did it take to unlock this musical awareness?

Honestly, no trips needed. I got my musical awareness the old-fashioned way — living like a minimalist monk, with no distractions, no clutter, just music, exercise, and meditation. That’s when cosmic disco came up.

If disco is light, and dark disco is shadow… what’s cosmic disco?

It’s the mixture — like the swirling clouds on Jupiter, where light and dark dance together.

If you could delete one decade of music history, which one’s gone?

There was a time when mainstream TV actually supported underground Korean indie rock and invited bands to perform. But then one crazy band came on, pulled their pants down, and it all went on air. After that, the support ended, and so did the indie rock boom. If I could delete a decade, it would be that one.

Game design was your first creative language. When you DJ now, do you still think like a coder, like you’re programming an emotional cheat code?

I cast a kind of magic code on myself. When I play the tracks I want to hear and dance to, it turns out that’s exactly what everyone else wants too. If I’m not having fun on stage, the crowd can feel it instantly.

You’ve lived and partied in Korea, Mexico, Thailand, Berlin… can you describe each city’s nightlife with 3–5 words?

• Korea: Drink, more drink, and more drink

• Mexico: Mezcal, beer, and corazón

• Thailand: Beautiful chaos, excitement, and repeat

• Berlin: Dance, more dance, and never stop

Do you think DJs are more like astronauts or cult leaders?

Usually, when I play at clubs or festivals at night, I feel more like an astronaut — sitting in the cockpit, guiding people on a safe journey. But outdoors or during the day, I feel a bit like a cult leader, receiving the energy of the universe and passing it on.

In the press they call you “cosmic,” “dark,” “visionary.” What’s the least sexy, yet accurate, word you’d use to describe yourself?

Monk. Totally unsexy, right? Living like a minimalist, traveling like a hungry backpacker — far from a party girl.

Tell us about your view on aliens? Any theories?

I recently saw an Instagram ad saying that if you look young, haven’t broken any bones, and animals approach you easily, you might be a Starseed. I didn’t pay to find out what kind, but honestly, I often feel like an alien observing humans — Earthseed, I’m definitely not one of them.

What’s the most DIY thing you’ve done to keep your independence in this industry?

Honestly, there’s nothing I’ve done that wasn’t DIY. Independence is just my default setting.

If you could beam one of your tracks directly into the headphones of teenage you in Korea, which would it be?

“Estacion Espacial” — yes, she would definitely know it’s her track.

Do you secretly prefer raves as sweaty human chaos, or are we all destined for the Metaverse?

As human beings, no matter how many virtual realities surround us, it’s hard to let go of the craving for places where our energies truly merge. That’s because it’s there we recharge, where we really feel alive.

Shubostar shot by ChadPark

You call your label uju (cosmic). But if space is infinite, does that mean your tracklist technically never ends?

The potential of our label might be endless, but I’m human — I have limits. So eventually, there will be an end. (sad)

Kill your ego — that’s the ultimate cheat code.

What’s more intimidating: playing your first Burning Man set, or facing the final boss in an 8-bit dungeon?

Obviously the final boss. Playing my first Burning Man set wasn’t scary — it was something I was used to. There was just a bit of thrill and excitement, and I was really looking forward to how much fun the stage would be.

If Enter The Void was a video game, what cheat code would unlock the secret level?

Kill your ego — that’s the ultimate cheat code.

Do you believe music can time-travel?

Hell yeah! These days, I feel DJs are playing older tracks more often than the newest ones.

If aliens came to earth and asked you to explain humanity with one track, what would you play?

Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood & The Rajasthan Express – Junun

What’s your most cosmic studio ritual?

In the corner of my studio, next to a small areca palm, I have stones I’ve collected from around the world, the source of my energy. There’s also a photo of my mom, and a bag of nuts and dried fruit.

Do you think rave culture is already half-virtual? Are we all just NPCs in black sportswear?

I guess everyone else is basically an NPC — me being the only player, somehow.

If your music had a fashion line, what would it look like?

Naked.

What’s the weirdest compliment a fan has ever given you mid-set?

During a recent HÖR set, a fan complimented how my hair was swaying in the lights — can’t say I expected that.