Michelle Zauner is a Korean American artist who has gained fame as the lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, but was raised in the small town of Eugene, Oregon. After living in New York, Zauner moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she currently resides. She hopes to eventually return to New York, as she believes it to be more affordable and possessing better Asian cuisine options than Philadelphia.
In addition to her music career, Zauner is also an accomplished writer. She was the winner of a Glamour essay writing contest and her first memoir was released in 2021. The memoir focused on the happy days before her mother's battle with cancer, as well as Zauner's efforts to teach herself Korean cuisine and language in an attempt to connect with her mother's heritage. Despite her many accomplishments, Zauner has expressed regret for not taking the opportunity to perform for Maangchi, a Korean cooking hero and YouTube personality.
Zauner has released several critically acclaimed albums as Japanese Breakfast, including "Psychopomp" in 2016 and "Soft Sounds from Another Planet" in 2017. Her music is known for its dreamy, shoegaze-inspired indie pop sound. In addition to her music and writing careers, Zauner is also a talented cook and has discussed her love of food in interviews and in her writing.