How to Release Your First Album Without a Label | Why Indie Singer Lee Gyeom-bi Chose Funding
Updated: July 9, 2026
It's helpful for people like this
- Who wants to start a music career without an agency
- a creator who wants to pay for the production of his first album
- Artist who wants to make an album with fans
- Anyone wondering if sponsorship funding is right for me
You'll find out when you read this
- Why did you produce your first album with funding instead of your agency
- How creators create projects with their fans
- Key points in the funding story where the sponsor is "on my side."
Indie singer Lee Seung-mbi, who chose to make an album with his fans instead of signing an agency contract, is preparing his first album by meeting 110 supporters with Wadiz funding. Where and how do I meet people who will make my dream a reality that I only had in my head? The story of Lee Seung-gambi Maker, who chose Wadiz-sponsored funding to pay for the music album, will be a hint.
Funding information for Lee Seung Gambi Maker
| Project title | [Singer Lee Seung Gambi] The first project of the failed singer's album production |
| Funding category | Sponsor/fandom funding |
| Number of supporters | 110 people |
| Funding Achievement Rate | 299% |
| the amount of money raised by funding | 2,692,000 won |
Lee Seung Gambi, a singer who visits fans in person
Q. Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I'm Lee Seung Gambi. When I was young, I moved to India, lived for about 15 years, and then returned to Korea when I was 20. I really liked singing since I was young, and it's been about three years since I started singing.
There aren't many places that call me, so I started a content earlier this year to meet the fans in person, "Let's go anywhere." From Gwanaksan in Seoul, Daegu, and Jeju Island, I go to places where my fans sing and upload videos of me singing.
Why did you choose to make an album with your followers instead of an agency
Q. I'm curious about why you made the album with funding, not the agency.
Originally, there was an agency that was preparing music, but I heard that if you release music, you have to sign a contract and there may be restrictions on social media activities. I decided not to sign a contract because I thought I might not be able to communicate with my favorite followers.
As a result, it bothered me that "I'm a singer, but I don't have any songs," and I thought about making something with my followers. Funding was the best way then. Followers can participate directly and share the process of making it.
Q. I don't think it would have been easy to prepare alone without an agency.
That's right. Actually, I was going to do it by myself at first. But it's one way to get help when you need it. Without funding, it would not have been easy to do it alone without people who help and support and create opportunities.
Q. While writing the funding story, was there anything you wanted people to know about this?
I went to the song camp with the people who make the album together. There's a design team and a composition team, and everyone is putting a lot of effort into it. It wasn't just the concept of working hard, but I felt that people who really wanted to do it were getting together and trying to create something. So, I'm so grateful that you just do it when you're funding, but I thought it would be even more meaningful if you do it with the heart of supporting someone's dream.
Cheers from 102 supporters who have been on my side
Q. What was the reaction of the supporters?
So far, *102 supporters have been with us. "Your voice is good," "Please make your dreams come true instead of yourself," and "I'll support you until you achieve your dreams." It was a short article, but I felt your sincerity, so I was really grateful. I don't know them, but I felt like I had my side. It's hard to do it unless you're serious that you're supporting us with time and money.
*Number of participating supporters as of the time of the interview (110 as of the end of the project)
Q. What did you feel through funding?
I only imagined that I wanted to do what I wanted to do, but the people who supported me with funding made it a real reality. Thanks to this, I gained confidence that I could do it, and I also gained the courage that I could do what I wanted to do in the future. I hope a lot of people are interested in my funding, and because of that, I hope that people who have similar concerns to me can be encouraged by seeing their success.
A message to creators with similar dreams
Q. How is the album production going?
The lyrics are complete, and now we're arranging it in a pop style. I'm making an album cover and inlay, my handwritten letter, CD, and design notes to give as a funding reward. We will also hold a two-day concert on July 31st and August 1st because we want to meet our supporters in person and express our gratitude. So we're working hard on our concert.
Q. Is there anything you want to say to people who want to create their own creations?
Just try it! I didn't know much about Wadiz either, but once I started, I found out that there are more things that can make my dreams come true than I thought. If I just think about it, I can't even find what I can do or take a chance, but when I decide to make my dream come true, I also know that there is a good platform like Wadiz. Even if you fail, you're learning again, so if there's something you want to do, I'd like you to try it.
Successful points of sponsorship and fandom funding from creators viewed as a Lee Seung-gambi maker project
① He didn't hide his story.
Lee Seung-gambi maker, who started the story by saying, "I'm Lee Seung-gambi, a singer who sang in the bathroom because no one sang," had no qualms about revealing his story honestly, "A singer who tried to do YouTube three times but failed."
② I've revealed the entire production process.
Through the news and Instagram, we shared the song camp site, the progress of the album production, and the concert information, and showed how the album was made through funding.
③ The sponsor made me participate in the process, not the result.
More than 100 people willingly claimed to be on the side of the "WinBee Maker" in the bold story that they will engrave all the supporters' names as "sponsors" on the actual album so that they can say, "I raised this singer!"
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How can I get sponsorship for creative activities?
A. If it is a project that requires the support, support, and support of others, we can open a Wadiz sponsorship and fandom funding project.
| Medium Category | classification criteria | a representative example | Openable maker |
| sponsor | a project in which an individual or organization raises the funds or participation necessary to realize a particular goal or challenge | Around the world, publishing books, research, personal challenges, etc | Individuals (including minors), public interest corporations, and non-profit private organizations |
| campaign | Project to recruit people's participation for the purpose of realizing social and public interest values or improving awareness | Environmental protection, animal protection, donations, social movements (improving social problems), public interest campaigns, village change projects, etc | individuals, public interest corporations, and non-profit private organizations |
| Community and Gathering | A project in which people with common interests raise expenses for the recruitment and operation of participants for the operation of events, gatherings, and communities | events/events such as reading sessions, running crews, birthday parties, seminars, clubs, networking, etc | Individuals and businesses as a whole |
| Artist | A project to recruit the support and participation of fans for the purpose of producing and presenting creative activities or artistic activities such as music, art, performances, and videos | Album production, performance, exhibition, movie, webtoon, play, goods production, etc | Individuals and businesses as a whole |
📍 Read more about the sponsorship/fandom project opening guide
Q. How can I get sponsorship for creative activities?
A. Can you relate to why you started the project? Does the story feel authentic? Did you clarify where you used the funding? You can put the same content well. Find out how to easily create creative funding stories in our Story Writing Guide below.
📍 Read more about our creative story-writing guide
Q. What is important to make creative funding successful?
A. The first thing you should know when you first prepare for funding is 'the whole flow'. If you figure out in advance what order the project is going on, your chances of success will also increase because it looks much clearer at what stage you are at now and what you need to prepare for next. First, check out the six stages of funding.
📍 Watch Wadiz Funding Step 6
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime life. I hope you do what you want to do"
If there's anything you want to do in your head right now, like the message from this Gambi maker, but if you don't dare to do it alone, meet people who will support my story with funding. Through the 'Finding My Side with Funding' campaign currently being held by Wadiz, we will support 90% of the platform fee when sponsoring and fandom funding is opened.
[Up to 90% commission benefit] Find my side with funding
📍 Go to the creator funding step-by-step guide
- Know the type of funding
- Know the level of funding
- Setting the target amount
- Design Rewards
- Creating a Story
- Receiving Settlement Payments
📍 Go to see the success stories of sponsorship funding