WO Special: Singer Kim Jeonguk answered our questions for his Turkish fans!

This time in our interview series, our guest this time is Kim Jeonguk, who started his music career as a rapper in the 24K. We had a pleasant interview with Kim Jeonguk, who continues his career as a solo artist, where we asked all the questions you wondered. As a successful songwriter, vocalist and choreographer at the same time, he has attracted all the attention both in Korea and abroad and has many fans. Let’s get to know him better. Here is the full interview!

1. How did you start your music career?

• My older brother, whom I have known since I was little, first started music and I often went to his house, so naturally I started music.

2. You were a member of a band before. Now you continue your career as a solo artist. What do you think are the biggest differences between working solo and being in a band?

• When I was working as a band, it was nice to have someone I could rely on! But I think the biggest difference is that when I work solo, I often have to deal with most things on my own.

 3. We know that you went on many tours as a member of a K-pop idol group. What was the biggest challenge of the tours and do you have a memorable moment during these tours?

• Tours have always been a big challenge. The time difference, racism, the environment of the concert hall, there were many times when things turned out differently than we thought they would. So it was not a pleasant experience. But the reason I wanted to continue touring was because I wanted to communicate with the fans and hang out with them. It was a time when we couldn’t make accounts, so we didn’t get a lot of money. We wanted to go on a tour because we missed our fans, so I still remember meeting our fans and hanging out with them.

4. K-pop idols face many challenges, and as far as we know, they also have a tiring work schedule. As a solo artist, what is the biggest challenge you face?

• I think the biggest challenge is being famous enough to have a tight schedule like a K-pop idol.

5. Not only do you perform the songs, but you also write the lyrics for most of them. What are your inspirations when writing these lyrics? What do you like to write about the most?

• I don’t think I’m inspired from anywhere in particular. When I sit at my desk and listen to the demo version of my work, I think about what kind of subject it should be and what words should be included.

6. Each of your songs is very beautiful. I’m sure they all have a special place for you too. However, which song of yours would you want someone who will listen to you for the first time to listen to first? Turkish K-pop lovers who will read our interview, which song of yours should they listen to first?

• Among my songs, “lullaby”, “I need you. Period”, “flower”. The mood of the three songs is a little different, so I would be happy if you enjoy listening to the ones that suit your taste. (Actually, I want to recommend all my songs! Everyone, listen to all my songs.)

7. You touch the hearts of people from all over the world with your songs. You also have many foreign fans. What is the most memorable comment/reaction you have received so far?

• To be honest, I don’t really like my songs, but when I once heard a fan say to me “Then make your own song that you might like”, it was actually a very familiar statement, but on the other hand it was very fresh and made me feel mixed emotions. After that, I try to make songs that I like more, but I still don’t enjoy my songs as much.

8. What would you most like to achieve in your solo career?

• I haven’t thought of anything big, but what I would like to achieve this year is to have 1 million streams on Spotify!

9. How do you come up with ideas for music videos? If you wanted to shoot a music video in another country in the future, where would it be?

• I’ve only shot MVs in Korea, so if I get a chance, I want to shoot a music video in a very big desert! I also want to film at the summit of Mount Everest.

10. Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with in the future? Is there a genre you would like to try in the future?

• I want to try a very lyrical Korean ballad. If I get a chance, I will try it!

11. Is there an instrument you play? Which instrument would you like to learn to play?

• People who play the guitar look cool, so I will learn how to play it soon.

12. Are there any artists you like from Korea and abroad? If we asked you the 5 songs you listened to the most in 2022, what would they be?

•  Machine Gun Kelly – Emo Girl
•  Dominic Fike – Chicken Tenders
•  Easy Life – Nightmares
•  Avril Lavigne – Bite Me
•  Radiohead – Creep

There are so many artists I love that it’s hard to list but this year I fell in love with the pop punk, rock and band sound, so I listened to the top five songs the most.

13. What do you do in your daily life? What are your hobbies?

• I work and hang out with my cat Beomgu. Now even during the interview Beomgu is sleeping on my lap. 

14. What is your favourite and least favourite thing to do?

• My favourite thing to do is to play with Beomgu and my least favourite thing to do is to scold him. 

15. Have you ever been to Turkiye before?

• No, I’ve never been, but if I get the chance, I really want to go there. I eat a lot of Turkish ice cream in Korea and I hope I can go to Turkiye and eat real Turkish ice cream!

16. We know that kaymaki, a Turkish delicacy, is very famous in Korea at the moment. Have you ever eaten Turkish food before?

• I eat a lot of ice cream and I like kebab, so I eat it often. 

17. You have many fans in Turkiye and we are sure that many people will want to get to know you after this interview. What would you like to say to your fans in Turkiye?

• Thank you very much for your interest. I will go to Turkey for the performance, so take care of your health until then.

How did you find our interview with Kim Jeonguk? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments section. See you in our next interview!

Interview: Kübra Özdemir