What’s Happening in K-Pop’s Kitchen? Kim Soo Yoon Interview is with you!
What’s Happening in K-Pop’s Kitchen? Kim Soo Yoon Interview is with you!
In this episode of the WO interview series, our guest is the famous musician Kim Soo Yoon, who will take us to the kitchen of K-pop!
Kim Soo Yoon debuted as the drummer of Royal Pirates. In 2013, he accompanied the famous actor Lee Min Ho on the Lee Min Ho Global Tour and Re:Lee Min Ho tours in 2015!
The successful artist currently sings in a two-person group called LIVIN with Moon Kim, the main vocalist of Royal Pirates, and continues to progress at full speed in his career as a very famous songwriter and composer who has composed compositions for many famous artists.
The full interview with the famous musician Kim Soo Yoon, who is the songwriter of famous groups such as TO1, TAN, WEI, ORBIT, MCND, SF9, HIGHLIGHT and Produce 101 Japan Season 2 Final song, who took part in the soundtrack of the Flyin series as a back vocal and has many series Ost and K-pop song covers, is with you!
1. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I’m Kim Sooyoon, a South Korean musician.
2. How did your music career start?
I first debuted as the drummer of the K-pop group “Royal Pirates” in 2013. Then the group disbanded in 2017 and I started my songwriter career.
3. What kind of a process did you go through with the band before making your debut with Royal Pirates? What challenged you the most?
Thankfully, we had some followers on our Youtube channel before we made our debut. We were able to perform in small venues while preparing and recording our first album. We also went through some training systems like vocal lessons and instrument lessons like most trainees do in Korea.
The most challenging part was enduring the time it took to set the official release date. We had to wait for about 3 years after signing with a label.
4. You have released some great singles in the past years, all of them were songs that I really liked. Do you plan to release a full album in the future?
I’m very happy to hear that. Actually, when I released my first solo single, I didn’t intend to be a singer, but after the band broke up, I wanted to continue releasing my own music, so I had no choice.
So all the singles released so far were like an experiment for me to find the right sound for myself. I think I’ve found my musical direction now, so I’m definitely planning to release a mini album when I’m ready.
5. We know that you write lyrics for bands like TAN, MCDN, Wei, Highlight. So what inspires you while writing lyrics?
A lot of my work has been requested as fan songs. My experience of being in a band was really helpful. It helped me understand/imagine how the artist and the fans would feel.
I try to go back to the scenes/emotions where I connected with the fans when I was in Royal Pirates. For love songs, I draw inspiration from my own relationship experiences.
6. Which of your own songs would you recommend to us?
Actually, I don’t want to recommend any of my songs yet. Because they were created in the process of finding my musical colour.
I want to recommend my new single that will be released at the end of this year.
7. You are now a member of a band called LIVIN. Can you tell us a little bit about the band? Who are the members? How was the band formed?
Moon Kim, the vocalist of my former group Royal Pirates, is the lead member who suggested the whole project.
Moon and I were writing a song for another K-pop group, and Moon thought it would be great to release the song as our own group’s music.
So the producer asked STAINBOYS and Kyum to join us as group members. In the beginning, it was almost like a project band, since everyone was busy with work.
But we all felt that we should release music more often, so we released a new single called “Don’t Look Away” in June.
8. What is your goal for the coming year as a solo artist or a band?
My goal as a solo artist is to release a mini album next year. As for a band, to be honest, I’m not so sure yet!
9. Is there an artist you would like to work with in the future?
I’m open to working with different artists, be it musician Youtubers or talented independent singers.
10. What are the 5 songs you listen to the most in 2022?
Recently constantly, Aespa – Illusion, Stay – Justin Bieber, Harry Styles – As It Was, Camila Cabello – Bam Bam, How Deep is Your Love – Bee Gees
11. What advice would you give to people who are just starting to make music?
Listen to a lot of music and always think about what you personally want to do versus what the audience wants to hear. You need a good balance.
12. What do you do in your daily life? Can you tell us about your daily routine?
I don’t really have a hobby. I start my day with a short meditation. Then I eat while watching K-pop music videos to get inspired and keep up with the trends. And I watch Youtube for fun haha. Then I work on songs for about 4-5 hours and sometimes I exercise or read a book.
I do this 5-6 days a week and when I have a day off, I usually meet up with my friends and have a glass or two of beer. Does that sound so bad? Haha.
13. What is your favourite and least favourite thing to do?
Favourite: Watching Youtube/Anime while ordering takeaway food and drinking beer at home
My least favourite: Everything else haha.
14. There are many K-drama lovers among our followers. Are there any K-Dramas that you like and can recommend?
I really like the K-Drama “Yumi’s Cells”, I made a cover of the OST, it’s on Youtube!
15. As a group, we know that you accompany Lee Min Ho at his concerts. There are many Lee Min Ho fans in our country. Can you share a nice or funny memory with us?
I’m quite an introvert. When we were on tour, there was an after party. I felt a bit awkward being surrounded by people I didn’t know.
Lee Min Ho seemed to notice and called me to come to his table to sit next to him. Although he was the star of the party, he tried to make me feel more comfortable. He was very calm and sincere.
16. Have you ever been to Turkey? If not, is there a place you would like to see?
I haven’t been to Turkey yet. I have heard so many good things about Turkey, the nature landscapes are great, and the women are beautiful haha.
I also think I would really like the food there. When the pandemic has completely settled down, maybe next year, I really want to visit.
17. After this interview, there will be Turkish fans who will want to get to know you. What would you like to tell them?
I am very grateful to the people who support me and my music. You can always reach me through my social media accounts like Instagram or Youtube.
I read all the comments so feel free to drop by. I also wish to be able to work with some of your favourite K-Pop artists in the future. I love Turkey! Take care of yourselves.
Interview: Kübra Özdemir
Translation: Elif Cantenar, İlayda Taşkın Akkoyun
Editor: Merve Yüksel
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