To share your story with someone requires faith in oneself. While it might seem easier to capture an honest life than to weave a tale, it's often quite the opposite. Singer-songwriter Kim Hyorin wasn't initially comfortable expressing her story through her lyrics due to feelings of fear and embarrassment.

However, since gaining confidence in herself, she hasn't hesitated to reveal her experiences. The lyrics in her music are captivating in their unvarnished sincerity. The frank emotion embedded in her blunt manner of speaking deeply touches the listener. Therefore, Kim Hyorin's stories have a profound effect on people's emotions.

-"You've been in the music industry for 5 years now."

The past five years have been about finding myself. Being someone who's greatly influenced by others, I realized I needed to know myself better in order to create my music. I've been figuring out what environments make me comfortable, and what stories ignite my heart when sung. I'm still learning, of course (laughs).

-"How have you changed since your debut?"

I was a high school student at my debut. Looking back, I think I loved music more than anything else. I remember running to the music academy right after school and practicing until nightfall. I still love music, but I'm trying to explore hobbies outside of it now. Having music as a profession naturally induces some stress and I found I needed an escape.

-"When was the toughest time for you?"

The COVID-19 pandemic limited spaces to perform music and opportunities to be on stage. Despite this, I wanted to share my music with someone, so I began posting original and cover songs on YouTube. I was able to continue with more confidence because, surprisingly, many people showed interest and enjoyed my music.

-"What inspired you to become a singer? Did you always want to be one?"

I vividly remember my father teaching me the chords on a guitar when I was in elementary school. By fifth grade, my mother suggested guitar lessons. As I loved singing from a young age, I dreamed of becoming a singer-songwriter. Opportunities later arose for me to learn piano, cello, and composition, all of which I believe have nourished my music.

-"You won a silver medal at the Yu Jae-ha Music Contest in 2021."

Yes, that's correct. It was a meaningful and proud moment for me. Through the Yu Jae-ha Music Contest, I was able to reach a wider audience and gain more opportunities. I was also able to form good relationships with people I met through the contest.

-"You released a new song, 'Pointless', on the 22nd. Can you tell us more about it?"

There were times when my inability to express love made it feel pointless. My feelings were growing, but I lacked the courage to express them. That's the story behind the song.

-"Was there a special reason behind writing this song?"

I have always struggled with expressing myself. So much so, that I ended up hiding even the feelings of liking someone. Time quickly passed, and the opportunity to express my sincerity disappeared. Since then, I have been practicing expressing my feelings. I didn't want to leave any more regrets.

-"Your lyrics are mostly colloquial, including 'Pointless'."

Looking back, it seems that way. Perhaps it's because I write my lyrics with simple and comfortable words that I use regularly. Song lyrics should be close to speech to be conveyed better.

-"Your straightforward storytelling resonates deeply."

That's true. I like stories told in a straightforward manner. I also enjoy somewhat blunt expressions. At this point in my life, simple and honest words seem to dig deeper into my heart.

-"Writing your own story in lyrics seems like a task that requires a lot of self-belief."

In the past, I was a bit shy about writing my own story in lyrics. It felt like my diary had been exposed. As I edited and wrapped up my words, I realized I couldn't understand what I was trying to say. In the end, I felt I needed to be honest with myself to capture sincerity. I started writing diary entries and casual lyrics every day. Although these might seem like insignificant stories, they are filled with sincerity, which I think is most important.

- What story did you want to convey through this album 'Meaningless'?

I wanted to give a little courage to those who hesitate to express their sincerity. Emotions fade over time, and all that's left for me is regret for not expressing them.

- What was the most challenging part of the album production process?

Actually, 'Meaningless' was a song that had been released as a demo version on YouTube. Many people were waiting for the release of this song, and since I was so familiar with the demo version, it was daunting to decide on the direction of the arrangement. So, I asked for help from Ji-won. I think it was a great choice!

- Are there any singers you admire or want to resemble?

Lee Sang-soon, Lucid Fall, Sunwoo Jung-a, Jo Won-seon, Kang Seung-won, and more. Too many to list. These are people who have had a significant musical impact on me.

- I'm curious about your future plans.

I'm preparing to share more stories this year. The music that I'm preparing to release at the end of this year seems like it will be the first step. I feel like I'm getting closer to where I want to be. I can't wait to share it with you through music.

- How would you like to be remembered by the public?

I would like to be an artist who can be fully felt through the songs, regardless of what life I'm living. I want to live my life in a simple and enjoyable way. I want to share the emotions I feel within that life through music for a long time.

- If you had to pick one song that you are most attached to among the music you've released so far?

There's a song called 'My Night is Too Deep'. Unlike previous albums, I planned and arranged the album by myself, and released it. It stands out in my memory because it was, in a way, my first step as an independent artist.

- I'm curious about your daily life.

My daily life consists of a lot of repetitive routines without much change. I make coffee, sit at my desk and listen to music, practice guitar, and get through the day by completing the tasks I need to do. I write down what I experience or feel in my diary, and that diary sometimes becomes a song. I believe that music is about capturing the story of life. So, I often get lost in the emotions I feel in my daily life. I want to sing more diverse and plentiful stories.

- Do you have any major concerns recently?

I'm pondering various questions about the direction I want to take my music in. The most important thing is that I want to make music that doesn't tire me. To do that, I need to put the stories I want to tell in the lyrics and make music that I'm sure about.

- Lastly, could you tell us about your goals?

I want to sing for a long time. If I have the opportunity, I would like to perform abroad as well. I want to create small, deep songs while sharing stories with various people.

Source: (1)

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