In the South Korean music industry, where talented artists emerge at a staggering pace, one name has managed to enchant listeners with his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics since his debut in 2014: Paul Kim. Now, with the release of his latest song “Hangang” (English translation: “Han River”), featuring the dynamic rapper BIG Naughty, Paul continues to present his artistry that already charmed fans around the world.

“I started writing [my new] song with a few of my friends. [One day], I was talking to SUGA of BTS about writing a song and he [kindly] introduced me to EL CAPITXN, a singer-songwriter who previously wrote songs with IU, BTS, and other artists. I really like him, so I wanted to collaborate with him and get to know him as a person too. [When I met him], I was telling him that I would like to release a new album within a few months and that I wanted to write a song with him”, Paul tells me when asked about the beginnings behind “Hangang”.

“And while having this conversation, EL CAPITXN said that he had a song lined up that would be good to sing while driving by the Han River. Driving by the Han River has that chilled and cool [vibe],” Paul admits then continues: “We started [the writing process] from this idea of the Han River, however, [the longer we spoke about it], we realised that you can’t really go on a drive by the river as there is so much traffic. We were discussing that and thinking ‘what do you do at Han River?’ And then we kind of stop talking about it.”

While in the process of figuring out what one could do by the Han River, Paul tells me that another artist, Colin, came around, and suggested a different route. He mentioned ssom (썸), which generally refers to a stage between friendship and dating, characterised by romantic interest and potential development of a romantic relationship. 

“So, we decided to write a song about that, so I started saying ‘it’s too early to call it love, but I am on my way to’,” Paul admits candidly. 

Beyond his solo success, Paul has also made a mark in the music industry through his collaborations with various artists, including Peakboy, Chungha and Joy. Through these partnerships, he has shown his versatility and ability to match with diverse musical styles and voices. Whether it’s a song about love, heartbreak, or self-reflection, Paul’s ability to convey raw emotions through his collaborations is proof of his immense talent and empathetic approach. “Hangang”, as mentioned, is a collaboration with BIG Naughty, a young rapper who is known for his straightforward work ethic and musical abilities.

With Paul’s unique vocal timbre, which effortlessly blends huskiness and tenderness, and BIG Naughty’s “singable” rap, “Hangang” is a great summer tune that will definitely resonate with many people searching for love, or perhaps those who try to confess their feeling to one another; one ought to know that the Han River holds deep significance in South Korea, representing a place where people gather, make memories, and find solace.

“To me, BIG Naughty, is one of those artists that always has things done, like you said, straightforward. There is no doubt about it. I am always in between, questioning myself [about] which way to go, what direction to take. But BIG Naughty just does his thing,” Paul says with a chuckle and adds that BIG Naughty, although much younger than him, is polite and fun to work with. 

Along with the new song, a new Instagram challenge came up. Paul’s “Hangang” Instagram challenge is a creative and interactive way for fans to express their love and support for the song. The challenge revolves around participants displaying various heart signs in their Instagram posts using hashtags, symbolising their connection to the song and the artist himself. This type of Instagram challenge also allows fans to engage directly with Paul and show their appreciation for him in a visual and interactive way. In addition, it provides an opportunity for fans to catch the singer’s attention as he browses through the tagged posts – sounds like fun to me.

“[With the Instagram challenge], I just wanted to make something that everyone could get involved in. The challenge itself is easy, yet not too easy,” Paul says then adds that, “Not too easy… ah, it took me three days to practise [all the hand moves]. You know, I do sing a lot of ballads, some sad and very emotional. But this time, it is different. It is a really fun, embrace-the-moment sort of song.”

Moreover, the way Paul decided to promote the song release by putting a giant sticker of his silhouette on a car, has surely generated even more attention that has spread organically across social media platforms. Although Paul can easily sell out big venues, he still happily does busking, which according to him, is a great way to meet his fans face-to-face. 

Paul also opened up about his departure from his previous company, and does admit that he works hard with his team to plan his forthcoming releases. One thing is for sure, having a loyal and dedicated team, as well as great fans, will certainly make the artist’s work worthwhile. He admits that he is really happy now, and that can be seen while conducting our Zoom interview. Paul’s positive energy, laugh, and big smile are very uplifting. 

One of the defining aspects of Paul’s music is his ability to show raw emotions. His discography boasts several hits, including “Every Day, Every Moment” and “Me After You,” which have echoed with fans for their ability to express universal sentiments with sincerity.

While Paul’s popularity is undeniably strong in South Korea, his music has also gained a global following, including in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Thailand. With his growing international fanbase, Paul is poised to become a prominent figure on the global music market.

A few weeks ago, Paul had his first solo concert in Thailand, which he absolutely loved, especially when he found out that he has a huge amount of fans in the country. 

“Yes, that was my first concert in Thailand. I was expecting more Korean fans to attend the show, but I saw around 80%, perhaps 90% of Thai fans there. This really meant a lot to me! Please, don’t get me wrong, I do not say that Korean fans are less important to me, but being abroad and seeing local fans at my show really made me happy,” Paul admits with a big smile on his face. 

And while Paul is busy promoting his new release, on June 13th he performed in Amsterdam at the 2023 Korean Culture Festival – Move With The K-Vibe, and on the 17th of June he will be performing in Brussels at Hallyu Town – Korean Culture Days, and probably enjoying all the delicious Belgian chocolates. 

As our conversation was coming to an end I asked Paul if he has any plans on releasing more music, perhaps an English version of “Hangang”?

“Yes, I am planning on releasing more music, maybe a full-length album or an EP, I am not sure yet. But that might happen next year rather than this year. But before that, I will release more songs. And an English version of “Hangang”? I haven’t thought of that,” Paul responds to my suggestion and adds that, whether he was serious about it or not, he might take it into consideration. 

One thing is for sure, Paul’s journey as a singer has been defined by his ability to express genuine emotions through his music. With each release, he continues to melt the hearts of listeners with his soulful vocals..

As Paul’s star continues to rise, it is clear that his music will leave an indelible mark on the music industry.

Written and interviewed Maggie Gogler

Featured image © WHYES Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}