On a chilly winter day in Seoul, opposite the grandeur of Changgyeong Palace, I settled into a cosy café, patiently awaiting the arrival of Kim Kyu-jong. The moment he walked in, his bright smile radiated enthusiasm, instantly lighting up the entire space.

Kim Kyu-jong is a man of many talents. Known for being a singer, actor and painter, his journey into the spotlight began in 2005, as a member of the renowned boy group SS501. Kyu-jong also showed his vocal talent when he made his debut in Goong: Musical, a spin-off of the popular television drama, where he played the lead role of Lee Shin. In September 2011, he celebrated his solo debut with the release of his mini-album, Turn Me On.

Throughout the years, Kyu-jong released more music with SS501 and unveiled more of his solo projects as well. In addition, he appeared in TV dramas and musicals, including S.O.S Please Save Me and Singin’ in the Rain. Apart from the aforementioned activities, Kyu-jong turned out to be a very talented painter. Although his adventure with painting began a while ago, it is recently that he started to exhibit his work, not only in his native country of South Korea but also abroad, including at the Saatchi Gallery in London. And while sitting in the cafe, we decided to focus our conversation on painting only. 

As he savoured his iced coffee, Kyu-jong began reflecting on his artistic endeavours, “Many artists who share my background might echo similar feelings, but from my perspective, as we navigate the human experience, there’s an abundance of aspects worthy of appreciation. Whether it’s the fragrance in the air or the play of light illuminating our surroundings, these are elements we often overlook. During the hustle of my career, I found myself more focused on self-expression than on appreciating the subtleties around me. As I shifted my focus to art, I gained a broader perspective on the world. I began painting at the age of 23 as a means to alleviate stress, but it evolved into much more than a minor stress relief outlet. Now, it serves as a comprehensive journal where I translate the emotions and sensations elicited by new music into visual expressions. It’s a way of capturing the essence of what I feel and experience in response to the auditory stimuli in my life.”

Kyu-jong’s latest painting, Dawn, the Serenity of the Lake, which was also displayed at the Saatchi Gallery during the StART Art Fair in London, offers an interesting insight into the artist’s reflective journey. 

“Having my artwork displayed at the Saatchi Gallery was an extraordinary experience. Initially, I was in disbelief, and I even called my curator to confirm if it was true that my art would be exhibited in London. I approached the opportunity with great enthusiasm, creating numerous paintings, yet the one I selected was the piece titled Dawn, the Serenity of the Lake.” Kyu-jong confessed with a big smile on his face then continued, “The inspiration behind this painting traces back to my transition from a small home studio to a semi-basement studio. During one dawn in that space, I was enveloped in a sense of moisture and humidity unique to semi-basements. Imagining myself by a lake, river, or any water-centric location at that time of day, I aimed to bring the feelings associated with such an environment. This led me to choose a palette dominated by black and white, with hints of grey. The ripple-like pattern in the painting symbolises the visual representation of moisture or cold, appearing as if they are moving in waves – a reflection of the atmospheric elements that inspired the artwork.”

While discussing his creative process in great detail, Kyu-jong admitted, although he has already painted various paintings, “There are times when things don’t go as planned. I take a break, get some coffee, and return to the canvas. Artwork has a life of its own; sometimes, it’s good to experience unpredictability.” And while Dawn, the Serenity of the Lake is filled with black, white and grey colours, the vibrant palette in his other works, Fall Night, for example, tells a different story, a story of the changing colours of Autumn in Korea.

“[This painting] marked my inaugural venture into creating a large-scale work.” Kyu-jong exclaimed then added, “Initially, my intention was to craft a smaller piece, and I carefully selected the paints for the project. Interestingly, I didn’t commence the artwork with a vibrant colour palette, likely because the original concept was tailored for a smaller canvas. However, as the painting evolved into a substantial piece, the colours naturally intensified. The inspiration for this particular work drew from the Autumn scenery in Korea, where trees exhibit a splendid array of colours, especially when bathed in sunlight. I wanted to capture the beauty of these changing colours, which also take on a purple tint during nighttime.”

When asked about bringing emotions through “invisible waves,” Kyu-jong emphasised simplicity. “Colours are subjective; what makes me happy might be depressing for others. If my intention resonates with the audience, that’s great.” 

It was interesting to learn that Kyu-jong not only uses paint brushes to paint but also the palm of his hand, “During my visits to the art supply store, I have a habit of physically examining brushes to ensure they align with my preferences. However, at a certain juncture, I contemplated the idea that my hand itself could serve as a brush – an instrument through which I could convey my expressions. This led me to experiment with using my hand for strokes, allowing me to inject varying intensities into my work. When I’m infused with high energy, my hand movements yield robust strokes, whereas a calmer state results in gentler strokes. In terms of conventional brushes, I employ them to establish the tone and background for my paintings.” he explained. 

Choosing acrylic over oil paints, Kyu-jong cited ease of use. “I opt for acrylic paints due to their hand-friendly usability; using oil paints proves to be more challenging in that regard. With acrylics, I often dispense the paint from a tube, allowing it to slightly harden for a texture that appeals to me. Another aspect I appreciate in the entire creative process is witnessing the natural occurrence of cracking as the painting dries.”

As we delved into his creative routines and rituals, Kyu-jong humorously confessed, “No particular rituals. However, to elaborate on my process, let’s say, for instance, I have an interview like today. If I sense positive vibes or if something lingers in my memory during the conversation, I’m eager to head home and dive into painting immediately. Until I experience that kind of inspiration, I take longer breaks, and when I eventually resume painting, it signifies that something has sparked my creative drive.”

Although I was eager to speak about his music career as well, I kept it cool as I knew I would be chatting to Kyu-jong again next year, when he releases his new project. While expressing his love for music, he revealed, “Music has been half my life. Now, working without pressure, it’s more enjoyable.” And teasing upcoming music, he promised, “It’s different from my previous releases; you’ll have to wait.” This hint left me slightly dissatisfied, as I would love to know more about his upcoming music. Intrigued by Kyu-jong’s future projects, he also shared, “For paintings, I’m thinking of changing my style, I would like to create space for new feelings. At times, you have to let go of everything and give space to new things.” 

As the interview came to an end, I must say, I truly enjoyed our chat as I learned so much about Kyu-jong as a person and an artist. I also learned that each element of his expression on canvas forms a beautiful movement. His ability to work within three different disciplines shows his artistic talent as well. When it comes to his artwork, Kyu-jong’s every stroke is a stunning poetic dance, a lyrical expression that shows his inner soul, capturing the full aspect of fleeting moments and deep emotions. 

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Interpreter: Roc Lee

Featured image courtesy of Kim Kyu-jong

_{View of the Arts is an 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.}