Kris Main emerged onto the music scene with his debut single, Dior Dream, in 2021, showing the beginning of a promising career as singer-songwriter and producer under 285LABS. Possessing deep and husky vocals, Kris produces music that lies between Pop-punk, Rock, and Hip-hop. Not only is he capable of making exceptional tunes, but he also shines as a talented singer-songwriter.

Awards have followed Kris since his teenage years, with victories in prestigious competitions like the Naver Grafolio Top 10 Composition Contest and the JYP X Naver Grafolio Top 10 Composition Audition. 

Collaborating with other creative minds, including Kimo:L, Ashall, and JINSOO, as well as nurturing emerging talents like Choi Eun-seo and Modiff (Kim Jin-hyuk), Kris has made a significant impact on the Korean music industry. His involvement in producing contestant songs for well-known shows such as Show Me The Money, High Rapper, and Sign Here proved, yet again, that he is a talented artist. 

Kris’ work reflects a great mix of genres, evident in releases like Do You Love Me, Timeline, and Hate My Heart, where he brings the good old Pop-punk and Rock sound to life. On the other hand, songs such as No Braker, Zero Sugar, Dior Dream, present Hip-hop with a touch of R&B. His latest release, I’m Not Sorry, written by Kris and Jeon Jeong In and composed by the aforementioned artists as well as SHAUN, is a great tune for the ear. Between Hip-hop and Pop-rock, I’m Not Sorry shows an even more confident side to Kris. Accompanied by a visually engaging MV, the singer is back with a big bang.

Recently, View of the Arts had the chance to sit down with Kris for an exclusive interview during which the artist explored his inspirations and the creative process behind his new release, I’m Not Sorry. 

View of the Arts: There are countless artists out there who have their own stories to tell about why they were drawn to the profession of a singer. What initially attracted you to music and becoming an artist?

Kris Main: I’ve had a gut feeling since I was very young that I would become an artist because I always enjoyed expressing myself in my own way. As I grew older, my interest in expressing myself through the culture and medium of music deepened, leading me to become both a producer and a singer. As time goes on, I hope to express myself and gain recognition not only through music but also across a broader spectrum of arts.

VOA: Although some do categorise your music as Punk-pop, I would easily label it as Pop-rock that is cleverly combined with Hip-hop. But what I would like to know is, how would you describe your music style? 

KM: My lifestyle and artistic identity are defined by “beauty in rawness”. This has led me to explore and create a musical style that mixes the foundational elements of EDM and Pop with the raw sound of Rock. The result is my current musical palette, a form of “Hybrid Pop” that also incorporates elements of Hip-hop.

VOA: Before discussing your latest release, I’m Not Sorry, I would like to know: what kind of approach do you use to write your lyrics?

KM: I draw inspiration from various sources when writing lyrics. Sometimes, I base my lyrics on my personal experiences, while other times, I reimagine situations, like watching a movie and thinking, “What would I have done if I were the protagonist?”. It allows me to reinterpret things in my own way.

VOA: I’m Not Sorry is a very well-composed song, not only when it comes to musical arrangements but vocally too. I was wondering: what was the creative process like for this song, and what was on your mind at the time of writing the lyrics?

KM: When I was eighteen, I created this song, pursuing my current musical style. Through this song, my mentors, the producer duo ADVANCED, recognised my potential. I initially planned to debut with this song, but with the participation of SHAUN from the same label, 285LABS, and my colleague Jeong-in, the track’s quality improved significantly. As a result, we decided to delay the release to better prepare, and now, after three years, the song is finally out.

While writing this song, my emotions were unstable yet fulfilling. This song reflects the regret over a painful love where, after realising that I gave a lot of love to my lover but all that came back were wounds, I decided to leave her. The message is, “My wounds will heal, but you will remain as a lifelong scar”.

VOA: Looking at Timeline, Hate My Heart, and No Braker (just to name a few of your songs), and comparing them to I’m Not Sorry, I have noticed you easily find yourself in various music genres. My question is, why did you choose a slower tune this time around?

KM: I decided to work on this track with a BPM of 100 because it’s my favourite BPM.

VOA: Looking at your life, to what extent do you think your surroundings have shaped you, creatively speaking, and in what way?

KM: My creativity and artistic side have been greatly influenced by my family, especially by my mom. She has played a significant role in my growth, understanding and loving me even when I tried to take the wrong path. Thanks to her, I’ve learned how to see the world beautifully and share my love with others. I continue to grow with the support of my family.

VOA: When I listen to music, I see shapes and colours. What happens in your mind when you’re listening to your favourite tune, and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

KM: I also find myself recalling many things when I listen to music. Colours, scenes from movies, scenarios where I become the protagonist of the song, imagining what I would do in those situations—all these emotions and situations create waves that flow to my heart.

VOA: Improvisation is a large part of the creative process for many artists. How strictly do you separate improvising and composing in your work?

KM: I don’t necessarily distinguish between improvising and composing. I believe that artistic moments can arise unexpectedly in various situations, and it’s simply a matter of expressing them beautifully.

VOA: As a songwriter, you must constantly write songs, but not necessarily all of them end up being recorded or released. How do you decide which song to record and release?

KM: In fact, I have more than ten completed songs that I haven’t released yet. I want to share better music with my fans, so I carefully decide when to release each song.

VOA: How does it feel when you release music in general? How do you feel when you put your songs out there for people to judge?

KM: I am deeply thankful and honoured that so many people have listened to my music.

VOA: How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice? 

KM: I believe continuous trying is essential not only in art but in all aspects of life. It’s the blend of creativity with technology, knowledge, and expertise that ultimately leads to further growth.

VOA: What do you do in your spare time to relax?

KM: In my spare time, I create songs, play the guitar, and sing. When I feel bored, I go to cafes with friends, play games, or go for drives. I also enjoy creating memories with my parents.

VOA: Where do you draw your inspiration from? And who would you say are your musical influences?

KM: I usually draw inspiration from small things around me and sometimes engage in whimsical imaginings alone, looking deep inside myself for inspiration. Additionally, I’ve been inspired by various artists like The Chainsmokers, Skrillex, Blackbear, Han Yo Han, Loote, Jxdn, MGK, ADVANCED, Travis Barker, RYS, Bring Me the Horizon, and SHAUN.

VOA: Apart from releasing your new single, what can your fans expect from you in 2024?

KM: I’ll be focusing on my artistic identity, and “beauty in rawness” will be greatly appreciated. I’m committed to further growth and becoming a better artist, so please stay tuned [for more music]. 

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

_{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.}