While the world is consumed by greed, hate and other unnecessary things, those who deserve attention are passing almost unnoticed, including Native Americans. They are often invisible, and so is their suffering. In the United States of America, one of the richest countries in the world, Native Americans have suffered, well, since the day colonists…
Category: In Conversation with
In Conversation with Chen Yu-hsun, Director of “My Missing Valentine”
“I have romantic ideas, but [when I make films] I am not really a romantic person,” Chen Yu-hsun admits with a chuckle. The Taiwanese filmmaker came to fame in 1994 with his debut feature, Tropical Fish, a razor-sharp comedy-drama, for which he was awarded the Golden Horse Award for best original screenplay as well as…
“Music Is Something None of Us Can See, Yet It Is So Powerful.” – In Conversation with Touched, a South Korean Rock Band
One has to understand that Korean music encompasses more than just K-pop with artists paving their own way into the entertainment world by combining various genres. For instance, although the genre of K-rock hasn’t been a part of the country’s culture for as long as it has been in Europe or North America, rock music…
“Being Artists Made Us Realise That the Road Towards Becoming a Great Band Isn’t Easy” – In Conversation with m1sty as1oth, a Singaporean Rock Band
We don’t often hear music from Singapore, but why? Is it a lack of musicians in the country or not enough exposure to the Western world? I am sure it’s not the shortage of talent as Singapore is overflowing with gifted artists, including The Observatory, Arif, A-do, Aspidistrafly and Falling Feathers, just to name a…
“I Just Try to Follow Where My Instincts/Taste Lead Me, Whether That Be in a Very Pop-centred Lane or an Avant-garde Alternative Direction.” – In Conversation with Traces, a Singer-Songwriter
What makes one a good singer? A sense of rhythm and an ear for music are important, however, technicality is not enough. We expect an artist to charm and delight the audience with their voice. Tim Dehnert, a.k.a. Traces, a singer-songwriter from California, comprises both: a talent for song-writing and captivating vocals. In addition, Tim’s…
“I Feel That Listening to Different Music Expanded My Mind to Being Open to Trying New Sounds as Well.” – In Conversation with Deshawn Visionz
Much of the conversation around what it means to be an original artist centres around being “yourself”— being genuine and authentic without attempting to be someone you’re not. Deshawn Visionz, a hip-hop artist based in California, is unafraid to speak the truth with his songs. He has the confidence to vocalise his own feelings, and…
“I Want to Renew My Resolve and View the Present as My Second Beginning” – In Conversation with Singer-Songwriter Kim Yeong Geun
2016 was a turning point for Kim Young Geun when he won the talent show Superstar K [an equivalent of Britain’s Got Talent and American Idol]. The singer impressed the judges with his cover of Sam Smith’s Lay Me Down, which later led to more exciting performances on the show. A year after winning the…
“I Want to Be the Artist Who Gives Hope with Music That Brings Comfort.” – In Conversation with Singer Lim Jisoo
Lim Jisoo, an emerging South Korean singer, came to light in 2019 when she won Vocal Play, a variety show where the singers had to sing without instrumental accompaniment at times. With her powerful and unique voice, Jisoo blew the judges away with the cover of Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive. After winning the show, Jisoo was…
“I’m Quite Happily Living My Life Because I am Doing What I Want To Do.” – In Conversation with ColorTheBen
Let there be no mistake, becoming a singer isn’t an easy task. However, with a love for music, expressing one’s feelings and inspiring people to do the same, more people are encouraged to take on a new journey of becoming an artist, in whatever capacity it suits an individual. Born in South Korea, Ben Kang…
“You Have to Put Your Heart in the Project for Your Project to Have Heart.” – In Conversation with Kevin Derek, a Documentary Filmmaker and Producer
When your interview starts with lots of laughter, you know that the conversation is going to be a delightful experience. Kevin Derek is an interesting person; he is smart, humorous and self-critical. But, above all, he is a thoughtful and very passionate, award-winning documentary filmmaker whose latest production More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story…
“Fashion Is a Method of Expressing Who I Am” – In Conversation with Kim Won-ki, a South Korean Model
From runways to magazine photoshoots, music videos to countless lookbooks, there is no doubt that Kim Won-ki, a South Korean model, is on a roll. Distinguished by his perms and babyface, Won-ki’s doe-eyed stare has no trouble grabbing the attention of fashion lovers as well as designers. Kim Won-ki has various campaigns and editorials under…
“PINE EP Analyses My Five Main Emotions That I Have Been Feeling Since I Felt Love for the First Time.” – In Conversation with CHE, a South Korean Singer-songwriter
“I was into all kinds of art when I was growing up. One time I wanted to be a painter, then I thought of becoming a fashion designer, I wasn’t sure about singing,” CHE, a Seoul-born singer-songwriter, says thoughtfully as he speaks about whether music was his intended career path from the start. Exposed to…
“Modelling is My Vocation in Life, My Calling.” – In Conversation with Gimu, a South Korean Model
It was 2019 when I met Gimu at Seoul Fashion Week for the first time. And, as bizarre as it might sound, it took me just 10 seconds to realise that he is one of the nicest and funniest models I came across. Although we have experienced a language barrier at times, his smile, positive…
In Conversation with DONGKIZ, a South Korean Idol Group
“I was drawn to how I can express my own thoughts and emotions through the lyrics or the melody”, says Jaechan, a 19-year-old member of a South Korean group, DONGKIZ, when asked if music was his future. While not all of the members thought of starting their adult lives as a part of a K-pop…
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