K-pop holds a specific place in the Korean music industry, and if one wants to survive in such a place, they have to make sure that they won’t become a star for just a single season. Unfortunately, this often happens to idols who decide to leave their groups to focus on solo careers or at…
Category: In Conversation with
“If One Person Somewhere Is Affected by the Emotions or the Words of My Songs, That’s Enough Reason for Me to Make Music.” – In Conversation with Kim Jeong-uk, a Singer-songwriter and Rapper
Kim Jeong-uk, a South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper, began his music career when he debuted as a member of a boy group, 24K, back in 2012. After a relatively successful career with the group, the artist decided to pursue a solo career. In 2019, Jeong-uk released his first EP called #down which brought a new…
“Lyrics That Hit Me More Profoundly Are the Lyrics That I Thought a Lot about and Invested a Lot of Time Into.” – In Conversation with Kyle Lo, a South Korean Singer-songwriter and Producer
It is said that long-term contact with music improves cognitive function. There is no denial that music is the embodiment of beauty; it makes everyday activities more pleasant and often transfers the listener into “another dimension”. I have never thought that I would be grateful for social media, such as Instagram. Searching for new artists…
In Conversation with Michał Krzywicki and Dagmara Brodziak, Creators of “The Day I Found a Girl in the Trash”
Raindance Film Festival, founded and run by Elliot Grove, has been helping emerging filmmakers since 1993. Although one wishes for more diversity in the festival programme – there is not enough Asian, South American nor African cinema – it is good to see that Eastern European cinema has been recognised for its talents. During the…
“I Want to Have More Freedom with Music. I Want to Enjoy Myself More and Feel at Ease with Making Music” – In Conversation with Sway D
There is no denial that hip-hop culture is now a global phenomenon. Although hip-hop originated in the US, it has always changed within a local [country’s] context. Since BTS came to light, the South Korean music industry has been taking the world by storm. But let’s not forget, the country is more than just K-pop,…
“My Films Are Never About the Past but They Are About the Way the Past Is Connected to the Present.” – In Conversation with Sergei Loznitsa, Director of “Babi Yar. Context”
Sergei Loznitsa, a Ukrainian filmmaker, has always been a regular at the Cannes Film Festival. He might not have been a frequent guest at BFI London Film Festival, however, whenever he attends the event, you know you will always be in for a treat with his new work. Sergei has been making films since 1996…
In Conversation with Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jr., Director of “Wild Indian”
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…
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…
