Singer Roy Kim (32) has come to meet listeners with a song full of spring emotions. Through his new single, he conveys the message to cherish and love ourselves as we are, even if we are imperfect and not perfect.
Ahead of the release of his new single 'Just as I Am', Roy Kim met with Maeil Business Star Today and said, "Since 'Spring Spring Spring', every time I come out with a new song in spring, people have high expectations. I've released a lot of breakup songs and ballads in the meantime. Singing sad ballads at performances is tough, and I thought it would be nice to have a more diverse setlist, so I recorded this new song with a band."
In this new song, in which Roy Kim participated in writing the lyrics and composing, his long-time musical partner, the band Crew, contributed to the arrangement, enhancing its completeness. Lyrics like "Even if the moments I've dreamed of are a bit different, sometimes I fall and get back up again, embrace me on days like this, love me just as I am" maximize his unique authentic emotion.
"'Just as I Am' is a song I performed as an unreleased track during my 2023 solo concert 'Roy Note'. At that time, I didn't plan to release it, but it kept lingering in my ears, and I couldn't come up with a better song than this one. So, I worked with the band I've been collaborating with for 12 years. I think the arrangement with a band sound has made it much richer than when I first performed it live. (smiles)"
In 2012, he was introduced as a student at the prestigious Georgetown University on the Mnet audition program 'Superstar K4', earning the nickname 'the perfect son of a friend’s mom' (a term for someone who is exceptionally accomplished). Why did the icon of perfection, Roy Kim, want to include a message about imperfection in his new song?
He said, "While it's my story, I was also inspired by my friends around me when writing the song. Friends my age are getting married, and some have already been through it once. Listening to those concerns, it seems that the problems start when we expect perfection from each other. So, I wanted to talk about looking at each other just as we are, rather than seeking perfection."
Roy Kim made a mega hit with his debut song 'Spring Spring Spring' released in 2013. He later released songs like 'Seoul Here' and 'If We Break Up Then', and last year he was loved for 'Even If Spring Comes' and 'If You Ask Me What Love Is'.
Reflecting on his 13 years as a singer, Roy Kim opened up, "Right after 'Superstar K4', everything went well for me, so I think I was unknowingly intoxicated. At 20, everything in the world seemed beautiful, and I thought the remaining 80 years would go exactly as I wanted."
He continued, "As time passed and I faced moments of success again, I felt grateful that there are still many people who love me. At debut, I thought fans would be there forever, but now I know that if I don't put in the effort, they can leave at any time. So, I'm trying to stand in front of the public with songs that many people can relate to."
Roy Kim's 'Spring Spring Spring' joins the ranks of songs like Busker Busker's 'Cherry Blossom Ending', BTS's 'Spring Day', and Hybe X IU's 'Spring Love, Cherry Blossom, Not' that make a resurgence on music charts every spring. These songs are often referred to as 'cherry blossom pensions' because they continue to generate copyright revenue even years after their release.
Roy Kim said, "Now that a lot of time has passed, the amount isn't large, but copyright fees definitely rise in spring compared to summer, fall, and winter. It's a great blessing that 'Spring Spring Spring' makes people think of me every time spring comes. Every spring, acquaintances send me recordings saying, 'Your song is out now.' It's nice to know that my song is playing somewhere every spring."
So, when in Roy Kim's life does spring come, now that he has reached his 13th anniversary?
“I feel like spring hasn't come yet because I think better things are yet to come. Although it hasn't always been spring over the past 13 years, there have been many spring-like moments. It's not easy to keep raising my achievements, but if I keep at it, I think I'll experience moments when spring comes again.”
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
