Singer Roy Kim is hooked on ‘sexiness’.

Roy Kim said in a music talk commemorating the release of his new single ‘Just As You Are’, “I‘m excited because it’s my first new song in spring since ‘BomBomBom”.” He sang about a man who wants to love someone just as they are. If I‘ve mainly done sad ballads so far, this time I’ve come back with a band sound that‘s perfect for spring,“ he said about his thoughts on the release.

‘Just As You Are’ is a song that Roy Kim first performed as an unreleased song at his 2023 solo concert ‘Roy Note’. It’s a modern rock genre that features a cheerful band sound that‘s perfect for spring. Roy Kim wrote the lyrics and composed the song, and it talks about loving ‘us’ just as we are, even if it’s imperfect and not perfect.

Roy Kim said, “I just sang it because it was a song I wrote at the time. I performed live with only bass, keyboard, and guitar without any arrangement. I didn‘t plan on releasing it, but fans kept requesting it, and it was ringing in my ears, so I arranged it with the band that I’ve been playing with for 12 years. The sound became richer. It will also be released separately in a Dolby version,” he said, sharing the background of releasing ‘Just As It Is’ to the world after two years.

“This song started from a relationship where each person wants perfection from the other person. Aren‘t there cases where it’s difficult to maintain a relationship because of the way each person wants the other person to be? I thought it would be better for me to adjust rather than hoping for them to change into the way I want them to be. I wrote it with the intention of looking back on my feelings when I first started loving. It‘s my wish and the values I pursue.”
You can hear Roy Kim’s singing style from the early days in the new song. He said, “I changed my vocal style intentionally or naturally,” and hinted, “I will quench the thirst of debut fans who want me to sing high notes by making use of my thick low and mid range.”

“I had never received vocal training when I debuted through the program ‘Superstar K.’ So after debuting, my throat got tired, and I worried about my vocalization as a survival instinct, so I studied singing techniques in earnest during my military service. After I was discharged, I sang more comfortably, but my debut fans missed my old singing style. I will show you this time, singing high notes by making use of my thick low and mid range. I tried scratching my vocal cords and using my true voice a little more. Listeners who liked my singing style when I first debuted will be more satisfied with my new song.”
The concept is ‘sexy brat.’ Roy Kim said, “I tried wearing colored contact lenses. There was a time when I wore colored contact lenses for a short time after I was discharged from the military, but I stopped because it felt strange. My fans asked me to wear them again, so I put them on, and I think they make me look younger, so I keep wearing them these days. It also gives me an idol vibe,” he said, explaining the reason for his flashy styling.

He continued, “My male fans are increasing. In the past, they were my ‘oppa,’ but these days, there are more ‘hyung,’ and when I ask them, they say they like me because I’m sexy. I wonder if I appeal to men,” and added, “Actually, I wanted to be sexy since I was young. I don’t like cute things. I think being called sexy sounds better than being called a good singer. Hahaha, am I crazy?” He confessed his firm pursuit of beauty and made everyone laugh.

He is also planning to take off his top at the request of his fans to add to his sexiness. He said, “‘If You Ask Me What Love Is,’ which was released in October of last year, is currently in the top 20 on Melon. “I think it’s too arrogant to hope that the new song will be a hit because we’re doing so well,” he said. “But the fans asked me to ‘get laser hair removal’ as a promise for making it into the top 10 and getting first place. I didn’t have any plans on getting laser hair removal, so I just promised that I would take my shirt off at the festival and sing while playing the guitar.”

“The reason I don’t get laser hair removal is because if I have a beard, I can shave it, but if I don’t, it won’t grow back. They say that if you leave it alone after getting hair removal, your beard will grow back unruly. I’ve dreamed of having a cool beard since my school days. That’s why I sometimes shave to shape it. Instead, I’m preparing to take my shirt off. I’m also working out hard. Roy Kim, who has completed thorough preparations for a spring comeback, said, ”Unlike when I first debuted, the gap between my onstage and offstage image has almost disappeared. In the entertainment industry, the bigger the gap, the harder it is. I don‘t have a hard time mentally by reducing the gap,“ and added, ”These days, I communicate comfortably and honestly. That’s why I‘m able to do better in music,“ mentioning the virtuous cycle of ”just being who I am,“ raising expectations for his various activities in the future.

”It’s been 13 years since my debut. There are always many things I regret, but I have no regrets because I went through that process and got to where I am now. What‘s remarkable is that my center has not wavered. I am proud of myself for having walked with determination and without feeling any pain until now.”

Roy Kim’s new single ‘Just As I Am’ will be released on various music sites at 6 PM on April 2nd.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com Reporter jhj@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.