The verbal abuse heard by Kim Sung-kyu of INFINITE and the remarks of his 16th year since his debut [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"When you think of me, I want you to think of me as 'a hard worker.'"

Kim Sung-kyu, a member of the boy group INFINITE, has been in his 16th year since debuting this year, but he still showed off his passion.

Recently, Kim Sung-kyu conducted a round interview to commemorate the release of his sixth mini-album "OFF THE MAP" at a cafe in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

"Off the Map" is more than a scene that tells a story that begins anew the moment you deviate from the path. It naturally unraveled the appearance of "Artist Kim Sung-kyu" through sound changes along with the music color that is thicker than the previous sensibility. The title song "When I Think About You" was joined by Kim Jong-wan of NELL and composer Spaceboy, who had a long relationship with Kim Sung-kyu.

Most K-pop singers often hold fan signings to increase album sales as well as communication with fans when they release a new album. However, when asked about his future activities and plans for his next album, Kim Sung-kyu said, "I didn't want to do a fan signing this time," raising curiosity.

"I know the people who are coming are going through a lot.. I'd rather have a listening session and let you hear it live. I wished I didn't have a schedule that made the fans suffer. I said it would be better to do a schedule where I can show you something, but the company said, "There may be fans who want a fan signing event." I wondered if they really wanted it, but I ended up doing it. You have to think about the company, too. If I didn't think about the company's position, I wanted to do all the performances, festivals, etc."

Kim Sung-kyu's remarks were solely for the fans. In fact, Kim Sung-gyu originally planned the listening session. I wanted to give something to the fans as much as possible and let them listen to music.

Kim Sung-kyu said, "The company will hate the listening session so much. There should also be a sound team, and production costs are incurred due to instruments and band members. It costs as much as filming video content, but for the company, it is an activity that is not profitable. Nevertheless, just as the company said, "Let's do it," I also think I should do it faithfully if there is something I need to do."

3rd year of high school, which is a time when you have many dreams and things you want to do. At this time, Kim Sung-kyu was hurt by his homeroom teacher.

Before "Off the Map" was born, the song that set the direction of the new album was not the title song, but the second track "Over It". Kim Sung-kyu said, "Over It was written based on the story of 'I' and what I experienced. It could be something that was said to me, and it felt like I was talking about a difficult moment," he said.

He also explained the human changes beyond music. "I'm okay now, but don't you think the old stories remain for a long time?" said Kim Sung-kyu, who said, "When I was in my third year of high school, I told my homeroom teacher that I wanted to live with music, and he asked me, 'Do you have money in your house?' Isn't that how I feel when I'm young and in the third year of high school after achieving something. I spent my school days in Jeonju, but I felt like I broke my heart running toward my dream. Later, when I looked back, I melted the story, 'In the end, I'm living with music, so I'm okay now.'

Then, has Kim Sung-kyu met the homeroom teacher since his debut as a singer. He said, "I haven't contacted him, but I've seen him before. I even went to an event in Jeonju, but he didn't remember. I didn't mention it first, but he ran over and hugged me saying, "Proud of my student." It's okay because I'm now achieving what I wanted to achieve at that time. I was sad, scared, and angry because I was a person at that time, but I think I can say I'm okay now," he said with a smile.

The secret of Kim Sung-kyu's long run in the K-pop market so far without much controversy since his debut in June 2010 was that he didn't like driving and cars. Kim Sung-kyu, who said, "I don't drive much and I don't like cars," said, "In my daily life, there is no 'I'm a star' or 'I'm a K-pop singer' in my self-consciousness." It's a little humble. What I felt during the recent INFINITE concert was, "There are people who have waited like this, and I thought it would be bad if I didn't repay that heart."

"A few days ago, I saw Epik High Tablo on a YouTube channel and he answered, 'I hope I remember it at least,' and I really sympathized. I think it's too much to be left with. The fact that she's remembered by someone.. If there's anything I want, I hope that one day I can feel something comforting when I listen to my music. Even if it's a minority."

In addition, Kim Sung-kyu explained his ultimate goal as a singer, saying, "When I think of myself, I hope you think of me as a 'hard-working person'.

"I don't have a clear title, but my goal since I was young was to be successful enough to make ends meet while doing what I like." Thankfully, I was lucky enough to make it into INFINITE team. The next goal is to become an artist who can give the same impression as in the past even after a long time and maintain the feelings I felt when I was a long time ago."

Kim Sung-kyu's sixth mini album "Off the Map" was released on various online music sites at 6 p.m. on the 2nd.

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*This content was translated by AI.