[INTERVIEW] Singer Kim Ji-soo

Kim Ji-soo [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

My name is Kim Ji-soo. A girl that my mom knows came up with the name. And I didn't like it when I was young because it sounded like a girl's name. I like names that are masculine, like Kim Choon-choo or Kim Sang-chul.
I know you won't believe it but I'm born in 1990. I was born on February 5. I spent my birthday this year with my mom and fans which I think I'll never forget.
I like to draw. So I even studied animation in high school. I once drew a ridiculous comic where the character cuts off the head of someone he sees on the subway, then plays soccer and basketball with that head, but it became so popular that everyone wanted to try.
When I was in school I was the hateful kid. The one who is always being noisy and goofing around yet getting okay scores on his exams. I was good at subjects needing memorizing because I was great at cramming. At the same time, I was horrible at math but my mom made me study English a lot back when our household used to be rich. So even John Park has told me there's nothing to fix regarding my English pronunciation.
What I'm disappointed about on "SuperstarK 2" is that I thought I'd be able to play my guitar for the show but I had to use an MR and from the second round onward, I had to sing to a band. I also ended up having to sing a ballad the first time I worked with that band so a lot of people mention the choice of song when saying it's disappointing that I got dropped from the show earlier than they predicted, but I think I learned a lot.
When I first went on a diet for "SuperstarK 2," I was thinking, 'What does that have to do with someone doing music?' But I'm already a singer now and I have to show myself in front of people. And I'm not saying I can't help it but I like how I look now so I can't stop exercising. When I gain weight, I do so in a very ugly way so I'm trying not to ever go back to that body and face.
After signing with my agency I helped my mother move to a better house. She said she felt happy to be alive. But she told me to not be more successful than I am right now because she doesn't get to see enough of me already. (laugh) My father too is someone who doesn't smile a lot because he's had such a hard life but my uncle told me that he walks about with a grin on his face after drinking. (laugh)
I'm all set to release my album on the 17th and I'm now practicing for my live performance on stage. I'll have a showcase in Myungdong on Jne 3. I'm going to sing all the song on my album and tell my fans about things that I'm sure they're curious of.
I love radio. I currently appear on one show on EBS and it's so comfortable being able to sing and play the guitar without having to mind what I'm supposed to do and wonder whether my hair will get messed up or not or whether I'm sweating or not.
I drink alcohol almost everyday. (laugh) I like soju a bit better than beer. For snacks, half-dried octopus! I think it's the best dipped in mayonnaise.
I can't eat cucumber. I hate the smell and feel like puking. I'm amazed by people who eat cucumber and I have a hard time eating kimbaps as well when there are cucumber in them. I like donkatsu. I like whatever I can gain weight on.
I don't want a good guitar. All I need is one that sounds nice even if it may be cheap. I like guitars with sounds that have just the right amount of stateliness versus ringing tone. Although, when I make a lot of money, I'm definitely going to buy a Jason Mraz-inspired Taylor Guitar.
Jason Mraz is a teacher to me. He has never taught me anything directly nor have I actually met him but I learned everything about him from watching him. The same goes for the guitar as well -- I learnt it thinking, 'Ah, so this is how you play,' 'That's the rhythm you play for those parts,' and 'That's how you're supposed to sing.' He was like an instructor on video. (laugh) I know it's nonsense but in the 'Thanks To' segment of my album, I wrote, 'My friend forever Jason Mraz.'

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Reporter : Kim Hee Ju fifteen@
Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk eleven@
Editor : Lee Ji-Hye seven@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@