Step Into Kim Sejeong’s World With Her First Full Album, Door
If we had to describe Kim Sejeong in two words, they would be "triple threat." After over 10 years in the spotlight, she's established herself as an actress, singer and songwriter. Whether it's from the hit K-drama the Uncanny Counter, her time on Produce 101 or her solo music, if you're a fan of K-pop or K-dramas, you've definitely heard of her.
In recent years, Kim Sejeong has focused more on her acting career while releasing the occasional OST, but now she's back and better than ever with her first full-length album, Door. This album is a beautiful work of art with raw and personal songs that show new sides of herself. With spectacular lyricism and a collection of soothing ballads that contrast the title "Top or Cliff," she manages to paint a picture of her inner thoughts and allows listeners a peek inside her world. This is Kim Sejeong like we've never seen her before, and we got the chance to get insights straight from the artist herself in the interview below.
Sweety High: Your first full album is named Door. Does this symbolize a chapter in your life that you're closing the door on or a new door that you're opening?
Kim Sejeong: I think it's more accurate to lean towards the latter interpretation. This album indeed symbolizes both an "open door" and a "closed door." As you mentioned, the open door represents me moving towards a new direction and a new path, while the closed door signifies the parts of me that remain concealed behind it, a part that only I know of. Even a closed door can be opened at any time and revealed to others, just like in this album. Also, there's no need to permanently close an open door just because it's in the past. So, I don't believe there is a completely closed door yet.
SH: Door is your first full-length album and all of the songs were written by you. Why was it important that you were so involved in the songwriting process?
KS: To effectively convey the story I wanted to tell, I believed it was crucial to be involved in all aspects of the production process, in addition to writing lyrics and composing. Particularly, as someone who knows me best, I took the initiative in producing the album to express the album's themes of "me moving forward to a new direction" and "me concealed behind the door." I engaged in the entire process of creating this album, from planning the music video to crafting the album introduction materials, so I feel like this album truly represents myself, which makes me more attached to it.
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SH: Can you talk a bit more about "Top or Cliff" and the meaning behind it?
KS: "Top or Cliff" tells the story of a woman who pushed herself to the edge of a cliff her whole life in order to reach the top. Both the song's atmosphere and the music video are quite intense, so it might come as a surprise to some people to see me try such a song. Just like the theme of this album, it is just an aspect of myself that I haven't had the chance to show to other people. It's pretty different from the bright image people might associate with "Kim Sejeong," but I think it reveals the amount of effort I've put in behind that cheerful exterior.
SH: Do you have a favorite song from the album?
KS: My favorite song from the album tends to change from time to time because I poured so much love and effort into each one that it's really hard to choose. Today, I feel like choosing "Destiny" as my favorite song. This song raises questions about how people become connected and whether those connections would still have been made if we had made different choices at the crossroads of decision. The conclusion of the song is that we would have still met each other even if we had made different choices. It's something I really wanted to express to the fans who have been patiently waiting for my return as a singer. So, today, "Destiny" is my favorite song.
SH: You've worked as both an actress and a singer. What drew you to want to be in the entertainment industry?
KS: I have dreamed of becoming a singer since I was very young. This story is also a part of the song "In the Rain." During my childhood, I did not have one designated place to practice singing. So, when it rained, I used to practice singing in the empty playground in front of my house when there was no one around because of the weather. I think I naturally chose this path to be in the entertainment industry because I was dedicated to it from a young age.
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SH: Are there any lessons you've taken from your acting career that you apply to your singing career?
KS: One of the most significant takeaways from my experiences is that I've learned how to express myself without drawing the line between the fields. I do not make distinctions between the two fields, but I focus on communicating the messages and emotions I want to convey to the audience as the "artist Kim Sejeong." This approach has made my thoughts about myself and the narratives I want to share with people much clearer. In the future, regardless of whether I'm an actress or a singer, I'll strive to deliver that message while creating more synergy between the two roles.
SH: How would you describe your music style?
KS: As I was preparing for this album, I thought about my image as a singer and my musical identity, asking myself questions such as "What can be my unique style?" and "What impression do I want the public to have of me?" After much contemplation, I arrived at the conclusion that instead of confining myself to a single style, I should showcase a spectrum of colors and let "Singer Kim Sejeong" shine through that diversity. The album features a variety of musical styles, yet when you listen to the songs, you'll think, "Oh, this is Kim Sejeong for sure." The reason this album encompasses such a range of genres is because I intentionally aimed to be as diverse as possible.
SH: What do you hope comes to people's minds when they think about your music?
KS: I hope people perceive my journey as beautiful. Thus, they anticipate my next move. There will be moments when the outcomes are not satisfactory, and there will be times of disappointment, but I want to be someone who appreciates the journey that led to those results, sparking a desire for others to witness my future unfold. There was a time when I placed immense emphasis on the final results, but ultimately, what is left is the effort I put into gaining those outcomes as well as things I learned on the way.
SH: Is there anything else you would like to add?
KS: Hello, everyone, this is Sejeong, and I'm back with my new album, "Door!" This album, including "Voyage" and "Top or Cliff," was written with all my passion and dedication, so please shower us with our love and attention. Moreover, I'll be meeting you all in person on my first solo tour very soon, and I hope to see many fans there to create unforgettable memories together. Thank you!
Looking for new K-pop groups? Click HERE to read our interview with global K-pop girl group VCHA.