Translation: Kim Hyun Joong Interview on Unlimited

Credit: http://ameblo.jp/breakdown0606
Thanks unnie!

Congratulations on the release of the first full album, “UNLIMITED” !

One year has passed since his debut in Japan. Releasing single albums, promoting live concerts and so on, Kim Hyun Joong spent a year at a run. Before he ends this year, he is going to compile the fruits of his activities of the this year into his first full album,

UNLIMITED covering new three songs which is released in December. We had an interview with Kim Hyun Joong to look back his achievement in 2012 and to ask about his plan in 2013.

1/ Look back Japan Debut in 2012 

Q: How do you feel the year of 2012? 
HJ: This year I could spend close to all of you (fans). Since the solo debut in Japan, I had much support, especially to the second album, “HEAT”. Having an opportunity to receive a song (both of lyrics and song) from B’z, a musician I have been longing for, I could challenge to a rock music, brandnew genre for me to which you gave a tremendous support. From personal viewpoint, it was a specially fruitful year for me. I hope that the first album to be released in December will make a success as well, and thus I will be able to close this year in a fantastic way. 

Q: What was most impressive one? 
HJ: Your question reminds me of so many things I had experienced in Japan like panorama. I particularly remember guerrilla live performance more than anything else. “Guerrilla performance” means that I show you performance at the venue where the conditions for performance are not satisfied, nor no security is assured. However, I could feel what I cannot feel on the stage. Fans also felt close to me. It is a pitty that I can only see them in a very short time, but I appreciate them for their passionate support they give each time I visit Japan. 

2/ First Album, UNLIMITED 

Q: Could you tell us about the album concept? 
HJ: It is Rock Sound. The songs before “Heat” were mainly dance music, but this time, the new songs consist of live performance instrumentals such as base, drum, and keyboard. The live rock sound is realized in this new album which is exactly I have been longing for. 

Q: What kind of though did you put in the title “UNLIMITED” ? 
HJ: Well I thought that I could not stay within the field I had been performing. I always like Rock and I have been thinking of stepping into this genre sometime. Beginning with Heat, I learned about genuine rock sound, and am ready to able to try many challenges now. 
I would like to show you my wide music specifications and that is why I put the title 
“ UNLIMITED” which means I do not stay within the existing framework. 

Q: What are particular in the new album? 
HJ: As I have always been communicating to you, there is no change that I want to be your “Only One” However, I would like to go further, not staying at the same place, but in order to continue to show you new style, I will do my best. 

Q: The song list of the album seems to be the best selection. How did you choose songs ? 
HJ: This first album consists of three new songs as well as those released before. I picked up the songs I am speicially attached to. I also wanted to select what all of you like the best. 

3. Your Story 

Q: Different from Heat, “ Your Story” is a beautiful ballard , midtempo track. Could you explain about the production process ? 
HJ: The original demonstration song of Your Story was a R&B with rap. In order to make difference from an ordinary ballard, I wanted to express a modern-rock feeling in it. Together with Mr. Kim Seong-lr, a basist of Daybreak, the famous modern rock bank in Korea, we presented many ideas, thus creating a completely brandnew song. 
In the recording, Daybreak members played a guitar, base, and keyboard which was 100% satisfactory for me. 

Q: You will work on MV shooting. What kind of image do you have in mind? 
HJ: I will show you a movie with a fantasy taste, which is completely different from the image of the song. It will be the opposite one you will imagine. Please expect. 

4. Save Today 

KHJ: For “Save Today” I collaborated with many artists. Mr. Kim Seong-lr was in charge of an overall arrangement of the song, while Mr. Yang Hye Seung of Pia, a popular rock band being in charge of drum and rhythm. Further, Mr. Alex of DOWNHELL, representative heavy metal band of Korea, took the part of guitar performance and its arrangement, which is the core part of this song. 
From composition to preparation and the recording, we spent the time most for this song. It was a precious experience for me to be involved in production together with them.

5. I’m Yours 
Q: It is a magnicient scale music composition. It is not a straight-forward love song, but there seem to be a hidden message. Is there any hidden message in it? 
HJ: In the lyrics of “ I’m Yours “, “ you “ means all of you, fans. The reason I can be here now is thanks to all of you. 

Q: In the promotion pictures, you put many tattoo painting on your body. Did you come out with this idea by yourself? 
HJ: Yes. Though it is not a real tattoo, but I just wanted to show a different image which I have never shown to the fans.

Q: In some of the pictures, you have a guitar. Was it your own ? You actually played a guitar during the shooting ? 
KHJ: I have a Gibson Les Paul, Fendar Standard and some acoustic-sound guitars. 
While preparing for this album, I started a guitar lesson. Sometime in future, I would like to play a guitar suddenly in front of you. Please expect (laugh) 

6. Miscellaneous 

a) What is must for Christmas ? 
HJ: I recommend to spend your Christmas with whom you love and my album^^ 

b) Next Year Plan 
Any schedule has not yet been concrete. I just start Japan tour in January. 

c) Objective as musician 
KHJ: Charity concert where I would like to invite the fans from all over the world. 
I am not sure when I can realize but I always dream of this concert to express my appreciation to all of you. It will be nice if I could have one in the universe.