Source Of The Image: Jongha Park
K-pop star Somi is entering a new phase of the race and in the transformation of a multi-faceted artist. The 19-year-old singer born in Ennik Somi Duma — dropped his new song “what you Waiting For” on the 22nd of July, accompanied by a dynamic music video. The opening is his first project with Interscope Records and mark his return official from taking a year-long hiatus after the release of the 2019 “Birthday“and “Out Of My Head.”
It has been a rather productive 12 months for Somi, which took a bit of time to reflect on the trajectory of his career. Although she does not care that people’s perception of her as a bright and bubbly pop star, she’s ready to show fans a different of her — a side not seen in the past year and, certainly, a side that is not seen when she was a member of the group of girls I. O. I. (Perfect Idol) from 2016 to 2017. In an interview with POPSUGAR, Somi opened up about his new trust, his evolution as an artist, and their plans for more new music.
POPSUGAR: Congratulations on the release of “What You Expected.” The music video is super fun! What was your favorite part about filming it?
Somi: There were a lot of new elements that we have used. We used a robot arm camera, drones, and one of my favorite things was the camera rotation that was used to create the multiple Somis fall and get out of bed. That was very exciting for me, because I’ve never seen all those things occur at the same time. And then there were a lot of costumes and locations. It was kind of crazy.
PS: What did you learn about the process of creating music for cowriting and composing the song?
“With this new song, I hope to show how I am growing as an artist. You can see a more serious side and that I have so many layers like a musician.”
Somi: I’m learning a lot these days about writing and composing because I started in a K-pop group of girls, so I usually just get songs from the writers, and we sing songs and practice the choreography. But now, I can write and compose, so this is all new to me, and I’m trying to get better at it. It is like a new job, learning every day and working with my producer, Teddy [Park]. It is a lot of trial and error and recording on my phone, having an idea in my head and trying to find the words and melodies to express it correctly. It’s amazing when you finally meet.
PS: how have you evolved as an artist in the last year?
Somi: The composition and cowriting have taught me much. And I think that is at each meeting before a music video or the song of liberation has helped me as an artist. We had been preparing [“What You Waiting For”] for a long time. We finished recording in February, so we’ve had all this time to think and be creative, and I learned a lot from that.
PS: do you think that this is a new chapter in your profession?
Somi: I think that yes, especially in Korea, a lot of people know me as the brightness and the “vitamin” Somi. I came out with “Birthday” in the first place because a lot of people knew that the light of the Somi, and I didn’t want to give you a big change. With this new song, I hope to show how I am growing as an artist. You can see a more serious side and that I have so many layers like a musician.
PS: What excites you the most about signing with Interscope Records?
Somi: K-pop and music in general — is very global now. So I’m excited to be joining the Interscope family tree that has many great artists. I’ve always admired the people from all over the world as my audience, and I feel blessed to have a label like Interscope to help me share my music. That’s always been my dream.
PS: That must be an awesome feeling — to have this dream of getting to a wider audience, then signing with a record label such as Interscope Records.
Somi: [Whispers] And I’m only 19!
PS: I was thinking, “She is so much cooler than I was at 19.” Now, I know that Blackpink is also a part of Interscope Records. Have you chatted a lot with them about joining the label?
Somi: When Blackpink found, they were very excited and supportive. They welcomed Me with open arms, and they always give me good advice about my music and the choreography. I am very close with them. They were very happy for me, and I’m grateful for that.
PS: Now that we are at the start of 20 years of age, what are you waiting for to get out of this stage of your life?
“I just want to make something that is stylish, music and fashion is concerned. When you listen to it, you get groovy for yourself. “
Somi: I think that there are a lot of things that are going to happen in my 20 years. I have 19 in American age, but I just turned 20 in Korean age, so I think that the biggest thing that has changed in my life up to now is that I have a driving license, and in Korea, I can go to the store and buy beer. But I don’t want to put the beer and the driving together — don’t get me wrong! [Laughs] The other thing is, that I feel like I can be more expressive now because I’m in my 20s, which is the best for me and my music.
PS: You have a wonderful and supportive fan base. What is the message you want to send it to them through your music?
I just want to make something that is stylish, music and fashion is concerned. When you listen to it, you get groovy for yourself. I want to make that type of music because I do that a lot. I put a little bit of hip-hop music and put my swag by myself in my room and just dance. I want people to do that with my songs.
My fans have waited a long time for this new single, and hopefully the next one won’t take a lot of time. I just want to say, “Thank you, I love you!” I have been working very hard, and I have much more that I want to share with you soon. This is a new chapter, so stay tuned because it’s going to be great.
PS: “get groovy for himself” and “Put my swag on” is going to be my quotes of the day. What hip-hop songs you hear?
Somi: I like Da Baby’s “Rockstar” and “Bop” and the Cardi B “Press”. I also like older artists like Notorious B. I. G. — “Put your hands in the air if you’s a true player!” And I like “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
PS: “Gangsta’s Paradise” is one of my favorite rap songs ever.
Somi: I love that song. My dad influences me a lot in the music, and he loves that song, too. He is not that good at singing, but he raps his lungs out. That beat in the intro, and then “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death . . . “
PS: “. . . I take a look at my life and realize there’s nothing left!” Wow, I did not expect to be fangirling about “Gangsta’s Paradise”, but here we are. Who are some of your musical inspirations?
“This is a new chapter, so stay tuned because it’s going to be great.”
Somi: The first video I’ve seen in my life was Rihanna’s “don’t Stop the Music”. I was in kindergarten, I think, and that’s when I went, “Oh, I want to be a singer. That looks super cool.” Well, she was my starting point. I used to go to these Korean entertainment companies and hearing with the song.
PS: You mentioned how you’re going to come into his own as an adult and how you want to play with a style more in his music. Do you have more hopes for the future of your career?
Somi: We have to wait until after things get better with the coronavirus, but when it gets better, I’d love to go to the united States and other countries and carry out more global sample.
PS: you already have extensive experience in reality TV and who appear in the sample as yourself, but I feel like that would be a great actress who plays different characters. Do you see yourself engaging in the types of projects?
Somi: I have to do! I really want to act one day, but the opportunity has to be the first. I love the action. I did Taekwondo for about eight years, so that I can do that, and I can jump and roll. So I want to do the action if I have the chance. I’m ready!
