[ THE ALBUM ]

1) What are you currently doing in terms of preparing for your upcoming solo album?

Right now, J-Entercom's head producer Choi, Joon-Young is having me write as many songs as possible, record guide versions, and produce them as well. Basically, they wanted to see if I could actually put a whole song together, without any help from them. (This doesn't include the two songs in contention for my title). Right now, not including the 3 songs that J-Ent wrote/produced... I have written and produced about 14 songs thus far...(a few of them have been previous projects I never got around to). J-Entercom wants me to write/produce about 20 - 25 songs, then we can start balancing out which ones may appear, or be cut from the solo album.

2) What style of music will your album be?

Can't really answer this in detail...but there's a variety of styles that I'm writing. I've been influenced by every kind of music- hip-hop/rock/r&b/pop/euro... All genres have been recorded thus far. Most of my music writing now a days are personal, dark... about my life... things that people may not expect from me. 3 songs I wrote/produced are straight up hip-hop/rap... no singing -- with the exception of chorus/harmony. Many people may mistake my "pop" rap as showed in K.I.S.S' 1st album... but these 3 songs are totally different...I basically sound like an angry Korean-American through out the songs... happy.gif. A few of the songs are Nirvana/Linkin Park influenced guitar sounds intertwined with Pop/R&B and a touch of soul for vocals.

I really hope and pray that most, if not all... of the songs I write/produce end up on this solo effort... I've definitely put my all in writing the lyrics... and I definitely believe people can relate to a lot of the subjects I sang about.

3) Will you be remixing/rerecording any former KISS songs to put onto the album?

At this point... a lot of my fellow supporters, or random email senders... really wanted to have "Because I'm A Girl" on the album, the English version. I've recorded a guide version (mainly for the fans who didn't speak Korean)... but when you try to translate a deep and meaningful Korean song into English... it looses the juice. Although I tried my hardest to translate it as best as I could to make sense in English, it still didn't have an emotional effect when I sing it... as the Original Korean version did.

J-Entercom is also thinking about sticking "without u" on my solo album... I'm a little hesitant... most of the songs I'm writing now are dark... and basically disses guys left and right (LoL)... I don't know... this song may or may not end up on the solo album.

4) How much of your album do you expect to write and produce yourself?

Well, since they're having me write/produce at this point for 'practice'... I'm really hoping 95% of my songs will be on the album... ::: crosses fingers :::

5) Are there any other artists who are helping you with your album or collaborating with you?

There are no big name collaborations at this time... then again, things can always change half a year from now. I can say, I have sent a song to a producer (I've already completed the music and all), but I wanted to see what this person could come up with... and if I like it, their version may end up on the album.

6) When is the projected release date for your album?

2004. happy.gif Gotta keep everyone guessing... hehe.


[ JINI SAYS ]

1) How does it feel to know that you will be going solo?

Bitter sweet... kind of a double-edged sword. During my time with K.I.S.S, there were a lot of hard times I had to endure... and in the end, a complicated situation arose with my two former members, and my company... and they were released. I have no regrets, however, because I believe everything happens for a reason. Ah, to answer your question... I'm feeling very confident about going solo... then again, I know I'll be a nervous wreck for my debut... because I'll be up there all by myself.

2) Was your original goal to go solo or to be a part of a group?

I've always wanted to be solo... I'm very "in control" of what I like to sing and how I want to sing... Being a part of the group the first time around gave me enough experience and confidence to know I can for SURE do it on my own.

3) What is your personal music style?

Listening wise: HipHop/Rap, R&B, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Pop, Dance.
Singing wise: all of the above. happy.gif

4) Who are your favorite artists?

Eminem, Michael and Janet Jackson, Madonna, Britney, XTina, Usher, Alicia Keys, TLC.

5) Who is the musician that you respect most?

I respect each and every singer/songwriter/entertainer out there... they're all doing what they love to do... and sharing it with the world.

I respect Eminem, Britney and Xtina the most... for constantly overcoming obstacles from people scrutinizing their every move... I commend them for being exceptionally great at what they do, and not give a flying poopy-ball of what anyone says.

6) Who are some singers that you are friends with?

I won't name all... here's a few though...

Annie (tashannie), As One, 1tym -YG Family (with the exception of Lexy, Masta Wu, and Swi-T... never met em b4...), 5-Tion, NRG (mostly Myung-Hoon), TTMA's former member: Queena, Milk's YuMi, BaBy VoX's EZ, EunJin.

7) When do you plan on starting to prepare for an album in the States?

hehehe. I wanna say... NOW... LoL, but I'll keep it as "No Comment"

8) What is the main thing that drives you?

Every time something really crappy happens... something unbelievably amazing happens after it (this has been a never-ending cycle for 21 years...). My own ambition to succeed drives me, the faith that my supporters (the few I have... hehe) have in me drives me... The dramatic life I've lived so far drives me, My interest in sharing all my personal endeavors through my music to connect with my supports drive me, and without a doubt... anyone and everyone who doubts, or doesn't give me a chance... and the ones who are haterz... THEY drive me.


[ THE FANS ]

1) Name something a fan did for you that you especially appreciated.

This past April (my birthday)... a supporter sent a huge envelope ( i figured it would be from my friend/family member back home). I open it up to find 3 HUGE Eminem posters, one notebook size glossy pic of him, and an issue of a magazine with Eminem on the cover. I was in utter shock... I was like O_O then I felt sad... =( Then inside the birthday card... was a few magazine pics (while I was with KiSS)... and all she wanted back was me to sign that pic. How could I deny it!

I didn't get to send this person a letter and the pic back til last week. [from emails to snail mail.. I usually take forever, but I get back at em...)

2) What are some of your favorite things to hear from fans?

Having them know and acknowledge I do try to keep a very close-bond with each and every one of them. Pssst... it doesn't hurt to hear advice and feedback from them about certain songs... happy.gif

3) Why do you feel that fans are important?

I was and still am a huge "fan" of music.. I know what it's like to 'want' to have some sort of connection with someone I look up to. Now that I do have a small base of supporters, I completely try my hardest to be involved with any and every lil internet club possible. happy.gif I go to THEM for feedback, and for their opinions... because it matters to me.

4) Your personal message to the fans at soompi:

To those ... who remember back from '98... I've been at this forum for ages... since the beginning basically. I never really posted until about '99 ish... asking advice from fellow peers and letting you all know about my goals.

Since then, I have not left... Does anyone remember my looooong post back in '99? I believe when someone asked 'why' I was doing what I was doing... I stated something along the lines of "I want to be a singer who keeps in touch with their fans, and partake in internet activities - forums -... and not just someone who sends auto emails, or never responds at least once."

Bah, I don't think anyone remembers, but I remember I did in fact say something like that back in the day. Guess what? I have kept my word. =)

I have not left... I am still here... I may not post a bunch, but trust me... I do read as frequently as I can. The dedication I have to the supporters... is second to none.

From the beginning... I stirred up a lot of 'heated' arguments... they've died down... and hopefully, it's because my fellow peers realize I am no different than anyone. This job just requires a few TV appearances... it's nothing different than a student/doctor/server...etc.

All in all... this has been my 'home' for 5 years... and I will continue to come here for God knows how long. O_o ::: pictures myself sitting at the computer at age 90 fighting with my grandkids over who gets to be on Soompi ::: hehe.

Thank you, Soomp for bein my home forever... Thank you Supporters at soompi for never doubting me... Thank you Haterz... You've only fueled my ambition to succeed even more... Thank You Soompi members... This is the most uniquely, diverse group of people on ANY forum I've been to.

Soompi Rocks.


" I will not fall, I will stand tall... Seems like no one can bring me down" - Eminem


ONe Love, Take Carez, n God Bless
- Jini / Theresa