K-Interview: Kim Pureum (Singer, Songwriter & Actress)

Interviewer: Deena Jasmine (Chikkmagaluru, Karnataka, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)

In the fast-paced world of Korean music, Kim Pureum is a rare find. She doesn’t rely on flashy lights or loud beats; instead, she draws people in with a voice that feels like a soft, hazy dream. There’s a quiet sincerity in the way she sings, something that makes her music feel personal, like a story she’s sharing just with you.

From her debut EP 16 to her recent project Polarity, she continues to grow both as a singer and a songwriter. Songs like “Ring My Heart” and “Right Next to Me” show her emotional depth and honesty. Alongside music, she has also showcased her acting skills in films like The Nest, proving her ability to express emotions in more ways than one. Through both her voice and performances, she connects with people in a simple yet powerful way.

In this interview, we take a closer look at her journey, her growth, and the stories behind her music.

Could you please introduce yourself to our readers? How did your journey as an artist and actress truly begin, and what was that initial spark that led you into the world of music and acting?

I started learning the acoustic guitar little by little in the 5th grade of elementary school after receiving one as a birthday gift from my aunt. I actually learned it because I needed a talent or a special skill for film auditions. Back then, I never dreamed I would actually do music. As a child, I believed acting was my calling. Starting as a model and then a child actress, I tried hard to continue, but it gradually became difficult. Since acting is a profession where you must be “chosen,” I sometimes had to wait aimlessly for years. Around the 1st year of middle school, during a rebellious phase, I got angry and started composing music with the mindset: “If you won’t cast me, I’ll create my own stage”.

I was already uploading cover songs on YouTube, but my father was adamantly against me pursuing music. As a musician himself, he likely knew the gap between success and failure as a singer was far too wide. He told me not to start if I was going to give up halfway, and he wanted me to have a stable job rather than being an artist. However, as a stormy teenager, I entered a school song festival in defiance and won first place! Because of that, my father completely changed his attitude. I think that was the first major choice of my life. That video is still the first upload on my YouTube channel, so you can look it up anytime.

What is the most precious memory you have from the day you officially debuted as a musician? 

A few days after my first release, I felt so proud and grateful when I realized that strangers were listening to the songs I made, and were gradually becoming people who knew me. The Instagram stories sharing my music and the supportive DMs gave me a lot of strength. 

You’ve often been described as having a unique and soulful tone. Do you remember the specific moment or songs you sang when you realized your voice had the power to move people? 

Since I debuted in acting first before starting music, I think I wanted to incorporate the things I wanted to say while acting directly into my music. Like background music in a movie or exciting dance music in a club, music itself moves the heart, but I wondered what it would be like to contain even deeper emotions within it. I remember being surprised in my early debut days when my audience told me they were moved by my songs, even though I wasn’t a vocalist who relied on pure singing technique. 

Unplugged and folk elements are core to your sound. In a world of high-energy K-pop, what draws you to the quiet, raw simplicity of acoustic music? 

While making songs, I found that the more I tried to perfect them, the more the things I actually wanted to say got buried. In the album Bluish: Unplugged, I wanted the focus to be more on the lyrics. And for messages that can’t be expressed in words to be delivered through warm sounds, breaths, and the spaces in between. It’s a simple combination of acoustic guitar and voice, but I believe that allows the sincerity and purity to be felt without any filters. 

You’ve been in the industry since you were a child. How has your perspective on “performance” changed as you grew from a child actress into a singer-songwriter? 

I’m often asked which I prefer. To me, acting and singing are different languages, but the essence of what those languages are trying to say, the sincerity, remains the same. Singing tells a story through rhythm and lyrics, while acting does so through the body and facial expressions. It’s the same emotion directed in different ways. Whether I am acting or singing, I am ultimately a person delivering my own story, and the sincerity of trying to move someone’s heart is the same whether they are in front of a screen or below a stage.

What has been the most difficult part of balancing two different careers in acting and music, and how do you overcome the pressure of being perfect in both worlds?

My songs might be ordinary; I don’t use flashy techniques or show off high notes. But my listeners tell me, “Strangely, my heart is moved.” I think this stems from acting; because I acted first, I’m able to mix and contain those emotions in my singing. Meanwhile, music sustains me while I wait for acting opportunities. Since acting alone doesn’t pay the bills and roles don’t come in regularly, music serves as a shelter and a fallback for me. When there are no projects, I retreat to writing songs, and when work comes, I run to the set. 

Looking back at your filmography, is there a specific movie role that feels most like the real Kim Pureum? 

It’s the protagonist Sumin from an old short film called “Archery Girl.” It’s a coming-of-age drama about a child who couldn’t find a dream, but finds what she loves the most, and grows while clashing with reality. I was also timid and passive, but I found what I loved the most and, for the first time in my life, achieved a “first place”. 

With the release of “Bluish” and “Polarity,” you’ve shown such incredible range. Beyond just the sound, these albums feel very personal. Is there a specific message or a certain feeling you hope to convey through them?

Since I have many lyrical songs, many people think of me as a folk singer. Actually, the genre I’ve admired and wanted to pursue since I was young is the “band sound.” Taking this opportunity, I’ve tried a band sound full of energy to show a different side of myself. While I love the analog feel of acoustic music, I want to broaden my musical spectrum with diverse genres in the future.

We were deeply moved by your track “Shining” for the “Still Shining OST Part 7”. Could you walk us through your creative process for this song and how you captured the shifting seasons of love portrayed in the drama?

This track was created by music director Nam Hye-seung and her crew; I participated as the vocalist. The song begins with restrained pads, drum beats, and minimal keyboard sounds before my unique voice adds layers of emotion. It highlights emotions that shine long in the memories of youth. The lyrics were crafted with great care, featuring the recurring symbol of a “firefly” to expand the drama’s sentiment. It is an OST that musically interprets the symbolic meaning of memories everyone keeps in their hearts. 

The first time you performed your own music live marked a beautiful transition from your acting roots. Is there a specific moment or a feeling you carry from that debut performance?

I only remember being incredibly nervous because it was my debut performance. I made many mistakes, and my commentary was awkward, but I was so happy during the preparation and glad the audience responded well. 

If you could recommend one song from your discography and one acting project, whether it’s a movie or a drama, which would they be and why?

The song “Lost in the Midnight (Kirara Remix)”. This is a story about my friend and me. I wrote it based on my experience of often getting lost because I have a habit of walking while looking at the sky. I have a friend I always call when I’m lost, a human navigation system who finds me anywhere. Because of that friend, I’m no longer afraid of new paths. Even if I couldn’t see the stars or my friend that day, I had the innocence to believe the stars were there and my friend would come to find me.

Is there a new genre or a specific mood in either music or acting that you are excited to try in 2026?

There is one genre I haven’t tried yet: Melodrama. I don’t know if it would suit me or be successful, but if the opportunity comes, I will put my heart and soul into it. 

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self on her first day of filming, what would it be?  

If you don’t like how you look in the footage, don’t just let it go; you must speak up. Not pointing something out isn’t always the kind thing to do.

Finally, what message do you want to share with your fans, and what should they expect from you as you move forward in your journey?

People seek music for various reasons, but I create it to heal. I want to be an artist who empathizes and comforts the unconscious inner self. I want to let people know through my music that the pain often taken for granted in daily life is not something that should be natural. Finally, I want to thank everyone who supports me and my fans, the Blueberries.

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and for sharing insights about your journey. Thank you so much. On behalf of the entire team at Hallyuism, we wish you all the best for your future projects and lots of love from India!

We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.