You can heal the pain someone inflicted on you with the encouragement from someone else.

SS501’s Kim Kyu Jong, who’s returning after over a year, reminds us of these words. The seemingly cheerful singer revealed that, though the glitz and glam of the celeb world seems fun on the outside, the often catty and sometimes dark underbelly can leave near irreparable scars.

“I was going to quit. I was wounded by others too much. I kept thinking ‘Is singing a job that’s unsuitable for me? I was thinking about leaving, thinking of living a comfortably life, just abandoning my desires,” said Kim. “I suddenly thought about just leaving it all behind, because I thought I shouldn’t want too much and should just live a simple life.”

Though to the unassuming viewer, the K-Pop business is all about shiny clothes and bouncy beats, Kim’s confession reminds us that the entertainment business is often a lot harsher than it looks. Since Kim, by his own admission, tends to trust people too easily and has a reserved personality, he kept agonizing over his career and questioned himself constantly, wondering, “Am I not cut out to be a singer?”

At his young age, retirement would be odd – but in an industry oversaturated with youngsters, it’s not at all impossible. But though Kim didn’t drop those words lightly, he eventually decided to prevail over his issues and return to the stage.

So what was behind his decision to pick up the mic again?

“It’s thanks to people. I realized that there are still many people who care about me,” said Kim, who will release his first solo album, Turn Me On on September 27. “I made the decision to work really hard thanks to people to whom I feel really thankful towards. I used to complain when I had many things to do, but now I try to enjoy it. (smile)”

“I’m very happy and excited about being on the stage for the first time in two years. I still have a lot of flaws, but things will be different depending on how you think. Young Saeng hyung supported me, saying the song is a good fit for me. What he said was very encouraging.

During the interview, we felt that he made a complete about-face from his earlier SS501 days, when he often yielded to members who were more outspoken. But the change seems natural, considering the fact that the flood of cameras he used to share with four other members are now focused on just him.

Kim Kyu Jong said he tried not to feel burdened about his first solo album, saying you should not expect too much at your first attempt. His hope is to approach fans gradually and quietly, like how many drops can make a flood.

“I like the American singer Tommy Page so much. His music is not trendy, but it remains in your memory for so long. I hope my songs can leave a lingering impression, even though they are not catchy, so people might say, ‘This song is so good’ even after many years have passed. My dream is to be a singer who has such a charm,” says Kim.

Photo credit: B2M Entertainment
Translation credit: Misun Lee