Roy Kim Explores True Love: 'Long-lasting Comfort Is More Precious Than First Excitement'

▲ This image, provided by WakeOne, shows K-pop singer Roy Kim. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- Singer Roy Kim delves into the meaning of true love in his recent single, What Is Love to Me, released last month.

“Through this song, I wanted to express how the comfort and familiarity built over time are far more precious than the initial excitement or thrills,” Roy Kim shared during a written interview with Yonhap News on the 21st.

While love remains an eternal theme in popular music, its spectrum is vast, covering everything from fleeting crushes to deep relationships and heartbreaking separations. Contrasting today’s trend of fleeting connections akin to casually managing social media followings, Roy Kim’s song focuses on enduring, steadfast love.

In the lyrics, he sings:

“What is love to me, you ask?

It’s treasuring this familiarity over initial excitement,

Not giving up, facing each other honestly,

And finding understanding even when things don’t go as planned.”

Roy Kim emphasized, “I believe trust is the most important aspect of any relationship. Trust is built through actions that show genuine care and the belief that the other person will act the same way. Such trust is not formed overnight but through long periods of time.”

This sentiment is seamlessly delivered through Roy Kim’s gentle vocals, which transition from a calm opening to an emotionally charged climax, complemented by the nostalgic Chicago-style drum sounds. The song's autumnal warmth resonated widely, earning it a spot in the top 10 of Melon’s Top 100 chart among fierce competition from leading idol stars.

▲ This image, provided by WakeOne, shows K-pop singer Roy Kim. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Reflecting on the song’s success, Roy Kim said, “I always strive to improve with every song I create. While I put my heart into my work, how the audience will receive it is beyond my control. I am genuinely surprised and deeply grateful for the love this song has received.”

He noted the seasonal connection to the song’s genre, saying, “In autumn, many people tend to gravitate towards ballads. This time, I tried to capture a universal yet unspoken truth, which seemed to resonate well.”

For Roy Kim, the concept of "sincerity" extends beyond lyrics to define his entire musical journey. “Even if a song is written by someone else, if it feels like it speaks directly to my heart, then I believe it qualifies as a great song,” he explained.

Since his debut with the 2013 hit Spring Spring Spring, Roy Kim has been writing his own lyrics and music. “A truly great song is one you’d want to listen to from start to finish, even years later,” he said.

Roy Kim first rose to fame by winning the 2012 audition program Superstar K4 before making his official debut the following year. Hits like Love Love Love and Home cemented his popularity, earning him top spots on TV music programs.

Reflecting on his career, now in its 12th year, he remarked, “Time has flown by so quickly. I’m grateful to still be making music and want to continue creating songs that endure over time.”

Known for his good looks since his debut, Roy Kim candidly shared, “In the early days, I felt disappointed when my appearance was discussed before my music. But as time goes on, I want to grow even more stylish and add to that with great music.”

Roy Kim will hold year-end concerts on December 6–8 at Seoul’s Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium and December 28 at the Busan KBS Hall, offering fans a chance to connect with his music live.

“I hope to be remembered as a singer who, for a long time, shared songs that gently accompanied someone through various moments in their life. That would make me incredibly happy,” he said.) · Instagram photos ...

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