[On The Record] ② Taei "I Won't Stop Singing, Acting, or Loving"

Singer and Actor Tae Interview ②

[On the Record]① Tey “Being a celebrity is sweet? It’s an intense jungle” Continued from previous article.

Singer Tey (39, Kim Ho-kyung) has lived an interesting life. Raised under conservative parents, he grew up ordinarily and developed a calm personality thanks to the family values that emphasized not causing harm to others. The country boy from Ulsan who moved to Seoul at 20 suddenly became a 'top star.' His songs echoed throughout the streets, and TV shows were eager to invite him. He enjoyed popularity close to a syndrome. Hit songs like 'Love... Leaves a Scent' (2004), 'Love... Is One' (2005), and 'Same Pillow...' (2007) are well known just by their titles. At one point, he was a balladeer singing heart-wrenching songs and maintained a mysterious aura. There was even a humorous incident where, despite not drinking and only hanging out at cafes with male actors, rumors of dating a male celebrity surfaced. Torn between top singer Tey and the person Kim Ho-kyung, he confined and locked himself away. Thanks to that, he stayed away from alcohol, smoking, and nightlife, focusing on his career and eventually reaching the top.

Recently, Tey met with Asia Economy at a location in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Singer and musical actor Tey, small business owner Kim Ho-kyung, and 39-year-old young man Kim Ho-kyung shared many stories over a long time.

From Conservative Youth to Flexible Celebrity

Singer Tey [Photo by Gwasuwon Musical Company]

= How were you able to walk this path while protecting yourself without falling into temptation?

Thanks to my parents. They always told me, ‘Don’t cause trouble for others,’ ‘Don’t be arrogant,’ ‘Be humble,’ and ‘Keep your manners.’ I was greatly influenced by their teachings. Celebrities are supposed to enjoy themselves when given the stage, but I actually avoided it because of that. Thanks to that, I didn’t fall into the temptations of darkness. I didn’t drink or smoke; at most, I sat chatting with friends at cafes in Apgujeong-dong. (laughs) I really love radio, and back then, chatting was the foundation for me, no exaggeration.

= What was young Kim Ho-kyung like?

In my teens, I was always the class president. I had strong leadership. I took the lead among friends and was the head of the student council and vice president of the entire school. So, my male friends always liked me. In high school, I was even the vocalist of a band called Cheongsangari. (laughs) I was quite popular.

= Did you gradually come to understand your identity as you gained popularity in your early 20s?

Yes. Before that, when people talked, I would respond with a quick comeback once or twice, which was somewhat funny. But after becoming celebrity Tey, it was difficult to express so many words and show kindness and a good heart. Even now, I think my heart was really pure back then, but I didn’t know how to express it.

= The phrase ‘pure heart’ is impressive.

I didn’t know because I never learned how to express myself maturely. So I hid more. Now I know that actions are everything. People from Gyeongsang-do believe others will understand without expression, trust them, and think mistakes aren’t intentional. After coming to Seoul and working in the entertainment industry, I learned that expressing kindness and friendliness means being good. I got used to living that way.

Radio, Music, Acting: Lifelong Companions

= You are hosting the radio show ‘Tey’s Break Time,’ which introduces stories of small business owners in the food service industry. When did you start?

Since last July. Suddenly, I got a call from Baedal Minjok (a food delivery service) and heard about the project, and it sounded fun. I thought I’d have a lot to say. First of all, I love radio so much that I want to do it for life. Being a business owner is just like being a celebrity. It’s lonely. No one says bad things to you, but to succeed, you need consultation and advice. But if you consult, the morale of your employees drops. So, in the end, you have to endure it alone.

= Who would dare give advice to an actor? They all worked hard to succeed, so it must be burdensome.

Exactly. Even actors find it hard to give each other advice. It’s very cautious. No matter how expert someone is, it’s subjective. Emotions get mixed in. Now I’m trained enough to tell when ‘this person is really saying this for my good.’ I have criteria for listening, so it’s good to listen to a lot of advice.

A scene from the musical 'Ludwig: Beethoven The Piano'
[Photo by Gwasuwon Musical Company]

= You were loved for your ballads, so how did you challenge yourself on the musical stage?

I debuted in acting with SBS weekend drama ‘Love Is for Everyone’ (2009). I originally thought musicals were a genre I couldn’t do, but I encountered opera through tvN’s ‘Opera Star’ (2012). It was very interesting. One day, Min Woo-hyuk and I watched the musical ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ and I was shocked. Neither of us were musical actors then, but we were so amazed that we couldn’t say a word. During intermission, we made eye contact and kept saying, ‘Wow, this is fun.’ Two big guys sitting in small theater seats, completely captivated.

= What is the charm of musicals?

Acting is fun. Practicing harmonizing with other actors is fun. Sharing worries and creating together is happiness. Ultimately, it’s a collaborative yet individual work. It depends on which actors you meet. The work of exchanging emotions is enjoyable.

= Your cover songs like ‘Monologue’ and ‘Trying to Rewrite the End of This Novel’ have also gained popularity. Do you feel the response that people want to keep listening to Tey’s songs?

Some ask if I’m just selling hamburgers without doing music. (laughs) Actually, I’ve never taken a break from music. I’ve been singing continuously and will keep singing. The cover songs are carefully thought out and prepared, so I can confidently say, please listen. Making good music is a priority. Being loved as a singer is a great reward for me.

= Songs like ‘Love... Leaves a Scent,’ ‘Same Pillow...,’ and ‘Love... Is One’ still leave a deep impression even now. Why are Tey’s ballads so painful?

People say there’s something in my voice. Maybe it’s because Tey’s unique sensibility that calls for breakups is something others don’t have. I think it was possible because I was a thorough amateur when I debuted. At that time, I wasn’t trained in practical music. I didn’t know techniques or harmony, so I fully embraced the songs. If the lyrics didn’t resonate with me, I couldn’t sing them.

= It’s similar to acting.

Exactly. Like an actor preparing by reading a script, I treated ballads the same way. Looking back now, I feel some awkwardness in vocalization, but above all, I could focus on emotion. I wanted to approach it painfully and sadly. That’s probably why I became a vocalist whose weapon is dramatic emotion.

Love and Dating Get Harder the More You Know

Tay [Photo by Gwasuwon Musical Company]

= One wonders how many breakups this singer has experienced to produce such emotions.

Emotions come from experience, but indirect experience also helps expression. Sometimes, when you actually experience it, it’s nothing special. After painful breakups, it’s hard to cry out longing. I mean, longing? I’m sick of it. (laughs)

= Even so, Tey’s breakup songs are so beautiful.

It’s because I sing emotions beyond hatred, regret, or why I acted foolishly. I sing about overcoming without looking back. I sang as if breakup was good. Breakup made me grow again. So I wished the other person well. I sang to make our breakup beautiful. The lyrics were really beautiful. Many people say they still like them these days. Having songs loved over time is fulfilling as a singer.

= How much did you understand those emotions when you sang in your 20s?

I thought I understood everything back then. (laughs) I sang emotions flamboyantly and passionately, but now I’m more calm. I learned through experience that breakup emotions may not always be so intense. Before, I sang as if the whole world was drunk like the lyrics, but now I know that singing just enough to be gently intoxicated conveys the feeling.

= Have you dated unknowingly or knowingly?

I dated and broke up and lived like that. (laughs) Fate isn’t something you can control just because you want to.

= What kind of style are you? What do you consider most important in dating?

I didn’t know, but I’m a bit serious. (laughs) I tend to start by sharing serious stories. It’s awkward to get close by joking at first. Dating is hard. I don’t really know anymore. I’m the type who looks at only one person. When I think, ‘Ah, this is the one,’ I trust and go all the way.

I open up my inner stories and situations. I show my true self regardless of comfort, excitement, or emotions. It’s important that the other person shows their honest self too. It’s a relationship where you see each other as you are. It’s more comfortable because there’s no calculation. When I dated before, I removed makeup and met comfortably as I was. It’s the same with friends. They say it’s awkward when I appear on TV. They ask if that’s really me, who is that?

[Photo by Tei]

= What do you consider most important in human relationships?

My views on love and friendship are almost the same. I think it starts from the moment you share feelings like pity, wanting to embrace, and wanting to share sadness when you reveal your lowest self. It’s probably with someone you can ask to stay by your side in your worst moments or someone you want to stay by when they are at their worst. Excited thrill is more instinct or attraction than love.

= It’s a different concept from temporary emotions. But you can’t help instinctive excitement, right?

There are many attractive people in the industry. Most are cool, handsome, charming, witty, and sophisticated. They have many strengths. Everyone is attractive when you meet them. I feel attraction but don’t misunderstand it as personal feelings. Even if a pretty person looks at me and smiles kindly, I know it’s not personal attraction now. I’m trained. You could say I control instinctive attraction to some extent.

= You’ve never had even a single dating rumor.

There was a same-sex dating rumor. (laughs) Guys go to coffee shops and chat, watch movies, eat desserts at good restaurants. Not now, but back then, there was a strange view on that. Plus, I didn’t drink. Celebrities who don’t drink often get misunderstood like that. I can laugh and say, ‘That happened too.’

= What is the driving force that keeps you from getting tired despite various activities?

As a singer, actor, and celebrity, my goal is to spend happy days ahead. Now, work is fun. It took a long time to gain confidence, but after finally understanding the work and the industry’s mechanisms, I enjoy it. The driving force is continuing to do what I love. I want to be happy forever while steadily working on singing stages, radio, broadcasting, and acting.