Interview with Drag Artist Nana Yeongrong Kim
A Muse Inspiring Fashion Brands and Designers as well as Performances and Content
Recently Held Second Solo Exhibition, Living Authentically as a Source of Positive Energy
'Drag,' a type of performance where one decorates oneself contrary to the expected appearance based on their gender or status, is generally classified into 'drag queens,' men dressing as women, and 'drag kings,' women dressing as men. Drag queens, who imitate and often exaggerate female gender symbols and roles for entertainment purposes through drag costumes and makeup, are also activists practicing anti-sexism by freely expressing the identities they want to portray.
Nana Yeongrong Kim (real name Kim Yeongrong, 38), the first name mentioned when looking for drag artists in Korea, introduced herself as "a performer who became a drag artist in the process of finding what is true to myself, and whose goal is to live happily right now." Having been active as a drag artist for 18 years, she recently held her second solo exhibition, expanding her domain beyond the stage to exhibitions. The following is a Q&A with her.
Drag artist Nana Yeongrong Kim is posing ahead of an interview on the 9th at The Trinity Gallery in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
- I am curious about the moment you first encountered drag.
▲ After entering the Department of Theater and Film, while preparing an assignment, I performed a scene from the musical 'Hedwig' like a gala show. That was the first time I tried drag, wearing a wig and makeup, and it was so much fun. I felt a thrill in acting a character completely opposite to my usual self. From that moment, I started looking for ways to continue drag, and to promote myself, I just did drag recklessly and sought out parties and festivals held in Hongdae and Gangnam, proposing to organizers, "Try using me. I can do lip-sync shows, and attracting people is not difficult." That’s how I started performing.
- Unlike 18 years ago, the stages where drag is utilized have diversified recently.
▲ I have been active as a drag queen for 18 years, but I feel the biggest changes have occurred in recent years. In the past, I mainly performed in clubs or small stages, but nowadays, as many people recognize and acknowledge drag culture, drag is actively sought and utilized in various media. The scope of activities has greatly expanded, including collaborations with brands and performances at embassy or corporate events. In the past, I did drag simply because I liked makeup and stage performances, but now I enjoy trying and showcasing various genres of culture through drag that I couldn’t do before.
- You emphasize living most authentically and happily right now. Is there a special reason for that?
▲ A few years ago, I took a break from drag. While juggling being a company employee and a drag queen, I struggled a lot and decided to rest, but during that time, I was hospitalized in the intensive care unit for several months. Just before discharge, the attending doctor asked me, "What do you want to do from now on?" I couldn’t answer for a long time. After much thought, I said, "Having survived a near-death experience, I think the answer is to do what I want and live joyfully." I felt too pitiful to endure today by holding back what I want to do for an uncertain tomorrow, future, or distant day. Isn’t today the youngest day in my life? I am enjoying this moment and living happily.
Nana Yeongrong Kim, as a drag queen, said that the happiest moments are when performing on stage and when the audience enjoys and plays along with her performance. Recently, she presented various staged photos realizing her fantasies beyond the stage through her second solo exhibition, 'NA, Na'. [Photo by The Trinity Gallery]
- When was the happiest moment as a drag queen?
▲ It’s hard to pick just one because I’m grateful every moment, but if I had to define it, it’s 'when I play on stage.' When the audience enjoys my stage and plays along, I feel complete happiness with nothing more to wish for.
- How did your family react to your drag activities?
▲ They didn’t know at first, but a few years ago, as my media exposure increased, my mother found out. She only knew I was performing because I majored in acting and didn’t know I was LGBTQ. When she saw the news about me winning a beauty award in the past, she naturally said, "You have been different since you were young," and has supported me since then. I gain strength from that support.
- There have been criticisms that drag queens caricature women.
▲ That is the thought of people who simply think drag is men dressing as women. Drag is an act of boldly and challengingly expressing the appearance one has wanted to show. Although some criticize that the glamorous wigs, provocative dresses, and silhouettes emphasizing hips or pelvis fixate women’s appearances, if you broaden your thinking, it is an expression of the beautiful female body. When performing on stage, I often portray divas like Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston, and when creating their glamorous moods, such expressions naturally become emphasized.
Drag artist Nana Yeongrong Kim is posing ahead of an interview on the 9th at The Trinity Gallery in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
- This recent exhibition is your second solo exhibition. Was it planned to promote yourself?
▲ Not at all. It just started from the thought that I wanted to hang beautiful photos in a gallery once and have many people come and appreciate them beautifully. Recently, I have been refraining from TV appearances and YouTube appearances. Some places offered high appearance fees, but I declined all. I’m not in urgent need of money, nor do I want to become more famous. I just want to do drag stably, and just as Nana’s life is important, Yeongrong’s life is also important.
- What has been the background that allowed you to protect yourself positively despite malicious comments, criticism, and prejudices against drag?
▲ Everyone is walking their own path, not the same as others. Isn’t it foolish to act like others and behave like others? I say I am special compared to others, but in fact, I think I might be more ordinary than anyone else. Others say I live a special life, but because I am myself, I don’t really feel that special. Rather than chasing or achieving by watching and being conscious of others, the attitude and effort to enjoy the moment as it flows while doing what I can and what I find fun have created positive energy, helped me grow, and ultimately made me myself.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
