Classic Lee Hi
"She does not speak, she sings"
2019.07.03
2019.07.03
Black Dress,Valentino; Hairpiece, Stylist's
White polka-dot dress, MSGM at hanstyle.com
Black see-through dress, Prada
Slim dress, Stella McCartney; Heels, Jimmy Choo
Dotted Off-shoulder dress, Zara; Black hat/hairpiece, Stylist's
White ruffle dress, ROMANCHIC; Hairpiece, Stylist's
White Mini One Piece, Miu Miu
Interview:
You look good in classic/vintage clothes. Somehow for Lee Hi, you have the grace of an old woman (people from the past).
-I (feel) a little old. These days I don't know the trendy words, songs, and even fashion. I like the old times. Even for music, I like listening to CDs and LPs.
What kind of music?
-I often go to a custom LP Bar to listen to Anita Baker. I listen to old Korean songs more. Sanulrim, Deulgukhwa, and I like Choi Baek Ho's music.
Even your song 'No One' is a homage to Han YoungAe, right?
-I didn't know when I first heard the track but the moment I heard 'No One,' it sounded different. The drive to want to sing the song came out.
Why do you like old songs?
-I loved singing it since I was a kid. That time, my voice was even lower and my voice was loud. So I had this feeling that Korean Soul Music was "Sorrowful," that's what I wondered. These days there are a lot of songs you can sing and cry to but there are more old songs that you can sing calmly and sadly.
You have a lot to say but at the same time you can't say it, why?
-Because I'm unfamiliar, I get shy a lot, and I find it hard to put things into words. When I put my thoughts and feelings into words, the meaning is always slightly different from what I want it to be.
You didn't talk much as a kid too?
-Yes. People thought I was weird because I acted more than I talked. I was speechless, expressionless, it (just) suddenly disappears. I have a lot of alone time to think. I don't talk, I just think and all the words are just in my head so other people think I have nothing to say. Even my mom thinks I'm a loose cannon.
For example, where would you go (to think)?
-I don't cry when I get scolded, when they tell me to leave the house I go play at the playground, when they scold me in the car and tell me to get off, I get off. Haha. I do it my way.
What was young Lee Hi's heart like?
-I hated rules. I didn't want (anyone) to invade my freedom, I wanted to live as I pleased. That's why I left school early and started working when I was 17 but when I left there were more rules to follow. But since I like my job now, my temper has softened. I can sing now. To me, just giving me the chance to sing is enough. It's not hard to follow rules when you're doing what you love.
What do you feel when you sing?
-It's time to be honest with my songs. Things that I couldn't normally say, things that I have not been able to talk about. The things inside me, songs that honestly express my heart.
Even when you were just seventeen, your voice sounded like you've lived a lifetime. Lee Hi's emotions, your "I'm trying to tell you, but I can't" side, where did it start?
-My parents were workings so I was raised (taken care of) by our neighbor. I spent a lot of days alone. Maybe because it was so quiet that my ears were bright (heard well). I can hear the neighbor's water, the whispers, I knew it was my mother or father by just hearing their footsteps. They say they like my voice but I think my ears work better. To be honest, I like listening to music more than singing.
Do you get lonely?
-I've lived my life thinking I'm a composed person, If I think about it now I don't think I was pretending. If I was lonely and I'm with a group of people, I sometimes think I spend time better when I'm alone. I lie down, watch Netflix, and drink alone. I like wine. When my body feels cold, I take a half-bath and drink a glass of red wine.
Who are the musicians you like these days?
-These days, I like The Internet and Anderson Paak. They have an old school feel to them. I listened to The Internet's 'Under Control' everyday while preparing for my album.
Does the lyrics give you strength?
-I worried a lot since I had a long hiatus/break. But it was all under control. I did everything well so I wanted to let them know it wasn't worth worrying.
Come to think of it, the vocals are somewhat similar to a SID sound. The texture of the voice, the bass' vibration, you must like that kind of thing?
-I think so? I love them so much I went to their concert. For me, I really like the sounds of a heavy bass and drums. When the woofer sounds go up and the voice gets louder, I like it.
For you, you're laid back and your sense of rhythm is very unique. Since you hate rules, you like peeking out of your notes (when you're singing).
-It really happens. When I make songs, I don't follow the rules either. When you work with people who have learnt the rules they tell you "you can't do it like that," I left that all behind.
When I think about it, I liked strange rhythms ever since I was young. When my sister who does jazz music counts (beats), I pick up and follow the rhythm very often. I ride the beat, not the 1-3 beat but 2-4, I like that better. I like the rhythm of Soul and Jazz Music.
Your self-made song '20MIN,' it's cynical so it's fun.
-It's my experience. The girls/women got excited and seemed to like it. Just like being honest with how I sing, I have to be honest with what I write too. I can't write lyrics from movies or books. I can only write about what I have experienced.
The people who saw you since your KPOP Star days, do they still see Lee Hi as a young girl?
-They must've thought that I was a young kid back then. But I don't know now. It would be nice if they saw me as a free, matured woman now.
Do you know about love now?
-Yes. I've learnt it the hard way. It wasn't fun and easy.
What type are you when in a relationship?
-I thought I was the one who would be cold for the rest of my life but I found out I wasn't. I wait and sacrifice. But when you're being vague, I get cold. I hate it when someone is vague.
What kind of person do you like?
-I don't like a perfect person. I don't care if you're very handsome. I want someone who knows what they want. Not everything but I think a person who knows what they want is really charming. I am not perfect too, a lot of people aren't. But there are many shortcomings, you have to explain everything you do, there is someone who will see you for who you are.
For Lee Hi, is there anything you make sure of?
-I want to make sure it works. Yes, and I'm sure I'm gonna end up in a relationship. It's good to be clear even when you're in a "Some (something/fling)." If we've spent enough time together and you have nothing to say, then just ask yourself. No? Then I don't have time. Just like that.
So you don't like it when they hold you back?
-It's such a waste. There are much more fun things to do.
During your three year hiatus, you seem to have been enjoying beads?
-During my break, I have thought about a lot of things. I thought that it would be better to think about those concerns but I think it's a habit that ruins me. This time, instead of having deep thoughts, I worked my hands. I bought a lot of beads and patches and just put them together all day. I made bead bracelets, hairpins...when I give them to people I feel very proud. It would later be reflected on the album art.
For Lee Hi, if there's a string that can't be broken, what would it be?
-Singing. I can get along with anything pretty well, but I can't even make bracelets out of beads for a week as much as I like singing everyday.
You said in an interview a long time ago that you want to be a singer that keeps her own color, do you still feel that way?
-Yes. I want to be silent and sincere about what I love to do.
Is there a reason you don't appear on variety shows?
-No, honestly. I'm just not a funny person. Also, I think I'll just be doing things my way. Haha.
Your Instagram is full of beads, flowers, and butterflies, do you like cute and colorful stuff?
-I like colorful stuff rather than monotones and rather than big fancy things, I like small fancy things. I especially like butterflies, they're beautiful and free. Butterflies fly nonlinearly, not knowing where they're going and when they fly away we follow them. I like that. I like that freedom so I keep drawing them.
Do you often dream?
-Yes. I see the color of the sky a lot when I sleep. Like the sky blue tone of today's pictorial, or Pegasus from My Little Pony, like when flying, that kind of color. I would like to dream of that today too.
What do you feel when you sing?
-It's time to be honest with my songs. Things that I couldn't normally say, things that I have not been able to talk about. The things inside me, songs that honestly express my heart.
Even when you were just seventeen, your voice sounded like you've lived a lifetime. Lee Hi's emotions, your "I'm trying to tell you, but I can't" side, where did it start?
-My parents were workings so I was raised (taken care of) by our neighbor. I spent a lot of days alone. Maybe because it was so quiet that my ears were bright (heard well). I can hear the neighbor's water, the whispers, I knew it was my mother or father by just hearing their footsteps. They say they like my voice but I think my ears work better. To be honest, I like listening to music more than singing.
Do you get lonely?
-I've lived my life thinking I'm a composed person, If I think about it now I don't think I was pretending. If I was lonely and I'm with a group of people, I sometimes think I spend time better when I'm alone. I lie down, watch Netflix, and drink alone. I like wine. When my body feels cold, I take a half-bath and drink a glass of red wine.
Who are the musicians you like these days?
-These days, I like The Internet and Anderson Paak. They have an old school feel to them. I listened to The Internet's 'Under Control' everyday while preparing for my album.
Does the lyrics give you strength?
-I worried a lot since I had a long hiatus/break. But it was all under control. I did everything well so I wanted to let them know it wasn't worth worrying.
Come to think of it, the vocals are somewhat similar to a SID sound. The texture of the voice, the bass' vibration, you must like that kind of thing?
-I think so? I love them so much I went to their concert. For me, I really like the sounds of a heavy bass and drums. When the woofer sounds go up and the voice gets louder, I like it.
For you, you're laid back and your sense of rhythm is very unique. Since you hate rules, you like peeking out of your notes (when you're singing).
-It really happens. When I make songs, I don't follow the rules either. When you work with people who have learnt the rules they tell you "you can't do it like that," I left that all behind.
When I think about it, I liked strange rhythms ever since I was young. When my sister who does jazz music counts (beats), I pick up and follow the rhythm very often. I ride the beat, not the 1-3 beat but 2-4, I like that better. I like the rhythm of Soul and Jazz Music.
Your self-made song '20MIN,' it's cynical so it's fun.
-It's my experience. The girls/women got excited and seemed to like it. Just like being honest with how I sing, I have to be honest with what I write too. I can't write lyrics from movies or books. I can only write about what I have experienced.
The people who saw you since your KPOP Star days, do they still see Lee Hi as a young girl?
-They must've thought that I was a young kid back then. But I don't know now. It would be nice if they saw me as a free, matured woman now.
Do you know about love now?
-Yes. I've learnt it the hard way. It wasn't fun and easy.
What type are you when in a relationship?
-I thought I was the one who would be cold for the rest of my life but I found out I wasn't. I wait and sacrifice. But when you're being vague, I get cold. I hate it when someone is vague.
What kind of person do you like?
-I don't like a perfect person. I don't care if you're very handsome. I want someone who knows what they want. Not everything but I think a person who knows what they want is really charming. I am not perfect too, a lot of people aren't. But there are many shortcomings, you have to explain everything you do, there is someone who will see you for who you are.
For Lee Hi, is there anything you make sure of?
-I want to make sure it works. Yes, and I'm sure I'm gonna end up in a relationship. It's good to be clear even when you're in a "Some (something/fling)." If we've spent enough time together and you have nothing to say, then just ask yourself. No? Then I don't have time. Just like that.
So you don't like it when they hold you back?
-It's such a waste. There are much more fun things to do.
During your three year hiatus, you seem to have been enjoying beads?
-During my break, I have thought about a lot of things. I thought that it would be better to think about those concerns but I think it's a habit that ruins me. This time, instead of having deep thoughts, I worked my hands. I bought a lot of beads and patches and just put them together all day. I made bead bracelets, hairpins...when I give them to people I feel very proud. It would later be reflected on the album art.
For Lee Hi, if there's a string that can't be broken, what would it be?
-Singing. I can get along with anything pretty well, but I can't even make bracelets out of beads for a week as much as I like singing everyday.
You said in an interview a long time ago that you want to be a singer that keeps her own color, do you still feel that way?
-Yes. I want to be silent and sincere about what I love to do.
Is there a reason you don't appear on variety shows?
-No, honestly. I'm just not a funny person. Also, I think I'll just be doing things my way. Haha.
Your Instagram is full of beads, flowers, and butterflies, do you like cute and colorful stuff?
-I like colorful stuff rather than monotones and rather than big fancy things, I like small fancy things. I especially like butterflies, they're beautiful and free. Butterflies fly nonlinearly, not knowing where they're going and when they fly away we follow them. I like that. I like that freedom so I keep drawing them.
Do you often dream?
-Yes. I see the color of the sky a lot when I sleep. Like the sky blue tone of today's pictorial, or Pegasus from My Little Pony, like when flying, that kind of color. I would like to dream of that today too.
trans: @kstlkn
PLEASE TAKE WITH FULL CREDITS
Comments
Post a Comment