WHAT’S NEXT FOR HER
These days, K-pop fans aren’t just hearing Kim’s voice; they’re seeing her as well. In June, Kim was the emcee for BabyMonster’s first Singapore fanmeeting – appearing onstage for a good duration of the show as she facilitated the programme and interpreted questions for the members of BabyMonster.
When asked if she thought her prior viral moments had played a part in this new job scope, Kim replied: “I feel like (those incidents) helped me get recognised as someone who has ‘personality’. Interpreters are not supposed to show too much personality, I feel…That’s the main difference between emceeing and interpreting. An interpreter is a shadow; an emcee gets the spotlight.”
She explained that the viral moments demonstrated to concert organisers that she possessed both the technical skills and personality to double up as an emcee, which led to organisers reaching out to her for this new role.
Kim’s newfound fame has been “scary” but “it also feels like a dream”.
“I’m really grateful that people recognise me and that artistes show their appreciation to me, calling my name and everything…I feel like I’m living in a K-drama. But I feel (a sense of) responsibility towards this recognition, towards this affection. It means (people) trust me that when I’m doing (my roles), it’s going to be fun…And I don’t want to disappoint them. So I’m grateful and I feel like I need to do better. So there’s a lot of pressure.”
For now, Kim has a new aim in sight.
“My goal is to actually speak Mandarin fluent enough, so that I can do interpretation in Mandarin as well.”