We asked Kim Junsu for his thoughts on the lead single “HANA” off his third mini album, DIMENSION, and about the music that inspired him to dreams of the stage, no matter what he’s working on—be it as a singer or as a musical stage actor.
 

“HANA” (Kim Junsu)

The lead single for my new mini album, DIMENSION, is called “HANA,” and it’s a message to all the fans who’ve shared so many memories with me for so long and been patiently supporting me. The word “HANA” has two meanings and the song uses it as a metaphor to explore endless, unchanging love. “HANA” means “one” in Korean and “flower” in Japanese. I was also born on December 15, and the lyrics were written around the fact that the birth flower for that day symbolizes immortality, suggesting a flower that blooms after enduring hardship and comparing it to a flame. The moombahton beat and the fiery texture of the instruments capture that emotion, and I think the more people listen to it, the more intensely they’ll feel it inside and out.

“Low Star” (Kim Junsu)

I got inspiration for the second track, “Low Star,” looking at the view outside my window at night. You can’t see stars in the city anymore, but the idea behind the song was that instead the lights made by people look like constellations. It’s just vocals accompanied by piano, so people should make sure to listen close to the inhaling, exhaling, and vocal harmony. And the city constellations could be formed from the light of people going about their busy lives, people spending time with their families, or people preparing for another lonely day. I hope people can listen to the song after a hectic day and find some comfort in it.

“Lover’s Concerto” (Kelly Chen)

I’ve been talking about this song for a really long time and recommended it to my fans again and again. I actually did a vocal cover of it, too. This song really makes your heart flutter just by listening to it. And it fills you with all kinds of emotions right from the very beginning. Whenever I hear this song, I end up imagining all sorts of joy and excitement. Don’t you, too? I’m all excited and aflutter every time I listen to it.

“Happy Ending” (MIKA)

MIKA’s “Happy Ending” is a feel-good song. And it helps me distinguish if I’m feeling happy or sad at the moment when I listen to it. Personally, if I find the song sounds kind of good or happy when I listen to it, I realize I’m in a good mood. But on the other hand, some days it sounds sad to me, even though it’s the same song. The lyrics say “happy ending,” but it sounds more like a sad ending. When it’s like that, I start to think, Oh, am I feeling anxious about something, or sad for some reason? MIKA’s “Happy Ending” is like a compass I can listen to to judge how I’m feeling.

“DADDY” feat. CL (PSY)

The more I listen to “DADDY” by PSY, the more my body feels sort of, um … like it’s bursting with adrenaline. (laughs) I listen to it all the time and it’s the very first thing I put on when I’m out for a drive. The beat and instrumentation get me going like a heartbeat.

“SexyBack” (Justin Timberlake)

Wow! I can’t believe this song was released back in 2006. It’s a bit awkward to recommend such an old song, but … Doesn’t this beat just make you really want to dance? I remember being in shock when I first heard it. I couldn’t believe there were songs like this!

“Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson)

Michael Jackson’s performance made me dream of being on stage, and I actually performed this several times on stage, too. You asked me which songs have influenced me as a singer, musical actor, and in everything else I’ve done. Well, I think I could say this is the song that was the origin of my dream of being on stage. This song was an extremely big influence on me.