With a voice that resonates with passion and artistry, NIKA embarked on her musical voyage which has spanned almost ten years. Debuting as a member of BADKIZ, in 2014, NIKA delighted audiences with her energetic performances and captivating charm. However, her artistic aspirations reached beyond the confines of the group, leading her to explore the realm of music as a solo artist, with her powerful and soulful voice, she released her first mini album "Luvidu" in 2018. She released her first self-written song 'Station' in 2019. Recently, NIKA came back with her self-written 10th single 'Completely' released June 2023, composed by G.QOO.
KpopWise had the honor of delving into her musical journey, exploring her experiences, and gaining insights into her artistic vision through a chat.
You released your new song "Completely"! Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you?
Watching the movie, I was fascinated by the sad but thrilling relationship between men and women. I got the motif from Park Hae-il's line, "I'm completely broken." The title means 'complete', but 'incomplete' is the key theme of this song. The main character of this song is being ruined by an incomplete relationship or an incomplete self.
I think it will be a song that I personally cherish because it contains the dark side that I have, complex and delicate, incomplete and anxious sides.
How has your musical journey evolved since your debut? What new experiences and influences have shaped your artistry?
I debuted as a girl group "BADKIZ" in 2014 and I was the main vocalist and leader for about 4 years. At that time, I was always thirsty for music and wanted to do various music before it was too late, so I decided to leave and turned solo, and after leaving the company, I took a break for about a year and reorganized. The first song that I released on my own was '정거장에서' (Station) Starting with that song, I learned what kind of music I can do and what I want to do. It was a very precious time for me, like the driving force that allowed me to enjoy music again.
Could you take us through your creative process for "Completely"? How did you come up with the concept, lyrics, and melody for the song?
This song is R&B genre. I wrote the lyrics. Producer G.QOO produced the entire song under the songwriting. He is also the composer of 'Dream' released last year. It was nice to be able to focus entirely on the lyrics, but I felt that much pressure.
I focused more on the main character's emotional line than the direct message because I wanted the listener to listen to his own story and emotions.
What was the most memorable or challenging aspect of recording and producing 'Completely'? Were there any surprises along the way?
In the process of writing lyrics, should the song present clear messages and emotions? That's what I thought a lot about. I thought that direct words didn't fit the mood of the song, so I wrote the lyrics according to my intuition. One of my acquaintances said that when he heard the song, he thought of the movie 'Burning'. Emotions vary from person to person, so I think it's interesting when I get various feedback.
Your vocals on "Completely" are incredibly beautiful and emotive. How do you approach conveying emotions through your singing and connecting with listeners?
First of all, thank you so much for listening to me well! I tend to do my best whenever I release a song, as long as the situation and environment allow me. If I keep doing that, I believe that more people will understand my true feelings.
I participate in writing lyrics every time, but I don't think the message of the song should be filled with too much personal content and language.
There may be likes and dislikes, but you have to empathize. It may sound obvious, but it's also really hard.
With the release of "Completely," what message or feeling do you hope listeners will take away from the song?
This song is not a complete breakup song or a love song. I hope it'll be a little comfort to those who know that it can't come true but still love vividly, who have addictive love that they can't stop even if they want to.
Are there any specific artists or genres that have influenced your sound and style, particularly for this new single?
When I first heard the melody and sound of this song, I thought of 'Till It Happens To You' by Corinne Bailey Rae.
While listening to this song and singing it, I think I got a lot of help on how to sing 'Completely' and what kind of message to put in it.
What can fans expect from you in the future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?
In the future, I am planning to show a lot of good music with my new company ZIZE STUDIO. We're already working on the next song.
Please look forward to it!
Finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with your fans and listeners about your new single or your journey as an artist?
Through this new song, I will actively release various songs, and among them, I am planning to release German and English songs.
I plan to continue my music career with determination and flexibility!
I will work hard to communicate more with my fans at home and abroad (especially in Germany)! Thank you for always supporting me!
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Listen to NIKA on Spotify