Jennie Jieun Baek
Jennie is another best high school friend of mine, also a classmate in my freshman year. However, unlike Stephanie, she used to have little interest in music. She often listened to songs, but did not spend much time on actual singing and have never imagined performing in front of other people. Stephanie and I had frequent conversations about music styles, making performance of our own, going to karaoke but Jennie barely cared about those talks. However as us three got closer and closer, Jennie became totally different: she started to love singing. It was her who began to speak out so often that we should go out and sing. She even started to visit karaoke alone only to practice and improve her singing. Obviously her singing improved so quickly that she even got to confidently sing in front of other people. She is currently a vocal in Korean University's band called "Ultra Sound." The fact that one can change so suddenly was astonishing for me. I also thought that the power of music is truly significant that it can completely change people. To interview her, I had a long, long talk with her on the phone. "Hey, didn't you say you started to have interest in music from playing piano? I don't think I've heard many things about your piano." "Yeah it was mostly because of my mom. She loved classical music a lot and I was influenced. I played many instruments including piano and flute. Those kinds of interest in music also made me like k-pop when I went to middle school." "But you said you haven't been interesting in actual singing before high school." "True. You know you and Stephanie gave me a huge impact on my singing. I used to only enjoy playing instruments and listening to songs, but now what. I'm the vocal of a band. Because of you guys now I am first attracted to anybody singing. Oh my god." I was again surprised by the impact of music, that it can change one's perspectives. The next question was about the band she is currently in. "Why don't you explain your band more specifically? The only things is know is the name and that you're the vocal in it..Well to add a little..that its a rock band?" "Haha, as you know the name is 'Ultra Sound." Its just at its infancy, it's been like three years since it has been made. I was sometimes jealous of the bands that have such a long history, but I think its also good if the first generation is still near us. Though the band is only for our major, not for the whole school, I feel no difference in the practice amount. We've been improving a lot lately." It was clearly a chance that I could know better of her band. I was proud, so much proud. Then I asked her the question I was the most curious about. Like me and Stephanie, Jennie was a friend who enjoyed singing Rhythm and Blues the most. However, I knew that the band usually played Rock and was wondering how Jennie was getting through that problem. "Are you getting used to the Rock genre of your band? I haven't heard you singing in a while. I'm afraid your voice or singing styles totally changed. Now I'm scared :(" |
"No worry my friend. I'm still the same. I'm just trying hard to fit myself into the band. You know I haven't tried anything new for my singing style and thought it would be near to impossible. But I think that thought was a little bit intense. Now that I started to be responsible as a vocal of a rock band, it wasn't something to be said 'IMPOSSIBLE'. Well, to be honest I'm still on my way of getting used to it and find my own style but its not a huge burden for me. If not for the band, I still listen to R&B." Somewhat I was relieved with the fact that she was still the R&B family with me and Stephanie. At the same time I was really curious about her changed, adapted voice to rock genre. This time I asked a question about which Jennie and I could talk with an agreement. "What are the meanings of you participation in music? What are the impacts you think?" "Good question. I think you also have a lot to tell me about this. Well for me, its just basically the best stress reliever. You used to always tell me that I should start singing when I get stressed out. At that time it wasn't that convincing, you know, I never imagined singing. Now I get it! Every time I get tired, depressed, I just go to the practice room and practice. I also get so much energy from our practice and performances. Its awesome." "Can't agree more. All the stress of the week, I relieve while practicing. Performance, my own performance, isn't it wonderful? I totally agree that its the best stress reliever." "Two more questions to go. Don't you have a heavy work load for your studying? How do you balance music and studying?" "I'm surprised that you are asking that question. I think it would be much harder for you. You always tell me you're at the library whenever I ask you where you are. I think it is better in Korea to balance the activities and exam. We have a clear exam period, so most of the students study during that period but you guys seem to have tests so randomly..The only problem for me is that I want to go to karaoke or practice even in the exam period. That's all." Wow, it was different from high school. There was so much workload when I was a teenager in Korea, and I realized it was much better in college. I asked Jennie my last question, "The hardest one I think! What do you think are the cultural roles of music?" "Hmm..definitely a hard question. Let me think for a while." "Sure, I mean, I even don't have my own answer to this question..I was thinking about the answer but just decided to ask you guys first. Maybe I'll combine them or something:)" "Haha, ok, this is what I think. It's nothing really special though. I think it can be a conversation topic with foreigners. Whenever we meet foreigners, we usually get awkward at first. However, when we start listening to same songs and feel joy together, that's what I think a real connection. Long stories short, music is a great means to connect people. Its a connection." |