Kang Gary and his three lifetime opportunities

        They say everyone has three chances in their lives. Those who succeed don't let go of their opportunity. If you endure the difficulties, you will get your opportunity. Of course, much effort is required to capture that opportunity, and the opportunity doesn't necessarily promise you success.
       Even Gary of LeeSsang, the leading rapper in the Korean Hip Hop scene, had a couple of chances. What made those chances into his was Gary's sweat and determination. For the best, he was harsh on himself during times of difficulty, and the rewards were sweet. The success story of Gary became written as such. During his eight album, he never knew failure. Critics say he contributed the most in popularizing the hip hop genre. He became a popular star in both the SBS reality program "Running Man".

Kang Gary interview with SE Weekly

 

Are you happy being Monday Couple with Song Ji Hyo? Will you two collaborate in music or in other areas?

Isn’t the best picture is Ji Hyo acting in my MV?

Before starting the interview, the reporter took the chance to confess to Gary

Translator: The reporter wants to say something to you in Korean.

Reporter: You’re so handsome.

Gary: You’re pretty.

We heard that when connecting all 10 songs in your new album it will become a complete story? What’s the story? Where did you get the inspiration?

No, it’s not like that. But it has the feel of having an opening and an ending. The first track, “The guy who’ll do well anyway (Losers fly)”, has the feel of my old days in 2002. “Halyang dream” is a track that converts my feelings back then into today’s. In between there’s a track called “Rap”, it’s also about my feelings when thinking of the past. Rather than saying all the tracks are connected into a story, I’d say the feeling of each story in each track is connected.

All the tracks in “2002” are composed by Kang Gary?

All the lyrics are composed by me, except the rap parts by other rappers. I’m not good at using programs making beats for songs, but I participated in making the melody for all the tracks.

The biggest challenge in making MV for this album?

We finished filming the MVs. There are 2 title tracks so there are also 2 MVs. One track is about the feelings after a breakup. One track is racy, to the point I think that it should be 29+ rated, not 19+ rated. But after all it’s a love story.

I don’t appear in the MV of “Get some air”. In “JOA” I appeared for lip-sync part, but not too much. My part has the feel of a third person who’s only there to watch the story. So there’s no difficulty in filming the MV. But the models had to work very hard, and because they did their best, I think the MV turned out well.

Don’t you feel embarrassed?

No, not at all. I don’t feel like that, but it seems the models had a hard time filming the MV. But I’m thankful because their acting are great.

You used to say this in a performance: “I’ve been a singer for more than 10 years, but I become famous because of variety shows.” Many fans thought it was a heartbroken confession. How did you feel at that time?

I think people who became my fans because of my music might oppose me joining variety show, from the bottom of their hearts. I also agonized over this problem many times. But the more I do variety show, the more chances I have to witness the hardships that entertainers have to go through to make people laugh. No matter at what area, don’t easily judge anyone as you wish. Therefore I sorted out my thoughts again, and the more I do variety show, the more I'm determined to live with my best.  Now my fans understood that, so I should try harder in both areas.

You said making a good song is your true hobby. How do you define a good song?

I think good music is songs that can cheer you up when you’re down, give you strength when you have a hard time and make you dance when you’re happy. Good songs naturally embrace your emotions.

Will you give up Running Man to focus on your music career?

No. All of the Running Man members are all famous and very busy now. Running Man is my first variety show, so I feel the responsibility to go with it till the end. Moreover, it’s like a home to me, and the members also think like that. No matter how busy I am, I’ll work hard until the day it ends.

Are you happy being Monday Couple with Song Ji Hyo? Will you two collaborate in music or in other areas?

Isn’t the best picture is Ji Hyo acting in my MV?

Do you have any plan to become an actor?

I can say I want to try it, but to become an actor you should have some confidence in acting. Of course the more you do it, the more confidence you get. When I watch movies or dramas, I think actors are awesome. But what makes me worry more is whether I can act well.

[Translated by: mondaycouplefan_funny142]

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Kang Gary interview J2 Star Talk

 

 When I was at school, I’m really bad at English and art. P.E was all A+. I’m good at Chinese characters. Originally, if I couldn’t become a singer, I would like to become a P.E teacher.

Kang Gary interview with QQ

There’re many beautiful actresses in Asia. In Korea, I think Song Ji Hyo is the most beautiful actress.

Q: About Kang Gary’s new album and title tracks…
A: In 2014 I released mini-album “Mr.Gae”, and after one year and eight months, I released my 1^st full-length album. The album title is “2002”, and there are 10 tracks included. The two title tracks are “Get some air” and “JOA”. Other than the two title tracks, I also put my all in other tracks too. Hope that you will listen to them.

Q: Which artists did you collaborate with in “2002”?

A: The title track “Get some air” is a collaboration with a powerful rookie, MIWOO. “JOA” featured the famous outstanding artist Jay Park, who made the song alive.

Q: Any plan about going on tours?

A: After releasing my album, I hope that I can go on tours in China to meet up and interact with everybody. Even though there isn’t a specific plan yet, I will definitely come to meet you guys. Please look forward to it.

Q: Kang Gary’s impression of Shanghai and Guangzhou?

A: I visited Shanghai and Guangzhou several times, and each time the feeling is different. These are big and beautiful cities, the fans always welcome me warmly, so they always left good impression in me. This time was also the same, unexpectedly so many fans come to the showcase. Hope that I will meet everybody through my new songs in various stages in the future.

Q: What does Kang Gary think of Running Man?

A: Running Man is very popular, and many fans of Running Man are Chinese fans. Running Man is my first variety show and I’ve been doing it for 5 years. The show is fun and the members always take care of each other like a family. I am grateful to everybody and will work harder in the future.

Q: Did you watch the Chinese version of Running Man, Running Brother?

A: I watched the show when I went on tours in China. It’s interesting and the members work hard just like in Korean version. Both versions are receiving much love so it’s a great thing.

Q: Kang Gary’s popularity in China is not joking.

A: Recently Running Man held fan meetings in Shanghai and Chongqing, and so many fans attended the concert. All the member was surprised. Everybody even sang along with us despite the language barrier.

Q: Does Kang Gary have any plan to try other genres of music?

A: I’ve tried many other genres, not only pop, but also band music. But recently I’m considering to studying further rap music, the kind of music that has been my favorite since I was young. I think I’ll focus more on rap in the future.

Q: Does Kang Gary plan to join TV dramas?

A: I’m not a professional actor so I don’t have any plan about that. If I really have a chance to act, because I don’t put much hope in my acting, I think I’m more suitable with roles that are fun and don’t have too much pressure.

Q: What about plans for your life in the future?

A: Rather having a specific plan, I think that it’s more important to live every moment diligently. That way it seems to be helpful for the job I’m doing now.

Q: In daily life, Kang Gary is an emotional or a logical person?

A: All of my experience and feelings I got in daily life become themes for my lyrics and materials for my music, so maybe I can be considered an emotional person. Every experience is valuable to me.

Q: The most dramatic change and something Kang Gary cannot forget in 17 years since your first debut?

A: I debuted a long time ago, and luckily I received much love from people. The most dramatic change is after diligently making music for 10 years, I decided to join variety show. Many things changed after that decision. People start to recognize my face and love Leessang’s music more. To return the love I received, I will continue to work harder, both in music and variety show.

Q: What kind of music does Kang Gary like?

A: Normally I enjoy hip hop music. And ( because I’m talking with Chinese fans), not long ago when holding fan meeting with Running Man members, there is this song by Chopstick Brothers that Suk Jin hyung, Jae Suk hyung and Kwang Soo performed. The song is fun and has Chinese music uniqueness. I enjoyed it.

Q: Does Kang Gary have plan to do promotion for new album in China?

A: If I have opportunity I want to go on tours or showcases in China. Of course music should be listen by the ears, but interacting and sweating together are also important, so hope that I can meet you guys in near future. Now we’re working out the plan, please wait some more.

Q: I heard that Kang Gary will hold Asia tours, which cities of China are you going to visit?

A: I don’t have a specific plan yet, but there’re many cities I haven’t visited yet, and there’re also cities I want to visit again. I wish I can do tours all around China.

Q: Kang Gary has many Chinese fans. Will you write Chinese lyrics for your songs in the future?

A: I always have that idea, but while learning Chinese I had to temporarily stop to focus on composing. In the future if my Chinese is better, even if it’s not the whole song, maybe I’ll try to write a small part of lyrics in Chinese, or write Chinese lyrics for the singing part of my song. But I’ll have to study hard.

Q: Kang Gary has many fangirls in China. Do you ever think of an international marriage?

A: First of all, thank you for having interest in me. There’s nothing bad about international marriage. I’m not picky, as long as I can meet someone who matches my personalities , I have no problem with international marriage.

Q: How did Kang Gary learn to rap?

A: I heard that recently many Chinese fans are interested in rap. To be good at rap, the more you do it, the more you listen to it, the better you will be. When you got used to it, try to write lyrics by yourself and practice rap with it. Doing it regularly and diligently will develop your skill.

Q: What is important in life? Happiness or work? We hope you will start a family soon.

A: I think both of them can’t be separated. If your work is doing well, you can be happy. That’s why I always do my best at what I’m doing, because doing that way I can feel happiness. So they are equally important to me.

Q: Who’s the most beautiful actress in Asia?

A: There’re many beautiful actresses in Asia. In Korea, I think Song Ji Hyo is the most beautiful actress. In China, there’re Tang Wei, Zhang Ziyi. They all have the Eastern beauty.

[Translated by: mondaycouplefan_funny142]
Please take out with full credit

Kang Gary - Get some air / 바람이나 좀 쐐 eng lyrics (ft. MIWOO)

Sometimes it’s like long silence in a fearful night

Well, that’s what breakup is

Coming back to sanity then being in a frenzy again

Hating you with all my heart then fighting back my tears again

"2002" album introduction written by Kang Gary & sharing from Gary's sound engineer

"I prepared this album with the same mind I had while preparing for Leessang's 1st album back in 2002.At that time I didn’t have as much money, I wasn’t as famous as I am now, but comparing to that time, my thirst and lack in music had became so severe they made me excited more than ever."

 

Kang Gary interview with Sohu TV

About my perspective in love, I haven’t been in love that many times, but after all I feel that the most important thing is matching each other. I haven't been in a relationship that’s worth going public with. Rather than going public, I should quickly meet someone, because I'm getting old. Before I'm getting any older, maybe I should get married.

Kang Gary talks about his first one-sided love, piercing and fighting with classmate

When I was in middle school, I hit my class president. He got hurt a lot, so my teacher slapped me about 30 times.

Kang Gary - Halyang Dream / 뚝방의 꿈 eng lyrics (ft. John Park)

But now I'm dreaming of the sea

Being on the yatch filled with romance

Until the day I can make an island with the woman I love, I'll hold on a little more

I can do it, the Halyang wandering around the world

Kang Gary – JOA / Butt / 엉덩이 eng lyrics (ft. Jay Park)

Meeting you every day, it's always thrilling like dipping my feet into cold stream water

The image of you like a bird flying, I think about it all day long