Four Takeaways from KIM WOO SEOK’s Press Conference

I attended KIM WOO SEOK’s media showcase, where he previewed his new mini-album and performed its title track!

#1: 3RD Desire [Reve] concludes a trilogy

Following 1st Desire [Greed] and 2nd Desire [Tasty], 3RD Desire [Reve] was confirmed to be the final installment in this series of releases covering “human’s hidden desire.” “Reve” means “dream” in French, which is a fitting way to complete a trio of releases that explore facets of humans’ aspirations. 

#2: KIM WOO SEOK was very hands-on in the making of this release

KIM WOO SEOK has helped write and compose his solo music since the beginning, and this personal touch comes through once again on 3RD Desire [Reve]. It was confirmed that he “planned the concepts and stories of every song as a music producer” for this comeback, alongside the music producer Vendors.

#3: His new music video tells a story of lucid dreaming

The concept of the “Switch” music video is rooted in blurred lines between reality and dreams, a theme enhanced by the presence of both animation and live-action shots. KIM WOO SEOK takes on two roles in this comeback: a “dream of a boy” and a “boy in a dream”: he “starts from the perspective of a dreaming boy expressing ‘a boy’s dream,’ which portrays dreamlike and beautiful hope toward the future. [He then transforms] into ‘the ideal type in a dream’ [who] everyone dreams to meet.”

#4: The album has both variety and likeability 

The album starts with “Ghostin’,” a bass-driven song with a Latin melody line and road trip-worthy status. This is meant to be a continuation of a previous song, “Next.”

The title track, “Switch,” is meant to mimic the feel of “swimming in [a] dream,” which makes sense given the ways its speed changes. Like ocean waves that repeatedly rush forward and recede, a slow, dramatic showcase of KIM WOO SEOK’s vocals transitions into a bouncy, faster chorus, complete with some guitar riffs for extra memorableness. 

A lyric highlighted from “What More Can I Do?” is “The page that is filled with you. I love you with all the languages in the world.” It is a sweet and sentimental song that makes for easy listening and a synth pop gem.

“Shame” is a slow-tempo, R&B song with lyrics that “express [a] secret time like a scene [from] a movie.” Its movie-ready quality is a testament to KIM WOO SEOK’s new level of vocal maturity and range.

Next is a piano and string-led ballad, “When spring comes.” This song “expresses the excitement and nervousness toward the loved one in a delicate manner.”

Guitar sounds return for the final track, “Satisfied,” which is a summery song that is aptly titled for this greed-themed trilogy’s finale. 

KIM WOO SEOK’s multitudes were on display in more than just the press conference’s album highlight medley segment. He responded to questions while wearing leather pants, tall, leather boots, and a preppy shirt and tie. He mixed things up style-wise, both when it comes to fashion and his music. However, one constant was his sweet, soft-spoken words. KIM WOO SEOK was clearly proud of this new album and pleased to finally share it with the world. 

Although this chapter might be over in KIM WOO SEOK’s musical journey, the next chapter will surely excite as much as this one. 3RD Desire [Reve] is a classically sweet, pop album from KIM WOO SEOK, but it also shows organic musical growth and paves the way for his promising future.  

Listen to 3RD Desire [Reve] here!