Reintroducing DENISE
Denise Kim shares her evolving perspectives on her time in K-pop, burnout, her “vault” of unreleased tracks, and much more.
How have your personal music tastes changed over the years and influenced how you think about the music you want to make for yourself?
I’ve always had an eclectic music taste, which I [think] influences my own releases. The progression was pretty standard: radio hits (back when people still listened to radio), [a] pop-punk phase (wasn’t really a phase!), and then slowly settling into my own genre selections. I genuinely love listening to and writing all kinds of music. However, in a way, I feel that my appreciation for music became a double-edged sword. Although I have a diverse catalog of songs, I felt the need to stick to one genre in order to cultivate my brand. I recently let go of that mentality, after I realized boxing myself into one genre stifled my creativity. I still listen to a wide variety of genres - my daily playlist makes absolutely zero sense - and I’d like for that to [be] reflect[ed] in my artistry.
Please describe your newest single, “dance with me!”!
“dance with me!” is a bright pop song centered around a rhythmic electric guitar and synths. The energetic, retro groove paired with playful lyrics makes it perfect for summertime.
How is “dance with me!” similar to and different from your previous releases?
I would say there are more differences than similarities. The Me Before You EP was raw and emotional, with a Y2K aesthetic, which reflected my adolescent years. My last two singles were mellow with a softer aesthetic, resembling the headspace of my earlier twenties. “dance with me!” is unlike anything I’ve released before; it’s just vibrant and fun! This release acts as a stepping stone into a new direction for my artistry that I’m excited to share with listeners.
What has been inspiring your music the most lately?
I’ve been really nostalgic for the past year or so, which I credit to being at school. My daily playlist, titled “dayquil,” is full of songs that I listened to when my loved ones were living in the same city. Back then, my friends would often drag me away from my studio for a night out, and the lyrics for “dance with me!” are reminiscent of those many evenings that turned into mornings. I haven’t really been writing from a place of angst, because I haven't had my heart broken in a while, knock on wood, so I’ve been writing music that’s more upbeat and fun!
What is something people would be surprised to learn about “dance with me!”?
I actually had no intention of writing it! Also, there’s no music video. Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget for that quite yet.
The creation of “dance with me!” was entirely spontaneous - I would go as far as to say accidental. This summer, my friend challenged himself to produce one instrumental a day. He sent the instrumental for “dance with me!” on June 6, and I finished writing the entire song after a few hours. After polishing it with the producer, I immediately drafted the release plan.
As for the “music video,” that came from an attempt to capture motion shots for promotional photos. The shoot was on a weekday, so I remember running in heels with a change of clothes to get to class on time. After monitoring, I edited videos into a song teaser. As someone who’s accustomed to studio photography, taking photos in a public setting was unsettling, to say the least. Luckily, they turned out well, because I would not be able to do that again!
Do you think the Denise of just a few years ago would have made “dance with me!”?
Made it? Maybe. Released it? Most definitely not. When I initially became an indie artist, I took myself way too seriously. Creation was never as much of an issue as releasing. I have what my friends deemed the “Denise Vault,” filled with unreleased songs, because I didn’t know what I wanted for myself as an artist. I was especially hesitant due to the fact that people have a preconceived idea of me, which I felt I needed to maintain. I’ve begun to shed that mentality, which allows me to be more creative and open to releasing music. “dance with me!” marks the beginning of this new chapter in my journey, where I [more] actively make - and, more importantly, release - music.
Is there anything you miss about being in a girl group?
I miss performing more than anything. In my case, being in a girl group was like working with friends. There’s this sense of camaraderie, which I felt was tangible in performances. I learned so much from my time in [SECRET NUMBER] that has made me a better solo artist today. I’m so blessed to have been able to work with my members and consider it an honor to have performed alongside them.
What is the best advice a fellow musician has ever given you?
“Your job is not your life.” Oddly enough, this came from a non-musician, but it’s still the best music advice I’ve ever received. I entered the industry at a young age; music became my job before I’d even graduated high school. My trainee period and idol life left little room for me to do other things, and over time, I grew accustomed to that lifestyle. Even after my exit from K-pop, I settled into a mentality where if all my time and energy wasn’t devoted to music, I was being idle. Receiving this advice made me reflect and realize I was severely burnt out, which I was unaware of because I was so used to it. I allowed myself a break for the first time since the start of my career and took time to process my experiences and emotions. Although I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be in the K-pop industry, I’m equally as grateful to my friend for this advice, which helped me rediscover my passion for music.
Did you set any goals for 2025, and if so, have you accomplished them yet?
I turned 24 this year, meaning I’m officially in my mid-twenties. As great as it is, I got hit with the boring parts of adult life, like taxes and insurance. My goals for 2025 were more about setting myself up for the future: health, finance, employment, etcetera. My friends and I always joke about how we know we’re past the age of dilly-dallying when we have to schedule calls just to catch up. They’re more tasks than goals, but I’ve accomplished most of them! The only problem is most of them are recurring, meaning I have to maintain them, which proves to be more of a challenge. [And] going to the gym consistently is really hard!
What are your long-term career goals?
I’m very honest with myself when it comes to long-term goals: Are they achievable [and] sustainable? Overall, I want to have a music career as an independent artist [with] stable-enough income. I would then have the resources to create the music I want, the way I want. I’m currently pursuing a degree in music business, which I’m also extremely passionate about. I would love to have a career that allows me to work in both the creative and business sides of music, and as of right now, I’m paving the way to do so.
Where can people follow you on social media to stay updated on your new music?
My main platforms are Instagram and TikTok. I also update on Twitter - or, I guess, X? - as well as YouTube. When I release music, those platforms are the first places listeners will be able to hear about it. Forewarning, be prepared for mass [posting sprees] followed by absolute radio silence. I’m really trying to stop, [and] since I’ll be releasing music more frequently [now], I’ll hopefully be more active!
Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
I feel [like] I’ve finally reached a point where I’m more comfortable with myself and my music. I’m excited for this new chapter in my artistry and can’t wait to release more of the songs from “The Denise Vault” - and maybe even more!
Check out “dance with me!” here!
Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photos courtesy of Denise Kim.