About Im Jae-min

Im Jae-min, also known as WJM, is an indie artist who released his first album in September 2019. The album is titled Chamsari 5AM and has a total of four tracks. The title song being “Chamsari 5AM,” the other tracks include, but are not limited to, the songs “You Don’t Know Me At All” and “Farewell.” Im’s songs are known for encompassing sentimental lyrics along with soft and melodious instrumentals.

Chamsari gil, a street located near the Korea University (KU) campus in Anam, is certainly a place every KU student is familiar with. Students come to this street to eat delicious meals or grab some drinks with friends. Regardless, Chamsari gil is a special place for KU students, having a unique mood different from other areas in Seoul. Im Jae-min (’14, Computer Science and Engineering), an indie artist at KU, caught the attention of listeners for using Chamsari gil in his album. The Granite Tower (GT) met with Im to talk about his life and career as an indie artist.

GT: How did you start your career as a music artist?

WJM: It all started with a desire to create a free space only for myself. I was a person who often felt distinct from other people, easily hurt when facing rejections from others. Every time I gave my full heart only to be rejected, the pain added up. This led me to fall into loneliness and depression, and that was when I wanted to create my own space to express my honest feelings and put them into music. I believe everything can be a source for music — the sounds of the warm wind in May, the afternoons at a comfortable café, or the early evenings at small tented restaurants. I began step by step, adding words to the melodies that I used to hum to myself. This process felt as if I were kicking away the traumatic feelings I experienced from past interpersonal relationships, and that was where my passion for music sprouted. Soon, I was able to release my own album with my songs. In addition, I was very lucky enough to meet good people along my journey as well. There were those who took care of me and treasured my earnest emotions, for which I am very thankful.

GT: What was your motivation to create the song “Chamsari 5AM”?

WJM: Personally, I believe that Chamsari gil is where I devoted my 20s. I experienced so many emotions on this street — sometimes I laughed hard, sat on the ground crying, or just walked up and down to organize my thoughts. That is why I wanted to make a song that I could dedicate to this street — the street that brought me so many memories. To add, I was very dissatisfied with the fact that there were so many songs about Hyehwa, Sinchon, Hongdae, and Gangnam, but none about Anam. That was when I decided to create the song “Chamsari 5AM.” All of a sudden, I remembered a memory ofwhenIsatonachairinfrontofabar on Chamsari gil and told a friend about all of my deepest feelings. When writing the lyrics, I used that memory as the basic setting, but changed some factors to make it into a situation where I was confessing my true feelings to a girl that I liked. The recollections of walking down Chamsari gil to go back home at dawn really inspired me to write this song.

GT: Along with your title song, could you introduce any other tracks on your album?

WJM: The song “You Don’t Know Me At All” is about the sentiments I felt from interpersonal relationships. Even if you show your bright side to others outside, when you come back home, you feel lonely and void. During those times, it was really hard for me to put my mind together. I wanted to console myself and anyone else feeling similar emotions — who tries hard to show only their bright side to others, when on the inside, it is the opposite.

The third track on the album, “Farewell,” is the very first song I wrote. Since it speaks about a relationship, it is easy to think that it is about breaking up with a lover. However, what I had in mind when writing this song was actually about the separation with myself. In the past, I used to contemplate on such matters, asking myself, “What would I say to myself at my last moment?” “Farewell” is a song that talks about the emotions I would feel at such final moments of my life.

GT: Do you plan on releasing another album in the future? Please describe your career plan as a musician.

WJM: I wish to continue to put my full heart into music. At the moment, I have about 12 songs written but I am still working on them for better quality. I am planning to release them as single albums, because I want to put my full effort into each song. Although I do not have the exact dates at present, I believe I will be able to release some of the songs this year.

GT: Do you have any advice for the students of KU who dream of becoming a musician as well?

WJM: I do not feel like I am at a position to give advice to others, and I truly believe that there are great musicians at KU. A piece of advice I can give is to be honest. If you are honest, you will be passionate. Along with such passion, one would naturally put effort in his or her work. Whether it is music, video, or art, it would be well-created if one genuinely wishes to deliver his or her story.