Insooni Still Going Strong to Become Legend

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Insooni Still Going Strong to Become Legend

Posted : 2009-05-26 16:24

Updated : 2009-05-26 16:24

Singer Insooni believes in the basic rules of survival. “The only way to survive is to work and train hard. There is nothing else to it,” she said during an interview. / Korea Times File

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean pop culture has been around for a long time, but there are only a few names who can truly claim to be the ultimate divas of the local music industry.

One of them is Insooni, 52, who recently released her 17th album this month under the title ``Insooni.'' Her title track is a musical-like number called ``Fantasia.''

``I named it `Insooni' because I thought I didn't need any adjectives to explain myself anymore. My fans don't like me because I am like this or that, but because I am myself,'' she told The Korea Times last week.

She was speaking briefly before the rehearsal of a music program, and even though there was time before the rehearsal, Insooni was contrite in her desire to conduct the interview afterward.

``Sorry, but it would be better if we could do the interview after my rehearsal. I need to save all my strength and voice,'' she said in a whisper.

Born to an African-American father, whom she barely remembers, and a Korean mother, she started singing in nightclubs in 1978. Through thick and thin, her career has spanned more than three decades. It would be easy to expect that a singer of her experience and caliber would approach a rehearsal with a lighter heart. But for Insooni, there has been no compromising her pursuit of perfection.

``I have never been lazy nor have I not spent my day to the fullest. I look back and I see myself working hard and doing my best every single minute,'' she said.

With her new song ``Fantasia,'' she transforms into a powerful yet sexy warrior, appearing with dark costumes complete with shiny knew-high boots and even an ancient Greek war helmet.

``I wanted to portray a female warrior. It represents passion and the will to win. It also portrays the image of a leader,'' she said.

Insooni lost some weight to try out more provocative and sexy outfits and dance moves, not just for change but because she wanted to look glamorous like any other female singer gracing the stage. For her, performing on stage is a competition where the lazy fall and the hard working rise, and this rule has never changed since her first appearance on stage in 1978.

``I'm more nervous about standing on stage than the younger singers because I know the stage better than they do: How hard it is to get to the top, to keep it that way and also how hard I can hit rock bottom when I make a crucial mistake. Mistakes for beginners may look cute, but for me it's a disappointment,'' the singer said.

Insooni will greet fans as a musical actor this year when she transforms into the sexy character Velma Kelly in the musical ``Chicago.'' Rehearsing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. can be burdensome, but it's just a new way of discovering other art forms, she said.

``I was told not to make any additional movements during the choreography. When I'm singing on stage I can move around freely, but for musicals there is a certain choreography I have to follow, and so it's very important to learn how to make the right moves at the perfect moment, along with all the singing and acting.''

Singing famous pop songs by Donna Summer, Diana Ross and Tina Turner helped Insooni broaden her range as a singer ― one of the many things she said aspiring singers should remember.

``Young singers don't know much about the past, but it's important to understand the basics. We have to appreciate history but we tend to forget the past too quickly. It's like standing on sand, not knowing when the popularity will fade. We are all too focused on the latest trends and when one trend passes, everything just disappears, from the singers to the bands to the songwriters,'' she said.

The powerful artist, who studies fashion shows for her costume concepts ― her recent interest being the works of famed designer Christian Lacroix ― and takes notes after watching performances and musicals around the world, said that she wanted to be remembered as a legend.

``Being remembered as a legend is not easy, but it is a title given to those approved and appreciated by everyone,'' she said.

She added that local reporters tend to be hasty when giving nicknames to singers, such as the ``King of Ballads,'' ``The Queen of Dance'' and even calling a young singer ``sexy.''

``It's the whole package, not just the revealing outfits and images. It's more about how the singer captivates the audience, how long the singer stays on top and how well he or she takes responsibility as a singer,'' she added.

When asked what she thought of her nickname ``Korea's Madonna,'' Insooni shook her head and said, ``No, I'm Korea's Insooni, and always will be.''

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr