I thought, "Well, this was bound to happen." Haha. Me as a New Beauty icon? I was briefly puzzled at first, but quickly realized it was something to be grateful for. New Beauty is about authentic beauty, right? Recognizing myself and living authentically is what I do best, so I was thankful that someone acknowledged that. When they said I was a fitting person for New Beauty, I felt my shoulders lift slightly. I was happy.

As I mentioned, it's about accepting yourself. I believe I'm beautiful not only when I'm dressed up glamorously on stage, but also in my everyday state. Whether I'm disheveled or dressed up, it's all me. I'm not extraordinarily special, but I'm not ashamed either. I've lived diligently, giving my best, and I will continue to do so. That's why I'm not uncomfortable with the changes that come with aging. When you accept yourself as you are, everything about you will appear beautiful.

Comparing yourself to others is meaningless. Comparison requires identical conditions, but we're all different. Where in the world would you find someone exactly like you? It's not that I'm beautiful because I'm particularly exceptional, but because each of us is unique, we can't help but be stunning. Once you truly accept yourself, you become more confident and dignified in your interactions with others. We are all different, so we should live authentically.

What does it matter if someone is accomplished, famous, or extraordinary? That's not me. Just focus on living a fantastic life with the person you are now. If you think, "I should be like that person," you're just putting yourself beneath them. Why rank yourself? Follow your path. On my path, I'm number one. Of course, sometimes I notice my shortcomings. But what's the point of dwelling on how I was born? It's just a waste of time. Instead, it's better to think about how to elevate myself with what I have. Ultimately, I believe beauty stems from the power of positivity.

Challenge is something you must do, something inevitable until you die. I've found that I'm the type who needs to experience and challenge things directly to feel satisfied. One thing I often tell my daughter and our Haemill School students is not to be deceived by fake fear. Real fear comes after you've already experienced something once. If you've climbed a treacherous mountain and felt terrified, you'll remember that terror next time. Then you'll feel genuine fear. But most of the fears we harbor are fears we define by anticipating something will be scary without trying it. How would you know without trying? When you actually try, it might be nothing special, and in most cases, it turns out to be nothing much, yet we don't challenge ourselves out of fear. From my experience, everything was manageable. Just start anything with enthusiasm. If it doesn't work out, you can always give up later.

I suppose my experiences shine through. The reason songs sound different depending on who performs them is probably because of that. As I’ve aged, I’ve come to realize that experience seasons me well. When I was younger, I carefully controlled every note while singing, but now I can speak naturally and still convey the message. My unique experiences have become my own expressions.

No, I don't. Haha. Would middle school students understand if I were to tell them? Instead, I try to show them how I live earnestly, positively, laughing often, and finding joy frequently. They'll naturally follow when they see that. They say children grow up watching their parents' backs, right? That's how I raised my daughter, and rather than forcing or teaching, I try to demonstrate through my own life. I started Haemill School to walk alongside teenagers who share similar concerns to mine.

I hope so. When I was young, I had many identity concerns. Even though my mother, grandmother, and neighbors—many people who loved me—were there, there was still an unresolved knot. Who am I? Am I Korean? Am I American? Which world do I belong to? I struggled with these questions for quite some time. That's why I understand the children's feelings well. Parents don't know this. Parents each have their own country. I know more about identity concerns. I don't necessarily provide methods, but I'm there beside them. So they can naturally figure things out on their own. I want them to see my back—someone who went through even more challenging times—and gain courage and confidence.

No. I'm not that philosophical. Music was a career path I chose to pursue. To make a living, simply for that reason. However, as time passed, music became valuable to me. It also helped me meet people who love me. I completely separate myself on stage from who I am off stage. That way, I experience more as the human Insoon Kim. Offstage, I live an ordinary life as Sein's mother, a neighborhood “ajumma” (middle-aged woman). I take buses, subways, and walk around. I shop at markets, chat at bathhouses. The energy and experiences I gain from that ordinary life are expressed through my songs on stage.

That's how I genuinely get to know myself. Beauty and freedom move in tandem. In 2023, I completed the 800km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage over 36 days. It was my first trip alone, away from my family, and that's when I truly felt a sense of freedom. At that time, my daughter had been in a car accident, and I was going to cancel the pilgrimage, but (thankfully) she said she was recovering and told me not to postpone my plans. I left with an uneasy heart, but as I walked, my mind gradually began to lighten.

A person with tremendous healing power. I went because my daughter told me to go, but it's not easy to leave an injured daughter behind. At first, I walked while crying. Whenever I saw a cathedral, I would go in, light a candle, and offer a prayer. But at some point, I realized that my crying wasn't solving anything. So I decided to be stronger. To be more positive and smile more. To give my daughter courage with a bright appearance. After that decision, I thoroughly enjoyed those moments, smiling and taking in every detail.

Yes. When people go on the Camino de Santiago, they often talk about letting go of something or leaving something behind. But I had no such thoughts; I just found it challenging and fun. When I returned, all that remained in my heart was a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for being alive, for being able to walk with good people. Gratitude for new experiences. Gratitude for being able to travel for nearly 40 days without working. I am grateful to my daughter, who recovered bravely while I was away.

This new song will be another challenge and experience. It's a style I haven't tried before. It's neither a dance nor a ballad, but a rock ballad feeling with restrained power. The key point is the lyrics. It features fascinating lyrics that you won't forget once you've heard them—playful yet thought-provoking about life. You can look forward to it. I'm working hard to present it in the lovely month of May, so please don't hesitate to show your interest.

My plan for maintaining my authentic beauty is to eat a balanced diet and get sufficient sleep. A healthy mind dwells in a healthy body, right? I plan to prepare my body and mind so that my signature curiosity and positive mindset don't disappear. I will continue to live earnestly as Insooni, no one else, while being grateful to everyone who always applauds my journey. Everyone who is beautiful because you're different, I'll walk beside you. Find your authentic beauty with joy and excitement.