[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] Capturing The Hearts Of Many, Andrew Choi Of K-POP Star 2

The multi-talented Andrew Choi recently did an interview with HypnoticAsia and told us all about his music life, his upcoming mini album and his K-POP Star 2 journey.

Choi has competed against Akdong Musician, Bang Ye Dam, Raccoon Boys and many more on the second season of K-POP Star. After receiving much praise and help from the K-POP Star 2 judges – BoA, Park Jin Young and Yang Hyun Suk, who are notable figures in K-POP today- he was able to enter the Top 3.

Now, the K-POP Star 2 contestant is ready to release his first mini album titled, “Love Was Enough” which is set for release on the 27th of May. The singer has a total of five never before heard tracks including a bonus track.  The title track is “Love Was Enough” and the album also includes an English version of the song.

As a composer, Andrew Choi has worked with artists like BoA, EXO, TVXQ, and many more. For SHINee, the composer created “Why So Serious?” along side Kenzie and Kim Jung Bae. Also on SHINee’s latest album, he worked on tracks “SHINe(Medusa I)” and “Dangerous (Medusa II)” with renown producer and composer Teddy Riley. It doesn’t stop there, he worked with Rainbow, ZE:A and even legendary group, Shinhwa.

Through this interview, we were able to understand Choi and his music. You can find out who his favorite artists are, where he gets his inspiration from and what his experience with K-POP Star 2 was like.

Check out our interview with Andrew Choi and be sure to support the singer and order his new mini album, “Love Was Enough!”

HYPNOTICASIA: What’s your story? How did you get started in the music industry?
ANDREW CHOI: I’ve been doing music for many years and have tried to make my way into the industry since I was 15 years old.  I was in Korea from 1999 to 2000 attempting to make an album, but due to many problems within the group I was working with, I came back empty handed.  I also had a band during college for four and half years.

HYPNOTICASIA: Where do you get the inspiration when making music?
ANDREW CHOI:  Everywhere I can.  Of course, most of the inspiration comes from listening to music.  As a songwriter, I have to keep myself on the up and up with the latest music.  So I always come across something that gets me excited to write and sing.

HYPNOTICASIA: Who are your biggest musical influences?
ANDREW CHOI: Stevie Wonder, Lauren Hill, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, Ne-Yo

HYPNOTICASIA: How would you describe the music you create to people who haven’t heard it before?
ANDREW CHOI: I’m not trying to bring something entirely new to the table.  I just enjoy music with a good melody that can evoke a strong emotion in people.  And that’s the kind of music I try to write.

HYPNOTICASIA: What was it like auditioning and participating in K-POP Star Season 2?
ANDREW CHOI: It was scary and exciting all at the same time.  I’m a very quiet person and being on stage with cameras everywhere almost left me frozen on stage.  But being able to conquer that fear slowly and receiving such warm responses from the people watching made the show an experience I’ll never forget.

HYPNOTICASIA: Did you ever feel you would have done anything differently after any of your performances on K-POP Star?
ANDREW CHOI: I wish I could’ve been more confident in a lot of my performances or sang that one note with a bit more enthusiasm. But this kind of think applies to everything I do.  I don’t think I’ll ever be fully satisfied with my work. It always keeps me in check and pushes me to be better.

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you feel that the judges of K-POP Star 2 were a big help?
ANDREW CHOI: Yes! Without their advice and criticisms, I don’t think I would’ve been able to make it even to top ten.  I’m especially thankful to BoA because her faith in me was evident throughout the season and her encouragement always gave me that extra push that I needed to get through the competition.

HYPNOTICASIA: Your upcoming mini album, “Love Was Enough,” is being released on the 27^th of May, how do you feel?
ANDREW CHOI: I’m very very excited! But, I’m also very nervous since this is my first album, and first impressions are extremely important.  I think a lot of people, upon seeing me on Kpopstar, expect me to release a bunch of ballad songs.  As much as I love ballads, I’ve grown up listening to pop music and experiencing the many changes that it’s gone through.  So my focus was to release some solid pop music.  Hopefully, the public will embrace it.

HYPNOTICASIA: How did you come up with the name of your upcoming mini album, “Love Was Enough?” What would you say is the genre of this new mini album?
ANDREW CHOI: The name is actually the title of the single.  We really liked the concept of the song, which is about looking back on past love only to realize when it’s over and done, that the former couple had everything they needed between each other to make it work.  But life has a way of slowly creeping in and making a good thing numb.

HYPNOTICASIA: Are any/all of the song on your upcoming mini album written or composed by you?
ANDREW CHOI: I was involved with all the songs except “I’m Not Over Us.”

HYPNOTICASIA: Which tracks off your mini album would you say is your favorite and why?
ANDREW CHOI: “If It Wasn’t For You” which is actually a bonus track, would be my favorite song because this is the song that attracted the attention of my now partner, Tesung Kim. Tesung was kind enough to lend me his studio to record “If It Wasn’t For You” with a friend who created the track. He walked in, heard the song, and asked me if I wanted to work on a couple of tracks with him.  It all started from there!

HYPNOTICASIA: You’ve composed for many fellow artists, what’s the difference between composing music for others versus composing your own?
ANDREW CHOI: When it comes to writing a song for other artists, you have to understand the artist’s color and make sure you cater to their strengths.  This makes the job somewhat difficult.  When it comes to my own material, I know what I like and what I’m capable of, and writing a song for myself is a more comfortable process.

HYPNOTICASIA: Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
ANDREW CHOI: I don’t think I’ve had the honor of being that proud of myself yet. I just think that I’ve been blessed to have been given an opportunity that has led to a good start in a career as a musician.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you weren’t making music, what do you believe you’d be doing instead?
ANDREW CHOI: I may still be an English teacher for the academies here in Korea

HYPNOTICASIA: Currently, who is your favorite K-POP singer? Why?
ANDREW CHOI: 나얼(Noul) from Brown Eyed Soul.  It’s obvious to say that his vocal abilities are absolutely amazing.  More importantly, I think he really has a true respect for music.  He keeps his distance from the cameras and focuses on making great music.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you can collaborate with one person that you haven’t already, who would it be and why?
ANDREW CHOI: There are a lot of amazing singers and songwriters out there who I wish I could work with, but if I had to decide on one, it would be Stevie Wonder.  I don’t think an explanation is needed really…it’s Stevie Wonder.

HYPNOTICASIA: What are your hobbies aside from making music?
ANDREW CHOI: I love magic!  It’s a geeky hobby but I’ve been in love with it ever since my uncle showed me my first trick.

HYPNOTICASIA: If you could give advice to an up and coming singer, what would it be?
ANDREW CHOI: Don’t give up! If you truly believe that you were meant to do something and that feeling hasn’t gone away, your intuition is probably right.