In 1997 Mi-kyung Kim flies to Germany to pursue an advanced degree as opera soloist. Rather than into the prestigious Berlin Musikhochschule, whose entrance examination she passes successfully, she decides to enter into the quieter but equally renowned Dresden Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber. She studies under the direction of baritone Jürgen Hartfiel from Dresden Semper Opera House. She partakes in several master classes with Brigitte Fassbender, Walter Berry, Sir Colin Davis... During this period of intense musical activity, whether for studies or for stage performances, she gives numerous concerts in local churches and theaters. She performs twice the role of Lauretta in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi in Meißen Theater with conductor Jörg-Peter Wiegle. And shortly after a memorable graduation concert in February 2000, she sings solo and duo arias from The Marriage of Figaro during a Mozart concert in the marvellous Semper Opera House, accompanied by the Symphonic Orchestra of the Hochschule für Musik conducted by the famous conductor Sir Colin Davis.
After getting her diploma, Mi-kyung Kim leaves Germany to settle near Paris, where she has ever since kept practising her art in order to remain at the highest level as a soloist performer. She meets in Paris the Italian maestro Gianfranco Brizio, with whom she gains a deeper understanding of the interpretation art of Belcanto through the operas of Bellini, Puccini, Rossini… as well as through Italian melody. She also takes advantage of her living in France to deepen her understanding and interpretation of French opera and melody. She does so initially thanks to the late great accompanist Solange Chiapparin, 1st price winner of the international competitions in Rome and Münich as well as former piano soloist for the Radio France National Orchestra. Then, since a few years, she has undertaken a rich artistic collaboration with former French diva Michèle Command. This marvellous international performer of the great lyric repertoire is now retired but she pursues a great career as voice teacher.
Since her arrival in France, Mi-kyung Kim sings as soloist in various sacred music concerts, such as Dvorak Te Deum or Haydn's Lord Nelson and Saint Nicholas Mass in Senlis cathedral and Saint Germain des Pres church in Paris. She partakes in various concerts with friend musicians and sings during religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals or Christmas masses. She gives numerous solo recitals in France where she mixes opera arias with sacred music, German Lied, French, Italian and Korean melody. She performs in 2010 a series of concerts in Paris entitled “The night of the Phoenix, Journey around Belcanto”. She gets also noticed in the city of Savigny sur Orge where she sings in numerous recitals in solo or together with the city orchestra, a band of over 80 musicians conducted by Gérard Leclerc. In 2011, she comes back to opera. She performs in the Adyar Theater in Paris the role of Mimi in Puccini’s La Bohème in a production by Italien company “Miracoli in Musica”.
Mi-kyung Kim’s first album “Concerts Pariens : Melodie, Lied, Opera” was released in June 2010. It is available on Internet.
With over 20 years of practising lyric singing, including over 10 years as a professional performer, Mi-kyung Kim is now an interesting artist combining the maturity and confidence brought by experience with a deep and delicate voice benefiting from a still intact and refreshing musical sensitivity.
She works regularly with several pianists and forms a wonderful duet with her friend Olga Bakhutashvili, Georgian artist who received in 2003 the price for Best Accompanist in the Georgia National Music Competition.
MEMORY
Mi-kyung Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man I just hope to be the best
I don't know how to get there but I'm just gonna try my best
I sit here and reap my debts
That I've owed to not earn my death
But now I'm sitting in my room
And that knife is looking real fresh
Two times that I've lied
Went behind yo back and stabbed That shit and I don't know why
Now I'm staring at myself
And I just hate the fucking image
Wish I could photoshop myself
Out of my vision cause I'm skittish
And I don't know why
Why I even try
I'm just getting high
So I can pass the time when you're
Not around
No I ain't doing fine
Cause you don't hit my line
Like fuck I wish the time
That we had was more than fucking
Memories
No this shit really sucks
Wish that you'd hit me up
But nobody really needs me
My life is so fucked
Got my blood on my hands
Feeling like I'm wet sand
Sometimes you gotta think outta
The box to understand
But lately I been feeling like
What's yo plan
Like oh man you can't get far
With yo plan
Nigga you gotta go rethink
Your whole plan
Cause you're failing at the start
Like baking with no pan
Seems like you've been lost
On a quest for nothing
What you talking man
What's discussion
I can't stand you
What's you're purpose
You seem so dull
On the surface
Nigga look in the mirror
And you'll see that you're so fucking
Worthless
And I don't know why
Why I even try
I'm just getting high
So I can pass the time when you're
Not around
No I ain't doing fine
Cause you don't hit my line
Like fuck I wish the time
That we had was more than fucking
Memories
The lyrics of Mi-kyung Kim's song "Memory" describe the internal struggles of the singer, who is plagued by feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. The first verse suggests that the singer is constantly testing himself and hoping to be the best, but he is unsure of how to achieve success. He reflects on the debts he has accumulated as a result of not putting in the effort required to achieve his goals, and contemplates suicide as a way to escape his failures. The second verse describes the singer's loneliness and isolation, as he laments the fact that nobody needs him and his life is a mess. He is filled with self-loathing, wishing he could escape from his own image, and spends his time getting high to numb the pain of his existence. The chorus reinforces his sense of despair, as he realizes that the time he spent with someone he loved is just a memory now, and he longs for that feeling of connection once again but feels that no one wants him.
The song is a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by many people in modern society, who are often filled with self-doubt and insecurity, and who struggle to find their place in the world. The lyrics are written in a confessional style that is both raw and honest, and the simple melody underscores the vulnerability of the singer's emotional state. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "memories," is particularly effective, as it underscores the pain of living in a world where everything seems to be slipping away.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday's another test
Each day feels like a test that I need to pass
Man I just hope to be the best
I hope to be the best version of myself
I don't know how to get there but I'm just gonna try my best
I don't have a plan, but I'll do my best to achieve my goals
I sit here and reap my debts
I'm facing the consequences of my previous choices and mistakes
That I've owed to not earn my death
I'm trying to pay off my debts to avoid a bad ending
But now I'm sitting in my room
I'm currently alone and isolated
And that knife is looking real fresh
I'm considering self-harm as a way out
Two times that I've lied
I've lied to someone twice before
Went and cheated out yo sight
I've been unfaithful to you without you knowing
Went behind yo back and stabbed That shit and I don't know why
I betrayed you for no good reason
Now I'm staring at myself
I'm reflecting on my actions and their consequences
And I just hate the fucking image
I dislike what I see in myself
Wish I could photoshop myself
I wish I could erase my flaws and imperfections
Out of my vision cause I'm skittish
I'm anxious about being judged or criticized
And I don't know why
I'm unsure why I'm doing what I'm doing
Why I even try
I question if my efforts are worth it
I'm just getting high
I'm using drugs to escape reality
So I can pass the time when you're Not around
I feel lonely when you're not with me
No I ain't doing fine
I'm not okay, despite what I might say
Cause you don't hit my line
I feel neglected and ignored by you
Like fuck I wish the time That we had was more than fucking Memories
I regret that our time together was not enough, and I miss our memories
No this shit really sucks
My situation is really bad
Wish that you'd hit me up
I wish you would reach out to me
But nobody really needs me
I feel like no one truly cares about me
My life is so fucked
My life is a mess
Got my blood on my hands
I feel responsible for something bad that happened
Feeling like I'm wet sand
I feel heavy and stuck
Sometimes you gotta think outta The box to understand
I need to be creative to find a solution
But lately I been feeling like What's yo plan
I'm questioning my direction and purpose
Like oh man you can't get far With yo plan
I'm doubting the effectiveness of my plan
Nigga you gotta go rethink Your whole plan
I need to reconsider and come up with a better plan
Cause you're failing at the start Like baking with no pan
I'm failing before even getting started
Seems like you've been lost On a quest for nothing
I feel like I've been wandering aimlessly
What you talking man What's discussion
I don't understand what you're saying
I can't stand you What's you're purpose
I'm annoyed with you and questioning your worth
You seem so dull On the surface
You appear boring and uninteresting to me
Nigga look in the mirror And you'll see that you're so fucking Worthless
I think poorly of myself and feel worthless
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN T. WILLIAMS, JOHN V OTTMAN, MARTIN TODSHAROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind