The Korean-American powerhouse known as BM has been performing in some capacity for over a decade, as a dancer, singer-songwriter, rapper, and consequently, a true artist.
Coming from a background in dance, BM moved to Korea from the US diving headfirst into a new adventure as a K-pop trainee who would unknowingly land himself in the influential co-ed group KARD. Through KARD, the four members’ opposition to gender-based groups presented gutsy contributions to music – finding a devoted audience due to their four-person combination with inspirations from each member.
Now, years after debuting in KARD and charting across various respected platforms including Gaon and Billboard, BM is bringing his own incomparable sound to a very personal solo project, titled, “Broken Me.” The single isn’t necessarily his first exploration of solo music, with unforgettable tracks like “Bad Manners” or “Better Myself,” being recent admirable releases, but this marks a distinctly confident comeback with a music video production to strengthen the ideas behind his next phase.
We’ve only seen a small teaser for BM’s video that offers a preview of what’s to come, however, the anticipation for his re-envisioned return to music is already indescribable. The upcoming video for “Broken Me” was filmed in collaboration with ViveStudios virtual set, shooting seven locations, and six scenes in an impressive one-day shoot that aims to produce something futuristic and profound. The innovative merger between BM’s craft and evolved CGI capabilities has created a level of hype that’s highlighted with a bold, aesthetically pleasing visual campaign that appears to recognize his uncanny potential to merge several forms of art.
All added perks aside, it’s BM’s limitless talent that brings such promise with his new music, and getting to see an experienced performer forge their own path is the most satisfying aspect of witnessing artistic growth. We’ve watched him embark on multiple expeditions with extreme bravery over the years, which is a significant factor associated with a reputation for taking risks – despite the fact that nothing worth achieving comes easy.
Now, years after launching his career with different genre fusions and collaborators, BM appears to be newly, and acutely aware of what he envisions for himself, his talent, and ultimately, his future as an artist.
Ahead of BM’s upcoming single, we spoke to the singer-songwriter about “Broken Me,” as well as the type of music that directly influences his craft – because there’s a lot to discuss about his well-deserved solo project.
Congratulations on the first solo release! You’ve been a performer for over a decade now, and consistently shown the world your various talents, so this new single must be an exciting time! What has it felt like leading up to the release – more nerves or excitement?
BM: I’ve always had so many ideas and concepts in my head I’ve wanted to express through the art of music, visuals, and fashion. “Broken Me” is only the start but a strong start at that to be able to showcase a different side of me no one has ever seen. I’m extremely excited to start a completely new chapter in my life while continuing the one I have with KARD as well. You’re going to see a much more refurbished, different, and intimate side of me as an artist and I feel so privileged to be able to share it.
Can you tell us a little bit about the concept behind this new single “Broken Me”?
BM: “Broken Me” is about fighting a war with yourself. Anyone and everyone that goes through the experiences of life knows that there are as many downs as there are ups in the journey. During that experience, a lot of the battles are fought in our own heads and hearts and ‘Broken Me’ is a story of being able to overcome those endeavors and fighting through all those wars within. I hope to instill confidence and hope in listeners that are going through the pain of insecurity, self-doubt, and instability in things they can or cannot control.
When you started working on the song, did you have a clear vision about how you wanted the final product to sound?
BM: “Broken me” is a rock-based sound and working with my team 8PEX which is a production house full of talented producers, we worked extremely hard on this project being that I’ve never released a song with a rock base so we wanted to do it right. Being that it came from such an intimate place, the song came out fast and very naturally. A lot of it comes from hardships from my trainee days. I was never sure of anything and had an immense amount of fear of the future, lack of confidence in my chances of success, and went through loneliness feeling no one else understood what I was going through.
What do you think people will be most surprised by with “Broken Me”?
BM: Apart from the fact that it’s filled with easy listening melodies, it has emotions that I’ve never shared before. I’ve showcased a lot of different sides of me, but never vulnerability. There’s also acting in the music video performed by not only myself but an incredible actor Park Eun Seok from the hit drama The Penthouse. The song itself was able to be an OST for his short film The Brave New World. This collaboration I feel will have people shocked because even I would have never imagined being in the same project as one of my favorite actors from one of my favorite dramas.
Now let’s talk about your new music video! Just from the teasers you shared, it looks like it has some strong aesthetics, and I’m very eager to see it! How did the idea for the video come together?
BM: We shot scenes in different locations in Iceland and Seoul all in one day. We used a new technology called XR (extended reality) which is next-level virtual production that allows us to be across the world and back home with the help of this production. I was even able to perform the song while standing on top of a vehicle in motion on an open road. So if you want to be mind blown by beautiful scenes, and the near-impossible to capture shots, watch both The Brave New World and the music video for “Broken Me”!
Was there a scene, or aspect of the music video where you experienced that always desirable “I have to be dreaming” feeling?
BM: I had two scenes I really loved performing. One was the performance on top of a car in motion, and one was acting that I had to perform in front of a mirror. All of it came straight from a very real memory of anger and depression. While acting I was so immersed in those feelings I almost caught myself becoming TOO immersed where it could have taken me a little too deep to the point where it might have been traumatic. But surely I was able to bring myself back and remember all those painful memories only led to the moment I was in performing my first solo song.
You’ve been a part of an incredibly balanced group – and we received a taste of your solo style with one of my personal favorites, “Better Myself,” or “Bad Manners.” Were there any lessons you learned from those experiences that helped you with “Broken Me?”
BM: Absolutely. Those are two out of many other songs I’ve written. Not all of them are good but they were all good practice to get to where I am at today. Although I have improved, I still have a vision where I will be much much better in the future. I feel incredibly blessed to have good feedback on songs I’ve shared with the world, but an even bigger responsibility to share songs that can potentially change lives and instill more positive energy to people who want and need it.
Did any of your fellow KARD members offer you any advice throughout your solo work, or was it something you wanted to share with them by the time it was completed?
BM: I let all of my members listen to and give feedback to my work. This time around, I heard a lot of good things and even caught them mindlessly humming the melody multiple times which made me feel more confident in it!
You’ve been producing music for some time now, and really experimented with some unique sounds, are there any ideas you’ve yet to try that you’re hopeful about? Or perhaps one that you’d like to return to?
BM: Rap and hip hop are my first love. That will always be something I come back to but at this point in my life, I want to experiment a lot with pop and great melodies. All of course with a taste of the original BM, but with an extra refurbished sauce sprinkled on top. 8PEX is a great team I have behind me because they help me break down borders of what I can do with my voice and my ideas musically and technologically.
You’ve really been an inspiration to a lot of people because you don’t appear to be someone who shies away from a challenge, and you have a confident, but still, a respectful demeanor that people gravitate to! What would you say keeps you the most grounded through your expansive career?
BM: I like to live life with a mindset of being as least calculative as I can about what I have to lose. At this point in time of my life, I try to approach every project and challenge with an open mindset and hope that it’s an experience that will better me as an artist, but more as a human being. I love meeting new people in the process as well and hearing about and being fed wisdom from experiences they have had working in the industry.
You’re at a point in life where you’ve had a lot of success and experience under your belt, and the new track adds another layer to that impressive list of accomplishments! Has this new chapter kickstarted any ideas about what comes next for you?
BM: A LOT of new collaborations with artists. A lot more songs and dances. “Broken Me” is one of many drops I have planned for this year so stay tuned. SO many things are already made or in the making.
BM’s new single “Broken Me” will be available soon, so stay tuned for more!
