Interview with Ida “Isak” Simmons

Ida Simmons, or Isak (이삭) as she is known in the Korean Music & Entertainment industry, is multi-talented VJ/DJ, singer/recording artist in Korea.

Her break in the Korean music industry started with her signing a contract and becoming an artist with SM Entertainment in 1999. This was at a time when SM was one of the most famous entertainment companies in Korea with artists such as H.O.T. & S.E.S. dominating the K-Pop music charts.

She would eventually become part of the female duo, “Isak N Jiyeon”, that released an album in late 2002. Although the duo had gained popularity, the album was not as heavily promoted as other SM artists usually were and ultimately the album did not become a major hit. Unfortunately, to this date, this is the only full-length album Isak has released. Even though the duo never released another album, Isak has been featured on various SM projects over the years such as the various SM Town series compilation albums that featured artists from the SM roster.

Since then, Isak has done a variety of other entertainment projects over the years such as acting and modeling but she is most well known at this time as being the VJ for the TV show “Pops in Seoul” and DJ for the radio program “Mid-Day Break” on the Arirang network in Korea. These shows are in English and are broadcast worldwide, both on networks as well as streaming online, and practically make her the “face & voice” of introducing Korean pop music to the rest of the world.

And, although her recording career has seemingly stalled, with as much talent as she has I don’t think that this is the last we have heard from Isak the recording artist in Korea.

Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.

Background: The Basics on Ida

Where and when were you born?
Frankfurt, Germany May 25th 1985

Where have you lived/been raised?
I moved to Kansas, USA when I was 6 months old and lived there until I was 4 1/2. Then I moved to California and lived there until October 1999. That’s when I came to Korea. I’ve been in Korea since.

Where do you currently reside?
I mostly live in Korea. My mom lives in California.

How did your parents meet?
My dad was stationed in Korea and my mom was on the US Army Base helping a friend out by being an extra in a movie. They kept running into each other at the bar where the movie was being filmed and my mom followed my dad to where he was stationed next.

Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
NOPE – only child.

Are you fluent in Korean?
Pretty much. I still don’t know a lot of the Chinese characters but other than that I’m fluent.

What is your favorite Korean food?
OOOOO! Too many!!! =( Everything~ hehe

Did you grow up around other half/mixed Koreans (or people of mixed heritage)?
Not really. I lived in an area where the majority of the population was Caucasian and even though I went to a Korean Church it was Korean-Americans or people who recently moved from Korea.

In general, do you think that the Korean & Korean-American communities are accepting of Koreans of mixed heritage?
In Korea I’ve received a not so welcoming reaction from the people here but in the US I never felt any prejudice against me being half. It’s getting better in Korea but sometimes it’s still hard.

What kind of reaction did you get and was that in the entertainment business/industry or just from the general public?
Both~ most of the reaction was “you’re not Korean why are you doing Korean music or trying to break out in Korea.”

Did you have any identity issues while growing up?
One of the reasons why I came to Korea was because of that. I wanted to relate to my mom’s heritage and my Korean roots and I’m glad I came when I had the chance to. I’ve learned so much being in Korea.

So, how “in tune” were you with your Korean heritage prior to going to Korea and how well did you speak Korean at that time?
My Korean sucked, but I knew a lot about the culture because I lived with my mom’s side of the family.

What do people usually think you are (ethnicity) when they see/meet you?
They think I’m Latino. When I have a nice tan it’s even worse~~^^

Korean Music Industry & VJ/DJ:

How did you first get involved in the Korean music & entertainment industry?
My aunt owned a Korean video store and I used to always hang out there. Watching Korean videos and what not I got hooked on the K-pop scene and really fell in love with k-pop music because of H.O.T. I saw the audition for the first ever SM Entertainment Audition in the Korean Newspaper and told my mom I wanted to go. Out of 350 people I was the only one that signed that year.

Since you were such a big fan of H.O.T, what was it like to actually end up on the same label/management?
I almost screamed when I first met them. When I went to the audition, there were a lot of recent posters of H.O.T and my producer Lee Soo Man had to call my name twice because I was drooling over them~! LOL~ It was a huge honor just to have been considered to join the company.

You were ~14 years old when you started in the Korean music industry; was it hard to balance everything at that young age? How supportive were your parents/family?
My family was a HUGE support system for me! And, I guess just taking baby steps with everything helped me get this far. Just taking it one day at a time.

Have you seen any progress in terms of mixed Korean entertainers in Korea (more openness, less discrimination, etc.)?
Yea, thanks to a lot more of the western culture coming in I feel that in the 10 yrs I’ve been in Korea that the market it self has changed a lot.

Have you met (or worked with) any other half/mixed Korean artists?
Met, yes I have. But working with them musically no. I’m close with Carlos oppa as you know. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting Tasha unnie~ These days working with U-Kiss and many other artists on my TV and Radio shows helps me meet more artists as well.

How was the duo “Isak N Jiyeon” created? Did you know each other beforehand?
SM put a bunch of the then trainee females into many ‘settings’. What they did was have a list of groups that they wanted to see what we would look like together and video taped this. As soon as they decided who would make a good group they had us practice a song together and we also videoed that as well. Out of that ‘setting’, ShinVi, MILK and Isak N Jiyeon formed.

What was/is it like to be part of the SM Entertainment management/label? Are you still with SM?
Yes I’m still with SM. It’s had its ups and downs but I still feel like it’s an honor to be in this company regardless of my current situation. I’ve really learned a lot being here.

In a previous interview with HalfKorean.com your friend and fellow artist/entertainer, Carlos Galvan, had mentioned that your company had shelved your album. Is what he mentioned a solo album or another “Isak N Jiyeon” album and what exactly is happening with that?
They shelved Isak N JiYeon’s pretty fast (faster than an album would normally be promoted) and I think he was referring to me not putting out another album all together. I’ve been given the impression that there is a slim chance of me or Isak N JiYeon coming out with an album.

You’ve been on a few of the SM compilation albums over the years; what was the last song that you were featured on and when was it released?
It was the SM winter album about 2 years ago? I think… “Only Love” (사랑하나죠)

Was SM involved at all with you getting the Arirang jobs and have you contemplated leaving SM to further pursue your career interests?
SM got the Arirang job for me. Honestly I have contemplated leaving for many different reasons, but I only have a few years left on my contract so I’m just planning on working on my skills and not resign if they ask.

What’s next for your singing career? Are you pursuing a solo career or could we see another group/duo (or a comeback for “Isak N Jiyeon”) in the future?
Looks like unless someone wants to use me on an album as a featured artist I don’t think that will happen. =)

See, as I told Carlos, you guys should put something out together with whomever else is down that is mixed Korean singing/rapping! haha
Now, I noticed that Jiyeon is still with SM as well and part of the group “The Grace”; do you guys still keep in touch and/or discuss working together again?
Oh, we still keep in touch. It’s kinda hard to though because she’s in Japan a lot more than she’s here in Korea. We would love to work together again but I doubt that is going to happen.

Who are some artists that you admire/enjoy listening to?
WAY too many!! But just to name a few that I like to practice, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys… um. just so many! I love all kinds of music so I try to listen to as much music as possible.

Who are some artists that you would like to work with in the future?
Anyone who would like to use my voice. Music is a passion of mine so anyone who would like to use my voice I’d be honored.

Which language are you most comfortable when singing (or does it matter)?
Both Korean and English. I seem to find myself being comfortable with both ways of expressing my feelings when I sing.

How did you land the job with Arirang (and how long have you been working there)? Was it something you were pursuing (VJ/DJ)?
I had a great chance to work with Arirang around 3 yrs ago and both being a VJ and a DJ have been great passions of mine. I’ve always wanted to host my own show regardless what is was.

How does it feel to be sort of “the face & voice” for introducing Korean popular music to the world on the shows?
It’s a HUGE honor. I’m sharing with the world something that I used to be a part of, I get to interview the hottest faces of the K-pop world, and just being at the core of all that is AMAZING!

What has been the most interesting aspect of being a DJ/VJ? Since you are also a singer/entertainer you obviously have a perspective that others might not have.
I finally get a chance to voice what the fans want to know. In my opinion, anyways, I always try to make this clear on my radio show as well as TV, but as long as I don’t get sued for saying something personal about stars that I know or rumors that I have heard I’m going to say it and I try to make all my interviews focused on what the fans want to know. Being a former fangirl myself, I remember what I would want to know about my favorite star and I try to make my guests as comfortable as possible but STILL get the goods. =)

Who has been the most interesting artist that you’ve had on either of your shows (TV or Radio)?
All of them. I know that sounds weird, but every single one of my guests have been interesting.

Do you prefer one over the other between TV and Radio?
Equal. TV and radio both have an amazing charm.

How much control and input do you have as far as who comes on the shows and what music/videos are played (both TV/Radio)?
I seem to know more artists than my staff does simply because I’ve been in the business longer. So, I get a say in who comes and I have such a great staff that we talk a lot about who we want to come and try to get as many great artists as possible.

As someone who is promoting and discussing Korean popular music, what do you think about some of the Korean artists pursuing the American market recently (such as Se7en, Wonder Girls, BoA, etc.)?
I’m honestly very proud of every single one of them. I especially want to say that Se7en I think made the best approach to the US market. He lived there, tried to adapt to the culture, the music, the lifestyle, and started from the ground up. Not just trying to find a connection with the most popular company and start from the top. I had to do the same thing when I got here and I feel it helped me adapt to the culture more and understand the music and the people’s love for music here before starting anything. I speak Korean better for these reasons and I think he speaks English better for the same.

I know that you have done some acting on some variety shows; is that something you are also pursuing?
Yep! Anything and everything I can get my hands on I want to try at least once! Comedy for instance was a great experience! It helped me work on my improvisation and thinking on my toes. Acting in the sitcom helped me realize how much of an actor I would like to be. Acting for the musical, THE LIFE, opened my eyes to the amazing world of musicals and how I can mix every passion (acting, singing, and dancing) I have into one show!

You’ve also done some modeling as well, correct?
Yep, and do some editorials when I get the chance. Not often but every once and awhile I get a chance to take pictures for magazines.

What do you see yourself doing in the next 5/10 years? Still in entertainment/music industry?
Not sure. I’m majoring in business so I’m not sure where that’s going to take me but I do love being in this business.

Random & Personal:

What is your current relationship status and what do you look for in terms of relationships?
I’m currently single and I prefer Korean guys. Korean-Americans (kyopos) seem to fit perfectly into the profile but Korean-Korean men are also okay~~ =)

Do you have any hobbies or interests that you do to relax?
I’m currently taking salsa lessons and it’s a whole new passion that helps me relax like no other hobbies I have had. Other than that I love reading, watching the latest dramas, meeting with friends, watching movies, going for long walks.

Anybody you specifically respect/look up to?
My mom. She raised me by herself and also my mom’s side of the family. I don’t know what I would do without them.

Is your mother’s family still mostly in Korea?
No, most of my mom’s side is in LA so when I go back I get to see all of them.

What is your take on Korea’s reaction to Hines Ward “phenomenon” in 2006?
I think Korea went wild, just like they always do. Korea has huge passion for anything that is new and hip. A wave of passion goes up and then it goes down that fast.

Do you drink and/or like soju?
Yes and yes. I try to stay away from it though, it’s not good for my figure~~ LOL~

Do you get on the Internet often and, if so, what are some of your favorite websites?
Yes I do. Facebook, Cyworld, Twitter, soompi, bestiz.net, and a lot of gossip websites for work. Gotta keep on top of all the gossip so I can tell my listeners and viewers what’s going on.

How did you find out about HalfKorean.com and what did you think about the site when you first checked it out?
Carlos oppa told me about it when he came to do his weekly segment on my show. I was actually shocked at how organized the site was and how accurate.

Any words that you would like to pass on to the HalfKorean.com community?
Don’t get into the business just because. Trust me even if you eat, sleep, breath, live for your passion for being an artist in any aspect it doesn’t mean you always are going to make it big. So if your dream is to make it BIG then this isn’t the field for you. If you want to do music, acting, dancing, any thing in the arts because if you don’t you feel like you’re going to die then THAT is the passion that is going to get you somewhere in life. I want to thank everyone who takes interest in everyone mixed and more power and love to all of those you are struggling with being mixed~ xoxo

Be sure to check out Arirang’s website to listen to the live audio stream of Ida’s Mid-Day Break radio show daily from 12-2PM (KST) as well as archived Pops In Seoul episodes.

Big “THANK YOU” to Ida for her time for this interview as I know she has a really busy schedule between her TV & Radio jobs.

Interview by: David Lee Sanders

Posted: 8/20/2009