Sam Kim - Seattle (English ver.)

" The feeling of loneliness is always there; during a conversation on matters we don’t know, or facing the empty flat after an exhausting day. "

Living in foreign countries might look easy from the social media feeds, but the reality is not really.

Ever been to another country and staying for a couple mouths or years and trying to build connections there?

There is one word to explain this song: Homesick.

The song “Seattle” by Sam Kim had perfectly captured the hardship and difficulties when living in a foreign country. The lyrics and music filled with the emotions of loneliness, insecure and uncertainty that he faced when he moved to South Korea.

Artist Background

Born and raised in Seattle (Washington, United States), Sam Kim is a Korean-American singer songwriter and guitarist. He gained the public attention through participating and finishing second in the South Korea talent show, K-pop Star 3 back in 2013. He then signed under Antenna Music, and spent a preparation period of three years to transform his lifestyle, and improve guitar skills, composition and Korean after.

Kim made his official debut with the release of his full-length EP, I Am Sam, in April 10, 2016. The EP featured 6 songs, including the pre-release single “Mama Don’t Worry”, the lead single "No 눈치 (No Sense)”, the emotional hit “Seattle”, and three other songs.

Details of the Music & Music Video

The story behind the "Seattle" is about the hardship and the emotions he faced while adapting to the culture and society of South Korea as a foreigner. The music is written and produced as a piano base ballad accompany with emotional strings and a hint of jazz arrangement.

The lyrics in the first verse and chorus are written in English along with the calming solo piano under a jazzy pop arrangement. The words there are more poetic and symbolic on describing the emotions and feelings of “Homesick” he felt at the time.

The second verse and chorus are written in Korean along with the same piano sequence plus strings underneath. The words there are more realistic, and the strings sections created a more genuine and deeper expression on the hardship and difficulties he was encountering.

Personal Thoughts

Living in foreign countries might look easy from the social media feeds, but the reality is definitely not. Making new friends and blending into a new environment is never easy. The culture and society could be total different. The feeling of loneliness is always there; might be during a conversation on matters we don’t know, or facing the empty flat after an exhausting day at work/study.

When you are feeling homesick, please have a listen to “Seattle” by Sam Kim.

Let the song remind you that we all have the same feeling, and you are not alone.