Exclusive Interview with DJ KOO

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with DJ KOO, shortly before his performance at ONYX on 13th September.

You are one South Korea's most renowned DJs and Resident DJ at Korea's #1 club "Octagon". How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place, how did you get into DJing and what did you do before Octagon?

I used to be dance music singer. But one day my partner got a motor cycle accident and was seriously injured, so we could no longer continue the group. After that it became my turning point from singer to DJ. Because I was celebrity, many people didn't admit i was DJ, so i worked very hard until now and finally became one of the most well known DJ in Korea.

전원래 댄스뮤직 가수였는데 활동도중 제친구가 오토바이사고로 못걷게돼서 활동을 중단하게돼었어요. 그후 클럽디제이로 전향하게되엇어요. 연애인출신이라 크러버들이 디제이로써 많이 인정안했었지만 언젠가는 날 알아주리라 믿고 열심히한 나머지 여기까지 오게되었네요

Your sound is a mix of Electro- and Progressive House. How would you describe it in just a few words?

Wow, its fun!! You will want to dance!!

아우 신나!!!! 춤추고 싶다~!!

What tracks, remixes or mix sets would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your sound?

I want to recommend my newest track call "The meaning of life". After i became DJ i wanted to play my own music, and this track is from my third album.

요번 제신곡 "the meaning of life"를 들려드리고 싶네요 제가 디제이를 시작해서 남에노래말고 내가 만든곡을 틀고싶어서 미디공부를 열심히한 3번째 결과물이예요~!! 많은 관심과 사랑 부탁드립니다.

You played as first and only Korean DJ at Ultra Music Festival in Miami and continue to play there for 3 consecutive years already. You also played at the recent Ultra Korea and will play at Ultra Japan. What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?

After a performance when people say "Wow, you just killed it!!" i feel very happy. When i played at UMF Miami the audience kept saying "you are awesome!!" and "you fuxxing killed it!!" - i felt grateful and proud. The funniest episode is after finishing the "Road to Ultra" Japan show. I was too excited and forgot to pull out my USB stick, and i realized i left my USB stick behind when i was back in Korea already for another gig. As a unfortunate result I had to delay my performance for one hour.

디제이는 항상 공연 끝나고 내려올때 사람들이 "와 오늘 죽여줫다~" 라는 말 듣을때 행복해요 근데 마이애미에서 공연 끝나고 내려올때 외국 분들이 " you are awsome~~""fuxxin killed it~"이말 들었을때 넘 행복했죠 웃긴거 보다 황당했던 경험이있어요 일본 "Road to Ultra"공연을 너무 성공적으로 끝내고나서 흥분한나머지 내 유에스비를 안뽑아온거예요..근데 그사실을 한국돌아와서 갔던 담공연 디제이 부스올라가서 알았던거죠..유에스비를 항상넣는곳을 열어보니 없는거예요..그래서 고연이 한시간뒤로 미뤄졋던 아찔한 기억이 나네요 ..

What are you currently working and focusing on?

I'm working on remixing.. thats why i have to solve trouble with sounds.

리믹스 작업을 하나 하고있습니다.. 그래서 새로운 사운드와 싸우고 있는중이죠 ...

What can you tell us about clubbing and nightlife in your hometown Seoul? Do you have any nightlife related suggestions for first-time visitors?

I can just describe Seoul as the city of nightlife, all week 24-hours you can drink and party, and even on weekend there are clubs open till 11:00am. Not just clubs, there are lots of good places for food and drinks, the hottest place for young people is Leetaewon, Hongdae, Gangnam - you should find out what you like in these area.

서울은 진짜 밤의 도시라해도 과언이아니예요 일주일 내내 밤새서 술마실수있어요 주말엔 심지어 클럽이 아침 11시까지 문연곳도 있어요 클럽아니더라도 맛있는음식과 술이 있는 곳도 많아요 젤 재밋고 핫하고 젊은동내는 홍대,이태원,강남이예요 요동네에서 좋아하시는걸 찾아보세요

On 13th September you will perform live here in Bangkok at the ONYX. Have you visited Thailand before? Will it be your Bangkok debut? What can Bangkok expect of your upcoming performance?

I have been to Thailand when I was singer for TV shows and also for DJing a while ago, but this time i feel like the real debut gig - that's why I'm very excited. I will prepare as it is my first time visit and hope that many people will join, show love and enjoy it!

태국은 가수할때 방송땜에 가본적도 있고 디제이도 한번 했었어요 예전에 ....근데 요번이 약간 정식 방콕데뷰무대 같은 느낌이들어 익사이팅해요~! 그래서 요번에 방콕 첫무대라생각하고 열심히준비해갈꺼예요 많이오셔서 함께해주세요~!!! 사랑합니다~!!