My 2nd Newsletter

Korea's traditional markets & Back story of the song "Complicated"

Author

Jong Hee Kim
February 12, 2024

Hello there

(My 2nd newsletter to you🧡)

How are you today? 

This is A.thentic Jong Hee 😊

Yesterday was the lunar new year in Korea, called ‘Seol-Nal’🌕. 

Traditional Market in Busan (2 days before ‘Lunar New Year’)

So many of my followers sent me New Year's cards, and I truly appreciate it. However, I couldn’t rest all day in Seol Nal(설날); I worked late into the night. But it was okay.

Above all, I was so happy to hear that my first letter was well-received by you, and some of you sent me messages on Instagram saying you liked it

You can't imagine how much it meant to me to hear that.

So I’m glad it worked well and I received your reply here. I read all of them but can’t reply to each one individually due to my tight work schedule, so please understand. 

Also, I’m writing this second newsletter to you just a few days later, but in the future, I'm not sure if I can write this frequently. 

However, I will try to do it as often as possible. 

Dan pat jook, Pat bing su (Ice with Red beans, and Sweet Red beans soup)& 인절미 (Rice cake)

And one more thing I’d like to mention.

After I posted a reel of my electric guitar performance, I anticipated that most of you would prefer the ‘Soft Pop version’.

Honestly, that was my intention, but to my surprise, quite a few of you chose the ‘Rock version’. 🙄 

Since I had already planned to develop the Soft Pop version further with additional music 😅, as you saw in the next reel titled 'Then, how about the girl’s side story?'

I felt a bit embarrassed but also enjoyed it. Perhaps I should've played the rock guitar more aggressively and dirtier.😞 

By the way, here is the link to the FULL version of 'Rock Guitar vs. Soft Pop Guitar'

Additionally, after uploading the reel, I expected some of you to mention the music style, but most of the comments focused on the ‘story.' 🤔

Creating the music took much longer than crafting the story. Regarding the poll between 'Lyrics and Music' to choose from on my story, my preference is Music, as I am a music composer.🎵🎶

But don't worry, I'm also somewhat good at crafting stories. However, English can be a bit tricky for me since it's not my native language. Nevertheless, I will do my best.

So now, let me talk about the story behind the song, “Complicated"

When I composed this song and wrote the lyrics a few years ago, I imagined a guy who has a close female best friend. 

He tried not to get confused about his feelings for her and still maintain their friendship, but she is just TOO beautiful for that.

So the guy said that he couldn’t resist his feelings when he met her in the park on a sunny day, captivated by her beautiful eyes and lovely smile.

He said in the song,

Before I knew you / I had no problem at all  (at all)

 I feel it’s not the way it was before

 Don’t understand my own mind anymore   

  Just confused

Song : “Complicated”

Youtube (Music Video 2022 version) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D32BXFtmBY

But he already fell in love with her but couldn’t confess to her, because he was worried that she might not want to see him again even as a friend. He said that, 

But I don’t want to lose someone like you

And what about her feeling? 

After I finished the “Complicated” song, I was also thinking a ‘Girl’s’ version song. 

So, the girl’s story is…; 

The girl he talks about in his song is also in LOVE with him.

Whenever he looks at her, his gaze seems different, as if he wants to say something to her, but he stops himself every time.

Girl : Hey, what’s wrong? 

Boy : Huh? Nothing..

Girl :  Wanna say something? 

Boy : Huh? No. No.. It’s not a big deal.. 

Girl : Are you sure? 

Boy : Yes, yes.. I’m all right.. Want some more coffee? 

Girl stares at him for a while

Girl : So, how is she? 

Boy : Huh? Who? 

Girl :  Your girlfriend. How is she? Is she okay with you? 

 ……………………..

Yes. This is the main reason she can't express her feelings, and she can't react to his expressions of feelings either. 

But one day, something happened between her and him. 

What happened? 

You will find out on February 14th, Valentine’s day. 😊🌹

Okay, thank you for reading, and I will see you next time. 💖

Thank you 

Best Regards 

A.thentic Jong Hee 🌹