Wang Leehom - Not An Idol

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Wang Lee Hom – Not an Idol

Quote from I-weekly Magazine:

Played the violin when he was 6. At 8 years old, he won a school Mathematics competition. At 16, he was the best baseball player in school. At 18, he was awarded the best debater award for an inter-HS debate competition. Released his first album at 19. At 23, he was the youngest to ever win the best producer award at the GMA. Currently owns more than 100 music awards.We use numbers and honours to break the ‘pop idol’ label stuck on Lee Hom for the past 10 years for his dashing good looks.I am a true musician.This 29-year-old boy tells all, from the initial hello to the depths of his heart. And he’s full of confidence.--------------------------------------------------------------------------It happened 10 years ago, on a summer dayMemories refuse to fade away and I can never forget that MV I watched one afternoon 10 years ago.A 19 year old sunshiny boy, singing about a boy who’s jealous of his girlfriend’s obsession with Beethoven with the accent of a ABC.Because of that song, “Beethoven my rival in love”, I got to know this boy.His name, Wang Lee Hom, a ABC pop idol with the likes of L.A. Boys.I remember him that way.The summer day 10 years ago. His memory.“Everyone could only remember me from the song “Beethoven my rival in love” but forget that I created ‘Listening to the rain’ and ‘Don’t want to say goodbye’.” He felt helpless as he recalled those days.I could only remain silent, as I do not recall those 2 songs at all. I felt a little guilty even.So he wanted to be a musician since then.But being called an idol is a compliment. At least it shows that you have the looks.“Hahaha! Thanks. But to me, it’s sad.”Regarding refusal to do bubblegum pop, he said, “Previously, I had no bargaining power, I had to sing songs that I repulse. I was pretty upset for quite some time then actually. But after that, I told myself, since I want to sing, why don’t I find another way to sing it even better?”Music is his life and he says that he cannot bear to see it die in vain.Talent simply means a much smoother journey than most other people. Only the correct attitude towards life can direct you in the correct direction.What I didn’t tell him was that if I had the looks, I’d be ecstatic and would never think that those who like me are shallow. In contrast, those who lack in the looks department are isolated and that feeling is terrible.Even if the idol can’t sing, chances can still come knocking on their doors. Plus, singing techniques and skills can be learnt in the future. Looks, on the other hand, is inborn.Please do not classify me“There’s no classification of singers in my dictionary.”His tone is always so gentlemanly and always reminds me of him singing Elvis’s ‘Love Me Tender’ when he was 19.Mature. Innocent. Pure. He has a bit of everything. He’s just like the way we see him – an idol of a musician.“To divide artistes into talented and idol is a very silly shallow thing to do. If a singer can’t sing, he can’t sing. I won’t classify as an ‘idol’. On the same line of thought, those who can simply play a few songs, I don’t think he can be called talented.”There’s only good singers and lousy singers. It’s so simple. We need not set such complicated game rules to separate the two.The most important thing is passion, he adds in all seriousness. Music should be for a lifetime, happy and with you till the day you die.

translated by Laruku@jay-chou.net
pixs from Mossy @OurHomeSG