Q. Among all the songs you’ve released so far, which one is the most special to you, and why?
Kim Leebull Recently, I’ve felt the most attached to “Bruised.” Maybe it’s because it was just released, but I think it captures that bittersweet, romantic feeling in a way that resonates deeply with me.
Q. Where do you usually draw inspiration from when making music? Are there particular moments in daily life that spark ideas?
Kim Leebull Everyday life gives me inspiration, conversations, movies, books, sunsets, a sky full of stars. Especially when I’m in the shower, ideas often come rushing in. I even bring my phone in to record quick memos. My songs usually begin from these natural, fleeting emotions.
Q. Your artist name “Leebull” is quite unique. What does it mean, and how did you come up with it?
Kim Leebull My wife, who was my girlfriend back then, actually gave me the name. People often told me that my voice felt warm, and she suggested, “What if you made music that feels like being comforted under a blanket?” I liked the idea right away, so I started performing under the name “Kim Leebull” (“Leebull” means blanket in Korean).
Q. Your song “Us” centers around the theme of spending time with someone you love. What kind of situation or emotions sparked its creation?
Kim Leebull Growing up, love in movies and dramas was always bittersweet and painful but ultimately happy. In real life, love comes with both immense joy and waves of anxiety. I see that anxiety as part of love itself, and I wanted to capture that duality.
The song was really made in a DIY way. I recorded the vocals over two or three days at a friend’s studio, singing for about eight hours each day. It was a lot of trial and error.
Q. You once said you like to take ordinary words and phrases and present them from a slightly different perspective. Could you share a lyric line that you feel most attached to?
Kim Leebull From “Bruised,” there’s a line: “Don’t let go of me.” When someone you love gets closer and tells you they’re okay, even though they’re the one hurt by past scars it feels sad yet deeply affectionate. I love those kinds of raw, imperfect love stories.
Q. Could you share an example of a song that started from one of those fleeting moments?
Kim Leebull The song “Hi” began like that. Its key lines came from voice memos I recorded while showering. I recently watched a neuroscience video that explained why ideas flow easily in the shower. It seems the brain works differently in that state.
Sometimes it happens while chatting too. For instance, if someone says something interesting during this interview, I might jot it down and later turn it into a lyric.
Q. Your music often touches on universal themes like love, daily life, or bruises. What’s the most important perspective you hold when dealing with such familiar topics?
Kim Leebull I like to use ordinary words and phrases but from a slightly shifted perspective, to bring out a deeper resonance. I want to find something special within the most everyday of subjects.
Q. Do you plan to keep focusing on emotions as your main theme, or are there other topics or styles you’d like to explore?
Kim Leebull At some point, I’d love to make an album about something big and heavy, like “humanity.” But of course, I’ll continue to create songs about emotions as well. That’s always going to be part of my music.
Q. What has been your main source of creative energy lately? Any recent inspirations or interests that might shape your future work?
Kim Leebull Lately, exercise and family have been the biggest sources of energy for me. Running helps me organize my thoughts, and the feelings I get while looking at my family often naturally flow into songs. As I change as a person, I think my music will keep evolving with me.
Q. Since family has become such a big source of inspiration for you, do you plan to make music directly about those feelings?
Kim Leebull I was raised by my grandparents. Last year, my grandmother passed away. I heard my grandfather say to her portrait, “Why did you leave so soon?” and that stuck with me. I’d like to write about that someday, how the first moment you meet and the last moment you say goodbye might connect.
Even though everyone leaves eventually, I think the promise of “forever together” still holds true in its own way. That’s something I’d like to capture in a song.
Q. Looking back at your discography, is there a song you think will still resonate with you years down the line?
Kim Leebull “20.06.09 Cloudy.” It’s like a diary entry. I’ve always been someone who regrets things a lot. But at certain moments, I need to remind myself, “Don’t regret unnecessarily.” That song feels timeless to me, no matter when I listen to it again, it’ll bring me back to that mindset.
SPiRiT ARTIST INTERVIEW 07