As difficult as the process was, I found that
by opening myself up, I began to carve my own
path more clearly. No matter what I do, whether
that is performing or teaching piano or writing,
being open, transparent, and vulnerable is the
real key to connection. are creative, really
creative enough to create something that whatever
you desire. For me, creativity isn't about trying
to be original. It's where what naturally happens
when you lead something with love and a desire
to connect. Hello, everyone, and welcome to The
Piano Pot. Today is extra special because I am
kicking off a brand new series called Encore
Conversations. This is where I bring back past
guests for shorter, more personal conversations
so we can catch up, hear about their new projects,
and reflect on how their journeys have evolved
since the last time they joined us. To launch
this series, I couldn't think of a better guest
than Jiyoung Kim. When June first joined me back
in Season 3, we talked about her debut book,
Whenever You're Ready, her mission to make concerts
immersive and personal, and her belief that music
is about building real human connections. She
spoke with such honesty and originality about
her artistry, her challenges, and her philosophy
of living fully, and so many of you reached out
after work to say how deeply her story resonated.
If you missed that conversation or want a refresher,
it's Season 3, Episode 14. You can find a link
in the show notes. Now, June is back with her
brand new book, Beyond the Keys, and her companion
album, Radiance. Both reflect her signature authenticity
and creativity, inviting us to experience music
and life through the lens of love, resilience,
and connection. I am so thrilled to have her
back to help me launch this new series. So let's
dive right in. Here is my encore conversation
with Jiyun Kim. Jiyun, welcome back. I'm so glad
to be back. And welcome to the very first edition
of our alumni series called Encore. conversations
and since this season is all about creativity
and connection so i cannot think of a better
person to help us kick it off than you and you're
the perfect person to ask and then the last time
you were here was season three almost three years
ago two and a half and how have you been i have
been busy but well that's great that's wonderful
to hear So back then we talked about your first
book, Whenever You're Ready, and your passion
for connecting with audiences and engage in creative
ways. And for those tuning in today who missed
that episode, definitely go back and check it
out. It's full of gems, just like her writing.
So please go to thepianopart .com and find her
episode, or you can check the description below.
So I still remember attending your Carnegie Hall
concert after the episode. That's about two years
ago. Right. Yeah. And you live in California,
but you flew to New York and then gave a wonderful
concert. Unforgettable on so many levels. Well,
first of all, your concert was phenomenal. I
mean, exquisite. And just like you promised in
the episode, our conversation, that you had a
microphone on stage and shared reflections between
each piece, like your thoughts on the piece,
composer. And it created such a warm and intimate
atmosphere, although it's a Carnegie Hall. And
then if I remember correctly, there was a QR
code in the program? I don't remember. Well,
that concert meant to have a big projection with
artwork. But since the Carnegie Hall, especially
the Wild Hall, doesn't allow or doesn't have
the capacity on purpose to keep that traditional
look, I opted to have it on the program book
with the black and white photography. And so
people kind of enjoyed it. But at the end, I
thought... it worked out really well it created
really such a almost like a candlelight effect
with this gorgeous traditional setting of the
Carnegie Hall with the tradition you know yeah
yeah and then of course you know another thing
was that the that's the day that we had a Canadian
wildfire and that I am so sorry I was there I
attended your concert but I had to leave because
I got so sick running around the town. It was
really a special day because I had in my imagination
the perfect day, you know, of performance at
Carnegie. And that was the second time I imagined
the perfect scenario. But then the day, it was
like haze. I couldn't even see, you know, three
feet away because it was so foggy and everybody
canceled. I think the broadcast. Broadway was
canceled that day. So people ask, are your concerts
still on? Are you canceling? Like, no, I'm here.
I'll give a concert. Whoever comes to the concert,
I'll give whatever I have. And so it was very
conflicted to mine because I wanted to be so
perfect. Everything I prepared for so long. But
then in the end, those challenges of the environment
that made me let it go. Like, you know what?
Even the world crashes today. That I'm here today,
I play piano. So that was very meaningful in
many layers. But the concert hall was full. Those
New Yorkers are no joke. No, we don't. We don't
joke. So, I mean, filled with people. And so
many people went downstairs and greeted you.
So it was just so wonderful. Now, here we are,
2025, celebrating your second book, Beyond the
Keys. And when we reconnected this time, you
so kindly sent me this advanced reader copy.
Oh, my gosh. I felt so special. And I have a
lot of sticky notes here because I loved some
of the quotes and I just couldn't help. So this
book feels like a continuation of your first,
but even more intimate and personal as though
we're hearing your true voice more clearly than
ever. So tell us. What is Beyond the Keys? Beyond
the Keys. Yeah, the Beyond the Keys is my dream
come true, basically. It is about life as much
as it is about music. The book holds 52 reflections,
just like Piano Key has. 52 white keys or 52
weeks of the year that 52 has a lot of symbolic
meanings to many people and especially to me
and each one paired with my story and on my own
recording through QR code and also artwork from
all over the world many collaborations with artists
living in this time and it is a collection of
uplifting stories that take you behind the scenes
of my life, classical pianist life, but also
into my journey as South Korean immigrant or
entrepreneur or the artist who lived in my mid
-40s. But more than just stories, I really see
this book as an experience. I want it to be an
experience. I like to imagine that. at stepping
into a cozy cafe together. And I will share a
story or two. There's a piano in the corner waiting
for me to play. And on the walls, there are a
lot of artwork inviting you to pause or linger
or let them speak to you. And that's the spirit
of the book. And you can take your time with
it and read a chapter or two, listen to a recording,
look at the artwork. Let it sink like standing
in front of those masterpieces. piece in a museum.
And at its heart, I think Beyond the Keys is
about connection through words, through music,
and the artwork. And I believe no matter how
advanced technology becomes, we always longing
that human touch of creativity to remind us of
beauty and to give us perspective and to bring
us back to this present moment. So for me, the
life itself is always changing and transforming
and we're all still growing and unfolding in
like those trees. have many branches and still
hold so many centuries of, of life and emotions.
And so I hope this book is my way of sharing
the stories in my experiences that shaped me,
not just as a pianist, but as a friend walking
alongside you that searching for the positive
light, searching for the meaning in life. And
while I was reading, I really, I can hear your
voice almost. I felt it was really about love
and love for music, love for your career and
life itself. I can really sense that and love
for the people around you and near and far and
your past and present. And of course, love for
yourself. I was truly struck by how candid you
were about that. real life challenges and hardships
you face also? Yeah, quite shocked. Wow, really?
You go all the way. Wow, that's great. Now, each
chapter felt like a gentle reminder to live fully
and stay present. Am I right? Am I close to what
you intended? Yeah, for sure, for sure. That
might be my stories, but ultimately I think it's
everyone's story. I started to write newsletters
for my audiences about four years ago, just maybe
around the time that I released my first book,
Whenever You're Ready. So it was my intention
was connected with people beyond the stage, behind
the scenes of life. And, you know, that's how
my biweekly newsletter called Behind the Keys
started. And at first people read it as in a
way that to get closer to me and they following.
But over time, I realized that I wasn't just
sharing music updates where I'm going to perform,
but I was letting people into my life. the joys
and struggles and, you know, all of the stories
that I encounter as just another human being.
And then something beautiful happened. course
of the last four four years readers of my newsletter
started to write back they told me their life
stories their reflections that become highlight
uh in their inbox too so that they said that
my newsletter become a dose of inspiration they
always look forward to and Sometimes they're
sharing their whole life stories in their email
back. And even though I hadn't met most of them
in person, but I felt like I were becoming companions
or friends in this journey of life. And that
connection through words became just as meaningful
as connection that I feel on stage through music.
And then one morning I woke up and the idea that...
honestly felt like a jolt of electricity and
thinking hmm what if i combine my writing and
my music in a same experience a book that included
not only stories but also my performance and
perhaps through you know now it's technology
through qr codes so that readers could listen
while they read And then I could also release
my next album, which is Radiance, in the part
of the book. Wouldn't that be a really unique
way of releasing an album? Not only CDs or LPs
or digital release on Apple Music and whatnot.
And from that morning, I knew that... book publishing
takes time I mean much longer than CD release
it's maybe from the idea to realization maybe
at least a year and a half if not two years and
I was couldn't wait to bring this idea into realization
a real book and I know that it will take a long
time and I wanted to share what my vision was
but since I didn't have anything to share it
I couldn't necessarily share much. And now this
book that I'm holding in front of me physically
and sharing with words, it really literally feels
like a dream that it's living its own. And so
this is, for me, is again, living thing that
it will has its own life now because. My job
is done after finishing this book. So it will
live in someone's bookshelf or someone's nightstand
or some bookstore or libraries. And whoever touches,
they will have shared experience. But it's not
same time concert, I feel. It's always shared
time experience. But book or the album is always
not... coherent time experience, but they will
experience even 50 years from now, they will
meet Ji -yoon in the mid -40s and have that continued
conversation and the stories that I share, the
music that I share, and that it will always have
that time capsule with it. And I find it is such
a beautiful way to have experience, maybe not
at the same time, but moving forward always.
Now, you wrote the first book that was also authentic,
honest, and focused more on your career, how
you made your career happen. But this one is
really about your life. What made you decide
to really share the deepest and even hardest
moment of your life with your audience? I don't
know. That was. set decision that I thought,
okay, I'm going to open myself and to be able
to share everything. And I don't think that was
definitely a decision. And it's still, it's challenging.
I think it's the most challenging part of writing
itself is how you need to be transparent. I remember,
always remember, one of several editors mentioned
readers are smarter than you think. They always
know if you are writing from open heart and vulnerable
place or you want to share only this part, but
this part, no. I want to share this part. So
maybe they don't really feel it, but they can
sense it. And it's funny because when I first
made a draft for this book, I put one of those
hard... personal life stories with my divorce
or with the drug involved and all many hardships,
even about my father, almost towards the chapter
49, chapter 50. And I send it out to the publisher.
This is my, you know, the draft, first draft.
And the editor, whoever going through the first
time through, just reading it, just roughly reading
through it. She emailed me back maybe a couple
of days later. I feel like I'm betrayed by you.
You can't do that. You can't put those hard personal
challenges like that degree almost at the end.
I feel like you're hiding, although you are not,
but I want to read the whole book once again,
knowing the fact. So you have to put place this
one beginning, like I ask when, where, like chapter
three or four. There's no way around it. You
have to go in the head first, sharing those kind
of stories. So then everything else you do makes
sense. So then it really struck me. Ah, another
realization that I unconsciously, I don't think
I did it consciously, but unconsciously, I went
like, I wrote it and I shared it, but I'm going
to place in a little, you know, in a bookmark,
you know, but then. This writing really meant
that writing about fear, heartbreak, or something
I would rather bury deep and never want to touch
it again. And other times it meant I need to
slow down long enough to take a hard look at
my life, what was really working and what is
not working. And writing pushed me to be that
vulnerable, to put those truths. on the page
instead of hiding from them. And as difficult
as process was, I found that by opening myself
up, I began to carve my own path more clearly.
And a lot of therapists, if you are talking to
therapy or, you know, those along the way, the
best method that you can have for yourself, other
than having someone else professional to walk
with you, the path is writing because that. writing
is giving your thought a clothing. If you don't
give writing, if you don't write it out, your
thoughts might bother you. But if you give kind
of transparent thing, a clothing, then it becomes
something that you can see directly. And that
gave me that clear sense of who I am and where
I am. What is my weakness? What is my strength?
What could I do better? And why I started struggling
with certain things. And that honesty allowed
people to connect with me in a deeper level because...
It is their fear, too. It's a fear of losing
someone. It's a fear of, you know, aging. And
all of the things that I mentioned, it's not
my own struggle. It's the struggles that all
humans probably have experienced, especially
the loss of loved ones. And I hope that it also
helped them to see the light within themselves.
In that sense, the challenge became the gift.
The more I opened. the more connection and meaning
I discovered, both for myself and for my readers.
So people were saying sometimes, wow, Ji -yoon,
you're so courageous to be open like that. And
I'm not doing it to be courageous. I'm doing
it for the most to be clear for myself. to gain
the strength to move forward with my life and
find a better way to living. And by doing that,
I think I'm giving a strength to other people
who are living this life in their own way that,
you know, it's okay. I think I can deal with
this too. Well, beautifully said. And so by writing,
what did you discover, especially about yourself?
I think the biggest thing I learned is no matter
what I do, whether that is performing or teaching
piano or writing, being open, transparent, vulnerable
is the real key to connection. In the past, I
sometimes wish that I were that kind of performer
that whom every piece or every concert came so
effortlessly. They just have perfect technique.
Everything is just like, oh. Yeah, I will give
another concert or in life that I had. I wish
that I had fewer personal challenges or less
loss, less heartbreak. But then through writing
these reflections, I realized that even those
painful parts of life have their place. They
shaped me who I am today and ultimately for the
better. And now. I no longer wish for an easy,
challenge -free path. Instead, I'm grateful for
the tools that I have, which is writing, music
or art or the connection I built with people,
which gives me strength to weather life's storms
and also embrace its joy when it comes again.
And maybe the most surprising thing I've learned
Probably with this book is that I'm not only
a pianist, but I'm also truly a writer. This
book helped me see that. Yeah, you've written
really well. So now we want to take a little
peek into your book. But when you sent me this
copy. And I'm truly grateful. You put a little
message, very sweet message. You said, let these
pages offer a moment of quiet, clarity, and calm.
Part book, part concert, part gallery for you.
Yeah, so it is true. It's a book with a concert
and gallery. So can you explain to us? you know
this book is very different from so many other
books it's a it's a memoir memoir but it's not
just that so the structure of this book yeah
um This is the book that I hope to be an experience,
but where, how could I combine those three elements?
When I gave a concert, previous concert project,
which was a poetry in music, I wanted to collaborate
poets with my music selections. But then I thought,
hmm. I need a visual somewhere to hold the place.
So that's where black and white photography came
with it. And so those three combined. So when
I thought of this book combining my stories and
my music, which is these two elements that I
created, and I love going to gallery or, you
know, I have this cafe and there's a wall and
something interesting. I look at it and every
time I go to a museum, Even though I go to the
museum a thousand times, I always make a game
with myself. What is my top three of today? And
I will make sure I spend more than five minutes
for that very three, rather than looking at everything
at once. And looking at the artwork for longer
than five minutes, it's really a long time. But
if you do, There's layers, almost like you let
it go and let it go more and let it go more.
And then you realize, oh gosh, there's a detail
that I didn't realize. Oh wow, I didn't know
that. I'm looking at this artwork maybe for 20
times already, but this is the first time I realized
something else. And I think those moments of
looking at the art or listen to the same piece
a thousand times and when you go to concert and
you... hear a different line that you never realized
before. Those discoveries happens when you let
it happen. And that takes time. It takes an intentional
let it go and let it involve. So my intention
of it is that this book, 52, are not to be spent.
at one sitting. I wanted this, I mean, this book
is not really one to the next. It's not related
in a way other than it's my stories. And there's
a story about how I became a cat person or, you
know, sometimes it makes you chuckle and sometimes
it makes you ponder. Sometimes it makes you heartache
with me. And those are stories. It takes time
for you to digest. And because ultimately I want
you to think about your own life. So this may
be at least 52 days, if not 52 weeks, we saw
a whole year. I want you to truly take time.
And if you could spend five minutes, listen to
my performance because. There's a reason why
I chose that particular performance for that
essay. There's a reason why there's artwork paired
with that music and that essay. It's not like,
okay, I like this artwork, I'm going to include
it. No, I actually had more than 300 artwork
that I wanted to include. We ended up doing more
than 300 because I got a rejection. I got no
or no response. The process of selecting artwork,
paying license fee, contacting them, enthusiastically
explain the project. But then what I got was
a lot of times no or no response at all. That
takes already more than a year of constantly
pushing. And because it was my vision alone,
no one else's. And I wanted. So then a lot of
times, like, oh, I wish that particular art was
part of this essay or that's part of this music.
But then I have to move on, move on to the next
one and next one. And these 52 were not just
whipped out of my toolbox and here we are, but
it was the hard work of choosing careful selections,
trying to match with my stories in the music.
And a lot of times who have read this book and
saying it felt like a gift they open every night
or every time they sit down on the chair to be
able to read and discover about themselves, maybe
something about me, but more so an opportunity
to slow down. That's why I think this is a part
book. part gallery, part concert, a ritual of
calm. And that's, I think it is my intention
for this book, for the readers to experience
a moment of slowing down, especially we are bombarded
with phones and so much stimulation that actively
not using the phone takes effort. But this is
a beautiful way to receive it. without having
to fight because it's not like you have to put
the phone in the lockbox. No, this is more like
you much rather hold this book, take five minutes,
and then in the end you might realize, you know
what, that was really nice. But don't go overboard.
Take the next chapter for the next day rather
than what is next, what is next, and kind of
force yourself, slow it down. with the book.
And I, I suggest all the readers and slower,
the better. And a lot of times that I, I received
the letters from some of the readers of my book,
this beyond the keys and say, there's 10 more
chapters left. And I'm sad. I feel like I wish
there were a hundred more for me to keep going
with this journey. And I cherish this so much
because they savor each chapter. opening up the
gift and it's like a 30 days to Christmas kind
of thing. So they open it and they really take
time and then they close it and then let it sit.
And then go, keep going with their life. And
maybe you want to revisit. And there is a table
of contents of this book. It has glimpse of artwork
and glimpse of which piece of music it paired
or the title of the story. So you may not go
to one, two, three, but you may just choose like
a random menu. And I go today, I want to go to.
chapter 30 because that artwork spoke to me oh
i love that piece of music and i want to go there
so it is like a collaged um you know your own
make your own menu kind of a book as well um
and i think i my wish for this book is that after
experiencing this book you may rediscover the
beauty of maybe reading, which is a hard thing
to do these days. And maybe, oh, you know, next
time I see some classical concert, whether, no,
that's not for me, but whether, you know, I listened
to those classical pianists, you know, performing
on a YouTube through the book, maybe I try again.
Or when you go through the gallery, there's some
exhibition going on, whether than just like not
uninterested, just, Just step in and take a moment
like, oh, what is this artist's drawing about?
Just take your time. Because I believe what I'm
trying to give all the readers through this book
is the gift of the art. I think there's a reason
why we have art. The art is right here as a tool
for humanity to lead our lives better. And whether
that's a visual art. Of course, for me, it's
classical music, the music. And then also storytelling.
Storytelling might be the longest form of art
that the grandma in the bedtime telling you a
story about her past or, you know, makeup stories.
And next day, I know every little detail is that
story. I want to hear again. Grandma, tell me
the story once again. And that's the beauty of
connection. And from that connection with the
human connection. that we feel we are safe because
we are here together. And because at times life
feels impossibly difficult. At the times I also
reminded, ooh, the storm of life hits me again.
It feels the end of life, almost like I can't
bear this weight of life. But at the moment I
reminded myself that I am not the only one who
goes through this. everybody goes through some
shape of waves. And right now I'm just hitting
the biggest wave I feel like at the moment. But
I know there's another calmer days. And when
the calmer days, life is good. So when the storm
of life hits me, then I have to desperately searching
for the remedy. Then I hope that could be an
art. All these wonderful 52 chapters, 52 stories
are also divided into five sections or five parts.
And there are a lot of like secrets. You have
to be on a quest to discover a lot of secrets,
not just the drawing, beautiful illustration.
And I don't know how you did it. You know, putting
all these people together and commissioning.
I don't know if you commissioned or maybe you.
I did commission some. Oh my gosh. And then like
each chapter has a, you know, QR code you said,
and then this is your performance, right? Connected
to your YouTube and YouTube. So that's, you know,
can be the past performances, but well, I don't
know how you did it, but yeah, you did it. So
I totally admire and I myself write and I love
writing and then writing about my past. And it
just gives me the sense of. reclaiming you know
your place and also like i don't know like sense
of like empowerment so i love doing that but
you know to to write something like this it's
a really a devotion dedication so brava to you
yeah and then not only that you have uh you're
creating this concert series plus album Radiance.
So can you tell us about this concert series
and then the album? This, by the way, episode
is out on September 30th. So by the time both
your album and then the concert and plus this
book, Beyond the Keys, are already out. Right.
Radiance is... My fourth album and concert project,
I always follow this model of a lot of maybe
pop music culture model after, which is you release
an album and that become your model for the concert
tours. And they, let's say if they have some
title of the album and they tour with that title
and not many classical musicians might. have
done that but from the very beginning 10 more
minutes my album which is crowdfunded that i
create a concert creation a program that is modeled
after the album not all all but some of it and
then made it live version of 10 more minutes
l concert so that was first one and then second
was over be above beyond and third one sheum
and now radiance that is I also always hope that
music, just like Beyond the Keys, that music
doesn't have the shape. You can't see it, but
it speaks directly to the soul. And it's the
same thing with the light. The radiance, the
sense of the light is that when you're least
expected, you feel the warmth. kind of the sense
of it. And I hope that through all of my musical
selections, that it's my gift of light to brighten
up your day. And that among this program, I have
pictures at exhibition by Mussorgsky. Of course,
this is one of the most well -known piano repertoire,
if not orchestral music, more well -known. And
many of the legendary pianists recorded and I've
already made their name out there. The reason
I wanted to do this time differently for Ji Yoon's
version of pictures exhibition is that Mussorgsky
paired his artist friend, who recently passed
away at that time, and he visited his And he
walked through this exhibition, who's a dear
friend of him, who recently passed away, and
created this beautiful music named after many
of his friends' artwork, exact titles. And then,
so he saw the artwork inspired and created music.
My version of this is that I took out the titles
as much as possible. Just music itself and what
emotions that it books, what messages it says.
And I try not to tie it into the title, although
I already know, so it's almost undo that part.
But as much as the raw first listening to it,
and if that sparks a humor or joy, that I find
search for the artwork, again, the contemporary
artist who's living now. That makes me chuckle.
And that artwork, that's perfect for that movement.
And I reach out to the artist and can we collaborate
for this concert? And I selected 17 artworks
representing 10 different countries. And to me
now, the audiences will, in my program as well,
I will not. print the title of each movement.
But when they walk out from the concert, they
will be given each subtitles of the pictures
exhibition as well as artwork credits, who's
from. And so my idea is that now when you go
venture off to the gallery or museum or an Instagram,
someone else's drawing or artwork, you curate
your own artwork. with the pictures exhibition
and you can create your own creative journey
with it and it again is my invitation for you
to have fun to have a creative outlet it's not
only me i can do it you can do and i find that
more creative we are we're more childlike have
just have fun and make mistakes and see what
happens and you know there's no right answer
for in art and that's a beautiful thing about
it and i by doing it i feel we are much more
connected with ourselves which makes us ultimately
more happy um so radiance is it's very special
in that way to invitation to my playground and
that's not definite answer either and maybe next
concert that I present radiance in other city
that I may collaborate with some other artwork
because at the time maybe my vision of certain
movement have changed and I think it's okay yeah
wonderful Wow. I know you've been doing this
sort of creative way to give your concerts. And
then I myself, of course, witnessed that. So,
yeah. So your book, Beyond the Keys, and the
album Radiance are both out. Where can we get
access to these? Should we go to your website?
Beyond the Keys, you can get it on Amazon. However
you purchased books. And of course, if you get
it from my website, you will get a signed copy
and little giveaway stickers and all the little
personal message. Same goes to Radiance. I only
created... 100 copies of the CD. As much as I
want everybody to listen through the CD, I know
that's not... the case nowadays but i still wanted
to have a tangible experience whoever wants to
have the tangible experience but if not you can
always listen from you know any digital format
apple music you can purchase it digitally um
things like that and or hopefully the best way
is you can catch me at live concert radiance
which i will be touring around around the country
in america for the next two years Wow. So, so
much to look forward to. Yes. Yeah. And your
website is jiungkim .com, which is J -E -E -Y
-O -O -N -K -I -M .com, right? Is there anything,
the last thing you would like to say? You have
mentioned several times as well that I'm creative.
I'm doing something different. But I also want
to mention that what I do, if you think about
it, nothing unusual. People go to the gallery.
People do read a book. People do go to concert.
People do produce albums. So what I did combining
it may not be the most unique thing, but at the
same time, I did it in that there's not many.
who would attempt to do something unusual, which
is usual thing. So it became creative thing because
the only fact made me different is I did it.
And maybe someone else's is just only ideas.
So for me, creativity isn't about trying to be
original. It's where what naturally happens when
you lead something with love. and a desire to
connect. And when you truly want to share something
beautiful, in my case, my gosh, I want to share
this cat artwork so bad, or this story of my
life, even through the painful stories, or this
joyous music that I've performed over the last
decade. And I just cannot wait to share those
things with all of you. Then I found it finds
its own shape if you have desire, want to share
it, whether that is a concert or story or visual
art or a book or a combination of it. So that
I hope all of you believe that we all are creative,
really creative enough to create something that
whatever you desire. Only thing maybe holding
back many of us is fear of making mistakes, fear
of judgment, fear of your own judgment. What
am I doing? I mean, there's some better writers
out there. Or what am I doing? There's a better
pianist. Why I'm drawing? Because there's a better
artist. Yes, there are better. There's no other
you. And so you are the most original. is who
you are and just remember the love in a connection
that will unlock you to be able to just be who
you are because you are always imperfect being
and imperfect being embracing the other imperfect
being and somehow and through that bridge it's
a perfect love Wonderful. Ji -Young, thank you
so much for sharing your stories and insights
with us once again. And it was wonderful to catch
up and to hear more. about your new projects
in our very first encore conversations episode
so to everyone be sure to visit june's website
at junekim .com and the book beyond the keys
and then the album radiance is already out so
you can purchase or you can stream them and if
you would like to really truly immerse yourself
you should get the actual copy rather than you
know, eventual digital format, right? Yeah. Great.
So, and if you enjoyed today's conversation,
please like this video, leave a rating on your
favorite podcast platform and follow me on Substack.
I will see you in the next episode. Thank you
once again, June. Thank you.