Former SeeYa member Nam Gyu-ri has opened up about the profound impact of her temporary departure from singing, revealing a period where she believed her music career was over. In a recent appearance on the YouTube channel ‘Real JinSung’, Nam discussed her journey with fellow artist Lee Jin-sung, reflecting on their shared experiences in the music industry.
A Shared Musical Journey
The conversation, titled ‘Lee Jin-sung and Nam Gyu-ri Meet for the First Time in 20 Years’, highlighted the deep connection between the two artists, who discovered they were contemporaries in practical music studies at university. Nam recalled observing talented singers during her college years, a period when Lee Jin-sung was also honing his craft. The reunion underscored their nearly two-decade-long dedication to music, a feat they both found remarkable.
“It’s incredible that we became singers,” Nam Gyu-ri stated, a sentiment echoed by Lee Jin-sung. He emphasized the importance of perseverance in the demanding entertainment industry, noting, “What’s more important than being good is enduring. Being good is the basic requirement, but the crucial part is whether you let go or hold on when things get tough.” Nam Gyu-ri expressed her deep agreement with this perspective.
The Turning Point: Pausing SeeYa Activities
Nam Gyu-ri identified 2009, the year her activities with SeeYa were suspended, as a period of significant personal trial. “I stopped working with SeeYa. Around 2009, I felt like I was sidelined, and I thought I would never be able to sing again,” she confessed, sharing the emotional weight of that time.
However, this unexpected turn led to a new path. Nam Gyu-ri recounted receiving an opportunity to participate in a project by writer Kim Soo-hyun. “I was given a script and told to learn acting,” she explained, recalling the rigorous three-month acting course that followed. This intensive training marked the beginning of her journey as an actress.
The transition proved fruitful, leading to a ‘miraculous’ debut and roles in mini-series. Nam Gyu-ri acknowledged that these unforeseen opportunities arose after her singing career had paused, suggesting a divergence from her initial aspirations.
The Unwavering Call of Music
Despite her efforts to move away from music and embrace acting, Nam Gyu-ri found that her connection to singing remained strong. “Even while I was trying to distance myself from singing and working hard at acting, songs kept calling me back,” she shared.
She recounted her return to the stage with SeeYa members through the program ‘Sugar Man’, and the subsequent process of reuniting with the group to celebrate their 20th anniversary. “Ultimately, the stage, the music, it called me back,” she reflected, conveying a sense of destiny in her return to her roots.
Finding Meaning in Adversity
The challenges Nam Gyu-ri faced also reshaped her perspective on life. She interpreted the significant trials she encountered as a call to introspection. “I accepted it as a sign that I needed to think, and think again,” she said. This period prompted her to contemplate her approach to the world and strive for positive actions, such as engaging in meaningful activities.
Upon hearing her reflections, Lee Jin-sung offered words of encouragement, recognizing her inner strength. “You are someone with deep inner substance. You are a great person,” he told her, affirming his support for his long-time colleague.
Nam Gyu-ri’s journey, from believing her singing career was over during the hiatus from SeeYa to ultimately finding her way back to the stage and music, highlights a profound narrative of resilience and the enduring power of artistic passion. Her experiences underscore the unpredictable nature of a career in the arts and the unexpected paths that can emerge from adversity.
