Co-written by: Whitney K.
Words escaping from someone’s lips can only give a glimpse of someone’s mind. South Korean boy group EXO member and soloist, Kai, shares words that radiate such benevolence and wisdom.
Kai is very eloquent when he speaks and writes. His words have such brilliance to them that many fans become in awe. A few examples of his words can be found in his interviews.
During an interview with a magazine, Elle Korea (April 2020) Issue, the fact that Kai took a personality test and clicked “yes” to a question about reflecting on human existence. Kai responded:
“I think I always wonder about ‘why I am born’. I frequently wonder ‘why I am me and not someone else, is the world that I see through my eyes different from what other people see’’
Reflecting on human existence is honestly what many people ponder about. The way we perceive things is different from one another even for twins living in the same house. The way we see the world in our eyes, our perception is defined by our experiences and ability to process all that is happening. The way we are different and as Kai states, “why I am me and not someone else” is a fascinating take on just existing. Inspirational wouldn’t describe this response Kai gave, but it demonstrates his riveting mind.
In the same interview, Kai shared how important his family is to him.
“There are a lot of things I learn while looking at my sisters and mother’s lives. My family is my life’s sunbae,”
he said, highlighting how much he cares about his family.
(Trans: choconini_)
Being successful and still looking up to his family is something that is amazing about Kai. Seeing Kai being humble and kind really, considering his stage presence doesn’t show this side of him.
In another interview for Dazed Korea (December 2016) Issue, Kai said:
“My personality is on the bright side but fundamentally, there is a side of me with withdraws. I like to be alone and tend to have a lot of tears. I also do not have a lot of friends. There are also times when I droop dejectedly and I stay at home when that happens. But I do not make an effort to turn away from or throw away that feeling/emotion. I face it and cry as much as I’m troubled and brush it off cleanly. Because it is not something to be embarrassed about.”
(trans: choconini_)
https://twitter.com/choconini_/status/801040132438560768?s=21
One of the things about Kai is that he doesn’t associate crying as weakness. He advocates letting all the frustration out, if crying is the way, then do it. Even though there is a stigma that “men don’t cry”, Kai bravely says that it is okay to cry and to not be embarrassed about it, because all people have feelings, and all can freely express what they feel.
In the same interview with Dazed Korea, when asked about “What to do to be happier than we are now? I think Jongin knows the answer”, and yet Jongin did answered it coolly, saying,
“I think a lot of people don’t personally realize that they are happy when they’re happy and often just pass by it. Depending on how you make up your mind, this moment right now may be the happiest moment of your life.”
Kai always says that happiness is the most important thing in life, and it shows in every interview he has. This answer from him can change anyone’s view of waiting for ‘happy days; when for Kai, every moment or this very moment might be the happiest time of your life. So, as per this, we should enjoy every moment and make memories that last. Acknowledging those sparks of joy, when they rise, can give you a more positive outlook.
In a more recent interview, Esquire Korea’s 25th Anniversary Issue, there was a commentary on how Kai emphasizes that fans do not need to lose weight.
Kai responds that it is not necessary for fans to go on diets if their jobs doesn’t require it like his job as an idol. If it is not their job or own personal satisfaction but for what other people think of their outer appearance, then he doesn’t think it is necessary to restrict themselves harshly from food.
As Kai benevolently says, “I don’t think it’s necessary to go on diets — unless it’s for health or personal satisfaction…Wouldn’t one be happier to spend time by eating delicious food with people who love them for the way they are?”
(trans: INTLKAI)
https://twitter.com/intlkai/status/1327264783716950018?s=21
This topic needs to be acknowledged, since we all live in a society that glorifies thinness or particular body images. The hegemonic ideology of thinness is very detrimental to the mind. For Kai to always emphasize this means it, indeed, needs to take attention on it’s importance. As a person that has millions who look up to him, these words are encouraging and mind-changing.
In his recent interview with 1stLook (November 2020 Issue), he incredibly answered it when asked about ‘What is beauty to Kai?’,
“I think true beauty comes from taking care of oneself. Love yourself… You can be healthy physically but I also think mental health is also very imp. Take a walk and I hope you’re all happy with healthy thoughts.”
Time and time again, Kai mentions how essential it is to discuss mental health and how it is important to take care of it. Mental health, globally, is harshly stigmatized as a bad thing to talk about or to even acknowledge, particularly mental illnesses. Kai, consistently, highlighting its importance shows how he advocates for taking care of your mental health as if you were taking care of your physical health. Happiness is something everyone deserves to experience.
See full interview here:
In Super One: Kai Says, Kai talks about his first memory — dance. While talking about his passion, he was able to, in an inspiring manner, talk about how we should all indulge in things that will make us happy. If we lose our passion and love in what once made up happy, we should stop, because it will become meaningless. Many times, people can feel bad for not doing the things they once enjoyed to do, or, sometimes, they force themselves to keep doing it. This ideology can be used in other scenarios like a job or a study. It’s okay to step away from it. If you will be happier without it then step away.
See full video here:
To close off the never ending brilliance and benevolence that fuels through Kai, let’s rewind to when Kai said this:
“Someone’s life can be another person’s landscape”
Kai quoted this from the book Traveler’s Read in his SBS Gayo Daejun’s award acceptance speech. As an idol and a big influence to the world, his action and words speaks for his mind and really his life can be a great landscape for everyone to look up to.
