‘It’s My Hobby’, the newly anticipated article in the first semester, 2012, is one which finds various and unique musical hobbies for Kookmin Students and introduces their hidden talent, thrilled delights and know- how of hobbies.

We often can see spit and polished café DJ’s in movies or dramas set in the1970~80s.

If there ever was a café DJ era dominated with sensible wit and selected songs, these days are the golden days for trendy and gorgeous DJ’s. As the beginning of the running story ‘It’s My Hobby’ started in an attempt to put on display the hidden talents of Kookmin Student’s, I met Student Hong Jung-gon (Theater and Film major ‘07) who has a unique and trendy hobby. Please listen to his detailed story.

Q. What exactly do DJ’s do?
There are many types of DJs. The Club DJ’s show off their musical talents using house, techno, etc.

On the other hand, Hip-hop DJ’s turn on hip-hop background music by using a turn table behind the MC or play with a skill called ‘scratching’, and House DJ’s create and play improvisatorially through a mixing or scratching skill. However, I’d like to allow a DJ to define his job by introducing his own music and musical views.

Q. What made you first start as a DJ?
Since my middle school year, I’ve been such a music enthusiast, not going anywhere without headphones. I’m still a listener who really loves to listen to music now. The motivation for getting started decisively is that one of the members of the elder group in Korea, DJ Superfly is my cousin’s uncle. I was fascinated when I saw him introducing older music in the Hongdae area and decided then that I wanted to learn for sure. I started deejaying as a hobby while I was studying my major, acting, and was attracted again when I saw that a DJ’s life was sharing their own culture then I started deejaying in earnest.

Q. Do you have other hobbies you had before becoming a DJ? I wonder if those hobbies are also as attractive as being a DJ.
Regardless of my major, finding and listening to music periodically was my first hobby and writing words or lyrics are my hobbies as well. Those kinds of hobbies are attractive enough, but I don’t think they were as addictive as being a DJ is now. My current major is acting and I have had a couple of acting experiences through plays or movies, but I started as a DJ for a side job and then began to depend on it and had to take a rest from my old hobbies.

Q. When is the most pleasant moment while you are deejaying? I wonder what special delight made you continue being a DJ.
There are 2 moments when I feel pleasant. First, I feel that way when I see listeners enjoying my set.

I feel extreme happiness when people enjoy the music I intentionally planned and prepared. The second time is when I listen to great music always being newly created. In the second case, it feels much more special because it’s a pleasure that I can get throughout my whole life.

Q. I guess to deejay, much practice would be required. How do you usually do that?
I’m operating a party brand and lounge club as well juggling with deejaying; usually I practice at the Ark Lounge Club in Shinchon which is the place I operate myself. In my many attempts at practicing, it has lead me to practice more naturally rather than being obsessed that I have to practice.

Q, Could you let us in on one of your own DJ know-hows?
I don’t have my own know-hows. But I would say that in any field, always craving in your own way to differ from others is the best know- how. It may sound very common, but having a unique specialty is necessary and the utmost thing to have competitive power. Of course, there are many kinds of complicated techniques used, but I don’t think I can label skill as know-how. For me, selecting music is much more important than a skillful technique.

Q. Do you have a role model DJ? If you don’t, what type of DJ would you want to be remembered as?
My uncle, DJ Superfly is my best role model as a DJ. As I mentioned before, he was a great motivator for me and he is still doing DJ work. The reason why I think he is my role model is that he really has his own music values and dedicates his life to music, not doing his job by just falling into the trap of looking great for a moment.

His artistic tendency is strong as he used to be an artist. I always honor him and also want to be remembered in the same way.

Q. In accordance with a person’s tendencies, hobbies are chosen. Deejaying is perfect for who? Please recommend.
I think all of those who love music, are always with music or have an urge to introduce music they get to know, could be DJ’s. It’s hard to express the feeling you get when you gain another’s sympathy and when you introduce your favorite music to people.

There are always people who love spreading the news of good restaurants and try to go together when they see good things. People who can connect with others and always feel satisfaction and joy; these are the ones I think can become a good DJ.

Q. Can you continue deejaying if you have another job in the future, since being a DJ is both a hobby and a job? Or do you want to keep deejaying as a job?
Because of my tendency, which is to want to try all things that would bring me fun professionally, I still think that I want to experience any job beyond music which would really be fun. The Monsterparty which is a party brand was kicked off with the idea that I wanted to organize a party under my name, but the reaction was so much greater than I expected so it has really become fun for me.

Launching a brand name needs a careful and systematic plan, so I am organizing it with my juniors who can help out. Even though I am the chief, I hope our team has enough to lead even without me.

I am trying the role to keep managing without difficulty in order to see into the future when I go back to school. I’d like to keep looking for a way that I can really enjoy whatever I do in the future.

When I talked and wrapped up the interview, I felt he was worrying that there is still the old generation’s stereotype and negative image on party culture. In addition, he expressed regret about school’s opening and closing parties which begin and end with drinking. When he said he hopes to host a party everybody can enjoy together, I felt so pleased at being a student before I felt satisfaction from finishing the interview as a journalist.

A DJ shows his value on the stage; if you are really curious about real charm, how about feeling the live atmosphere at the Ark Lounge this weekend?