A South Korea native who immigrated to New Jersey with her family at age 10, KATIE — also known as Katie Kim — straddles genre styles as naturally as she straddles cultural identities.
At every step in her career, KATIE has held an equal claim to her K-pop and R&B influences. Citing soul and R&B greats like Frank Sinatra, Erykah Badu and Aaliyah as influences, KATIE initially planned to study jazz at Berklee College of Music before heading back to Korea in 2014 to compete on the fourth season of "K-pop Star" — which she won.
In this episode of Global Spin, the singer's complex stylistic makeup is on full display with a performance of "Thinkin Bout You," a single from her 2018 breakout EP, LOG. Backed only by a soft electric guitar line, KATIE calls on two powerful elements to help tell her story: Her breathy, lilting soprano, and a backdrop of the Seoul skyline at sunset.
Paired with the performance's brooding visuals, the song's yearning message of unrequited love conjures up a forlorn, moody aesthetic. KATIE is silhouetted against the backdrop of a bustling city, but across the river, she's alone. It's a familiar feeling for the singer, as she has said that she often strives to make music for those who feel lost in the margins.
"Growing up as an Asian American, I never felt like I was American enough. When I went back to Korea, I never felt Korean enough. I want to speak for those who aren't seen as the main characters in their community," she told Nylon in 2018. "I would love if they could relate to my music."
Enjoy KATIE's unique blend of musical and cultural influences in the episode above, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Global Spin.