hankyoreh

Australian Korean singer-songwriter Dami Im. (courtesy of Sherpa Music)

Some might be surprised to learn that the person chosen by the Australian government to formally record its national anthem is Korean Australian singer Dami Im.

Born in the Bupyeong district of Incheon, Im immigrated to Australia with her family at the age of 9.

Then in 2013, she gained international fame by becoming the first Asian to win “The X Factor” Australia, a music audition program on television. Im’s success was especially sweet because program winners were completely chosen by the viewing audience.

Her rendition of “Hero,” by Mariah Carey, in the X Factor audition has racked up more than 3 million views on YouTube.

Riding the wave of her success, Im represented Australia in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest — which has launched the careers of such entertainment legends as Abba and Céline Dion — and placed second with her song “Sound of Silence.”

The song topped music charts in 38 countries in Europe.

Im scored hits with subsequently released tracks “Super Love,” “Gladiator” and “Smile” and made an official recording of the Australian national anthem in 2022, becoming one of the country’s most beloved singers.

Im is currently in Korea to record an episode of the program “Immortal Songs” (in Korean, Bulhuui Myeonggok), which will be shown on KBS2 this Saturday.

This episode of the long-running program features actor Lee Soon-jae and is organized around his favorite songs.

“I was delighted to be contacted about appearing on the show. I just love the dramas of Lee Soon-jae,” Im told the Hankyoreh during an interview at a music agency in Seoul’s Mapo District on Aug. 21.

Im played coy about her songs in the episode and the outcome. “I guess you’ll just have to watch the show,” she said with a chuckle.

But sources at the broadcaster are already gushing about how Im wowed the crowd.

Im’s appearance on “Immortal Songs” is just one part of preparations to ramp up her activities in Korea.

She signaled her new focus on Korea with a concert in her birthplace of Bupyeong in March promoting the publication of her autobiography, which is titled “The Hero.”

“The concert brought together so many of my fans it honestly felt like a fan meeting. I promised I’d be back, but the opportunity came sooner than expected,” Im remarked.

The Hankyoreh also asked Im what it was like to make an official recording of Australia’s national anthem. Her version of “Advance Australia Fair” is currently being played at Australian diplomatic offices and schools.

“During my performing career in Australia, I’ve often sung the national anthem at various events hosted by the government. I’ve even sung the anthem at the Sydney Opera House. I think Australians are charmed by the idea of an Asian like myself singing the anthem since Australia is a nation of immigrants,” she said.

“It was very gratifying to hear about my friends’ children hearing my song in school and asking if that was me singing it.”

Australian Korean singer-songwriter Dami Im. (courtesy of Sherpa Music)

With a sonorous voice that draws comparisons with Céline Dion and Mariah Carey, Im traces her musical roots to the gospel music she learned in church as a child. That was where she learned to play the piano and acquired the basics of soul music.

Then at university, Im majored in classical music, adding European inflections to her soul stylings.

“Along with Céline Dion, I’m also a fan of the R&B of Amy Winehouse and the jazz vocals of Ella Fitzgerald,” she explained.

Im is also famously a fan of blockbuster K-pop group BTS — she has even sung the boy band’s hit song “Butter” on an Australian broadcast.

Im says she takes “pride” in the global popularity of K-pop.

“Back when I won X Factor, K-pop was popular, but not in the mainstream. But now, groups like BTS, Blackpink and NewJeans have taken things to the next level. K-pop is so popular that my Korean heritage is actually a plus in my career here.”

Im also commented on Australia’s robust representation in K-pop today, including Felix in Stray Kids and Hanni and Danielle in NewJeans. “I think one thing that helped them was the Australian practice of supporting children’s interests and boosting their confidence,” she said.

Im, who has already covered Bibi’s hit “Bam Yang Gang,” signaled her love of K-pop by noting she “would like to sing a NewJeans song too at some point.”

What can Korean fans expect from Im going forward?

“I was mostly working in other countries, but I’d like to see my [Korean] fans more often by releasing albums and doing concerts in Korea. I’d like to be recognized as an artist with a clear artistic vision, just like Sunwoo Jung-a,” she said.

By Lee Jung-gook, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]