Mosaic, Motion, and Casablanca
Cherry Kim
Growing up, we never really knew what we wanted to be, or even our potential. Some artists are born into music, academy training since birth, some stumble into it after a long, winding road of finding self identify. For Cherry Kim, it was a mosaic of experiences, disciplines, and passions, all converging into the artist we see today, and one day will be.
Photo Credits to @madnessinu
“I have wore many hats in my life, from a provincial-level athlete in football, rugby, and lacrosse in my teenage years to eventually graduating as a scientist and exploring amateur boxing.” Behind those decisions is a kid driven by curiosity about what the world has to offer. A life that was coming from him and not at him.
It wasn’t until his last year of university that he realized he needed to focus. “I wasn’t going to be able to keep living like this unless I locked in on one thing.” That decision led him to music. He dropped his first song in June 2023, spending the next year finding his voice, his sound, and his artistic identity. 2024 marked a turning point—he left Vancouver for Montreal, and suddenly, the creativity started flowing. Montreal’s creative energy has been a catalyst. Here, Cherry Kim refined his approach, shifting from viewing his work as just ‘art’ to understanding it as a craft. “Art is everything—anything can be art in the eyes of the universe. But I don’t focus on the product anymore. I focus on the process. Being an artist means practicing every day.” His songwriting process is organic, often beginning with a simple loop or vocal idea, layering elements until a full song emerges. “It all starts with a little seed. Monday might just be a 10-second loop. Tuesday, a chord progression. Wednesday, a full song. It’s about staying in motion.”
Early on, Cherry Kim’s music is a reflection. He wrote love songs, many of them for his inner child—a rumination of growing up as a first-generation immigrant, feeling like an outsider, and longing for connection. “I was a pretty lonely kid. I had to feel warmth through movies. I wrote songs for that kid.” Now, his music is evolving alongside him. His upcoming single, Every Night, reflects his relentless grind and passion for his craft. Another, Can You Feel It, explores the challenges of love and commitment, inspired by a cross-country move with his partner. “Sometimes, you just have to put the fights aside and love each other as much as you can in the moment.”
Musically, his inspirations range from Motown legends like The Temptations to modern neo-soul artists like Thee Sacred Souls and Anderson Paak, and maybe a sprinkle of Malcolm Todd. “I grew up on soul music,” he says. “I didn’t look like anyone else around me. It was a beacon of loneliness. I chose to lose myself in the music and old lovers cinema.” A special shoutout to Casablanca, the film.
And with each song, each session, and each late-night grind, he’s proving that the best art that comes from relentless curiosity, dedication, and a willingness to keep moving. Crafting moments, capturing emotions, and building a sound for himself.
Photo Credits to @madnessinu
His next releases are set to drop soon, with Can You Feel It arriving on March 7th and Every Night following in April. Until then, he’ll be in the studio—practicing, refining, and letting the music come to him.
@cherrykim.mp3
