Nam Gyu-ri Reveals the Real Reason Behind Her Singing Career Debut

Former SeeYa member Nam Gyu-ri has opened up about the true reason behind her debut as a singer.

On the 7th, the YouTube channel 'Kkondaehee' released a video titled '[Mukja] A Mesmerizing Meal with Nam Gyu-ri, the Owner of an Enigmatic Charm'.

In the video, Nam Gyu-ri shared her debut story for the first time. She revealed a story that predates the well-known café casting, admitting, "I didn't originally want to become a singer."

Nam Gyu-ri recalled, "I was good at studying and loved writing. I wanted to be a writer or a figure skater. But when I was in the lower grades of elementary school, my father's business failed, and our family struggled financially. Six of us lived in a single room, and the only reason we fought was because of money."

Despite the financial struggles, her family was happy. Nam Gyu-ri said, "At a young age, I wondered, 'What can I do to buy a house for my family?' That was when I was in the second or third grade." She was randomly chosen to perform at a school talent show, where she sang and danced to Two Two's 'One and a Half', gaining popularity. She thought, 'If I become a singing star and earn money, my family can live happily.'

Nam Gyu-ri began practicing singing in a storage room and dancing by watching her shadow in an empty playground. She listened to tapes until they wore out. Despite working part-time jobs from a young age, she sometimes didn't get paid because she was too young, which angered Kim Dae-hee, who expressed his frustration on her behalf.

Nam Gyu-ri was determined to become a singer. She tried out for major labels like SM, YG, and JYP but was always turned down at the last moment. By the time she was a college freshman, she hadn't debuted yet. She decided to give up on her dream and told her friends she wouldn't pursue singing anymore.

Just as she was planning to go to the U.S. for a working holiday, Vibe's Ryu Jae-hyun offered her an audition. She recalled, "I was in that company but couldn't release an album. Jae-hyun oppa suggested an audition. I was asked to sing two lines in a recording booth."

Nam Gyu-ri recorded a song she had never heard before, and two weeks later, it was released online. The song hit number one immediately, and within a month, she performed as a guest at SG Wannabe's Olympic Gymnastics Arena concert. The next day, she debuted on 'Inkigayo'.

Her debut song was 'Scent of a Woman'. She laughed, "When I wanted it so badly, it didn't happen."

Nam Gyu-ri debuted in 2006 as a member of the three-member girl group 'SeeYa', gaining attention for her 'doll-like beauty'. She is currently active as an actress and has recently started a YouTube channel.

Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr