[Exclusive] BM on the ATAP Tour and Breaking Down Barriers his Way
If there ever was a K-Pop idol set on breaking the mold of what it expected for an idol, it would be BM, aka Big Matthew, Matthew Kim, Kim Jinseok, also dubbed “Magic Matthew” by some fans during this tour. Well known as a member of KARD, a group under DSP Media, that already breaks the mold as one of the only mixed gender K-Pop groups, BM is an established idol rapper, singer and dancer that knows himself, what he wants, and is willing and able to go where few idols have gone before. To create a place that allows him to embrace his maturity and sexuality, which in turn becomes a space within the K-Pop genre, for mature fans to do the same.
Whether it’s because of his Korean-American roots, or because he’s passed the thirty year age mark, BM's self-confidence came across easily with complete candor, yet without bravado, as we sat down with him ahead of his After The After Party Tour (aka ATAP Tour) stop at New York’s Webster Hall. Chatting about the ongoing tour, the over twenty-one rating, the moments that excited him, and his own persona, we learned more about the artist and the man: a man who exudes sexiness yet can charm with a sheepish smile, who can speak about lapdances and ratchet moments, yet apologizes and laughs over the crinkling sound of his jacket as we sit down to begin.
Q: We’re excited about your tour and went crazy over your comebacks, “Lowkey” then “Nectar (Feat. Jay Park).” Can you let us know what you have been enjoying most on this tour?
A: Meeting the fans 100%. Meeting the fans and being able to feel the response in person. This time around there’s no music shows, normally in K-Pop when you put out an album, you do the whole circuit, the music show circuit, but lucky for me I was able to go straight into the tour. So this is kinda like my music show circuit, except what’s better is that there are more fans, it’s exclusive to me, there’s no other artists there. I feel like I’m really being spoiled by this tour.
Q: This tour is deemed 21+. Can you share what you might have in store that might need to be shielded from minors?
A: I feel like it’s a lot of things that you won’t see in the conservative or normal K-Pop settings. For me, I personally don’t think it’s too crazy, but being that I come from the K-Pop world, and my fans know that as well, I’m definitely breaking down a lot of barriers this time around. One thing for example is that I give a fan a lapdance on stage, a very, very intimate one. I’m cursing, being unhinged, unfiltered, ratchet, and allowing my fans to do the same as well. I feel like it’s cool because it creates a space for adults, to be adults, comfortably.
Q: “Lowkey” & “Nectar” are crazy sexy. Has this tour been as hot as these songs?
A: Oh man. Hotter. Hotter. Way hotter than expected. Because we just did Chicago before New York. Chicago was literally just a club. A huge filled club. And everyone was shaking booty and just going crazy. It literally looked like one of the hottest clubs you would see in Hollywood or something. It was amazing.
Q: How does the preparation for your solo tour differ from a KARD tour? Harder? Easier?
A: Definitely much easier. First off, you don’t need to match schedules between four people. I’m on my own time and I’m practicing by myself, so that in itself is super comfortable compared to having to match schedules and match timing for rehearsals. So yeah, significantly easier.
Q: What three songs would you recommend for someone who just saw your tour poster and is intrigued to find out more?
A: “Loyalty,” “Nectar,” and “Bad Girl, Bad Boy.” Those are my current favorite songs and those are the songs that I feel can showcase my artistry the best at this point.
Q: As a soloist, what types of moves can we expect to see onstage? Any dancing?
A: A lot. A lot of sexy moves. It’s gonna be a good time. You’re going to have a good time and it’s going to be very intimate and sensual.
Q: Are there any differences in your own persona when promoting and performing as a soloist vs KARD?
A: I think the persona is the same. I feel a difference in persona when I’m on and off stage. Or even online or in person. It’s not a huge gap, but I like to be a little more respectful when I’m in person. I’m super unfiltered and unhinged, like I said, on the internet and on stage, but I like to make sure that the people I work with, and the people that I see off the camera, know that I”m still a respectful human being.
Q: Watching the DIVE episodes you’ve been on, there seems to be a strong camaraderie within the idol Korean-American circle. Does this extend off-screen?
A: So that’s pretty much how I am normally with friends. What you see on the podcast is really how I talk with friends. That’s very normal day to day BM. I’m just chill. I’m like any other human being that was raised in the states and I’m super average. Like, all this stardom, all this attention, I’m very grateful for it, but at the end of the day, off-camera, I’m like everyone else, just another guy you know.
Q: So, are BTG (Big Tiddie Gang) lightsticks the way to go on this tour, and will you be selling them?
A: No, actually I’m not. So before I started this tour we put a batch out for sale online, and those sold out in like an hour. So I wasn’t able to bring any to sell on this tour. Unfortunately, since I feel like everyone would have had one in their hand. But, yeah, I wish I could’ve supplied it. You can bring any other group’s light sticks, like anyone, and anything, are welcome at my shows.
With that our time was over as the show was soon to begin. The show was, as expected, crazy sexy, and with a no filming policy, all eyes were on him and in the moment. The floor was one gigantic party that allowed BM to be as unhinged as he wanted to be, with everyone in the room expecting nothing less. It’s doubtful anyone there would consider him “super average.” Regardless, chatting with him, I’d have to agree that the gentleman in BM is as much a part of his persona as the sexiness he exudes on this tour. This duality, of which Hidden KARD is likely already well aware of, makes for an irresistible package that we hope returns again soon.
Thank you to BM, DSP Media, and Konnect’d Entertainment for the opportunity to interview BM and for bringing this tour stateside!