nery kim shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
nery, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually wake up and, like most people, my hand goes straight for my phone to check emails and messages. Once I’ve caught up, I head to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Then it’s time to get dressed and let the light in — I open all the blinds so the day feels officially started. Next stop is the kitchen. I drink a glass of water with probiotics, then make my “power juice” — a mix of apple, carrot, cabbage, and water. After that, I put together my favorite yogurt bowl with blueberries, banana slices, and granola. Finally, I sit down to enjoy my brunch while watching a bit of YouTube — my way of easing into the day with both fuel and inspiration.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nery Kim — a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. I’m passionate about shaping my own musical voice and see each day as a chance to grow, both as a musician and as a person. There’s a lot to be excited about right now: I’ll be performing at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, playing a special Birthday Bash show at Fox’s Lair, and appearing in the Solo Jazz piano concert series Alone Together: Keys & Conversation with Nery Kim. My new single, My Father’s World, is set to be released in November, and next week I’ll begin teaching at the University of South Carolina. I’m deeply grateful for these opportunities and look forward to sharing more music — and moments — with audiences in the months ahead.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
– Bonds between people often break when jealousy creeps in or when differences in thoughts and values become walls instead of bridges. Misunderstandings grow, and the connection that once felt effortless begins to feel strained and corrosive. What restores those bonds is the courage to truly see one another — to recognize and accept our differences instead of resisting them. I choose the word “courage” because, as simple as it sounds, accepting differences in others just as differences—not as something wrong—is much harder than it seems. When we allow space for understanding and respect, those walls turn back into bridges, and trust has a chance to grow again.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As a musician, my hands and ears are everything. There was a time I almost lost my hearing completely, and for a couple of months, all I could do was lie down and wait. I’m generally a very positive person, but for the first time, I found myself in a dark place. Over time — and after six ear surgeries and other treatments — I recovered enough to return to music. I still use a hearing aid and have at least two more surgeries ahead, but I’m deeply grateful that I can still create, perform, and share music. That gratitude fuels everything I do.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value I protect at all costs is rooted in my Korean heritage: being polite and humble. These qualities shape how I relate to others and stay grounded. As a Jazz musician, I also deeply value musicianship and the spirit of supporting one another. Jazz thrives on collaboration, respect, and lifting each other up, and that sense of community is something I hold sacred in both music and life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
If there’s one thing I’ll regret not doing, it’s exercising regularly. I wish I had developed a habit of working out when from a younger age. Honestly, I’ve always been a bit lazy and never much of an athlete, but as I get older, I realize how important physical strength and health truly are. Staying healthy is one of the most important things in life, so I’m committed to making exercise a habit — at least once a week — from now on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nerykim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extraordi_nery/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nerykim/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nery.kim/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@extraordi_nery
Image Credits
Jason Shin
Nicolas Casillas
Sarang Hwang
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