Kim Bum-Soo, a ranking South Korean pop singer, considers American rock cool. He's primarily a balladeer, but he wants to hitch on to hip-hop beats, and he's inspired by Brian McKnight and Stevie Wonder.

He's surprised and appreciative that foreigners — that is, Americans, including those of us in Hawai'i — are drawn to Korean soap operas, or "K-dramas," where he found his niche: providing romantic tunes for the storylines. His hits — "Promise," "Maybe," "I Want to See You," "Sun Setting in the Heart" — are legendary in Korea.

And get this: he wants to try Spam musubi, since he's heard so much about it.

Kim makes his Island concert debut Sunday at the Hawai'i Theatre. Overcoming a language barrier, he agreed to an e-mail interview with The Advertiser, with questions and answers translated by David Lim:

Q. You're the No. 1 K-pop singer today in Korea. How did you launch your singing career?

A. Because there are so many talented performers in Korea, I can't claim to be No. 1. I'll take your question as a gesture for me to do better. I didn't grow up dreaming to become a singer. But while I was in high school, I began singing for my church choir. From then on, I was determined to become a singer. I started practicing and studying music, and that was the reason why I chose to attend a college for music majors. At school, I had a professor named Park Sun Joo, and through him I got an audition. After two years of training, I was able to release my first album.

Q. Your success evolved after your musical exposure on a K-drama, "Watch and Watch Again." Have you always been a ballad crooner? Ever consider rock music?

A. I'm not interested in rock, but I find it to be very cool. For me, instead of rock, I'm more interested in hip-hop. I would like to further my career with ballads and a mixture of hip-hop.

Q. Why do you suppose K-drama is so popular, not only with Korean nationals, but with a "foreign" audience, too? (In Hawai'i, many non-Koreans tune in regularly.)

A. I'm very surprised at the popularity of our dramas to foreigners ... and thankful at the same time. I'm grateful for K-drama fans, and it was the dramas that allowed them to hear my songs. I feel that foreigners enjoy our dramas because it has a mix of tragedy, almost like Shakespeare's plays, and at the end, good will conquer evil. Overall, the dramas portray hope, and it's hope that carries us through the worst times in our lives. To be honest, I don't keep up with the dramas, but then when I realized that many foreigners find our Korean dramas to be entertaining, I was encouraged by their love for our culture and heritage.

Q. Is this performance in Hawai'i your first here? Are you doing anything different or special for your Hawai'i fans that you don't normally do for your core audience back home?

A. Yes, this would be my first time in Hawai'i. I really wanted to bring down our band with us to provide a true live performance. However, I'm excited to perform in a historic venue, the Hawai'i Theatre. I'm doing my best to prepare here (in Korea) to give an awesome performance. With everything set up, we will have a spectacular show.

Q. Do you compose some of your own music?

A. I've composed my own songs before, but I haven't composed songs for other artists and I don't plan to. When I write my own songs, it is an expression coming within me and I feel that it is the most sincere message that I can send to my listeners.

Q. Do you listen to any American pop singers?

A. Yes, I enjoy Brian Mc-Knight, Eric Benet, Stevie Wonder. ... These artists have "soul" and "groove." I also enjoy a bit of hip-hop for the beats that get me going.

Q. Do you aspire to extend your singing conquests in America? Do you travel to perform in other countries?

A. Yes, of course. If it's a place where they love my music, I would go there to perform for them. Especially in the U.S., where the market is so large and the musical styles broad. A few years ago, I made the U.S. Billboard chart and got up to No. 50 in 2003 with "Hello Goodbye Hello." I feel fortunate that I even hit the charts. I want to do better and take on the challenge to make it higher on the Billboard chart. I've been to New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Boston to do live performances. I've also gone to Canada.

Q. What have you heard about Hawai'i, and what do you want to do when you get here? Foods you'll try? Places you hope to visit? Any relatives or friends here?

A. The image I have of Hawai'i is that it's an endless-summer destination with beautiful scenery. I would like to walk on the beach, listening to music. I would really like to try authentic Hawaiian foods, too. My friend David Lim has mentioned that I should try laulau and Spam musubi, because you won't find these anywhere else but Hawai'i.

Yes, I do have friends (Anna and David from Beauty Touch, who are sponsoring my concert). I also have my Hawai'i fan club members who came to Korea to meet with me (all non-Koreans) and sang my song to me. I'm going to Hawai'i because they've made great efforts to bring me to Hawai'i. Finally, my Japanese fan club members, who are taking a long trip (to Hawai'i) from Japan. ... Everything will be new to me, but I'll have my friends and that makes it very exciting.

Q. Some vital statistics: How old are you? Single or married? If single, do you have a significant other?

A. I was born in 1979 and I'm 26 years old. I'm currently single and I don't have any plans of getting married because I must serve my country in the military. After my service, then I would like to start a relationship.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.