Ida Dene Simmons (born May 25, 1985) better known as Kim I-sak, is a German-born American singer and radio personality based in South Korea. She was a member of South Korean R&B duo Isak N Jiyeon from 2002 to 2004. She left SM Entertainment in 2012. She has been a VJ for Pops in Seoul on Arirang TV and is now a DJ for "Kpoppin" on Arirang Radio.[1]

Kim I-sak
Born
Ida Dene Simmons

(1985-05-25) May 25, 1985 (age 39)
Frankfurt, Germany
EducationKorea Kent Foreign School
Occupations
  • Singer
  • radio personality
Years active2002–present
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2002–2004
LabelsSM
Formerly of
Korean name
Hangul
김이삭
Revised RomanizationGim Isak
McCune–ReischauerKim Isak

Early life

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Kim I-sak was born Ida Dene Simmons on May 25, 1985, in Frankfurt, Germany. She left Germany and moved to Kansas with her mother. She left Kansas when she was 4+12 years old to move to California and lived there until 1999. She emigrated to Korea later to learn about heritage and explore her music career in Korean pop music. Isak lived in a mostly white community with her mother.

Upon arrival in Korea, she attended the Korea Kent Foreign School, where her classmates and friends included Jessica Jung and Tiffany Young, the two future Korean American founding members of Girls' Generation. Tiffany lived with Isak initially when she moved to Seoul from Diamond Bar, California at the age of 15. Owing to their shared history and friendship, she has interviewed the duo mostly in English for Arirang's Pops in Seoul.[2]

Isak N Jiyeon (2002–2004)

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On September 3, 2002, Kim Isak debuted as a member of duo Isak N Jiyeon with release of album Tell Me Baby. The duo officially disbanded in 2004.

Discography

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Filmography

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Television dramas

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Year Title Role Notes Network
2007–2008 Unstoppable Marriage Aida Supporting role KBS

Musical theater

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 The Life
2011 Spring Awakening Ilse Adaptation from German musical 'Frank Wedekind'

Broadcasting activities

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  • 2008: Arirang TV Pops in Seoul VJ
  • 2012: Arirang Radio Kpoppin DJ

Music video appearances

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  • 2007: Super Junior-T – Rokkugo

References

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  1. ^ 이삭 계약만료 SM 떠나 독자활동 (in Korean). JoinsMSN. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Pops in SeoulIn the Booth with Isak, February 26, 2009: Tiffany and Jessica (Girls' Generation) YouTube (originally broadcast by Arirang)
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