Making Noise Until It Works — Gitae Kim (aka Gimgi) on Creativity, Discipline, and Game Music

In this episode, I sit down with Gitae Kim (aka Gimgi), the composer behind Ogu and the Secret Forest, for a long, honest conversation about creativity and the cost that sometimes comes with it.

We talk about discipline, hyperfocus, burnout, physical health, and what it’s really like trying to sustain a creative life. Gimgi shares how mandatory military service, learning instruments under pressure, and losing himself in flow states shaped the way he approaches music and game scoring today. We also get into the thinking behind the Ogu soundtrack — world-building, leitmotifs, and making music that serves the game rather than draws attention to itself. A grounded conversation about sensitivity, survival, and why we keep creating.

GITAE KIM / GIMGI LINKS:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gimgi2974

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gimgi_tae/

X: https://x.com/Captain_Gimgi

Markus Junnikkala is a Composer from Finland.

https://www.markusjunnikkala.com/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00:00) Opening meditation and restless creative minds

(00:04:30) Finally meeting after Tokyo Game Show

(00:07:40) Korea vs Finland seasons culture and daily life

(00:12:10) Mandatory military service in Korea

(00:21:30) Learning trumpet in the army band under pressure

(00:31:00) Discipline control and emotional survival

(00:43:20) Hyperfocus paranoia and losing track of time

(00:55:50) Overworking on Ogu and the limits of flow

(01:07:40) Physical consequences spine pain and burnout

(01:21:10) Standing desks ergonomics and creative health

(01:39:30) Responsibility family and structure as an artist

(01:56:40) Stress nervous system overload and sensitivity

(02:15:00) Health crisis and long-term recovery

(02:32:10) Reset after interruption continuing the conversation

(02:35:40) Early musical life and discovering instruments

(02:54:30) Bands guitar and finding a creative identity

(03:12:20) Music technology DAWs and self teaching

(03:28:40) Falling in love with game music

(03:45:50) How Ogu and the Secret Forest happened

(04:02:30) Composing Ogu themes structure and hidden ideas

(04:21:40) Real instruments vocals and production choices

(04:39:20) Working with developers and creative trust

(04:50:40) What’s next reflection and closing thoughts