Korean singer Heather Park, the Seoul Diva, was first discovered in Manhattan, New York City, USA by the program director of the leading hip-hop/R&B radio station Hot 97. With his help, Heather soon began recording for the Stush Music label, and within months her career took off.

In 2005 her debut album Dream in Pictures was released and quickly won international recognition. The following year, Heather’s song “Is What It Is” was chosen to be licensed in Japan by Avex Records. In 2007, her ballad “Leave Me To Dream” was featured in the soundtrack of Michael Kang’s film West 32nd, starring John Cho and Grace Park. She has also opened for Common and performed for enthusiastic audiences throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.

The following is an interview with Heather by Supreme Master Television about her thoughts on Loving the Silent Tears.

Q Can you tell us about some of your very earliest singing experiences, and what made you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career?

Heather Park: My parents were both working very, very hard, so they actually sent me to Korea to live with my grandmother for a little bit. I just remember singing with my aunt when I was really little. After college when I graduated, all the school activity of singing kind of stopped, and it was missing from my life. And that’s when I really knew that it had to be some sort of permanence in my life.

Q We’re very excited to see your performance in the upcoming musical, Loving the Silent Tears. And what are your thoughts about working with such a talented and varied cast?

Heather Park: I have to be honest. I was so nervous, because I had seen the roster of all the amazing people who were going to be part of this production, and it was just very rattling, and to think that I could be part of the same production with these people, it was very, very intimidating. And the first day when we all walked in, there was such an amazing feeling of just warmth, and everybody was so welcoming, and there were no egos, and there was an understanding that we are all coming together for a celebration. To celebrate each other and to celebrate the writings of Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Q The lyrics for the music are based on the poems from Silent Tears, written by Supreme Master Ching Hai. What are your thoughts about the poetry and your song, “Singing Praise?”

Heather Park: It was just so beautiful. When I was able to read the lyrics, it was really, really so beautiful and so moving. Especially the third and the last verse, that was so very humbling, and it was just almost like offering ourselves up to the Divine. And it was very much like the experience I think that artists have when they perform. You just kind of offer yourself up. And so I thought the song “Singing Praise” was just a beautiful little microcosm of what we’re actually going to be doing for the show.

Q Sounds wonderful. So your feature song is actually a duet. Can you tell us about the song and who you’re singing with?

Heather Park: Brian Joo and I are both performing in it. And I’m singing in English, and he is singing in Korean, so the same lyrics. So it’s kind of this beautiful call and response, and he is almost this spiritual essence of the country. We’re both wearing traditional outfits, Korean outfits and costumes, and with traditional hair, as well. The choreography for our piece is very steady and solemn. The dancers behind us, they’re just doing these beautiful dances. They’re just stunning.

Q The premiere of Loving the Silent Tears honors Supreme Master Ching Hai’s work as a humanitarian who reaches out to people worldwide. Could you share your thoughts?

Heather Park: I think her message and her poetry, they’re so beautiful and so universal. Something that Vincent [Paterson] said to us on the first day was that this was almost like a benediction that everybody will be able to find their inner sense of peace, and it’s a beautiful message that traverses all kinds of nationalities and racial and religious backgrounds, etc. It’s been really the embodiment of her message.

“It’s an incredible honor to be included among such a diverse, talented, beautiful cast. I’ve been a personal fan of Jon [Secada] and Jody [Watley] since I was younger, as well as Black Uhuru (I’m a huge reggae fan).” —Heather Park, Korean singer (vegan)

The full cast shares the stage for the impressive finale.

During Heather and Brian’s time in Los Angeles, some of the largest Korean media such as The Korea Times, Radio Korea, and TVK 24 conducted interviews with the two Korean stars of Loving the Silent Tears. Heather was also invited to an interview on “Go Vegan Radio” with Bob Linden. The Korea Times interviews Heather Park and castmate Brian Joo. Interviewer: It seems like people usually find you before you do their auditions. In New York, I heard you also got discovered. How did you feel to be cast this time?  Heather Park: I was completely honored. I felt really lovely. Brian Joo: And Heather’s voice is so beautiful and comfortable to listen to, so I think her voice will go very well with the musical.   Interviewer: And you are called the Seoul Diva because you are Korean American? Heather Park: Yes! Interviewer: And obviously involved with soul music, and you have a very good soul because you’re also vegan. How is it that you became vegan? Heather Park: Two and half years ago, I actually decided to do a cleanse. You just felt so incredibly clearheaded and vivid, and it was unlike anything I experienced. I also became a Buddhist. And then the other thing that happened is I switched yoga studios, and they very, very much promote a vegan lifestyle. They don’t even allow fur in their yoga studio. And when you have a community, I think it’s very, very easy to live a lifestyle and share that lifestyle with other people. Interviewer: And how did you get involved with Loving the Silent Tears, the musical at the Shrine Auditorium? Heather Park: I really want everything I do to have some sort of meaning. So I wanted to understand what Supreme Master Ching Hai’s message was. And when you hear her message and learn about her, it’s such a beautiful, universal, and uplifting and positive message, and it was just such an honor to be a part of the production. It’s so rare to see so many people from so many different parts of the world and so many different ages, quite frankly, to all come together and really, really bring to life and help share this beautiful message through beautiful music and art. So it was really just one of the most memorable experiences I think that I’ll have in my life. Interviewer: Yes, for me too. And so, what do you think the message is that you are hearing? Heather Park: It’s one of the universal messages that each one is able to find their own peace, and we’re all capable of doing that and we all have it inside of ourselves. And then it goes so well with the veganism, and it’s so fluid as far as her message.

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