Marie Claire Korea March Issue B1A4 interview translations
The weird idols who live next door
It feels like it is natural that they are charting 1st on music charts and music shows with their 3rd full length album "A lie". B1A4 members has received lots of love as expected as they develop in areas like variety shows and drama etc. They are doing a 4 days concert in a small theatre as they end their albums promotions locally, and we met them in the middle of their concert period.
While entering the room that has no members to check the situation before the interview, I met eyes with Sandeul who was sitting down, eating bread with a serene face. A lovely and nice face. Beyond the TV screen, his face is definitely better. Whenever we heard an amusing Gyeongsang-do speech and turn around, Sandeul will be there. It was morning and among the people who couldn't go far from their personal room, Baro proofed that he is the B-type in B1A4 by dancing, singing and mood making from the beginning to the end. When asked out of manners "Do you have other poses you would like to do?", it is the first time I come across someone answering "Yes". Once he has finished posing to his heart's content, he greeted respectfully "I will end here" and head back to where the members are.
Jinyoung gets more energetic as the day goes by. Like his own face, after he calmly shot for his individual shot, he broke out singing loudly and matched the beat to find back his own condition, during the interview of facebook live, he talks directly like a leader. He feels like someone who has been living earnestly and justly. Shinwoo looks at the members with affable eyes the whole day. In order for the pictures to turn out nice, he did not use much energy and rather than trying to be showy, he gives a feeling that he always has one foot outdoors. Shinwoo is also the one who is most serious in giving his thoughts during the interview. Even though Gongchan is the youngest, but he did the shoot most maturely. When shooting for the full group photo and the rest of the members can't help but joke around, he himself said "mind control!", places his hands in his pockets and gazed at the camera. The places that they like most in Seoul are Mangwon-dong, Seongsan-dong, Yeonnam-dong, like this, there seems to be no other groups like B1A4 who is in the 7th year of debut. Also as and idol who is filled sincerity and good intentions every moment.
Rather than a real hall, you guys did your concert on a small stage. The inspiration seems to be a little different.
JY: There are concerts that are we after. We thought that fans will feel sad if we are too far away, so this concert, we wanted us to be close and have fun together, and it definitely has it charms.
You have mentioned a lot about being thankful for fans. Does the members used to be a fan of someone too?
SD: Senior Kim Yeonwoo. Even though I stay in Busan and was unable to catch his performance regularly, when I listen to songs, I listen and sing along to Senior Kim Yeonwoo's songs the often.
CNU: I like Senior Wheesung and I have all his albums. Even though I stay in the countryside and can't watch his performance often, whenever he is in the province for events or performances, I will go for them. Because I like him so much, I used to also run after his van when he ends his performance.
B1A4 is called "composing-dols". I know very well about Jinyoung but how different are the styles that each other members are after when writing songs?
BR: Because I like hip-hop, so I write hip-hop and trendy songs as a base. Come one day, I would also like to show everyone music of my own style but I still do not have the chance.
CNU: Why are you so bitter? (laughs)
JY: The chance will come.
CNU: I like African-American music since young, so I use that as a foundation to write songs, actually the music that I want to do is songs that I have not challenged before or a song that can make me discover a different image of the members. This is why in the album, I added in a hip-hop reggae song. It is a charm to do express a genre through the members' voices. I want to try various things.
Rather than conforming to the style of B1A4, it seems more free.
JY: I feel that matching the style is important. I would like to try various genre. I know that fans like my emotional songs since I write them a lot, but in actual fact, I like hip-hop and EDM music too, I also go for a lot of DJ festivals.
Do you go attend and jump a lot?
JY: I jumped a lot! I want to do music not limited by the genre.
This year you would be in your 7th year. Compared to when you debuted, there are a lot of new idol groups that came up isn't it. There are also groups that debuted with you guys who are now gone. Have you guys ever discussed about the directions that B1A4 would like to go in the future?
CNU: Actually, when we first debuted, the burden that we will not get enough love from the public in a short period of time and eventually disappearing was huge. So in the first two years, it is not possible to not have anxiety over getting love from the public. Even though we were lucky, but the trend is gradually changing. Everyone is young and promising. I think it is fit that through these years we are constantly together. The rest of the groups are going like this too. For us, I think we looking at the far future but taking small steps and moving forward.
SD: Please see and call us "multi-talented-idols". Nowadays, a singer has to sing well, dance well as a basic. They also have to act well, do well in musical, shot a movie, do well in variety. An idol has to be everywhere isn't it. For B1A4 who is excelling in each of our own areas, I hope people can say "Will they be more robust in the future". I am thankful that people are calling us "multi-talented-idols".
BR: Who gave us that name?
SD: Bana
On the opposite, you have also thought about your own live as an individual too right? Are there any difference in the dream that you dreamt 7 years ago?
BR: Time passed by really quickly. We debuted when we will 19, 20 and 21. When we debuted, we didn't think deep into things like "I will have to live a life like this now", now after 6 years, I will think about what have I done when these years that has passed by. There are things that I want to fulfil, I also have a clue of how I want to live my life, but these went unfulfilled as we lived on till now. I think I have to think about how I want to live, not as a B1A4 member, but as myself, from now onwards.
In the remaining years of your 20s, what moments would you like to have the most?
SD: Ah, there really isn't much left.
BR: If we go into the army, it will take up 2 to 3 years...
JY: I want to have a lot of time making memories. Even though being busy with work can also make memories, but I feel that it is important to occasionally have holidays, or make memories of my own too. It would be good if everyone went together, anyways, just not work related. There isn't much memories of us on a holiday. When we enter the 30s, it is the memories of the 30s isn't it? I will find it a pity if we do not have such memories in our 20s.
Have you guys not went on a holiday together before?
All: Not yet.
Does everyone likes travelling?
All: Of course
BR: We three (Baro, Sandeul, Gongchan) went before.
How is everyone's travelling style like?
CNU: I prefer not doing a lot of sightseeing and just resting.
BR: Look up in the map, going here and there. Look for delicious food, all on foot.
Where did you three went?
SD: Bali. I told the members "Let's do shopping, let's challenge these exciting things here." but they didn't wanted to do it. I came to know that there are times like this that we don't really match too. I really like extreme sports a lot so no matter where I go I want to try it.
GC: I just follow the hyungs everywhere. Haha.
BR: He really followed us very well. He followed us everywhere.
SD: Chan also took care of the money isn't it?
BR: No, no, together.
CNU: Gongchan would rest well and do sightseeing well too.
SD: He is a hybrid.
JY: I like seeing beautiful landscapes. A good place like a tall building that allows me to look at the night scape. I like it so much I will find it on purpose.
In a generation where it is hard to live on just one occupation. If you can choose a 2nd life, what occupation would you want to do?
BR: I have not thought of that...
JY: I want to be a CEO. Manage a company. I think it would be really cool.
BR: Oh, I want to try that too.
GC: The owner of a building. (everyone burst out in laughter)
That's the most mature thinking. Why live an even more tiring life, it is already very tiring now. (laughs)
GC: Hyung (referring to Jinyoung) I am the owner of a building.
CNU: I want to be a CEO that will cultivate new singers, with my own hands, be it group or solo artists.
Do you have such insights?
CNU: I am not sure. When someone comes out, I would analyse it a lot. Previously, when a song comes out, I would simply listen to it and like it, but nowadays, I would think about why the music is good. This is nothing much but I thought wouldn't it be good when someone makes an album and I use this skill.
BR: I want to live freely...
SD: A vagabond
BR: Not that...
SD: Travel guide
BR: I also thought about being a travel guide, but I like clothes, I like photography, I like a lot of miscellaneous stuffs.
Photography?
BR: Though not professionally taking pictures, but I have lots of interest in that. I want to have that interest.
SD: Shop manager
BR: I think I will do very well as a manager.
GC: Then hyung what would you like to do?
SD: I want to be a property agent. (everyone burst out laughing)
JY: I think he will really do well in that.
Then you would need to sit for papers, license.
SD: I just have to sit for it and get the license. I think I will do crazily well.
GC: Hyung, you get that license, then tell me a good location for the building, I will become the owner of the building, then I will lease the building to (Jinyoung) hyung. Then hyung will become a CEO, Baro will work in that company.
CNU: And I will make groups.
JY: Ohhhh~
SD: I think I will get rip of my real estate commission the moment I get it.
GC: We will go eat spicy beef soup often.
What is the thing you want to do most after this promotions end?
BR: Travelling together.
SD: Holiday holiday.
PLEASE TAKE OUT TRANSLATIONS WITH FULL CREDITS.