On a bright day after so long since the spring ended and the yellow dust came, we met up with B1A4's Sandeul.

Instead of shooting a poster like always with his members, he had an individual shooting for bnt. While it is awkward to do shooting individually, Sandeul captivated the shooting staff with his unique charm and turned it into a favourable shoot for him.

The concept of the shoot was "A day of Sandeul". He showed his different charm each for morning, afternoon and evening. Sandeul who showed a child-like and playful morning and carefree afternoon daily life also presented a fancy and cool side that wasn't seen before in his evening concept.

After the shoot, we sat down with with him as he answered us honestly on the topic of "Duet Song Festival", B1A4's activities plans as well as his musical. We met Sandeul as vivid and real as he is.

Q: How was the shoot today? This is your first individual poster shoot. Did it have any difference when you shoot with your members?

A: A lot. I am not sure but I have a lot of expectation for the members, so when I walked into the shooting site, I felt very awkward. I have thoughts like "Am I allowed to do this on my own". This is because I am always with the members. When I am shooting, there would be someone sleeping in a corner but there isn't any so it felt empty.

It is a new feeling. While shooting, I was the only one who is receiving all the attention so it felt good (haha). I wouldn't be compared to anyone. This is because all of the members are good looking. Especially when the other members are shooting for theirs, the cheers they get are louder than mine. I get very curious on the inside but in order not to get hurt, I won't go and see. When Gongchan shoots, there will be cheers, when Jinyoung does his, he gets a lot of "ohhhh" sound. I wonder if it is because Jinyoung has a sexy appearance that is why there are these kind of expressions. Gongchan is too good looking. The remaining two are not as good looking as me so I shall not say much. (haha)

Q: Who is the most good looking among the members?

A: It used to be Jinyoung but nowadays Gongchan is rising. Also, because CNU lost some weight, so he is also getting more good looking little by little. However, I still don't acknowledge. There should be 2 members underneath me. My goal is always to be the third in good looks in B1A4 (laughs).

Q: Since you like food a lot, it seems like you don't do dieting.

A: It is not easy. However, it is not that I do not diet. There are a lot of nagging around me so if I ignore them, I will not come to my senses. I also often think about diet and try my best to lose weight. However, it is hard to endure not eating supper. Among everything, I like Gobchang (Tripe) the best. Even now I want to eat gobchang but it needs to go with alcohol, it will hinder my practice later so it is a pity that I can't eat it. Even though I can't drink alcohol well, but it is the main part of eating. For example, gobchang with soju and beer (haha).

Q: Previously you can't take alcohol isn't it?

A: Since I became a trainee, I have never touched alcohol. Until about 2 years after I debut, I have not touched alcohol at all, however, I went on a program and drank Makgeolli cappuccino for the first time. While eating the side dishes, I kept drinking it without knowing and as I was drinking, I became drunk. I thought "Am I drunk?" and tilt my head but I can't. So I know I was drunk. I was drunk throughout the programme. Even now I still go back to the video. I get dizzy trying to recollect that moment and ask myself what will happen if I ate more and made a mistake. So I have to drink alcohol before that (haha).

Q: With busy schedules like "Duet Song Festival" and musical "The Three Musketeers", how do you manage your voice?

A: I tried various things. I had injections, I also ate ginseng. I also tried to eat a lot for energy. However, I feel that the most important thing is sleep. If I have a lot of things going through my mind or when I am stressed, I get insomnia and cannot sleep well. There are a lot of times even when the sun has risen, I am still unable to get to sleep. I tried hard to fall asleep by drinking warm water and also running. If I do like gymnastic for a few hours, I would be able to sleep well.

Q: You are actively going on contest programmes like "Immortal Songs", "King of Masked Singer" and even now "Duet Song Festival". Is this the cause of a regular fan base?

A: When we first debuted, we received a lot of question like "What kind of age group would you like to take charge of?". Every time we got asked that, we will reply, "From kindergarten to elementary, and most of middle school students.". After several episodes, we could see that the fan base has now became different. After "Immortal Songs", if the fandom is like an hourglass, then it has expanded compared to previous age group. The shows have its impact, but the original fanbase also grew up. Occasionally when those who are in middle school become a university student, I get a shock.

Q: You managed to win consecutive three times in "Duet Song Festival". You didn't managed to get a forth consecutive win but is there another challenge you would like to try?

A: In the start, I wasn't greedy for any win and I won twice, and I started getting greedy. Therefore I managed my greed and got 3 consecutive win. During the contest, I turned my head to see the score unknowingly. I told myself it can't be like that so as I talked to Seonyoung noona, I made a promise to find back the initial heart.

Even though I didn't managed to get the forth consecutive win, I am thankful that we are selected back for "the team I want to see again" I was able to challenge for a 5th time. We became the new zombie team after Ken's team. The recording day for the fifth time was Seonyoung noona's birthday. After saying that, I thought, would the audiences choose us more. Honestly, now I do not have any greed on wanting to win. I just want to achieve records that other people cannot achieve. It is very interesting to have been looking from the top but now I am looking from the bottom. I wondered if I should develop a desire to want to stay the longest. Because of that, I am doing my best for every stage.

Q: How do you choose your songs like "As I say", "Road", "Etude of memories" and "Butterfly"?

A: I discuss it with noona. I feel that all the songs that we have done so far are healing music. I hope that many people who hear our music will receive healing and obtain courage. Personally, I feel that music is a medium to get healing. Noona also feels the same. So when we choose the song, the lyrics are the most important.

When I read BANA's letters, there are a lot that goes like "Today feels horrible but I got strength from listening to your music.". I do not know why they are going through a bad time but I feel great and happy to be able to give them strength. I am always very thankful to BANAS and fans, so I always thought about what can I do to be a gift to them. Know that after reading the letters from fans, I will sing hard on the stage without lies and with all my best to be a present.

Q: The stage with a partner, it feels like a different experience for Sandeul too.

A: It feels very different when I am with my members. Even though now we are already familiar with each other, there are still some inconvenient points. Even now I feel that I have to be careful sometimes to not say words that will hurt noona's pride. Even with that, I feel that I understand noona.

Because noona works really hard so I get worried about what if I am not able to catch up. Honestly, I have activities as B1A4, doing musicals, to me, I can't neglect either of it. It gets very complicated when in the middle, I have to do this and that. Therefore, I try to practice little by little if I can. Even though it may be the same lyrics, if I practiced one more time, the feeling when I am on the stage can become different. So whenever I practice, I tell myself to work hard with "One more time, one more time" no matter how tired I am. That I feel, is really of help to me. I bear with me the thoughts that "If I can endure this, I will be able to live a long time as a singer".

Q: Is there a rival that is the most dangerous in "Duet Song Festival"?

A: Ken x Choi Sangyeob team. Ken is an idol and in reality, he is also my friend. When I am with that team, there is not once that I won with huge score differences. They are a rival that are scary and always have songs that are good to listen to. Actually, there was once when I told Ken "Let's be rivals on the stage for a long time".

Q: Are there songs that you wish to sing for the stage but saved it?

A: You must be curious to know that I have but we are in state that we used everything (haha). If we do not throw out everything like that, we would not have this position that we are at now. Every time when we select a song, new songs kept coming out. If I sing it alone, I will pile it up a lot of songs but it is my first time doing a male-female duet so I poured out everything.

Q: There seems to be a lot of offers to do featuring after doing "Duet Song Festival".

A: There are a lot. I am very envious when I see Senior Soyu doing her featuring activities. I would like to become a male version of Soyu. I can also do well (laughs).

Q: Do you have anyone you would like to do with?

A: There are vocals that I wish to work with. I mentioned it before but I would like to have a collaboration with Apink's Eunji. Her voice is really good. I even asked her where she learned singing from in Busan after we got close. However, I came to know that she did not take a lot of lessons for singing. She is a genius. I feel that the voice synergy would be good with we work together so I want to try working with her. However, now I have Seonyoung noona. Seonyoung noona also sings well (haha).

Q: You got casted for D'Artagnan with CNU in musical "The Three Musketeers". How was it?

A: It was really good to do D'Artagnan together. When we are practicing, it felt like we are on a tour. We will share things about D'Artagnan when we are together. By doing that, the subtext about D'Artagnan, the inner side of D'Artagnan can be more intensified and firm. If we were both in a different production, then we will not be able to share as much. As we act D'Artagnan, we are able to share about the gestures and the details of D'Artagnan one by one. However, I wondered if it might be hard on the fans who come to the theatre to watch us. As they will watch CNU's performance as well as my performance. Even with that, I feel that it is a chance that we both are able to grow each other.

Q: Are there any difference between CNU's D'Artagnan and Sandeul's D'Artagnan?

A: D'Artagnan is a country pumpkin so he has to be a little tacky. Instead of using his words, his acting needs to show people that he gives off a tacky feeling. On that part, I feel that I might be a more tacky D'Artagnan. CNU feels more like a city D'Artagnan.

Q: Since 2012, you have constantly been doing musical. What charms does musical have?

A: There are a lot. There might be charms but when I do a musical, there are a lot of things which I can learn. One would be when I am on the stage I have to become like a big tree, such that even if I don't do anything, my presence can still be felt. Up till now, through the productions that I have done, I learnt that "I can actually be a person of such presence on stage".

When I first started out doing musical, I find the absence of separation between the dialogues and the song very interesting. However, after thinking a little, I thought "So there isn't any boundary between singing and speaking, it will be fine singing just like when I am talking. Why did I want to sing, it is because I can't speak well so I started singing."

When I am stressed, I sing. When I am stressed, I sing songs that are related to the things that are giving me stress. If I am broken hearted, then I sing "broken-hearted", if I want to go out, I sing "departure". Through that way, I slowly receive healing. That is why being a singer helps me a lot.

Q: Previously, you mentioned that the musical you must do is "The Three Musketeers". Other than this, is there another musical you set as a goal?

A:  I did not set a goal. I do not have thoughts like "I want to be like this". I want to live my life like a chameleon. Changing to whatever I do, someone who can do everything. When I see Senior Lim Changjeong, I feel that he is like this kind of person.

Q: I am very curious about your favourite musical.

A: "Brave brothers" will always be in the best. Even though I would not be sure what kind of feelings will it be if I were to do that production again. At that point of time, I didn't know a thing, I followed the older brothers blindly around and ask around. At that time, I feel that it was the best. I will have goosebumps and shed tears when I listen to "Mother's diary".

Q: B1A4's Sandeul, Duet Song Festival's Sandeul, musical The Three Musketeers's Sandeul all feels different.

A: Firstly, when I am with my members, I am more to leaning and anticipating, so I am comfortable. In Duet Song Festival, I feel like a huge basket. I feel that I need to hold noona, the desire of wanting noona to be comfortable is strong. Even though I always anticipate for my members, I feel that because noona is a non-celebrity and I am a singer, so it would be ridiculous to anticipate and wait for noona. My sense of responsibility got bigger.

In the past when I stand on the stage on my own, I have nothing to wait for, there isn't anyone who expects of me either, so I could be like a piece of paper. I was shaking like a leaf. Inside my heart, I tell myself "Don't do things that you will regret while on the stage". However, with my trembling heart, I was unable to win and regretted.

On "Immortal Songs" when I sang "Forgotten season", my voice cracked. Within me, I was very angry. I was so angry I held the mic stand and stood in the attention position and sang like I was roaring. From then on, I packed myself with practice and worked hard. I feel that I am still not a solo singer and there are still stages that are hard to stand on my own. As I do my activities, I asked myself isn't it good that I gather enough experience that I am able do a solo album.

Q: The members are actively acting. Do you not have thoughts about wanting to try acting as well?

A: Ahn Seha who did "All shook up" with me asked me to try doing a movie. After I heard that, I asked what kind of movie should I do and he said to do something that will show that I can act well. After that when Seha became a teacher, he showed me a lot of acting. I also told him to let me know when there are chances for auditions.

I only tried auditioning once for "Reply 1994". However, even with just that, I don't think I can do any acting other than in musical. But now my thoughts have changed. As a whole, I thought I want to try acting at least once. I fear about whether I will do well, people around me told me I will do well, I think it will be fun if I work hard and prepare for it.

Q: B1A4 particularly have a lot of praises. Say some self praise.

A: Everyone is very kind. We really do not like backstabbing. Since Baro and I are friends, so we do a lot of mischievous pranks. If it is too much, the hyungs will stop us. I like when the hyungs stop us before we cross a line. Baro and I said to become closer with the hyungs (haha). From what we see, we seems to have missed the timing to become close to the hyungs.

Baro and I became friends the moment we met. However, the hyungs are the oldest and have to act as the pillar that holds up the center, we feel that they get tired doing that. This is like that even now. From what I see, the hyungs are continuously doing things to not let B1A4 vanish. If the hyungs do not tell each other bitter words, then there will be no one to point out for them anymore. Gongchan will occasionally say some words but his words goes straight into the bones, he speaks well. So we will take those words and think about it intently. Rather than being able to find a balance from the start, I feel that we are a group that found balance with the sacrifice of the hyungs.

Q: B1A4 has debuted for 5 years. It feels like old memories now.

A: Our goal at the start was to be like Shinhwa, to go for a long long time. I feel that we are half way there now. There are more that we have to go. We are at the state where we can look at each other's eyes and know each other. We are very comfortable when we are with each other.

Q: There are a lot of fans waiting for a complete B1A4 with a new album. When will we be able to see it?

A: We are continuously recording and preparing. Even between the members' busy schedule, we are preparing in the spare time, so you will be able to see it soon. We are having trouble trying to decide which is the title track because there are too many good songs. We will be carrying B1A4's bright and cheerful energy. We are preparing with all our might and we have a lot to show you so I hope that you would anticipate for us!

Source

Translations by deullerr
Please take out with full credits.

Finally came the day I could sit in a musical to watch Sandeul!! I'm still very regretful that I wasn't able to catch Cinderella earlier this year, because I totally would believe that it is worth it.

Met up with Kathy, Lynn and Eunju unnie before the musical~ and I wasn't feel the thing until I reached the theatre level. My seat was 7th row from the front, and as you can see, it is really close to the stage.

Sandeul came in on the second scene, from the side of the stage I was sitting close to. Literally almost jumped and squealed from my seat, because HE IS DAMN NEAR. The distance was so near I could see his perspiration beads rolling down his face. Moving on to the real thing, I must say, the experience hearing him sing in a musical is just so different from hearing him live in a concert.

He was bursting with so much energy it felt like he was leading the entire cast in the musical! This character suited him so well it feels like he was just being himself while doing the musical. Like what Sandeul himself mentioned in his interview, his character is someone who is so serious to a point he gets looked down upon by others, and sometimes because he is too serious, it is funny. The entire 2 hours-ish weren't boring because the laughing points were there, yet at the same time those people bringing you the laughters are serious in other scenes, giving the entire musical a good mix. 

Sandeul's character, D'Artagnan, has a love story with Constance, are a pair that met and fell in love with each other. That pure and innocent love could be felt and seen in the scenes they were together, it was a very lovey dovey and cute combination, despite the fact the actress was 3 years older than Sandeul. 

Even the chemistry with the Three Musketeers were good, probably because Sandeul is the youngest among the main cast, everyone takes good care of him well. But that being said, you could still see the leadership in Sandeul for leading the cast along with the emotion roller coaster he was riding on in the musical.

What I love about the musical is that, every single one of the character has a story and they make sure to give time to let the characters unfold their stories. And the cast are all really strong in their vocals, its so good to hear them all sing together, from the leads all the way to the ensemble, they really brought out that fighting for justice spirit for the performance.

When Sandeul sat on the table and sang Romantic Paris, I held in my tears. I couldn't actually believe that the song that I have been listening to for months through videos was being sang live by my favourite person right in front of me.

The musical had a scene whereby The Three Musketeers were testing D'Artagnan and he had to march all the way to the audiences. Sandeul stopped 2 rows before my row, and walked into the row to stop in front of a little girl. You know the entire theatre was pretty much BANAs when everyone went aww at that scene, half of my row were BANAs and we didn't even care whether is was us or not. The fact that Sandeul was standing so close to us, all of us could only stare in awe. Not to even mention, Sandeul was being really cute trying to figure out how he should kiss that child just cos she has bangs on her forehead.

Our hearts pretty much felt all the same after the musical ended, it goes dugun dugun dugun real fast, not just for a while, but the entire night, his voice was just ringing in our heads. I really had a hard time trying to fall asleep with all of his voice going on. Heh.

We also caught CNU's performance that very same day in the evening. We were chatting and mentioned that while Sandeul recently attracted a lot of ahjumah fans, CNU has a lot of noona fans and that was evident in the crowd that evening. All well dressed, prim and proper, just like CNU himself.

While Sandeul was a perfect fit for D'Artagnan, CNU doesn't lose out. He was like a the manlier version of D'Artagnan if I must say. Partly it might also be because of the seriousness he held. You could see that CNU tried really hard acting his charcter, because he really isn't like the CNU we are used to.

One thing that surprised me was how much this guy improved through the years. His voice doesn't lose out to anyone and to be able to sing that well, I was really impressed. This guy definitely needs more part in B1A4 songs in the future. Probably a ballad solo song for him? 

To be honest, I wasn't exactly concentrating a lot because my mind was still with Sandeul, but one particular scene where he rescued Constance and were in a boat, that scene literally made me want to call him an Oppa. 

& there was this scene the three musketeers were fooling around, D'Artagnan has to stay angry and frustrated at the situation but because the actors were all so funny CNU laughed. XD 

Hing, how cute can this guy get.

All in all, I would gladly catch this musical again in a heartbeat, and it was really a pity as a huge Sandeul fan, I could only catch his performance once. I would love to go to every single one of his shows and stare at him and listen to him.