The boys who came into the studio past the scheduled time, bowed at a 90 degree angle and continuously said, “I’m sorry”. Even though it’s due to their schedule, I felt sympathetical because of their innocent faces that looked into each and everyone’s eyes as if they were sincere and said, “It’s okay”. Even before the photoshoot started, the studio was filled with staff members that go over the amount of 20 people and the boys quietly and calmy walked through them. After changing into the clothes that were picked out, they sat in front of the mirror and while their hair and face were being done, they were quiet the whole time unlike most ‘idols’. But as soon as the photoshoot began, their expressions and looks in their eyes were uncommon. The editor wasn’t the only one surprised.
A surprised feeling mixed with fascination filled my head. At the interview that started once I could see the date was changing, they put their shy expressions and continued on with candid words that fit boys of their age. As it became time for them to part, the 6 blonde boys gave a sign of relief by saying, “We did it well”. They looked at each other and laughed out loud. With the last phrase of, “Let’s take a commemoration picture”, we all laughed together.
EG: B.A.P means best, absolute, perfection. Whose idea was this?
A: Truthfully, it was given to us by the company. (Yongguk) Although it’s a bit exaggerated, but I think it was created with the meaning for us to do well. (Youngjae)
EG: When you all first appeared, the hot topic was that all 6 members had dyed their hair blonde.
A: Honestly, when we first heard the suggestion of the blonde concept, they all told us separately so each person thought they were the only ones getting their hair dyed blonde. (Yongguk) That’s right. Me too. But it turns out that it wasn’t that like that. Haha. (Himchan)
EG: If you could explain your debut album’s concept in one word, what would it be?
A: I think all 6 of us think that being masculine is cool. When we make music or prepare for performances, we put an effort in trying to show a lot of our masculine side rather than a bright and soft side. (Yongguk)
EG: It’s now a bit over a month since you debuted. EAch and every day must be a new challenge.
A: Yes. Because we just started, there are many things we want to do and every situation we are met with are things we need to learn from. (Daehyun) I feel like I’m having a new experience every day. (Himchan) As I go through each and every schedule, there are really many things I learn. I felt a lot of things during the photoshoot today as well. (Youngjae)
EG: All the members looked very used to the photoshoot setting and it didn’t seem like you guys only debuted for one month.
A: We practiced photoshoots a lot prior to our debut. Although today’s concept was a bit different, the clothes, hair, and make-up were all really cool so I think I was able to do the photoshoot with confidence. (Jongup)
EG: At the debut showcase that took place near the end of January, I heard that 3000 fans came.
A: Before our showcase, there was never a chance to perform in front of that many people and since we didn’t have a lot of experience on stage, I remember being really nervous. Will the seats be completely filled. I started being worried before anything—-. At first, I appeared on stage like a silhoutte but the audience, which was pitch black as the lights were off, was completely filled with light sticks. I was relieved. I also gained confidence at that moment. (Daehyun)
EG: When did you decide to debut in the entertainment industry? Or when you got a sworn hunch that you would become a celebrity one day.
A: I officially started dancing after joining a dance club in middle school. Once I begn to do club activities, I went out in competitions and as performance experience built up, I wanted to become a singer. (Jongup) I liked music ever since I was young, but as I entered high school, I think I made a decision to go through with it properly. (Daehyun) Ever since I was in my 3rd year of elementary school, I liked imitating choreographies and raps. While I was on stage during a school festival, I started going to an academy by being introduced to it through someone I knew. And I also made a decision to debut. (Zelo) I normally liked standing on stage. I also liked singing. While going through my two years of training, my dream grew bigger. (Youngjae) Truthfull speaking, I did Korean traditional music ever since I was younger. And during that time, I started liking African-American music, but whenever I was casted on the streets when I was younger, I would immediately say I wouldn’t do it. However, I suddenly thought, ‘Let’s experience various things and have fun living because it’s a life you only live once with’. That’s how I was also able to go through with my trainee life. (Himchan) I promoted underground. I promoted as a rapper ever since I was in middle school, but the hyungs around me had a strong will in making hip-hop into a popular genre. They tried making it in the major music scene a lot too. Whenever I saw something like that, I wanted to do hip-hop in front of more people. I also had hopes in helping with hip-hop become popular. (Yongguk)
EG: If you were in middle school, that’s still when you were young. How did you become an underground rapper?
A: Because I normally liked African-American music and hip-hop music, I listened to it often and after constantly listening to it, I wanted to make my own. So I posted something I made onto a community site and it became quite a hot topic at that time. Through that opportunity, musician hyungs who were in an underground label, contacted me and we started promoting together. (Yongguk)
EG: If you had to pick someone who caused you to get the dream of standing on stage, who would it be?
A: For me, I started liking it once I did it and once I started putting an effort in it, I received support from my family and friends and that’s how I think I made a sworn deicion that ‘I need to go down this road’. (Daehyun) Because I promoted ever since I was young, my family and people from school were really against it. But the only people who supported me was my grandmother and grandfather. So I’m the happiest knowing that I can show them my side of doing music now. (Yongguk)
EG: A couple day ago, you showed your follow up song of ‘Secret Love’ on a live music program. It has a completely different feel than ‘Warrior’. Wasn’t it awkward to suddenly change?
A: It was awkward because we had to prepare and show a different emotion in just a couple of days. But the fans already saw a performance of ‘Secret Love’ on stage during our debut showcase. We also showed a bit of it during a music broadcast stage. So that’s why I don’t think fans felt that different with it. (Youngjae) When we were monitoring each other, we teased each other by saying, ‘We have to be sad while singing it, so why are you putting so much force in your eyes’. (Himchan)
EG: What is the biggest difference from B.A.P with other idol boy groups these days?
A: We are manly. Haha. When you look at the dances that many male idol groups dance, there are a lot of moves where their lines stand out. So there are times where they look prettier when dancing in a group, but in contrast to that, we wanted to express a powerful side more rather than give enjoyment to the eyes. That’s why I think we look more different. And our music style and fashion as well. (Yongguk)
EG: When it’s just the members, what’s the topic that you talk about? How is living with a dorm lifestyle?
A: We all sleep in one room together and use bunk beds. When finish schedules or practice and come back in the middle of the night, it’s loud for around 30 minutes and then as each member goes in to shower, it becomes quiet and everyone falls asleep as if nothing happened. (Youngjae) We thought that we would look unmannerly if we played around with each other like we do at the dorms, so we promised each other not to be like that outside. We make sure our posture is straight and have self-control over our words. (Laughter) (Yongguk)
EG: Besides dancing or singing, do you guys overlap in hobbies?
A: The members have a lot of interest in clothes. (Daehyun) Yes, we all have a lot of interest in fashion. We help each other out sometimes with styling as well. (Himchan) Himchan hyung and Zelo especially give a hard time to the styling team. (Laughter) (Youngjae) Ah, lately Jongup has been making time at night before sleeping and reads books. (Daehyun) I have only been able to read around 2 pages! (Jongup) The title is—-. (Daehyun) ‘Things That Would’ve Been Good to Know at 20 Years Old’. (Jongup) that’s right. When I’m about to sleep, he has a small light on and is reading a book. Keukeu. (Zelo)
EG: Although the members are all probably friendly with each other, I think there would be competition that isn’t shown when you split up parts, dance, sing, or practice.
A: Something like that is always there. Whether it be dancing, singing, or rapping, we get stimulated by each other while practicing. Although all 6 of us don’t show it, we all work harder while looking at each other. (Yongguk)
EG: Is there something you have been putting an effort in more specifically after debuting?
A: Because I like singing, I put a lot of weight towards singing even after debuting. However, my interest in dancing grew more lately. After debuting, singers that could show dancing and singing at the same time looked cooler as well—-. And as I watched vidoes of those singers, I started becoming greedy. (Youngjae) If we had to pick a member out of the 6 of us who was the farthest with fashion, it would be me. But as we started promoting together, I started gaining an interest in clothes and I began to like it. (Daehyun) I put a lot of effort in studying performance styles and gestures shown on stage that I didn’t know about when I was a trainee. I watch clips for it as well. And I study it when monitoring our stages also. (Himchan) When practicing our choreography, I practice basic things like expressions or stares. (Yongguk)
EG: My own charm that none of the other members have?
A: Baby perm! (Zelo) Ah, you mean that amongst the 7 of us, you look the best with a baby perm, right? (Laughter) (Yongguk) Dimples—- Heuheu (Zelo) Maybe it’s because I started doing b-boy dances ever since I was younger, but my shoulders—-. (Jongup) That’s right. This kid has muscles and his body is good. (Daehyun) Yeah, I’ll acknowledge it! (Laughter) (Yongguk) I can pleasantly eat everything. (Daehyun) Can I say Himchan hyung’s charms for him? Himchan hyung livens up parts, that don’t have much importance, really well. I think the fierce look in his eyes are really charming. (Daehyun) This is what you call being acknowledged, haha. (Himchan) Then for me—- I’ll go with my heavy and manly voice. (Yongguk)
EG: What kind of songs do you enjoy lately? Is there a performance you recently went to that stayed in your memory?
A: I listen to Tyga’s ‘Far Away’ often. (Zelo) I like Anthony Hamilton. The one I most remember is the performance Musiq Soulchild did in Korea. News about the performance came up on an African-American music side, but I was burdened because the tickets were expensive and it was prior to our debut. But they were doing an event through Twitter. They said if you post a review for the album that came out at that time, they would pick 3 people and give out tickets. So I put a lot of effort in writing it before I slept, but I was picked for it and I told my company and went threre very proudly. (Laughter) (Yongguk) When Boys II Men came to Korea last year, 4Men seniors performed together with them. It was touching. (Zelo)
EG: You gained many fans as soon as you debut, right? What do you feel when you see your fans?
A: Even though school started again, many people came to our music broadcasts and cheered us on. (Daehyun) Even though they have to wait for a long time before seeing us for a really short amount of time, they really cheered us on well so I was thankful. (Yongguk) Yesterday, I felt that our fans were really kind. A fanletter came to Yonggukkie and- (Himchan) Yes, in the fanletter, there was something like, ‘It’s okay if we watch from far away so please say at least one warm thing towards your Japanese fans who came from far away’. (Yongguk) I think they’re really kind. (Himchan) Even when it rains, they wait for us while eating cup ramyun—-. (Daehyun)
EG: You’re probably tired from a lot of change, but I think your willpower would stronger than ever. Is there something you’re really greedy for lately?
A: I’m worried about the new album and I have greed for it too. Because many people liked our first album, there’s more of a burden. We were preparing it a bit while promoting, but it bothers me a lot. I keep wanting to do a bit better. I’m in charge of the musical part right now, but the other members have a lot of interest in it too. (Yongguk)
EG: If you have your own idol, who is it? It’s okay if it’s not a celebrity.
A: My grandfather. He is only person in my life that I wanted to learn something from and model myself after. (Yongguk) I have this vocal teacher. He spent a really long time with me and shared many things, taught many things—- He’s really a special person. (Daehyun) I think I have one too. Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. No matter what kind of song he brings out, he’s a musician that makes me always anticipate it. (Zelo)
EG: What’s the biggest dream that B.A.P wants to make come true?
A: Alright, let’s have the youngest, Zelo, answer the last question. (Yongguk) To end it, don’t get excited and answer it calmly. (Himchan) Ah, because it hasn’t been long since we debuted—- We are aiming towards the newcomer award this year. (Zelo) No, the biggest dream! (Yongguk) Ah, our biggest dream is to conquer the world—-. (Zelo) Hahaha. (Everyone) Well, it might sound a bit absurd, but it’s with the thought to spread B.A.P around widely. Heuheu. (Zelo) We have a big aspiriation to become a worldwide group! (Himchan) Because that phrase sounds too stereotypical, we say ‘conquering the world’ as a fun way to say it. Fighting! (Youngjae) ♥
[CREDITS ;; BlueHyun (SOURCE) ;; hyejin. @ TSUNDERCOVER (TRANS)]
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