The proud trinity of GOT7’s leader JAY B, composer Def., and human Lim Jaebeom.
(Interview translated by defdaily.)
We were actually just getting curious about you these days. How have you been?
I recently finished our group activities and have a solo fan concert coming up. I haven’t been able to pay much attention to my personal things from being busy with GOT7, so I’ve also been taking care of that.
Can I ask what personal projects you’ve been working on?
Releasing a single in July. The details are a secret. (Laughs)
I’m excited for it. How was it doing GOT7 activities after a while?
How should I explain… I said this on Instagram too, but it sort of felt like a dream. When I opened my eyes the day after the concert, it felt like a midsummer night’s dream? Made me think “Ah, I must have missed this stuff.”
You’ve fulfilled the long-cherished desire of making a full group comeback in 1 year and 3 months after leaving JYPE. It’s an ‘industry established theory’ that the leader JAY B played a huge role in gathering all the members from separate paths together. (Laughs)
Everyone is busy so I figured one person had to take the lead in arranging things. The members are very cooperative so I just got the ball rolling. I feel like we got to keep our promise with the fans so that’s what I’m most proud of. Truthfully, I felt worried inside too that it might just fizzle out.
Gathering again is amazing too but the results were great as well. The title track you made, ‘NANANA,’ received great results on iTunes charts globally too.
We were also very surprised about the results. I recently received the physical album and I thought, “I should treasure this forever". It might sound harsh but if the results weren’t good, it would’ve been a lot harder for us to plan for another one.
It was nice because the album contained GOT7’s unique bright and chill vibe. I felt a sense of relaxation too with no need for you guys to be spiffed up.
We’re already quite spiffed up in our individual activities. (Laughs) [We] just wanted to enjoy it this time. GOT7-like, chill, and fun. Like a short festival.
When you moved to H1GHR MUSIC, you talked about your aspirations to take on a variety of challenges without setting boundaries in genres from R&B, dance, pop, etc. Are things going as planned?
It’s ongoing. Though I’m keeping my roots mostly in hip-hop and R&B, I’m not the type to cling onto certain genres. Whether it’s a pop album or a blues album, I’m trying to make music I want to in the moment, and it might not always be in an album format.
You use the pen name Def. as a composer/producer. How did you come up with the name?
So I used to be a b-boy when I was young. My alias back then was ‘Defsoul’ and when I searched it up, I saw a lot of nicknames that had ‘soul’ in it. (Park) Jinyoung hyung is ‘Asiansoul,’ (Kim) Jihyeon hyung is also ‘GSoul.’ So I took out the ‘soul’ and added a period and I loved the meaning of it. The word def in English can mean ‘great,’ ‘fantastic.’ So, it could mean ‘ending while it’s good.’
You presented 5 mixtapes under the name, Def., and even released an EP earlier this year. You also spoke several times about not being able to make music as you used to in the past, maybe it being because you’ve been pouring out so much music.
I’ve been seriously contemplating that issue these days. I think it might be about time I step back from being a player. But more than that, I feel like it might be time to play the role as someone who supports others as a producer. My need for my own songs to absolutely be made by me is not as strong as it was in the past. I’m already doing enough of my personal projects as Def.
Ending things while it’s good.
Exactly. (Laughs)
Is writing lyrics harder than producing/writing music these days?
Yes. It would be easier if I wrote in a basic way but I think it’s because I think about using special expressions and words. But if I focus too much on that, it doesn’t go well with the song; it’s sort of a dilemma.
You often used words like ‘fiction,’ and ‘story’ in interviews. We also got a peek at your love for poetry, novels, and literature.
That’s right. I like to read. I find that reading often works together with working on music. These days, I often think about how making an album is like writing a poetry book.
What was the book you were reading while getting your makeup done earlier?
Oh, this? (Shows C’est Tout [“That is all” in English] by Marguerite Duras) It was a book gifted by a fan. I’m not sure whether it’s poetry or prose. It’s not easy to understand at once so I’m going to read it again next time.
You seem to be interested in a variety of things. You like writing, you learned art/drawing/painting for a while too. As for photography, you even opened an exhibition past the point of it being just a hobby.
No, photography is just a hobby too. (Laughs)
Will you be opening another exhibition?
I’ve actually been wanting to these days, so I’ve been thinking about what the theme should be.
I loved the lonely atmosphere of your first exhibition, .
I think I will be continuing with the gloomy feeling this time too. I gathered the pictures I took and I realized many of them have that mood. Things like discarded trash, or a person alone far away.
You’re on the action-oriented side, right?
I didn’t think so before but I think I sort of am. So it’s tiring for the people around me. (Laughs) I don’t make big plans but I think I’ve well accomplished the goals I make at each moment throughout my life.
You said you started dancing to forget about loneliness. What was Lim Jaebeom (real name) like as a kid?
A character that you can’t tell if he’s there or not? Not that I was a bad kid but I think I did have a rebellious side. I always had earphones on.
In terms of seating in the classroom, where would you be?
At the very back?
What? That’s totally a popular kids’ seat. (Laughs)
At the very back but in front of the cleaning supplies… (Laughs)
You’re 30 years old this year. How has your personality changed after all this time, and what is one inherent trait that won’t change?
I’ve become softer. I’m more prudent when it comes to work. Oh, and the part of my innate personality that I’m most satisfied with is that if I’m wrong, then I will admit I’m wrong. Even though I may not feel good about it in the moment, I would try to work hard to change it.
Is it like that in regards to the feedback about your work as well?
Of course. When someone says, “This is kind of bad?” I’ll ask where specifically but it has to be reasonable. For example, this bar doesn’t match the song’s vibes, or the top notes should have more variety. If I’m given understandable feedback like this, then I 100% can accept them.
Wouldn’t it be because you are confident that you can accept that much criticism?
It’s not like that. I’m not very confident, and I have low self-esteem. But, I don’t pay any mind to others. I also don’t tend to be envious of others who do well, but of course, I am envious of people who work hard and become successful. I’m curious about how they got to where they are and their mindset, but I’m not jealous of success itself.
What is JAY B’s biggest motivation to go on right now?
I think it’s willpower/volition. My own willpower. Like the way I make sure to do the dishes even though I want to sleep right after eating, I try not to put off tasks and take care of them immediately because I very well know that if I don’t, then I become endlessly lazy. So I think small senses of accomplishment pile up from things like that and act as the grease for my gears.
Once this interview ends, what does JAY B have to do with his own will?
I have plans with a friend so I’ll meet up with them for a while, and then I’ll go home and organise my camping equipment.
You’re doing this photoshoot until late at night yet you still have so much you plan to do. (Laughs) Aren’t you too diligent?
I try because I’m lazy. I say this and then I always sleep in. (Laughs)
Translated by defdaily.
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URL Tag Game
thanks @okayeunhae for tagging me, this was fun!! i put my itunes on shuffle and this is what came up~
b: be natural - red velvet ft. taeyong
a: all night - astro
b: bailando - enrique iglesias ft. descemer bueno & gente de zona
y: you don’t do it for me anymore - demi lovato
f: free somebody - luna
a: alcohol free - twice
i: if i can’t have you - glee version
r: ring - selena gomez
y: you haven’t seen the last of me - cher
b: blue - wonho
a: all i see is gold - bridgit mendler
e: excuse me miss - shinee
k: keep on loving you - mat kearney
h: honey and the moon - joseph arthur
y: you calling my name - got7
u: under cover - a.c.e
n: neptune - saturn
tagging my internet bestie @gabbaray! anyone else interested, feel free to play!
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Tag 10 followers you want to get to know better!
Name: TSI or Ino-mun
Star Sign: Aquarius
Height: Short
Middle name: A name.
Put your itunes/spotify/youtube on shuffle. What are the first 6 songs that popped up?
99% by CNBLUE (a BOP)
Holler by TaeTISeo (also a bop-- my kpop is getting exposed here)
If These Walls Could Talk by 5SOS
Flicker (Rework) from the Hunger Games soundtrack (bringing out my old songs huh)
Never Ever by GOT7
Why So Lonely by Wonder Girl (i have over 900 songs and yet only the kpop is strong )
Ever had a poem or song written about you: I am not nearly interesting enough
When was the last time you played air guitar: No idea.
Who is your celebrity crush?: Jackson Wang. I got to see him in concert recently and <3333
What’s a sound you hate? A sound you love?: Whatever loud sound that’s coming from someone’s phone when they have it on full blast. I love the sound of rain.
Do you believe in ghosts?: I have one I named regina and one named george living in my house rn.
How about aliens: I mean, there’s a lot of space to go around.
Do you drive?: Yeah.
If so have you ever crashed: Yeah, not my doing. I guess not really a crash, but an accident.
What was the last book you read?: Bridge of Clay.
Do you like the smell of gasoline: Not realy.
What was the last movie you saw?: Tangled. In theaters? Shazam. The first one was better.
What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?: I spilled extremely hot hot chocolate on my leg when I was like four. The burns afterwards were not fun and the healing process definitely wasn’t fun. I was little and I wanted to move, but the bandages would fall off if I did so I was forced to not move much. It stucked. 0/10 would not recommend. That’s probably the worst one but certainly not the dumbest.
Do you have any obsessions right now?: For the first time in a minute, nope. Unless you count Ino who always lives in my head rent free lmao.
tagged by: stolen from @tempestflames~~
tagging: anyone that sees it and want to steal it ; let’s be pirates together lmao
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GOT7's Youngjae to have his first Singapore mini-concert on 31st July 2022
K-Pop boyband GOT7 member Youngjae is coming Singapore for 2022 YOUNGJAE MINI CONCERT 'SUGAR' IN SINGAPORE. The event will be held at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands on 31st July 2022. This mini-concert will be Youngjae's first performance in Singapore as a soloist.
Aside from showcasing his sweet sugary vocals, Youngjae will get up-close and personal with fans through different segments, which include group photo-taking exclusively for VIP ticket holders, and send-off for all VIP & A Reserve ticket holders. Ticket holders can also stand a chance to win prizes like autographed albums, autographed posters and polaroids.
Tickets to 2022 YOUNGJAE MINI CONCERT 'SUGAR' IN SINGAPORE will go on sale from 8th July 2022, 12 pm onwards. Tickets are available at www.marinabaysands.com and www.sistic.com.sg.
Youngjae's 'SUGAR' music video has exceeded 1 million views on Youtube within a day of release. His title track has also topped iTunes Top Songs charts in 11 regions.
Youngjae is the lead vocalist of the boy group GOT7. He made his solo debut in 2021 with his first mini-album Colors from Ars. As a singer-songwriter, he participated in writing lyrics, composing, and arranging all tracks in his two mini-albums under his composer name, ‘Ars’.
In 2020, Youngjae was scheduled to perform 'GOT7 2020 WORLD TOUR KEEP SPINNING' with GOT7 members in Singapore, but it was cancelled due to the COVID19 outbreak. After a long wait, Singapore's IGOT7 can finally catch Youngjae live in Singapore.
As part of his Asia mini-concert tour, Youngjae will also be visiting Bangkok and Manila before coming to Singapore.
Fans can keep an eye on Durian Entertainment’s social media channels for the latest updates on 2022 YOUNGJAE MINI CONCERT 'SUGAR' IN SINGAPORE.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DurianEntertainment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durian_entertainment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DurianEntertai1
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@durian_entertainment
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