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7-dreamers · 11 months

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28 May 2023, "Cannot exist without Dreamcatcher" Sua, Passion that everyone acknowledges ③

Sua has made choreography starting from special clips to Dreamcatcher group songs. Choreography for the B-side ‘DEMIAN’ from Dreamcatcher’s recent album ‘Apocalypse : From us’ is coming soon.

“I’ve done a lot of choreography, but teaching a dance for such a powerful song will be a first for me. It was a competitor for the title track, and fans seem to like it a lot. I felt pressure starting on the song. I think I’m more confined because I want to show how good I am.”

While Sua worries about making a performance they also need to sing live to, she boasts about their teamwork, saying she’s not worried about their chemistry. So then what are the strengths of the members that Sua is the closest to?

“Jiu knows herself the best. She’s very objective, so she always asks. If she doesn’t know something she says she doesn’t know and asks about it earnestly, so I can feel that she’s someone who is very open to learning. Also she always tries to dance cleanly. We’re a team that tries to dance cleanly and by the book, so she’s someone this team really needs.”

“Siyeon has her own personality. Rather than that personality making her stand out in the choreography, she has her own special vibe. I really felt it during ‘Red Sun’. ‘She can pull that part off this way too.’ I feel like I’m learning something every time just from Siyeon herself.”

“Handong’s lines and form are all elegant and sophisticated. Because of that she definitely suits calm songs very well. Her hand movement is pretty, meaning she’s very delicate. As if her personality also comes out of her body, she’s normally affectionate and delicate. Her dance line is soft like running water.”

“Yoohyeon is the most hard-working person I’ve seen. Her goals and standards for herself are very high. She knows what moves she struggles with, so there’s never a time she doesn’t ask. She’s constantly deliberating, so it’s nice to see. I really respect that side of her.”

“Dami is like Siyeon and has her own personality. She has an enviable body type with long limbs, but usually that makes it hard to dance. However she uses it well and creates really great gestures. It’s cool how they fit the song and suit her as well. She’s a member that knows how to bring out her coolness the most.”

“Gahyeon also deliberates a lot when it comes to dance. She and Yoohyeon always work hard and practice, I always want to teach her something more. She has really big eyes. I can feel her desire to learn in those big eyes. Modifying the choreography is something you probably don’t like hearing. But even then, she doesn’t show it and I can see that she tries hard to learn anew, to capture it well.”

On the other hand, we asked the members ‘What kind of artist is Sua’.

“Sua is an artist with a lot of passion and talent. She makes her own choreography, can write lyrics and compose songs, does well on variety shows, and is a walking ‘well-rounded entertainer’. The fact that she knows what she’s good at and uses it well is very professional. Meanwhile she takes good care of the members like a mom, showing a side of her overflowing with humanity.” (Jiu)

“To me, Sua is someone I always have fun with and communicate easily with whenever I’m with her. Because she’s a person of many talents, she knows how to do a lot of things. She’s someone you can rely on both mentally and ability-wise. A bubbly, cheerful, and cute person that our team cannot live without! Sua is that kind of person.” (Siyeon)

“She is someone who has more energy than anyone else and always brings joy to the people around her. As our team’s main dancer, not only does she dance well, but she also choreographs well, sings really well, and is a very reliable person you can learn a lot from.” (Handong)

“Sua is an artist with her own color. She is the type to always express what she wants and is assertive, so that allows her to show her colors better.” (Yoohyeon)

“Sua is an artist who has a lot of desire to grow. She knows what she wants to do and never stops improving. She’s not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something and always asks, fearlessly challenges herself, and ends up making it her own. She knows a lot and even knows how to express it all. I’m excited to see what wider fields she will work in in the future.” (Dami)

“Sua is an artist who has overwhelming passion, confidence, and love for what she does. She works hard in everything she does and doesn’t hesitate to challenge herself in new things. Of course she also has the ability to make that new challenge her own. In that sense, she’s able to love her work even more.” (Gahyeon)

Finally, 10th-year girl group member Sua told us about her positive goal to become ‘a person who is not stopped by any wall and keeps going’.

“I’m a person who really loves this job. There are a lot of people who come to hate something they like doing when it becomes their job, and there are times you feel low self-esteem and think ‘what am I doing this for’. But I think only this job can make me happy. I couldn’t be happier that it has become my career.

My career is one that I need to personally keep doing things in order for it to keep going. So I want to become someone who doesn’t give in to anything and keeps going, someone who can be motivation to others and myself.

I hope my busy life right now never ends. Fans will be able to see me more often only if I keep doing things, so I wish for it to be forever.”

Source : Xports News

[Reporter Lee Seul]

Translation by 7-Dreamers irshu Please do not take translation without credit

#dreamcatcher #sua #jiu #siyeon #handong #yoohyeon #dami #gahyeon #ot7 #230528 #era: a from us #t: interview #t: trans

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official-wonho · 1 year

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The secret to Wonho's abs: two 2-hour gym sessions and no instant ramen

K-pop's resident beefcake shares his well-oiled fitness and diet routine

K-pop idol Wonho's love of fitness is something he developed only when he started training to become a performer, which makes his status as the industry's resident hunk even more impressive. Even if you've never heard any of his music (we recommend you hit ‘add to library’), you've likely seen a fancam or two of him grace your Twitter timeline or Instagram explore page. To put it plainly, he's got a rockin' bod.

All abs, thighs and arms, Wonho has been a staple in K-pop since 2015 when he debuted with the group Monsta X, who quickly became known for the masculine ‘beast idol’ concept. Since 2020, he's embarked solo, infusing that strong outer appearance with something more vulnerable. He's just released his second single album Bittersweet, which he's been promoting since early October. The promotions for a K-pop idol are gruelling and intense. Never just about an expertly conceptualised music video, they also include early start appearances on music shows, long interview days and ‘fan calls’ that involve a steady stream of Facetimes with fans who win the chance to talk to their fave starts off the back of buying albums. The process is a well-oiled machine, and so is the fitness routine and diet that Wonho has developed alongside it.

Not one to shy away from a revealing stage costume that shows off his six-pack in equal measure to his dance moves, or to entice fans with an expertly taken thirst trap, it's obvious Wonho has mastered the balance required to maintain one of the most jacked physiques in music and the gruelling reality of promoting as an idol. Here he explains what it takes to be the adonis of K-pop.

Workouts

"Monday morning I will work out my chest and then after I'll do my back and shoulders. Then the next day it will be my arms and my lower body, and then I'll repeat myself. So I spend four hours working out in total per day. I'll divide it up into the morning and the night, and then as well as that I'll also do a one-hour cardio workout. There are two types of ab workouts that I do after the main workout. I'll use the machine called hanging raise, and then I'll also work out with the cable, and I'll do 10 sets every single day. Seven days, every week.

So my favourite workout would be exercising my back because I often feel that I've worked out really hard and have that fulfilling feeling, I guess. I hate working out my chest because it's hard to get the posture right and I have back pain so, it's kind of hard to do it. I start off my set with free weights without using the machine, and I'll use the equipment in every gym that I would like to try out. There's a lat pulldown machine from the Italian brand Panatta that I really like.

For most Korean artists, when we start our album promotion [schedules] are packed and really tight, so many artists will sleep for, like, one or two hours and then get up and do another schedule. Whenever I don't get enough sleep, in the morning I often feel like giving up that day. But I'll never skip my workouts, especially because my face will bloat. So if I don't do it before the schedule, I'll do it during.

During the pandemic, it was really hard for me to work out in the gym. In Korea, many of the gyms were closed, but I had my own gym and supplements in my house. So I would use those to work out, but I also went outside a lot instead. Even if I couldn't focus on weights, I kept on working with my dancing and being mobile. [To dance] I do a lot of stretching and I use a foam roller constantly which helps a lot with balance. I think because I practice a lot of dancing, regardless of my muscles, [that fluidity] just naturally comes."

Diet

"I start my morning by training, and after working out I'll drink an oatmeal juice. For my first meal, I eat chicken with carrots, broccoli, kale and rice, and for my second I eat beef rump with rice. Then, in between my dinner and the second meal, I'll have another oatmeal juice. For dinner, I'll have white fish, again with rice, carrots, broccoli and kale, and I'll finish it off with egg whites. Sometimes I'll also eat pineapple for digestion.

It's probably a special case for me, and I don't think it will apply to many other people, but I often think of my fans or of being in front of a camera, and so naturally, it makes me handle my appetite and drive me further. It's like a motivation for me."

Vices

“My favourite food is ramen, but ramen is often recognised as an instant food and something that's not good for your health. But I can never resist it, so whenever I finish shooting a music video, or after my album promotion, I'll eat it. But since I have a photoshoot coming up, I won't have it yet.”

Skincare and beauty

"I don't use any specific skincare. I don't really know how to care for my skin, to be honest, so I will just use things that I see in front of me. For example, when I go to the gym they will have skincare that people can use, so I'll just use that.

I do love using perfume, though. My favourite is, and sorry to use a swear word, called Fucking Fabulous Eau de Parfum by Tom Ford."

Source: gq-magazine.co.uk

#wonho #221026 #t: interview #gq uk #era: bittersweet

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fyexo · 9 months

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230801 INTERVIEW | Do Kyung-soo says acting, singing not mutually exclusive

By Kwak Yeon-soo Do Kyung-soo, also known as D.O. of K-pop boy group EXO, mostly performs alone as a stranded astronaut in the sci-fi film "The Moon." Although he barely interacted with his co-stars while filming, he spent most of his time working closely with director Kim Yong-hwa. "I never met Kim Hee-ae during the filming. I saw her for the first time during press events for the movie. I only met Sul Kyung-gu about three times while filming. There were challenges of performing solo, but I didn't feel like I was on my own because director Kim Yong-hwa was on the set the entire time," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Monday. Set in 2029, the film revolves around Hwang Seon-woo, who is left alone in space after losing two crewmembers during a lunar exploration mission. He tries to survive and find a way back to Earth with the help of the Naro Space Center and its former managing director Kim Jae-kook (Sul). Do recalled that wearing a heavy spacesuit was not a great experience. "The spacesuit was very heavy. It felt like putting on 10 kilograms (in fact, it weighed around five to six kilograms). What was more difficult is that I had to use wires to fake zero gravity and portray feelings of intense isolation," he said.

The star revealed that his experience of learning and memorizing choreography as a K-pop idol helped him with performing stunts. "I actually pivoted from wall to wall in the spacecraft, which required core strength. The production team also spun the spacecraft to capture my movements," he said. "The wildest stunt for the movie required me to jump off a spacecraft to the surface of the moon. I was attached to wires, but everything else was real. It was like bungee jumping. I was freaked out," he added. Do said he was impressed by how the director shot the film and the outstanding visual effects. "It was mind-blowing and visually satisfying," he said. The actor said "The Moon" is different from other sci-fi films, because it has strong emotional cores. "Some say our film lacks humor, but the director cut out some really funny scenes to make the film better. I think it was necessary to convey Seon-woo, Jae-kook and Moon-young's (Kim Hee-ae) emotions," he said. The singer-actor expressed his desire to continue juggling two careers. "For the last 10 years, I managed to successfully juggle my music and acting careers. I worked so hard to prove myself. I want to continue pursuing both careers in the future, because I think acting and singing are not mutually exclusive," he said. "The Moon" hits theaters on Aug. 2.

source: TheKoreaTimes

#exo #d.o #t: interview #230801 thekoreatimes

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bandhyukoh · 1 year

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[The Soundcheck] HYUKOH interview: approaching life “through love”

Disclaimer: This interview belongs to The Soundcheck. Find the original source here. May 2023. By Morena Kercuku.

Hello HYUKOH, my name is Morena, welcome to The Soundcheck! I feel very honoured to hold this interview. You guys are so talented, and each one of your songs can be very addicting! My first question is, what is your creative process and how do you work on your music?

DONGGUN: They are created through jam sessions in the studio, or by adding ideas to a simple theme played by someone.

HYUNJAE: In the case of the most recent release of “through love”, everybody gathered in the studio and worked on songs together based on voice memos OHHYUK had recorded.

INWOO: We made them either based on the demos OHHYUK brought or just through jam sessions.

OHHYUK: Thank you for having us. I usually make lots of demos, and based on that, we arrange and record together. The first two albums were made in Korea, and subsequent albums were produced in Berlin and Bath.

Most of your EP/album are named after the age you were at the time, becoming diaries shaped into music. What is the difference between Hyukoh in their “20” era, and Hyukoh in their “through love” era? Also, is there any particular reason you did not name your last EP with an age number?

DONGGUN: As people go through life, they often come up with new thoughts and may even change their existing beliefs. I feel that this process naturally affects my approach to music, which is a part of my life. It’s difficult to describe precisely what differences it brings, but I find that I am able to concentrate more and immerse myself in things.

HYUNJAE: It seems that more and more things are seen in life.

INWOO: I consider it to be maturing as time passes, which encompasses the thoughts and emotions I accumulate as I gain experiences.

OHHYUK: From ’20’ to ’23,’ we titled our album with numbers that reflected our thoughts and experiences at the time, like a journal. When making ’24,’ We considered the theme of true love and happiness and added it as a subtitle. And for our next album, we wanted to convey the specific theme of the attitude to love everything, so we titled it ‘through love.’

Within your musical project it emerges that there is ample space for aesthetic and visual creativity, which can be seen in the covers of your albums and your music videos: what or who inspired the most both your musical and artistic expression?

DONGGUN: When it comes to musical expression, I personally think the most important thing is the natural changes or the moment that occurs in life and just what happens in everyday life.

HYUNJAE: Thom Yorke…?

INWOO: I think Thom Yorke is an artist that all the members have in common.

OHHYUK: There are so many people who I have been affected by that it makes no sense to list them one by one. Because of these people, I think I can make music and put out my work. My head is always full of thoughts. I enjoy categorizing and analyzing information that I have seen as I keep my head in the clouds. When these ideas come to some conclusion, that seems to be the beginning of the work.

What do you think is the moment which most impacted your music career?

DONGGUN: The times when the performance schedule was too packed, and we were tired due to the busy schedule but still had fun, are the most memorable. Such times seem to be more memorable than any other big events.

HYUNJAE: The clatters that occurred while making ‘through love.’

INWOO: Coachella…?

OHHYUK: It’s hard to choose one. There is nothing more fun than meeting various people who love our music in person at the venue. These days, there are times when I suddenly miss the performances I did before.

Your last music video “LOVE YA!” always makes me emotional because it beautifully and simply represents love in all of its forms, regardless of age, ethnicity, and gender. Your songs can give pure happiness to those who listens to it, so my question is: what is the message that you want to share with your music, and the impact you want to have?

DONGGUN: I think that the vibe and emotions that people feel when they listen to our music could actually be the message we want to share. Music is difficult to describe in words. Even when I listen to music, I interpret it based on my personal feelings rather than trying to figure out the intention of the writer, so I believe that it’s okay for anyone who listens to our music to interpret it in their own ways, as long as they enjoy it.

HYUNJAE: To capture the meaning of every moment.

INWOO: Love and happiness!

OHHYUK: Despite all that goes on in our busy daily lives, I wish people could take time to think about the approach of trying to see everything through love.

Reminiscing the title your of EP, can you tell us “How to find true love and happiness”?

DONGGUN: If the question is literally about ‘how to find true love and happiness,’ it seems to be hiding somewhere in everyday life. There are so many ways to find it, and it seems that you can know at the moment whether it is easy or difficult, or you can realize it only after a long time has passed. It seems there is no right answer.

HYUNJAE: Staying and leaving, and staying and leaving.

INWOO: Seeing, hearing, and experiencing a lot of good things.

OHHYUK: The harder I worked as we released 22 and prepared 23, the more I felt like I was getting farther away from the happiness I had vaguely imagined. So I thought I should explore a discourse on true love and happiness in detail. Furthermore, I wanted to ask the same question to the listeners and think about it together.

During these years you collaborated with many artists, which one of these experiences was the most meaningful to you and why?

DONGGUN: It’s hard to choose one.

HYUNJAE: Although I have fond memories of all the collaborations, I think it would be appropriate to mention ‘through love REMIX,’ as it was the first remix album released as HYUKOH.

INWOO: It’s hard to choose one because the mix of our colors and the diverse colors of the other artists creates a variety of different vibes.

OHHYUK: All the projects we collaborated on left good memories, each different in their own way, making it difficult to pick just one. However, the most recent project stands out in my mind. We worked on the ‘through love remix’, and I was particularly impressed by ‘Help’ by Sunset Rollercoaster. The way they transformed the song was incredible, and it made me really happy when I first heard it.

In 2021 you performed in a beautiful pine tree forest in Gyeongju, Korea. Visually speaking it was really cool and suggestive to see, but for you it must have been a very different experience compared to the usual concerts venues, how did you feel?

DONGGUN: It was very different from my usual stage performances since it was not in front of some audience, but rather filmed. I felt a bit tired as the schedule was tight due to lighting and production, but it was still enjoyable.

HYUNJAE: Since it was an outdoor venue, there was no reflection, making it challenging to monitor and perform. However, I feel fortunate to have had the rare experience playing in nature.

INWOO: I couldn’t be there, so I just saw it on the video.

OHHYUK: Thank you. It was drizzling during the performance, and I actually felt good. I believe the shoot took about 7 hours.

Do you guys feel connected to your musical instruments, and technically speaking which ones are your favourite and why?

DONGGUN: Sometimes when I focus on playing, there are times when I play without thinking, and suddenly realize my hands are moving. When I think about those moments, I guess I can say that I feel connected. My favorite instruments are bass and guitar.

HYUNJAE: I like the guitar the most because I feel like there are still many reasons why I need to become closer to it.

INWOO: I feel like I become a whole with the drums, especially when performing! Since I started drumming, I’ve believed that drum sounds contain emotions, and I want to move and touch people with them.

OHHYUK: I don’t think I really feel like that. If I don’t play an instrument for a while, my hands and mind start to work separately. These days, I’ve been using modular synths a lot.

Nowadays South Korea’s pop culture is known worldwide. But Hyukoh does not fit into this genre and I’m curious to know, how do you feel about K-pop? And what do you think about the “K-“ letter which is put in front of every Korean artistic form?

DONGGUN: There are many different types of music in the world, and each person’s music is unique. Therefore, it is natural that someone’s music does not fit into another. I wonder if it’s a little too much for all the Korean art forms to have a “K-“ in front of them.

HYUNJAE: I think it’s a fun and interesting phenomenon.

INWOO: It’s good that there are more and more fun things in various fields!

OHHYUK: With the rise of K-pop and various other content, the barriers to Asian content seem to have lowered, which is a positive improvement in my opinion. Prefixing “K-“ to all Korean content seems to be similar to classifying pop music from Japan as J-pop. Like J-pop in the past, K-pop seems to be occupying a sub-genre position in the global market, as it is still in the process of establishing its market size. If someday the perception of global listeners towards Asian Music as “Pop” becomes more widespread, more colorful sub-genres may emerge without certain prefixes in the future.

Is there anything you would change about the music industry?

DONGGUN: No.

HYUNJAE: Nothing.

INWOO: No, I think, nothing.

OHHYUK: I hope there will be a lot of good and various content, and more people who enjoy that type of content.

As someone who was born and raised in Italy, with an Albanian cultural background, I always find myself questioning in which one of the two countries I belong more to. As humans we all feel the need to find our place, so I’d like to know if you, OHHYUK, also have these kind of “existential” questions due to your past in China, and if so, did you find any answer to these doubts?

OHHYUK: There has always been identity confusion. I’ve felt like I don’t belong anywhere. But now I know the experience of being exposed to different environments helps me a lot.

Can you tell us what’s next for HYUKOH?

DONGGUN: I bet we will be doing something fun.

HYUNJAE: I want to meet with our fans again with better music and better opportunities.

INWOO: As we have done so far, I think we will continue to do fun, good, and enjoyable things.

OHHYUK: We’re preparing a really good full-length album.

One last question: do you have any message for your fans which are (im)patiently waiting for your return as a group?

DONGGUN: I want to go to the fans and perform as soon as possible. Thank you.

HYUNJAE: I want to see you in a hurry, but I also think there is beauty in waiting.

INWOO: I miss you so much and I want to make good memories together on stages again!

OHHYUK: Thank you as always. I sincerely hope to see you soon.

#hyukoh #t: interview #the soundcheck #new album!#new album in the making!!!

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heckyeahhyungwon · 8 months

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#hyungwon #shownu #monsta x #230824 #t: interview #t: article #usa today

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wonderbeast · 1 year

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[Wonder Man will] be definitely influenced by the comics. One of the things that we're excited about it is that it's going to feel very unique. It's not going to feel like anything you've quite seen in the MCU before. And the kind of stories we can tell on Disney+, which has been fun. Like streaming, serialized storytelling is a totally different muscle.

Interview with Wonder Man producer Stephen Broussard

#t: news #t: interview #mcu wonder man #wonder man #simon williams

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gvnchyno2 · 25 days

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rooting for and against everyone in season two starts now ⏳

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k-wame · 3 months

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BARRY KEOGHAN 📸 Nick Thompson | Wonderland Magazine | Winter 2023 Issue

#I N S A N E F O R T H I S😍💖#barry keoghan #saltburn #wonderland magazine #interview #saltburn press #awards season #menswear #beautiful men

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fishfingersandscarves · 2 months

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the reticent vampire of the 9th arrondissement

#my art #fishfingersandscarves #iwtv #iwtv 2022 #amc iwtv #interview with the vampire #louis de pointe du lac #illustration #smoking cw #WELCOME BACK HELEN OF TROY #t minus uhhh 76-5ish days until i die

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7-dreamers · 1 year

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18 January 2023, Dreamcatcher Interview with VIBE Magazine

Q. This is a ‘Special’ digital single release. What did you do to make it ‘special’?

지유(JI U) : We made it special by making it about the reason Dreamcatcher could exist so far. From the moment of our birth, nobody can live alone. We need the help of others, we learn from the wisdom of others, and that allows us to be part of the world. Dreamcatcher also exists thanks to the hard work of so many people and the special love given to us from the InSomnias.

수아(SU A) : More than anything else, the fact that it’s a song for the InSomnias makes it special. Just imagine, someone could listen to it reminiscing over the journey we’ve been sharing. Doesn’t that make it special?

Q. The title of the song is ‘REASON’. What reason did you mean by it?

드림캐쳐(Dreamcatcher) : As you can see from the line ‘Cause you are the REASON’, it means that everything we’ve been through - Dreamcatcher’s 6th anniversary, the precious win, our contract renewals - was all for the fans. We thought it was the best way to express our gratitude.

Q. Lots of musicians express their gratitude and affection for their fans. Still, Dreamcatcher’s love for your fans seem to go a step further. What kind of bond do you have with your fans? What kind of energy do you get from them?

시연(SIYEON) : First off, they give us the strength to go on. Also, above everything, they make us better people. When I feel how loved I am, I find myself working even harder so that I can return that love many times over.

한동(HANDONG) : The InSomnias are more than fans to us, they’re like family. I think the love flows both ways in our case, and I know I was able to weather tough times and grow further thanks to the InSomnias.

Q. The song also commemorates your 6th anniversary. Looking back, what do you yourselves think of the last 6 years?

유현(YOOHYEON) : Sometimes I was peaceful and turbulent in others, but looking back, I was braver and shone more brightly than ever before. It’s my youth itself!

다미(DAMI) : It was like fire. It was intense enough to burn and hurt you, but I was able to be that passionate.

가현(GAHYEON) : Lots of tough times and happy times happened in the last 6 years. But being together made me happy!

Q. During the recording, how did each member interpret their part to bring out their own charm?

시연(SIYEON) : Personally, I got lots of parts that stretch outwards. So I vowed to use energetic rock vocal tones. It’s been a while since I used my head voice this much, so it was fun. Plus, since this is a fan song, I tried to sound dependable.

유현(YOOHYEON) : I utilized the rock vocal tones I learned from being Dreamcatcher to the maximum, and tried to invoke the overwhelming, diverse emotions that we experienced because this is telling our own story.

Q. The powerful rock aspect is one of the elements that set Dreamcatcher apart.The new song also contains intense rock sounds. What does the rock spirit mean to Dreamcatcher?

수아(SU A) : It broadened our musical horizons, and made us firmer on stage. Rock as a genre became our color, our strength - and it gives us a lot of energy on stage too.

다미(DAMI) : Rock spirit, to us, is the color. Every member has different music tastes, so we could mix in different genres with rock and create something uniquely ours.

Q. The song has a part that sounds like a crowd singing along to it in a rock festival. Imagine releasing a live version of the song, or performing the song with fans. How would you do it?

지유(JI U) : The song is incomplete. It will only be completed when we sing it with the InSomnias in a live performance!

한동(HANDONG) : I think it’s a song that everyone could enjoy at a concert. We would make the performance together, mixing in parts of our old choreographies!

가현(GAHYEON) : Especially for the encores. I want to sing along with everyone.

Q. Sometimes, the momentum you build up takes you to a completely different place than where you started from. As you said, as the fans are the energy source for Dreamcatcher, you could say the global fandom completes Dreamcatcher as an artist. From your current position, what is your new driving force, your goal moving forward?

수아(SU A) : ‘Just keep it as good as it was till now’ might sound bland, but even just keeping that takes a lot of effort. My goal is to keep giving people good music while communicating and supporting each other with the InSomnias - just like what we’ve done so far - for a long time to come.

시연(SIYEON) : Thank you for that sentiment! To be honest, I don’t think our goals have changed from the beginning. Showing our fans our best selves, becoming better singers, these are dreams that don’t have an end. As always, our energy is the InSomnias, our families and the members.

가현(GAHYEON) : I want our music to console and bring happiness to lots of people.

Q. Your music videos and visual content has been very consistent and very true to your team identity. Was there something you intended to really express in this new album?

드림캐쳐(Dreamcatcher) : Through happiness and through sadness, the InSomnias have always had our backs. Their endless love brought us this far, and the tower in the music video is an allegory of that journey. Dreamcatcher heads towards the top of the tower, and InSomnias offer to take our hands. That old friendship is symbolized by the 7 butterflies once seen in the ‘Fly High’ music video, one of our earlier songs.

Q. The great camaraderie and chemistry between Dreamcatcher members is also famous. Did you learn something again about each other or get a special story from the recording?

지유(JI U) : Before the recording, we talked to each other a lot about renewing our contracts. We learned once more just how deep and firm our love for the team and for each other was through that conversation. Our unified heart really shows itself in the music, I think.

한동(HANDONG) : In my part of the song, there’s a word that really moves me. That is ‘InSomnia’. I sang it thinking about the journey and the love we shared with the InSomnias.

유현(YOOHYEON) : Before we start recording, we get to hear the song to decide on how the parts will be divided. Because our members have been together for so long, we tend to speculate and discuss which part would suit which member the best. On this album, every member showed so much growth. They were so professional, beyond my expectations. That was amazing and admirable to see.

다미(DAMI) : There’s a group singing part in this song. When I was in the recording booth, I was listening to the recordings of the members who did it before me, and realized how alike we sounded. They say love makes people look alike, and I wondered if our voices were getting similar too.

Q. You are about to take your next step towards your next chapter. What does Dreamcatcher have planned next and what musical direction will you take?

드림캐쳐(Dreamcatcher) : Dreamcatcher has always tried new things and built new paths. We’ll continue to try different and new things so that we can keep bringing diverse acts forth and live up to the expectations. We will also include diverse messages in our music, continuing on our path as artists.

Source : VIBE Magazine

Translation by 7-Dreamers HojuneTL Please do not take translation without credit

#dreamcatcher #jiu #sua #siyeon #handong #yoohyeon #dami #gahyeon #ot7 #230118 #era: reason #t: interview #t: trans

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official-wonho · 1 year

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No One Is Doing Kpop Fashion Better (or Sexier) Than Wonho

The crush-worthy idol talks about his new album "Bittersweet," his love of his fans, and his Halloween costume.

“Nightwing cosplay!” Wonho says, excitedly. “My fans recommended that for Halloween, I dress up as Nightwing from DC Comics, so I’m actually searching for a costume.” It’s that happily accommodating charisma — paired with an undeniable talent and unapologetic sexiness — that has earned kpop idol Wonho millions of worldwide devotees.

It’s easy to forget that Wonho (born Lee Ho-seok) is a global superstar when you’re talking to him. Sure, he has that same honey-dipped voice that you’ve heard blasted through stadium speakers and on a million fan-made YouTube compilations. And, yes, those are the broader-than-a-refrigerator shoulders you’ve swooned over on Instagram, but when you’re with Wonho one-on-one, he makes you feel like you’re with a good friend. His warmth and soft-spoken humility is palpable even through a pair of translators and the expanse of time zones between us (when we talk, his late night is my early morning).

Let me warn the newcomers: you are not ready for Wonho’s aesthetic. There aren’t a lot of men who could pull off jeans with thigh cutouts but, then again, not a lot of men are Wonho.

With his stage costumes, Wonho has taken dopamine dressing to a new level: Mesh, sequins, vinyl — all are fair game. “For my stages and my performances, I really think hard about trying to show sides of myself that I haven’t shown before,” he explains.

Thanks to that drive to constantly innovate, he’s managed to bring a new brand of unapologetically provocative sexiness to the kpop world. Wonho’s stagewear closet is filled with backless blazers, leather harnesses, peep-show jeans, fishnet shirts, and strategically unzipped turtlenecks, peeled back to reveal a set of abs that would make Thor do a double take. That risque wardrobe (and general aversion to wearing a shirt during concerts) means he can send the internet into a meltdown with just one performance.

“It is true. I started to work out for my physical health, but it has turned into somewhat of an aesthetic,” he tells me as the topic circles to his Instagram. Wonho’s grid is dotted with shirtless selfies and thirst traps worthy of a global idol between charmingly normal pics of him drinking coffee and sightseeing. “My physique,” he says, coyly, of the thirst traps. “I can show it to [my fans] every once in a while, because I like seeing their reactions.”

When I ask what it’s like to be known in the kpop community as a sartorial boundary-pusher, Wonho is happy to take on the title, but firmly unbothered. ”First, thank you for recognizing me as a fashion icon,” he says, with a shy smile. “I don’t really think of boundaries when I am thinking of my own fashion. If it’s a fit for the concept or the style [of the performance], I’ll just try it without any hesitation.” No boundaries, no hesitation, all confidence. That’s Wonho in a heartbeat.

Off-stage, Wonho’s preferences favor comfort. Sweats and Jordans. T-shirts and Vans. Easy styles that can take him from the studio to the gym to rehearsals to the airport. That casual, off-duty wardrobe is tweaked slightly when he’s continent-hopping. This past summer, Wonho launched his FACADE tour — his first solo sprint across Europe. The opportunity to perform for his fans there also gave him a chance to switch up his fashion

“When I’m in London, I tend to style my outfits more clean-cut and dandy. Whereas, in Korea, I style them more comfortably and stylish.” And, as any jet-setting idol will tell you, practicality will trump fashion when the weather turns. “And, more recently, in Japan, my schedule was just packed and it rained all throughout my stay there, so I wore very comfortable clothing and raincoats and stuff.”

Wonho’s fans can be cited as one of the sources of inspiration behind his whiplash-inducing fashion, but it’s clear that they’re also the motivation behind his music, as well. The rankings, the cynics, and all the other distractions that clog up your nerves and can kill an artist’s creativity — those are the obstacles that Wonho chooses, staunchly, to ignore. Instead, he only wants to make his fans proud.

“My goal [as an artist] isn’t really chart-oriented,” he tells me with the help of those translators picking up the more nuanced questions. “I don’t really focus on getting any sort of ranking on the chart but, rather, I want to make music for as many years as I can. I also want to go on a world tour to meet WENEEs who are in all parts of the world.”

The self-chosen moniker of his fans, WENEEs — the name equal parts silly and sweet — is short-hand for “WE are NEw Ending” or “WE NEEd.” Both phrases are representative of the symbiotic relationship between the artist and the fans who have been supporting him from the beginning, and will be there until the end. “[With this album,] I am making a promise to my fans to always be by my side, as they have always been.”

His latest project dropped earlier this month, a highly anticipated second single album named Bittersweet. It was a deeply personal effort for Wonho who doesn’t just sing his music but writes and produces as well, though he’s quick to share the credit with his team. “[I’m always] getting tons of support from all the staff and all the good people around me so I’m able to prepare and produce my albums very conveniently,” says the humble idol. “There are a lot of teams involved with the album production process so it comes out very smoothly.”

The new album’s tracks, “On & On” (a smooth, pulsing dance track featuring Korean rapper YUNHWAY) and “Don’t Regret” (a powerful, tender ballad), are about all-consuming emotions and the Wonho-penned lyrics are as vulnerable as a baby bunny. What helps him to write and perform music this honest and personal is, in part, his impressive multilingualism. “It’s easier to express those kinds of emotions because I can use two languages, Korean and English,” Wonho says of his skill set, which also includes Japanese. “I can use both languages to express my thoughts and emotions.” The tracks add to Wonho’s consistently introspective and sentimental music catalog, making Bittersweet another compelling treasure from the solo star.

And then there’s that beautiful Wonho duality again, right there in the title of his album: Bittersweet. “I wanted to express a mix of emotions that are bitter, yet sweet. Exciting, yet depressing,” explains Wonho. “I believe our lives are filled with different emotions and they shape how we are.”

That paradox of his album’s title and theme is an echo of his whole career and strengths as an idol. That duality is why the entire world has a crush on him. Wonho can do it all. He has a voice that is lovely and dreamy when paired with pulsing dance beats, but also soaring and gorgeous when singing full-chested ballads. He has an off-stage boyfriend aesthetic but is also an easy-to-worship glam god on-stage. Sexy and cute. A Disney face with a Marvel body, as fellow idol Jessi described him. But who needs superhero movies anyways when you have the adrenaline rush of Wonho’s duality?

Source: instyle.com

#wonho #221024 #t: interview #instyle #era: bittersweet

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fyexo · 1 year

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221101 INTERVIEW: What’s Next For Lay Zhang? – West, Infinite Lands, and the Next 10 Years

When he made his debut as a member of K-Pop boy group EXO, the next ten years felt far away for 20-year-old Lay Zhang who had spent the previous four years studying and training nonstop in order to compete in SM Entertainment’s fierce debut group competition.

But, after a decade, the now 31-year-old global superstar emerged as one of the most successful musicians of his generation, breaking record after record, adding achievement after achievement, and establishing himself as the multi-talented Lay Zhang of China.

Despite all of his achievements, the multi-hyphenate refuses to be described as “successful.” “I don’t think I am very successful,” he said.

In an interview with the Philippine media in support of his most recent album, West, he said, “For me, [being] successful is a moment.”

These remarks are no longer surprising to those who have followed his career and development; Lay Zhang never stops. He has a relentless zeal for improvement and a strong sense of duty to his community, profession, and nation.

“We have to keep our mind to look ahead. Dream big and never give up. Always try your best —that will make great things happen.”

True to his words, he accomplished great things, and his most recent album, West, is proof of his unshakable dedication and hard work.

Lay Zhang gave his fans a five-track album, West, with the single “Veil” in September to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his debut. The album is a follow-up to his album East from 2021.

While East plunges into the world’s Eastern side and transports listeners on a fanciful eastward voyage, West transports listeners on a westward journey and lifts the curtain on the world’s mysteries.

Through the inventive use of oriental musical instruments, symbols, and expressions as well as the fusion of traditional and contemporary components, it creatively tells the story of the difficulties we confront and the path we travel in everyday life.

As someone who is proud of his Chinese heritage, it is also significant for him to include his culture.

“I am a Chinese person first before an artist. I want to share the good things about my culture. I hope to inspire others to do the same.”

Lay Zhang brought out his producer side to create an astounding album in West – now one of his “children”, together with Lose Control, Winter Special Gift, Sheep, Namanana, Honey, Lit, Producer, and East, among other releases.

The album’s songs “Veil” and “Understand,” which encourage listeners to lose their masks and reveal their true selves, are among Lay Zhang’s favorites. Notably, the international superstar added an English version of the album’s lead track, “Veil,” in an effort to connect with his global fanbase. “As a Chinese person, Chinese comes easier to me. I also want more people to know what I am singing about, so [I came out with an] English version as well,” he explained.

Given his busy schedule, many are curious about how he balances his roles as a brand ambassador, producer, actor, singer, songwriter, and more.

“It’s not difficult. Every day, I try to do something. Everybody can create something new.”

Nonetheless, he acknowledged the challenges he has as a solo musician. “Being a solo artist is a little bit though because you have to do all things by yourself,” he admitted. But being a solo artist also offers him the independence and flexibility to experiment around with ideas.

Lay Zhang made his solo debut in 2016 with Lose Control, his first extended play. The EP landed at number one on the Gaon Album Chart and is the ninth best-selling album of 2016. Following the release of his debut solo album, he had a string of extremely popular albums that broke sales records and furthered established his unshakeable position as one of China’s and the world’s most loved and acclaimed stars.

And, for him, the greatest achievement of all is the adoration of his supporters.

“My achievement is that I have lots of fans who support me. I can see the fans’ love and support. I have a lot of motivation to do a lot of things and keep doing what I want to do.”

Fueled by this love, and in true Lay Zhang way, the singer-songwriter will continue to refine himself in order to improve and uncover his sound with each record. More than perfection, the “Veil” singer seeks progress—-constant growth and steps toward the fulfillment of a dream, such as his Grandline 2: Infinite Lands concert tour.

As part of the Grandline 2: Infinite Lands tour, the multi-hyphenate completed three concerts in three Asian cities. On October 17, he began his concert tour in Malaysia, his first offline performance since the pandemic, followed by Singapore on October 19, and Bangkok on October 22. He intended to unite his audience through the concert tour, inspiring them to think bigger, dream bigger, and just keep moving forward, hence the concert’s title, “Infinite Lands.”

Lay Zhang also promised to bring the breathtaking views of Infinite Lands to his Xbacks in the Philippines. “My Philippine Xbacks, thanks for your support and love. I hope we can meet soon and immediately,” he remarked.

In the last 10 years, Lay Zhang has made a name for himself, solidified his position in the industry, and paved the way for other young musicians. With his extremely outstanding career and all of his accomplishments, we came to ask: what’s next for Lay Zhang? And, as always, the singer-songwriter strives to give his all every day.

“The next ten years are so far and yet so close. When I was 17 years old, I did not [think] it’s very quick to be 31 years old. Time goes by. [But] for me, I don’t want to waste time, so every day, [I] just do my best [in] whatever I can do.”

When Lay Zhang first took the stage as a member of EXO ten years ago, the next ten years seemed so far away. But years later, the singer-songwriter is still here — never quitting and continuing to lead an industry for the next generation of musicians who will look up to him.

Are you ready for the next decade with Lay Zhang?

The group interview was attended virtually by Danica Lacson.

Words by Danica Lacson | Edited by: abbyinhallyuland

source: hellokpop

#exo #lay #t: interview #hello kpop

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