Interview Translated by @mijingy0o
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Editor: 조소현(피처 에디터), 김미진(패션 에디터), 이소민(Sub)
Photographer: Park Jong Ha
Stylist: Gee Eun
Hair: Lim Jung Ho
Makeup: Kim Bu Sung
Set: Da;rak
These members, who created a masterpiece that is loved by all generations, are about to stretch out in preparation for their first comeback this year. To let you know what their daily routine is, it is the repetition of recording, schedules and recording again. It is a situation in which all their time is focused on recording aside from their official schedules such as fan meetings and TV programs. Although the feeling before going on a vacation is exciting, iKON’s feelings towards the preparation for the comeback is close to undergoing a ‘spiritual training’.
Jinhwan: “I have to think that there will be no rest days from now on. It’s the toughest during the preparations. Since I know there’s going to be results, I’ll have to head towards that goal.”
B.I states that he will have to maintain a healthier daily rhythm. In the past, he woke up at 7~8 PM and started his day until no earlier than 12 PM. The genius composer, who used to shut himself in the studio and immerse himself in making songs without seeing a bit of sunlight, has a big concern recently, and that is having a healthy life.
When the members are not working together as a whole under the name ‘iKON’, each of them is preoccupied with something different as musicians. Bobby wants to dance better. Freestyle dance.
Bobby: “I want to be good at rapping and singing, but these days I find that dancing well on stage is very cool. I’m actually the member who is the worst in dancing. I didn’t dance well previously, and I’m now trying to dance better so I can look cooler."
Bobby: "I’ve looked up a lot of clips, and there’s this one called ‘Lit Dance’, where kids do freestyle. I think it’s cool, so I really like it.”
Donghyuk, who is mostly Bobby’s dance partner, focuses on dance and the tone of his voice. Donghyuk: “I am filming my own choreography with a camera and then studying it. I’m also concerned about my tone. As my tone is high, I feel that it sounds the same for every song. Therefore, I’m doing a lot of recordings as I want to present (my voice) differently."
Yunhyeong and Chanwoo are also interested in dance. Yunhyeong wants to get out of the trap-like dance pattern while Chanwoo concentrates more during the moment when he dances.
Chanwoo: “I got scolded many times for just roughly dancing (to the songs). I didn’t understand it at first, but now I know what it means. Since I’m taller than other members, I tend to stand out in some parts. I’m currently focusing on those parts.”
Jinhwan is looking at the bigger picture. He talks closely about swag.
“I’m focusing more on the swag and live performances on stage. Since I originally can already do live, I can do better if I pay closer attention to it."
Jinhwan: "Also, there are various things in being cool. You can look cool and you can also do a charming action. I’ve been looking at many things that I think are cool these days.”
Junhoe answered by showing a callus that formed on his finger. He never fails to have guitar practice for an hour per day. B.I’s mind is somewhat complicated. He, who writes, composes and produces for most iKON’s songs, is searching for new inspiration.
B.I: “I made so many songs last year so I’ve nothing to say about this. Other than the ones that got released, I’ve made so many others. Therefore, I’m taking a break from production this year. Last year, I wasn’t able to meet with a lot of people, so I’m going to meet them and I’m going to watch movies, read books and drink a bit. I can’t really handle alcohol but I’ve improved recently. Yes, it’s ‘Iseul Tok Tok’. Last time, I got drunk after one can of it, but nowadays I feel fine after 1.5 cans of it."
iKON made a comeback thrice in Korea last year. Although they are represented by ‘Love Scenario’, ‘Killing Me’ and ‘Goodbye Road’ were a trilogy of breakups with sad and beautiful narrations. Those are stories when we are in love.
In the earlier phase of their debut, they built an image of a talented Hip-hop group, but now they became a group that is best at expressing emotions. They used “The electrifying feeling in between my ribs” to express that fuzzy feeling when we are in love, and then “a lonely goodbye road” to express the feeling after a breakup. When we look back today in the distant future, iKON's music will evoke those feelings of those days. That is why we call music the sensibility of the times. Even though we live our own history, someone will express that history for us.
Burden remains with the musicians who have reached the top. B.I, who has never felt pressured by music before as he only had the thought that his favourite song was released, is now conscious of 'Love Scenario.'
B.I: "Last time, I feel like a jobless person when I had nothing to do at home. The word ‘bum’ seems like the right choice of word. I hated the sight of it. After the release of ‘Love Scenario’, I gained composure and dignity. In fact, I’m not sure how big of a difference it is, but anyway, I started to feel burdened. No matter what I do, ‘Love Scenario’ is on my mind all the time.”
In the past interview, the members said this several times that only ‘Love Scenario’ has reached the top, but iKON has not.
Donghyuk: “It is a fact that many did not know much about a group called iKON. Although our fans are extremely important to us, I could feel the public’s attention and recognition through this song. To let more people know about iKON, I think that we should work more individually and show them our charms.”
The person who turned that realisation immediately into action is maknae, Chanwoo. The hottest topic in iKON right now is Chanwoo’s YouTube Channel called ‘Chanwoo Sari.’ It started out with the thought of ‘if people get to know more about me’, and it has gained more than 400,000 subscribers ever since. Besides achieving their intended purpose of gaining awareness, of course, iKON has also created new opportunities for their overall activities.
Donghyuk: “The thing Chanwoo does has a tremendous ripple effect. Recently, when we performed in America, we got to attend a grand event thanks to Chanwoo. A Chanwoo character was launched in the game called ‘Fortnite’ and he got to play the game with an extremely famous professional gamer. He has played a good role in promoting iKON overseas.”
Subscribers who are in love with Chanwoo’s solo appeal are also happy to see the other iKON members appearing (in the videos). Chanwoo, who has achieved his goal, is enthusiastically coming up with ideas so as not to disappoint his subscribers.
Chanwoo: “I should rest when it is time to rest, but since I am always carrying my camera around, I feel sorry to my hyungs. Nevertheless, hyungs really help me a lot.”
Yunhyeong, who is rumoured to be good in cooking, has also opened a YouTube Channel about cooking content.
Yunhyeong: “Last time, I thought iKON should come first rather than myself. However, now that there are people who will know about iKON because of me, so I started YouTube with the thought of wanting to do better. Chanwoo is conscious of other members when he films, but I’m planning to go all out.”
Debuted 5 years. When asked when are they going for a MT, they joked by asking back, “How much more do we have to bond?” Although their dorms are not noisy anymore, it’s still natural and comfortable. When asked when was the last conflict among them, their memories were vague.
Yunhyeong: “Since we're adults and we’ve hyungs in their mid-20s, everyone is slightly mature. Cos we all know each other well, we avoid things we dislike. If someone wants to do something suddenly, we’ll understand too. Should I say being considerate is a natural thing(for us)?”
Yunhyeong: “Last time, I didn’t acknowledge others. I’d express that I was always the right one. Now, I realised that it’s not that other people are wrong; they are just different."
As expected, there is a new chemistry formed among the members. Everyone points out that they are Bobby and Donghyuk.
Junhoe: “Both of them work together frequently these days. Their music styles are similar. Their food habits are similar too. Since they like American food, they even went to a pizza restaurant in Japan.”
Donghyuk and B.I’s time in dance practice has increased.
Donghyuk: “When we first debuted, B.I would lead us. But now that he has put away dancing, I’ve been leading it. (Laughs) Hyung keeps asking me to do something."
Jinhwan points out Chanwoo.
Jinhwan: “My ‘Kemi’ with Chanwoo is getting better. There is also affection from the accumulated scoldings. In fact, we really don’t match. But because we don’t, it becomes interesting. We eat together frequently these days.”
When asked what is heavy and light for iKON who have been together for so long.
Donghyuk: “I became more free on stage. I guess I have been unknowingly cautious of how people look at me. I started practising harder after thinking about what I could be good at. I’m practising a little more sensitively.”
Bobby: “I think I’m becoming someone who keeps secrets well. I don’t talk as much, and when I want to try something, I think about it more first. Although I really want to raise a puppy, I can’t raise it rashly because of the thought that it dies faster than human beings. Last time, I felt nervous whenever I went up to the stage. Now, I don’t feel like that.”
Junhoe: “I used to have a heavy heart worrying about unnecessary things, and I felt lighter when I didn’t think much realistically. Now, it’s the opposite.“
More than anything, they realised that each member must be happy so they can enjoy working as iKON.
Jinhwan lives by the words “sohwakhaeng” (small but guaranteed happiness).
Jinhwan: “I think that we shouldn’t find happiness from far away, so I’m now trying a lot of things. I go for swimming, squash, and I’m also learning how to make cocktails while searching for interests. This way, I can enjoy work more efficiently.”
iKON, who will be back when the season becomes hot, pointed out that they would like the North America tour to happen this year. They want to see a broader world. In the 2017 <Vogue> interview with iKON, they defined themselves as a well-made K-POP group. A futurist that is trendy and has never been seen in Korea.’ There is still no change in this direction. B.I made a change to the expression by saying that he wants them to be the Maitreya of the Korean pop industry.
B.I: “‘Love Scenario’ is only a step up, and there are so many more steps to climb. We’ll keep going forward even if it’s a bumpy ride.”
Coming to the end of the interview, Bobby prayed for happiness for people all around the world.
Bobby: “Whether personally or as iKON, I hope all the people around the world will be happy. I mean it.”
Now, rather than having musicians like John Lennon and Michael Jackson, who sang songs that yearn for world peace, we do need more musicians who sincerely wish us happiness. iKON is aiming for the future while living in a contemporary period.
iKON is our icon.
Source:
— Zombin (@mijingy0o) May 20, 2019
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