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It’s the
second time we’re meeting them since last October. We’ve met up with the
members of B.A.P who are preparing to promote their fourth single album ‘Excuse
Me’ in Japan this September. Just 10 months ago, there was a group of boys with
happy smiles and faces, but now they have transformed into mature looking young
men. The boys have been causing a commotion with their ‘B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH
2014 CONTINENT TOUR’ in countries such as the U.S, Europe, Australia and Asia;
they have also been able to obtain a constant growth with their albums and
tours. And to add on, they have not had
a break since their debut and have promoted with such great passion; which is
why we prepared a short interview with them. Though it was a short time spent
with them, it left a great impression on us about the six guys of B.A.P.
YONGGUK
Q:
You’re favorite book is titled Che Guevara Pyeongjeon. (*There isn’t an exact
translation for pyeongjeon, but it is similar to electricity, (10 time, a
record containing the evaluation of the author. But I’m not sure. I had to look
it up on Naver*) Did you learn anything
from the book?
BYG: If you count the times I’ve
read this book when I was younger, it’s my third time rereading this book. I
read it recently and learned, if though we live in a world that changes
constantly, we shouldn’t forget about justice and it made me think about our
society again. Not only have I been making music, but I’ve also been reflecting
about myself, ‘If something is meaningless, then our goal is not justified,’
‘Let’s become a realist, however, my heart tells me that I’m dreaming about
something impossible.”
Q: If, you had to leave on valuable object, person, or
thought, what would it be?
BYG: It would definitely be
justice. I if we had justice, it would be easier for people to reflect upon
themselves and find the true happiness, us humans need. However, if we don’t
have justice in our society, there won’t be anyone who would be able to find
happiness. Because in the end, people will focus on money and fame, which don’t
bring happiness, but rather bring pain and hurt the people themselves. It’s not
being not happy, but rather not having the ability to feel happy or find
happiness.
Q: You recently said you find happiness when you’re
either producing music or exercising. Have you felt that happy recently?
BYG: I joined a group of people
who like basketball and created a ‘Basketball Family.’ We usually play when the sun, sets and the
wind is blowing. It feels like all the stress I had is pushed off my shoulders.
I’m also making music with a lot of underground rappers. I exercise, make music
and through these, I feel the most happy; honestly.
Q: What makes BYG laugh/smile nowadays?
BYG: Not too long ago, I’ve been
taking care of a cream poodle and I unintentionally just smile whenever I see
him/her. Her/his name is Tigger. (As BYG said the name Tigger, he just smiled.)
I get happy just looking at him/her and just smile. I didn’t know such a small
creature would make me feel so many emotions; good emotions.
Q: Do you still sleep at dawn?
BYG: I think I fall asleep when
the sun fully rises. It’s not that I do it purposely or anything, but after
producing music and everything, I just fall asleep at that time.
Q: We see that you uploaded a video of you producing
music on Instagram.
BYG: The video I uploaded was
a genre called Dubstep. I usually like A capella songs. I’ve been working on a
number of different genres. It changes every time I have time to produce a
song. I’ve been making a lot of ‘deep’ meaningful songs. They’re not just deep
songs, they are really deep songs. I’m not depressed or anything, but because
I’ve been producing songs at dawn, I think it just makes me more emotional.
Q. At the press conference you had in March for B.A.P
Live On Earth Seoul, you introduced your song ‘Q’ and stated that it was a “out
of body experience.” Does this help you when you write songs?
BYG: Normally I do not dream a lot so when I do dream I think I would remember the dream clearly. Recently I dreamt about something a little horror and bloody, the image was really vivid, so after waking up for a long time I was dazed. Even until now, I could still remember some image vividly. Normally i spend more time on working rather than hanging out so i get my ideas from daily life instead of unreal or special experiences. Like something i see while walking on the street, ordinary life or just talking with my friends.nowadays I'm effected by the nature. Like dark green on tree or red sunset light on the sky.
Q. After the start of Seoul’s concert, America, Europe, Australia and Asia’s “B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH 2014 CONTINENT TOUR’ unfolded. As you’re experiencing the tour, among every thing what was the best and left a great impression on you?
BYG : During this tour we managed to go to England and France, Australia and such countries that we did not manage to go during Pacific tour. Even though we can’t see it right now, but facing a new environment with a variety of new sight, I’m thinking that more than our self-assurance, a chance to attain bigger and deeper development. Going around for the tour in each country and city, even though I received good energy and bravery, especially France’s Paris, I really wanted to go once and recommend it. Even if we don’t get a lot of money, the things we gain are really a lot. An ordinary street and saturated with beautiful buildings came out. Ah… either go to a restaurant that has an ambience that matches with wine or it's a must to go into the streets and it will be good to enjoy the streets. To my heart’s content, I could experience different kind of atmosphere.
Q. You seem a lot calmer than the past. If there was a
word to describe you, what would it be?
BYG: A sloth. To be honest, I
think I’m similar to a sloth. Even though sloths are really lazy, they do what
they have to do. They climb up tall trees and watch their place while they’re
up there. I also try to focus and do what I can do. Because I’m a bit slower
than other people, they do seem frustrated with me, but as long as if I don’t
pause in the middle of my work, I don’t care what others think or say.
Q. So if you kept working at the speed you’re working at
now, how do you think you will be 10 years later?
BYG: Even though I’m 25 years
old, people say I’m like a 40 year old. So when I turn 35, I hope to be seen as
a grandpa. I want to be like my late grandfather. He’s the person I miss the
most and was an amazing person. So when 10 years past, I hope to become an
amazing person who does a lot of great work; just like my grandfather.
Q. What’s your dream?
BYG: I’ve thought about “my
final dream,” but whenever I dream about it, it seems so unrealistic. Because a
dream is a dream, I’m not even sure if it will come true. But my dream is to
make my dreams become more realistic to make my final dream come true.
Q. Lastly, say something to your fans.
BYG: Where are you? What are
you doing? I miss you all. I’m sorry that we can’t see each other as much, but
I hope you guys can keep your place as our fans.
©tenasia | Trans © Lois @ BAPYESSIR.COM
HIMCHAN
Q.
What people think about your image and how you look at yourself, is it
different or the same?
Himchan: The
people that I don’t really know would think of me as a cold and sacarstic
person. The truth is I’m not! (Laughs). Among my members, I’m not really that
shy and can confront people. Normally the people around me, I would play jokes
on them, also I like to talk to them. There’s also a part of me where I’m
extremely emotional; I also have a side that I show a lot of affection!
Q. It
seems like you do know it. You are known as the team’s visual, which is your
most confident part of your features?
Himchan: My eyes. Therefore with acknowledgement, especially
when I hear ‘Your stare is alive’ I would feel good. This is what I think, I am
curious as to what BABY(B.A.P’s fanclub name)s’ thinks of as the nicest part.
(Laughs)
Q. ‘Me,
Himchan, not only am I handsome, I’m also charming’ you boldly promoted
yourself?
Himchan: To
extend it all is a pictorial! Haha. I’ve always been interested in fashion and
thought I had some sense in fashion. Firstly because I know myself too well, I
would know which coordinate is the best and matches me. When there is a trend,
I don’t actually totally follow it, I find the item that best suits me and with
a variety I am working hard on finding the better one that looks good on me. Because
I know me and I know fashion, I think I’m just a walking pictorial. (Laughs) Is
this considered self-promotion?
Q. Haha,
then other than you in the team, which member do you think wears the best
clothes? (as in fashion sense)
Himchan: Personally,
Yongguk’s style looks nice. Normally I would not dress up too excessively and
would have a simple style, and naturally dress up with that outfit and goes
out. Yongguk is has a very hiphop-like style and also very often as dandy
style, he also very neat so it get along well. There is a lot of space as its
big so he would have a lot of space to digest.
Q. This
time you came back after a tour and also seem like you did quite a lot of
shopping. Among the things you bought, what was the one thing that you were really
happy that you bought it and like it and also what did you not like, like you
thought to yourself ‘Ah, I shouldn’t have bought this’?
Himchan: The
one thing I am really happy I bought was shoes! The one I shouldn’t have bought
is also shoes… I was happy with the design so ‘I got it’, but I found out that
this item is sold at a cheap price in Korea. However just like the moment when
‘I got it’ the happiness I enjoyed won’t change so I’m okay. Yes, it will be
fine. It will be fine…
Q. Haha,
after every talk your bright energy grows. Like this, when was the moment you
last experience such happiness?
Himchan
: When
B.A.P all six members sit together and had a meal. When the six of us eat
privately, we could express following difficulties so the feeling is good and I
could feel our bond.
Q. Recently
when was the most ‘Up’ moment and the memories which you had a big laugh?
Himchan: Moon
Jong ‘Up’♡. (Laughs) Even though I’m half serious and half joking about those
words, when I’m with Jongup, I’m would be slightly ‘Up’. I think other members
are like that too. I think its because Jongup listens well and also gives good
reactions. Big laughs always are when I’m with Jongup? Keke. Jongup has that
something that makes people happy when they’re with him. Every time while we
were talking I would unintentionally laugh and it doesn’t only happen to me, it
happens to our members and the staff as well. He wasn’t trying to make us laugh
on purpose when talking, that is why it’s funnier.
Q. Haha,
Jongup’s charm seems to be really great. In the dorm, you are using the same
room as Jongup right?
Himchan: I’m sharing the room with Jongup, Zelo and Daehyun
are in one room, Yongguk and Youngjae each has a room to themselves. During the
day that we moved and had room arrangements, by chance me and Jongup went to
eat and went back late, by the time we were back, other members had already set
their roomates and went to sleep. So naturally we both use the same room.
Normally I get along with Jongup, so now I’m satisfied with the room
arrangements. Besides
Jongup’s and my sleeping time are the same. (Laughs) I for a long time has a
direction that I would sleep well in but, recently Jongup match well with my
such pattern, slept at the same time and also woke up at the same time. The
time we wake up and other people are quite different. The level where the sun
already set down and we just woke up? Jongup-ah, now we should wake up early!
Keke.
Q. When
together with same age friend Bang Yong Guk, what do you talk and about mostly.
Recently have you guys consult each other about problems?
Himchan: The
most recent one was yesterday. It wasn’t a serious and heavy problem, we talked
about B.A.P and the members. We wanted to be a team that made better music,
when even Maknae Zelo becomes an adult, and B.A.P also becomes older, we think
that a little new change would be formed, a lot of thoughts seems to be able to
come true.
Q. Not
long ago ‘B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH 2014
CONTINENT TOUR’ ended. During the tour, was there anything that left you a deep
impression?
Himchan: My
birthday was 19th April, as my birthday was on the day that we were
in the midst of a scheduled concert in America, the present fans prepared a
surprise event for me. A theatre filled with audiences using slogans wishing me
Happy Birthday with messages, and with this much love received… It was touching
and I was deeply moved. It was really a happy birthday.
Q. This
is on behalf of the fans, on SNS, the mentions that fans sent you, did you read
them well?
Himchan: I
can’t read all but, even so I relatively often find time to read them. When I
upload a tweet, even though many people would reply me but, normally
consistently I would look at the many mentions from people. I do look after
these messages. Where did you go today, what did you eat and was it delicious,
these thoughts came out, are you doing well and I wanted to ask about you, if
you had a great day, after seeing such trivial conversations, I would feel
reassured in my heart so its good.
Q. From
now till 10 years later, how will 35 years old Himchan’s image be?
Himchan: From
now on, I hope I can be a little more serious and a deep person. I will be a
person that diligently holds weights, not faking it. Next year onwards I will
naturally be able to hold weights easily. People will be more understanding and
be able to trust me, and be a sensible and intelligent person and be matured.
Q. Himchan’s
dream?
Himchan: Looking
back ‘Dream that made me happy’ seem to be living well. For me to not regret in
the future, I shall do what I want to do now and live happily.
Q. Lastly,
leave a message for the fans that misses B.A.P to see.
Himchan: Because
the ones that protected us and stayed by our side to wait for us is here, that
is why we are now here. If music are the reason why B.A.P existed, then you
guys are the motivation for us to make better music. Always having the heart to
be with us, please to do not forget that and remember it.
©tenasia | Trans © Shwen @ BAPYESSIR.COM
