Jin x ELLE Korea [Magazine Interview]
Thank you, jjjin__1204, for sharing the magazine interview, and thank you, nightstar1201, for your translation.
Please respect the credits.
๐I wanted to capture a slightly unfamiliar and raw side of Jin, together with Gucciโs free-spirited menโs collection. Did you find it unfamiliar yourself? Youโre usually more of a traditional, Confucian style man, after all. (Laughs)
๐นLooking in the mirror, I looked different. But Iโm an idol, after all. If thereโs a concept want to do, I should be willing to become that version of myself. (Laughs).
๐On stage, you show a completely different face on stage. As you travel to stadiums around the world on ARIRANG world tour, there are days when you look as though youโre about to burst into tears, and other days when you have the happiest expression of anyone.
๐นI donโt think Iโve ever really held back tears. Maybe I just have a sad-looking face. (Laughs) Even when I havenโt been crying, sometimes people misunderstand and think Iโm trying to hold back tears.
๐นI can immediately think of the moments that make me smile. Of course, itโs when I see ARMY having fun. When I look at each and every one of their smiling faces, I canโt help but smile along with them.
๐Especially when you performed the Korean version of โNORMALโ at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on BTS anniversary, many ARMY talked at length about your facial expression in particular. How do you remember that performance yourself?
๐นTo be honest, if Iโm being honest about this too.. thereโs a part in the performance of โNORMALโ where I gesture for the audience to wave their hands. I was so focused on that movement and the lyrics that I didnโt have a chance to get emotional. I had been singing the song for months, but that day I had to sing it with Korean lyrics, so I had to concentrate on the changed lyrics. (Laughs)
๐As expected, thatโs a very clear answer. (Laughs.)
๐This fifth full-length album is BTS album to be released in a long time. You must have already made many memories with this album. If you had to choose the moment that stands out the most, what would it be?
๐นI think it would have to be the moment we opened this tour in Goyang. It was raining so heavily that day. Usually, when it rains, you open an umbrella or go indoors, right? But I canโt do that on stage, so I had no choice but to get completely soaked in the rain. When else in my life would I ever get drenched in the rain like that? It was really fun.
๐Personally, I found your way of expressing yourself through live performances on this world tour to be incredibly fresh and new. When I watch performances of songs like โNORMALโ โInto the Sunโ and โLike Animalsโ I get the feeling that, especially in the high-pitched sections, you almost โhowlโ as if youโre releasing your emotions outward with even more heat.
๐น Iโm honored that youโve given it such profound meaning. Well. These songs were more emotional than my previous ones, so I simply sang them in a way that matched those emotions. Iโm happy that you listened to them so emotionally. (Laughs.)
๐Itโs been quite a while, but my first solo world tour, โRUNSEOKJIN EP.TOUR,โ still stands out vividly in my memory. Thanks to all the fun ideas scattered throughout the showโlike playing a game where I had to guess song titles based on the audience singing alongโthe fans laughed a lot. Was there a particular reason you wanted to put on a show that made people laugh?
๐น When ARMYs laugh, I canโt help but laugh along with them. Since I usually do serious performances, I wanted to create a show this time that would make people laugh a bit more. The other members even said it was a unique stage (laughs). Come to think of it, two of the concepts I used in my solo concert were incorporated into our group performances as wellโthatโs pretty interesting, too.
๐There is one moment from that concert that has stayed with me for a long time. It was when you were singing โThe Astronautโ lying down in the middle of the stage and looking up at the night sky. The concert was meant to entertain the audience, but in that moment, I felt as though it was a scene just for Jin himself.
๐นThe night sky was really beautiful then. Sometimes, When youโre performing on stage, you know how you sometimes find your mind wandering to other thoughts? In that moment, I found it fascinating that I was there, simply existing. I took a breath, lay down, and looked up at the sky. It was so beautiful. So I justโฆ I think I looked at it for quite a while.
๐Itโs been 13 years since your debut, and if you look back on your life from the moment you received the casting offer at the bus stop on your way to school until now, which has there been more of: things that went according to plan or unexpected events?
๐น Well. Iโm not really the type to make plans to begin with. When something occurs to me, I first ask if itโs possible, and if it isnโt, I just forget about it right away. So, honestly, even I donโt know if there have been more things that went according to plan or more unexpected things.
๐Over the past 3~4 years, youโve experienced an unusually large number of 'First'. From holding a Hug event the day after your military discharge and creating iconic moments like Jinwick on Run Seokjin, to the innovative format of your solo tour. What gives you the strength to keep moving toward new beginnings?
๐นBecause itโs fun(Laughs) If you keep repeating the same format every time, even the most enjoyable things gradually start to lose their appeal. Thatโs why Iโve always tried something new each time. I wanted to create moments for ARMY to have fun and enjoy themselves.
๐นIf I had to pick one moment when I feel I deserve to praise myself, it would be the time I spend thinking about what new thing I could try next.
๐What is Jin most afraid of right now? Somehow, I have a feeling you wonโt give me an honest answer. (Laughs)
๐นThereโs nothing in particular that Iโm afraid of, but as you said, even if there were something, I probably wouldnโt talk about it. (Laughs) When ARMY think that I might be afraid of something, they worry about what would happen if I actually had to face those things. I donโt want to put them in a situation like that.
๐Hearing your answer just now, I realize that youโve always seemed particularly careful not to make your fans worry. Is there a reason why you always try to show your bright side first?
๐นWhen Iโm enjoying my own hobbies, I also want to see only good things. Thatโs natural, isnโt it? ARMY probably watch me because they want to hold on to good memories, so giving them something to worry about just isnโt my style.
๐What does โSuccessโ mean to Jin now? Has your definition of it changed compared to when you first debuted?
๐นA lot of people smile when they see me, and Iโve also had many experiences that are difficult to have at such a young age. When I first debuted, my biggest concern was simply surviving. Now, thanks to all the love Iโve received, I have different concerns from back then, like how to make ARMY happyโฆ I think I can call it success simply because Iโve experienced that kind of change.
๐If you had to pick just one decision that youโve made in your life that you think was the best, what would it be?
๐นI suppose it would have to be becoming the BTS.
๐Even though quite a lot of time has passed since you first started working together, the members still really love their hyung. Brothers, especially Jk, tend to tease you a lot and express his affection without hesitation. Are there moments when you think, "Ah, I really am loved?"
๐น I think the feelings I have for the members are similar to the feelings they have for me. Since I love the members that much, wouldn't they love me just as much as I love them? When I love the members, I also feel that I am loved by them.
๐Then how much does Jin love the members?
๐น As much as the members love me. Enough to be more than enough.
๐You are someone who always tries to make someone happy or comfort them through music. What, in turn, do you yourself get from music?
๐นI got everything from Music. Music has given me my entire life.
๐Let me ask you one last question. What does Kim Seokjin being Kim Seokjin mean to you?
๐นI am someone who wants to live the way I want to. Of course, I know I can't do everything.
Once again, thank you, jjjin__1204, for sharing the magazine interview, and thank you, nightstar1201, for your translation.