The official Buried Stars Twitter just posted new art + character info for the 1 year anniversary of the game's release! Basically, it's a series of hand-written "about me" questionnaires by the TOP 5 (+Seil) as well as personal messages to each other. Full translation below!
The characters also leave cute commentary on each others' answers, so here's some color-coding for your convenience: Gyu-hyuk, Juyoung, Inha, Do-yoon, Hyesung, Seil. (For some reason some of Hyesung's comments are written in red while some are orange; likewise Seil's comments come in both green and dark teal. At least, I *think* these are just Hyesung and Seil based on what I can tell from the handwriting; i.e., I don't think red and orange are two separate characters, etc.)
Spoiler-free, but putting under a cut for length:
Let's Talk About Ourselves
Gyu-hyuk (link)
Name: Lee Gyu-hyuk
Hometown: Seoul
Former Occupation: University Student
Blood Type: A
MBTI: INFJ
Nickname: Gyu?
Date of Birth: 1992.10.03
Height: 180kg*
Weight: 80kg
Specialty: I don't really have any in particular
Hobbies: Reading, sleeping
Habits: I rest my chin on my hand
Top 3 Likes: Peace and quiet, that feeling of just understanding each other without having to say anything, the smell of old books
Top 3 Dislikes: Excessive silence, arguments, the smell of hospitals
Motto in Life: So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.**
A Person I Respect: My father*** (HS: Oho dayumm)
A Recent Worry: Being on stage is terrifying, but at the same time I also enjoy it, so I don't really know how to feel.
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: Han Do-yoon (IH: Gyu, what about me T_T)
My Rival in the TOP 5: Youngie noona
My Best Physical Feature: My eyes...I think (IH: I vote shoulders)
When I'm Happiest: When I'm on stage and I experience that sort of wordless "connection"
When I'm Saddest: They say that the human brain feels sadness as its default state.
Who I Want to See Myself Become: A self-assured and confident person
Goals for This Year: Gaining confidence in myself through Buried Stars
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: That was the first step forward. You worked hard to get there.
A Message for the Viewers: It's my hope for all of you out there to be able to get to know who I am.
*He does actually say 180kg, not 180cm. Hyesung teases him about it in the replies. 😆
**This seems to be taken verbatim from the Korean translation of The Great Gatsby.
***I'm feeling a lot of emotions at how tiny and strained his handwriting is here 🥲🥲🥲
Juyoung (link)
Name: Min Juyoung ♡
Hometown: Gwangju!
Former Occupation: Singer Part-time worker...
Blood Type: O
MBTI: ISFJ
Nickname: Youngju
Date of Birth: 1991.7.12
Height: 160cm
Weight: 5? ^o^
Specialty: Vocals, dancing
Hobbies: Collecting electronics
Habits: Touching the ends of my hair?
Top 3 Likes: Family, music, training
Top 3 Dislikes: Rumors, lies, hot weather
Motto in Life: The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world.*
A Person I Respect: All those who managed to debut and rise to the top
A Recent Worry: Whenever I notice a mistake, I don't know whether I should address it, or just leave it be...
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: Inha❣️ (IH: Wahh~ Unnie... ♡)
My Rival in the TOP 5: Hm... Gyu-hyuk? .. Sowwy T^T (GH: It's an honor!)
My Best Physical Feature: The curve going from my shoulders down to my back! (IH: ♡)
When I'm Happiest: When I have a glass of beer after a hard day of practice? (IH: Great taste as always)
When I'm Saddest: When people judge me only based on what they hear others say
Who I Want to See Myself Become: Someone who doesn't falter or fall down even when things are hard...Like a tree!
Goals for This Year: 1st place in Bstars!
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: I just knew you could do it!
A Message for the Viewers: I gathered up my courage so that I can make my comeback. I hope you all continue to support me❣️
*This is a direct quote from Demian by Herman Hesse, which is a fairly popular novel in Korea.
Inha (link)
Name: Oh Inha~
Hometown: Busan
Former Occupation: Dancer
Blood Type: B
MBTI: ISFP
Nickname: O-Mart -_-
Date of Birth: 1994.11.29
Height: 164cm
Weight: 56kg
Specialty: Dancing, beatboxing
Hobbies: Dancing, weight training
Habits: Putting my hands on my hips?
Top 3 Likes: Dancing, the stage, the sound of the crowd cheering
Top 3 Dislikes: Freezing up, feeling frustrated, gossip
Motto in Life: Trying anything is better than not trying at all
A Person I Respect: ✨Min Juyoung-nim✨ (JY: Wow~)
A Recent Worry: The gap between who I am on stage and who I am off stage
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: Youngie unnie ❤️ (JY: Inha ur mine 2 ♡)
My Rival in the TOP 5: Myself? (HS: omg)
My Best Physical Feature: I feel like I look good in anything because I have a nice figure LOL
When I'm Happiest: That moment when I'm on stage and the crowd bursts into applause
When I'm Saddest: I can't really think of anything in particular
Who I Want to See Myself Become: I'm still looking for the answer
Goals for This Year: Being able to just stand tall as just me, Oh Inha (HS: It's not like you're lying down or anything?)
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: You finally figured it all out!
A Message for the Viewers: I can't be 5th place just because my last name is Oh, right? Let's aim for 1-Inha! (GH: In that case, am I 2nd place?)*
*The number 5 is pronounced "oh" in Korean. The number 2, and Gyu-hyuk's last name Lee, are both pronounced "yi."
Do-yoon (link: 1 2 3)*
Name: Han Do-yoon
Hometown: Daejeon
Former Occupation: Bandsman
Blood Type: A
MBTI: ISFJ
Nickname: ....
Date of Birth: Born September 5th '94
Height: 177 centimeters
Weight: Mid 60s
Specialty: Writing lyrics/Composing/Bass
Hobbies: It's going on walks
Habits: Thinking alone
Top 3 Likes: Bass · Music · Going out to eat
Top 3 Dislikes: Isolation · Uncertainty · Being hungry
Motto in Life: Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it (HS: Are you saying you’re gonna lose your mind?)**
A Person I Respect: Geddy Lee (SI: Looks like you’re the only one who wrote down a real answer, hyung)
A Recent Worry: The fact that I get too lost in my own head when thinking alone
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: It's tough to pick just one person (GH: omg T_T)
My Rival in the TOP 5: I see everyone as both a colleague and a rival (HS: Spoken like a true you-know-what..)***
My Best Physical Feature: The heels of my feet (IH: I've never even seen those...)
When I'm Happiest: Whenever I feel like I accomplished something to my standards
When I'm Saddest: Whenever I feel like I can't do anything right
Who I Want to See Myself Become: Someone with a stable mind (JY: You can do it!)
Goals for This Year: Figure out what it is that I truly want to do
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: Were you able to reach the place where you were hoping to be?
A Message for the Viewers: My hope is to show you all so much of what I have to offer. (GH: Go get 'em!)
*One really funny detail is that Do-yoon is the only one who posts all 3 images in separate tweets, presumably because he doesn't know how to upload multiple images in a single tweet.
**This one is tricky to translate. Do-yoon says 정신일도 하사불성 (jungshinildo hasabulsung), which is an idiom that comes from the Chinese characters 精神一到何事不成. I /think/ what happened is Hyesung, who is not the most book smart character, didn’t recognize the saying and misinterpreted what Do-yoon meant as 인사불성 (insabulsung, lit. “becoming unconscious”). The first part of the saying “jungshinildo” sounds phonetically similar to a phrase that means “losing one’s consciousness”, and both phrases end in the syllables “-bulsung,” hence the confusion.
***He actually says ㅂㅅㅈ (BSJ), short for 배신자 (BaeShinJa) a.k.a. Betrayer.
Hyesung (link)
Name: Seo! Hye! Sung!
Hometown: Incheon~
Former Occupation: Unemployed T_T
Blood Type: A! B!
MBTI: ESFP
Nickname: Phater Star ⭐
Date of Birth: April Fool's Day
Height: Mid-170s*
Weight: 62kg
Specialty: Cute acts
Hobbies: Acting cute
Habits: Putting my hands in my pockets
Top 3 Likes: All of you ❤️, y'all ⭐, you all 🌷
Top 3 Dislikes: Patronizing people, stubborn people, being ignored
Motto in Life: ⭐⭐CAREPE DIEM⭐⭐ (IH: LOLLL he spelled it wrong and then crossed it out LOLLL)
A Person I Respect: People who succeed no matter what happens to them?
A Recent Worry: What do I need to do to get my rank up? (GH: Let's do our best!)
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: Do-yoonie 'ung!** (JY: I thought u were gonna say meee)
My Rival in the TOP 5: I feel like I might catch some flak if I say it? LOLOL Gyu-hyukie hyung LOL (IH: ?)
My Best Physical Feature: My starlight-filled eyes 🤩 (IH: omg..)
When I'm Happiest: When I get complimented (JY: Here's me complimenting you~)
When I'm Saddest: When I get ignored
Who I Want to See Myself Become: A confident person
Goals for This Year: 1st place in Bstars‼️
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: To think you achieved this much...You're amazing!
A Message for the Viewers: Who's gonna be #1? The one who comes in like a comet, Seo! Hye! Sung!***
*Incidentally, his official height is listed as exactly 170.
**Seems like he's slurring "hyung" here.
***"Hyesung" is a homophone for "comet" or "meteor" in Korean.
Seil (link)
Name: Chang Seil....
Hometown: Ansan
Former Occupation: FD
Blood Type: AB
MBTI: ESFP, or so I'm told
Nickname: I don't have one
Date of Birth: 1995/02/24
Height: 168
Weight: 52
Specialty: Nothing special...
Hobbies: Music appreciation
Habits: Fixing my glasses?
Top 3 Likes: Good music, going home after work, days off
Top 3 Dislikes: Brainless people, things being in disorder, working overtime
Motto in Life: Breathe in and receive wel wealth, breathe out and receive health* (IH: Me 2)
A Person I Respect: I guess I'll say PD Shin, huhu... (HS: You little traitor)
A Recent Worry: I'm losing my mind at the formations being all messed up as a result of switching to a different stage
The TOP 5 Contestant I'm Closest To: What's even the point of a staff member forming these kinds of unnecessary personal attachments... (HS: Right you are)
My Rival in the TOP 5: I think this is a question for contestants only
My Best Physical Feature: I don't know I don't have one (DY: Your eyes...?)
When I'm Happiest: When our shows get good ratings?
When I'm Saddest: When people criticize the staff? (JY: Gasp T_T)
Who I Want to See Myself Become: At the very least, I hope tomorrow is a little better than today
Goals for This Year: Wrapping up Buried Stars with no issues
What I Want to Say to Myself 1 Year from Now: Wow another year older huh~~~
A Message for the Viewers: I wish you all would do a better job at standing in line...
*I’ve not heard this saying before, but based on a quick Google search it seems like it’s typically an expression of blessing or gratitude, so said to someone else (i.e., “may you receive health/wealth as easily as you breathe,” etc.)
What the Top 5 Think of Each Other
Gyu-hyuk
Han Do-yoon: Hey, Gyu-hyukie hyung. It’s me, Do-yoon. (SI: It says your name in the box, you know….) Whenever I see you on stage I feel nothing but admiration. I sense this deep sort of resonance, you know...I’m sure that resonance comes from something you’re creating deep inside of you. I find myself cheering you on just like a viewer, wondering just how far you’re gonna make it. Well anyway, I hope you have a good day. Bye! (GH: Write some more T_T)
Oh Inha: Gyu! I saw you put Do-yoon as the contestant you’re closest with, I thought it was me…?! LOL (HS: Just face the facts LMAO) Thanks for not getting mad when I call you Gyu LOL. To be honest, I was scared of you. You’re 1000x more gentle than you seem on TV, do people know that about you or no?
Seo Hyesung: Phew...The godly silver spoon..All us have-nots can do is cry. At least, that’s what I thought, but since your skills kick ass too I can’t even say anything. How does it feel to have it all? But y’know, if ever I say something that’s taking it too far you can tell me off. (IH: In that case then he’d probably have to say something every time you breathe) Sometimes I can’t get a good read on what you’re thinking?? (GH: I’m thinking about you)
Min Juyoung: Gyuhyuk, where did you even come from! Even I, who already debuted once, can’t help but be filled with admiration whenever I see you on stage. You’re so talented but at the same time so humble...But being too humble is also a bad thing. You know that, right? I want to know what you’re thinking about when you sing. I know we’re competing against each other, but still, I want us to be better friends!
Chang Seil: Please just pretend this box is blank. Anywayz, hyung, you’re truly the star of the show when it comes to Buried Stars. PD Shin was shocked just reading your application. Of course, you had the skills to back it up after, too. I’m curious to see how high you’re gonna rise up. (HS: You just heard from music critic Chang Gun-mo*)
*Not sure if I read his handwriting right, but I think this is a reference to renowned singer-songwriter Kim Gun-mo. Obviously, Hyesung is poking fun here.
Juyoung
Seo Hyesung: You’re pretty, you sing well, and you’ve got a nice personality. You’re a triple threat, noona! If only we hadn’t met as competitors, I would have come on stronger. 2 bad. You already debuted once, so I can count on you to help out your poor maknae, right?? (IH: Are you kidding me with this)
Oh Inha: Unnie, you are so so lovely and admirable…So much so that I feel smaller every time I look at you. I know we only met as fellow competitors in an audition show, but I hope we can keep being friends. You make me want to act like a better person than I am.
Han Do-yoon: Youngie noona! It’s me, Do-yoon. You changed so much that I didn’t even recognize you at first, but I realized it was you soon enough. It was so cool of you to come back to give it another try, and whenever we practice together I can’t help but be motivated by you. Hope today is a good day for you. Thank you very much! (HS: What, are you trying to cheer her up or something)
Lee Gyu-hyuk: Based on my first impression of you, I was surprised at how strong-willed you are. I’m more used to accommodating others, so I guess I don’t really know what you think of me. If it’s possible, I’d like to be more like you...I think I might even go as far as to call you my role model (?) Was that too out of line?
Chang Seil: Again, I’m not really sure why they're making me write these, but… (HS: If you don’t want to write them then don’t) Juyoung-ssi, you’ve got tremendous ability. In your case, during your original debut, your concept actually did a disservice to your level of skill. If you just maintain your current status on Bstars, you’ll easily rise to the top of the charts. That’s just my opinion, though.
Inha
Min Juyoung: Inha~ ♡ Whenever you’re on stage you always shine! ✨ I worried so much about how hard this would be for me, so thank you so much for always being so kind to me. You always make me feel better when things are tough! >< I wish everyone could see the warm and friendly side that you only show me. ♡ Love you ♡ (IH: I love you T_T) (HS: Truly the master of warm and fuzzy comments)
Han Do-yoon: Hi, Inha. It’s me, Do-yoon. The two of us really did change a lot in terms of looks, but you’re a born natural. The way you adjusted into it so easily was really amazing and cool to see. I think that’s definitely a strength of yours, as well as what makes you charming. You are awesome! Anyway, I hope you have a good day today as always. Bye! (SI: If someone didn’t know better, they might think you were filling out paperwork or something)
Lee Gyu-hyuk: It kind of caught me off guard when you first started calling me Gyu, but I came to like you calling me that. Because you’re just calling me by my name, without any formalities. Youngie noona said this too, but...Thanks for just treating me like a friend. I think you have a lot of aspects to you that I’m lacking in. I’m kind of jealous. (HS: I do that too you know..) (IH: In your case you go so far with it that it’s actually a problem socially)
Seo Hyesung: She sure is one without a filter. Sometimes I think, like, wouldn’t it be better to have some kind of filter? Anyway, she does have some friggin’ sweet dance moves, I’ll give her that. I wish I had joints like that... T_T (IH: Then why don’t you practice)
Chang Seil: I’m not sure why I’m participating in this, but…Inha-ssi is one contestant who’s sure to succeed. She already has the talent and charm, so I think that as long as she just gets the right kind of support she’ll breeze through Bstars and will even be able to set course for way bigger things in the future. We at Bstars had better work even harder to ensure that can happen! (IH: omg...thank u T.T)
Do-yoon
Lee Gyu-hyuk: Do-yoon! I still remember that one time that I was just standoffishly standing in the back of the room when you came up and started talking to me. When we first started I often had the thought that it was a mistake to have come out here, but thanks to you I was eventually able to get comfortable talking to everyone. I’ll always be grateful to you. A lot has happened, but...my hope is to be someone that you could come to rely on, too. Because I want to pay you back! (HS: A silver spoon who pays his debts)
Seo Hyesung: Hyung, you’re kind of more easily shaken than you look, emotionally speaking? Every time that happens, you know how much I go out of my way to make you feel better, right? You’re grateful, right? If you are then be good to me!! Bc I’m keeping track! LMAO ...I just wanted to say thanks for talking to me first (IH: Oh? That was actually kinda cute of you?)
Min Juyoung: Do-yoon, when I first met you I thought you were a demon! But ever since you changed your hair...Ohoho…? You’re always off on your own lost in thought, but sometimes it’s OK to talk about your feelings. I’ve gone through quite a bit, too, so who knows, maybe I could help? We’re always seeing each other around, so don’t be afraid to come talk to me. We may be competitors on the show, but in the end we’re all just peers who are in the music industry together! (IH: Unnie I want to be your peer too~!!)
Oh Inha: Han Do-yoon teach me how you do your makeup...And the way you manage to get it all off when you go to bed is amazing! I don’t know how you even deal with something so annoying...Also, if you ever feel like you’re having a mental breakdown or something why not freaking talk to us for once! (JY: Yeah!)
Chang Seil: Do-yoonie hyung, I think you have a good head on your shoulders. (HS: Why don’t you try saying things like that to me for once) Or maybe I should say your sense of judgment seems to shine because of your tricky situation? You’re always thanking me etc. for my advice and such, but I know most of it is stuff you’re already thinking that I’m just repeating to you. At this rate, I think things will work out quite well for you, don’t you?
Hyesung
Han Do-yoon: Hello, Hyesung. It’s me, Do-yoon. (IH: Are you writing this to your grandpa?) At first I was a little worried about getting along with you because you were so outgoing and full of energy. But after getting to know you I realized that you have an earnest side to you as well, and you’re a lot different than how you first appeared. You work hard, so I think things will work out for you. Anyway, I hope you have a good day today. Bye!
Min Juyoung: You’re really lively, but I see you quietly thinking to yourself sometimes, too. Can you tell me what it is that you’re thinking about? If you’re worried about anything, I’d be happy to lend an ear...I’m cheering you on! (HS: Then help me win more votes T_T) (JY: Oh! Well that might be a little hard~)
Lee Gyu-hyuk: Maybe it’s just a difference in personality, but I never seem to know how to act when meeting new people...I’m worried that I upset you, and it keeps tugging at my mind. Next time we meet, I’ll try harder to be more friendly. (HS: Then help me win more votes T_T)
Oh Inha: Oh, that Hyesung? He sure is a mystery, really. I mean, maybe someday we might be able to be on slightly better terms, right? Maybe if the things he said were a little bit nicer? (HS: Why are u talking to urself?)
Chang Seil: N / A (HS: Ha.. (=ヮ=))
Seil
Han Do-yoon: Hello, Seil. It’s me, Do-yoon. You’re so businesslike, so I’m always surprised at the considerate things you sometimes do for us, too. I wa I’m always grateful to you. Just know that I can see how hard you’re working. I hope you have a good day today. Bye then! (IH: Fighting!) (JY: I’m grateful, too!)
Oh Inha: Hi Seilll! I’m worried about you, what with those huge dark circles that are always on your face. Try drinking some healthy vegetable juice or something once in a while, OK…? Thanks for all our little chats here and there! Let’s both hang in there! (SI: T_T)
Min Juyoung: Hi, Seil~ Looks like those guys above me already said it all, about how hard you work. The things that PD Shin say to you...I’m sure they have good intentions behind them, but I don’t think you should push yourself to the point where you have to feel like you have to change who you are. I’m sure it’s hard, but the reason we do this kind of work in the first place is so that we can be happy, after all! (HS: A word of wisdom from a follower of the Church of Happiness...)
Lee Gyu-hyuk: I have this memory of when I appeared in the preliminaries. Back then I didn’t know anything still, so I kept looking at you and following whatever you said. I guess I can think of you as something close to a teacher. (JY: Professor Chang!) It may not be much, but I’m at least trying not to inconvenience you too much. Because I know you’re going out of your way for us in a lot of ways already. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you.
Seo Hyesung: Why is a staff member writing these too? Mr. FD, do you think you’re a celebrity or something??? LMFAO. In that case, are you here reading these boxes where we’re talking amongst each other, too? (SI: I guess so, O Great Superstar Mr. Seo...)
Oh In Ha (@BS_inna5): We're up to the third live broadcast of the finals now, huh? Let's do our best today, y'all! @BS_joo0vocal @BS_KHLEE @BS_handy @BS_sComet
Lee Gyu Hyuk (@BS_KHLEE): @BS_handy We managed to get 7 of them on there!😉
Lee Gyu Hyuk (@BS_KHLEE): 🙂 ))))😕
Seo Hye Sung (@BS_sComet): Gotta post it here too~ Testing out a new filter😘📸
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