Hyojung: I think I got a bit better. When the reporters asked questions at our debut showcase, I was so nervous. When I watched the video afterwards, I said “Yes”, and “We did~” which sounded like I read from a book. I thought to myself that I should relax more, but during ‘CUPID’ promotions, it didn’t work out so well. But this time, we’ve been getting more opportunities to have interviews so the stories are coming out more naturally.
But on the radio, your tongue got caught so you were ‘attacked’ by your members. (laughter)
Hyojung: Ah, to be honest, our group doesn’t attack one person but if anybody makes a funny mistake, they get ‘attacked’. We all know it’s a joke anyways. A couple days ago, Mimi was on the phone with her mom and she was using her Jeju Island dialect. I’m from Gyeongi so it was the first time listening to Jeju dialect, but when she was saying “Did you eat?” differently, it was so cool and cute to me... We ‘attacked’ her for it. “Mimi did you eat?” like that. (laughter) But since I’m the type to always be smiling, people say they want to make fun of me once more.
Because you’re the type to always be smiling, I think you would want to do a song like ‘CUPID’ that matches you really well.
Hyojung: CUPID’ was a chance for all 8 of us to show our energy so I liked it. We didn’t know we’d get a song like ‘CLOSER’ either. But when I first heard it, I liked it so much I wanted to sing it as soon as possible. I thought about ways to portray this to the public and worked hard, worried a lot with my members and came up with various ideas. Of course we were as worried as we were excited, but in our album, we had songs like ‘PLAYGROUND’ and ‘SUGAR BABY’ that are kind of like the sequels to ‘CUPID’. so it wasn’t much of a loss for me.
How was it trying to express a ‘dim’ expression?
Hyojung: When I first heard this song, I imagined a girl who wanted to be with the moon and stars. But when I thought about it more, the person I’ve been missing is with the moon and stars, which is why I want to go there. I wanted to express these feelings, but when I actually tried portraying it in front of the camera, it didn’t come out so well. I asked the members to film me, give me commentary, and keep a memo of everything so I can practice that.
What was the most memorable advice your members gave you?
Hyojung: I definitely had a straight face. But the members told me, “Unnie, you’re smiling too much.” So i said, “What? I’m smiling?” And monitored myself and I was really smiling. I have to smile less than what I think is my regular smile so the expression I want comes out. It’s so cool.
I heard you cry as much as you smile.
Hyojung: Ah... to be honest, when we first debuted, the leader title was too burdensome for me. There are kids like Jiho or Jine who was in the company for 4 years, but I joined WM in the fall of 2014. So it was really burdensome for me to become a leader at that time. When the 8 of us gathered and talked to each other, the members really understood me a lot. They said things like ‘You didn’t say it yourself, but I think it’s going to be hard (being a leader) so we will help you.’ That was the first time I cried in front of the members. If I told them earlier, they would have understood; I trusted them and am thankful.
I think the members will know at what exact timing you will cry at.
Hyojung: They know so well. (laughter) When I first cried, I said, ‘Ah, I shouldn’t be crying in front of you guys’. But now, even though I try to hide it, my emotions won’t let me. I can lean on the members because I know they don’t think I’m sensitive despite how many times they’ve seen me cry. I was worried they would think I’m weak as a leader, but they accept me a strong one, so I like it.
Are they like another family?
Hyojung: I think it’s such a relief there are 7 members who sincerely think about me. Even my own mother thinks of the girls as 7 other daughters. She knows all the members’ birthdays. Last time, she said, “It’s Arin’s birthday today right? She’s the youngest, so she could be going through a lot so buy her something with the money I send you” and sent me an email. And when the other girls’ parents send something, they send enough for the 8 of us.
Does your family monitor you?
Hyojung: Yes. When I tell them I have a live radio broadcast, my older sister sends me a message. ‘When you and Seunghee sang at the radio today, I liked Seunghee’s adlibs and honestly your high notes gave me goosebumps.’ and sends compliments. At home, she was the sister who would coldy tell me, “You lack this so work harder”, but now that I’m far away, she worries about me. If I do something a little bit okay, she compliments it a lot. (laughs) But my grandmother and mother worry about me a lot. They send me dry seaweed and say, “At least eat dry seaweed in the morning.”
Because you received lots of support, you must have had a happy debut year.
Hyojung: Ever since I was little, I’ve kept a diary. I don’t have good memory, so I don’t like forgetting even the littlest memories. I add to my bucket list from time to time too. This year, I’ve completed some on that list. First, even though it wasn’t an awards show we got to perform on a big stage like ‘Dream Concert’, recorded (albums) with the members. And I wanted our fans to notice us more than anything and we’ve received so much love since debut. I think I can end 2015 happily.