150508 CDJournal Interview with Apink (w/ trans)
Korea’s 6-member group Apink who had their long-awaited Japan debut with single 「NoNoNo -Japanese Ver.」last October. With clear charms, they have also managed to get many fans in Japan. 2nd single 「Mr.Chu (On Stage) -Japanese Ver.」that was released in February reached 2nd on Oricon Chart, and their release events that were held in four cities in Japan were also great successes. They have also decided to release their 3rd Japanese single「LUV -Japanese Ver.」on 20th May, and Apink’s popularity is increasingly rising. Putting their new activity aside, we have talked to them with 「Mr.Chu (On Stage) -Japanese Ver.」as the centre of topic.
— Let’s talk about the fanmeeting <Apink special event ~Page 1~「Mr.Chu」> that was held in February. On the last day at TOYOSU PIT (Tokyo, Toyosu), there were members who cried at the end.
Eunji: Yes. Bomi and Chorong cried.
— Naeun also cried a little.
Naeun: Only a little. I somehow controlled myself (laughs)
— Then could you tell us about your thoughts regarding the event at Toyosu?
Bomi: We went to various places during our release events. There were many people who came, there was a huge crowd of people, and everyone felt like a friend. I had the thought that “Ah, when we go back to Korea we won’t be able to meet everyone for a while”. When we were singing <April 19th>, I was touched. I also controlled my tears. At the end, hearing all the fans’ loud cheers, I became really touched.
Chorong: Firstly, there fans filled up all the seats during the fanmeeting, and under the situation whereby the attendance was full, there was a unbelievable feeling of happiness. It was also full-house for the events at respective places, so I really felt blessed. Although we had language barrier, seeing the fans enthusiastically giving support, it was really touching. Especially when they supported us loudly in Korean, that showed how everyone worked hard remembering Korean for us. When I think of that, all the feelings I held back came to me at once, and tears just came out. I tried holding back, but when I saw Bomi I just cried (laughs). I cannot hold back when I see the members’ crying faces, so tear just came out.
— You went to various cities like Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, how was it?
Chorong: Last October when we had events for our Japan debut I also felt this way, that it would be good to go around to different places. I am happy to be able to meet fans from various cities and to be able to greet them. Above all, it was really fun, and it felt like time just passed in the blink of an eye.
Bomi: Because we were able to eat all the famous food from various cities, it felt like we were on a tour. We ate Hakata Ramen at Fukuoka!
Eunji: It’s the most, most delicious!
Namjoo: It was really tasty!
Hayoung: Actually, I was surprised by the taste. It was really tasty.
Eunji: For me, I’m not good at eating salty food, so I really liked the light flavour. I really wanted a second serving… but I resisted because there was a performance the next day (laughs). The next time I will go for a large serving from the start (laughs).
— (laughs). Then, let’s talk about your 2nd Japanese single 「Mr.Chu (On Stage) -Japanese Ver.」.
Chorong: <Mr. Chu> is a song that directly shows the feeling of a girl in love.
Hayoung: It is a song that would also enliven us while singing. It is a song about the cute situation that everyone would dream of experiencing when they were a child.
Namjoo: The Korean lyrics are good too, but when singing the Japanese lyrics, I think these are easy lyrics that people would be familiar with.
Eunji: The Japanese pronunciation is really interesting. Phrases like “fuwafuwa mawaru” and “chyokole-to yori sui-tona”, it is really fun to pronounce it when I sing. Because the recording was fun, it ended quickly too.
Bomi: <Mr.Chu> is a song that talks about the first kiss, and the feel of having a cute chu~. It shows the nervous and thrilling feelings of having a first kiss, it makes you remember the times when people have chu~ when they were young.
Naeun: There are similarities between the Japanese lyrics and Korean lyrics, but the Japanese lyrics have many lyrical parts, so we hope that Japanese fans will like it. Because there are also a lot of cute lyrics, so it is fun singing it.
— Then, I have a question related to the content of the lyrics. If you were a guy, which member would you want to kiss, and confess to?
Eunji: Errr~m, there is none for me.
Bomi: (laughs). For me, it’ll be Chorong. If I was a guy I’d want Chorong as my girlfriend. She cooks really well, and is affectionate. She’s good at cleaning, and good at talking too. If I was a guy I’d want her as my girlfriend!
Namjoo: For me, Chorong too.
Hayoung: Everyone has their good points, but if I were to choose one, it’ll be Chorong too.
Chorong: I’m happy for that, but is it the truth (laughs)?
Bomi: It’s the truth (laughs)!
Namjoo: Seriously Chorong is very popular among males.
Eunji: All the other members are popular among males. I am totally not popular (laughs).
Eunji: Chorong has a refreshing personality and there are times she’s like a guy, and she’s also naturally feminine.
Naeun: Bomi’s personality is the opposite of mine, she has what I don’t have so I’m attracted.
Bomi: Naeun is calmed and composed, while I’m really noisy (laughs).
Naeun: That too (laughs). It makes it fun for people around her, and she has many charms, so it’s good.
Bomi: Happy Happy (laughs).
— Bomi, your face has turned red (laughs). Then, what about Chorong who’s the most popular among the members?
Chorong: If I was a guy…. (troubled)
Eunji: Everyone, it’s appeal time (laughs)
Chorong: (looks around at members) Eh~, then, Hayoung.
Chorong: Hayoung is good at listening. She is good at listening to other people, and she has a deep heart. However, she loves playing games too much (laughs). I am someone who doesn’t really like going out, but I also dislike constantly playing games. But even so, she is a really kind and good child, so I like it.
— Hayoung, you play a lot of games in the dormitory?
Hayoung: Yes. I play a lot to release stress.
Eunji: You have that much stress (laughs)?
Hayoung: That’s not what I mean (laughs), but it’s fun.
— Then, let’s hear more about the coupling song「HUSH -Japanese Ver.」.
Chorong: <HUSH> and <Mr.Chu> are both about confessing love, but HUSH has a little more active expression of love. <HUSH> has a quick tempo, and has a little of the past disco feel, so it would be a song that people enjoy listening to.
— The beat is effective, and there is an powerful Apink-like atmosphere.
Eunji: Yes. When singing it you can easily get into it.
— Again, a question related to the lyrics. There is a phrase in the lyrics that goes “Burning Burning Heart”, recently, talking about things that fire you up, is there anything that comes to mind?
Eunji: When I ate Hakata Ramen, and Hitsumabushi.
Bomi: Recently, when we had our one-man concert <PINK PARADISE> in Korea, it was the time that fired up my heart the most. It was our first time having a one-man concert. Although it was not easy to have decided to hold the one-man concert in Korea, there was a huge crowd of people who came, and I felt loved again. I felt really blessed (and happy). It was the same feeling as the time when we had our last event in Japan. Because of that, both of these moments will be deeply etched in my memory.
Namjoo: Honestly, we don’t have much time outside of work (laughs). It fires up my heart to be able to have both activities in Korea and Japan, and meet our fans.
Naeun: For me, when I have some time I watch movie. Recently, I watched the movie [The Fault in Our Stars], and I cried alone (laughs).
Eunji: Ah, for me, recently I watched a movie I like. It’s a movie called [CLICK], and it’s a piece of work that shows a large portion of life, and although I watched it with Bomi I cried a lot (laughs). It feels like it is depicting us. Amidst the busy days, isn’t there things that we tend to overlook? Because of that content, I watched it four times.
— There are many good stories but if I may say, something that fired me up, was Bomi’s high kick that I saw on YouTube.
Members (roar of laughter)
— Bomi, you are 3rd dan in Taekwondo.
Bomi: Yes (laughs). Recently, I haven’t been practicing it so the power became weaker (laughs), thanks for watching it.
— Chorong does Hapkido, right?
Chorong: Yeah, for a long time (laughs).
— I suppose learning martial arts help in Apink’s activities. The discipline too.
Chorong: Yes. It helps emotionally. I’m the type to think a lot. “As the leader, I should not do this right?” etc. However, my dad is the director of the hapkido doko, and since young I was brought up strictly, and the instructor also taught me to be strong, so I’ve been trained mentally. For example, when I have to wake up early I would definitely wake up early, and stick to the exact schedule. It’s like that is ingrained in my body. Hapkido is not only a training of exercise, but also the mental “strength”.
— When there is hard work, the “strength” will help you get past it. Now, Apink plans to release 3rd Japanese single「LUV -Japanese Ver.」on 20th May. In the future, what type of activities do you wish to have in Japan?
Eunji: Of course, we still intend to go to various places from now on, and spend time to meet our fans personally. The personality of the fans are very kind and cute. Because it is very fun to meet them, we want to have many good times like that.
original link: http://www.cdjournal.com/main/cdjpush/apink/1000001081
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