FTISLAND is the start of FNC Entertainment, a company that’s gotten big enough to go public on KOSDAQ. Celebrating their 10th year since debuting in 2007, FTISLAND has a huge fan base in both Korea and Japan. They are FNC’s root and heart, but the members themselves say, they don’t want to be ‘artists that represent FNC.’
The reason is simple. They want to step away from the company and do the music they want to do. Their dream is not to become ‘artists that represent FNC’ but a ‘band that represents Korea.’
On the 18th, FTISLAND released their 6th official album ‘Where’s The Truth?’ Members themselves produced it to show their own color and identity. It’s filled with even stronger sound than their official 5th album ‘I WILL,’ which was dubbed as ‘FTISLAND’s turning point.’
. Why Did You Name The Album ‘Where’s The Truth?’
We used to do vocal-centric songs like ‘Love Sick’ that are popular among the general public and easy to sing at Noraebang. We are a band but we felt we were off to one side. Everyone advised us to do popular songs so we can easily become famous and we followed that advice. We wanted to find our own color but we did what the general public wanted. We named the album to say this time, let’s ignore all that prejudice and find what’s ours.”
- How Did The Company React?
Since releasing our 5th official album last year, we told the company, “we will now do our own music.” We agreed that the company will only provide what we need.
- It’s A Strong Genre. You Must’ve Needed Courage
We debuted with ‘Love Sick’ and because that song was a hit, we could only continue what we started. As we continued promoting, our got farther away from what we wanted. When we hit our 5th or 6th year, we told the company: “while working as an indie band in Japan, we wrote our own music so now, we will show what we want in Korea.” The company suggested showing a gradual change and we agreed. But that didn’t go so well. When we were releasing ‘Severely,’ we said we will release all self-composed songs but the company asked us to give them one more chance. But that album didn’t well either. That gave us a reason and we told the company to let us go. (Laughs). The company agreed and told us to do whatever we want. We were really holding it in and waiting for the right moment.
- How Long Did You Have To Wait?
We first told them our intention to do our own music in 2012, when we released ‘I Wish.’ We waited for more than 3 years.
- Did All Members Agree On New Album’s Style?
Some members like other genres. Jonghun said we should relax a little and go smoothly. But we agreed that since we released a strong album last year, we should do it again to solidify that image. Instead of going around, we thought it’d be better to really drive it home. We wanted to tell the world that we are doing music like this. We think after that, we can do music more comfortably.
- You Are Now A 10-Year-Old Band. Was There A Turning Point?
When we released our 5th official album last year. An album lasts as that musician’s history. In a way, a new musical chapter in our band history began last year. That was our biggest turning point. The company still makes it but we made our own music for the last album and this album. And because we took part in everything, we consider the new album our second album.
- What Does The Company Mean To FTISLAND?
They are our provider and supporter. We love them and we hate them. I don’t know how others do at other companies but we’ve been with FNC since we auditioned with them. I spoke my mind since then. My biggest thing was the direction I wanted to go. I told them, “I came to entrust my dream in you but this isn’t my dream.” I’m working with them to make both of our dreams come true…but when that doesn’t work out, I explode. (Lee Hongki)
- FTISLAND Was FNC’s Star Artist But Now There Are Many Other Teams.
We don’t want to be artists that represent the company (laughs). We want to step away and do what we want to do. We want a band that represents Korea. (Laughs).
- What Do You Want Others To Know About FTISLAND?
We were created as an idol band but we went around and proudly performed. We helped to tell the world that ‘Korea also has bands.’ I think we pretty much went to all of the rock festivals except those in Korea. At Korea’s rock festivals, some indie bands don’t look at us in a favorable light. That’s something we can change at a rock festival. We can show them if we re-write our Japanese songs but we want to compete with songs we released in Korea. Right now, we don’t have enough of them. We are waiting for our moment.
- Did Your Fan Base Change Over The Past Decade?
We got new fans since releasing last year’s album. It’s amazing to see them at concerts. Fortunately, we have everyone from teens to those in their 40s. Those in their 30s and 40s really have fun at concerts. It’s gotten much more fun since we started to get male fans. It’s a little surprising to hear men’s thick voice call our name. (Laughs). We always had many male fans in Japan but because it’s still new in Korea, it’s fun. Fans really party at our concerts.
- Some People Still See You As Idols
We hated it until 3 years ago. Now, we like being called idols. We hated it because idols are teens’ mentors and to be that, you have to smart, cool and pretty. We aren’t like that. They didn’t let us smoke even in a smoking area but we still did it. We were adults. There were scandals when pictures of me drinking and smoking got posted online. I thought I couldn’t be free because of the idol title. I hated that. But now, being called idols make us feel young and fresh. (Laughs). We just really hated it in the past but we don’t want to deny the benefits we got from our position as idols. If we can please the audience with our own music, that’s awesome.
- Are You Thinking About Changes After FTISLAND Shows Your Own Music?
WE are planning for a chance. Our sound will change a lot. It won’t be simple beats from the past. Even when we write a ballad song, we think the vocal shouldn’t be the only one singing but instruments should sing as well. They may be the same melodical songs, their sounds will be much different.
- You Don’t Do Much Of Else Other Than Music
That depends on the members. Some of us want to branch out to other things and they probably will. At first, we really just wanted to do music. But when we started talking and listening to each other, we ended up taking part in other things and because they bring different results, we think we should continue. They make more opportunities for us to share our music as FTISLAND. That makes us greedy.
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