[ENGTRANS] Jessica interview with Grazia Korea 10.2018
G: Grazia J: Jessica
G: You were overseas till a few days ago. From Canada to Seoul, and now you're in LA. How do you pass your time lately?
J: I've been very busy lately. (Laughs) I visited many places while abroad, and I'm also trying to create more opportunities to meet my fans.
G: It seems your time spent in Seoul is getting shorter.
J: In a month, my time spent in Seoul won't exceed 2 weeks. When I'm back, it's like I'm ready to leave again the moment I put down my luggages. Even so, Korea is still my home, because my parents and sister are there.
G: Looking back to now, you're not only a singer, but also the creative director of an up-and-coming fashion brand to be reckoned with globally. How do you benchmark yourself?
J: My agency profiles me as a 'multifaceted artiste'. It's becoming increasingly common to have multiple careers. From being singers and actors, to participating in musicals or any other careers. Pursuing multiple fields and careers is something interesting to me. Singer Jessica is doing well, being able to put my thoughts into action is fascinating.
G: What inspires you to continuously create new content?
J: It's a blessing to be able to travel to so many places for work, and this inspires me. Travelling back and forth like this allows me to meet my fans as well. I feel the urge to give back whenever I feel the energy and support from my fans.
G: Does this mean you spend a lot of time in the air? How do you pass time?
J: I drink a lot of hot lemon water on flights, and also apply a calming essential oil behind my ears to aid my sleep. I always do an essential oil infused 'half-bath' (hanshin yoku) once I reach the hotel to relax my muscles. This is how I stay in sync with my surroundings, like "oh, this is LA, it's a new start".
G: How about your rest days when you have no schedules?
J: I'm busy practising self-care on days without schedules. From hair color and treatment, to mani-pedicure. The discipline of self-restoration will fill all my free time, which also includes workout routines like pilates. Visits to the doctor's for supplements will take up almost a whole day. There are also frequent times when meetings with the Blanc & Eclare team go on till the wee hours of the night.
G: I'm sure there are times you do absolutely nothing?
J: Whenever I have a few free days in Korea, that is when I feel rested. To me, it's not truly rest unless it's home. I have a concert in Taiwan this October, but my schedule is packed before that. I may be able to take a breather after the concert but nothing is certain because my schedule is still being arranged till now (laughs).
G: If you continue to work like this, you will definitely feel exhausted, and experience 'burnout'. Do you sometimes feel life is tough?
J: The good thing about me is that I'm very focused and also very flexible. Of course, I'm surrounded by people whom I'm thankful for. They stayed beside me, gave me support so I wouldn't feel exhausted and am able to complete a day's work with ease. I'm surrounded by many capable staff, and I'm very thankful.
G: Do you find it fitting to be both a singer and creative director now?
J: It's fascinating. Regardless of what my career choice was, it has always been my dream to work in the fashion industry. Working with people who share the same interests, putting out products just as I imagined without modifications, and then people buying and using my products, makes me very happy. Since this is 100% my product, the feeling I have is indescribable, nothing else compares.
G: Having debuted at a young age, have you ever thought about how 30 year old Jessica would be like?
J: Because life was simply too hectic during my younger days, so I look forward to a carefree life now. As for what kind of person I wanna become, I just wanna be spontaneous and cool. My definition of cool would be someone who enjoys whatever he/she does, and is able to derive happiness from it.
G: That sounds like the current you. Have your dreams come true already?
J: That's right (laughs). What I'm thankful for is how I've been steadily moving towards my goal since young, and successfully reached where I am today.
G: Were there no major setbacks?
J: I guess things were fairly smooth-sailing for me.
G: As the saying goes 'life is never smooth-sailing', have you ever felt frustrated?
J: I'm not the type to get frustrated over things. In other words, I will accept whatever life throws at me. Under such circumstances, we should just sort things out and change our course of action. Moreover, I'm not the type to regret or feel sorry for myself over things that is out of my control. Everybody has low periods in life, and that happened to me too. Whenever that happens to me, I will face reality and forge a new path. I don't wish to bear unnecessary stress.
G: How will you picture yourself 10 years from now?
J: I should have a happy family by then? (Laughs) Since I would have been at that age. It's great that my life is moving along the way I imagined. I once thought to myself that I was gonna open a store in NYC if I ever work in the fashion industry. I didn't manage to list NYC as one of the locations when I first launched my brand, but my dream still came true in the end. Accomplishing my dreams make it extra meaningful.
G: You once said you will try your best to portray your true self in interviews, is there any special reason?
J: I'm actually very shy. But as my overseas activities increase, I gradually start to think I should open up more to show the various sides of Jessica. Being on my own now, I've managed to find a comfortable balance with everyone.
G: Circumstances make a man. Seems like you are at a good place now?
J: Regardless of what place I'm at, I don't ever wanna hear my manager say things like "I don't wanna hear what you have to say and I don't care what you think". Cultural differences exist, and we can interact with people via so many social media platforms nowadays. Since I've opened up more, I can interact with everyone more closely now.
G: Following your current emotional state, what has changed?
J: I feel more at ease now. I used to feel awkward when people initiate conversations because I didn't know what to say, and what should be said, so I feel burdened. But I'm at a good place now, so I feel great.
G: What kind of person is Jessica to you?
J: I'm extremely straightforward and frank, even to people whom I have connections with. It's more convenient to work like this.
G: What kind of person do you want to become?
J: I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. Even though I haven't learnt to let everything go, I'm slowly getting there. I try my best at whatever I do. Everyone tells me I am where I am today because of my hard work. Nowadays I'm beginning to delegate tasks to my staff, so it's getting easier for everybody now (laughs).
G: You look prettier these days, what's your secret?
J: Focus on my health. I fell sick for a few days after returning to Korea a while back, it was so bad that I couldn't leave my house for those few days. I felt the time was wasted with nothing accomplished, and I could only spend less than a week in Korea! So I did a full body checkup to find out what my body lacks, and have started managing my health. I also take vitamins and reduce my intake of flour-based foods. I'm trying hard to improve my eating habits.
G: It's a popular topic these days, happiness or health?
J: I have always wanted to lead a happy life since young, but I'm already very happy now. So I need to stay healthy to enjoy this happiness longer (laughs).
G: It's only 2 months to the end of the year, how do you intend to spend the rest of the year?
J: I'm earnestly preparing for my concert. Thereafter I intend to take a break till the end of the year. I'm also considering if I should release an album next year.
G: So will we be able to see Jessica the singer next year?
J: Once I feel that I am ready, I will release that album. An album clearly distinguishes an artiste. My album will have to showcase a sound unique to me, so it requires more effort.
G: Last question. Any other things you wanna challenge yourself to?
J: I'm more into clothes worn for vacations these days, like swimsuits. I also intend to expand a variety of different garments. I will mostly focus in the fashion in the near future.
Source: https://www.smlounge.co.kr/grazia/article/40029
C-trans: JungSooYeonBar
Engtrans: RI
