Da-iCE ARTICLE: [rankingbox] Da-iCE Iwaoka Toru’s BEST 3 memories which were ‘extreme’ (6/3/18) | CGM
With implied and literal translation. PM me for mistakes/errors. Please put proper credits if you use.
Ready to die overseas! Da-iCE Iwaoka Toru’s BEST 3 memories which were ‘extreme’
Da-iCE released 5th anniversary 2nd single, “FAKESHOW”. Over the title of the song, Iwaoka Toru brought down his BEST 3 extreme memories and experiences! He talked about the amazing episode in his life wherein he’d experienced a life-and-death situation from abroad during his college days, and the thing he wanted to recommend to other members. For those who are travelling, please be careful not to experience what is in rank #1!
#1: Near to death memory!
During college years when I was studying in Boston, I went through Death Valley with five male friends, and drove to the western part of US. We were overwhelmed by the harsh environment where the temperature level was intense and no vegetation grows, and then our gasoline went nearly emptied. Even if we ran and ran to seek for help, there was neither gas station nor a passing car. We have neither cellphone nor a car navigation system. As the day went on, the temperature had also come down… I was seriously prepared to die. And then, we found a gas station, we managed to return, but it still creeps me up remembering it now.
#2: Extremely touching memory!
When I travelled to the western part of US that was listed previously, after the incident at the Death Valley, we borrowed a car at LA and drove to Las Vegas. As we go through the main road in the desert, of course, we took advantage of the lessons we’d learned in the Death Valley, we were then fully filled with gasoline and were prepared thoroughly. On the night of that journey, I stopped the car and looked up at the starry sky. There’s nothing to see in the middle of the desert, but there were marvelous number of stars that were visible above. It was my first time to see the stars like that. It was truly touching.
#3: Extremely delicious memory!
A few days ago, I went to a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant, when I went to Nagoya for a personal work. It was so delicious, there’s no word for it but ‘amazing’! Usually, there are offered choices like beef tongues, from harami (skirt steak) to karubi (Korean-style beef steak) , but if we’re talking about the amazing meat fillet from the beginning, compared to any meat of any restaurant that I’d tried, it was the best taste that I’d ever had. Although it was chewy, it was tender, the fat was not so firm at all, and it has good compatibility with the sauce. I’d like the members to eat that as well.
From: https://rankingbox.jp/article/58770
Note: I was entertained when I read this. I just want to share.
[TRANS] 150716 Rankingbox BEST 3 Extreme Sports Junho Wants to Challenge
Diving From the Atmosphere!? BEST 3 Extreme Sports Junho (From 2PM) Wants to Challenge
Junho (From 2PM) released his 3rd mini album "SO GOOD" on July 15. This time he told us the 3 extreme sports he wants to try! Although Junho happily answered, we're too scared to be intrigued to try them (laugh).
1. Red Bull Stratos
This can certainly be called crazy (laugh). You put on something similar to a spacesuit, get right up to the edge of the atmosphere, and skydive from there. It seems you descend at mach speed, so rather than doing it right away when you want to, you should try it after calming your mind and doing it at a meaninful time and when you're in good condition. Since I believe the people who have experienced this had to first train for it, not just anyone is able to do it, but I want to definitely try it if I get the chance.
2. Dive from a sky-scraper
I was impacted by a video I found on YouTube of diving from a sky-scraper in Dubai. It seems more interesting than skydiving. I thought it was like in the movie "Transformer" when he attaches the blades and flies. It's not that I like high places, I just really feel like trying it. The only sport I've done close to it is bungee jumping, but for the necessary amount of courage it would take, I'll gain confidence when I experience it.
3. Scuba diving
I don't just want to experience it, but get a proper license to go undersea exploring. I've always liked being active. I believe it's important to experience things with your own eyes that you can't normally do, and I think doing so is connected with relieving stress. You can only do it in real life after taking a paper test, do training in a pool, and when that's finished you test it out in the ocean, but I don't have that much time....... If I'm able to get a license, I think I'll dive near Jeju Island.
JUNHO (From 2PM) Heats Up Our Body and Soul!! Let's Get Intoxicated with the Summer Guy's "GOOD" Song!
2PM Junho's 3rd mini album "SO GOOD" will be released on July 15! Following the previous 2 albums, this album is also to be released in summer, with an "even hotter summer" theme. He talked to us about what happened when he went to Hawaii to film the music video, and about all of the songs on his mini album, all the while smiling and looking like he was having fun. Furthermore, as the first day of the tour was Tanabata, we asked Junho about the wish he left on the tanzaku (strip of paper used to write wishes on)!
For Junho, a mundane, average date is "romantic"!?
--The title of your 3rd mini album is "SO GOOD." Was this title decided at the start of production?
JUNHO: I first started by making the theme "SO GOOD." The 2 albums prior to this one were released in summer, so, in wanting to make you all think of an even hotter summer than before, this theme came to mind. For an even hotter meaning, I also thought "SO HOT" would be good, but I compromised with "SO GOOD" since the term can express many things and has a broader meaning than hotness. Further, more than just hotness, I was pursuing music that was interesting, too. Rather than adding in a bunch of musical instruments, I went for a unique combination of a melody riding on a rhythmical beat. Another one was "HAVE FUN." I thought about having pure fun.
--Then the title track "SO GOOD" must have had a summer image from the start.
JUNHO: Yes. At first the melody for the hook <Baby you're so good tonight> came to mind, and then I started making it from there.
--It looked like you had fun filming the music video in Hawaii.
JUNHO: Truthfully, I worried about filming it either in Hawaii or L.A. However, I chose Hawaii since I want people to think "This is summer!" When I watched the completed MV, I thought my decision had been right. I believe the finished product is very good. At that time I was super busy as it was right in the middle of 2PM's arena tour, however, being able to experience things that are not around me in normal life such as the ocean, beach, and palm trees was all refreshing. The place called Hawaii was healing for me.
--Were you able to reset your emotions by going to Hawaii?
JUNHO: Though when I came back home from Hawaii I immediately returned to rushed daily life (laugh), I'm glad I went. My stay in Hawaii felt like a dream.
--Now, tell us about the 2nd track "Fire."
JUNHO: I used falsetto in "Fire" as well as other songs on this album. That's because I wanted to express various emotions with my voice. Out of all of them, "Fire" is the song my senpai and I co-wrote and completed while wracking our brains over it.
--You also made an MV for "Fire," which is loaded with facial expressions that seem like they would get female fans' hearts palpitating.
JUNHO: I didn't originally plan to do an MV for this song and instead was going to do one for "INSANE," however I thought it would be easier to understand the mature nature of the lyrics by seeing it with your eyes, so I made it. Despite saying that, since the video to match the lyrics would be too strong of a stimulus (laugh), I made it a more realistic, average date. Watching the MV makes me a bit embarrassed. That's what makes me pleased with it.
--Coincidentally, what is your current ideal date, Junho?
JUNHO: I don't think it's something I could do right now, but my ideal is the "Fire" MV. What everyone thinks of as a commonplace and ordinary date is "romantic" to me.
--If I could make a wish for this interview, it would be to have commentary on all the songs. Starting with the 3rd track "Pressure," could you please give us a point of interest for each song?
JUNHO: Although this album is my 3rd as a soloist, it's definitely not easy to be able to release things like this, therefore, I'm endeavoring to always have better music and performances. "Pressure" expresses the heavy oppression I received in the midst of that. The word alone is usually perceived as something negative, but for me it's my driving force. Pressure is meaningful in that it raised me (to where I am). Furthermore, because I didn't have a margin of surplus time, I felt pressure the likes of which I never had before while producing this album. "INSANE" expresses the insanity of being wounded by love. Within this album, I think this song shows the most sorrowful, darkest part of me. Though I listened to the completed song when I was only taking a half-sized bath, I liked the finished product so much that I nearly felt like I was going to drown (laugh).
Don't test me!? What in the world is a man's cute jealousy?
--It's good you didn't drown (laugh). Next is the tour title "THE LAST NIGHT."
JUNHO: It means the final night, and you could say it's the key song to the album along with the title track. This time around I thought about the tour last. When I thought about it, I was consciously working thinking that I wanted to exhaust everything in order to make the greatest album I could. I wanted "Don't tease me" to be a rhythmical song, so I gave it a band sound. I think it came out with a good liveliness, and it has a man's cute jealousy with "don't test me." "Good Life" expresses my personal circumstances similarly to "Pressure." It's about having an ambitious feeling of "Right now it's only a dream, but I'm going to accomplish it someday."
--What is your current dream, Junho?
JUNHO: It's hard to tell you the specifics, but before my dream was to put out my own solo work and tour. If I think of it as something that I'm still accomplishing, then it feels like a neverending dream if I keep thinking about working hard. When more results appear in the future, I want to be able to tell everyone that this was a dream.
--Last is the ballad "Believe."
JUNHO: Though it's also a song for all of the fans, I consciously made it to be comforting and healing to anyone who listens to it. When you go through a tough time and someone prays for you and cheers you on, your mental state would change despite the situation remaining the same, and it becomes a huge comfort. Since the fans already make me feel this way, I wanted to make something with those same feelings that would reach out to others.
--The first day of the tour when you first performed the songs from your mini album was on Tanabata. If you were to write a wish on a tanzaku, what would it be?
JUNHO: If I write my wish, will it come true? (laugh). I wish for all people to be healthy and and for the things they want to do to turn out well. And also, I wish to be able to achieve what I have envisioned!
Tout en ayant à l’esprit que deux autres membres ont fait leur début en solo avant lui, il a dévoilé sa vraie personnalité sans être dévié de sa direction.
Le vocaliste Wooyoung venant du groupe de Kpop 2PM, qui n’apas seulement conquis le Japon mais aussi le monde, fait ses débuts en soloaprès Junho et Jun.K. Dans le groupe, ils jouent tous un rôle important et constant, et leur vraie capacité à chanter est authentique. Avec un style unique, nous avons relevé le message qu’il veut transmettre, et le fait qu’il veuille donner aux fans un bouquet de « R.O.S.E ». Juste avant ses showcase qui ont commencé début février, nous lui avons demandé ses impressions sur ‘R.O.S.E’.
Mes débuts en solo ? Bien que j’étais nerveux au départ, j’étais aussi plein d’excitation et d’anticipation.
Tout d’abord, quel était votre état d’esprit quand il a été décidé que vous sortiriez un single solo japonais ?
J’ai sincèrement ressenti l’amour des fans au sein de 2PM. Quand j’ai entendu dire par le staff que j’allais sortir un single solo au Japon, je me suis demandé ce que j’allais faire pour ce projet et ça m’a donné un sens des responsabilités assez pesant. L’une de mes plus grandes inquiétudes était de savoir si je serais capable de m’en sortir tout seul. Il est inutile de préciser que l’anxiété m’accompagnait tout le temps. À côté de ça, l’excitation et l’anticipation étaient là et je me suis demandé « comment devrais-je me préparer ? ».
Quand exactement votre projet a-t-il commencé à avancer ?
J’ai commencé à en parler l’année dernière. Comme le staff et moi-même avons échangé des idées pendant un certain temps, je ne saurais pas dire quand exactement ça a commencé, mais quand la date de sortie a été décidée, j’ai commencé à m’occuper du concept pour le showcase, de la couverture du CD, et du contenu du single. La première fois que j’ai transmis les images concrètes de mes idées, le staff m’a donné ses impressions telles que « est-ce que ce sera possible de faire ça ? » ou « peux-tu enlever quelque chose d’aussi bien que ça ? ». Nuit et jour, beaucoup de discussions et de corrections se sont succédées et les choses ont été confirmées petit à petit.
Avec cette méthode d’avancer au moyen de discussions, étiez-vous inquiet par rapport à Junho et Jun.K qui ont fait leur début en solo avant vous ?
Ce ne serait pas prudent de ne pas en être conscient. Il n’est pas possible de prédire parfaitement quel concept les membres vont faire ou ce qu’ils projettent de faire la prochaine fois, mais je connais dans une certaine mesure la musique qu’ils écoutent. Cependant et malgré ça, j’ai considéré ces faits de façon à ne pas dévier de ce que je voulais faire. Les chansons qui ont été enregistrées pour le single ‘R.O.S.E’ sont de nouvelles créations faites spécialement pour cet album, tout en gardant les fans bien à l’esprit.
Les épines d’une rose ont quelque chose d’étrangement charmant qui est de se protéger elles-mêmes.
Quelle est la raison pour avoir appelé la chanson principale ‘R.O.S.E’ ?
J’espérais que la chanson titre serait « funky et joyeuse ». J’ai écrit les paroles d’une façon simple et pure. Ce qui correspondait à ces deux caractéristiques, c’était ’R.O.S.E’. La raison pour laquelle on entend la voix d’une jeune fille dans la chanson, c’est parce que je voulais qu’il y ait une voix pure et pleine d’énergie sans aucune anxiété. Plutôt qu’une voix nuancée, j’en voulais une qui soit pleine de vie. Mais j’ai eu beaucoup d’inquiétudes, si bien que cette chanson a été la dernière à être finie, car la chanson titre est, après tout, destinée à contenir mon ambition. Bien que j’ai travaillé dessus sans problème majeur, des idées variées me sont venues à l’esprit et comme je ne cessais de vouloir améliorer la musique, j’ai fait beaucoup d’essais et d’erreurs. On peut dire que ça a été une tâche difficile.
Y a-t-il une signification derrière les paroles ?
J’imagine qu’il y a beaucoup de « je te protègerai » dans la chanson, n’est-ce pas ? Mais quand je regarde des roses, elles me donnent l’impression qu’elles ont des épines pour se protéger elles-mêmes. Je trouve que c’est un charme mystérieux.
Comment avez-vous réalisé le clip ?
Si je devais résumer ça en une phrase, je dirais que c’est devenu quelque chose de comique (rires). Je ne pensais pas à être cool. Au contraire, je pensais à être mignon et espiègle. Après tout, ‘R.O.S.E’ est une chanson qui parle d’un homme très assuré… Il y a une femme telle une rose dedans et une partie agréable dans laquelle il est intoxiqué par cette femme, et il la comprend mieux que personne. C’est pour ça que j’ai pensé qu’une attitude cool n’irait pas dans le clip. Je voulais faire une vidéo qui puisse animer le cœur des gens en la regardant.
Non seulement l’expression, la tenue, l’arrangement des fleurs, mais aussi l’illustration de la rose… Je veux que vous imaginiez des choses variées à partir de la couverture du CD.
En parlant de ça, la couverture du CD est aussi rafraîchissante.
Mais vous devez vous demander « qu’est-ce que c’est que ça ? » (rires).
Je n’ai pas pensé cela (rires), mais comme la deuxième chanson principale est une ballade, j’imagine que j’ai dû ressentir la différence ?
Je pense que les paroles sont plus importantes que la composition de la musique. Même si les mots sont ordinaires, si vous saisissez la façon de les exprimer, vous serez capable de ressentir des émotions profondes. Comme je me produis aussi sur ces chansons, je pense en même temps à la façon de les représenter. Je pense que c’est bien de se produire sur ces chansons simplement avec les émotions qui sont naturellement liées aux paroles, mais si elles sont trop profondes et intenses, il est possible que vous n’arriviez pas à communiquer avec les auditeurs. Ça ne veut pas dire que j’ai fait en sorte que la compréhension soit facile pour cette raison. Je veux que vous pensiez au côté joyeux. « Pourquoi porte-t-il ce genre de vêtements, pourquoi prend-t-il ce genre d’expression, que veut dire son sourire ? ». Je voulais éveiller votre curiosité et faire que vous vous posiez ce genre de choses. Je me suis dit que ce serait génial que cette curiosité mène à une communication et à des discussions.
Avez-vous dessiné l’illustration de la rose, Wooyoung ?
Je ne peux pas dessiner aussi bien (rires). J’aurais pu le faire moi-même mais je voulais faire une collaboration avec l’auteur. Même si ce n’est pas très accrocheur, c’est l’illustration de la couverture du CD que je préfère et ce n’est pas du graphisme mais de l’aquarelle. Ce n’est pas un bouquet de fleurs, c’est la seule rose du monde. Je n’ai pas pu rencontrer l’auteur en personne, mais comme nous avons communiqué plusieurs fois et que nous avons travaillé dessus ensemble, je souhaite exprimer ma reconnaissance ici.
Vous avez dit que vous pensiez à faire votre premium showcase tour quand vous avez commencé à travailler sur votre album, mais vos préparatifs étaient-ils déjà terminés ?
Oui. Je pense que ce sera une performance dans laquelle les gens qui seront venus me voir vont vraiment ressentir mon côté facile et insouciant. Par rapport à quand je suis avec mon groupe, il y aura une facette de moi différente, et j’aurais à tout assumer moi-même, des performances aux présentations.
JUNHO (From 2PM)
2nd solo work that gives off a radiant charm
The wish he wants to convey from his heart
BEST 3 songs that influenced JUNHO (From 2PM) as an artist
On July 9, JUNHO will be releasing his 2nd solo mini album "FEEL." This is an excellent piece of work jostling with tunes of rich variety! We asked the "various kinds of music listener" JUNHO about the BEST 3 songs that influenced him as an artist!
Michael Jackson "Billie Jean," "Dangerous," "Smooth Criminal"
I was really influenced by Michael Jackson's upbeat songs that focus on performance. Although all 3 of these songs strongly influenced me, I remember just how strong of an impact the music video for "Smooth Criminal" made on me and it's the song I have come to listen to the most out of Michael's songs. I re-watched it so many times since my first year of high school that I have no idea how many times I've seen it. I wanted someone else to understand its greatness so much that I went around to my friends and showed it to them and said, "Isn't this cool?"
Ruben Studdard "Superstar"
I entered my current company through an audition, I first heard this song when I was talking with the other people who were also staying at the boarding house to participate in the audition. That very night I couldn't get the melody out of my head until just before I went to bed. After that I became obsessed with it and practiced it to use for an important presentation meeting (end of the month evaluation) one month. Since this song was the song that gave me my first genuine lesson as a trainee, it's a song that holds a lot of meaning for me.
Musiq Soulchild "Love"
I don't remember how I first started listening to this song, but once again, when I was a trainee and received lessons from the teacher for the end of the month evaluations, I thought "I hope to be able to sing naturally such as this artist" and participated (in the evaluation) with this song. The part where he sings the bridge entirely in falsetto is amazing. I studied the beauty of the power it takes to sing without forcing yourself past your natural vocal range. I don't mean that I have acquired it as of yet, but rather it's the level I'm still trying to get to.
BEST 3 fashion items JUNHO (From 2PM) is into lately
On July 9, JUNHO released his 2nd solo mini album "FEEL." This is an excellent piece of work jostling with tunes of rich variety! We asked the "fashion loving" JUNHO what fashion items he's into lately!
Hat
Hats are my favorite item. I had a lot of them so that I wouldn't have to bother with my hair when going outside. Out of my many favorites, lately I like the red leather cap that I'm wearing in the jacket photos and music video for "FEEL." I was searching for plain ones but since it was rather difficult to find any, I consulted a stylist and was introduced to a company that makes hats so I special ordered it. Maybe it's because I had it ordered but the fit is really great.
Sunglasses
This was a gift from the staff, but it's by the Japanese brand A.D.S.R. What I like is the blue flames on the sides. I think it coordinates perfectly when I wear shorts that go above the knee. I don't have as many sunglasses as Jun. K whose fills up a whole wall, but I own about 20 pairs. Although there are a lot with attractive designs, since there would be no end to them, lately I only buy the ones which I think "I will be able to use these often."
Bracelet
Last summer, I bought this at a select shop in Seoul's Garosugil. It's of the brand CHAN LUU and at that same exact time period this lightweight type of thing was popular, but since I didn't have one yet I wanted to find one at a store. I chose it because of its refreshing emerald green color that befits summer. I like matching it up with casual-type t-shirts.
We want to change the world with music! B.A.P’s Group Aim
Q: It’s your first time with “Ranking Box” so first could you tell us everyone’s charming point?
Daehyun: Zelo is B.A.P’s maknae. Out of all of us, he is the most pure, he’s a cute, good person.
Zelo: Yongguk-hyung is our group leader. He’s usually silent, he speaks only when it’s necessary.
Yongguk: Youngjae is the group’s main vocalist along with Daehyun. He’s really pleasant and good at making everyone have fun.
Youngjae: Along with Yongguk, Himchan is the oldest member in the group. Because of Yongguk’s influence on him, Himchan acts a bit like an adult, but really he’s a goofball. He’s our mood maker.
Himchan: Jongup’s body is solidly built for his age, his muscle is incredible. He’s quite innocent so it’s a bit worrisome sometimes, but that’s his personality I think, and he has a lot of creativity which is cool.
Jongup: Daehyun-hyung is the main vocalist along with Youngjae. He’s in charge of the high notes, so he’s always belting it out for us, he’s cool.
Q: The way you are trying to reach your aim, do you change in either Korea or Japan?
Yongguk: Like our group name suggests, we aim for the Best, Absolute, Perfect stage. Also, we want to change the world with music. Of course we are living in a good world right now, but we need to help maintain it.
Q: You debuted in Japan in October last year, and won 2 awards in the 28th Japan Golden Disc awards. How does it feel to win awards outside your home country?
Himchan: It’s an honor to receive such prestigious awards. It’s unfortunate but we weren’t able to attend the awards, but we’re happy to accept such wonderful, meaningful prizes. Being awarded these, from now on we want to always give our best in our Japan promotions and be able to show a good image.
Q: You also went on an arena tour, but being able to fill venues with thousands of people is exceptional right after a debut. How was it with so many fans?
Youngjae: We were able to grow with our arena tour last year, and it’s good to say that our tour helped us grow. Up until now, this was the biggest scale tour we’ve done, we could do things we hadn’t before, and do things we wanted to do. Using this experience, we could get real feedback from that time, and we’ll be able to make our next tour even better, I think.
Himchan: A lot of people came to see us, so next time we will try and have more communication with everyone.
Q: What performance left the strongest impression on you?
Himchan: Of course, each performance has it’s good points and leaves memories with us, but I think the show in Tokyo’s Yoyogi First National Gymnasium when I did my “one man” performance (Himchan’s ‘Rainy Day’ monologue) in the tour’s largest venue left a really deep impression. Concerts are times to meet fans so it’s always fun and makes us happy.
Q: Lately you have had fan meetings and performed for TV events (PON! Spring Festival), it seems like you are getting used to promoting in Japan, how has your feelings changed from before your Japan debut up until now?
Daehyun: Before debuting in Japan, we were always very excited to be able to see Japanese fans here, with our debut we think when we can show our image to fans, and we think about what we will do. Before coming to Japan we studied and practiced Japanese a lot in effort to be in touch with everyone.
Q: During your stay in Japan, did you go out anywhere by yourself?
Daehyun: We don’t go out without telling someone.
Himchan: Our schedule was full, (laughs).
Youngjae: This time when we were in Japan we had a little bit of time, so we played futsal (indoor soccer) with the staff. There were also places to eat ramen by our hotel, so we went out to eat ramen.
Daehyun: We were busy everyday, but our Japanese staff always thought about us. It wasn’t just futsal, but we also played table tennis, and were taken to eat at delicious places. That’s why, when we’re in Japan we feel very happy.
