[TRANS] Hanryu Pia July 2017 Interview
170622 Hanryu Pia July 2017 Group Interview (Pages 2~5, 14~15) / Scans © La Esperanca
OVERCOMING CRISES AND THE SEVEN YEAR CURSE WITH TRUST
INFINITE made their debut on 9th June 2010 with the mini album ‘First Invasion’ (title track ‘Come Back Again’) and are welcoming their 7th anniversary this year. Many idol groups in South Korea - most commonly as a result of member changes, enlistment and inability to gain enough popularity - face issues regarding future development as they are unable to break past the seven year curse. INFINITE’s first time on Hanryu Pia was after the release of their second album and another time was during promotional activities for ‘She’s back’. After rising to fame, the INFINITE members branched out separately from simply producing music as a group to each participating in various fields such as drama, variety and musicals. They grew to become individuals who could feature on huge billboards or the cover page of magazines even if they were all by themselves without the backing of the group. Although our chances to interview them gradually diminished as they grew into hugely popular acts over the years, being able to sit down with them now even after a long period of time has passed is more than what we could wish for. They are familiar with our staff members by now. This time, too, “Ah~ it’s the Hanryu Pia interview today. It’s been a while,” L greeted us as we arrived at the photo studio. It is exactly because of our close ties dating back to before that today, we are able to reminisce INFINITE’s seven years together as well as the seven years of the seven members.
Sungyeol: (flipping through pages of our past interviews) What’s this? We- everyone was so ugly! This is hilarious. (laughs) Back to my point, we really looked so ruffled back then. Everyone, we all grew up right?
Hoya: After all, it’s been seven years. If we still don’t grow up, it’ll be difficult in the future.
Dongwoo: Although everyone went through some changes here and there, I feel that I have changed the most, right? I was very cautious and careful at the start but now I’m bolder, running all over the place.
Sunggyu: As for me, I changed into a totally different person. Not just my personality but everything else as well. Just like the Super Saiyan race from Dragon Ball.
Sungyeol: Speaking of this, we must have had a discussion before on the “crises” of the group. Personally speaking, I don’t feel any of such crisis but of course, each member has different thoughts.
Dongwoo: Yeah, there are none. It’s because no matter the situation, we are always in a state of preparation and grit to endure whatever we face.
Sunggyu: Right now, I can feel a very huge crisis.
All members: Huh? What is it?
Sunggyu: Whenever Dongwoo dyes his hair, the crisis his scalp is facing..
Dongwoo: Hahaha, (laughs) about that, it’s a mega-crisis. I already have wounds from it. (laughs)
Sungjong: Ah~ please stop fooling around, hyungs! When we come across any problems, we get it out immediately and clearly. After that, all of us will come together to discuss it or have a 1-on-1 dialogue session. We definitely do not throw tantrums by ourselves or be stubborn about it. Instead, we will get straight to the point and solve the problem right then. Isn’t this way of doing things better?
Yes, this is the kind of atmosphere. Even if seven years have passed, it has not changed. Always happily and wholeheartedly giving their everything for their jobs.
WHAT IS NEEDED FROM NOW ON AFTER ATTAINING 99.9% SYNCHRONISATION
Idol groups from prominent entertainment companies who made their debut in the same period as INFINITE achieved their first music show trophies barely a month into debut. However, it took INFINITE 450 days (‘Be Mine’) to achieve a win on a cable TV channel and another month totalling 488 days to achieve a win on a national TV channel (‘Paradise’). That was quite some time spent. The members cited “receiving our immensely cherished first win” as the greatest turning point for the group.
Dongwoo: We were really anxious before that. It was only when we got our first win that we finally gained the confidence. It was a really momentous milestone.
Myungsoo: Prior to receiving our first win, we really went through so many difficulties…… For the very first time when we heard our group name called for ‘Be Mine’, we were absolutely thrilled!
Hoya: We cried so awfully, everyone’s crying face then was so terrible. (laughs)
Woohyun: Even if I wanted to forget I could never~ My eyeliner was smudged and black tears were running down my face. (laughs)
After achieving their very first music show win, they made their debut in Japan. Ever since then, they have been winning first place on music shows consistently during every round of comeback. Even the goal they set for their Japanese debut - to top the Oricon charts - has been achieved. Having been through showcases all over Asia and two rounds of world tours, INFINITE have masterfully leapt onto the world’s stage.
Sunggyu: The world tour was another turning point too. Being able to show to fans in every corner of the world our capability as live performers, which we were unable to show through television shows, was an opportunity that propelled our growth as well.
Dongwoo: Speaking from my own perspective, it seems our views towards music and our understanding of it has changed ever since kicking off our world tour and the release of ‘Destiny’. We begin to have our own style of interpretation towards love songs that leans towards a sorrowful tone. When we released ‘Back’, that was when we really brought this style and our performance of it to a whole new level. What does everyone think?
Woohyun: That is indeed the case. Our producers changed from Sweetune to Rphabet and the impression left by our songs thus changed substantially as well.
Myungsoo: If we were to determine from the whole picture, didn’t INFINITE’s second season come about since the release of ‘Season 2’? The second season was this period of huge progress that included songs such as ‘Back’ and ‘The Eye’, songs that are full of a manly aura. Our songs from now on are likely to be even more grown-up and mature compared to before.
Speaking of INFINITE’s synonym, it has to be “99.9% synchronisation”. Regardless of which point in the song it is, the sharp, knife-like dances of the seven members are in sync right down to the angle of a lifted arm. That is also a mark of their youth. In this case, to the INFINITE members who have matured into grown men, what is it that is needed from now on?
Sunggyu: Before, we focused on how to sharpen and synchronise our dance moves as best as we could because that was the only thing we could arm ourselves with in this industry. But as compared to before, we now place greater focus on how to communicate with and reach out to fans through our live performances. That is a kind of synchronisation that we can achieve only with our fans who know us and our music the best. Hopefully, we can become celebrities that will be able to stay in everyone’s memories in the future.
Sungyeol: Although I didn’t think of anything we particularly need, being able to grow suavely with time, maintaining our team spirit that has lasted us till now, standing together with my members facing the audiences on stage, I guess these are to me is what I really need. In other words, our personal will is what we really need. Between the members, we often discuss which sides of us we want to show to everyone in the future. Team spirit, regardless of past or present, will never change.
Woohyun: Yup! The feeling of trust and confidence is the most important. The mutual trust between our members.
THE LOVE FOR INSPIRITS THAT SEEPS THROUGH WORDS AND SONGS
Even though they have released a compilation album, the release of an actual album was still a year and a half after ‘For You’ came out. To INFINITE and their fans, this album can be said to be one that conveys the message “INFINITE is back!”
Sungyeol: Ah~ the hiatus in between was really long that even we ourselves got nervous. (laughs) Last year, we only held ‘That Summer 3’ concerts in Japan without any promotional activities for our albums so it’s really been a while since we’ve met our fans face to face when promoting our album. Although there are many fans who specially make the trip to South Korea to see us, it’s more meaningful if we fly over to meet them instead, isn’t it? I’ve been looking forward to the handshake events where I can meet our fans up close. Being able to share the feeling of happiness with every single one of them, how awesome is that~
Sunggyu: This is really an album that came out after a long time. It has songs from our Korean release of ‘Infinite Only’, three original compositions as well as remixed versions of songs that everyone is already familiar with. I’m really sorry that it took us such a long time. During all this time we’ve made you wait, we were working really hard on recording and filming the MV. The album contains feelings of our sorriness and worry and it would be great if it could become a beautiful present for Japanese fans who have waited to so long for us.
Sungjong: It’s a really awesome album. Instead of us talking about how great this album is, I think it’d be better if we let our fans hear it for themselves instead. Those who have yet to listen to it, please make sure you do, hm?
The title track ‘Air’ is exactly as Woohyun described earlier - a combination of strong melodies and INFINITE’s powerful vocals. It is the product of an impactful fusion between INFINITE’s sorrowful style of songs together with their fiery passion.
Sungyeol: A line in the song goes “yearning for the light and going towards it”. There was a scene in the music video where I was climbing the steps heading in the direction of the lights but when we were filming it, the set was actually pretty dark and the steps were really high. It was actually really scary when I couldn’t see clearly yet had to move up to a higher spot. I even thought to myself “I am definitely going to die once I step out!” as filming went on. My legs were shaking so much. Although I said to the staff not to film my legs, I am not sure how the music video will turn out? As a result of this, I am starting to have a fear of heights. (laughs)
Myungsoo: ‘Air’ is a song that packs a stronger punch. It has a very different feel compared to the other songs and it is one that shows a different side of us to fans. Regrettably, we were unable to show you INFINITE’s knife choreography due to Sunggyu-hyung’s injury so please anticipate it the next time.
In the song ‘Air’, Sunggyu sings “show it to me, that incredible radiance” during the chorus. This particular line left a pretty strong impression on us. Hence, we would like to ask the members this: what would everyone see if we were to request, “Please show something precious of yours to everyone!”
Woohyun: My mobile phone, probably. Ah, no, there’s something more important. The members! The important thing, our members!
Dongwoo: Hmm… air. I guess it’s air. It’s something the living can’t do without isn’t it? And it just so happens it’s called “air” too. (referring to the album’s title) Ahaha. (laughs)
Sungyeol: For me, it’s my body.
Sungjong: Muscles? Recently you’ve been working out a lot right?
Sungyeol: I didn’t mean muscles, what I meant was that what’s important is the issue of maintaining our health. If we are not healthy, doesn’t that mean we would not be able to be with our fans? That’s the reason why these days, I’ve been leading a lifestyle that revolves around exercising by working out at least four hours a day. For Sungjong, the important thing should be your throat, right?
Sungjong: Yup, that is very important. As one grows older, the body becomes weaker so we have to start taking care of it as well as we value our treasure-like vocals. (laughs) Normally, I would either roll my lips to train and relax my mouth or do some throat-stretching exercises.
Sungyeol: Even when sleeping, he wears a custom special protective sleeve around his throat. Says it’s because he doesn’t want to risk his throat and neck hurting and wants to protect them properly.
Sunggyu: Hmm~ If I had to single out just one, I would say it’s probably the albums we released in the past. Although my thoughts, memories and efforts can’t be outwardly shown to audiences live, the one thing that encompasses all of these together in one package have got to be our albums. They are invaluable gems that we only achieved after putting in so much hard work.
Myungsoo: As for me, what is important isn’t really any physical thing but time. Regardless of whether it’s something brand new or something important, it is all because there’s time for me to prepare for it that I can present it well. Be it singing or dancing, time is definitely important in order for us to be able to show different sides of us to everyone.
Hoya: Everyone, did you forget it because it’s right in front of you? The most precious thing has got to be Inspirits of course!
All members: Oh, right! Of course, as expected of Hoya!
Hoya: Indeed, as expected of Hoya. (laughs) There are times when I cannot help but think “Is there any value in my existence? Where do I stand exactly?” During times like these, it is our fans, who are witness to the value of my existence, that assure me telling me “It’s alright!”. I am really grateful and thankful.
INFINITE’s path to solidifying their position in the present day was definitely not a comfortable and easy one. Stumbling into various obstacles throughout the way and pumping in so much hard work it seems as if their blood could physically seep out from an intangibility as such, they finally have the glory they deserve. It was Inspirits who have been with them for the past seven years through thick and thin. The song ‘Thank You’ is dedicated to Inspirits, who can be described as half of the wings that hold and support INFINITE.
Dongwoo: Up till today, so many things have happened, no? There are the good and also the bad. With Inspirits, it feels like there is a tug-of-war going on between us? You can say it’s like a mutually dependent relationship. Even though we had travelled across the globe to greet and deliver our gratitude to Inspirits from every corner of the world, this song isn’t as simple as a few words and phrases strung together. It contains our heartfelt feelings. Being able to express a message coming from the bottom of our hearts makes us happy as well.
Woohyun: As of today, it has been more than seven years since our debut. From the past, and even in the future, it isn’t a “happy ending” for Inspirits and INFINITE but a “never ending”.
There is another new song, ‘Waiting For The Moment’, that we hope fans can listen to while reading the lyrics. This song is one that really tells the story of INFINITE. A line in the song goes “try and take a step out towards the goal that still seems far away”. What are some of the goals that INFINITE have for the future?
Sunggyu: Yes, this song is a song about our story. I really like it and even suggested to use it as the title track although this didn’t work out in the end. (laughs) Goals can be a certain place or a certain moment in time. While recording this song, I’ve been thinking to myself “Is this referring to the present? Or the future? When exactly?” Right then, what was running through my head was that when our fans are listening to our music regardless of whether they hear it live or at home, which is to say, that one moment when our music is able to reach out to our fans, I guess that is the goal that is implied.
Myungsoo: There is a feeling of hope in the song. It awakens not only our memories but also serves as a reminder of the memories shared between Inspirits and us. The song contains our gratitude towards our fans as well. It is a song that holds many meanings. Right now, this song also encompasses all of my feelings.
Hanryu Pia’s【Basketball Finals】— There was a basketball court in the courtyard of the venue where we set up our photo studio and held the interview. Sungyeol and Woohyun played rounds of shooting goals very happily. However, their game was stuck in a deadlock that was won easily by the manager as soon as he entered the game. Sungyeol, who earlier mentioned he’s been consistently exercising all this while, stated “I must have over-exercised, my legs are aching!”
jp-cn translation by SungLikePoison / cn-en translation by 890428k with special help from onlydongwoo / take out only with full credits
