#yeolsprout

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[TRANS] Dongwoo Interview with CéCi Korea (Mar 2018) Part 1 - About CAR

Part 1 of 2

Translation by @yeolsprout (Edited and posted with permission. Please do not remove credits or crop translation.)

a b o u t   C A R

You chose ‘drive’ in this project which grants you the fantasy you have been thinking of.

I didn’t think of anything else. I really love cars.

You seem to be very good at driving, when did you get your driver’s license?

I went to get it as soon as my 19th birthday passed. My dad gave me the car he was driving as soon as I got (my license) so I’ve been driving since I was a high school student.

Do you remember the first time you grabbed the steering wheel?

Of course(,) I can’t forget. I thought, ‘so this is what freedom is’. I was somehow excited too when I first got my ID card (because) it felt like I’ve become an adult. It’s the same feeling as that. I think I’ve been into cars from then on.

Why do you like cars so much?

There are two reasons, handling (the car) and the fun (you get) when travelling to places you’ve never been to before while on a drive. I really like to drive and search for famous restaurants. I often go to Byeollae Cafe Street or Chuncheon area in Gangwon-do.

It seems like you prefer (driving in) quiet(er) roads to (driving) for speed.

That’s right. I prefer to feel the wind and breathe in the scent of the mountains while driving.

But still for a person who likes cars, surely you must have times where you would have the desire to drive (and enjoy the speed).

That’s true. I do dream about going at the highest speed (possible) on the Autobahn in Germany. And since our team name (means) ‘no limits’, I’d want to try to drive with no limits too.

How’s your driving style? How are the reactions of those sitting beside you (when you drive)?

My friends say that ‘you should (drive) a safe(r ) car’, but it’s different if it’s giving my niece a ride. I drive so safely beyond that of an exemplary driver, to the extent that even the cars behind me (can) end up being frustrated. I think it differs depending on who is sitting beside me and the purpose (for riding my car). But that doesn’t mean that I do things that go against the law. I’ve never gotten into an accident (in the) 9 years (I’ve been driving). But isn’t everyone like this? (That) things become different when you’re late for work even when you’re just driving normally as usual. You know (what I mean) right? Haha.

Are there any driving styles you find unforgiveable when driving?

Please write/include everything (I say). First of all, not turning on the signal lights when changing lanes. I’ve even gotten out of my car to personally talk (to others about this) before. You can’t do this, you would’ve learnt this when you were getting your license. And unreasonable acts of cutting in front of other (cars) and (making) threats, retaliatory driving, driving in the opposite direction on a one-way road — I really hate these. There’s a reason why these roads are made for only one-way driving. I hope we can follow that.

Items which you always have in your car?

First of all, I have three air fresheners. I have three kinds of perfumes too. And mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste. Cleanliness and fragrance are important. I have (a) mask, book, sunglasses and notebook as well.

Are there times you produced music in the car?

Yes. There are lots of times where if I get an idea while on the road I’ll turn on the emergency lights and jot it down in my notebook. In particular, I get more thoughts when I’m driving along the Gangbyeon expressway at night.

If you were to give a ride to an INFINITE member in this car today, who would you choose?

My same-age friend Woohyun. Today is somehow a day where I feel like pouring my heart out. And Woohyun is a friend whom I can talk to about anything.

Does (Woohyun) listen to you(r stories) well?

There are times where he gives me harsh advice, and times where he can relate (to what I say) as well. There are also times where he would call me crazy. I think it’d be better if we could go (on a drive) together today.

DRIVING MUSIC

Music INFINITE Dongwoo recommends would be good to listen to while on a drive.

DESTINATION EULWANGRI

1 Eluphant ’Star Candy’ It’s a lovely song just like its title. ‘Ya, you’re pretty even if you don’t put on makeup / come out fast’ don’t you find these lyrics cute and romantic?

2 One Way ‘Magic’ It’s a song that came out 8 years ago, yet it still (sounds) so sophisticated listening to it now. I think it’ll probably be a driving music which no one will be sick of.

3 Double K ‘Ment’ Maybe it’s because (I/we) have a song called ‘Be Mine’, (hence) I tend to like songs which confesses and expresses love. This song has a melody which is nice to listen to (and allows one to) naturally follow the rhythm, and lyrics (so) attractive that it makes (your heart) throb even for a man like me.

Part 1 of 2

ref pics cr. @esperanca_dw

kor>eng cr. @yeolsprout

do not crop. please take out with proper credits.

(translations may not be 100% accurate; sorry in advance if there’s any errors)

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[TRANS] Hoya/Lee Howon Interview with Sports DongA (8  Feb 2018)

[DA:interview] Hoya→Lee Howon, a 27-year-old youth beginning to stand on his own 

Translation by @Yeolsprout (posted and edited with permission, please take out with proper credit)

After withdrawing from the group INFINITE last June, ‘Hoya’ is now standing on his own as Lee Howon. The first step he took was (towards) the musical ‘Sandglass’. He wasn’t able to watch the drama as he was (too) young back then, and wasn’t able to feel its popularity either. In an environment full of strange and unfamiliar things, he carried with him not fear but rather the confidence and thought/mindset that he would be able to pull it off.

He initially challenged the musical (thinking) “Let’s just give this a shot.” However, it has now become a genre he wants to (keep) try(ing). “I merely just grabbed onto the chance I stumbled upon, and that chance became (such) a surprising experience,” said Lee Howon, calling it as luck that came his way.

“After entering (the musical field), the musical world was more ardent that what I had imagined it to be. I was impressed to see all the actors intensely analysing their scripts and thinking about their characters. That’s why I think that I (was able to) enjoy the process of making this musical (with the others). I felt more at ease too as it wasn’t a stage I would be standing alone on, but one where we all stood together.”

Lee Howon played the role of ‘Jaehee’, a bodyguard protecting the female lead ‘Hyerin’. Lee Jungjae quickly became a rising star having played that same role in the drama of the same name. It was required (of him) to demonstrate various action scenes as well, including kendo. Were there no burdens in having to perform in so many different areas (just for one role). He responded that “I never watched the drama while rehearsing for this musical. Instead, I wanted to create my own (style of) ‘Jaehee’ and show something in the musical that’s different from the drama (version).”

“Perfecting kendo wasn’t too much (of a thing to be done). It’s just that my bronchial tubes are not (so) good so there were times I found it difficult when I had to moderate my breathing if I made strenuous movements. and (I/we) had to be careful since it’s kendo and one mistake from anyone could cause an injury to happen. On top of that I had to practice other scenes too, so for example for scenes involving kendo, I wasn’t able to work in sync (with the others). but even so, the (other) actors were all pro(fessionals) so I thought that (the audience) would easily be able to feel that i was in sync with them.”

How was the acting bit. ‘Jaehee’ didn’t have lots of parts in the musical. Regarding this, he said “it doesn’t matter whether i appear for 10 minutes or only 1 minute. What’s more important is that I do my best so that I’m able to deliver my character to the audience well even if it’s only for a short period of time.”

“I worked hard trying to show the worried/concerned side of (my character) for loving Hyerin. but Jaehee is (positioned) at some corner in the musical. (Laughs) but there were people who watched my acting and were able to grasp my intention. I’m thankful and relieved for that.”

As mentioned earlier, Lee Howon left INFINITE last year. He mentioned that he still has huge interest and concern for the members and fans even after his departure from the team. At the end of the interview he even said “I want to tell the fans that I love them”. When asked why he left the group, he answered seriously, saying “I wanted to get to know myself (more). (I wanted) to worry solely for myself (and) I couldn’t bring harm* to the members (while doing so).”

“I’ve only been looking at one road (in front of me) all this while ever since my trainee days. having experienced the singer life after debuting(,) I heard multiple times (people) saying that ‘you must do this (if you want to be) an idol’. I had to be careful with everything I said and/or did as the many eyes of those who love me a lot were watching. But I’m getting older too, and I’m becoming curious about everything and I wanted to give my opinion regarding that too but I wasn’t able to do so as I might bring harm* to the team. I felt that I was trapping myself. Which is why i came to that decision after giving it much thought.”

Despite worries from his current agency, Lee Howon mentioned that the reason why he’s able to confidently talk about his previous group was definitely not because there were any conflicts between him and the team members [t/n: meaning there’s no conflict between them]. He emphasised that “I was simply worried that my mentioning (of them) that act itself would bring harm* to the members, (and it’s) not because something had happened between us.”

What are the plans for Lee Howon who has successfully (begun to) stand on his own. He said, “I want to make the music I like with the people I like. It’s also my dream and goal to do a performance with that music.” He stated that he would especially want to try doing R&B, and make and let (everyone) listen to the R&B as interpreted by him.

“I tried planning for the distant future when I was younger(,) but now my dream is to set down one big goal and slowly work my way towards it. For now (my goal) is to release an album. I’ve been working on it since 2 years ago and it’s almost completed (by now). What kind of songs are included? There are many different songs but I’ve put in my emotions and feelings from when I was going through tough times into the song(s). And there are also songs catering to those fans in their 10s listening to my music. Calling it a ‘lesson (to learn)’ would be misleading(, so I’ll say that) I’ve kind of included a little ‘message’, haha.”

Lee Howon revealed that not only (does he want to do) music(,) he wants to keep doing acting as well. with the recent end of MBC (drama) ‘Two Cops’ Lee Howon mentioned that he has become much closer with actor Jo Jungseok. He said that “I learnt a lot in terms of acting from Jo Jungseok-hyung while (we were filiming) the drama. Even just watching (him) was a lesson itself.”

“Jungseok-hyung started out as a musical actor so (people) would know (who he is) just by the mention of his name. He likes being up on stage so (we) kept talking only about musical stuff. And he’s good at acting to begin with. I’d say I felt like I attended a lesson for free by being beside (him)? I’m really thankful to him.”

The thing he wants to try/challenge the most is none other than ‘theatrical acting’. Lee Howon said that “casting (calls) for dramas are slowly coming in so I think I won’t be able to attempt theatre right now. But I’d like to try it someday.”

“In particular, I want to try (theatrical) acting (in a) small theatre. (Especially since) ‘Sandglass’ and ’Two Cops’ are (productions) made by a really large number of actors and staff. Which is why I can’t imagine how it’d be like to be standing on a stage (that fits only) 3~4 actors. I’m also thinking how it’d be like to be spending a lot time absorbing [t/n: meaning memorising & familiarising] a script with lots of lines/parts (for me). And I definitely want to try (acting in) a jukebox musical comprising of music by the late Kim Kwangseok. I really like his music so it would be an honor if i could (act in such a production). 27 years old where (I) want to be at (my) peak!”

[*t/n: bring harm (in this context) = to bring negative impact in any form which may result in ‘harming’/negatively affecting others.]

Translation by @yeolsprout (edited and posted with permission)

Do not crop. Please take out with proper credits.

(Translations may not be 100% accurate; Sorry in advance if there’s any errors)

[infinite-drabblets]

[CH+] Infinite Members’ Preference Test - Sunggyu

There’ll be preference test results released for each member on CH+, relay style, so the first one is Sunggyu’s. Translation by Yeolsprout (whom I’m so glad to see has come back online!)

Part 1 of the Infinite Members’ Preference Test

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[170929] Sunggyu’s Tokyo mini live & fanmeet (Day 2)

Photo cr. cheerKyuleader

Yeolsprout has translated some highlights from Day 2 of the Tokyo fanmeet (original fan account by save_sungkyu):

Translated by: Yeolsprout

Sunggyu with the MC for his Japan fanmeets, Furuya Masayuki (photo cr. furuyamasayuki0). He’s been the MC for the Tokyo fanmeets so far, and will be there in Osaka as well.

Read about Day 1 of the Tokyo Fanmeet here.

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[171127] Sunggyu promoting the book <2041 ANTARCTICA> in his capacity as a W Foundation Ambassador.

The book is about the preservation of Antarctica, and the sale proceeds will go towards a polar region preservation project, to be conducted by W Foundation in collaboration with the book’s author.

(Photo cr. @hooxi_official, translation cr. Yeolsprout)

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"The biggest reason why the (other) 6 members of Infinite decided to recontract was because they ‘wanted to protect Infinite’. They are always thankful for being able to be active as Infinite, and it is when they are together as Infinite that they have the greatest synergy.”

translation by yeolsprout

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[TRANS] Dongwoo Interview with CéCi Korea (Mar 2018) Part 2 - About INFINITE

Part 2 of 2

Translation by @yeolsprout (Edited and posted with permission. Please do not remove credits or crop translation.)

a b o u t  I N F I N I T E

It’s a comeback after 1 year and 4 months, and it’s not a mini(-album) or a single but a full-length album. I think the emotions towards the music would be different from before.

It’s an album we released after recontracting and re-organizing, they’re emotions which cannot be described in words as it’s been so long. I cried a lot during (the) first (day of our) fanmeeting too. Those emotions couldn’t be described in words. It’s an album filled with a mix of happiness, apology and a whole bunch of (other) emotions.

Was this album planned as a full-length album from the very beginning?

It was originally a mini-album. But the number of songs kept increasing, and there were more and more things (we) wanted to show (to everyone) so it became a full-length album.

Isn’t that a pity? You could’ve split it up into various singles or mini-albums instead.

Yeah. But I don’t think that fits our personality. (We) just wanted to show everything. The songs which were initially chosen as title songs are all included in (this album). This may not be a good decision to make if looking at it from a business point of view. But we wanted to say that we have been constantly preparing for this when we were not active.

In terms of music there are lots of comments saying that it’s yet another growth (for you guys) with this album, but it’s interesting how the lyrics are still the same.

There are many genres in this album. (Just) looking at the solo songs we (already) have ballad, dance, bossa nova and hip-hop. But yet the lyrics for the songs which INFINITE have all gathered to sing are ‘come back to me, to me’. Haha.

Has that now become a tendency that’s only for INFINITE?

The composers said that it should be (revolving around) obsession when (making) music for INFINITE. (They) said that it must (give off a) desperate (feel). In the past we also used to think ‘why are we so desperate’, but it has now become lyrics which are the easiest for us to express. But just who is the person (we’ve) been asking to come back like this, who is the person that left? Haha. Nevertheless it’s good that we’re expressing (this). There are more people who likes obsession than I/we thought.

Is there an INFINITE-only rule which was naturally created among the members after having spent 8 years together, if any?

We made/agreed on this one together. To not consume (any) alcohol no matter what and at least be polite to each other the day before (our) broadcast (appearance). And even if (something) is eventually brought up as a conversation, (we) still make it interesting on broadcast no matter what. This is what we do (as a promise to ourselves) but it’s also (basic) manners to the viewers and listeners.

(Your) reply seems to indicate that INFINITE have now become the perfect adults and pro(fessional)s.

Yes. And because of that (we try to) minimise our mistakes on stage, and want to show more sides of ourselves. We’ve gone through (lots of) trial and error and are not pros to begin with too. But I think we’ve (created a) closer and more solid (relationship) in this process.

Like what the first track ‘Begin’ and the last track ‘Begin Again’ says, INFINITE’s second chapter has only just begun. Is there anything you would like to keep/protect and any new things you would want to make, if any?

In any case we’ve already renewed our contracts and we’re the ones who made that decision. That’s why I think that each person’s decisions will eventually make us who and what we are. INFINITE’s common goal was to ‘protect/keep INFINITE’. And (we’ll) keep bringing (with us) our gratitude for our fanclub till the end. And as for new thing(s) (we) want to make, it would be each of our (own) music. I think an outline of the music I like and can do well in is slowly revealing (itself). I hope that someday we’re able to see each other succeed in our (own) music. I think we’ll be able to have fun/enjoy it well. That’s what I think.

Part 2 of 2

ref pics cr. @esperanca_dw

kor>eng cr. @yeolsprout

do not crop. please take out with proper credits.

(translations may not be 100% accurate; sorry in advance if there’s any errors)

[infinite-drabblets]

i didn't know that you spoke korean, thank you for translating things. are you going to be an updates blog now?

No I don’t speak Korean! The translations are all done by Yeolsprout - please check out her (I’m going to assume it’s a her!) twitter account. She updates regularly and translates a lot of INFINITE articles and fan accounts etc. I have corresponded with her directly to make sure that I have her permission to post her translations here (in the text post format you would have seen so far). 

I’m a little alarmed that people may think that I’m the one who translated the articles - I wish! I’m going to have to make her credit a lot more obvious next time. 

But in terms of updates - I will endeavour to post translations of longer articles about INFINITE as and when they come up, because I think they add a lot to the understanding and appreciation of the group, their issues, and things that they have said. I do feel that there are misunderstandings and ill-formed conclusions being drawn some times, that can be cleared up if there was wider circulation of interviews and articles (and fan accounts too actually, but that won’t be my focus).