First solo album, Bang Yongguk [BANGYONGGUK] Release Interview on Melon Music Story
Bang Yongguk released first full album [BANGYONGGUK] after his single. Through his single “Hikikomori” he made a good start as a solo artist, Hikiomori became No.1 on the iTunes K-Pop chart in 14 countries around the world. Bang Yongguk’s first album has a different color from his albums which we have seen while he was in a group activity. Through interviews, we will reveal his thoughts and stories that he had while working on this album.
“When I completely got off my shining/amazing and loved appearance from myself and faced myself with a mirror in the room. At that moment, I thought that I had to make this album. You can feel like this album is terribly lonely and has a terribly personal story. But even if it looks like that, I wanted to show it to the people outside. I only had to find myself, who, in order to capture all the things as it was, was hiding from everything and wrote a journal/diary about his own old days. That’s how the old diary that I found was a combination of reality and unrealistic imagination, and that’s how it became the music and the lyrics contained in my album.”
- Bang Yongguk
Q: Since the debut, it’s your first full album that you released as a solo artist. How do you feel about it?
It’s my first solo album that I’ve been working on for over six months, so I’m thrilled/refreshed. I’ve released a single as a solo artist but this is my first full album, so I’m curious about the talks(opinions) of many fans and listeners. Of course, because I had to deal with a lot of things by myself(on my own), I can’t really say that everything were smoothly(without difficulties) but I don’t have any regrets because I think that I grew up even more on my own.
I don’t want to call myself as an artist yet. I just wanted to make a wonderful album that will tell my story in the future, so I hope that it will be an opportunity for many people to know about the music from “Bang Yongguk” album and through this album, I want to become a sincere musician who can listen to many people.
Q: You were responsible for the full production of this album and most of the album work. What was the fun/hard part of doing so much work on your own?
First of all, it was hard to work on dozens of tracks at once, so all the songs were arranged and composed together. It took longer than I expected. As for the lyrics, it didn’t take much time. It wasn’t basically an album that needed some storytelling or a nice vocabulary, nor than that, I think it took me a long time to be honest with myself. Of course, it happens with all the albums I’ve been/working on, but since when I’m working on every album with the idea that I’m changing my life and health to music (put my life and health into making it), I spent all my time on this album. Now that I’m done, I think I’ll need time to take care of myself. I think this process shared the hard and the fun things in itself.
Q: Before the release of the album, you have released “Travel” in short film format. Please introduce the reason why you released this song with the short film.
“A Short Film About BANGYONGGUK” is a new project. I think it will be released sequentially in a documentary format. It’s not a big thing actually. But I’ve been recording the overall work process and my everyday life since the summer of 2018. Literally, as I said, they’re all focused on me and showing what the person actually is. If you’re curious about me as a person, you’ll probably love it. I’ve been working on this project for so long, so I’m looking forward to it as well.
First of all, the first short film was made in a music video format. Of course, “Travel” is also a song from this regular album. I was really traveling while I worked on “Travel” and actually, it has dual meanings. First of all, it may look as it’s a fun trip, but the message in the music has a hidden image of a person who travels through life. While I was working on this short film, I was wondering which song, from the rest of the songs in album, would fit this film the most. I think the song “Travel” really fit it well. While I was shooting this film, I’ve prepared the song too, so first I wanted to release this song together with this short film.
Q: What’s the background of “Ya” and how did you made it?
“Ya” was the beginning of my funny imagination. I don’t know if my fans remember it, but when they asked me which nickname i’d use for the person I love I said “Ya”. We’ve talked about it on a radio. It also has a double meaning, and I wanted to match this part with the secret part of my diary because I, as all ordinary guys, Imagine some sexy stuff too. In order to match this atmosphere, we needed analog synth lead or blues instruments, and when we made a base so it became a background for this song. It’s the sound of imagination of how two people, man and woman, who love each other, enjoy the process of becoming to wish for each other more (wanting each other).
Q: What’s the point of appreciation of “Ya” (What should we pay attention to)
I think it’s better to let people who listen to this song to imagine/think about their own point freely rather than to choose it. It’s either greasy or gross or sexy or exciting.
Personally, I just like my voice in this song.
Q: Please select three of your favorite songs from the album.
“Codex Gigas”
It’s one of the secret imaginations that I note in my diary. I’ve always been interested in the universe, the myths, the third world, the God and rumors about him and the legends. “Codex Gigas” is one of the unrealistic imaginations too. I was curious about the God’s gaze/look when he looks at human beings. Gladly, I had the chance to make an interesting point into the music. I hope that this music will provide a variety of interpretations and stories.
“I Need to Talk”
I made this music because I really needed to talk to myself. When I was in a terrible depression, I really hated myself. I needed to talk to people when I felt like I couldn’t get over myself, but I couldn’t. In this music, I can’t get out of this. I yell at people for a conversation, but I don’t get help. In conclusion, I’m depressed. It means that the only person I’m going to talk to with is another me (which is different from my personality). Through this music I wanted to say that I can’t get away. But I don’t want to limit interpretation to my own intentions.
“AM 4:44”
I don’t know exactly, but I worked on this song four or five years ago, and at that time, I had legal problems with my company. I thought I had to include this music in my album to complete the album “BANGYONGGUK”. It’s a song that I wrote during a hard time. I still have a hard time listening to it. I really want to do this live. When we were in the group, we couldn’t do a live show. So I had a bit of regret. Rather than listening to it, I want to do it live. I think it’ll be really cool.
Q: It’s very impressive that the album package is in the format of your own work notes. Why did you release it as your work notes?
Just like if we talk about the title of the album, I wanted to reveal everything because it’s all about me. The process and completion of this album, I wanted to share all of this with people. I wanted to be naked myself, I didn’t want to hid anything. So I decided to use my album art work.
Q: In which way do you want this album to be recognized by fans and the public?
I want you to know that “BANGYONGGUK” is a project about a person named Bang Yongguk, his music, his life and just the things like they are now. And I hope this album will be filled with many people’s thoughts rather than limited interpretation or intention.
Q: What are your plans for future activities?
I’m going on a tour of five European countries soon. After that, I wanted to meet with my fans (in Korea), so I’m preparing for a fanmeeting. And I’m still shy about it, but I’m writing. It’s something I really wanted to do and I think it will be published in an essay book soon. It’s also one of the projects I’m looking forward to. I think I’ll make my next album after a lot of consideration/thinking.
Actually, I’m also curious about my future plans. What should I do?
Q: Lastly, say something to those who listen to this album!
I made this album without any shame about myself. I think this album became the chance for me/have helped me to grow up as a person. I look forward for my new image and my music in the future. I’d like a lot of people to come with me on this way. And I want to say that I always love and respect the fans who always supported me. I want to continue to express something. I don’t know what this “something” is going to be, but I feel free through releasing this album now; I feel so comfortable. I hope you look forward to Bang Yongguk from now on. Thank you.
trans by CHADORY24 ; take out with full credit.
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