[260522] AKMU x Cartier for 'Arena Homme+' June Issue
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Pictorial & Interview:ย AKMU's Paradise
After ending a long voyage, they settled in a new place and started blooming - this is the title of their album released after a long time, as well as a clever and sensuous move that symbolizes their own story. AKMU has connected the artist's life to their creations, forming a single complete story. How can one refuse the hand they reach out, asking to join them in their paradise? We willingly set out to follow them.
All items worn by Chanhyuk: The Santos-Dumont Watch (Large model), LOVE Bracelet (Medium model), Cushion-shaped Trinity ring on the middle finger, Cushion-shaped Trinity Ring (Classic model) with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds on the ring finger, and Premiรจre de Cartier sunglasses are Cartier products.
All items worn by Suhyun: The Clash de Cartier Necklace (Small model), LOVE Bracelet (Medium model) with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds on the right hand, Clash de Cartier Ring on the index finger, LOVE Unlimited ring on the ring finger, Juste un Clou Bracelet (Small model) on the left hand, Juste un Clou Ring (Double model) on the index finger, and Clash de Cartier Ring (Medium model) on the middle finger are Cartier products.
The Jacquard setup worn by Chanhyuk is by Lemeteque, and the satin shirt is by & Other Stories. The burgundy knit top and floral-patterned skirt worn by Suhyun are both by Erdem.
Santos de Cartier Watch (Small model), Juste un Clou Earrings (Double model) with semi-pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds, Juste un Clou Necklace, Clash de Cartier Bracelet, Juste un Clou Ring (Small model) with semi-pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds on the left index finger, Clash de Cartier Ring (Small model) with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds on the middle finger, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the little finger, and LOVE Ring (Small model) on the right index finger are all by Cartier.
Lace see-through blouse is by YCH, see-through layered skirt is by Punctum Test.
Cushion-shaped Trinity Necklace (Classic model), (from top) Juste un Clou Bracelet (Classic model), Juste un Clou Bracelet Classic model, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the index finger, LOVE Ring (Small model) on the ring finger, are all by Cartier.
Velvet robe by Saimi Jeon, wide-brimmed hat by Brown Hat.
The Tortue Watch (Small model), Clash de Cartier necklace (Flexible, medium model), LOVE single earring, LOVE bracelet (Medium model), LOVE ring on the right middle finger (Large model), Clash de Cartier ring on the ring finger (Medium model), Clash de Cartier ring with brilliant-cut diamond pavรฉ-set on the left index finger (Medium model), and LOVE ring (Classic model) on the middle finger are all Cartier products.
The ruffle-detailed satin blouse is by Lemeteque; the open-collar shirt, wide-leg pants, and leather shoes are all the stylist's own.
Clash de Cartier Necklace (Flexible, small Model), Clash de Cartier Earrings, and Clash de Cartier Sunglasses are all by Cartier.
The burgundy knit top is by Erdem.
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Q: Even though this photo concept is a bit bold, it really matches AKMU well
Lee Chanhyuk: We are actually better at this kind of thing than you might think (laughs)
Q: Has it been a while since you last did a photoshoot?
Lee Chanhyuk: It's been a while since we shot a pictorial. For a period of time, I actually intended not to do pictorial shoots altogether. At first, it was really fun because it was new, but as time passed, it became a bit different. I don't personally plan the concepts we want, you know? Since the ideas mostly come from the image shown before, no matter how unconventional we try to make it, I feel like we would ultimately remain inside that framework. That is why, from a certain point on, I wanted to wait until we had grown more before doing a shoot.
Q: Contrary to your older brother's thoughts, Suhyun, did you not have an urge to do a photoshoot?
Lee Suhyun: Since my brother is the person who designs AKMU's direction, I respected that part. I thought that would be good.
Q: It's fortunate that the photoshoot you did after such a long time came out so intensely that it immediately catches the eye.
Lee Suhyun: From what I saw, this concept had something in common with my brother's soul. So the moment he put on the outfits, I thought that he would really shoot this pictorial easily.
Lee Chanhyuk: The most fun and easiest shoots are the ones where I get to use what I already have. Today was like that. There are many shoots where that isn't the case, however. Sometimes, even among the things I have, I still have to bring the things that are on the side - not at the center - into the main focus, which feels difficult. I had a great time doing the shoot today. At least I did. (looking at Suhyun) How was it for you?
Lee Suhyun: How should I put it? When looking at my brother's shoot cuts - this analogy might sound a bit strange - but he felt like a really well-ripened pimple (laughs). On the other hand, I felt a little under-ripened. My brother really had something like a rich fragrance to him.
Lee Chanhyuk: That analogy is really strange. It doesn't resonate with me at all (laughs)
Lee Suhyun: Everyone except you will probably get it though? (laughs)
Q: A kind of well-ripened feeling like that, I know what kind of feeling you are describing. To put it another way, I suppose you could say it feels more natural because he doesn't care too much about how he'll look to others.
Lee Suhyun: When my brother is not confined within any specific direction, many cool things come out from his most raw state. When he meets someone who needs that, the synergy is massive. For this shoot as well, my brother just did it according to the vibe coming out from inside himself, and everyone liked it.
Lee Chanhyuk: I hate doing work like it's just work. I dislike shooting for the sake of shooting. I think that when this outfit and I meet, I must exude my character. The moment I exude it is the signal that says "Please take the photo now", and that is when to snap the shot. But if they say, "We are going to shoot now, so let's start from a formal straight posture first", I would have to gather what I burst out again and start from the beginning, so I would completely lose the fun. Today, we clicked really well.
Q: You wore Cartier products in this pictorial. What aspect of AKMU do you think resonates with Cartier?
Lee Chanhyuk: The classic aspect. It's similar to the luxury I pursue. Rather than designs that put flashiness at the forefront, I prefer a style that is uniquely one's own - solid and long-lasting. I think Cartier has that kind of vibe. The style I pursue is also along those lines. I've always liked Cartier. Of course, since I'm not someone who spends a lot of money on accessories, I don't own a single one. (laughs)
Lee Suhyun: First of all, I was happy to hear that I would be shooting a pictorial with Cartier. For this album's promotions, we promoted with a slightly different image. We did many stages that were vintage, lovely, and girlish, but Cartier has a classic and sophisticated image, just like my brother said. So I thought I could try another transformation. It was my first time seeing this many Cartier accessories gathered together. They were really, really sparkling. I was wearing a new product watch, and it was so pretty that I kept looking at it (laughs).
Q: Shall we talk about the album? The response is good. Like the album title <FLOWERING>, in what form do you think it has flowered since its release?
Lee Chanhyuk: I think it fits in all aspects. Popular with the general public as well. It would have been enough to enjoy AKMU's flowering just among ourselves, but the fact that our flowering came across convincingly to others, and beyond that, became an album that moves people's hearts, is something I am grateful for and amazed by.
Q: It was impressive how the personal stories of the musicians connected with the album to complete a single narrative that conveys a hopeful message.
Lee Chanhyuk: What's interesting is that many people who know us think they are raising AKMU (laughs). Because we are a team that they've watched since we were young.
Lee Suhyun: That's right. It's a feeling of "I've watched you guys since you were little."
Lee Chanhyuk: The younger generation thinks they are growing up together with us, and the parent generation thinks they are raising us together. That is why I have felt since a long time ago that they focus not only on our songs but also on our story. Up until now, we have been creating songs for different age groups, such as the PLAY album, Adolescence (SPRING & WINTER) album, and the SAILING album. In the past, I only expressed it that way in words, but while working on <FLOWERING>, I truly felt that it was indeed categorized by age group. The teens, early 20s, late 20s, up to the 30s. I felt that we were drawing a path that even young friends who cannot relate now will surely come to understand as they grow older. That is why I thought it would be okay for our story to be exposed more widely. Because that will soon be the story of most people. There are fundamental difficulties that we experience while growing up, you know. I thought it would be okay to portray those kinds of things together through songs.
Q: Are the songs in <FLOWERING> made into a single story by collecting songs that were previously composed? Or were they made one by one through your life experiences as you went through a series of processes?
Lee Chanhyuk: Except for one song called 'Spring Colors', all of them were made for this album. 'Spring Colors' was a song written a long time ago, and because of that song, I could envision that <FLOWERING> was coming. Because spring goes into it. Other than that, the other songs were made after establishing the direction first.
Q: The process of making the songs and having Suhyun hear them must have helped her overcome her slump.
Lee Suhyun: I was able to visualize things while listening to the songs my brother played for me. Like how it would be good to promote with this album, what kind of stage it would become, what kind of clothes would be good to wear, what kind of hairstyle would be good to do. My brother kept talking to me about those things, and then I kept imagining it. Throughout the entire process of making the album, I was motivated to overcome this challenge quickly, so that I could perform on stage in a truly cool and happy way.
Q: Although <FLOWERING> received good responses in the end, even if it hadn't been successful, it would still have been a very meaningful album.
Lee Chanhyuk: Funnily enough, before we released <FLOWERING>, the response around us was that it would be far from no.1. Even so, I thought, "What does it matter? It's an album like a twin that resembles us right now."
Q: But the results came out well in the end. In that moment, the pleasure felt by the producer and the singer must have been considerable - the pleasure of seeing many people resonate with the meaning.
Lee Suhyun: For me, 'Paradise of Rumors' has that kind of vibe. It's a song that tells people to come along. It's saying, "Let's go together to our Paradise of Rumors." At first, it was family, it was friends, and it was the people of Cemter of Inspiration. As we walked along saying "Let's go together", <FLOWERING> came out and people loved it. When I looked back, I got the feeling that an incredibly large number of people were walking together with us. I think that picture was possible because it received a lot of love. That is why I was grateful.
Q: It's like a scene from an epic movie where a giant crowd fills the screen! Since you felt that, will you gain the momentum to tell your own stories more in the future?
Lee Chanhyuk: In the first place, I've already had a strong self-confidence that I don't really gain momentum. I'm already in a state of momentum, and I'm continuing to move forward with my own momentum regardless of the results. Currently, I'm doing several projects simultaneously. However, because it was loved and was successful, what is important is that we now have the capital to continue carrying out the next project with even better quality. After all, to produce good quality, money needs to circulate. That's why I'm grateful. We have become able to do the next thing properly (laughs).
Q: The public's cheers are not visible, but the numbers printed on the bank account are clearly visible.
Lee Suhyun: That is why we are even more grateful (laughs)
Lee Chanhyuk: We created a new company, gathered a team, and released our first product, and among ourselves, we may think it is a good album. However, practically, if money doesn't circulate, we would fall into difficulties. We might even worry about whether we have to enter another agency again. But I am grateful that we can make a powerful leap toward the next thing like this (laughs)
Q: When I heard that you guys had become independent and established an agency, I thought, "It's about time for that now." But then you mentioned on a show that you became independent with a desire to return to a 'hungry spirit' (ํ๊ทธ๋ฆฌ ์ ์ ) (*). That was refreshing.
Lee Chanhyuk: There's actually an energy and inspiration that the neighborhood provides - not only from the area where you live, but also from the sense of belonging. I believe that a person who does art must absolutely travel, and you also continue the journey of life. An artistic life is about confronting challenges, feeling new things, failing, and creating again using what you feel as the driving force. That is why leaving was a natural decision. We had learned more than enough, and there were a lot of things I wrote in Mapo-gu. Now, we have moved to Pyeongchang-dong; from being by the river, we have gone to being next to the mountain. It was wonderful. It was completely different.
(*) ํ๊ทธ๋ฆฌ ์ ์ = a mindset of working hard to achieve success, overcoming hardships and failure.
Q: Since you went to the mountain, what are the good parts?
Lee Chanhyuk: The air, the people, and the atmosphere are completely different.
Lee Suhyun: It felt like returning beside nature again, we saw lots of insects, stars, and things like that.
Lee Chanhyuk: And should I say it is a bit less intense? There aren't many commercial shops. In places with lots of shops, you can see the air of competition. But Pyeongchang-dong is quite removed from those kinds of things, so it feels comfortable taking a walk. There's something really soothing about it.
Q: What do you think about the expression 'AKMU-like' that people speak of?
Lee Chanhyuk: I didn't like it in the past, and even now, it's not a word I particularly like. I have never told anyone, "That's so like you", because I don't know that person very well. I thought the phrase 'AKMU-like' was a word that confines us in a certain framework. Of course, I know it's with good intentions. Usually, they say "as expected, it's AKMU-like" as a compliment. I'm grateful for that intention, but in the past, I worried a lot about how that word confined us. But now, I've become free from all of those things.
Lee Suhyun: I'm grateful for it. For someone to say "it's AKMU-like', wouldn't it mean the team called AKMU has remained strongly in that person's life? That person has their own idea of what AKMU-ness is. That could be something joyful, something lovely, something acoustic, or it could be 'DINOSAUR'. That's why the very fact that they think of something as AKMU-like means we have left an impression, so I'm grateful. However, as there are many faces to being AKMU-like, we have become able to say, "Among AKMU-like things from 1 to 100, which one are you looking for?"
Q: If that's so, what do you personally consider to be AKMU-ness?
Lee Chanhyuk: As I worked on various music projects since the start of my solo career, I came to establish this idea that AKMU should do these kinds of things. Within myself, a sense of what AKMU-like means was formed. First of all, positive messages. For example, in the case of 'Nakka', it gives off a powerful energy, right? That kind of cool energy is nice too, but I'm trying to focus on things that more people can understand. Going with a completely public mainstream sense. That doesn't mean let's follow trends, though. It just means let's do something nice.
Lee Suhyun: Up until now, AKMU-ness was, for me, 'Lee Chanhyuk-ness'. I felt like a messenger who delivers Lee Chanhyuk's worldview. But now, it finally feels like the two of us together have become AKMU. To me, AKMU-ness is naturalness. I've always said I wanted to be natural. Actually, the tastes of the two of us are too different. There were many times when a lot of the challenging things my brother did were difficult for me. I wanted to sing happily. I didn't want to do too much thinking while on stage. When recording this album, there was no big directing. I requested it. I said that this time, I wanted to do it with what comes from within me. I asked him to minimize asking me to change the notes and sing differently. I said I wanted to record with the vibe coming out from inside me. Like that, song by song, I sang with the feeling coming out from within me. That's why this album feels even more like a real album of us two.
Q: If people ask what AKMU-ness is, I suppose we could play this album for them.
Lee Suhyun: That's why it's an album where both Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun exist. Naturally, since my brother wrote the songs, his contribution is big, but it feels like the true stories of both Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun are captured together.
Q: For Suhyun, this album must have also become an opportunity to quench the thirst you've had until now.
Lee Suhyun: I quenched it completely. It was so enjoyable. I think this is the first time I've experienced singing the songs I cherish on the stage with all my strength. Even before, there were enjoyable and happy moments, but during a certain period, there were also many days I went on stage without any thoughts. I even thought that I wanted to sing quickly and come down. But now, every single stage is incredibly fun, to the point where it cannot be compared with those days. While my brother promoted with his solo album, the energy he exuded was massive, right? I wondered, "Where does that kind of power come from?" But this time, I found out. It's the power of loving yourself and loving your own album. Since I became able to do that too, a lot of energy comes out from me on stage as well.
Q: Is your next move working on Suhyun's solo album?
Lee Chanhyuk: Well... When it comes to my own albums, if I work with a deadline, I tend to meet most of them. Because I keep drawing the picture inside my head. If I could just produce Suhyun's album, I would have it done quickly. But I don't think that approach works anymore. Suhyun needs to think of it as her own album for there to be synergy on stage. For now, it's a homework assignment for 'Cemter of Inspiration'. Other than that, there are things I am continually working on. First of all, <FLOWERING> hasn't been out for very long yet, and we also have to do a concert. Shouldn't we do a grand one at the end of this year?
Q: You are siblings, but you are also two artists forming a team together, right? If you exchange artistic inspiration with each other, what kind of moment would it be?
Lee Chanhyuk: There's not as much as you might expect. Of course, it's not that there's none at all. For example, because <FLOWERING> was an album written with Suhyun's situation in mind, she was naturally influenced. Suhyun also didn't really want to do performances originally, but while watching my solo promotions, she was inspired and thought it would be fun. There's that degree of influence.
Lee Suhyun: Rather than receiving something musically, it's more like we get influenced while watching how each other live. If I feel like, "Ah, that part is unfortunate", then I reflect that, and if I feel like, "That part is cool," then I reflect that too.
Q: Looking at it again, you two are an ideal team. Because you are siblings, there is a comfort and a sense of distance that comes from that. Cases like this are rare, so it is a blessed relationship.
Lee Chanhyuk: I also feel that way. Strangely enough, our tendencies are the exact opposite. It really feels like a puzzle. What I'm lacking exactly exists in Suhyun, and what Suhyun lacks exists in me. If you put just the two of us together and asked us to talk, we really wouldn't understand each other. Because we are different. But when some other person comes in between, then to that person, we complement each other, and AKMU is delivered as a full, complete feeling.
Lee Suhyun: I also think it is an extremely low probability. The moment we start to become jealous of each other, the team is over, you know. However, no matter how hard my brother tries, he cannot sing like me, and no matter how much I try, I cannot make songs like my brother. It's largely about respecting each other's irreplaceable areas.
Lee Chanhyuk: I always think that there's a next stage. Up until now, it felt like fitting a puzzle together by filling in the areas the other person didn't have, but for AKMU to move to the next stage, I think there needs to be an area of โโcrossing into each other's territory. I should sing as well as Suhyun does, and Suhyun should also create songs with a degree of completion, with a charm distinct from mine. These days I think, "What would AKMU be like when we reach that point?"
Lee Suhyun: Then it would totally feel like a collaboration between a maestro and another maestro? (laughs)
Q: Let us think about the far future. Both music and popularity are bound to change. Even so, is there anything you want to protect until the very end?
Lee Chanhyuk: Actually, music is something I do because I'm able to do it, but I think living comes first above all. Living well in a good pattern/routine. That is the most important. Cultivating my own life with my own will. The pattern may break down for a moment. However, maintaining a healthy heart and healthy thoughts that can set it right again - that's important. Only after that comes the song. I want to protect this order.
Lee Suhyun: As for me, I'm going to keep singing. If there are people who listen, that would be really nice, but I don't sing because I want to let someone hear it - rather, I sing because I want to sing. The act of singing itself is enjoyable to me. That is why until the moment I die, until the moment I close my eyes and my soul leaves, I want to keep singing some one note (laughs). I want to be remembered as a person who sang until death. And thereโs a part of what my brother said that I relate to. Even though I really love singing, if the heart dies, I end up not wanting to do even singing. I never want to return to that time again. To do that, I think I need to keep my body and mind healthy and live well. Because only if I live well can I sing too.
LOVE earrings and Premiere de Cartier sunglasses, both by Cartier. Open-collar shirt from the stylist's personal collection.
The Clash de Cartier Necklace (Flexible, small model), Clash de Cartier Earrings, LOVE Unlimited Bracelet, Clash de Cartier Ring (Double row) with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds on the right index finger, LOVE Unlimited Ring on the ring finger, Clash de Cartier Ring on the left index finger, and Trinity Ring (Extra large model) on the ring finger are all Cartier products.
The burgundy knit top, floral pattern skirt, and strappy heels are all Erdem products.
Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, cushion-shaped Trinity necklace pave-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, LOVE earrings, (from top) LOVE bracelet (Medium model), Juste un Clou bracelet (Small model), LOVE ring (Classic model) on the left index finger, and LOVE Unlimited ring on the right ring finger are all by Cartier.
Cape-detail top by H&M.
Tortue Mini Watch model with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds, Juste un Clou Necklace, Juste un Clou earrings (Double model) with semi-pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds, (from top) LOVE Unlimited Bracelet, Clash de Cartier Bracelet (Small model), Juste un Clou Bracelet (Small model), LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the right middle finger, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the ring finger, LOVE Unlimited Ring on the left ring finger, and LOVE Ring (Small model) on the little finger are all by Cartier.
Sleeveless set-up is from the stylist's personal collection.
The Tank Louis Cartier small watch, cushion-shaped Trinity necklace, LOVE earrings, Trinity classic ring on the index finger, and Juste un Clou classic ring on the middle finger are all Cartier products.
The Jacquard set-up is by Lemeteque, and the satin shirt is by & Other Stories.
The Tortue Watch (Mini model) with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds, the cushion-shaped Trinity Ring (Classic model) on the index finger with pavรฉ-set brilliant-cut diamonds, and the Clash de Cartier Ring (Small model) on the ring finger are all Cartier products.
Satin coat is by MUNN.
All items worn by Chanhyuk: the Santos Dumont Watch (Large model), Juste un Clou Necklace, LOVE Earrings (Classic model), (from top) Clash de Cartier Bracelet (Small model), LOVE Unlimited Bracelet, Trinity Ring (Classic model) on the right index finger, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the middle finger, and LOVE Unlimited Ring on the left ring finger are Cartier products.
All items worn by Suhyun: the Baignoire Watch (Mini model), Clash de Cartier Earrings (Small model), Clash de Cartier Necklace (Medium model), Clash de Cartier Necklace (Small model), Clash de Cartier Bracelet (Small model) on the left hand, LOVE Bracelet (Medium model) on the right hand, Clash de Cartier Ring (Double Row model) with brilliant-cut diamonds pavรฉ-set on the ring finger, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the left index finger, and LOVE Unlimited Ring on the ring finger are Cartier products.
The sleeveless set and leather shoes worn by Chanhyeok are both from the stylist's personal collection.
The satin coat worn by Suhyun is by MUNN, and the pointed-toe heels are by 73HOURS.
All items worn by Chanhyuk: The Santos Dumont Watch (Large model), (from top) Clash de Cartier Necklace Flexible (Medium model), Trinity Necklace, Clash de Cartier Bracelet (Flexible, double row model), Juste un Clou Ring (Classic model) on the right ring finger, and Clash de Cartier Ring (Medium model) on the left ring finger are Cartier products.
All items worn by Suhyun: The Tortue Watch (Small model), Trinity Necklace with brilliant-cut diamonds semi-pave setting, Trinity Earrings, (from top) LOVE Unlimited Bracelet, LOVE Bracelet (Medium model), Trinity Ring (Large model) on the right middle finger, LOVE Ring (Classic model) on the left index finger, and LOVE Unlimited Ring on the ring finger are Cartier products.
The robe worn by Chanhyuk is by Saimi Jeon, and the hat is by Brown Hat.
The lace see-through blouse worn by Suhyun is by YCH, and the see-through layered skirt is by Punctum Test.
