๐ฌ: How was todayโs shoot?
โญ๏ธ: I felt a bit strange. The outfit style was very similar to the vibe I used to pursue in the past. So it felt like seeing my past self, but it also felt mixed with who I am now. Should I say it felt like my past self and my present self were together? I think my fans will find it refreshing when they see it too. I always like trying new things. Since there are limits to human potential, I wondered, is it possible for me to show a new side of me here yet again? But I'm happy that I could show a new side through this collaboration with ARENA.
๐ฌ: I heard you gave a lot of input during the shoot. It seems you tend to participate actively during photoshoots?
โญ๏ธ: I try to give as much input as I can within my capabilities. Of course, if the creative team has a specific direction they are pursuing I sometimes leave it entirely up to them. After all, my own ideas ultimately come from my own perspective, so they could end up being repetitive. My mindset is to always accept the directions recommended to me openly. Today, I really clicked with the stylist. Thatโs why the synergy was so good.
๐ฌ: Seeing how you offer your input while being aware of even the smallest details, you must genuinely enjoy doing photoshoots.
โญ๏ธ: I really love it. I feel like my personal satisfaction level goes up every time I do a photoshoot. Although I am currently active as an idol, I consider these photoshoots as a time to develop my own color. There is a side I show as part of the team, and then there is a side I can show as an individual. Thatโs why I cherish these moments.
๐ฌ: I heard your time participating in the Paris Collection was also memorable. What was particularly different this time?
โญ๏ธ: Iโve walked the runway three times so far, and this time I really prepared a lot. Since it was my third time, I had accumulated experience and practiced a lot. So I was less nervous and was able to enjoy the experience with a bit more professionalism. Of course, professional models might still see many areas for improvement, but because I personally put in so much effort I was able to be satisfied with myself.
๐ฌ: Do you prepare in advance regarding what kind of vibe you want to express before walking the runway?
โญ๏ธ: I always think about it, but there are difficulties. I don't know what clothes, shoes, or hairstyle I will wear until the day before. So I prepare for every possible scenario. I try walking powerfully, then try walking with a slightly more relaxed and slower vibe. Then, once I find out what I'll be wearing, I adjust accordingly. I even practice walking in the hotel hallways the night before (laughs). In the morning, I go to the gym and do some image training too. I'm the type to plan out every single detail. That way, I don't have any regrets. I do everything I can so that even if I fail, I won't feel ashamed of myself.
๐ฌ: Group activities and solo activities must feel quite different, what is the difference?
โญ๏ธ: The difference in pressure is huge. When I promote with the team, there aren't many situations that feel particularly stressful. That's because I have members who are like family by my side. On the other hand, the pressure increases when I'm alone. I believe that I exist because ATEEZ exists. I'm not just Seonghwa, "ATEEZ" stands always in front of my own name, and because I go out as ATEEZ's Seonghwa, I feel I have to do even better.
People will recognize me and think, "Oh, this guy is in ATEEZ." When I work solo people only look at me and judge me by my actions, skills, and attitude, so my standards for myself become higher. Of course, there is that kind of pressure, but there are also great advantages like being able to fulfill what I personally want to do, just like in today's photoshoot.
๐ฌ: With that mindset, returning to the team after finishing solo activities must bring a special feeling.
โญ๏ธ: When I first did solo activities it felt fascinating. It wasn't so much that I liked the moment when all eyes were solely focused on me, it simply felt fascinating.
I realized, "Ah, so this is what doing solo activities feels like." When I meet up with the members after doing individual schedules or returning from vacation, I feel so at ease. Now, where the members are feels like home.
Even when I visit my parents' home, meeting the members puts me at ease. Seeing the seven of us, including myself, still being a bit immature (with each other) just warms my heart. Itโs fascinating how I grow more affectionate and fond of them as time goes by.
๐ฌ: What do you think is the reason the ATEEZ members are so close?
โญ๏ธ: It's probably because we went through so many difficult times together. We didn't start out in a big company, and in a market where you never know when you might disappear, we felt anxious every single day. But things have changed now. We are now able of doing so many things and we've gained confidence. We were able to get through that process safely because the members were together. Also, the members are all very considerate. We blend so well with each other, one might wonder, "where on earth did they find friends like this?"
๐ฌ: You released two mini-albums in the first half of the year. What did you pay special attention to while preparing?
โญ๏ธ: I put a lot of effort into the recording process. This song was created by a producer team in the UK so the local producer's voice was in the guide track and capturing that exact vibe was really difficult. It was a challenge for me as well. To perform it I did a lot of image training to figure out what kind of character I should act out. It wasn't easy since during that period the preparations for the fashion show and the recording overlapped, but I remember preparing (for it) really hard.
๐ฌ: If actors grow after finishing a project, singers grow after releasing an album. What did you gain after wrapping up these promotions?
โญ๏ธ: I gained another character as Seonghwa. I like changing my style to fit the music with every album. I now have a pretty good idea of what makes me look handsome and cool, but if I only ever do that I feel like I'm stuck in that same place. Since I am ATEEZ's Seonghwa, I believe I need to find a version of myself that fits within ATEEZ's music. Of course, it isn't easy. I feel like I hit a wall every time. It would be most comfortable if I just did what suited me best, but for now I still believe it's right to keep challenging myself.
In that sense, these promotions were also a time for me to create yet another character of my own.
๐ฌ: Are you naturally someone who enjoys new changes and challenges? Or did you change because you felt it was important while promoting as ATEEZ?
โญ๏ธ: I changed over the course my career. Originally, my taste was so distinct that there was even a saying "Park Seonghwa's closet", because back in our trainee days my taste was so clear that the members could look at an item and immediately say, "this is Seonghwa hyung's."
But as I kept promoting, at some point, my concept gradually grew more intense. While the concept was getting stronger, if I kept insisting on keeping the same style I felt like I was just staying stuck in one place. That's why I started pursuing various styles and, as I did, I came to like that as well. Of course, after over 7 to 8 years, I do fall into a dilemma sometimes. The desire to keep doing what suits me well clashes with the feeling that I need to try something new. Still, I think I learn from that process.
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