IZ*ONE Glitter Magazine Special Interview Translation
—— Yujin, Wonyoung, Minju, Hitomi, Hyewon, Chaeyeon ——
Q1. Coming from "PRODUCE 48", do you sometimes think to yourself that you have improved since then?
Yujin: There were times that I just wanted to cry: we always only had short preparation times for performances, so we had to cut our sleep to compensate - moments like these. But with my companions as my encouragement, I overcame it, and it has now become precious, unforgettable memories.
Wonyoung: Being able to look back in itself makes me realize that I have improved.
Minju: I've been able to think from a different perspective than when I was a trainee. Thinking about how to make the audience enjoy more or have a better time, as I stand on stage. Things like that. Because of this, I feel like a strong sense of responsibility was born inside me.
Hitomi: A part of me which I wasn't so confident with was complimented a lot, and that made me really happy. Being able to see that this part of me is now part of my charms makes me think that I have improved.
Hyewon: I think my negative personality has changed a bit. It is with everyone's help that I was able to take a step forward for myself.
Chaeyeon: I've already been in two audition programs, so I had no confidence, no conviction in myself back then. But now, I think I've got a stronger heart. I'm very glad that I didn't give up back then.
Q2. Which song among those you performed in "PRODUCE 48" left an impression on you?
Yujin: "I AM", my concept evaluation and first center song. It's a very meaningful song for me.
Wonyoung: Our position evaluation song, IOI's "Very Very Very". It was our first performance. I didn't know what to do and there was a lot of trial and error during practice - I can vividly recall it all. It was also our first opportunity to showcase ourselves to the viewers, so it left a deep impression on me.
Minju: Concept evaluation song "1000%". It's a song performance where everyone supported each other, and is also the first song I was entrusted the center position with. This song has now become my source of confidence.
Hitomi: The song that was performed by all 96 students, "Nekkoya", for the video evaluations. The video evaluations left the strongest impression on me. We had to memorize both Japanese and Korean lyrics as well as the choreography in just a short span of time. It was really tough.
Hyewon: BLACKPINK's "BOOMBAYAH". It was the first time in my life I challenged myself to rap, so it has become a good memory.
Chaeyeon: "We Together" from the debut evaluations. It was the first time I was chosen as the center, so it left a deep impression on me. I was so nervous back then, but I was so happy.
Q3. If you’ll each give a characteristic of another member?
Yujin → Chaeyeon
She does her best and puts so much effort to dance and study Japanese. Out of everyone I know, I think she's the one who gives her most. She makes us breakfast, she shows concern for us and asks us if we're okay, even just for the most trivial things. A very kind person.
Wonyoung → Yujin
Yujin-neesan is always so bright, so cheerful. Even when the rest of us are already tired, she's still loud and lively, overflowing with energy. With her adorable features and strong appetite *laughs*, she's like a cute puppy!
Minju → Wonyoung
You'll be happy even by just looking at her. She emits this joyful aura, and is especially cute when she's eating! *laughs* Each and every one of her gestures is adorable.
Hitomi → Minju
First off, she's a hard worker. She's always checking on her expressions or checking her dance at different angles, and always checks the mirror (the practice mirror, not the personal one) with intense focus to correct herself. That part of her is amazing. Personality-wise, she's diligent, pure, behaved, and attentive to others.
Hyewon → Hitomi
She's awesome at dance, and can remember the choreos pretty quickly. Her voice is also beautiful.
...And her cheeks! So soft, it's charming! Adorable.
Chaeyeon → Hyewon
She's a curiosity, so natural and different, that you'd think she's from another planet. And I think that's part of her charm. Unbothered by trivial matters, she's a strong girl. And above all, a total beauty!
Q4. Your preferred fashion style?
Yujin: I've been into cool, sporty looks lately. I also have a whole variety of pants.
Wonyoung: I like oversized clothing and matching those with skirts stylishly.
Minju: I feel like simple jackets and coats matched with jeans have become a staple look of mine. My current wardrobe might be full of just simple but still cool-looking clothing *laughs*
Hitomi: I adjust my style to the season, but I've been collecting a lot of one-piece dresses and skirts lately.
Hyewon: I'm into simple but mature clothes. I stick to that style.
Chaeyeon: Monotone! Casual but edgy is my thing!
Q5. One thing that you will always value in your life?
Yujin: Health.
Wonyong: Family. They're my fans for eternity.
Minju: The thoughts and feelings of those who treasure us. I want to properly accept, face, and respond to these thoughts and feelings.
Hitomi: Family. Being aprat of my family has made me realize once again how precious they are.
Hyewon: There's a lot, but I'll have to say family.
Chaeyeon: Family. They've always been with me and has supported me ever since. I treasure them.
Q6. How do you cope when you are stressed or down?
Yujin: I talk with the members and my family, and clear my head.
Wonyoung: To just cry my heart out and sleep until I'm better. I feel totally refreshed right after!
Minju: I watch dramas I like or read books to calm myself down.
Hitomi: Hmmm, I wonder... Yeah, it's probably eating delicious food for me.
Hyewon: Crying. Crying makes me feel so much better. It's important that you don't hold it all in.
Chaeyeon: To dance and sweat it out. I clear my thoughts and just make time to focus on something.
Q7. The role model you would aim for?
Yujin: IU-san. Her voice is just so transparent and beautiful. Listening to her heals me.
Wonyoung: BLACKPINK-senpai or TWICE-senpai. While I also admire their dancing and singing, they're world-famous idol groups that I will do my best to catch up to!
Minju: There's many people I respect, but among all of them, I especially like Girls' Generation-senpai. I'm a long-time fan, so I'll do my best to be able to approach them.
Hitomi: TWICE's Sana-senpai. She's Japanese like me, but her Korean is so good, she even MCs for shows. She sings well too. I really look up to her.
Hyewon: In my case, it is my mother. It's a strange relationship as she's like my friend as well, but there's a lot I can learn from her and I respect her for it.
Chaeyeon: Chungha-senpai. She's doing well with her solo activities, she dances excellently, and she's very charismatic. I want to be like her someday!
—— Eunbi, Sakura, Nako, Chaewon, Yena, Yuri
Q1. Coming from "PRODUCE 48", do you sometimes think to yourself that you have improved since then?
Eunbi: I was also living in a dorm before (under Woolim) but it was just under 10 people. This time I’ve lived with many friends and I learned that even though we’re a lot, friends can be one.
Sakura: After living in Korea with the trainees, I was surprised by everyone’s strong drive of wanting to be an idol. Because of that I was able to realize again why I wanted to become an idol in the first place, and I was able to get back the feeling I had the first time I felt that I wanted to be an idol.
Nako: I was a really passive person before, but after the show, I became positive and have learned to voice out my own opinions. “I want to be the center!”, “I want to be the main vocal!” these things, until now I couldn’t say them. After all, if I didn’t put myself out there, I won’t be able to go up the ranks. It’s also because I couldn’t give a good impression of myself that I was able to learn and grow the will to step forward.
Chaewon: Before PD48, I didn’t have any experience standing on a stage. It was in a state that I didn’t know how I should present myself and how to make expressions. I was able to get a lot of encouragement as I was able to overcome the tasks together with all the trainees, I was able to learn a lot about how to properly give a performance.
Yena: (PD48) Is a very popular survival show in Korea, so I was really nervous at the beginning. From the start I didn’t have confidence in me, “Even if you work hard, if it doesn’t go your way, maybe it really won’t”, “Maybe this is my limit”, honestly these thoughts were strong. It was a big discovery that I once again realized how important it is to believe and keep trying.
Yuri: In the first place, my training period was not short. I didn’t really mind it (training period), but I was already worried and felt a strong sense of urgency. But because of the program, I felt that little by little I developed my singing and dancing. I’m really filled with gratitude.
Q2. Which song among those you performed in "PRODUCE 48" left an impression on you?
Eunbi: “Rumor”. The fans’ reaction was better than I expected.
Yuri: The song I performed for position evaluation, AOA senpai’s “Short Hair”.
Nako: The song I performed for the first group battle “Love Whisper”.
Sakura: “Nekkoya”, after all, it’s the first song everyone performed. It’s the first time I got to be the center, it’s very memorable to me.
Chaewon: For me, it’s “Nekkoya” too. It was our first task, everyone was still not used to the environment, but we were in a situation that we had to memorize the song and dance for only a few days. It was really tough!
Yena: “Suki ni Nacchaudarou?”. It’s the first time I became a center, it became a big source of my confidence.
Q3. If you’ll each give a characteristic of another member?
Yena → Eunbi
As expected of IZ*ONE’s leader, she gathers and leads everyone. Even though it’s a role that comes with responsibility, she does her job well. She’s also a fun and funny person who can naturally lift everyone’s motivation. She has a very kind heart, she lends an ear and listens to everyone’s worries and gives advice, a really wonderful person.
Eunbi → Chaewon
In any case, kind, cute, and a kid with a lot of passion. Her trainee period wasn’t that long, but she gives it her all in practices, a very hard working person. Her side that faces oneself and works hard is great. And she properly separates being on stage from her private life, it is clever and attractive!
Chaewon → Nako
Nako has that cuteness that just by looking at her will bring a smile to your face. Even though she’s this cute, she also has a side that does everything properly. It’s like a gap that makes her very attractive.
Nako → Sakura
Unexpectedly loves games, and I really love it when she shows us (behind the cameras) her funny side! But her coolness on top of the stage is also her charm point. She gives me advice even before when we were in Japan (as HKT), a reliable oneesan.
Sakura → Yuri
Usually she is very cute like a puppy, but when she sings, she capitalizes on her husky voice, and I always think it’s amazing. She has a very wide vocal range, she can do from high to low pitch. As IZ*ONE’s main vocal, she gives color to our songs, a very valuable person. An indispensable presence.
Yuri → Yena
First, her charm point is her super cute lips. I think she suits ponytail the most in our group. She has a very honest and pure personality. A kid that makes me feel really happy when I’m with her.
Q4. Thing you are into lately?
Nako: Watching Terrace House. Saku-chan and I keep talking while watching it, It’s really interesting right! It feels like the fun doubled up, because there’s someone I can talk and relate to about it.
Sakura: Indeed, Nako-chan and I look forward to it every week. lol.
Chaewon: Watching a Korean drama. Recently, it’s Sky Castle.
Eunbi: I’m into song writing, I want to make songs for IZ*ONE!
Yuri: I’m into Heart Signal, I think it’s called the Korean version of Terrace House.
Yena: Games! Will definitely get you addicted every time.
Q5. Your favorite Japanese/Korean food?
Sakura: I like Budaejigae! It’s really delicious.
Nako: Ehh-! There are a lot of delicious food… But in the end it’ll be food with cheese! The cheese really stretches, I like the feeling of not knowing how far it can stretch.
Chaewon: I really like Takoyaki, and Japan’s desserts are really delicious. I love the sweets sold in convenient stores!
Eunbi: Yakiniku and Sushi. Japan’s meat is really delicious.
Yuri: I really love the Ice cream filled mochi. I eat it even the morning. Almost everyday lol.
Yena: Motsu Nabe (Offal hot pot). Though I ate it in Tokyo, it was really delicious! (Motsu Nabe is a famous dish from Fukuoka)
Q6. The thing you look forward to the most now?
Nako: Speaking of that, sometimes there are weeks that it (Terrace House) doesn’t air right? lol. That’s why I always excitingly wait for the next episode! lol.
Sakura: Recently, I’m like “I want to go home early and cook!”, because I like to cook for myself.
Yena: To level up in the game and proceed to the next stage lol.
Eunbi: For mine, it’s a little serious….lol. I want to finish the songs I’ve written and quickly perform it as IZ*ONE. It’s the thing I’ve been really looking forward to.
Chaewon: I really look forward to the time I’ll get to meet WIZ*ONEs like in the concerts to come in the future!
Yuri: I want to quickly do a world tour and meet the WIZ*ONEs all over the world.
Q7. The role model you would aim for?
Eunbi: IU senpai. Her singing is lovely, she’s cute and beautiful. I respect that part of her that has so many attractive points.
Yena: My older brother. Since before there are a lot of things to learn from him, I respect him.
Chaewon: SNSD’s Taeyeon senpai! Because she’s doing solo activities and has been continuous loved by the people.
Nako: TWICE’s Jihyo senpai. I think she’s very professional, both her singing and dancing is perfect.
Sakura: Red Velvet’s Irene senpai. As a woman, she’s really beautiful that I am captivated.
Yuri: JYP Entertainment’s solo singer Baek Yerin senpai. I feel inspired whenever I listen to her sing, that’s why I want to be this kind of existence to WIZ*ONEs too.
