Q. Has your impression of [Mingi] changed from when you were in middle school?
🐶 He's good as a celebrity.
🐥 Wait a minute. What do you mean?
🐶 He's good as an ATEEZ member. As a friend, our relationship isn't pure anymore.
🐥 I'm still pure! I feel like I'm 20 at heart.
This is classic Yunho riling up Mingi's emotions 😂
While the Japanese translation may lack nuance, @atiny-queth helpfully provided context:
“We don’t have the pure relationship of being [just] friends anymore [because we're in ATEEZ]."
Similarly, I interpreted Yunho's off-the-cuff remark to mean that he acknowledges him and Mingi are no longer the innocent high-schoolers who dreamed of becoming idols.
They occupy such an interesting space: their job has changed the dynamics of their relationship, but they know each other too well to simply call each other "just members."
They can't go back to the way they were before, when they played for hours in internet cafes after their dance practice; or, as Yunho recalls, ride bicycles along the Han river as trainees:
Q. Memories of the Han River?
🐶 When I was a trainee...
🐥 With who?
🐶 Together
🐥 Us? Really?
🐶 Riding bicycles
🐥 Ah—! I remember now!
🐶 You forgot! That's awful!
As they've matured and as their careers have progressed, they've had to balance their friendship with the demands of being members of ATEEZ and their own personal goals. That's not easy!
They've talked about this before, a few times! Most recently, in Ateez+ they had a long conversation about how they've each grown and changed as people, something Mingi seemed quicker to recognize than Yunho, who seemed (and still seems) a little resistant to the idea of losing his "pure" side to the responsibilities of adulthood:
🐶 I didn't start this [idol career] for a stable life. I just ran forward without looking back.
🐥 My thoughts are a bit different from yours. I feel like I ran forward without looking back for a stable life...I was already at the rock bottom in my life. But now, I have to take care of my family and I have things I need to take responsibility for.
🐶 I know there's a lot I need to protect. I feel the pressure of that too. But still, I don't want to live that way yet.
Yet, he also seeks to guard what remains of that "pure" aspect of Mingi:
🐶 I always think I shouldn't lose my initial mindset. But not only my own initial mindset. I think I can also protect yours.
🐶 Even back in trainee days, you know you're the type who has confidence like "I'm doing really well". but back then and now too, i know you have quote a glass-like mentality. If back then it seemed really weak then now it's like ... I don't know.
🐥 Like tempered glass now?
🐶 I don't know. Anyway, I worry about that side of you. That's how I see it. So I want to be a friend who can protect those things for you. I hope that won't change in the future. If you ever go through something like a slump and you tell me about it, I'll listen to everything you say. And I'll tell you mine too.
Mingi later reflects on their conversation:
🐥 Yunho probably has lots of worries. As ATEEZ'S Yunho and human Yunho, I think he's been worried a lot about how to realize his dreams. I feel worried for him. I feel sorry as i couldn't ask him earlier how could I help him. But I'm glad that we could share our thoughts now.
Yunho's reflection is a bit more wistful:
🐶 Mingi, as your friend, I hope I'll always be your energy and strong support. If you have a hard time, tell me. I don't know what you'll say to me later. I just want to be that kind of person to you. As I sid before, I will be a friend who remembers your youthful days and always waits for you to get back up, if you ever fall. I know you'll be such a friend to me. I always thank you, and let's not change. Let's stay ATEEZ until we are 80 years old, alright?
I think it's understandable that Yunho carries a bit of longing for the "pure/innocent/childish" bond he shared with Mingi during their early years of friendship; he seems to view it as an important facet of his own Peter Pan-like determination to remain youthful and passionate in his spirit.
At the same time, it's wonderful that their "pure/innocent" friendship has evolved into a mature, adult relationship that they cherish and work hard to maintain.
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