Ask Sandeul

An interview with and photoshoot of B1A4′s Sandeul has been published. Sandeul played up his characteristic charms in the recently-conducted bnt photoshoot. With the concept of “a day in Sandeul’s life,” the shoot showcased the facets of his morning, daytime, and evening charm. Sandeul showed his range with the contrast of a normal day’s playful morning and laid back afternoon with a radiant and handsome evening concept. Regarding his first individual photoshoot, Sandeul said, “When I do photoshoots with the other members, I subconsciously end up relying on them, but all by myself it was a bit awkward and lonely.” But he went on to say, smiling, “But this was a new feeling, and it made me happy to feel like I was in the limelight.” 

Mimicking the staff’s reactions when doing shoots of the members separately, Sandeul spoke frankly about B1A4′s ranking by looks. He said, “I’d thought Jinyoung was the most handsome, but lately Gongchan has gotten more handsome. I think the remaining two members are ranked lower than I am. Cnu has also been getting more handsome, but it’s no good if I’m not #3, so I can’t accept it.” Sandeul, who had enjoyed eating the apple and snacks used as props for the photoshoot, spoke also about his diet. ”Even now I want to have grilled tripe for dinner, and it’s a shame I can’t do that. I can’t drink much alcohol, but when I eat there’s a drink I definitely have. Somaek (a mixed drink with soju and beer) is perfect for grilled tripe,” he recommended. Between individual activities such as taping MBC’s “Duet Song Festival” and the musical “Three Musketeers” and B1A4 group activities, Sandeul has been very busy. Following appearances on ”Immortal Songs -Singing the Legends” and “King of Masked Singer,” he has been active on “Duet Song Festival,” and widened the age range of his fan base. Notably, as of this most recent ”Duet Song Festival,” he has set a new record by three consecutive wins and appearing five times in a row.

He said, “I wasn’t hungry for the victory, but after winning the second time I started wanting to aim for a third win. I caught myself trying to look at the scores during the competition, and decided to remember my original purpose.” “I no longer feel that craving to win. I want to keep other people from breaking the record I set along with Seonyeong. I always put my all into it so I can stand onstage for a long time,” he revealed. Teamed with Jo Seonyeong, he’s sung ”As You Say,” “Road,” “Etude of Memory,” and “Butterfly on “Duet Song Festival.” The theme of their song selection was “healing.” He said that for that reason, they prioritized consideration of lyrics in their song selection: “I’d like it if people feel soothed and gain courage from hearing our songs.”

Sandeul has amassed a lot of experience onstage, but this was the first time for him to team up with a member of the general public. “Seonyeong is always working as hard as she can, and I worry that maybe I won’t be able to keep up with her,” he said, confessing that despite all he does–from B1A4 activities and musicals to “Duet Song Festival”–he can’t slack off on any of them and therefore tries to practice even just a little more. “No matter how hard it is, I practice while saying ‘once more.’ I think that even if this moment is rough, if I stick it out I’ll be able to be active as a singer for a longer time,” he said. When asked a question about his biggest rival on “Duet Song Festival,” he chose fellow idol singer and real-life friend VIXX’s Ken and Choi Sangyeop. His frank answer to “Do you have a song that is your secret weapon?” was “I’ve shown everything, so I don’t have one. I don’t think I could be here right now if I hadn’t gone all-out.” 

When we mentioned that seeing him on “Duet Song Festival” might make featuring offers start rolling in, he answered, ”I want to be the male version of Soyu (SISTAR).” He chose Apink’s Jeong Eunji as the singer with whom he would like to do a collaboration, lavishing praise by saying, ”I love her voice.” Beginning in 2012, Sandeul has been constantly active in musicals. His double-casting with fellow B1A4 member Cnu in the currently-running “Three Musketeers” drew attention. “I like that we can talk with one another about our character,” he said, but worried “perhaps it could become a burden to fans coming to watch.” Maturing through musicals as an actor and a singer, he has already become a fine musical actor radiating stage presence. He spoke of the importance of the stage, saying “Through musicals I’ve learned that I’m someone who lives onstage.” 

Speaking about his ambition, he said, “There aren’t really any particular works or roles I’m aiming for. But I want to become someone like a chameleon. As an actor and as a singer, I think Lim Changjung is like a chameleon who perfectly morphs into a role.” The actor An Seha, whom he met through the musical “All Shook Up,” saw his acting and recommended he try his hand at legitimate drama (a work with serious and deep content). Thanks to An Seha himself becoming his acting coach and praising his acting, Sandeul was able to establish a new goal: to challenge himself to act in things other than musicals. “I worry that I won’t be able to do it well, but because the people around me are cheering me on I will put my all into preparations to try it,” he said of his resolve. By now, Sandeul has celebrated 5 years since debut and has become a fine singer. “My ambition is to be a group that can continue to be active for a long time like Shinhwa. I think we’re about halfway there. It’s to where I can make eye contact with the other members and know what they’re thinking,” he said, speaking of B1A4′s love. He is currently in the midst of recording for B1A4′s comeback, and spoke about his confidence in the album. “There are so many good songs we’re having a hard time decided on the title track, but we want to preserve B1A4′s characteristic bright and pleasant energy.” 

[Photos: bnt]