#djpir

■ Album | FTISLAND’s Past 10 Years, And Another Beginning

On June 7th, 2007, teenage boy band FTISLAND appeared in the K-Pop scene like a comet. With their debut song ‘Love Sick,’ they won #1 on a network music program just 55 days after debut, ranked #1 on weekly music charts for 8 weeks, and took home all of the rookie awards of that year.  10 years later on June 7th, 2017! FTISLAND released their 10th anniversary album ‘OVER 10 YEARS.’ This album looks back on FTISLAND’s past and looks forward to FTISLAND’s future that extends beyond 10 years.  “We didn’t settle. We kept trying to evolve. Because we didn’t fear that change, we were able to endure for a long time” say FTISLAND members about the past 10 years. FTISLAND didn’t settle with their immediate popularity and took on new challenges! By trying music of broad spectrum for the past 10 years, FTISLAND grew as a band with their own color.  FTISLAND expressed their long musical journey with various genres in their10th anniversary special album ‘OVER 10 YEARS.’ 

■ Recommendation | Hidden Classics As Recommended By FTISLAND

1. PRAY / FTISLAND - I WILL It’s meaningful because it’s the title song of FTISLAND’s first album only with self-composed songs, and it’s about their worldly troubles at the time.

2. Even If It’s Not Necessary (꼭은 아니더라도) / FTISLAND - Cross & Change

Love the lyrics. Love it’s message that I won’t rush towards you but wait because you would remember me at least once.

3. Meeting (마중)  / FTISLAND - The Refreshment

It’s a really great song. Rather than rushing to love, the song is filled with emotions from the old days. You can feel the beauty of waiting as you hear about waiting and falling in love on your own. 

4. I Even Lost A Friend (친구마저 잃었다) / FTISLAND - GROWN-UP

I could really relate to this song when I went through my first one-sided love. If I listen to it now, I remember how young and innocent I was at the time. I laugh and think about how cute that was. But at the time, I found comfort through this song. 

5. Memory  / FTISLAND - THANKS TO

This was our first self-composed song to promote on air. But our promotion period was short and we had many regrets about the album. So we definitely want you to listen to it again!

6. Take Me Now  / FTISLAND - FTISLAND 6th ALBUM [Where`s the truth?]

‘Take Me Now’ is the title song of our second all self-composed official album ‘Where’s The Truth?’ It’s strong sounds stand out to the point that the music video was shot in fire. It’s an awesome song that lets you heat up your already hot summer.

7. Don’t Love (사랑하지 마요)  / FTISLAND - Colorful Sensibility

All of our ballad songs have really sad lyrics. This is one of the saddest. It’s one of the best songs that described the sadness after a breakup. If you are sad after a breakup, I hope you listen to this song and let out all of your sadness. 

8. Lose / FTISLAND - FTISLAND 6th ALBUM [Where`s the truth?]

It’s one of the songs that our fans really like. It makes an amazing sound with strings and shouting. If you haven’t heard it yet, we want to recommend it to you. 

9. Black Chocolate / FTISLAND - I WILL

It’s my first self-composed song that came out the way I wanted it to. It’s especially meaningful because it was included in our first self-composed official album. It’s a good song. Please listen to it!

10. To The Light / FTISLAND - I WILL

FTISLAND joins a group of a long-term bands. 

June 7th marks their 10th anniversary. While many popular groups have been disbanding after 7 years, FTISLAND is now way past their ‘7 year jinx.’  

On their 10th anniversary, FTISLAND will release their 10th anniversary special album ‘OVER 10 YEARS.’ The album contains FTISLAND’s reflection on their activities so far and their future beyond 10 years.  FTISLAND already released their 10th anniversary special digital single ‘Love Sick (with Kim Nayoung)’ on May 28th. The song ranked high on Korean music sites and topped China’s largest music video ranking site ‘Yuentai V LIVE Chart.’ FTISLAND plans to continue their band activities and stand before the general public. 

◇ FTISLAND, Until Their 10th Year While countless idol bans showed off various performance stages, FTISLAND didn’t let go of their identity as a band and expanded their grounds as a band.  In Korean music market, band music can be considered non-popular. FTISLAND, however, pulled band music closer to the popular genre through their consistent activities.

These days, the so called ‘under’ musicians appear often on TV. But in the past, many non-pop musicians rejected TV appearances because that strengthens their image as TV stars, not musicians.  FTISLAND, however, didn’t limit themselves just because they are a band. They balanced variety shows, acting and concerts. They managed to grow their fanbase while protecting their musicianship. Their acting and variety show appearances established and protected an image that FTISLAND couldn’t build as a band, allowing them to survive as a long-term band.  FTISLAND topped music charts not only with their Korean albums but also with albums released overseas. It’s a difficult accomplishment as an idol band.

For idol groups, members tend to stand out individually as time passes. But it’s different for bands. With more time and experiences, their teamwork improves.  In a band, each member plays and performs as an individual position. That makes collaboration one of the most important elements to a band. Because each position is separate, each member is important and difficult to switch. FTISLAND did have one member change in 2009 but they have been building their team work since them. Because their experiences on the field matter, they went on countless tours overseas and matured as a team.  FTISLAND has characteristics of an idol group band but by adding rock elements, they didn’t miss their own musical identity as a band. Without throwing away idol-like characteristics, they slowly but surely showed their own colors through self-composed songs.  When a former idol debuts as a band, they were seen as a ‘fake band.’ FTISLAND, however, proved that they grew as a true band.

FTISLAND debuted a 5-member band in 2007. 10 years later in 2017, all 5 of them established themselves as all-around entertainers. FTISLAND debuted with Choi Jonghun (leader, guitar, keyboard), Lee Hongki (main vocal), Lee Jaejin (bass, vocal), Choi Minhwan (drum) and Oh Wonbin (guitar, vocal.) They appeared to be at risk in 2009, when Oh Wonbin quit but in the same year, they recruited new member Song Seunghyun (guitar, vocal, rap) and completed FTISLAND of today. Despite a member change, FTISLAND became more active both in Korea and overseas. 

Just as they have to showcase a difficult charm on stage based on his position, FTISLAND members also expanded their individual horizons.

Lee Hongki revived his resume as a child actor and tacked acting first. He was loved for his cute charms in 2009 SBS drama ‘You Are Beautiful.’ In 2013, he made a screen debut with move ‘Passionate Goodbye.’ Not only that, he appeared on various variety programs with his eloquence and promoted FTISLAND. He also starred in musical ‘The Days’ and showed off his acting and vocal skills. 

FTISLAND’s Choi Jonghun adds onto rookie VROMANCE and Huh Guk’s collaboration song. VROMANCE’s agency RBW released MV still cuts today adding, “Choi Jonghun appears as the male lead in VROMANCE and Huh Gak’s collaboration song ‘Already Winter’ MV coming out on February 4th.”  Choi Jonghun takes on the role of a Romeo who risks his life for the person he loves in a tragedy about a couple who gets tangled in a mystery. In the released MV still, Choi Jonghun enjoys a lovely date with the female lead. But that friendly atmosphere quickly changes into an intense moment, when the couple gets separated by a wire fence. 

We are told the MV staff members praised Choi Jonghun’s acting ability that mastered melodrama, thriller and even crying.  

It's been more than a week since FTISLAND's FHTX concert in LA, and yet...I'm finally getting around to writing about the experience. It's been a crazy busy work week afterwards and honestly, much about the concert is now a blur. The 2 hour concert felt like it was done in 5 minutes. Fortunately, I have plenty of pictures and videos to help me relieve the experience. And of course, Hongki's adorable smile and powerful singing voice will never leave my heart. 

The journey to LA was long and far. My flight out was delayed, shortening my layover to just 15 minutes. And my pitstop airport wasn't small at all. I was sprinting across the terminals, getting agitated on a train and sweating bullets to make the flight (which also ended up leaving the airport super late due to some computer problems). I had no time to buy any water or proper food. I had to make the best of what was offered on the plane. And then it took me forever to get out of LAX and make it downtown (all the while dealing with text messages and phone calls from dear Primadonnas who were worried sick for me. I'm sorry friends ㅠㅠㅠㅠ) Lesson learned: I'm NEVER EVER going out to a concert on the DAY OF!!

By FTISLAND miracle, I made it to the venue on time and got an awesome spot in the pit. I was dehydrated and exhausted to the core. My back was killing me from the long flights. To be honest, I was worried sick that I may not be able to enjoy the concert to the fullest. NOPE! FTISLAND is always the best energy source. Once the music started, I was 100% recharged! FREEDOM!! 

The high touch moment was magical. I was one of the last people in line. I was super rushed to get there so I didn't even know what I was going to say to them. Jonghun was the first one up. I thanked him for coming to the US again in Korean. He looked somewhat surprised to hear Korean (It probably seemed random after a series of English-speaking Pris ^^). Jonghun put his right hand on his heart and thanked me very, very politely. Our leader is such a gentleman. ㅋㅋ

Thank you for looking at me at least once during the concert. In almost all of my pictures of Jonghun, he is looking down at his guitar or the floor, looking shy. 

Next up: Hongki! OMG OMG OMG My love, my baby, my rockstar Hongki!!

Me: "Do you remember when FT's song got featured on American newscast?" HK: It did???!!" Me: "I'm the producer...." HK: (SO VERY POLITELY BOWING) "Thank you very much"

YAH!!! You dork!! You were the one who even tweeted about!!! What does this make me??!! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

In conclusion, I was just trying to be a little more memorable..and Hongki was just being Hongki. I LOVE YOU HONGSTAR!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

My conversation with Hongki went a little too long. The manager or whoever kept rushing me to move on. So I could only say hi to the magnaes. ㅠㅠㅠ I'm sorry ㅠㅠㅠ But seriously, these kids are so freaking cute and handsome!! Song Seunghyun is a total doll!!! SO FREAKING CUTE!!

Ok, so what's up with Hongki's friend Jamil??? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ He was the specially invited translator for Hongki. But!!! He couldn't speak Korean???!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ     

So...Hongki spoke in Korean, Jaejin translated that into Japanese. And then Jamil finally expressed that in English. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ OMG guys, what is this?? A NATO conference??? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Hongki should've just called me up to the stage. It would've saved them 10 precious minutes to talk with Primadonnas and perform more songs. XD I was a little disappointed that Hongki didn't really have a heart to heart moment with the LA crowd as he did in Paris (I guess it's because he wasn't drunk this time ㅠㅠ) But Hongki did echoe the fact that what we see on TV isn't all of FTISLAND. And that they will now only do the music that they want to do. Also, the upcoming Korean album will be 100% self-composed songs!! WHOO HOO!! While Hongki was waiting for Jaejin to translate to Jamil, I shouted out HWAITING!!! from the crowd. Hongki looked like he was going to burst out laughing. LOL I almost did too. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The 3-way translation session continued on. At one point, Jaejin was busy with something so Jamil went to ask Seunghyun. Seunghyun gave him the "don't look at me" expression and so Hongki just ended up repeating himself in Japanese. LOL And then Jamil went onto joining FTISLAND singing "Flower Rock." Erm...why? LOL Honestly, I was getting a little annoyed with this Jamil person. He kept coming back onto the stage...getting in my Hongki pictures...AND COVERING UP MINHWAN!! OMG DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO SEE MINHWAN UP CLOSE???!!! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!!

I truly, truly loved the acoustic stages because I could see Minhwan up so close. *_* I just wished the magnaes would have said at least one word on stage. ㅠㅠ I miss your voice~

The same for our handsome leader too. I'll never forget your heartfelt "thank you" >< Hongki thanked us alot during the stage as well. He kept bowing 90 degrees. No Hongki, thank YOU for coming all this way. I hope you do take the vitamins I gave you to help you heal from the long journey. I'm still struggling to recover myself. HAHA

'Do Or Die' - Lee Hongki ('Modern Farmer' OST) [KOREAN]  거침없이 다 모두 제껴봐 패기 있게 밀어봐  부정적인 말 표정 거짓말 패기 있게 질러봐 바보 같다고 손가락질해도  돌 아이라고 곁눈질 받아도 있는 척 배운 척 니들보단 나아 나는 배짱이 딴따라 계속 밟아줄 테니까 날 지켜봐  (Die! Die! Do or Die!) 내 멋대로 해낼 테니까 날 지켜봐 (Die! Die! Do or Die!) Nobody can understand your life Live your life be alive do it or die!  복잡한 건 다 집어치워 난 전부 해낼 거야 지켜봐 비웃는 건 딱 거기까지만 어디 한번 짖어봐 회초리 같은 따가운 시선과 말들은 다 찢어봐 귀찮은 척 시크한 척해도  입 벌리고 멍 때린척해도  실패란 말 내 머릿속엔 없어  흔들려도 쓰러지지 않아  계속 밟아 줄 테니까 날 지켜봐  (Die! Die! Do or Die!) 내 멋대로 해낼 테니까 날 지켜봐 (Die! Die! Do or Die!) Nobody can understand your life Live your life be alive do it or die!  복잡한 건 다 집어치워 난 전부 해낼 거야 지켜봐 계속 밟아 줄 테니까 날 지켜봐  내 멋대로 해낼 테니까 날 지켜봐 (Die! Die! Do or Die!) Nobody can understand your life Live your life be alive do it or die!  복잡한 건 다 집어치워 난 전부 해낼 거야 지켜봐