#winner interview

THE BOY WITHOUT GRAVITY

For the first time, Kim Jinwoo of WINNER has been given a microphone that was prepared solely for him.

Kim Jinwoo’s heart is a knot of excitement and fear, nerves and anticipation and he has started to unravel that knot one by one, carefully, and calmly.

Kim Jinwoo? When I heard the news that he was casted for the title role of “The Little Prince”, I tilted my head. There was no face that popped up in my mind immediately. The first reason was the fact that I did not think to make the connection between the Korean National Contemporary Dance Company and an idol group. After I was given the hint that he was a member of the group WINNER, I was able to think of his face. But even then, I was doubtful. That was because Kim Jinwoo was never really coupled to phrases like “dance-idol” or “dancer”. On top of that, unlike his group members who don’t hide their talents and actively display their individual charms, he is usually standing slightly to the back, smiling at them. That Kim Jinwoo is going to perform contemporary dance? I feel that even his fans who know him best would have been surprised at the unexpected news. But all these doubts subsided when this shy young man entered the studio. That was because Kim Jinwoo himself looks so much like the Little Prince, as if he came out of the storybook itself. There is no doubt that Kim Jinwoo has an uncanny resemblance to the illustrations by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. From his blonde hair, to his large, bright eyes, and even his zoned out facial expression when he is alone. Fortunately, it wasn’t only me who discovered these similarities. “My members and the people around me tell me that I suit the Little prince. It’s probably because of the hair color (laughs). I feel embarrassed but it’s true that it makes me happy. I have to do well to satisfy those expectations. I have to do well so that even when this is all over, I still have the nickname of the Little Prince.”

The courage of the first step

“The Little Prince” is bringing him many “firsts”. For example, this is his first time to promote alone. He has never stood onstage alone without his members after debuting as WINNER. “This is my first time to take part in such a quiet photoshoot so I feel awkward and lonely. Wherever I go, I’m with my members so I’m used to noisy and hectic environments. On the other hand, it takes much less time for the photoshoot to end compared to when all 5* of us (T/N: This interview and photoshoot took place before the announcement of Taehyun’s leave) have a photoshoot, so it’s nice to end the photoshoot when the sun is still up (laughs). But that’s how much I need to do well so I feel much more burden and responsibility.” His burden is not unrelated to the genre of contemporary dancing. Unlike with plays and musicals, it is difficult to find idol members who take part in the contemporary dance stage. This probably proves the vast difference between the genre of contemporary dancing and the idol industry. It seems like that gap itself is an obstacle that Kim Jinwoo must overcome. “With musicals, meaning can be delivered through various ways such as songs and spoken lines, but with dance drama, the dancer has to express everything with just the body. That was what I was worried about the most. I was also afraid about whether I’ll be able to do well.”

However, “The Little Prince” was so charming that he willingly put aside all his worries. Each facial expression and movement add to the storytelling and that is done through each dancer’s dancing and each of those individual movements interconnect with each other and illustrate a large, directed choreography. There is a magic to the recreation of the many different planets that the Little Prince visits with vibrant colors and detailed props on the stage. As Kim Jinwoo became taken by this unfamiliar site, he fell in love with the charms of contemporary dancing as he watched every National Contemporary Dance Company performance video he could get his hands on. He became deeply aware of how WINNER choreographies and the dancing of “The Little Prince” were worlds apart after he started practices. If the goal of idol choreography is to accentuate sharpness through detailed movements, the bodily movements of contemporary dancing are determined only by the dancer. In other words, improvisation. For Kim Jinwoo to pull out this unfamiliar concept from within himself, the dancers of the dance company, who are also his teachers, gave him a homework assignment on the first day of practice. The homework assignment was for him to discover the defenceless Kim Jinwoo. He had to organise what he did when he was alone and what he thought about when he was alone. “After coming back to our dorm that day, I thought about that assignment and… Please wait a moment, I wrote down all of it.” He took out his phone and after looking through his notes, he started reading them out loud. “‘Zoning out while lying down. Going to the bathroom. Eating a meal. Watching TV’ and the thoughts I wrote down were, ‘I’m bored. I feel empty. I’m hungry’ and we started with expressing these things with my body. They told me to express them in my own way and that it didn’t matter whether or not people could recognise what I was expressing. For example, usually when people are asked to express hunger, they touch their belly. But I (actively moving around) turned my chest around like this and wrapped my arms around my belly.” The movements he created were brushed up and connected and then became the Little Prince’s dance. That is the reason why it can’t be helped but for “Kim Jinwoo” to flow out of each and every movement of the Little Prince. These days, he is most taken by the expression of lacking gravity out of all the choreographies in the performance. This is because floating in air is the most fundamental movement of the Little Prince as he travels to the many different planets in the universe. For this, these days, Kim Jinwoo walks around carefully with his heels in the air at the dorm. “Even outside of practice, I practice the feeling of being out in space. I open the door and hug my cats as if I lack gravity. I try raising my arms with this floating feeling and I think about how my eyes should travel. I realised that letting my body loose is harder than I thought. When it doesn’t work out well, I look for videos about space and get ideas while watching them. Recently, there was a special ‘Infinity Challenge’ episode on space so I enjoyed watching that.”

Other than dancing, “The Little Prince” has changed the air that surrounds Kim Jinwoo. And he is gladly enjoying that fresh air. “I went to the practice room for the National Contemporary Dance Company at Seoul Arts Center and it was really nice. There was even a fountain (laughs). Before debuting, I practiced in underground rooms that lacked sunlight so practicing at a nice place like this really feels new. The leader [of the dance company] and the teachers don’t distance themselves from me so I’m able to practice with a comfortable heart.” Although he suddenly became the youngest/most inexperienced member of the dance company from being the eldest hyung in his group, he laughed happily about it. “There are actually many things I have to worry about as the eldest hyung. I’m not the leader but I realised that there are things I have to do as the oldest. But after becoming the maknae, I feel at ease. Something like even if I make a small mistake, I feel like people will let it go? And it’s nice because it feels like I’ve become younger. Haha.”

Proving Kim Jinwoo

Kim Jinwoo wishes for “The Little Prince” to be the starting point of becoming a bigger and deeper person. He straightforwardly stated that his ultimate goal is to mature as a person through meaningful experiences. “I walk on the path of a singer but I think singing and dancing according to what is expected of me would be trapping myself in a boundary. I can’t deny that I didn’t experience enough freedom since I joined my agency when I was 20 years old and gave up my youth (laughs). But attempting to act and challenging myself in contemporary dancing naturally leads me to experience various things. I think that after experiencing new things, my thoughts and feelings will become deeper. In that sense, I think that challenging myself in contemporary dancing is a chance for me to learn many things.” He has already prepared himself for biased/negater attitudes that is common for celebrities who challenge themselves in musicals and plays. “I think professional artists of the modern dance or ballet industries will think it unusual for me to be a part of this. However, I will devote myself to practices and perform in a way that will not distance them from me. I don’t expect praises like, ‘He suits this genre,’ I will work hard to at least not make them feel that there is a disconnection.”

However, everything talked about above is all secondary worries. That is because what he desperately waits for is the stage itself. After WINNER ended promotions in March, it has been 8 months since he last stood on stage to meet the Korean audience. His heart thumps quickly with even just the thought of stepping up on the stage that he longed for. “Just the fact that I will step up on a stage makes me happy. I really longed for the stage. Although it is slightly regretful that it won’t be WINNER’s stage. I want to enjoy myself as much as I waited for this moment. Of course it’s important that I do well but more than that, my greater goal is to enjoy myself on this stage.” What does he want to show the audience on the stage he desperately waited for? Unlike with how he took his time answering previous questions after much thought and deliberation, he had an immediate but also clear answer for this question as if he had thought about it for a long time. “[I want to show] that Kim Jinwoo can do it too. The fact that I have the strength to create this kind of stage and performance and that there’s this kind of side to Kim Jinwoo too. I want to show people this side of me.” The determination in his shining eyes felt like this was a promise to himself more than to the audience. Kim Jinwoo will be given five stages and during that time, we will watch him prove his own domain just as he promised. And the audience is already prepared to accept him with joyful hearts. Just like how the Fox was able to imagine the Little Prince’s golden hair just by seeing the waves of the golden wheat field.

“The Little Prince” - Korea National Contemporary Dance Company

- Dates: 2016.12.9 ~ 12.11

- Time: Friday 8PM | Weekend 2PM and 6PM

- Place: Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater

- Choreography: Ahn Ae-soon

- Organisation & Script: Kim Jiwoon

- Music: Jung Jae-il

- Price: R seats 50,000won; S seats 30,000won; A seats 20,000won

161130 * trans: @chrissy96_

WINNER TAKES IT ALL

“We held up celebratory glasses for WINNER who are wrapping up promotions for their mini album, “EXIT:E”. We wish you all the best for the road you will walk on towards your goals!”

Seungyoon and Seunghoon who imprinted their names through audition programs, Mino who spent his days onstage as an underground rapper, and Jinwoo and Taehyun who endured their long trainee period on tightropes. They received the name, “WINNER” by surviving the survival program, “WIN”, where they competed against Team B as Team A. It took YG, who doesn’t choose compromise in front of perfection, 9 years to create WINNER, the second boy group after BIGBANG. After a long period of producing, the ten songs that were created by the members displayed their voices as artists, not as idols. On the day of their debut, their title track, “Empty” swept up #1 on music charts. And then one year and a half passed. This was unusual and not easy especially within the fast-moving idol ecosystem. WINNER, who have come back, announced their plan to be active for the whole of 2016 with their project “Exit Movement”. Their mini album, “EXIT:E” is only the start as it naturally contains WINNER’s self-composed and written songs. The title tracks, “Baby Baby” and “Sentimental”, along with Nam Taehyun’s solo track, “I’m Young” had music videos released out of the five songs. Instead of looking at the widened spectrum that includes blues, pop, among other genres, it is necessary to focus on how each song sincerely shines with their completeness. As if they were waiting for it, WINNER successfully wrapped up their first domestic concert, “2016 WINNER EXIT TOUR” and challenged themselves to the chid care variety program, “Half Moon Friends”. These youths have instinctive energy and passion, along with fresh mischief and they still have a lot to show. We, who have watched how they earned their name, WINNER, from the beginning, just need to enjoy watching them mature into real winners. Because their name is WINNER, because becoming winners will always be their goal, and because their thirst for music is more deep and dense than expected.

Q. After your hiatus of 1 year and 5 months, you have completed promotions for your mini album “EXIT:E” and your first domestic concert tour has ended too. Do you feel at ease now?

Seungyoon

I felt like a bitterness in my chest that wouldn’t go away, disappeared. Because the energy that was trapped was finally released like the champagne that was burst open during this photoshoot. I felt very reinvigorated. But this is not enough. There are many glasses left that need to be filled with champagne. I wish to show more new and good things.

Mino

I was so frustrated during the hiatus. I desperately wanted to have a comeback quickly to show our music with high spirits. I had to swallow back anxiety very often but the apologetic heart I had for the people waiting for us was greater. I’m very thankful to them.

Taehyun

During the hiatus, I was so thirsty for promotions but stepping onstage made me miss the hiatus. I thought, “If I had practiced instruments more fiercely… If I had been more stably prepared, then I would have had been armed with another weapon.” I regretted things. I also worried that I was being too impatient. I’m worry about whether I’m being too greedy for running for perfection too quickly at such a young age.

Jinwoo

Because the hiatus of 1 year and 5 months left me with bitterness, I feel like I released some of that frustration through the [EXIT:E] promotions. It is our goal to stand on stage again quickly. Because the EXIT:E promotions were too short to resolve the hunger that built up during the hiatus.

Seunghoon

Outside, only the glamorous times of WINNER are shown. But I think I’m ardent for that emptiness that comes after the glamorous stage disappears. The emotion felt by the person involved is different from what other people see.

Q. That emptiness was conveyed through “Empty” on your first album.

Seunghoon

When the cheers and spotlights you received onstage suddenly disappears, there is an emptiness in the corner of your chest.

Seungyoon

When there is no opportunity to stand onstage, my body feels fidgety and itchy. The more time passes in that situation, an emptiness that embodies, “What am I doing right now” finds you. It flusters you as if you didn’t do what you were supposed to do. Additionally, a financial emptiness follows. Haha. Am I being too realistic? When the emptiness seeps into bank accounts, you become “Sentimental”.

Q. I’ll remember your wit in connecting to the song, “Sentimental”, which is in this album. I want to ask why the title of the album is, “EXIT:E”. These days, it is common to hear and say, “There is always an entry into a fandom but there is no exit”, why did you dare to choose “EXIT”?

Seungyoon

Our album name was coincidental and intuitive. In the image from the photoshoot we had at England, the director wrote, “Exit”, and we really liked that feeling. Instead of interpreting it as, “Get away from us,” we understood it as, “Listen to WINNER’s music and exit into a different world through WINNER”.

Mino

If our music became an exit for someone from their daily life, there is nothing better than that so we all agreed to it.

Taehyun

The fact that all five members liked it is very fascinating.

Q. So each member has different preferences from each other? How do you work together when you each have strong preferences?

Seunghoon

We are very different from each other. Our opinions usually never unite either. When all five members need to unite voices, Seungyoon, our leader, separates each member’s opinions and reflects the opinions and collect all the opinions in the end. We try to find a compromise.

Seungyoon

Everyone respects my opinions as a leader. I’m thankful for them.

Q. It is a blessing to meet a leader who respects the opinions of members. It is not easy to get assessed with a self composed song. WINNER seems to always choose to make breakthroughs.

Seungyoon

Because we are people who make mainstream music, we think it is natural for us put in the effort to make music for many people to like. Of course, it’s not easy but if we were to say it’s difficult, it would feel like we are avoiding the responsibility as mainstream singers. That would mean the dereliction of duties.

Q. It is most likely that not everyone is dignified in front of assessment. What do you do when your confidence drops?

Mino

Whenever my confidence disappears or whenever I become confused about the direction of my live, I talk to the people around me. I earn solutions and hints are shared. I find it a relief that I have many friends near me who understand me because we have similar jobs.

Jinwoo

I choose to close off the situation and forget it for a short time so that I can make sure I don’t beat myself over it. I usually forget about it for a short time and then I come back and find a new way to figure things out.

Seungyoon

I shower! I become happy when I look at the mirror while showering. Haha. I’m joking. My ears lean towards compliments given to me by people who know me well. Compliments like that are like energy drinks to me. Honestly, I receive an amazing amount of strength while reading fan letters. When my confidence is scratching at the lowest level, each and every letter of each word from fan letters gather together and stick to my chest.

Taehyun

I try my best to find a way to absorb different music but honestly, I’m not sure. It’s too difficult for me to figure out how to settle myself when I lack confidence. It is my homework to find an appropriate method.

Seunghoon

CEO YG’s compliment such as, “You did well” is equivalent to getting a dragon ball. (Right at this moment, all the members vigorously agreed!) Because it’s such a rare and precious experience, the power and influence is really great.

Q. Just like what Seunghoon mentioned, what is the most impressionable praise you received that marked your heart?

Seungyoon

“Your song is really good!”

Taehyun

That’s right. Whenever people say my songs are good. I am most happy when people praise “my babies”. (T/N: Taehyun regards his songs as his babies)

Seunghoon

The phrase, “You’re the best / You’re my one and only”. Because men are animals who crave acknowledgement.

Seungyoon

Mino will probably answer, “You’re funny” or “You dress well”. Haha. We’ve heard the phrase, “Jinwoo-hyung is good looking” so many times we’re probably tired of it?

Seunghoon

Actually, our fans say, “You’re good looking” often. However, there is a difference because in front of Jinwoo-hyung, they cry out, “Oppa, you’re so good-looking!” with the soul of the universe.

Q. Recently, you started the child care variety program, “Half Moon Friends”. The show displays WINNER within the chaos without falsity so the viewers laugh and feel touched. Good looking Teacher Juju’s popularity is also felt. How was the challenge of child care?

Jinwoo

You know that old phrase about choosing to do farm work if you were given the choice of looking after children or doing farm work? It conveys how difficult child care is and I realised that old expressions are never wrong. And I was only popular because I had pink hair which children like.

Taehyun

If I had to choose between farm work and child caring, I would choose to take care of children. It is physically tiring but you can take and receive emotions.

Seunghoon

There are many things you can learn from children. I felt like the children’s world is a smaller version of our society. And we became slightly more innocent after meeting the children.

Seungyoon

Up until now, I never thought that we were adults. We barely take care of ourselves. Even though we’ve aged, we didn’t mature. In front of the children, I looked back at the definition of being an adult for the first time. Because we were given the responsibility to become the fences around someone else’s lives. This opportunity made me think a lot.

Mino

In front of the children, we were adults and we were teachers. Responsibility was a scary thing.

Q. Have you thought about marriage through this opportunity?

Seunghoon

Before the program was officially prepared, there were questions about marriage during the pre-interviews. That was before the theme of the broadcast was decided. I have friends who have gotten married quickly but I told the production crew that marriage is a far off topic for me. Because I love working, I said that I think I would get married as late as possible, but meeting the children made me realise how cute and lovable they are. My thoughts have changed since then. Getting married in my 20s and have children would make it possible for me to be like a friend to my children. I feel like it would be a fun life. Of course, there is no one near me right now so this is an impossibility.

Taehyun

I’m different. I have always wanted to get married quickly because I find it difficult to get hit by people’s emotions. I want to be stable. I feel like if I have stability, I would be able to focus on my music more. If I had someone I wanted to marry, I don’t want to hesitate.

Mino

I want to get married as late as possible. I will live freely, happily, and with enjoyment until then!

Q. This place is only 10 minutes away from Incheon airport. If you were given 7 days of rest, what would you do?

Jinwoo

I want to go to the Zakinthos Island in Greece. It was the filming location for the drama “Descendants of the Sun” and I’m still obsessed with it even though the drama has ended. The beach is so pretty.

Mino

I want to travel to a country that has overwhelming nature. I have to zone out at that place. I’ll look at the sky once and then at palm trees once. Whether it’s the sea or the mountains, I’ll like that place.

Seungyoon

I want to follow Mino

Mino

Haha. I will not take you with me.

Seungyoon

Then I want to go back to my hometown, Busan. Even when we go to Busan for schedules, I never get the time to go home. I like traveling overseas but I desperately want to catch up with my friends. And my family. There are too many faces I miss.

Seunghoon

We went to New York for the album cover photoshoot for our debut album. We just worked and then came back. New York is the farthest city I have ever visited. Even though we came back after working hard for our photoshoot in a rush, every time I look at our album photobook, I clearly remember the good times we had there. I have a hobby of re-watching movies I love multiple times but every time some time passes, there are new emotions that get added unto that experience. I want to feel that new feeling at New York too.

Taehyun 

I want to go to an overseas music festival and I want to set up a tent on top of a field of grass and while I listen to music, I want to roll around for one week. I also want to go on a backpacking trip, which I have never done before.

Q. Please share some hints about the year-long project “Exit Movement” with us before you leave! When will the song you revealed at your concert be released on an album?

Seungyoon

We recorded new songs yesterday and today. We are working hard and spending busy nights every day. We keep fixing the recordings of our songs repetitively. As we do that, we’ll be able to create even better songs and that process continues like a Möbius strip. It’s because we’re very greedy. We’ll come back with an album full of satisfaction.

We met with WINNER. After the warm sunshine left and when a cool breeze started blowing, WINNER arrived at the studio. “Hello.” With energetic voices and bows, Mino and Seungyoon led the other members into the set. Then, they scattered for a break as some of them filled their bellies with packed meals while others joked with staff members. Truthfully, before we met with WINNER, we had unconsciously bred preconceived notions about them. This was because they were the second boy group after BIGBANG under one of the largest agencies, YG Entertainment, rapper Song Mino left such a strong impression on “Show Me The Money”, Kang Seungyoon and Lee Seunghoon became survival program heroes when they beat incredible competition rates, all of these factors made us feel that they were strict. Above everything, they have such freewheeling and unique artistic expression, different from the cookie cutter-like common idol groups. However, these preconceived notions disappeared within 5 minutes after we started talking. Haughtiness and coldness that is usually found in popular idol groups and good looking idol groups couldn’t be found within WINNER. Rather, they approached us first and joked with us and made fun conversations with light topics. Coincidentally, the day of the photoshoot was the youngest member, Taehyun’s birthday. Before the start of the photoshoot, the other members pretended to have an interview when they were actually having an emergency meeting to prepare for a surprise party, deceiving Taehyun. Watching the members keeping Taehyun in check while exchanging ideas for the surprise party reminded us of their high spirited selves on “Half Moon Friends”. But they were not always mischievous. When talking about music, all five of them were serious and their hot passion and greed for their upcoming album were apparent. Meeting each and every member made us realise how unnecessary preconceived notions are and we were relieved about how quickly the preconceived notions were broken. This helped in getting close to their true selves and in conveying them truthfully… The most impressionable point during the interview was how the members countlessly mentioned the word, “winner”. The dictionary definition of “winner” is “An individual who achieves great success in a difficult world or an individual who seizes dignified victory after proper process and competition!” The five men we met today attained their title of “WINNER” with dignity through their passion and youth. They are not WINNERs just by name. While numerous eyes watched them, they experienced tear-inducing competition against their friends and they have reached this high with difficulty after endless survivals. And in this moment, with their great strengths, they now have the tremendous responsibility of having to protect their name. They laugh while joking around like young children but they already know that it is more difficult to stay at the peak than climbing up to this position. So this is another beginning. “He who wears the crown must bear its weight.”

Q. Today is Mr. Taehyun’s birthday. I’m sorry to have the photoshoot on a day like this.

Taehyun

It’s ok. I didn’t have anything to do anyways. (Laughs) I rarely have parties or do special things because it’s my birthday. It was like this last year as well and all the members do the same. Thank you for holding a surprise party for me with my hyungs.

Q. You’re currently resting but you seem busy. How do you all spend your time?

Taehyun

When we rest, I usually play my guitar. Honestly, I don’t have anything to do other than make music.

Mino

I rarely have days that doesn’t have any schedules but when I do rest, I sleep in and then get myself together with coffee. And then I go to the company to work on music.

Seungyoon

It’s the same for me. It’s my day-to-day life to go to the company and work on music.

Seunghoon

Also, whether we’re asleep or awake, sitting or standing, we think about working on music and our fans. (Laughs) I also go to the company. I work on music as well but as a YG employee, I take part in creating ideas and contents for WINNER’s direction and performances.

Q. Creating ideas and contents for WINNER’s direction… Seeing your tattoo that holds the meaning of WINNER and your fans, Seunghoon’s love for fans is quite special, just as I have heard.

Seunghoon

As an idol group member who lives off of love from fans, I think it is something that is greatly natural. My tattoo contains the “W” from WINNER and the “Inner Circle”, the name of our fanclub. And because we are not often on TV broadcasts, I think about how we can show our various sides to our fans. This is just my personal greed.

Q. We can’t not talk about “Half Moon Friends”. How did it feel to take care of children?

Taehyun

It was so tiring when we were taking care of them but watching the show on TV makes me miss them.

Seungyoon

That’s right. Watching them on broadcasts makes me miss them more and it’s really fun to see scenes and situations that we didn’t know during the time of the filming.

Q. Who is the best at taking care of children? Which member was most like a dad?

Seunghoon

Jinwoo-hyung? One glance from hyung is enough. As expected from a handsome person!

(But all the other members pointed out Seunghoon!)

Jinwoo

Seunghoon is the best at taking care of kids. He plays with them well as if he’s their real dad and above everything, I think he communicates with them well.

Q. Since you took care of children for 2 weeks, there must be a child rearing tip you found for yourself.

Jinwoo

You need to have the hearts of the children. If you do, they do everything you ask them to do. Because you need to be able to control them. Once this happens, you will feel that the children have deeply fallen for you.

Mino

Quickly grabbing the attention of children? You can raise your voice slightly or with some kind of action, make the children focus on something else and then take care of the situation during that time.

Q. Is there a member you have good chemistry with when exchanging music?

Mino

I think I am most comfortable when I exchange music with Seungyoon. Because we each have different musical taste, we can look at each other’s works objectively.

Q. The concept of the photoshoot is “faces”, which member has facial parts that you are most envious of?

Jinwoo

Seunghoon’s clean and chic eyes.

Mino

Seungyoon’s sexy bottom lip!

Seunghoon

Jinwoo-hyung’s sideburns that Wolverine would cry to have.

Seungyoon

Taehyun’s sleep V-lined chin!

Taehyun

Mino-hyung’s dark skin? (Laughs)

Q. Is there a difference between what WINNER is and the WINNER that is shown to the public?

Mino

All of us had hard times preparing to become singers and we all debuted through a survival program. However, the public only remembers our current situation. Above it all, the fact that we are singers under “YG” causes the most influence. We still have such a long way to go but because our company seniors are so greatly talented, people rate us higher than our actual skills.

Q. Wouldn’t that mean that the public’s expectations of WINNER are that much high?

Jinwoo

That’s right. However, satisfying those expectations may lead to burden so we are doing our best to be cool about it. Freedom is our strength and our weakness so we try to make music without letting it affect us as much as possible.

Q. When is WINNER’s next album being released?

Seungyoon

Actually, there are so many songs that are completed already. However, due to our greed of wanting to make good songs constantly, all of us are absorbed in our respective work. It feels very difficult to produce a result that satisfies the musical preferences of each member, WINNER’s color, our fans’ anticipation, among other factors. We are also very curious about which songs will be included in the album.  

Q. We don’t know what it will be like but if you were to share a spoiler?

Seunghoon

Every time we hold a concert, we talk amongst ourselves how we want exciting music that we can enjoy with our fans… But I guess we don’t know, this might change if a good song that has a slow tempo gets released. We really don’t know either. (Laughs)

HERE COMES WINNER

In the fierce world of idols, WINNER wanders freely without associating with any sides.

KANG SEUNGYOON

Don’t you feel pride and burden from the name “WINNER”?

We are boys who want to be winners. We are wannabe-winners (laughs).

You are also a group of producers who create your own music. And you each have different preferences of music from rock to hiphop. How do you find a common ground?

We try not to find a common ground. Members who find a common ground between each other work on music together. If the direction is clear, we try not to disturb that. We say, “Make it like that” and then when we record the song, the other the members fit themselves into their expectations.

That’s quite democratic.

We do it like that so that we can present more diverse music to the public without sounding boring. Naturally, there are times when all 5 members must agree with each other to achieve something. Other than that, we try our best to shine a light on our individuality.

Your album, “EXIT:E” is a part of the “EXIT” project and its beginning.

Rather than releasing 4 albums, we are planning on launch 4 different projects. The start of it was a mini album and the next project might be a digital single. The important thing is that we will promote without any hiatuses until the end of the “EXIT” project.

The promotions for your debut album was short and your hiatus was so long. Your fans must love that [you will promote without hiatuses]!

Other than our fans, I think we are happy about promoting because we were thirsty for it too. We might have an hiatus to prepare for the next project but we will try to keep showing our faces on variety shows, acting, and other activities. The largest goal of “EXIT” is to make the public feel like we are constantly promoting.

You said that this album (EXIT:E) is “honestly and cleanly made”. In the end, that sincerity was felt by the public. You must have felt very touched.

People may listen to our songs lightly but the attitudes and emotions in our songs are never light. We are very serious. Naturally, since we put in our sincerity, we are happy whenever the public likes our music.

Did you feel unburdened after the release of the album?

No. Because now, we have to prepare for our next album. However, I try not to work on music while feeling the responsibility of releasing an album. Since I am also the leader, I feel the impatience of releasing music. I am cautious because I’m afraid of dealing with music like a machine bent on releasing albums.

Was there a time when you were like [a machine]?

When one runs while only looking at a goal, there is a moment when maturation stutters to a stop. I think that can be applied to any kind of work other than music. Within that pause, I came to think about how I can overcome that stage. I think the solution for me was to obtain the attitude of “let’s do this the way I want to without any burden”.

This question is burdensome but when will we see the second project?

At the latest, early summer. I really hope this comes true (laughs). If I were to spoil it a bit, you’ll see our very free and excited selves, different from what you’ve seen so far.

NAM TAEHYUN

Three of the songs you worked on went into the album. You must have worried about the public’s response.

I try my best not to be bent over worries such as, “Will the response be good? Will it be a hit song?” If I thought about that even for a moment, I think the song will become fake. Because I can’t help but have a place in my heart somewhere that wants to be successful and rich, the side of me that wants to be famous and the side of me that wants to go my way always fight. That’s why the time my two egos spend on fighting is longer than the time I spend on making a song. I will continue to pave my way even if my body becomes dirty instead of chase after trends or walk a clear path that has been cleaned already. That’s what fits me.

You listen to music by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. That’s quite unexpected.

I think the Beatles and the Rolling Stones aren’t musicians you can understand after listening to their music for 1~2 years. When you listen to their songs and learn about them, you find out a genealogy. Just like how the Rolling Stones became role models for Maroon5, you learn about the artists they were inspired by. These connections teach you what kind of inspirations these artists received and how they dealt with that.

It seems like you’re moving away from the trends.

There are so many people who are good at what’s trending now so instead of joining them unnecessarily, I think I just dig deeper into things I’m curious about.

I saw you reforming a leather jacket at the waiting room every time there were breaks during the photoshoot. You are very interested in fashion and visual works, right? How does this interest affect your music?

I think one needs courage in both music and fashion. Daring attempts are important in both fields. These days, whenever I need glasses, instead of buying a pair that I like, I change the lenses or frame and make it my own. Just like the rider jacket I was reforming earlier. I think I express that attempt and effort in my music. I think I don’t get consumed by trends because I always think about making things my own and thinking about my own color. Of course, I listen to trendy music too. I’m not putting down trends. I really like that type of music but I’m just stubborn about doing my own thing.

I heard that at the start of your debut, you were very shy around strangers and had intense mood swings. I feel like some of that has lessened or compromised since you have released two albums and you’ve done broadcasts.

I think it’s not good to be so sensitive. There are things that I’ve changed. Except I am still very sensitive and have intense mood swings when I make music. I have no thoughts of fixing that though. I think it really helps [to be sensitive] for the creative process. In moments when sensitivity is unnecessary, I hide it but I don’t throw it away. It’s not possible for me to throw it away anyway.

People on the sensitive side find variety programs like “Actor Schoo” and “Half Moon Friends” quite challenging.

I’m afraid of variety shows. I don’t really like going on variety shows. I’m bad at hiding my emotions and I absolutely cannot create a concept for myself and fulfil that. It was very fortunate that I just had to be myself without creating a persona for “Actor School” and for “Half Moon Friends”, I just poured all my love for the children because they were so lovable. Both variety shows are good memories for me and I think they’ll be sources of inspiration.

SONG MINO

You didn’t have time to rest after the debut album promotions because you appeared in “Show Me The Money 4”, right?

I am tired. I am very tired every day. I’ve been busy every day with “Show Me The Money” as the starting point. I hope CEO Yang reads this interview (laughs).

If you get the time, what do you want to do the most?

I want to travel to a warm place. I’m going to drink a mojito at the Maldives. (T/N: He’s alluding to a famous line in the Korean movie, “Inside Men” (2015))

(Laughs) It seems like the words, “anxious” or “restless” don’t fit with the person called Song Mino.

I’m not conceited but I do have self-esteem. Naturally, there are many times when I become suspicious of myself. And there are often times when I’m not sure if I’m doing well. And sometimes I wonder if this is the right path or not. I try my best to shake off those thoughts and I work hard not to fall into a slump. I repeat to myself, “Let’s do things as I always have. Let’s trust myself.”

Are you the type of person to push yourself?

I’m very timid so whenever I have troubles, worries, or anything, I just bottle everything inside me. I have a habit of thinking and then swallowing it, then I pour it out after some time and then I think about things positively for awhile… That process repeats itself.

Are you troubled about your role in a large agency or your role in an idol group?

I become troubled about that especially when I’m making music. As a person making mainstream music, I need to make music that embodies a wide spectrum but that doesn’t come easy to me. I sometimes think about wanting to make music I want to make. There are times when there is a difference between the music the company wants and the music I can make without limitations.

What are songs that closed that gap?

The song, “Okey Dokey” I made with Zico-hyung. The public and CEO Yang liked it. I was also satisfied with it. For “Fear”, instead of making it with the public in mind, I made the song with honesty as I included things I wanted to say and things I thought about. I have a special affection for that song because I think those things were delivered well.

At your current age of 24, what is the largest worry you have as Song Mino?

I worry about whether I’m so immersed in work that I’m only living for tomorrow. Of course, I know how difficult it is not to have any work so I know very well that having a lot of work is happiness and a blessing but I feel like I don’t have enough time to think about large goals or plans for the far future. I need the time to set up plans for the far future…

I hope you get given that time soon.

I think if I summarised the interview today, it would be “I want to rest”

I hope CEO Yang reads this interview too.

I love working a lot.

KIM JINWOO

With this album (EXIT:E), you had your first domestic tour as WINNER. I heard the Busan concert is the last concert. What are your thoughts on your first domestic tour?

We weren’t able to promote a lot in Korea. I was dissatisfied with our promotion but I don’t have much ill feelings about that now.

WINNER’s color is different from the usual idol group.

When you think about idol groups, the image you usually think of is pretty or masculine and they dance powerfully. I think WINNER has the image of a precocious child.

Are you talking about how WINNER seems weak somehow? (Laughs)

That’s right, that’s right. It’s because all of the members lived difficult lives. Because we all experienced hardships at a young age…

Maybe it’s because of your looks, but I thought you would be mysterious and wouldn’t talk much but after meeting you today, you’re a very cheerful and honest person.

I think I’m the most talkative in WINNER. It’s not that I don’t talk much on purpose during broadcasts but my members all talk well so I don’t think it necessary for me to talk so I stay quiet. Whenever we do V App broadcasts, there are many comments that say, “Kim Jinwoo, talk”. I’ll talk more from now on.

Do you fit well with the members? Who are you most comfortable with?

Seunghoon

Are you saying that because he’s sitting next to you right now?

Yes. I have many similarities with Seunghoon. So I tend to be rough with him but Seunghoon accepts that well. Even though I don’t do that with him.

Seunghoon told me that he doesn’t share his inner feelings even with people he’s close with.

He doesn’t. He really doesn’t.

Do you share your inner feelings well?

No. So I guess we have a strictly business relationship (laughs).

How do you feel about being an idol under a large agency? Especially since other artists and idol groups are guarded around the company YG.

Honestly, it’s comfortable. There are restrictions but we are quite free within that border. I think of it as a blessing and I’m grateful for it. There are many senior artists like BIGBANG and 2NE1 who succeed with every song they release so there is burden in releasing music that is above the usual standards.

What are your personal favourites in this album (EXIT:E)?

“Baby Baby” and “Immature”. I’ve like the feeling of “Immature” since before. I like songs like “Crooked”.

“Immature” is slightly different from the songs WINNER have released so far.

The 5 of us each have different preferences but we don’t have gaping differences. Seungyoon has a rock energy but I also like that genre. Whether it’s rock, hiphop, or R&B, we do our best not to lock ourselves in one genre with the name “WINNER”.

I heard that your fans nicknamed you “maht-nae” because you are the eldest(maht-hyung) who is like the youngest(maknae). You don’t seem like the type to stress an order of rank and carry out military discipline because you’re the eldest.

I let it be because I want to be comfortable. I don’t act like the eldest either. I really hate “acting” above anything else. If I had a girlfriend, I wouldn’t act like I’m cool.

Don’t men in their twenties automatically “act” in front of women usually? They instinctively want to look cool, don’t they?

I’m aware that the way I think is different from people my age. I’m also not very shaken by things that happen to people around me. Whenever someone criticises something about me, if I don’t agree with that person, I protect myself. Of course, I can change if I admit it.

You seem egocentric.

Not really…

What ratio would you express your solidity in yourself versus your uncertainty in yourself?

8:2?

LEE SEUNGHOON

WINNER started their own variety program JTBC “Half Moon Friends”. I heard all five members became kindergarten teachers.

I learned that it’s not easy to take care of children. It is pre-produced and we filmed according to the times that kindergartens usually have. At first, it felt like we became morning people and it felt like we were becoming healthy but the problem was when we finished at 7PM, we were so tired that we would collapse and go to sleep from 8PM. We slept 12 hours and recharged and then started our day again.

You properly experienced the life of an office worker.

Meeting the children every weekday made me think about the children at home too. Initially, I didn’t like children that much. Children you meet after you grow up are all children of strangers, right? When we were on the plane to the United States for a shoot, there was a baby throwing a tantrum in front of us and I was very bothered by that… But I’ve changed. There must have been a part of my heart that liked children. I was looking at my elementary school student record book and I had written that I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher when I grow up.

You’re in charge of WINNER’s performance, right?

Mmm… Recently, there are many WINNER choreographies I made because it was asked of me. I didn’t throw myself into it because I wanted to. Instead, there were various situations that created a circumstance that made me think that nothing would work if I didn’t do it. I’m quite honest and realistic (laughs). I don’t think my choreographies as forms of art that contains a part of myself because I made them.

You seem like you can’t exaggerate things.

No, I can’t. I only talk about things as it is and I dislike bluffing. I’m realistic and truthful so I’m not ambiguous.

Speaking realistically and truthfully, what do you think about the promotions for EXIT:E?

Rather than holding deep meaning and thinking of it as a learning experience, I think it passed by well. It was also a thankful time because we were reminded of our fans’ love through music broadcasts and our first domestic tour. My interview is slightly dark, right?

I felt like you were a very bright person when I watched “WINNER TV” and V App broadcasts. But I like that you’re more honest than I expected.

There are times when I play like a crazy person (laughs) but I think I’m not good at talking about my inner feelings. I have mood swings too but I don’t want to let other people see that. I also don’t talk about myself to people I’m close with. There are people who become upset about that. I can talk about my inner feelings with someone who know the situation and can empathise with me but I don’t reveal myself to people just because I’m close to them.

Honest people have the danger of seeming too unambitious or too greedy.

It’s not that I don’t have ambitions but I would hate to be seen as someone who is greedy. Naturally, it’s regretful that we don’t have promotions other than music broadcasts and I do want to show this person called Lee Seunghoon often. My speciality is dancing but I don’t think I ever really properly showed my dancing at some place so I find that regretful as well.

What is your dream you want to achieve in the far future?

I want to earn lots of money. I was raised in a normal household. Becoming a singer opened up a different world to me. Coming to Seoul from Busan was a different world and Gangnam is a different world from Seoul. I want to do as much as I can and I want to live with the people around me without lacking anything.

What about a dream you want to achieve in the near future?

I don’t want to hear regretful things from my fans who like me. I’m not the type of person to live for someone but while I live as a celebrity, I want to satisfy their demands.

WINNER, who returned the night prior to the day of this photoshoot and interview after filming for the long running, 19 year old Chinese variety show, “Happy Camp”, talked about how they were so dazed during the variety show filming that they were laughing.

Taehyun said that he felt the strange feeling of his head splitting in two, “I thought, ‘Huh, what’s going on?’ and then I thought, ‘Oh, it ended’ and it ended just like that. I was listening to the interpreter and observing the reactions from the audience and it was so crazy.”

Unexpectedly, Seunghoon talked about how the fact that they never appeared on a famous variety show in Korea made them more ambitious. He explained, “If we had experiences in appearing on top programs like ‘Running Man’ or ‘Infinity Challenge’, I feel like we would have been more intimidated. Of course, we researched about how famous the MCs of the show is and how popular the show is before going to China. But despite that, because the environment was different, it was difficult to perfectly understand what was going on. I think that helped us bring out our usual personalities though.”

We asked WINNER, who released their new album “EXIT:E” after 1 year and 5 months, to express their musical color with hashtags.

The first hashtag that Seungyoon came up with was “Free”. Just like how their humour clicked well at a variety show in another country, their music flows with unpredictability and the impossibility of compressing it into one genre. “Of course, we are people who do music under the big label called YG and because we make mainstream music, we naturally have to consider the masses. However, we don’t think that we have to force ourselves to follow a trend of the times. In that aspect, we are free.”

Mino also agrees with WINNER’s borderless music style. “Since there are many members who make music, each of us freely work on music that we like and music that we’re good at making. When all of those songs come together and they are sorted out and filtered, that essence must be WINNER’s musical direction.”

Once a song that contains a different style and characteristic is complete, Jinwoo, who has the most objective ears out of the rest of the members, listens to it. “Actually, my opinions are not always correct. It can’t be helped but for a person to have uniquely personal preferences. There are times when I like a song but it doesn’t get included in the album and there are times when I don’t like a song and it becomes one of the side tracks. However, because I don’t make music, relatively speaking, I can be the member with the most objective opinions.”

“EXIT” is an year-long project that WINNER prepared with all their heart and soul. Because their first album with 5 songs has been released, their current goal is for the rest of the three albums to be released without any hiccups. When asked about Korean variety shows they wish to appear on, some of the members meaningfully smiled. Their careful smiles alluded to the articles about their upcoming variety show, “Half-moon Friends”, that were released after this interview took place. (This interview took place around a week before articles about “Half-moon Friends” were released.) They talked about how their upcoming three albums of their year-long project contains secretive and fresh things.

How did you spend your time during the hiatus, after your first album release?

Seungyoon 

We spent the time trying to make good songs. I personally thought a lot about how we were going to perform onstage.

Taehyun 

We were often asked, “Aren’t you anxious because your hiatus was so long?” but I actually resolved my anxiety by working on music. I spent the time thinking about working on music as an escape rather than getting worn out by burden. I tried to widen my range in the arts but watching and listening to many different things.

Jinwoo

It was mentally more difficult to find things to do during the hiatus compared to dealing with busy schedules when we promoted. I personally spent the time focusing on developing the skill to overcome that struggle.

Mino

As you may already know, I spent most of my time appearing on “Show Me The Money 4”. After that, we had Japanese promotions and I worked on solo music as well as WINNER’s album. I think I spent a busy time.

Seunghoon

I followed the expression, “one heart, one purpose” (uniting all minds for one purpose) and watched “Show Me The Money 4” and supported Mino. Just like Mino said, it goes without saying that we worked on making music but we had a lot of schedules in Japan so we studied Japanese.

I heard that you had a good time making one of the double title tracks, “Sentimental”, because you were drinking beer and having fun.

Taehyun 

We only included songs that we made comfortably and smoothly on this album. “Baby Baby” is a bit different, not because I had a hard time making it, but because I made it during a hard time, I have a special affection for it.

Jinwoo

There is a song that I sang that made me immerse into the emotion really easily but it wasn’t included in this album. Haha. We’ll have to see if we end up letting people listen to it.

Whenever you talked while making this album, was there a topic or subject you talked most about?

Mino 

First of all, it was “When will it get released”. We wondered about other things as well but I think we worked on the album while being most curious about when it will be released. While we were wondering about that, we worked on the album and made musical exchanges as we asked each other, “Can someone write this part? Do you want to write it?”

Mino and Seunghoon, when you write your rap lyrics, do you usually write based on experiences or imagination?

Seunghoon

Truthfully, I easily forget my experiences. For example, even when I date someone, I fall into the emotions of that moment and forget the things I love. That’s why I get inspirations from things I see or listen to like books or writings I’ve recently read, drawings or commercials I’ve recently seen. I think I add my thoughts unto those inspirations.

Mino

In our first album, there were many things I wrote through imagination but this time, I used experiences. Take “Sentimental” for example, in that song there are lyrics that go, “I only stare at the ceiling”. When I was working on this album, I worked on music every night but as my work kept not getting resolved, I became deeply sentimental. And I just kept staring at the ceiling so I think that situation was expressed well in the song.

How do the vocalists (Jinwoo, Seungyoon, Taehyun) feel about each other’s voices?

Taehyun

I usually sing in a soft voice but I used to be envious of Seungyoon-hyung’s strong voice because it has the charm that I can’t have. These days, I sometimes practice a technique where I sing differently. I think I’ll be able to show people a new side of my singing in our next album.

Seungyoon

I really like Jinwoo-hyung’s singing tone. And I think Taehyun’s soft way of singing, which he is very aware of, is charming. I think we stimulate each other. Even though we may be envious of each other’s voices, we try to find aspects of our own voices that we like too.

The videos of other YG artists covering “Sentimental” received much attention. If you get the chance, which artists’ songs do you want to cover or which artists do you want to collaborate with?

Seungyoon 

First of all, I think (Yoo) Byungjae-hyung’s cover video was the most impacting. Epik High hyungs’ version was the most addicting. About collaborations, there are many next generation artists, so I have many artists I want to work with like Hyukoh Band, Zion.T, Crush, and Dean.

Seunghoon 

I want to collaborate with Director Teddy (He’s calling him director because Teddy is a member of the board of directors). I want to work with him because he’s the representative producer of YG and he’s written so many hit songs.

Taehyun 

I really like to sing songs by different artists when I go to noraebangs (karaokes). I want to remake a song by Kim Kwangsuk-sunbaenim or other senior singers. And if I receive the opportunity, I want to personally scout a musician who is popular at Hongdae and form a band. I’m in the middle of researching music that reflects my color.

Mino

I want to collaborate with Code Kunst, who is under HIGHGRND.

Is there something you’re obsessed with despite your busy schedules?

Seungyoon 

I think all of us are into Instagram lately? I’m a bit of a realist but these days, my throat gets swollen even if I get only slightly stressed so I haven’t been physically active. I’m focusing a lot on recovering before our concert.

Jinwoo 

Seunghoon talked about this with exaggeration on radio shows but I watched the movie “Veteran” many times in the bathroom because I have nothing to do there. I’m obsessed with the drama “Signal” these days and I’m sad that it’s ending soon.

Taehyun

Jinwoo-hyung is the type of person to fall very deeply into whatever he falls for. This type of people always succeeds. But hyung always gets obsessed with snacks instead of good things. Haha.

Mino 

I have always read poetry and I didn’t read novels often. In some ways, novels were lullabies to me. But I came to read, “The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared” and it was so good. I felt like I came to the huge realisation where I found a different and big world of books so it was really refreshing.

Taehyun

The other day, I was at Dongmyo because of a shoot and I found an old audio store on the in a secluded alley. I bought a turntable there that I took a liking to and I also bought an amp, and other components to connect things and even fixed it up. I realised that I spent more money on those things than the turntable. Anyway, I’m naturally collecting many LPs and I’m obsessed with Bob Marley’s music these days. I’m thinking about going to Haha-sunbaenim’s restaurant to talk about reggae while eating barbecue later on.

Seunghoon 

I’m a passionate viewer of “Boni Hani” so that we can gather fans of all age groups. ~Pick me, pick me, pick me up~ I am watching “Produce 101” every week because I am part of the entertainment industry and because issues of these kinds of audition programs are the center of attention.

What variety show would you want to go as 5 members?

Mino 

I think “Running Man” sounds good.

Seunghoon 

Let’s stop talking about “Running Man”. They’re not even going to invite us. Honestly, we really want to go on that show so we talked about it in 5 to 6 different occasions. Now I’m embarrassed to even mention it. Haha.

Mino 

I like “Take Care of my Refrigerator” too.

Seungyoon

These days, among the five of us, we talk about wanting to be a part of a program like “Youth Over Flowers”. I think it will be especially fun if we went to a country that doesn’t use English. We’ll use our hands and feet to communicate with the local people there.

Taehyun

Seunghoon-hyung probably has the strongest viability out of us. This hyung will probably survive even if you put him on a deserted island.

Are you preparing a surprise event for your concert tour that starts on the 12th?

Seungyoon 

Us dancing a sharp choreography that no one has seen before?

Taehyun

Honestly speaking, even if we say it’s “sharp”, it won’t be that sharp. Haha. But we’re still practicing the choreography every single day without fail.

Jinwoo

Naturally, we will perform our own songs as well. You asked about covers earlier, we’re preparing stages where we sing other singers’ songs.

Seunghoon

Lee Hayi will guest. This hasn’t been officially announced yet. Fans of Lee Hayi, please come. (This interview took place around a week before the articles about her guesting were released.)

Mino

We have rearranged our usual stage format. We tried our best to make things as detailed as possible along with high quality but these things are in the same context as our “sharp choreography”, right? Haha.

I heard that the “EXIT MOVEMENT” is an year-long project. You have plans for things other than this album and your concert, right?

Jinwoo

We have plans for a tour but because this “E” album is the first out of “EXIT”, my biggest wish is for the rest of the albums (X, I, T) to be released without any postponements and within this year.

Seungyoon

Each of us will work hard in our respective roles so that WINNER can shine more. If I were to be greedy, I would want to put one of my solo songs in one of the upcoming albums or prepare for the foundations of a solo album.

Taehyun

Every time I make songs, I become conflicted. I think about whether I should make a song that I will like or whether I should make a song that other people will like. This year I want to work on clearly deciding the value between those two things.

Seunghoon

I want to look for things I may have potential in other than music. For example, flower arranging. One can put a flower in a vase but one can also put a flower on their ear. You do realise that I’m only half-joking, right? I wish all my members are healthy and feel happy often.

Mino

I am also working on solo music whenever I have time. I haven’t been able to show my personal capabilities after “Show Me The Money 4” ended. When WINNER is promoting as five, I will obviously pour my everything into WINNER. I am in the middle of loading my gun with bullets so that I can go out when the opportunity arises.

Source: 25ans

As the “younger brother” counterparts of BIG BANG, the much awaited debut of this performance group, WINNER, has started their promotions in Japan. Receiving much attention as the new generation of artists who write song lyrics, compose, and even choreograph on their own, let’s get closer to them on a private level. We asked questions that we were curious about for each member. 

WITH KANG SEUNGYOON

Kang Seungyoon

Birthday: January 21, 1994

Blood Type: B

Leader

Vocal

Can compose

He had his solo debut in Korea in 2013 and has a charismatic characteristic.

What advice influences you until now?

CEO YG’s advice, “Do music not only for yourselves but for everyone who listens so that they can become ‘WINNER’.”

Who do you want to see right now?

Mister Akashiya-sanma. I watched a Japanese broadcast of him and he was amazingly funny (laughs). (T/N: He’s a famous comedian)

What perfume do you use most?

Yves Saint Laurent

Where do you feel the most comfortable?

My room at our dorm. Because that’s my home!

What type of women do you like?

Before, I liked women who looked cute when they smiled but now I like women who have a charm that only they have.  

WITH KIM JINWOO

Kim Jinwoo

Birthday: September 26, 1991

Blood Type: A

Vocal

Even though he’s the eldest in the group, he’s a hard worker.

Popular for his sweet looks.

What advice influences you until now?

My father’s advice, “Effort does not betray you.” During my trainee period, whenever it was especially difficult, that advice supported me. 

What perfume do you use most?

Coco Chanel

What do you do to relax?

I watch television or movies or variety shows. 

What do you collect?

Pictures. I especially like fashion pictures so I check through the internet and magazines. 

Where do you want to go in japan?

I watched a Japanese drama called, “Engine” and I want to go to the “Kaze no Oka Home”.

WITH SONG MINO

Song Mino

Birthday: March 30, 1993

Blood Type: A

Rapper

Has the experience of being active in the Korean hip-hop scene. 

His deep voice rapping is his signature trait.

What advice influences you until now?

SOL-senpai of BIG BANG (Taeyang)’s advice, “Even now when I’m successful, I enjoy everything with passion.” I am influenced by that advice. 

What song do you play on repeat?

Songs from Redman*. Actually, I like rap music. (T/N: Redman is a Japanese superhero who transforms into a big size to fight monsters. But there is a rapper called Redman. I am not sure which Redman Mino is talking about ;;) 

What perfume do you use most?

I like the perfumes made by Versace.

What do you do to relax?

Listening to music in my room and zoning out.

Where do you want to go right now?

Winter in Sapporo! I absolutely prefer the cold over being hot. I want to ski and snowboard!

WITH LEE SEUNGHOON

Lee Seunghoon

Birthday: January 11, 1992

Blood Type: A

Rapper

Ever since he was a baby, he had an intimate connection with hip-hop dancing. He has many fans due to his sharp dance performances.

What song do you play on repeat?

These days, I listen to Ed Sheeran’s album often. I like his voice. 

What perfume do you use most?

Versace perfume for females. I like scents that are unisex. 

Where do you want to go right now?

Cebu Island. I want to go to a beautiful ocean and try scuba diving!

What type of women do you like?

Women with pretty smiles. Because this type of women, when they smile, the people around her will look pretty too. 

What do you collect?

Hats. And things received from fans.

WITH NAM TAEHYUN

Nam Taehyun

Birthday: May 10, 1994

Blood Type: A

Vocal

Skilled in songs like ballads with his talent in singing in a high pitch. 

His solo song, “Confession” is a part of the album.

What advice influences you until now?

CEO Yang’s saying that was pasted in a practice room, “You have the ability to shine an ore but you do not have the ability to turn a stone into a jewel.”

What song do you play on repeat?

Nina Simone’s "Feeling Good".

What perfume do you use most?

Creed’s Silver Mountain.

What do you do to relax?

I listen to music. I read books. 

What do you find impacting in Japanese women?

I think it’s really cool that they respect manners. 

Where do you want to go right now?

Peru. I want to see the Nazca Lines. 

Translated by chrissy96trans (@chrissy96_)