[INTERVIEW] MBLAQ’s interview in HOT CHILI PAPER (Group Q&A) - Part 1

As a group produced by world star Rain, gathering all media’s interests on themselves before debut, MBLAQ who debuted with “Oh Yeah” in Korea in October 2009, with the dance and singing directly transmissioned by Rain, suddenly showed us a high level performance. The existence of MBLAQ as a rookie having an attraction called “Rain” is appealing to an extent of more than enough, but there must be heavy pressure for the members.

As for their second single “Y” that was released in May of last year, they got rid of that pressure splendidly and it became a big hit. The proved that their talent was a real thing. They also actively perform in variety programs and show their natural sense of humor. They are called “chic-dol (chic idol) on stage, gag-dol (gag-loving idol) when off stage,” and their popularity and familiarity have climbed up further. And with their 1st full-length album “BLAQ STYLE” that was released in January this year they got to show their bigger change.

—– At the time of your debut and now, in what part do you feel that you yourself have changed?

Seungho: Before I was unsociable except to the people whom I’m close to, so I was scared a lot of times, but since my debut I’ve been able to open my own heart and changed into having a cheerful personality.

Cheondung: I’ve also become active since my debut. Originally I was timid and coward, and because I came from overseas I was not good at Korean, my personality was that I couldn’t start a conversation myself even if I wanted to be friends with someone.

Mir: As for me I think I’ve become feeling responsible, and my appearance has changed considerably (laugh).

G.O: If you’re talking about changed appearance, it should be me (laugh). My moustache is gone and my hairstyle changed frequently. At the beginning I was a bit like an uncle, but I think now I exude a trendy quality considerably. How is it? (Laugh)

Seungho: I got older……

Joon: As for me the dark circle under my eyes has become serious (laugh).

—– Among the members other than yourself, who is the one you think that “has changed the most!”?

Seungho: Mir! When I first met Mir, he was like basking in the bright sunlight and somehow I was surprised by his cheerful personality. While he’s a member fellow he’s also a maknae who is always full of aegyo, but he has grown into a cool handsome rapper on stage.

Cheondung: For me it’s also Mir. His rapping ability has also been up and become cool.

G.O: The one who has changed the most is Cheondoong. Not only rapping but lately he’s also polishing his vocal ability and showing a new charm. Moreover because he’s doing weight training, his body has become toned.

Mir: To me I think G.O hyung has become cool.

Joon: Me too! G.O hyung’s face is rejuvenating rapidly. His skin condition is also good (laugh).

—– G.O is paying attention to his skin care very much. Even in the ODINA Vol.05 interview he gave us “cleansing products and basic cosmetics” as the first example of “the necessary thing in your life in Japan.”

G.O: To maintain a beautiful skin I do my cleansing carefully. This is the most important!

—– Within 1 year from debut you have achieved to join the top idol list. Frankly “the joy of a top idol” is?

Joon: I truly feel it when I receive praises for my stage performances. Trivial words such as “you’re good at dancing” and “you’re good at singing” are sufficient. Even if not many people but only one person says so, to us that becomes a great strength.

—– So, “a top idol’s hardship” is?

Joon: Rumours that were started with no basis and that the cause is being misunderstood.

—– Do you still care about the articles written about yourselves? I’ve heard that Mir checks articles of internet news in details. Lately what kind of content does the article that surprised you the most have?

Mir: An article titled “MBLAQ’s Mir, his real name is more well-known.” It was interesting (laugh).

Debut song “Oh Yeah” and “Y” were written and composed by producer Rain himself directly, but in your 1st full-length album “BLAQ STYLE” the relative weight of Rain was greatly decreased and daringly a distance was decided to be adopted. There is members’ strong thought of “forever resorting to our mentor only is not necessary” being put in. Moreover, members also actively participated in the musical composition work. They are now achieving a transformation from idols to artists.

—– The opening of “BLAQ STYLE” begins with “Sad Memories” in which Seungho was in charge of the composing and piano performing. This is your first time releasing your own song, isn’t it?

Seungho: It’s an opportunity from the agency staff’s proposal of “we are thinking about using a piano melody with no lyrics as the album intro, but how about you who has been playing piano for a long time trying to compose a song?”

—– Is this song something that you’ve prepared all the way from before?

Seungho: What I made is for being used in this album, but I’ve had the song idea from before, so there was no hardship in the process of composing. With the live piano recording being more difficult than that, I was worried that the sound of pressing the pedals and lightly moving the chair also went into the microphones.

—– The thoughts of the members who have listened to the completed song were?

Seungho: All members unanimously told me “nice!” Honestly, if anyone of them was not pleased, even though all other people were pleased, I would not be relieved, right? I was glad that luckily all members were pleased.

—– Cheondoong and G.O released their own song in “BLAQ STYLE 3D Edition” that was released in Korea on February 22nd.

Cheondung: I wrote and composed a song called “You.” Originally it was something made to be put into our 2nd full-length album, but it became to be put into this repackaged album. Though at present I’m tackling other musical composition again, next time I want to complete a simple acoustic song. My imagination and all ideas packed in my head are my inspiration of song composing. Someday, if that can turn into songs as it is it will be nice.

G.O: At the time of debut many people called me “moustache idol,” but from now on I want to be called “producing-dol.” Cheondoong and I have also been interested in composing from the beginning, so this time we were blessed with a very good opportunity. Mir also wrote the rap of “You’re My +,” but from now on he plans to compose songs as well. We want to become “producing-dols” who personally sing and produce our albums.

Joon: Although it took us some time to come back this time, we want to show people that we did not just rest during that time, and all members participated actively in the album work.

—– Please tell us your favorite song in “BLAQ STYLE.”

G.O: For me it’s “Cry.” We are having a good command of various tones of voice in 1 song. I can say that it’s a song containing our voices the most.

Joon: For me it’s also “Cry”. I like singing and listening to this song. The lyrics and melody are also my favorite!

Cheondung: For me it’s “Darling.” Though it’s the only song composed by Jihoon hyung (Rain) in this album, more than saying it’s a Jihoon hyung’s song, the song itself gave me a very fresh impression. It has an acoustic charm, rapping and singing are skillfully corresponding, and when listening to it I can be greatly cheered up.

Seungho: Of course it’s “Sad Memories.” It’s my first composition.

—– How about the title song “STAY”? The sparkling dance that Rain created became a topic, and it’s also being said that so far the additive melody has further broadened your fanbase.

Joon: When I first listened to it, I thought “ah~, I want to keep listening to this.” I can’t explain it well, just nothing but a song I like. Just by hearing the melody my mood is lifted naturally.

—– “STAY” is a song about the painful feeling of a man who cannot forget his girlfriend that was leaving, but could you be empathic with that feeling?

Joon: Even though I’m not having the same experience as in the lyrics, someone is in love as well, right? If so I think I can be empathic. Actually, I also have an experience similar to that. Surely everyone has also been like that, right? Because first love is something that cannot be granted……

Cheondung: I don’t have any love experiences, but because I could be empathic just by reading the lyrics, if I’m actually in love, I think I should be able to be more empathic.

—– Do you hold a meeting for reviewing after recording of music programs and so on?

Seungho: We do so a lot after recording, and also in the middle of working on our album we spend a long time to discuss. Any artists who finish their activity period are like that, but I become feeling a bit empty, because although just until a few days ago I was surrounded by fans’ cheer, suddenly that’s gone. At such time I would gather my member fellows and discuss about what we should do ourselves from now on.

—– Who is the member that “talks” the most? What would you do when you cannot settle an opinion?

Seungho: All members talk (laugh). Not talking comfortably while drinking alcohol. we get together at the soberest and the most conscious state and concentrate on discussion.

Joon: When we can’t settle an opinion, it becomes a violent affair (laugh). I’m lying, just kidding!

G.O: For example, if our opinions differ when we are jointly contributing ideas for our album, we will also say that “we will certainly adopt that idea next time, so please hand it over this time.”

Seungho: But when we still don’t seem to reach a conclusion, we entrust to our agency represenatives, since making a decision by the way of our agency’s opinion is the best way (laugh).

SOURCE: HOT Chili Paper Magazine

TRANSLATION: mocha@AbsoluteMBLAQ

PLEASE TAKE OUT WITH FULL CREDITS. DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL CREDITS.

ABM blog post by liliceprincess @ AbsoluteMBLAQ

Hannah's comment: YSH me love Sad Memories too.. no bias but its really great , awesome and all that..