DAZED Korea March 2019 Interview - MINGYU

 

BETTER THAN YESTERDAY

 

 

Q: We’ve met again. 

MINGYU:  It was a really cold day in Itaewon when we had a photoshoot for December 2016 issue of Dazed. I remember everything about it. That was the first time I dyed my hair blonde, so my appearance also felt unfamiliar to me. 

 

Q: How old were you back then?

MINGYU: I as exactly 20 years old then. I’m 23 now. I’m still young now, but I don’t remember how I lived back then. I just worked hard when I had to work, play hard when I had time to play. Although I still work hard now, I’ve also been making an effort to think maturely and live life more earnestly.

 

Q: Did you also grow taller?

MINGYU: That’s what everyone who hasn’t seen me in a while say, but my height has been the same. (laughs)

 

Q: Today, we’re meeting you not as SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, but just as Kim Mingyu.

MINGYU: Yes. I was also looking forward to this day. This is my first solo photoshoot since debut. I’m feeling really good. It was also good to see how our staff were excitedly preparing for this. Seventeen is a team, right. Since there are concepts for our albums, the members’ harmony is important. But this time, the hair, makeup staff, and our stylist-hyung said they’ll try everything. (laughs)

 

Q: I also remembered this while listening to your story. At the first time we met, you were already friendly with the staff. That was very ideal.

MINGYU: That’s how my personality is. There are other celebrities who would try to just stay quiet/still while at a photoshoot. At first, I thought that was cool so I tried it too, but I can’t even last for more than 10 minutes. (laughs) It’s just because we’re a team who’s working together. I want to keep chatting, so we can all have fun while working. Although the reason why we met was for work, we all made and are making memories together.

 

Q: Are you the type of person that likes people?

MINGYU: Yes, I really like people. Although I’m the style to be the first to approach anyone, I’d be really thankful if you come up to me. And I get attached/close really quickly.

 

Q: It’s good to have no bias when dealing with other people. But don’t you think there’s a chance of you getting hurt?

MINGYU: Uhmm.. of course that could happen. But I don’t want to be careful just because I’m afraid of getting hurt. Fortunately, no one has ever hurt or disappointed me yet. 

 

Q: That’s fortunate.

MINGYU: Right? It’s good right? This is it for me. Money is important and health is also important. But I think what really matters is relationships with people I’m also the type to get a lot of influence from other people.

 

 

 

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Q: What camera is that?

MINGYU: This is a film camera. Do you know that small L*-brand camera That was the first camera I’ve ever bought in my life. I always carry it in my bag wherever I go. It’s really small and comfortable. Other than this, I also have a few other cameras, and they say each camera has its own different charm. I’ve been into them lately.

 

Q: Is the film camera the recent trend among idols?

MINGYU: It seems like it. But there’s something I’m curious about, can I say it?

 

Q: What is it?

MINGYU: Last time, when we had a photoshoot with DAZED, we shot with a film camera, right? But I remember you guys monitor it on the spot too, how was that?

 

Q: We shot with both a film and a digital camera. We were monitoring the shots taken with the digital camera. 

MINGYU: Ah, so that was it. That’s what I like about film cameras. You never know how it’ll come out. From the time you use and finish one roll of film, you’ll only see what it looks like after time passes/after a while. And I just like that. Should I call it the feeling of expectation? or excitement?

 

Q: Since you do lots of concerts abroad, there could be multiple cities taken in one roll of film.

MINGYU: Yes, that’s really how it is. Every time I get a roll of film developed, it feels like I’m scratching a lottery ticket.

 

 

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Q: How does it feel like doing this (photoshoot) alone? Is it good?

MINGYU: I always spend time with a lot of people so there will be times when I want to be alone. But only for a really short while, and then, I like to spend time with other people again.

 

Q: Have you gotten used to getting a lot of attention from people by now?

MINGYU: Uhmmm.. that’s a bit complex. How do I say this; at first, it was fascinating. It kinda feels like a dream. But after some point, you’ll realise “Wow, this is something I should really be thankful for”. That’s how it was for me. But then after a while you start to doubt, “Am I someone who deserves to receive this kind of love?”, and from there, you start to think: “How can I repay this love?”. I’m sure this is how the well-loved artists feel like, too. 

 

Q: (Repay the love) to Carats?

MINGYU: Yes, I want to repay them. I want to give back to them.

 

Q: What you said earlier may be a bit cheesy, but it doesn’t feel like it, coming from you. For some, the only way to remember their youth was through Seventeen and Mingyu.

MINGYU: You’re right. That’s why I think this is such a wonderful work to do. Because we make such important memories.

 

Q: Is there also a sense of responsibility?

MINGYU: There’s a lot. I have to be careful of what I say. If I say something wrong, I won’t be the only one who will receive hate. Seventeen too, and the fans will receive the hate also. So I’m very careful with that.

 

Q: I think Mingyu has really grown up?

MINGYU: I don’t know about that. I feel like I still have a lot to learn. I’m different now from who I was three years ago. And three years later, six years later; I wonder what thoughts I’ll be having and how I’ll be living. I don’t like to talk about this before. But, I think I learned another thing from this conversation today. 

 

Q: What’s something you love the most now?

MINGYU: My parents. Since we were promoting, I’ve been living far from my parents, I didn’t know how thankful I am for them. I thought they didn’t know much about the work I do since I don’t tell them much about it. But recently I had a drink with my dad and we talked about a lot different topics—my work, and my dad’s work, then I realised again that they do know a lot about what I do. And suddenly I felt so grateful for that.

 

Q: Other than people, what else do you love?

MINGYU: Opportunities. Just like the opportunity I’m given now. This time it sounds really cheesy, right? (laughs)

 

Q: Yes, kind of? But this time, it doesn’t matter, since this is what you really feel.

MINGYU: This is really how I feel. I love every opportunity that I could get. I’m very thankful.

 

Q: You’ve really grown up.

MINGYU: I really like this kind of interview. It’s different from the other interviews that I usually do. I think this conversation will of really well if we go get a drink together. Although I won’t remember what I’ll be saying. (laughs) But as time flies, I really think I had fun today. I’ve really changed from before, right?

 

Q: You know we will meet again next time.

MINGYU: It would be nice if we could meet again too. Even if it’s only for a short while, we can lightly talk about this and that and some TMI too. (laughs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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KR > ENG by kidmingyu  @ Twitter

MAGAZINE SCANS by svt_tora 

 

As of 200306: edited for clarity and choice of wordings since original posting

*May contain inaccuracies, please let me know if there are any mistakes!