Q: Should we talk about your latest album? Your 9th Mini Album <Attacca> received a lot of love. How does it feel?
MINGYU: To be honest, I couldn't believe it. I kept wondering if it's possible for it to receive lots of love, and also want it to do so, but seeing the actual reactions was surprising. It didn't feel quite real so I've only been amazed (by it). I'm grateful to SEVENTEEN's fandom, 'Carat.
Q: You consistently release 2 or more albums every year. Looking back, that is quite a lot of work. You've also tried various things, and I think you might have some concerns/worries. What will you do for the next album?
MINGYU: That's right. Just thinking about it, it is a busy life. It's the type of job where you have to continuously create something new. (We) have to work at a fast pace without a break so we can show it to them soon. I live with the concern of what I should do to be able to satisfy many people. That's the biggest concern.
Q: Looks like you have lots of things on your mind besides music.
MINGYU: Of course. Last year, we made an album with the theme of 'love', and as music is not the only content of the album, we have to prepare the visuals from the photoshoot of the album cover, to the outfits, and the performance onstage. We have to raise those at a level that's worthy to be applauded by the public and make it into one cohesive piece/production. This work is always difficult.
Q: That's a big project. How can you do that several times per year?
MINGYU: There's only one thing I'm sure about— it's impossible if it's only the 13 members. There are a lot of people on our sides that help us. It's possible as we're working together with the excellent staff. This may seem cheesy, but we are grateful for our staff. Work/tasks are distributed in detail, and it's all thanks to them working hard on each of their jobs. The role of our members is to deliver the results of that. The general public could be thinking that SEVENTEEN does everything, but that's absolutely not the case. It contains the credits and efforts of a lot of people.
Q: Who do you talk about your ideas with the most often? Among the 13 members.
MINGYU: I communicate a lot with the Hiphop Team members. As there are lots of people (in the group), there are also varied ideas/opinions. While discussing, there are times when we don't agree, and then we get stressed. That's a given. Either way, our goal is to create good results. The process might be different, but I think the members each have a similar goal. I think we've been overcoming it well so far.
Q: Among your ideas, which one were you the most satisfied with?
MINGYU: It's not with regards to an album, but it's an idea for the concert. The title of our most recent concert was 'Power of Love'. SEVENTEEN's 2021 project was 'Power of Love', and with the meaning of wrapping up the year, I suggested the title of the concert to (also) be 'Power of Love'. It was also an idea to show two-track setlists for the Power version and the Love version (of the concerts), and I felt very happy that it got confirmed.
Q: You received hot responses for your title song <Rock with you>. <TIME> included it in the 10 Best K-pop Songs of 2021. I'm curious about the process of preparing the song.
MINGYU: The first thing we thought of was the performance. Although the song is the song, SEVENTEEN is highly interested in dance, and (we) invest a lot of time in the choreography. When preparing for the choreo, we keep in mind that it has to accurately show the energy of the song. As our goals are gradually getting higher, it seems like our greed is also getting bigger. We had many discussions while making the choreo. If it's like in the past, we'd be able to say "This is good, let's go with this one", but now, it's hard to make a choice. We considered a lot whether this is good or if that's the right way to do it. Then as a result, the process of creating the choreography gradually became more difficult. We made it hoping that Carats all around the world will like it. Since we are people who perform on stage; we wanted to surprise the people by creating a choreography that matches well with the song.
Q: K-pop choreographies are receiving attention from all over the world. Likewise, people's interest in dance has also grown. As someone who's in this field, what are your thoughts about it? Do you think the value of K-pop dances should be given more attention as well?
MINGYU: Ofcourse, I do think it should receive more attention. It does have its own value. SEVENTEEN has been dancing for a long time. The members have also been dancing for an average of 10 years and are creating stages with their experiences as the foundation. Now, you not only listen to music but also watch it. I think dance maximizes the emotions in the music.
Q. There are various ways to experience K-pop.
MINGYU: I think of K-pop choreographies as a work of art as well, just like movies and music. If music enhances one's immersion in movies, I think choreography maximizes the immersion in music. Choreographers convey their emotions more deeply to people. Also, international fans regard K-pop choreography as something different and consider it as a fun factor.
Q: If so, should the dances not be too hard?
MINGYU: Rather than them saying "I can do that too", (you) have to show them something cool to the point that would make them go "Wow, what is that?". On the other hand, there are parts that everyone can enjoy. If you look at a K-pop artist's performance/stage, there's this part called 'point move/dance'. That meaning of this point move is 'let's have fun together'.
Q: The message (you're conveying) should be important too, right? If last year's keyword was 'love', what would the keyword for this year be?
MINGYU: It's still hard to tell. Personally, I'd like for the theme to be something that could express our current energy. Our passion hasn't changed from our debut until now. I think we're the same as we were from the beginning. Rather than making up stories such as the time of separation or love, I think it would be good if the subject could let us express the pure energy that we have now.
Q: What's the driving force in maintaining the energy that you've had since debut?
MINGYU: I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I receive love. Completing a new album alone doesn't give you that sense of accomplishment. This type of work receives attention and love from the public. (But) we can't measure what the public feels about us. Just because I've done this much doesn't mean I'm entitled to receive as much love as well. The work that we do doesn't have fixed numbers/measurements. As we feel a sense of accomplishment through CARAT's love, so our greed is endless. We want to do better as we do our work, so I think there’s always a feeling that we're (still) lacking.
Q: Does that mean you shouldn’t take the fans’ love for granted?
MINGYU: Are there idols that take the love of their fans for granted? If someone does think like that, I want to tell them that they chose the wrong job.
Q: There are some cases where some would get drunk on their popularity and become arrogant.
MINGYU: That upsets me. I hope they don't think easily of other people's feelings. Perhaps it's because I'm doing creative work, but I have a greater desire to receive recognition by their emotions than monetarily/financially.
Q: It seems like Mingyu's driving force is your sincerity. Let's talk about lighter things. Among SEVENTEEN's songs, which song is your favourite?
It's 'Don't Wanna Cry', which was released in 2017. It was a song included in the album that we released 3 years after debut. At that time, my emotions and thoughts have broadened. I could consider it as a turning point for myself.
Q: Was there an opportunity for that shift/change?
MINGYU: We went overseas then. It was the first time that we went overseas for a shoot, and I've come to realise that it was thanks to my job as in idol that I got to enjoy/appreciate* the things I felt and experienced. You get to experience a lot through this job, and I also discovered that gaining experiences has become my driving force. The things I enjoy aren't taken for granted. After that, I went on a world tour with a happy heart. I was happy with all the new experiences I was presented with.
Q: You matured at a young age, didn’t you?
MINGYU: That's right. I think people change depending on what kind of experiences they have. Thanks to this job, I was able to experience a lot from a young age. You might even view it as (if I'm) an 'old young person', but it is because the timing of (our) experiences are different.
Q: You've had a variety of experiences much earlier than your peers, and your passion isn't decreasing. I think you're motivated by your desire to create.
MINGYU: That's why I draw and take pictures alone. I've formed a lot of hobbies that could make me remember the feeling/emotions of that time. For someone else, that could be music or lyrics, or it can also be dance. But for me, drawings, photos, videos, etc are my way of recording memories.
Q: I heard that you directed the music video for 'Snap Shoot', a song that was released in 2019. Did you also film and edit it yourself?
MINGYU: Yes, I worked really hard back then. If I look back at the cuts/scenes one by one now, I can see what intentions I had back then that made me shoot it the way I did. I can still remember everything that I said to who while filming. And even the reason why I edited the scenes like that, and who I asked for help when I got stuck while working on it. The editing was done with Final Cut. I remember all of those moments because I did it all by myself. I sometimes do take on such reckless challenges.
Q: Isn't there a feeling of bliss when the results of what you've planned and produced are released?
MINGYU: There is. The music video was released on May 26, SEVENTEEN's debut date. It was a work that started from me wanting to do a hobby by myself and asking for the member's consideration/understanding, and it came out well, so it got uploaded on Youtube. I felt a great sense of accomplishment after finishing the video. And also, I'm grateful to have people that I can show my works to. It doesn't end with me being satisfied after watching it alone, but my passion (also) grows as there are people I can give this as a present to. If there's a chance, I want to do it again. On a bigger scale.
Q. I heard that you're dexterous (good/skillful with your hands).
MINGYU: I like to do things with my hands. Although it's not to the extent of being good at cooking.
Q: You seem like a person who lives to create.
MINGYU: That's the exact expression. I feel comfortable only when I'm creating something. I can never stay still.
I'd be scribbling alone even while watching TV. I do feel comfortable watching TV while drawing.
Q: On-stage performances are also creative activities. What does the stage mean to Mingyu?
MINGYU: The stage is the biggest reason why I do this job. I'm the happiest when I'm on stage. The thrill of hearing the cheers while on stage is a very exciting feeling, I'll never forget it for the rest of my life. The moments when 20,000 people are shouting my name, when 20,000 people are screaming together; these are engraved deeply inside of me. You can't feel that emotion anywhere else. It's impossible. The stage is the driving force behind an idol's activities.
Q: What has SEVENTEEN's activities over the past 7 years left for Mingyu?
MINGYU: My perspective on happiness has changed. Now, I know that I can be happy if I have time with myself. I did not try to be happy, but I learned to enjoy/appreciate the happiness of every moment. In the past, I would only be thinking of the future. I'd go 'If I work like this, I'll be happy later on, right?'. But the later isn't important. What's important is the moment now. Things like 'where and what I should eat when I get off work today?'. I came to think a lot about the happiness of such moments. That was the change in values.
Q: People are talking about something similar these days. Do what you love right now and have fun.
MINGYU: We don't know what will happen later on. Rather than just thinking about the future, it's more realistic to do what you want now. It also makes you healthy.
Q: What topics are have gotten your interest right now?
MINGYU: I'm going to try and study this year. It's not that I'm putting it off thinking I'm gonna do it someday, but first of all, I want to start (studying). I also want to study acting. Because acting is something I certainly want to do someday, so I have to study from now. I'm also going to study English or foreign languages. Since I've thought of wanting to live overseas, I should start learning the language from now on.
Q: Where do you want to live?
MINGYU: I want to live in the US. At Malibu Beach. A black pickup truck with a surfboard on it parked in front of the house. A large drooling dog runs towards me and then gets in the car. If possible, I'd like to build the house myself too.
Q: Even just hearing about it is nice. But wouldn't you have to make a lot of money (for that to be possible)?
MINGYU: So I'm working hard. If Malibu's too expensive, I'd go somewhere else. It'll be fine as long as there's a yard.
Q: Your idealistic views are quite clear.
MINGYU: It's like that when I watch movies. I don't think like 'That's really nice', but rather, I think 'I should do that'. If it looks nice, I'd try it myself. It's like when you had no plans of going into water, but you suddenly though of getting in, so you’d go dive in right away. I like bold/daring challenges.
Q: Looks like you don’t have just one or two idealistic views?
MINGYU: My dream is to travel the world. I've also calculated how long it would take to travel the world, and it'll need about three years. So if you travel for 3 years, wouldn't your dream of travelling around the world disappear? But still, let's just go (do it) first. The mindset is something like ‘Wouldn't there be something there if I go?'
Q: Travelling the world would be nice.
MINGYU: I really want to do it. I want to leave carrying one camera and one bag. If I need to, I'd buy 10,000 won worth of clothes locally and wear those, and have a free and comfortable trip. I have to try everything. If we get a 2-week vacation, I want to go to Busan by bicycle. I think it's gonna be fun. I can keep it as a memory of my own.
Q: Basically, you're the type of person that has a lot of energy.
MINGYU: Yes, there's a lot. It could also be difficult with the people I live together with. I think I can work positively because I have energy. When I'm feeling down, I wouldn't want to do anything and I think I'd seem like a pessimist.
Q: Mingyu has a lot of passion and is a romaticist. You're a person who wants to do a lot. You seem like someone who knows the value of time.
MINGYU: Time is the most important thing. I don't want to use even 1 second carelessly/in vain. That may also be why I'm continuously creating something. The time spent while not doing anything and spacing out is such a waste. Creating an accurate timetable, and moving according to the set hours is nice.
Q: Isn't that (living the life of) a soldier?
MINGYU: I've also thought that military life would be a good fit (for me). Time fluctuates frequently in this line of work, and then there are unplanned schedules too. And also, the waiting/idle time is very long. So when there's suddenly a gap/break (in between the schedules), I think about how to use that time healthily.
Q: You know the value of youth.
MINGYU: Yes, youth is precious. I'll never exchange it even if you give me money.
Praises for Mingyu
While shooting the layouts, when I ask Mingyu, 'Can we try these poses?', I'd also briefly show him photos that were even smaller than an airpod. Later on, while I was monitoring the layouts, I exclaimed internally (from my admiration). He quickly scanned through these photos that were briefly shown to him, combined them with his own self, and completed the pictures that we wanted to create. I saw it clearly with my own eyes. This man is really intelligent. He understood the intention and direction of this pictorial very accurately. From what I heard right after the shoot, he checked the draft plans/proposals and prepared quite a lot (for this shoot). And so, several images that were included in the prepared proposals overlapped with the scenes in the actual shoot. It was very and greatly touched by that. This may seem like something that should be obvious, but it's really rare for an artist to participate this whole-heartedly and express himself with sincerity. The staff at the set must've admired Mingyu to the extent that everyone gave praises to Mingyu with one heart. On top of Mingyu's subtle emotions was Photographer Kang Hyewon overlaying it with very delicate tones. The harmony of the two was ethereal. Without having to show off, the image of Mingyu living in the present was naturally revealed. The bright, clear, and healthy energy that he vaguely hoped for and wanted.
ARENA Homme+ Korea Youtube
SEVENTEEN Mingyu's Instagram @min9yu_k
DATE RELEASED: January 2022
KR > ENG by kidmingyu @ Twitter
MAGAZINE INTERVIEW and PHOTOS from courageduamour , Arena Homme+, min9yu_k instagram
On reposting: Screenshot is OK. I would appreciate it if you can add a link back to this original post. :) Thank you!
*Please let me know if there are any corrections
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