[FULL TRANS] Red Velvet Interview for CECI KOREA November 2016

[ulric]

precious moments

 

 

IRENE

 

She takes her time when answering, and her cute sides are revealed as we see her more. Isn't it amazing Red Velvet has a photoshoot as a whole?

I felt that our solidarity has become more concrete as we have promoted 'Russian Roulette', and I'm glad that we had a chance to do this photoshoot for the cover. And today's concept style is the one that I really like.

 

'Expression' is important to the Irene that we met in January. Have you revealed your inner thoughts during that time?

I worked hard to express my [feelings]. I wasn't always able to bring my diary around due to being busy. I worked hard to log in even a little bit in my cell phone's memo pad, so there are a lot of memos.

 

What kind of things do you write down?

Pretty minor things. While we're travelling I write down plans for which songs we have to do, things I want to eat, things I want to buy along with a picture of it. I think that my feelings are important so I write down everything. If I can't sleep, I look up ways I could fall into a deep sleep. It seemed like the blanket is really important so I would write that down, and later on buy a new blanket and pillow. After writing a bunch of stuff down, I look back on it and learned a lot about myself. That's why I express my feelings more when talking with others, and [we] can have a more diverse conversation.

 

You have received love by performing on stage, then you've received positive feedback after acting on 'Game Dev Girls'. How do you feel?

I thought a lot of people wouldn't know about it because it's a web drama, not a drama that is aired on TV. But it was on Real-Time Most Searched Terms, and in the early morning 'Game Dev Girls' along with my name were numbers 1 and 2 on the list. I was like 'Omo what in the world' (laugh) I was so happy that it had much more positive feedback than what I expected. So many people on site were helpful and very fun.

 

What roles would you like to try in the future?

I recently wanted to try the role of a tomboy, but nowadays I want to try the mellow genre. I really liked the drama 'I Need Romance', and I learned a lot of reactions of two people sharing their feelings, whether they are a couple or not.

 

It's almost been 3 years since you've debuted. How do you think that you've changed from your early debut days?

The time when we only focused on practicing is different from building experience after debuting. The more things we learn, the more things we have to pay attention to. In a sense, the more we learn, the more we adjust. So that shortens time.

 

It should be easier to talk during interviews.

No. It's not easy. I don't want it to become easier. I don't want words flowing out smoothly like [you've] memorised them instead of sincerity. I don't want [interviews] to be comfortable.

 

What compliments do you want to tell yourself now that Russian Roulette's promotions have ended?

I want to compliment [myself], but I also want to thank the people around me because they are the people that helped me so I was able to diversely express my feelings. I worked hard but I was able to change because of them, so I really wanted to give them my thanks.

 

Lastly, what words would you like to leave on Ceci? Anything is good.

(Thinks for nearly 10 minutes) It's so hard. Why is this so hard? To No Bokju halmeoni (grandmother) who lives in Daegu, your granddaughter Bae Joohyun loves you a lot.

 

SEULGI

 

We heard your diverse voice on 'Masked Singer' when you sang 'Tell Me Your Wish'.

Thank you. The appearance itself was a huge opportunity for me and many people have shown good responses and it's given me a lot of strength. I thought that it'd be nice to have many opportunities to sing our songs for others in the future, through concerts, fan meetings, and etc. I want to prepare more and show off a brand new appearance.

 

Since 'Tell Me Your Wish' was a song from an artist in your company, wasn't it burdensome?

 When I received the request from the directing staff, I thought: because it's a sunbaenim's song, wouldn't I cover it well? And at the same time: it's a song that several other people have already sung so what if I ruin it? In the beginning when I was practising the newly arranged song, my voice was being buried by the band. Therefore, I exaggerated my voice, expressing it like a musical, and received good responses so I felt really accomplished. Since, for the first time, I interpreted the song myself and it connected with people.

 

Until debuting, an individual's effort is very important but the company's contribution also plays a big part in the system. Have you ever thought to yourself: is this something that I accomplished myself or is this something that the company helped me out with?

Of course. I think I'd think that as I gain year after year of experience. One day, I'll have the thought, 'Isn't it about time I embark on my own creative work?' However, as of right now, I still have the big task of doing well on the projects that the company prepares. Just by completing that, I'll feel very accomplished. Right now, I am lacking and having a hard time doing well on the songs that we're given so I must work harder. I can't create Red Velvet's own colour.

 

The Seulgi on TV seems very adult-like, what kind of person do those around you say you are?

At the beginning of debut, I focused on my own thoughts and considered my own decisions to be important, and therefore, often heard that I was frustrating. Now, when those around me advises me, 'You can do it like this and that could also be right', I listen and am hearing that I'm frustrating much less often. I think I've become much softer. I often hear that I have a 'nice personality'. (laughs)

 

Without much change in emotion, living calmly is comfortable.

That's right. It's just that I don't let it show. At times, I also get caught up in a whirl of emotions. Though, when I face similiar situations as others, I sometimes think 'Is that something to be that mad about?' If I just give it more thought, I found that I could calm myself down by realising that it's something that can be overlooked.

 

Translator Note: Sorry, this particular Q&A was very confusing to me. Not sure who the subject in Seulgi's answer is. I chose to make Seulgi herself the subject of the passage.

 

The staff who worked with you said that you had a good sense of photoshoots.

After realising that photoshoots, beauty, and fashion are bound to each other, I naturally became interested. I can't say that I'm outstanding but I have interest and put my effort into it. I think they looked upon that side of me kindly and complimented me for it. For every song, Red Velvet also shows off a variety of concepts and I become really happy when I hear someone say that we pulled it off well. Because of that happiness, I can continue on. Same with photoshoots.

 

After wrapping up 'Russian Roulette' promotions well, what kind of compliment would you give yourself?

At first, just being on stage was very difficult and I was uneasy, worried that I would look weird on the screen. But now, I've become more free compared to before and I've also become more natural in front of the camera so I was able to have fun doing promotions. I want to compliment myself for beginning to show myself just as I am.

 

Finally, do you have any words you'd like to leave behind for Ceci magazine? Anything is fine.

I think it might still be too early to say something like this but I'd like if you remembered Red Velvet. I want to become a group that becomes memorable for the year 2016.

 

WENDY

 

Wendy who knows how to focus on the inside while sharing light energy. When [you guys] reviewed the 'Russian Roulette' MV together, I laughed a lot because of your humorous speech. Do you originally have such good variety sense?

To be honest, it dropped a little these days (laughs). When there are lots of schedules or when the practice hours gets long, everyone's energy drops. At those times, although the timings are different, there will be a member whose energy overflows exceptionally. We pass on each of our energy. To fulfill that role, not sure if it's because I came from overseas, my reactions are exceptionally greater. In the past, it was to the point where it's burdensome, now I've found the appropriate level.

 

Wendy's daily life spectrum looks wide. Do you still bake these days?

Not long ago, Seulgi's father gifted us some apples he farmed himself. I bought all the ingredients to make apple pie when there is no schedule. While I bake, useless thoughts disappear, the sense of achievement I receive when it's done is great too. I feel good when someone eats it deliciously. I like baking because I relieve all the stress that's piled up.

 

So it's Wendy's healing time. Do you have any other hobbies other than baking?

Singing. Although singing is also my job, there are times when emotions pile up inside my heart unknowingly. When my heart feels stuffed, regardless of tiredness, I don't care about those and must head for the practice room. No matter whether it's night or dawn, I ask for understanding to go to the practice room and sing.

 

I'm curious of what songs you sing to relieve your heart during those times.

At those times, I sing songs that I can sincerely relate to deep inside my heart. If I do that, things that have piled up inside will all dissolve on their own. Insooni sunbaenim's 'Father', and Jessie J's 'Who You Are' which I've sung a lot ever since I was a trainee, and recently, Lyn sunbaenim's 'Thank You, My Dear'. I sing these three songs.

 

You guys have already become a girl group on it's 3rd year now. Is there anything you still find hard adjusting to?

Rather than something hard to adjust to, there is something I find hard to believe. Fans' love which I know nothing of when I was a trainee. If we work hard preparing to show a new performance, the fans give back love that's much more than what we gave out. We do our best to put out a 100% performance, since they give us 500% love, it's disappointing to step down from the stage. As compared to that, I feel that what I can give is always so little.

 

The fans must like it very much. When do you feel happiness?

 

Translator Note: The interviewer is referring to fans liking it a lot when they know that Wendy acknowledges the love they’ve been giving.

 

I find lots of happiness in small things. For example, while having conversations with the members, at same point, it gets very interesting and we all giggle and laugh. I like the laughter which spreads from inside the room and the energy from that, and I feel happiness. Also, in the morning when we open our eyes, although I might be feeling tired, I feel happiness again when I see the sunlight shining into the car we're moving in.

 

What compliments would you like to give to the you right now, that have completed the activities for 'Russian Roulette' well?

During the activities this time around, I was really happy every single day. I went up on stage while enjoying the accompaniment of the fans. It seems to be the power of 3 years of time. I want to compliment that [i've] done well as much as [i've] enjoyed while doing the activities.

 

Lastly. some words you would like to leave behind on Ceci? Anything is fine.

While carrying out the activities this time, I felt that happiness is really important. It will be great if the people around me, fans and Ceci readers are all happy and healthy. It'll be great if you're healthy, especially mentally. I think that is important.

 

JOY

 

You're are very pretty in person. It's nice when people say that you're pretty, no matter how many time you hear it, right?

That's right (laughs). I want to become prettier and I have a lot of interest in making myself up. I think I've become prettier due to my own efforts so when someone ask what my secret is, I'll tell them everything. I'll become prettier with positivity. Earnestly exercising and putting in effort was a huge help. Negativity shows up on your face.

 

I heard that you're someone who likes to plan things out?

I make plans everyday. I just contacted my trainer so that I can receive personal training after today's photoshoot. I've planned to exercise first before meeting a dongsaeng of mine to eat something delicious with so receiving this question is amusing.

 

I heard that you like to write, what have you written recently?

Normally, I liked to write how I felt after listening to music or watching a movie. Recently, I've become so busy that from day to day, I write words that calm me down. Because a job is a job, I receive a variety of assessments. From your hairstyle 'suits you well' to 'that's definitely not it', there are many reactions. I wondered how I could firmly center my heart and not be shaken by so many opinions, so I wrote a diary for myself.

 

Can you tell us what kind of method you've found? Many people go through this kind of confusion.

First, I write down everything causing the confusion. I wanted to show a new side of myself and stepped up to the challenge and as much as there's positive feedback, there's also negative feedback, and therefore, it's making me sad. However, I kept in mind why I took up the challenge, felt proud and told myself not to lose confidence and encouraged myself positively that way.

 

In an interview, you said 'a way to overcome uneasiness is to increase your self-esteem'. Specifically, how did you work towards this?

First, it's most important to pour lots of effort into the field you're participating in. Without working hard, having the attitude of 'I do well, I'm the best' easily turns into conceit. First off, during my trainee days, my standards were the unnies around me. They were trainees longer than me so naturally, their skills were good. While learning and practicing with them, thinking that 'I'm lacking compared to these unnies now, what good can I be' made me feel really pathetic. Therefore, I changed my mindset to 'although I'm lacking now, if I practice as much as these unnies, I'll be able to practice at their level too'. I didn't think that I was good enough from the beginning.

 

To be honest, I can't sleep the day before interviews. How did you put your anxiety to rest?

The best solution is to have a conversation with a close colleague. Most recently, I shared many conversations with Seulgi and Wendy unnie. Many topics come up. Knowing each other's worries and taking care of each other, checking in to see if they're tired, is a big source of strength.

 

After wrapping up 'Russian Roulette' promotions well, what kind of compliment would you give yourself?

Usually, I don't compliment myself well (laughs). Just like at the beginning of debut, I worry about how to improve and I don't stop putting in the effort. On one hand, I think I'm doing well and on the other, I believe that I'll do better in the future.

 

Finally, do you have any words that you'd like to leave behind for Ceci magazine? Anything is fine.

Then dad, I'll become more successful and make sure to buy you a table tennis club.

 

YERI

 

Last time, you said you wanted to learn the guitar. Did you get to start?

Yes. The fans graciously gifted me a pink-coloured guitar on my birthday. I've been pretty busy so I haven't been playing but I'm always thinking that I want to learn it properly. I'm trying to learn on my own and know very basic chords. I also have lots of interest in songwriting and composition so I definitely want to learn the guitar and piano.

 

Can we look forward to you becoming a singer-songwriter playing a guitar and singing one day?

Yes. That's one of the ideals that I'm dreaming of.

 

I heard that you're a fan of actor Kang Dong-won. When you're a fan of someone, you understand a fan's heart better.

That's right. After watching Kang Dong-won sunbaenim's 'Temptation of Wolves', Jo In-sung sunbaenim's 'It's OK, That's Love', I've become a fan. The character in sunbaenim's drama is my ideal man.

 

A man whose heart has been hurt? (laughs)

When I mention this, everyone pretty much asks if I like a hurt man. In these works, I found their personality and mindset to be very charming. It was a refreshing shock. I heard that on their off days, they appeared on set and researched their scripts, discussing with the writers, and it charmed me even more.

 

Seeing how your eyes sparkle, it seems you have the disposition of a fangirl. You know how to sink deep into the areas you like.

That's right. I also like to read books and a couple of days ago, I bought about 10 books all at once. I bought them before starting promotions and though I haven't been able to get to them yet, I'm going to read each book entirely once I get some free time.

 

I'm curious about your book shopping list?

The most memorable book is a book written by Onari Yuko called 'Happy Question'. It's a pretty thin fairytale book so I read it as soon as I received it. It's written in a Q&A format where the main couple goes through different situations and the content is pretty and lovely. I also bought 'The Metamorphosis' by Kafka, 'The Wind Blows, I Like You' by Lee Byung-ryul. 

 

Don't you hear here and there that you're like a kid-adult?

I get that often. I also hear that my image shown on broadcasts and meeting me in real life is different. The fans know that there are times when I don't have aegyo and really don't feel like talking. I think it's because I'm the first born in my family and I began as a trainee at a young age.

 

You've become the celebrity you've dreamed of being but weren't there times where there were unexpected misunderstandings or accidents or things that you weren't able to clarify and explain that was upsetting?

I definitely had upsetting times and everyone has their own way of calming themselves down. I had a time where I wasn't able to find my way and went through a tough time where I had difficulty expressing my feelings honestly. But at some point, I was able to clear my head. A friend told me that it's like a vaccination and it made everything  a lot better to think this. A shot hurts so although you'd like to avoid it, it definitely helps if you receive it. That has stayed with me.

 

After wrapping up 'Russian Roulette' promotions well, what kind of compliment would you give yourself?

You've done well! (laughs) To be honest, I'm not satisfied with myself so I have nothing in particular to compliment myself for.

 

Finally, do you have any words that you'd like to leave behind for Ceci magazine? Anything is fine.

Did you get your vaccinations? It was okay, right? (laughs) The cold winter is coming.

 

 

Translations by:

슬기바ë¼ê¸°   â€@seulgisunflower, Oven â€@oven1408, warmblue â€@warmblue0221

[Krystal.]

Joy is poised, organized, thoughtful, honest and direct. I adore her to bits.

[whasa]

you know they get so much flack for their lack of charisma as a group or whatever bandwagon opinion is floating around, but i think they have interesting personalities. i enjoy what they have to say

[Peachy Cream]

Joy is poised, organized, thoughtful, honest and direct. I adore her to bits.

[ESSON]

I really loved reading Irene and Yeri's bits, their interviews are always a lovely read.

[alwayshope]

Wendy!!! Why does my heart hurt reading her interview? 

[Joji.]

They're all such unique characters, love my girls 

[seri]

Deep thought of my girls..

[CheesyBaekon]

I like how Irene anwer the questions, no wonder she's the leader

[123456]

Ulric, did you typed it all?  I'm too lazy and just saved the translation screenshot to RVU â–º http://www.redvelvetupdates.com/post/152004418558/

[Kenji]

wow, they are all really deep person

[ulric]

Ulric, did you typed it all?  I'm too lazy and just saved the translation screenshot to RVU â–º http://www.redvelvetupdates.com/post/152004418558/

 

Yep...I compiled, retyped and reformatted all the various translations.

 

I saw...wanted to do that but oh well might as well go...crazy crazy crazy crazy crazy yea! 

[blue7kaoru]

Yeri's personality is so much like mine. I'm surprised she read Kafka's The Metamorphosis !!

This part made me sad though 

 

You've done well! (laughs) To be honest, I'm not satisfied with myself so I have nothing in particular to compliment myself for.

[xx_toughcookie]

Yeri's personality is so much like mine. I'm surprised she read Kafka's The Metamorphosis !!

This part made me sad though

 

Omg me too. YERI YOU DID SO WELL!

[Akai Berubetto]

Red Velvet is so deep like a blackhole i can't escape from them HALPPPPPP MEHHHHHH

[Yuuu_Asian]

I like all of them!

They have great personalities and are hardworking.

Already 3 years in the industry but still remain humble.. I wish them all the best!