Magazine photoshoot. Because you've done so many interviews, you must be tired of it right? With all the questions being the same? (laughs)
GiKwang: No. I've done it many times as BEAST but it's the first time doing a magazine photoshoot by myself.
By the way, the word 'by myself/alone' came up and with that, I've been seeing you since you promoted as AJ.
(GiKwang let out a sigh and stared off into the distance for a while)
Is it a time you don't want to remember?
GiKwang: No. It was an experience, a good experience.
Personally we categorize BEAST as the 'Idols of the 2.5th generation'. The generation after the first generation of H.O.T. or G.O.D., Fin.K.L, etc. And because you guys debuted about half a generation afterwards.
GiKwang: Yes. After 2PM and SHINee came out, MBLAQ and other teams made a debut with us.
You would have been living in a generation where you watched the first generation of Idols when you were young. It looks like you've done well for 6 years as BEAST.
GiKwang: I would say that the expression we 'survived' well is more accurate. We can't be fully sure if we have brought along our name well for now.
When did you start your training?
GiKwang: From 9th grade. I've trained for about 6 years.
You practiced for 6 years and you've promoted for 6 years after you debuted. If you add those two then it's over 10 years. You've spent half of your life in this world.
GiKwang: You can say that I lived a 'one way life' (From this point GiKwang started to make eye contact from time to time and talk)
GiKwang: Yes, of course. Isn't the world like that though, because you have to give up on one thing to gain something else. Even though I gained fame, popularity and wealth compared to others of my age, I can't fully enjoy my private life.
Korea's idol system is more like that. Celebrities are public figures and there is a stronger stereotype that they have behave well and become society's model.
GiKwang: I think it's inevitable because it gains a lot of strength from the fandom culture.
If you say fandom then of course it's 'B2UTY'!
GiKwang: oh, of course. It's because of our fans that we've come this much.
Do you think about how everything you have right now might suddenly disappear?
GiKwang: Yes, I'm always thinking about that.
You must get stressed out a lot about it.
GiKwang: Yes (lets out a big sigh). But as I come into my mid-20s, my thoughts have become more mild. Even though I do worry about work, I felt that it's very important to make myself happy so I'm trying to spend more time for myself nowadays.
What should you do to make yourself happy. Did you find an answer?
GiKwang: There was a time when I thought that earning a lot of money, living in a good home with a good car, eating a lot of good food, and enjoying life was happiness. But recently, there's a little thing that I realized. After <Good Luck>'s promotion ended, we got a vacation and for the first time I went to Thailand for a trip without a manager, freely.
It was your first time?
GiKwang: There were times when I went overseas with the managers or members for concerts & holidays but to go without a manager and with hyungs I really like, to plan the trip and pack my bags - it was really fun.
GiKwang: Yes. Just by walking meant happiness for me. I felt really happy doing what I wanted to do freely without thinking about people around me. I thought about a lot of things during this trip. It's nothing hard, happiness is nothing too special but... While filming for <Style Log>, I visited many good places, tasty places and I never knew there were so many good and pretty places in Korea. Because I don't really go around a lot normally. I went to a place called Kyung-ri-dan-gil (road) for the first time yesterday for filming. It made me think, 'How have I been living till now...' (laughs).
The most idea life would be to do music and be respected to have a bit more freedom in your private life but in reality you’ll have to choose between these two. And I also believe you would have made a silent promise to yourself that when you start this work, you will have to sacrifice some parts of your lifestyle.
(GiKwang nodded in agreement silently and started to make more eye contact afterwards.)
Like the other BEAST members, GiKwang also does a lot of activities. Acting, MC, in variety shows and of course even sports… (laughs) Now if you’ve debuted for this long you will know more about yourself; how much other activities you need to do for your own.
GiKwang: Yes. Because we’re at a age where we can decide for ourselves, the members discuss with each managers and decide on what activities they will do.
You've been with the members since your 10s.
GiKwang: Yes. Especially with DongWoon, I've been with him since nearly the beginning.
You guys would have seen each other grow through the storm and gale period. Even if the album works out well, if there's a problem among the members, then it would be hard to go through it but it looks like BEAST is doing well in that area.
GiKwang: Because everyone/people change.
GiKwang: Yes. Especially with DongWoon, I've been with him since nearly the beginning.
You guys would have seen each other grow through the storm and gale period. Even if the album works out well, if there's a problem among the members, then it would be hard to go through it but it looks like BEAST is doing well in that area.
GiKwang: Because everyone/people change.
GiKwang: Yes. When time passes and the environment changes, people naturally change but I think we six were able to keep hold of each other well during that process. We don't really talk 'strongly/harshly' to each other, because we all have self-esteem. (laughs) Even though the boys look strong in the outer appearance, in truth we all try to respect each other as much as we can rather than use blunt/hard-hitting statements. If a team's relationship isn't good, then it'll show up for sure because the camera is always on and someone is always watching.
You've debuted for 6 years now. When you were a rookie you would have continued to run forward without thinking about other things but at this point you'll take a rest and have time to look back. Is there an area you want to show more in the future? Right now you're doing/showing music, dance, variety shows, fashion, and even football. (laughs)
GiKwang: The area where I am best at and wish to be recognized for is definitely in dancing and singing. I also want to be recognized for my composing. I was able to add a song I composed for the first time in this <Good Luck> album and the members staged the song at this concert by adding choreography to it. I had an ankle injury so I was sitting alone on the chair then. At that time I felt very... proud (While talking about this, GiKwang's eyes started to fill with tears).
How happy must it be to have someone sing a song I wrote/composed.
GiKwang: Especially when it was in an area filled with thousands of fans who like me and like BEAST, I sometimes feel like crying/tear up when I think about that time.
I guess Yong JunHyung continues to write songs because of that feeling. (laughs)
GiKwang: Yes! I also thought that JunHyung continues to do it because of this reason.
The younger ones (juniors) in your company chose BEAST as their role model.
GiKwang: I don't think we're up to the level to become someone's role model. BEAST is a team that can grow and show more in the future. I think like that. If you look at all 6 members of BEAST closely, then there's no one who looks like a flower boy (looks handsome, etc.), really. But all six of us are good at something different, our vibes are different, and when we combine them together well then we create a synergy we didn't expect. I think that's why we can continue to go higher.
What would 'go higher' mean in detail?
GiKwang: I'm not talking about in the numerical value of going up in the album charts or ranking. It's becoming a team that not only our fans, but anyone can acknowledge when they hear 'BEAST'.
GiKwang: The area where I am best at and wish to be recognized for is definitely in dancing and singing. I also want to be recognized for my composing. I was able to add a song I composed for the first time in this <Good Luck> album and the members staged the song at this concert by adding choreography to it. I had an ankle injury so I was sitting alone on the chair then. At that time I felt very... proud (While talking about this, GiKwang's eyes started to fill with tears).
How happy must it be to have someone sing a song I wrote/composed.
GiKwang: Especially when it was in an area filled with thousands of fans who like me and like BEAST, I sometimes feel like crying/tear up when I think about that time.
I guess Yong JunHyung continues to write songs because of that feeling. (laughs)
GiKwang: Yes! I also thought that JunHyung continues to do it because of this reason.
The younger ones (juniors) in your company chose BEAST as their role model.
GiKwang: I don't think we're up to the level to become someone's role model. BEAST is a team that can grow and show more in the future. I think like that. If you look at all 6 members of BEAST closely, then there's no one who looks like a flower boy (looks handsome, etc.), really. But all six of us are good at something different, our vibes are different, and when we combine them together well then we create a synergy we didn't expect. I think that's why we can continue to go higher.
What would 'go higher' mean in detail?
GiKwang: I'm not talking about in the numerical value of going up in the album charts or ranking. It's becoming a team that not only our fans, but anyone can acknowledge when they hear 'BEAST'.
Above photo credit to kpophqpictures
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CREDITS
Translation by "my DREAM boys (dream1016.tistory.com)" or @dreamboys1016 ; not 100% perfect, there might be mistakes.
