Original article: hmv.co.jp
Translation credit: hmcity@ tumblr
After an excellent release of their 2nd album “Inside of Me” on July 24th, U-KISS is currently greeting the second half of the summer with a nationwide Zepp tour, continuing on into the summer. We’ve talked to the 7 members after a long time, and in the middle of their hard schedule the tension is slightly high, but there is plenty of fighting spirit. This is the first part of our interview before the sale of the album, “Inside of Me”. There are stories of individual activities in the first half of the year and the South American tour, as well as the world of “Inside of Me”. There’s also a video comment at the end!
Your individual activities in the first half of 2013 and the ability to have unit group activities:—From the time between the release of your single “ALONE” in February to this album “Inside of Me”, you had individual activities and unit activities. Please tell us how you think you’ve grown and gained self-confidence through activities outside the group.
Soohyun: I think everyone as a whole grew
up, and that is fully present in this album. First, Kevin and I
appeared in the musical “Summer Snow”. Because singing, acting and dance
are important, after doing a musical, expressing emotions in this album
became easier.
—Certainly, you’re able to convey Japanese words remarkably better than before. I really felt it.
Kevin: Waah! Thank you.
—How did Dongho spend his time?
Dongho: I wasn’t doing anything. I was
resting. I was slowly resting in Korea for our tour in Japan, and I had
to regulate the condition of my body.
—That is also an important time. How about uBEAT?
Eli: uBEAT’s activities were really fun. I
was able to challenge myself in a genre I had never done before as
U-KISS, and I think my rap ability also went up.
AJ: I made a lot of good songs for our
uBEAT activities. 5 songs? Although the songs didn’t end up on the album
after all… but I was able to concentrate deeply on making them, so I
think my producing skills went up.
—Someday we’ll be able to listen to AJ’s music too.
AJ: In the next album.
Kevin: It could become the title track.
AJ: Please look forward to it!
Kevin: I was also nervous because uBEAT
is U-KISS’ first unit group. My part is larger than in U-KISS songs so
it’s more noticeable. Therefore, I’ve come to care a lot about how I can
show a cool performance on stage on my own, so I’ve been studying.
—Kiseop and Hoon’s musical was also well received.
Kiseop: yes. I appeared in the musical
“Goong” with Hoon. Where I lack, Hoon has taught me a lot, so I think my
singing and acting have become a bit better.
Soohyun: As I see it, thanks to appearing in “Goong”, Kiseop has really improved his singing!
Dongho: Yes, tremendously.
Kevin: Thus in this album Kiseop’s parts increased.
Soohyun: But he originally had many parts?
Kiseop: …?
In June, your first South American tour.—At the end of June, the achievement of your South American tour became big news. Because we couldn’t watch the concert in South America, please tell us what it was like.
Soohyun: First we went to Peru, Mexico
and then Colombia, but the reaction from the fans was amazing. They
remembered all of U-KISS’ songs, and I was surprised that they sang
together with us from beginning to end, so I was impressed.
Dongho: Korean songs and Japanese songs, all of it.
Hoon: Originally, there’s already cheers for our songs made by fans, but the South American fans remember all of it and cheer for us.
Soohyun: Therefore, we sang “Dear My Friend” in Spanish especially for our South American fans. They were very pleased!
—Spanish! I would like to hear it.
Dongho: It’s limited to South America (laughs).
—The girls in South America are very passionate. It’s like a feeling of being hugged or kissed suddenly.
Everyone: Ah. That’s right!
Kiseop: Why do you know that.
Kevin: The airport was a bit much.
Kiseop: The fans came in droves before us.
Soohyun: It was great to return. A lot of
people gathered. Even if it’s unavoidable for us to get injured, it’s
bad if fans get injured.
—True. I think because South American fans rarely get
to see U-KISS, the feelings are intense. I would be good for you to go
to countries that you haven’t been to yet.
Kevin: Yes. I want to go!
Talk about the latest album “Inside of Me” (1)—Although I think everyone has their own personal favorite song… today can you each recommend the song that the person sitting next to you shines most in?
Dongho »> Hoon
Dongho: For Hoon it’s definitely “Passage”. I think the emotional expression Hoon has when he sings ballads is really amazing.
Hoon: Thank you!
Dongho: You’re welcome.
Hoon »> Eli
Hoon: I’m personally addicted to Eli’s
rap in “One of You” <handan suru no wa ittai dare dai?> It’s so
cool~! Handan suru no wa ittai dare dai~♪
Eli: Thank you (smile).
Soohyun: Hoon, please select a song from the album.
Kevin: "One of You" is in it.
Soohyun: Oh. It’s in there! Sorry.
Eli »> AJ
Eli: AJ’s solo intro part in “Thousand Miles Away”.
—It’s a different charm than usual of AJ’s.
Eli: Yes. That part is AJ’s ad-lib. It’s cool.
AJ »> Soohyun
AJ: In the last part of “ALONE” Soohyun
is in the center with the other members surrounding him. Soohyun’s
ad-lib there is good. Waaaaaaaa~ and then yeeeeeeaaaahhhh~ to the end.
(Everyone laughs). Do you understand?
—Yes, it’s pretty easy to understand…
AJ: Thank you!
Soohyun »> Kevin
Soohyun: Kevin is always cool but… he was
especially cool in “Play Back”! He always has a gentle and soft voice,
but in this song his voice is manly and powerful. All 4 of them are
good, but I feel love for Kevin when he sings this song.
Hoon: Scary.
Kevin: Eeeeeh (laughs). Thank you (laughs).
Kevin »> Kiseop
Kevin: Kiseop’s solo part in “Thousand Miles Away” is cool.
Soohyun: Where is it? Kevin, try singing a little bit of it please.
AJ: Go ahead.
Kevin: …………
Soohyun: Yep! It seems you don’t know the lyrics!
Kevin: Kiseop’s solo part is the coolest! I don’t know the lyrics~.
AJ: (mimicking Kevin) I don’t know the lyriiiiics~~~ (everyone laughs).
Kevin: Why?! Don’t bully me please~! (laughs). Kiseop’s captain…
(T/N: Kevin said “senchou” which means captain, but he meant “seichou” which means growth. Soohyun corrects him.)
(T/N: Kevin said “senchou” which means captain, but he meant “seichou” which means growth. Soohyun corrects him.)
Soohyun: Captain?! Kiseop is not a pirate captain! It’s “growth”!
Kevin: I felt the growth of Kiseop’s voice in this song!
AJ: (Another imitation) Kiiiseeoooppp’s~~~ (everyone laughs).
—Your imitation has amazing destructive power…
Hoon: Kiseop, please tell us the lyrics.
Kiseop: Uuum. Mizu ni sashita hana ga… (singing).
Kevin: (Singing together).
Soohyun: Wait a minute! Kevin is completely different!
Dongho: Completely wrong.
Hoon: It’s like the first time hearing this song.
Kiseop »> Dongho
Kiseop: I think Dongho’s rap is really cool. Above all, the English narration in “Interlude I”.
AJ: I directed Dongho’s English.
—Ah, I see. I was surprised at the beautiful English.
Kevin: “so”
Eli+Hoon: "be my love"
Kiseop: Hey! Be quiet! Right now it’s my turn! (Laughs).
Soohyun: Sorry~.
Kiseop: The English pronunciation is beautiful as well, so the ambience is nice. It has an adult-like feel.
Dongho: Originally I wasn’t that good at English. So when I heard the final result, I thought “Huh? Is this me?”
—You all really know each other well. By the way, in “Inside of Me”, there’s one song you haven’t sang in this tour.
Soohyun: Yeah.
Kevin: There is!
Eli: (In singing).
—Developing is thrilling, yet there’s a song that is not likely to shine live.
Dongho: Perhaps in an arena tour, or when we do a dome tour… maybe.
Soohyun: If the fans say they want to hear it, U-KISS will practice to show you someday. Please wait!
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