 |
| credit: Hongjaebiased |
126
Pop with heat and soul
A new wave which colors the Korean music scene
Feel like FTISLAND
FTISLAND is composed with 5 members who love the MUSIC.
Fresh music which they create reached to the hit chart in a twinkle of an eye.
We will take a close look at the talent and identity of each members who have both popularity and ability.
25 questions to FTISLAND
Q1.How have you changed after joining FTISLAND?
Q2.What is your dream as FTISLAND?
Q3.Is there any difference between your work in Japan and Korea?
Q4.What is the music that FTISLAND want to aim at?
Q5.What was the happiest work you have done as FTISLAND?
Q6.What was the happiest thing happened in private time recently?
Q7.Tell us the role of each member in FTISLAND.
Q8.What is the image of an ideal man?
Q9.Where do you want to go now?
Q10.What do you want to have now?
Q11.Who do you want to meet now?
Q12.What is the most important thing to you now?
Q13.What type of girl do you like?
Q14.When is the time you feel relaxed the most?
Q15.What is the point on your fashion?
Q16.Who is the Japanese artist who you would like to work with?
Q17.What is your personal dream in the future?
Q18.Where is the place you like to visit, and where is the place that you visit often?
Q19.What is in your iPod?
Q20.What is your motto?
Q21.How do you relieve your stress?
Q22.Are you aggressive or not aggressive for love?
Q23.When is the moment that you feel you have grown-up, compared to the time you have debut?
Q24.What are the “things that will never change”, even FTISLAND improves?
Q25.Please give a message to the Japanese fans.
Lee Jaejin
Date of Birth:1991.12.17
Blood Type: A
Bass & Vocal
A1. My parents were busy with their works, so I stayed alone at home before joining FTISLAND. Therefore after chosen as a member of FTISLAND, I felt I had many brothers in once. Now I feel they are real family to me.
A2. My dream is to continue the band activity with our members by studying various music in many countries.
A3. In Korea, we mainly work on album promotions on TV program, but in Japan, we mainly work on live performance concert. The works on TV programs are fun, but live performance is much more fun.
A4. I want to be a band who can deliver the message of each moment throughout the music.
A5. When our first album was completed in Korea, and our first indie’s album was completed in Japan. I felt so happy that “This is our music”, while listening the album.
A6. I have received a Christmas present. My birth-day is close to the day, so I was happy.
A7. Jonghun Hyung is our father. Hongki Hyung is a relative uncle maybe? I’m the first son and Minhwan is the second, and Seunghyun is the youngest son.
A8. 2 years ago, I challenged on musical. Then co-stars practiced hard until they get dripping with sweat, and I was fascinated by them. I felt that when people devote themselves into one thing, they are really beautiful, so I want to work on my job with enthusiasm.
A9. Spain! I heard that Spanish girls are beautiful…Well I was just joking, I want to see the bullfight. Also I wanna go to Brazil and see Samba.
A10. Maybe a girlfriend (laughter). I never had a girlfriend after I joint FTISLAND.
A11. A vocalist from BUMP OF CHICKEN. The lyrics are really good in every songs, so I want to see him singing and also want to talk to him to find out what kind of thoughts he has.
A12. PC. Recently, I’m really into writing and composing songs, so if I don’t have PC, it’s really inconvenience.
A13. A girl with fair complexion.
A15. I have no sense in fashion, so I’m studying it now (laughter). I will work hard.
A16. It’s ONE OK ROCK. After I saw their stage at Summer Sonic Event (in2010), I wish to work with them. Also, BUMP OF CHICKEN. I really wanna work together with them.
A17. I wanna make a band with juniors. I will let the juniors to take charge in writing and composing songs, and I’ll just join them with instrumental play.
A18. I like to stand in front of the microphone. It is hard to sing and play bass at the same time, but I have experienced many good moment while singing. Thus I love to stand in front of mike. The place I visit in Tokyo is Harajuku, but sometimes I get to see by the fans, so I go to Roppongi recently. There are many foreigners, so it’s a new experience for me.
A19. Songs of Red Hot Chili Peppers. I listen to ballad songs when I’m feeling down. I listen to the top 20 songs from billboard chart usually.
A23. I was anxious about having no confidence in my own opinion before, but now I became to think that I want my opinion to be understood by the members.
A25. We can work on band works in Japan because of the fans. For me and for FTISLAND, you fans mean a lot. Please give us more support from now on too!
Lee Hongki
Date of Birth:1990.3.2
Blood Type:AB
Vocal
A1. I’m grown-up. I was only a child who doesn’t know anything at the time of debut.
A2. I want to perform in larger venue, and also want to improve our levels as a band up.
A3. In Korea, our schedules are so tight that I sometimes don’t understand what I am doing. On the other hand in Japan, the schedules are scheduled properly, so we can work easier.
A4. Now we are trying hard to be a band which has unique music style and individuality. One day, we want to find out a specific “color” that specifies us as “FTISLAND”.
A5. Now is the happiest moment. At the time of debut, I really didn’t understand the feeling of having a sense of appreciation towards fans. But now, by seeing many fans’ support, I feel we are here because of the fans. If we work hard, fans would give us more support, so the existence of the fans really means a lot to us.
A6. My hand phone is broken. I don’t have it now. The other day, I played a game with the president of our office, he promised me to buy new iPhone if I won, so I tried hard (laughter). Yesterday I had a call from Korea that “iPhone is here”, I was really happy!
A7. The role changes in case by case. But Jaejin is the one who keeps the balance of the group at the middle. He is also at the middle in age. That’s why he always arbitrates a quarrel and helps to solve the problems. My fans call me “father”, but I actually don’t take that role.
A8. My dream is to do well on singing, acting, doing MC and everything.
A9. To Korea! White iPhone4S is waiting for me (laughter).
A10. iPhone!(laughter), but I have it now so maybe new clothes. I work hard on muscle training these days, so my body’s got muscular. Now I can’t wear my older clothes.
A11. My president! Of course because of the iPhone(laughter).
A12. I shall say iPhone…but…it’s a pearly silver thing, something rare.
A13. A girl with fair complexioned, pure and charming.Also with a glamorous body. It’s just my ideal image. There is no girl like that(laughter). Someone like Nozomi Sasaki is my ideal girl.
A14. I’m being busy going back and forth between Korea and Japan, so it’s hard to have a time to relax.
A15. I care about bags and shoes. I like red, black and white. I bought shoes of a brand that I really wanted! But it’s expensive… so I only have one.
A16. ONE OK ROCK and ORANGE RANGE! Especially ORANGE RANGE because their style with 3 vocalists is really interesting. I love their music and rhythm, so since my debut, I wish to have a live performance with them one day.
A17. I want to gain recognition as a vocalist among the world of music. Also I was being actor since I was a child, so I want to be top of the actor as well. I want to be a multi-talented person who can be a MC in TV programs, not only in singing and acting.
A18. I love to go on shopping, so my favorite place is Omotesando and Aoyama. But those are so expensive so I actually buy there once in half year.
A19. “Distance” which we released in Japan, last November. Also ONE OK ROCK, ORANGE RANGE, My Chemical Romance, Boys Like Girls, Daughtry.
A20. Nothing(laughter)
A21. Bowling! My best score is 210!
A22. It depends on the girl who I like, so I’m between aggressive and not aggressive.(laughter)
A23. When I was at age of high school student, I wanted to do things that I wanted, and when someone stopped me doing it, I got angry. But now, I can control my emotion.
A24. A membership. I have a confidence that this would never change.
A25. While working in Korea, many fans come to see us all the way from Japan, and I feel really happy about that. We can work in Japan because of you. I feel so happy if I could stay together with you from now on. Trust on us and get along together with us.
Choi Jonghoon
Date of Birth:1990.3.7
Blood Type:A
Guitar & Keyboard
A1. My life has changed! I became a member of society since I was a juvenile, so I learned a lot.
A2. To gain a great recognition as a band in both Korea and Japan.
A3. It is fun to work in both countries, but facilities are better in Japan to work as a band. There are many studios for practicing, and we are treated as a “band man” in those studios.
A4. I want to try many music styles, for example, the “Rock Ballad Style” like Bon Jove, so we want to try one by one and grow up.
A5. The happiest thing is that I can do the performance with our members.
A6. I bought a new guitar.
A7. I am the leader, so I am a father. Other 4 member are naughty child. The naughtiest ones are Hongki and Seunghyun.
A8. A man who can create a sexy and cool atmosphere by just sitting silently.
A9. To United States, where I have never been before, especially to Chicago.
A10. I started learning golf, so it’s a golf club. I will continue playing golf as my hobby.
A11. Future girlfriend(laughter). Because I don’t have one for a long time.
A12. The newest guitar I bought and the member of FTISLAND.
A13. Someone who is kind hearted and has beautiful face. Like Becky who has western impression face.
A14. I feel relaxed when I compose songs and read books at home. I like reading the books, written about life, I don’t read novels. Also I feel relaxed when I exercise and ride a bicycle.
A15. I don’t really care about it but I think it’s important to wear a cloth which really suits oneself.
A16. ELLEGARDEN andL’arc~en~Ciel.
A17. I want to do more acting. The movie “You are my pet” is the first work, so I want to try acting on many dramas and movies and become famous in acting as well. I want to be the actors like KanDongwon and Jo Odagiri.
A18. I like Daikanyama and Hokkaido.I often visit Omotesando, but not so often these days for being busy.
A19. I listen to the songs of Muse and Jonas Brothers.
A20. “Throw away a worthless pride, and work hard with confidence”
A21. Get together with my friends and chat.
A22. Depends on the situation.
A23. I became to solve many problems by my own. I have grown up well musically and personally.
A24. Our stance, enjoy the stage free and easy, will never change even if we get older.
A25. Please listen to our music during cold winter and cheer yourself up. Believe in yourself and treasure the everyday life.
Choi Minhwan
Date of Birth:1992.11.11
Blood Type:A
Drums
A1. My dream had changed. At the beginning, I just simply liked the music, but after joining FTISLAND, I began to think that I want to compose a song which shows the loyalty and the bond as a member. There were not much difference in living environment, just one thing, I needed to live separate with my parents.
A2. I want to continue performing with our member. That’s all.
A3. In Japan, we become busy before the CD release, but in Korea, we become busy after releasing the album. The style of music is different, we have many songs which have repetition of the phrases in Korean songs, but in Japan, songs have lyrics which bring us and listeners together.
A4. I want to aim at a band which has various colors. I hope to be a band which can perform any style, including pop-rock and ballads.
A5. The moment when we have finished our live.The sense of fulfillment after any live is good.
A6. I’ve been busy these days……nothing to note(laughter).
A7. Jonghun Hyun has strong image of father, but actually he is mother. Fresh mother (laughter). He wakes up early in the morning, sometimes prepare meal. Hongki Hyung is the second mother. Jaejin Hyun is the elder brother, I’m the second and Seunghyun is the youngest brother. There is no father(laughter).
A8. A rich man (laughter). It’s my dream from childhood, and it’s not coming true yet. The person who I admire is my father.
A9. Sapporo! I like winter and snow. I want to see it snowing and go to hot spring in Sapporo.
A10. I got driver’s license recently, so I want a car. A white car.
A11. Erika Toda. I saw her drama and movies, and became her fan.
A12. My hand phone. I can’t be settled if I don’t have it. Family and members are also important.
A13. I like a girl with cleanliness. When she is wearing a fluffy sweater, I find it pretty.
A14. While I’m sleeping and eating, I feel relaxed.
A15 .I have no interest in fashion, but I care about the color, I like black.
A16. It’s ONE OK ROCK. They are so cool. I adore them so much, so I want to work with them.
A17. When I have a son in the future, I want to be an artist who is adored by my son’s generation.
A18. Rainbow Bridge, a memorial place where I’ve been at the first visit to Japan. I often go to Harajuku and watch people walking there. The place has similar atmosphere to Hongdae in Korea.
A19. I listen to our songs and hip-hop songs. Also check the songs on billboard chart.
A20. Befere, it was “Don’t carry over the things that should be done by the day to the next day”, but I don’t have it now.
A21. I hang around with SH, and other Korean artist of the same age. Playing game with member also relives my stress too.
A22. Maybe aggressive. I’ll do the things I’ve decided and say something I wanted to say.
A23. Umm…I think I’m the same as before(laughter). If there is a thing I have grown up, I become to think deeply now.
A24. The bond between members will never change. I met them since I was in elementary school, so I feel them like my real family.
A25. It’s been after 1 and half year after our major debut in Japan, we will produce more good songs, so please come to our live. I hope to spend happy moment with you all from now on too.
Song Seunghyun
Date of Birth:1992.8.21
Blood Type:O
Guitar & Vocal
A1. I joined the band after few years from the debut, so it was hard to get used to the situation, but other members treated me kindly. I’m so happy to be a member of FTISLAND.
A2. I want to do performance at the place where we are not known well.
A3. I love to work in any countries, but in Japan, the band market is huge, so I feel we can work in well settled environment.
A4. I always think that I want to create a song which can show our ability and what we have now.
A5. The first Budokan live! Of course I have good memories in each live, but I was happy to stand on the stage considered as a “Sanctualy for the bands”.
A6. I got driver’s license. I drive a car in Seoul. One day, I want to drive a car in Japan as well.
A7. Jonghun Hyun is the mother. Because he is our leader, he always screams “Practice! Practice!”(laughter). Minhwan is the father who is quiet and calm, but advices right thing at right time. Jaejin Hyung is elder brother like elder sister. I’m second from the last. Hongki Hyun is a baby, the youngest(laughter).
A8. Wit in humor but can take initiative and say something persuasive at important point.
A9. Sapporo! I would say Sapporo(laughter). We all like winter, I can’t do the snowboarding, but like skiing. Sorry it’s a dull joke.(I like skiing. =Watashiwaskigasuki.)
A10. I want a time to compose new songs.
A11.Yui Aragaki. I am her fan, so watched every her dramas!
A12. A guitar I bought in Japan.
A13. A girl with beautiful smile. YuiAragaki (laughter).
A14. I feel relaxed while I’m at work. So when I have no work to do, I can’t get settled (laughter).
A15. A jacket. I don’t have many but I like to wear various designs of jackets while shooting.
A16. I appreciate the ability of ONE OK ROCK and learn a lot from them. They are doing the music which we also want to pursue, so envious.
A17. My dream was to be an actor, but it has been changed. Now I want to be a singer song writer who can move people’s heart with an acoustic guitar and a singing voice.
A18. Rainbow Bridge. I like it because it’s so beautiful. I like to eat TonkotsuRamen (a noodle with pork bone based soup) in Japan.
A19. Songs of My Chemical Romance. Also Korean artists like Kim Bumsu and YimJaebum.
A20. ”Never regret on things”
A21. I don’t keep stress in myself. I feel stressed of waiting for food when I am hungry (laughter).
A22. I am aggressive about love. I work hard to succeed in love.
A23. As I look back the film of the old days, I get really ashamed that “Wow, is this really me?!”. The performance and singing were so unskilled…Now it’s not good enough but improved from the beginning, I guess.
A24. A pressure.I think everyone is the same, when our live has been scheduled, we feel happy but also feel the pressure. It is important to feel this pressure to tighten up our mind.
A25. While we are working in Japan, we can’t meet Korean fans, and while we are in Korea, we can’t meet Japanese fans, so we feel sorry for both fans, but I really appreciate their understanding and support. Each member is working hard on thinking about live composition and creating new songs, so please enjoy with us. That support become the power for us.
The reason why FTISLAND is considered as “NEW WAVE”.
A fruit of “stoic effort”.
5 members who fascinate the listeners with high quality sounds.
The music of world in Korea is hot with unprecedented boom of idol groups. Both boys and girls groups like SNSD, KARA, 2PM, what we call a “K-POP” is taking advance, penetrating and spicing up in Japanese music scene in a twinkle of an eye. FTISLAND is the one who is conspicuous among contemporary artists. Not like other groups, their weapon is not a blight dance performance. They are the band, wit in ability, which compete with the high quality performance build up through long time experience and outstanding singing ability.
In 2005, a big project was committed on 5 boys, who were in age of 12 to 14, chosen by an audition. That was a revolutionary trial, “To create an idol band who can grab fans’ hearts by playing the instrument by themselves”, not like other dancing idol groups. To make this ambition come true, they received 10 hours of lessons a day for 2 years. With cute innocent face, a teenager band FTISLAND which can astonish the adults was born.
In 2007, at the same time as their debut with the album “Cheerful Sensibility”, targeting the teenagers, their pop and fresh songs and Hongki’sflexible voice gained the attention. They have accomplished the great achievement with their title song “Love Sick” which ranked top in many Korean music shows. They won the newcomer prize at Golden Disk Awards in the same year, and their first step was going satisfactorily.
Next year they started their work in Japan. After a short stay abroad in Japan to study Japanese and music, they had debut as an indies band with a mini album “Prologue of FTIsland-soyogi-” For Japanese band culture was bigger than in Korea, their stay in Japan encouraged them to think “We want to learn more about music!”. By releasing new albums in Korea, they had live performances in Japan and increased the fans steadily.
Then, Wonbin decided to leave the group and new member Seunghyun joined in 2009. A drama brought a big turning point to FTISLAND. “You are handsome”, which brought Jang Keunsuk up to the stardom. Hongki was casted as a drummer of a popular band A.N.JELL, Jeremy. He acted well on his bright and affable character. Also, they took charge in OST, “Still” and “Promise”, the recognition of FTISLAND rise sharply.
Their steady indies works, their longing dream came true and had major debut in Japan in 2010. Their debut single, “Flower Rock” showed their new style of music. “SATISFACTION” which is promoted with a theme song of an anime recorded a great hit. Their popularity grew and their first album released in 2011 “FIVE TREASURE ISLAND” won the first place in oricon weekly chart. That was the first time for foreign mail artist to win the chart with their first album. Tickets were all sold out in summer tour held at 4 cities, and at their conclusion of the summer tour, they had a first live in Budokan and gathered more than 10000 fans. They also had a Christmas live and gathered 30000 fans in two days.
FTISLAND shows their charm in not only music programs in Japan, but also in variety shows and talk shows, with their fluent Japanese ability. Each member are challenging on various genres. Hongki has a career of actor since he was a little child. He was casted as a Korean star role in the Japanese drama called “Muscle Girl” in 2011. He had done all his lines in Japanese and showed a spirit as a professional. Also he co-acted with Reiko Takashima with the Japan-Korea collaboration drama “Noriko goes to Seoul”, and showed his talent as an actor. Also at “Immortal Song”, he won the first place, and praised as a “natural born vocalist”. He is now on progress to be a person who is“multi-talented”.
Jonghoon is challenging on acting at Korean movie, “You are my pet”. He enjoyed acting so now he thinks that he wants to work as an actor as well. Jaejin and Minhwan are also experience acting in Korean dramas too. Seunghyun once did a MC in a TV program, so they all have widened the width of their works.
Their popularity is not only among Japan, but also expanding to Asian countries, and they are working hard with a tight schedule. They are being busy so they won’t have any private time, but they never show their tiredness.
They are filled with the sense of fulfillment and the will, that one of the members answered “I feel relaxed while I’m at work”. At the time of debut, they said that they want to be “evaluated by the music, not by their appearance”, and now looking for the next stage in the world of music. Expecting the 5th year after their debut, they are no longer boys, they have grown up as a youth who talk and look at their future dream maturely.
They don’t like to be called “idol”, so they worked hard and keep putting effort to outgrown from that title “idol”. And now they have succeeded in breaking that “title”, by appealing their ability as a band through variety of songs including rock and heartrending ballad. They still show the innocent face, that they play around with the members while shooting and interviewing, but once they stand at the stage, they become a band man who can bring the fans to an excitement by enthusiastic live performance. My heart is almost broken, to think of the time they spent until they reached there.
Now FTISLAND is beyond the frame of “idol”, they just started a new voyage to find another “Five Treasure Island”. They will sure fascinatethe fans with the journey which would leap your heart with joy in year 2012 as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your support! Please write something!
Comments, requests and love are welcome! (*^-^*)