It's been a while since these men passed their personal wishes and became the official keywords that represent Korea's public media. The extravagant choreography of the girl fans oppas. Bling bling style. The flower boy smile and fresh six pack. Even though as the "aunt editor" I can't say I'm not attracted to them, but there is a whole new different reason why these men attract attention from girl fans. They attract attention because whether you are watching a broadcast or reading an interview, you can't help but to be touched by the fact that their challenges, mistakes, and even glorious moments are what helped them grow. The reason why a corner of your heart was proud watching the 'win win' of BEAST is there too. It's almost like you are an eye witness to a heart warming story of how good things will follow after passion and effort. Yoon Doojoon. Yong Junhyung. Lee Kikwang. Yang Yoseob. Jang Hyunseung. Son Dongwoon. These six men made who had cherished their failures were made into a team and quickly gained popularity with modern music and performance, and now became the KPOP star group who travel all around the world capturing the heart of fans. The rookies team not even 3 years old who we had met with before debut is now selling the magazine with their cover story. How can there be a better reunion? After exactly two days since filming their music video in New York, BEAST had gathered in a studio located in Hamnamdong for the cover shooting. The drastic change in the members hair color foreshadowed the changes to come in their next album. Chic faced Jang Hyunseung greeted us by saying that he read the interview on the July edition well and Junhyung went around the studio greeting each staff properly. With the help of stylist Jung Yoongi, BEAST got dressed in black suits and started to fill the camera with their fierceness. Despite the hot weather and busy photoshoot, the members worked efficiently in front of the cameras. In the interview session after, Doojoon and Yoseob started the conversation babbling to each other like brothers and Dongwoon had brought laughters with his comments in between. Kikwang, who had been listening to the members talk for a while started to talk about BEAST's dreams and goals once the topic of the new album came up. The men who used to be completely different started to resemble each other, they would gain strength by putting their hands together a shouting "fighting." and these men are still putting forth their effort to be recognized as "awesome BEAST." With their comment of, "Everything we said up to now came true," BEAST will continue to open new pathways and challenges for them to accomplish.
EG: Two days ago you guys came back from filming a music video in New York. How was your time in New York?
Yoseob: We happened to arrive when there was a heat wave so it was really hot. Filming in the weather almost reaching 37 degrees, we sweated a lot and it was really difficult.
Junhyung: I got sweat rashes and neck pains and it still hasn't gone away.
Dongwoon: Compared to there, today's weather is so nice. This level is like the autumn.
EG: And you guys didn't have time to enjoy New York?
Yoseob: We stayed there for 5 days, but it was basically a short stay (laughs)
Dongwoon: We filmed for 4 days and rested one.
Kikwang: But still we shopped and freely went around the city.
EG: Along with the KPOP wave you guys are promoting in different parts of the world, but which member is the one most comfortable overseas? Someone who matches an unfamiliar place and people well.
Doojoon: I realized this when we were in New York, but Dongwoon is really outgoing. He's not even good at English, but maybe it's because of this foreign image? (laughs)
Yoseob: In New York we filmed with the locals there. I was scared that they were going to talk to me in English, but Dongwoon was good at conversations.
Dongwoon: There were a lot of people interested in the Korean media there. So I told them I'll buy them soju (alcohol) and samgeupsal (Korean BBQ) when they come to Korea.
EG: On the other hand, was there a member who had the worst condition in New York?
Hyunseung: Yoseob. He eats well, but can't deal with the jet lag.
Yoseob: That's true. When I go overseas I get a lot of nightmares. It's to the point I can't sleep.
EG: Is there a special reason why you guys filmed in New York?
Kikwang: We always used to film in sets and this was out first location filming. Using the New York buildings, streets, and rooftops as the reference points we filmed the carefree night and day.
Doojoon: To be honest, filming in New York isn't easy for any artists. We took a big courageous step. Each members opinion was different. I personally think it's better to film in a location with a natural backdrop than the made sets.
EG: The spoiler pictures of you guys in New York were already all up on the internet?
Kikwang: The world is one. (laughs)
Dongwoon: There were picture the staff at the filming location took, but people also started taking pictures when guys with the strange hairstyles were filming in the streets.
EG: With the comeback approaching, a lot of your styles changed. Especially your hair styles! Was the styling your ideas as well?
Hyunseung: I recommended the red color for my own hair. I never had gotten my hair dyed red before.
Junhyung: I usually just stick to whatever the professionals tell me and once again I was the one trying out the challenging style. I'm scared this time too. I wonder what the responses will be like?
EG: What do you think is the reason why many fans cheer for BEAST? Last time when we met, Hyunseung commented that he didn't know.
Yoseob: It's because of KPOP. It doesn't even make sense for us to stay that we won with our own charms. Because KPOP is loved, BEAST inside the genre of KPOP is loved as well.
Doojoon: It's all thanks to Yoseob. Most of the fans overseas are all Yang Yoseob fans.
Hyunseung: He probably wanted to say that.
Yoseob: No. No. No. N… that's right (laughs)
EG: Tomorrow (July 11th) is BEAST's 1000th day since debut. How does it feel?
Doojoon: I can't help but to be reminded of Lee Seunghwan's song "For a Thousand Days"
All: (as if they are all signing) "For a thousand days~"
Dongwoon: I think the time went by really fast. Before debut I couldn't even go to performances in clubs because I was under age, but now I'm 22 already.
Yoseob: A lot of things happened. Everything we said up to now came true. (EG: How amazing! What are some of the things?) We got first place on the big broadcasting channels, we won daesang (grand award), we had a concert, we even did a world tour. Everything we wanted to do. It came true. In particular, we had no idea the world tour would come this fast. We have to watch what we say next time. (laughs)
EG: The audience only sees BEAST, but behind you guys there must be a lot of trainers. Looking back, who are you guys the most thankful to?
Dongwoon: Our parents.
Yoseob: Our family was our big strength and manager hyungs really worked hard for us. There a lot of times when we would whine and complain to them.
Doojoon: I am thankful to everyone who helped us along the way, but to be honest the six of us worked hard and suffered through a lot. We must acknowledge what we have to.
Yoseob: I acknowledge!
EG: With members you spent 1000 days, do you guys know what each member is thinking just by eye contact or do you still get surprised from time to time?
Doojoon: The experience of being surprised from finding out something… disappeared about 2 years ago. I think we all know what each member is thinking just by facial expressions.
Yoseob: And I think we think the same things. When someone says something, they only just said it first and most of the other members are thinking the same thing.
EG: From the outside you guys have different charms. How do you guys fulfill teamwork through that?
Doojoon: Yes, we were really different. But suddenly we were resembling each other from thoughts to actions. Even down to the part where we find our balance, like Hyunseung became dirtier and I became cleaner. (laughs)
EG: Is there something you guys say before going on stage?
Dongwoon: We put our hands together and shout "fighting"
Doojoon: No matter what stage it is, we have to do that. But it has to be only once.
Yoseob: We can't do it twice. It's our own jinx.
Kikwang: Strangely, after that fighting, I feel like I have more strength
Junhyung: How should I explain? It's like the feeling of pulling out your sword.
EG: Do the members express affection well? Like using words such as thank you and I cherish you?
Doojoon: Considering that we are men, we express affection a lot.
Junhyung: We do it through our phone messengers a lot. There is a chatting room where all 6 members are in.
Dongwoon: Even when we were in the same room or car we talk in that chat room. It's fun.
EG: Who is the member that loves the latest electronics?
Junhyung: Um… that would have to be me. To be honest, a while back I couldn't handle not having a new phone that I had it quick delivered to me. When I see a new product out I immediately want to buy it. I don't have greed for other things, but when it comes to machines I need to have it.
EG: Don't you guys have any interest in personal savings and accounting?
Yoseob: All of us aren't interested in that yet. We leave the money handling to our parents.
Hyunseung: I kind of got interested in my own money, stocks, and the real estate. Of course money isn't the most important living, but I think it's something you need to take care of well.
Junhyung: I started a small fund a while back, but if it does well I'll let you guys know. (laughs)
EG: There are so many new boy groups. Is there a team that catches your eyes these days?
Yoseob: Yes. There are so many. It's to the point I get awkward when I go to music programs.
Junhyung: These isn't any group in particular, but I think everyone does so well these days. I think that we should continue to do better.
EG: There are more members in the Cube family as well. Are you guys close with the fellow artists in your company?
Yoseob: How should I say it? We think like we are the "grand parents." We just hope that everyone does well in a short amount of time.
Doojoon: And then we hope that they will take care of us well. (laughs) When I look at BTOB, I think their condition right now is so much better than our condition when we debuted.
Junhyung: That's right. Since we were the first, there were more difficult things.
EG: When you guys become busy and gain popularity, there are things are you drift away from. Family, friends, and maybe yourselves. Do you guys ever wonder about that?
Doojoon: I think the time period when we used to wonder about that passed. Even just until last year we had such a hard time with that, but I think we all found our own ways. If I can't meet a friend, I call them to a place where I can be at.
Hyunseung: I agree!
Dongwoon: I think we learned to become more callous to difficulty and loneliness.
Junhyung: When you are busy and gain popularity, you move the furthest away from your family. Our parents are curious so they ask a lot of things, but because we are busy we answer bluntly. Now I don't think our parents worry as much as they used to.
EG: We wonder how you guys each relieve stress. How about you, Yoseob?
Doojoon: He watches TV like a house wife.
Yoseob: I play fighting games thinking of Doojoon (laughs). I get stressed easily and relieve it easily. I'm kind of bipolar.
EG: We heard that Junhyung mostly spends his days working on his music.
Junhyung: I don't always work on my music, but when I take a break, I take a break in the recording studio. I watch TV, play games, and when I get good ideas I even work there. I tell the members to come over and play songs that I worked on or call Yoseob so he can record a guide song for me.
Yoseob: I'm being used. (laughs) Dongwoon like legos.
Dongwoon: Yeah, I collect legos and I bought one in New York too. I think when I am making things, the six hours just fly by without much thought.
Yoseob: And he looks really happy when he is focusing.
Dongwoon: With legos or figures, they just stay there. It almost feels like they are protecting me. Thinking things like that help my mind be at peace. (Kikwang: Peace!)
EG: Then how about Doojoon and Kikwang? Doojoon you like sports right?
Doojoon: Yes I play soccer often and these days I'm into martial arts too so I test it on Yoseob.
Yoseob: He tries out joint twists and jujitsu then asks me if it hurts. It hurts the moment he lays his hand on me.
Kikwang: I just have to be moving at all times. If I stay inside I feel claustrophobic and I just want to go outside. When there is no one home, I watch variety show programs and laugh. I am a fan of "Infinity Challenge."
Junhyung: That is probably why he does well on variety show programs. The Kikwang we know is quiet, but when he goes on programs he talks so well.
Doojoon: He has been an MC for 'Win Win' for two years now. I hope that he continues to stay active in the future.
EG: Hyunseung, tomorrow is your first performance for Mozart! right? Did you invite your members?
Doojoon: Yes. But it feels like we already saw the whole show. It's to the point we memorized the songs.
Yoseob: Hyunseung practices a lot. In the dorms. In the car.
Hyunseung: I have been kicked out of the dorm before. For being too loud.
Yoseob: Tomorrow he gets to show us the fruits of his labor. I hope he does well.
EG: The upcoming July has BEAST's comeback. Do you guys feel overwhelmed that you have to show off a better stage? Or do you just want to enjoy it?
Kikwang: It's an album we are releasing in a year and 3 months so yes. The fans and the public have a vague image of what BEAST is like. I think that they are all wondering what concept we will be out with next. Because that was what I was like when I was a fan. We can't help but to feel overwhelmed at the fans anticipation and public attention, but we are sure that this concept and styling will be new, but still match us well.
EG: If you guys can give us a hint about music and performance?
Yoseob: In all the songs we sang we were rejected. Always the guy who faced a breakup. Starting from "Are you really throwing me away" to getting a "Shock." This time around we will have a song with a different feel, anticipate.
EG: What does BEAST want to fulfill with this comeback?
Hyunseung: We want to show how much we suffered in America. (laughs)
Junhyung: Of course we want good results, but I want to hear the words "that team is really good."
Kikwang: I want the response "Wow, that album is amazing." Of course from our fans, but also fans of other artists and friends.
Yoseob: Awesome BEAST! That's the best one ♥
CREDITS : 찡인누나, 양요정어린이 @ B2STIUM (SCANNED IMAGES), YONGISM @ B2STRISING.COM (TRANS)
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