[TRANS] K-Pop Pia Vol.10 (2020) “2019 FNC KINGDOM -WINTER FOREST CAMP” part 2/2 - interview with Jaejin

"You have to work super hard!", something that has become his motivation

Lee Jaejin will follow Lee Hongki, FTISLAND’s vocalist, to enlist on January 21. In FTISLAND, he is in charge of the bass, subvocals, and recently, composing too. (t/n: I don’t know what they meant with “recently”, Jaejin started writing for FTISLAND with I Believe Myself and that was back in 2009. He started composing for FTISLAND with Yume, and that was in 2011.)  has finally released his own songs, 3 months before he makes his enlistment, through his first solo mini album, Scene.27.

Jaejin presented us with a world unique to him, a world of music that is different than that of FTISLAND’s. Using Jazz as the basis, his songs are filled with warmth and softness, the way that he as person is.

There were barely any chances for us to visit him for an interview during his tour to commemorate the release of his album, but we were finally able to visit his waiting room in Nagoya concert hall for his solo mini live and listen to his story. Starting with the release of his album, Scene.27 and following up with his solo live, we made an approach to Lee Jaejin’s artistry.

In KINGDOM, he still holds on to his belief that FT is still the best.

――This issue will be an FNC FAMILY exclusive, so we would like to talk about KINGDOM first. As one of the performers, is there anything that you look forward to?

First of all, I am looking forward to meet the FNC family after a long time. We don’t really have that many chances to meet like this. And when we do get to perform together, I could only think of “as expected, we are still the best!” (laughs) Hongki hyung always said, “I don’t wanna do KINGDOM”, but when we started to perform, his gaze would change. For us, we also look forward to perform together with CNBLUE, our good rivals. However, they still can’t beat us of course, at least for us, huhuhu, sorry CN (laughs)

[TRANS] K-Pop Pia Vol.10 (2020) “2019 FNC KINGDOM -WINTER FOREST CAMP” part 1/2 - FTISLAND’s questionnaire

Lee Jaejin/FTISLAND/12.17.91/A/Incheon/Bass, Vocal

A1. I have become closer to N.Flying by performing together - we did a PV together, and we also had a collaboration stage for the Kingdom Concert.

A2. I want to have a collaboration stage of FT and CN

A3. I am FNC’s scholar / wise man

A4. It is an opportunity for me to change how I look at things

A5. Hwiyoung is cute and Chanhee asked me to buy him drink

A6. I hope I will be able to go through my military life healthily and I also hope it will be the time that I get to develop myself.

Song Seunghyun/FTISLAND/92.8.21/O/Sacheon/Guitar

A1. It gave me an opportunity to talk and get closer with juniors that usually aren’t really close to me.

A2. Yonghwa hyung! He is a cool person, both as a leader, as an older brother, and as an artist.^^

A3. ?

A4. It is an opportunity for us to let go of senior/junior relationships, and get along well like friends.

A5. Except for me, everyone is pretty and handsome>_< (t/n: this makes me sad, like how?)

A6. I will go to the army healthily and I will be back.

Choi Minhwan/FTISLAND/1992.11.11/A/Seoul/Drum

A1. We went to an after-concert gathering after the concert was over.

A2. I want all of the drummers to have a collaboration stage.

A3. I am FNC’s drum god.

A4. We are like family.

A5. N.Flying’s Jaehyun has a big mouth.

A6. I will shape my body!

[TRANS] RollingStone Japan magazine interview - “FTISLAND’s Lee Jaejin’s story, a new challenge ‘the moment before I enlist, it is now’“

FTISLAND offers band-style music that is rare in the K-POP world. On October 9 (note: 2019), Lee Jaejin, the bassist of the band, has released his first solo album. Before he goes to enlist, he had made the determination to himself, “if you are going to go solo, now is the time”. Jaejin who was visiting Japan at the time had made the time to visit RollingStone Japan for an interview.

Korea is the number one idol powerhouse in the world. In the midst of the massive survival competition in the K-POP world, where there are more than 300 idol groups, donning intense hairstyle, makeup, and costume, and boasting unparalleled synchronized group dance, it is very rare to see a group of youths that are still faithful to the authentic pop and rock style and moving forward with it, drawing a line of difference between them and the others in the industry. This group is FTISLAND. As the group is marking their 10th year since they made their major debut (in Japan), this time, we will be featuring Lee Jaejin, the band’s bassist who has been by Lee Hongki’s side on stage. Unlike his lovely face and delicate appearance, this central pillar of FTISLAND is dropping a bold sound that is hard to imagine through his solo album, Scene 27. He had answered to the interview with RollingStone candidly in fluent Japanese without any need of the use of interpreter.  

―Following FTISLAND’s Lee Hongki to debut as a solo, is it something that you wanted for yourself?

Actually, since a few years ago, I have received offers from the agency, “Do you want to try out going solo?”, but I had wanted to focus on FTISLAND, so I had only been gathering ideas. However, Hongki-niisan will enlist in September, and in line with that, FTISLAND will go on a break, and I will follow niisan to enlist too. As soon as I complete the military service, I intend to focus on FTISLAND  again, so I thought, “if I want to do a solo, it is now”. I thought to myself that I might not get another opportunity to move one step forward for myself if I don’t take the chance to go solo now, so I got back to the agency, “I will work hard, let’s do this!”.  

―It feels like, your long-held wish has finally come true.  

That’s right. However, in the beginning, I didn’t have any vision as to what kind of music that I wanted to do for my solo... I don’t like the way that it sounds like an excuse, but we were really busy, so I didn’t have any time for it! (laughs) I have just written a lot of songs and done a lot of comebacks with them, gone to a lot of tv shows, and done a lot of live concerts in Korea, Japan, and around the world. I didn’t really have any time to think of the songs that I would want for myself. However, this time around, I have received a lot of help from the agency, I was able to make it somehow (claps to himself proudly).

On February 10th, the talented rock band from FNC Entertainment revealed the music video for “God Bless You.” According to the label, the song was written by leader Choi Jonghoon. The song conveys the promise to be together always, a message from the members that they will reunite after their military service. Meanwhile, the quirky video is full of fun colors and sets as the members show off their acting in cute situations.

[MV] FTISLAND – God Bless You【OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO -Full ver.-】

Music: Choi Jonghoon Lyrics: FTISLAND

cr: FTISLANDofficialjp

I AM SO SORRY TO REPLY SO LATEEEE!!! :(  I literally just checked our tumblr just now. I hope it is not too late. :( 

The song is FTISLAND’s Travel from their Over 10 Years album (2017). 

Please let us know if this helps, and if there is anything else that we can do! :) 

~Lu

[NEWS/TRANS] “Comeback” FTISLAND’s new Love Song 'Summer Night Dream(literal translation)’ (official)

Band FTISLAND (Choi Jonghoon, Lee Hongki, Lee Jaejin, Song Seunghyun, Choi Minhwan) is giving us a sweet serenade for a summer night. According to FNC Entertainment on the 15th, FTISLAND is to make their comeback on the 26th with their 6th mini album, WHAT IF. FTISLAND who is entering their 12th year this year will show the bright energy of a band’s rhythm  energy through their album, showing us their charm that we have never seen before.

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This new song “A summer night’s dream” (literal translation) is a love song that expresses the feeling of wanting to tease someone whom one falls in love at the first sight with. It is expected to showcase Lee Hongki’s refreshing vocals that will match the energy of the band’s rhythm.

[NEWS/TRANS] FTISLAND to enlist together... They will enlist next year at the latest.

FTISLAND is planning to enlist together. Their official agency revealed “FTISLAND is planning to enlist together. Because they are 5 persons, it can happen with 2 persons enlisting first and then have the remaining members enlisting one by one, we are currently still looking for a way for them to realize this plan to at least enlist together in a similar period of time.”

The system of enlisting together means that close friends or colleagues will be able to enlist and train together, it is a system that allows them to be in the same unit until they complete their enlistment, and during their enlistment, they will be able to fulfill their military duties while carrying on their daily lives. Even though this system only allows 2 persons to enlist together, but efforts will be taken so that all the 5 members will join the enlistment together as soon as possible.

The reason why enlisting together is being considered seriously is to minimize the gap. Unlike dance groups with a lot of members like Super Junior, FTISLAND is a band that it will be hard to maintain their activities without even just one member. It is reported that they enlist together so that they can maintain their activities as a group.

Their enlistment period is expected to happen at least next year. Choi Jonghoon and Lee Hongki were born in 1990, Lee Jaejin was born in 1991, and Song Seunghyun and Choi Minhwan were born in 1992. Even though with their age, they can still delay their enlistment and no warrant has been issued yet, and so the time of enlistment hasn’t been decided yet, the members plan to enlist this year at the soonest or next year at the latest. 

The music industry insiders revealed, “For boygroups, the biggest issue would be their military enlistment. Even when they meet the members of other groups, they will also talk about enlistment. There is plan for FTISLAND and Highlight to enlist together, and I think that there are other groups who are interested in this. I think it is a great solution to minimize the period of absence.” 

[NEWS] FTISLAND’s 8th original album, Planet Bonds to be released on April 11! Releasing the album jacket photos that express the members’ unwavering unity, friendship, and determination! Vocal Hongki’s pet dog, Monggeul is also making her first appearance!

FTISLAND who celebrated their 10th anniversary in Korea in 2007 are releasing their album jacket and latest pictures of their 8th original album, Planet Bonds, that will be released on April 11!!!

[TRANS/INTERVIEW] Seunghyun’s Interviews for his stageplay “Yeodo”

In case you missed these, these are interviews that Seunghyun did for his stageplay Yeodo, and these have been each translated here:

However, for the 3rd interview, they skipped the part where they talked about Seunghyun, so I’m just gonna add it briefly here: :)

[VID/TRANS] Real Men and Women Epi.3 - Jonghoon’s Face Analysis

“Face analysis of the dating expert”

Physiognomy expert: Jonghoon is a natural push-and-pull expert.

Jonghoon: I am not good at it!

/caption: Shy but happy anyway/

Han Eunjung: You look like it!

Sunny: You have to be careful to date him..

Jonghoon: Where can we see that from?

Physiognomy expert: We’ll start from your eyebrows. Your eyebrows go longer than the outer corner of your eye. People who have eyebrows like this tend to be really considerate and gentle. And popular. 

@nadiakhj Hi! I’m so sorry as I’ve been busy with work, but for simple updates/translations, I use my twitter a lot, at lusneverland. I do Hongkira and other random translations there if you want to see. :) But for long translations, I’d still use this tumblr, so whichever is more convenient for you. ;)

~Lu

[VID] 인피니트(INFINITE) "Tell Me" Official MV

cr: woolliment

[PIC/TRANS] [180116] FTISLAND’s Song Seunghyun at the stage play Yeodo presscall

Just an excerpt of things related to Seunghyun in the presscall :)

Seunghyun during the presscall, “I have done musicals and short film, but this is the first time that I’m challenging stageplay, so I felt quite burdened. I was concerned if I would be able to harmonize well in terms of acting with the sunbaes. This is also the first time that I can act on stage again after 4-5 years, so honestly, I feel really grateful. I have missed to be able to act on stage like this. I feel like I would never be able to forget the taste of acting. As I have been given this precious opportunity, I can learn with a lot of talented people, and to have them teach me, I feel like it is my responsibility to show the best stage, I am currently doing my best to able to deliver that.

Gong Hyeonju who had mother-son relationship with Seunghyun in the play said, “I am originally a fan of the FTISLAND friends, to be able to actually have the opportunity to work on a project together like this, and with the mother-son relationship in the play, I thought that it is such a great fate. I have only been able to see (Seunghyun) on stage as a musician, but I didn’t know that he has such a great passion in acting, I was surprised. I have been acting for quite a while, but Seunghyun also has his share of acting experience, so I’m learning a lot as I watch over him.”

Seunghyun, “When I first saw ‘mother’, I thought to myself ‘is it okay to have a mother this young?’ Even though I am a younger brother with great passion in acting (t/n: Seung was referring to what she said previously about him lol), I feel really grateful for her help.”

[TRANS] FTISLAND Lee Jaejin "Bad relation with FNC, NO.. We are like an old married couple"

(Due to some time limit, I will omit some parts that basically only talk about the drama, sorry.. ><)

Band FTISLAND’s Lee Jaejin (26) showed his serious acting through SBS Saturday drama, “Sister is Alive”. Since the drama earned high popularity, Lee Jaejin who also starred in it also attracted much attention to his acting there.

Lee Jaejin played Na Jaedong, the troublemaker youngest son of Na Daein. He often created comical situation with his mother in the drama that is acted by  Hwang Younghee. He also built a lovely romance with Kang Hase (Jin Jihee) with various incident unfolding in the development of their story. In the setting of a band with him as a guitarist, he also had a perfect synchronization rate as he is FTISLAND’s bassist and vocalist in real life.

“Until now, I have been able to work with colleagues around my age. Even though it is comfortable to work with people from around the same age, I also wanted to work closely with senior actors/actresses, so that I can learn from them closely and improve as an actor. For me to find a gig that I can work on simultaneously with working on music for a long time, I think this opportunity will only come this time, so I thought to take it no matter what.

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[TRANS] KStyle - FTISLAND’s “Paradise” is indeed in lives! The biggest happiness is when they can see fans’ smiles... it energizes them, and gives them the power to perform.

Here too, I’m only going to translate parts that haven’t been published in interviews that I have translated previously. ;)

They were talking about Jaejin who hurt his right eye during the filming of the Paradise MV that he had to cover it with his bang. (see rankingbox interview)

-- Ah, Jaejin is in SBS drama “Sister is Alive” right now, right? The drama filming is still ongoing now?

Jaejin: Yes, it is. It will continue until autumn. (ps: it was just confirmed that it will be extended to 4 episodes due to its popularity. ;))

-- It seems like Jaejin is in need of a “paradise” as he is tired lately, please tell us “paradise” that you have experienced in private.

Seunghyun: My grandma lives near the sea, so, when I’m stressed, I would go to her house and see the sea. That is my paradise. Since Paradise is a song that gives us the image of the sea, from now on, everytime I go there, I would listen to Paradise then. (laughs)

Minhwan: For me too, its the sea. Hawaii. Was it 2 years go? Last year? I went to Hawaii with Hongki and Jaejin, with some other friends. It was so much fun! That time, Hongki and I went to try skydive, it was so fun, its paradise. The day before that, I got so scared that I couldn’t sleep. I searched up Youtube videos of people flying to have some mental training. (laughs) But when I actually tried it, it felt like I was lying on the sky, it was so comfortable.