[Exclusive Interview] U-KISS Answers Fan Questions From All Over the World

◆There are abundant contents for today. We will ask you about the single, LOVE ON U, which was released on July 16, about new member Jun, about the tour, and many questions KpopStarz gathered from more than 20 countries worldwide for U-KISS.   

All members: Wow-!!!

◆We will be asking questions from among these. Thank you.

All members: Thank you! 

◆Whoever is good at giving comments on the single, please go ahead.

Kevin: That's Hoon!

Hoon: Ok. This song was a collaboration with a jewelry company. When we released this song, we got really good reaction from fans, so we said let's release it as a single! The lyrics are sexy and sentimental. We choreographed dance moves that would express such emotions and showed everyone. I am glad that it has received quite high reputation.

◆Was the first performance of this song at the live in Maihama (April 13 at Maihama Amphi Theater)?

Hoon: Yes, but we hadn't choreographed the moves at that time.

◆You mean, when you performed it in Maihama concert, you didn't think it would become a single, but it was made into a single because of its popularity among fans?

Hoon: Yes, that's right. I am so glad that it received good reputation also from fans who watched the MV.

◆Please tell us what you like among this song's lyrics.

KiSeop: (Raising his hand) Yes! I have one! It's my part, which goes, ♪a secret place just for you and me (sings). I like this part.

Kevin: a secret place

KiSeop: I think "a secret place" is the point of "LOVE ON U". Two people can meet at the secret place.... (smiles)

Hoon: I also like the same part. "A secret place" can have many meanings. I also feel like staying with a girlfriend in a secret place.

◆Does Hoon have a secret place?

Hoon: No I don't have... haha!

◆How about KiSeop?

KiSeop: I don't have one!

All members: Ahahaha!

Hoon: When I have someone I love, I want to make a secret place.

Eli: Phew~ ! (Laughter) I like "one true lover." ♪I can be your one true lover。

This means I am the only lover for the other person. because it's once in a lifetime meeting.

Kevin: I also like the same line as Eli, "One true love."

SooHyun: I like ♪Let me be near you Let me sleep(sings)

◆SooHyun is romantic.

SooHyun: Yes (becomes a little bit shy) I think it's a song that makes you feel warm.

Jun: My favorite part is all of Eli's RAP part. The dance is also cool.

(*During the interview, members support the translation to Jun)  

SooHyun: When we first came to Japan, it was like "Dance... yes we have." (Laughter)

◆When you look at Jun, are you reminded of your first Japan visit? Do you feel nostalgic?

SooHyun: Yes, I recall those days, and feel nostalgic. I do not want to return that time.

Hoon: I felt once again, I would study more Japanese!

SooHyun: And about the coupling song "FEEL IT", while we are on the tour now, it's a song that excites fans and the dance is also cool. I think it's a song that can reveal the powerful dance of us U-KISS. 

◆Recently, U-KISS has become more and more intense in dance? (Laughter)

All members: (taking turns, strongly,) Exactly!

SooHyun: I am already 26, so my back hurts. (Laughter)

KiSeop: U-KISS was originally idols who are good at dance, so this level is fine. No problem at all. But in the tour, my back hurts sli-ghtly, so I am concerned (Laughter)

SooHyun: I am ok! I am fine!!

◆Please introduce Jun from other members.

Kevin: He is good at dance. Before we met, I saw the video of his dance for the audition, and it was cool. He is still 17 but there was a more grown-up atmosphere. But when we met, he was so cute, and also manly.

◆Kevin's throne of "the cute one" may be taken!

Kevin: Yes, right. I grew old. (Laughter)

All members: Ahahaha.

Kevin: I lost.

SooHyun: But Kevin is cute today!

Eli: Jun raised our average height. And lowered our average And... (looks at Jun) I like him.

Jun: oh, thank you. (smiles

Hoon: At first when I saw Jun, I thought he was a quiet person. But now he is so noisy, and is full of charms. He is like the youngest brother, cute.

SooHyun: When I met him I was a bit scared. He is tall, and because it was the first time he was nervous, so I couldn't see him smile. But as we spend more time together he is very cute, and also polite. During practice he is very passionate and diligent. I think that's Jun's strength.

KiSeop: I think Jun's good point is that he eats anything very well.

◆For Jun, what do you feel like after joining U-KISS?

Jun: (*SooHyun translates) I am still nervous. Right now it's very fun and I am enjoying it a lot. 

◆SooHyun's translation is wonderful~!

Kevin: Wonderful!

All members: (Applause)

SooHyun: I am translating only easy things! (Laughter)

◆For Jun, before you joined U-KISS, how did you see this group called U-KISS?

Jun: (*Kevin translates) Before I saw U-KISS at a free concert. I saw the stage of "Man Man Ha Ni" and thought it was very cool. I wanted to join. Now I am joining U-KISS so it gives me goose bumps. 

All members: Oh-!

◆It's so touching to see your great translation!

Hoon: We're still learning.

◆And Jun, I saw the stage at Gotanta You Port on the first day of the tour. You were tearing up. 

Jun: ... Yes.

Hoon: SooHyun was crying too!

SooHyun: For me, at the end of "Spring Rain" when I saw the tree on the stage set, I could see Jun and Eli, and Jun was already crying, and when I saw Eli's expression, I don't know why but it was touching. Eli's eyes were shining and looked sad. Looking at that, and remembering the journey of U-KISS till then, my heart was squeezed. I couldn't sing the last part that says "thank you." 

Eli: We have a move at SooHyun's "Thank you." (While speaking he motions the move of extending his hand to the front) But SooHyun could not sing, so our hands became like... (motions the hands wandering in the air) (Laughter) KiSeop and Hoon did the moves properly. (Laughter)

◆How did Jun feel?

Jun: (Hoon translates) When I reflected on the past, I remembered there were many difficult times. I was so happy to be able to work with the name of U-KISS, and I shed happy tears. I look forward to our works from now on.

◆Before Jun went on stage, how did you feel?

Jun: (SooHyun translates) There were two feelings. For one, I was really, extremely nervous. Secondly, I saw members' faces and felt better.

◆Simultaneous translation! SooHyun is so great!

All members: (taking turns) Wow~! Amazing! (Applause)

Kevin: Your Japanese improved~!

SooHyun: Well, you guys can also do this much, right? (Laughter)

◆Seeing your stage this time, I felt there were more scenes showing Japanese lyrics. Is it because you want to deliver the Japanese lyrics preciously?

Hoon: Yes, that's right. We wanted to deliver more Japanese lyrics to fans.

SooHyun: And we sing remembering the pronunciation of Japanese lyrics one by one.

◆This year's tour is quite long!

KiSeop: Yes, I am concerned. Everyone's body hurts, and it is a challenge to maintain our health. After the first day of live, the next day all members were like, "uh..." (Laughter)

Eli: It was hard because we got muscle pain. At the first two performances, I and Hoon both got cramps in our legs! Both legs. 

Hoon: During the concert, I went backwards and collapsed!

SooHyun: It was an important time to announce Budokan (a concert hall) live concert, but three of us were not on stage, and it was lonely.

Eli: We were getting massage and spray, having tough time.

KiSeop: I hope that the tour can conclude well till the end.

◆On Sept. 12, there will be the second Budokan concert!

All members: Yes!

Kevin: The first time was two years ago. Time flies.

SooHyun: Budokan concert is the best memory for each of us among all the works of U-KISS so far. This time, our Budokan live concert was decided, and I hope we can add another good memory. Many fans gather at one concert, so we want to give a more perfect stage than the last time. 

Kevin: Last time, it was the first Budokan stage, so we were nervous and had insufficient parts. But this time, I think we can show a confident stage.

◆We look forward to it! Then from here on, please answer questions from worldwide fans gathered by KpopStarz! Firstly a question from Tunisia. "Among U-KISS songs, which one do you think depicts your own life?"

Kevin: "Someday." I felt this song sings my story. There are good things in life, and if we don't give up, holding onto hope, there will be days when we can smile.

KiSeop: U-KISS songs are strong, sad, and include many songs of farewell. There is no song that fits my life.


Hoon: "0330"

SooHyun: Oh!? Farewell with who?

Hoon: Not a person. But farewell with my dream. When I was doing Tae Kwon Do, my real dream was to be an Tae Kwon Do athlete. But I could not do it, so I gave it up. I cannot forget that heart. So when I hear "0330," my feelings from those days are revived.

◆"Where there times you wanted to run away from tough practice?" (Tunisia)

SooHyun: I will be honest with you. No one has run away from practice.

Eli: Oh! ... I, SooHyun and KiSeop did a romantic love program with Girls Day. In it, I and SooHyun tried to appeal to Girls Day with our charms. So I did Tae Kwon Do kick. But in front of Girls Day, my pants got ripped. I was so embarrassed and wanted to run away. (Laughter)     

Hoon: There was one time KiSeop ran away! He is not good at scary vehicles.

KiSeop: Oh~! (Recalled)

Hoon: While shooting a program, I had to ride a rollercoaster. I really ran away! (Laughter) I disappeared and got scolded by our manager! (Laughter)

KiSeop: At that time we were newbies. If it's now, I wouldn't run away but say "I can't do it!"

◆"When you are in trouble, who do you ask advice?" (Cambodia)

Kevin: I ask my older sister

Hoon: I ask the leader (SooHyun). When I have difficulty, I look for the leader.

KiSeop: Me too! SooHyun and Eli... oh, no sorry, Hoon.

All members: Ahahaha.

KiSeop: (To Eli) Sorry. (Laughter)

Jun: I ask my father.

SooHyun; I ask Kevin.

Kevin: No way--! (smiles happily)

SooHyun: (With a serious face) Really, really.

Kevin: Yes, right. (Smiles) Among the members I ask KiSeop.

◆A question from Nepal. "If you were a woman, what kind of name do you want?"

Hoon: Ming. Ms. Ming!

Eli: Ellie. Eli & Ellie.

Jun: Minyoung.

All members: (Burst into laughter)

SooHyun: It seems he didn't know it was the name of our manager's wife. (Laughter)

Jun: Then Youngmin! (Laughter)

SooHyun: Sumi.

Kevin: Pipi! Kevin, Kevin, Pipipipi-!

All members: Ahahaha!

◆"What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" (Malaysia)

Kevin: Banana split!

KiSeop: Strawberry!

SooHyun: Blueberry.

Hoon: Vanilla.

Jun: Grape.

Eli: Mango.

◆"If you are to write a book, what would the title be?" (Peru)

SooHyun: For me, "Never give up!" We should never give up our dream.

Kevin: For Kevin, "How to Live a Happy Life"

◆It sounds like it will become a bestseller! (Laughter)

Kevin: If it gets published, please buy a copy. (Laughter)

Hoon: For me, "The end of life". It's a dark title, but happy contents. How do you end your life happily? It's a book about how to conclude life happily.

Eli: I would go for "Life." With a period "." after Life. 

Jun: I would write "SooHyun is not scary." Because in front of fans I say that SooHyun is most scary. But if I was to write a book, I would give it the title of "SooHyun is not scary."

KiSeop: I would write "Money." How to become rich.

◆KiSeop knows how to become rich!?

KiSeop: Yes (smiles)

SooHyun: He knows! He doesn't treat members meals at all. (Laughter)

KiSeop: I am saving money for the future.

◆From USA, "Since debut, what was Eli's best RAP performance?

Eli: "Shape of your heart." This song's rap is very interesting. When there were children at a Christmas event, I got goose bumps because my own RAP was so well done. I could focus on RAP and it was very fun.

◆"If you win the lottery, what would you do?" (USA)

Kevin: I will donate.

Eli: I will make a golf course for my father and mother

All members: Wow-!

KiSeop: I want to go for a tour around the world with my family.

SooHyun: I want to give the money to make U-KISS album and MV.

All members: That sounds nice-!

Hoon: I want to make a secret place for all members.

◆That connects to the "secret place" in "LOVE ON U"! Thank you very much.

All members: Thank you-! 

(text: kiyori matsumoto / photo:akiya uchida / translation:nanase yamaguchi, hannah wong)

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