Korean boy group Infinite rose up drastically to popularity last year by having the two hit songs Be Mine and Paradise reach the top in the time of a year and 3 months since their debut. The group choreography where all 7 of them match perfectly is given the ratio of ‘99.9% synchronization’.
Infinite also received the nickname of ‘boyfriend-dols’ because they were idols that people wanted as boyfriends due to the way they cherish their fans more than anything. It’s to the point where SNSD, KARA, Wonder Girls, Brown Eyed Girls and other girl group members would say their name when asked which juniors they like. And as if they were proportioning out the popularity received in Korea, the anticipation was large in Japan and they finally debuted in Japan on November 19th with ‘BTD’. They received the good results of reaching 2nd place on Oricon daily charts.
You debuted in Japan on November of last year with ‘BTD’. When you look back at it now, what was something that left an impression during your first Japanese promotions?
Sunggyu: Because there were a lot of different points from promoting in Japan as to promoting in Korea, it was interesting and fun. When we had the high-five event for the release of ‘BTD’, it was new because a high-five event isn’t in the Korean culture!
L & Sungyeol: The high-fiving! It was really fun~
Dongwoo: Sungyeol was the most excited. The passionate high-five event was something to talk about.
Sunggyu: We went to a CD shop in order to do the high-five event, but we saw Infinite’s CD or pictures that were as big as us, being displayed. At that moment, we felt, “Ah~ We debuted in Japan, this is the beginning~”, and felt that we debuted.
The “scorpion dance” from ‘BTD’ was a hot topic. During the live for the release event, many people from the audience were screaming loudly at the scorpion dance part. What did you feel after seeing that?
Hoya: As expected, we felt a high amount of contentment. Infinite’s unique point is that we even match acrobatic dances well too. Because they are happy after seeing our positive point, we’re always happy and say, “we did it!”. We’ll surprise everyone more often in the future.
Your 2nd single, ‘Be Mine, will finally be released on April 18th. It’s the Japanese version of ‘Be Mine’, which won your first 1st place award on music broadcasts in Korea, but are the lyrics still the same?
Sunggyu: Yes. They’re the same. There’s a woman that the main protagonist loves, but the woman loves another man and not him, but she’s hurting because it’s not working out well. Because he can’t just see her be like that, it’s a story where he’s saying, “Don’t hurt like that any more and just come to me. Be mine”. And we sing that powerfully and fiercely!
During the chorus, the part of ‘Be mine’ (T/N: in Japanese), is the meaning of ‘Be mine’ (T/N: in Korean), but what is something that is ‘mine’ that you can be the most proud of?
Sungjong: The thing I can be most proud of are my charming eyes. I think it’s the point that’s cute, but that I can use to gradually show my masculinity.*smiles*
Sungyeol: My troublemaker-like charms. It’s something only I have. Although I graduated from it, I still have lingering thoughts about it. I’m currently on the boundary line of being a man and being a troublemaker. *laughter*
Sunggyu: A thing that I’m proud of is my mom’s kimchi jjigae! Because I really like kimchi jjigae, I eat it often. I feel as if I’m being healed. *laughter* And the one that my mom makes is especially the best side-dish that cannot be switched with anything else.
Woohyun: Infinite’s members. I like this more than anything! Even 100 years later, it’s still mine. *laughter*
L: I want to say the 6 members as well. I think the members are definitely most important!
Dongwoo: Should I say it’s our dorm. It’s a space where you can really relax. We have computers and beds and it’s a place where all our personal items are. And it’s been really pleasant after we moved too. *laughter*
Hoya: Mine is my family picture. Whenever I see the picture in my wallet, I gain strength. When I was a trainee, my parents always cheered me on and even after I debuted, they always told me, “Really work your best and do well!” To pay them back, I’ll work hard.
Then just one more question about your lyrics. The first line of lyrics, L’s part, goes, “I want to hold you, right now”, but is there a type of girl you would want to hug?
Woohyun: Of course, it would definitely be with all our fans.
L: A girl who is innocent and has long, wavy hair~?
Dongwoo: Someone who sings and dances!
Hoya: When I see a girl crying, I want to hold them.
Sungyeol: A girl who leans cutely onto my shoulder. *laughter*
You created an original music video for the Japanese version of ‘Be Mine’, but the dance was really cool!
Woohyun: Because we danced too hard, it was to the point where the floor paint was peeling off. We quickly re-painted the floor. The dance was really to that point!
Hoya: During the dance break part, there’s a dance where I place my knees and spin around, but because I repeated that about 50 times, a hole formed in my pants causing my knees to get chafed. Feel our pains and watch the MV!
Also, April 18th, which is the release of ‘Be Mine’, is also ‘Scent Day’ in Japan. What kind of scent does everyone like?
Sungjong: What is a scent?
Woohyun: Aroma. When something smells good.
Sungjong: Ah~! I like rose scent~
Sunggyu: I like the soft scent of aromas.
Sungyeol: I like aroma too ♥
Woohyun: A man’s romance, the scent of shampoo~
Dongwoo: I like all good scents. But the one that’s most related to me, the scent of hand creams. All scents, be mine~
L: I like the fresh scent of sake.
Hoya: I like tasty smells!
Woohyun: Hoya, are you hungry? *laughter*
Since we’ll be eating after this interview, hold on a bit longer. ‘Be Mine’ was the song that allowed Infinite to rise up drastically. When you won 1st place on a music broadcast for the first time, what did you feel?
Dongwoo: Because I was really touched, all the events since my trainee days came back to me and tears were gradually coming out. Is that what they call memories flashing throughout your head? I really couldn’t stop crying. *laughter*
Sungjong: After seeing Dongwoo hyung cry, I was so happy that tears started pouring out like a spring. It was cool how Sunggyu hyung was holding back the tears and gave his thank you comments even after seeing us like that.
Looks like everyone cried a lot. What did the leader, Sunggyu, who held back his tears, do?
Sunggyu: My mind turned blank once they said Infinite won 1st place. But because it was important to act as the leader, I couldn’t cry. I wish to get 1st place in Japan with ‘Be Mine’ as well!
Infinite is really a friendly group, but you reach your 2nd year of debuting in June. During these 2 years, have you ever felt your group unity was in danger?
Woohyun: There wasn’t ever a time like that! I’m definite!
Everyone: There wasn’t, there wasn’t!!
Dongwoo: There wasn’t any danger like that for us. The only things that were here were chances and opportunities.
Then if you were to give a present of thanks to one of the members?
Woohyun: An electronic device to Kim Sunggyu hyung. Because he said his broke.
Dongwoo: I would give hand cream to Woohyun, Sungyeol, and L… Because their hands are really dry. Of course, it would be a good scented hand cream.
L: I’ll give Sungyeol my friendship as a gift. You won’t decline, right?
Sungyeol: Then I’ll go further and give L my friendship (laughter)
Hoya: I want to give the members a warm home-cooked meal. Because we always eat outside or take-out, I think the best present would be a meal made by a mom.
Sungjong: I would give red ginseng to Sunggyu hyung, who is doing well as the leader.
Sunggyu: I would also want to give red ginseng to L. Because he’s tired from drama recordings, he looks very tired.
The drama that L appeared in, ‘Shut Up! Flower Boy Band’, is airing in Japan starting on April 15th. Are you using what you learned from your first Japanese drama, ‘Jiu: Special Investigation Team’, in Korean dramas as well?
L: Yes, of course. The experiences from ‘Jiu’ are helping me. There were a lot of outdoor filmings for ‘Jiu’, but because there were a lot of outdoor filmings this time as well, it helped a lot in knowing how I should capture myself with the sunlight in mind and how I should look into the camera.
Sunggyu: Seems like he was embarrassed when he gave sharp glares in ‘Jiu’. Also, I watched all of L’s ‘Jiu’.
Your acting of ‘Jiu’ became a hot topic in Japan and your expectations as a actor rose up in Korea due to your role of the ‘Ice Prince’ guitarist, Lee Hyunsoo, from ‘Shut Up! Flower Boy Band’. Do you feel that being an actor is right for you?
L: I don’t think my aptitude really matters. Rather, I thought that I could do well through putting an effort into it. I just work hard to fit whatever role is given to me.
The spring of April, which is when ‘Be Mine’ is being released. To sum this up, tell us about your ideal date in the spring in Korea.
Sunggyu: Wouldn’t Namsan be good?
Woohyun: I would want to go to Namsan tower as well. Walking up like it’s a picnic. I want to have that kind of date with an Inspirit.
Dongwoo: A maze date in Jeju Island! There’s the world’s longest maze park there.
Hoya: Because it’s the time when flowers bloom, I think hiking would be good.
Sungyeol: I want to have a date at a traditional Korean folk village where we could learn about the old cultures of Korea.
L: I suggest the Han River in spring!
trans by: hyejin @ infinite updates japanese to kor trans cr: namepjh
Shared by: @__cheonsanim (Cherriexb @ infinitesoul)
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