TRANSLATION:
"Without fans we can do nothing"
ZE:A, who released their single album 'Exciting' this July and presented us with ice dessert like cool music, has recently released a new single album 'Daily Daily' in Japan and won the women's hearts once again.
Led by the responsible leader Moon Junyoung, Siwan, Kevin, Hwang Kwanghee, Kim Taeheon, Jung Heechul, Ha Minwoo, Park Hyungshik, Kim Dongjun, these 9 characteristic person come together and form ZE:A. Although it will be 3 years since their debut in 2012, actually there are not many people who know all their names. Perhaps they still have their individual secret weapons that have not been shown yet?
However these boys with the heartbreaking tag 'singer with no hit songs', are now stretching themselves and gradually letting the world know about them. Some noticeable events include: Finishing their successful solo Japanese Concert which involved 10,000 fans, receiving an appreciation plaque from the Korea Tourism Organization for their contribution in pushing forward Hallyu.
"Of course we are very thankful. But I think we do not deserve such a prize yet. We are only taking the path that our seniors have paved. Rather we are the ones who benefited from Hallyu." (Siwan) Although they got bashful and smiled awkwardly, they could not hide the smile on their faces. It seems that the time has come for the 9 of them to fully show the skills that they have honed.
Earlier in their two days' solo concerts '2011 ZE:A SUPER LIVE' at ZEPP Tokyo and Osaka, ZE:A's Japanese mini-musical, which showed their conflicts and worries backstage, has totally attracted the Japanese females' hearts. This concert was able to show directly to the fans there how much ZE:A has grown, and inspired them to have the 'We can do it' confident in themselves.
"A former member of Morning Musume came to our concert and said that she was our fans. We took photos together and talked, she was deeply moved and cried when she left. Together as singers we were so honored. I also remembered a lot about a black male fan that came to our concert.I seldom forget about people I have met for once only. (laugh)" (Dongjun)
Besides one by one the members had shown their different charms through acting in different dramas this year. For Junyoung, he was casted in KBS's drama 'Poseidon' as Cha Hyunseung, a member of the special crime team of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and led the drama to a climax; For Dongjun, he was casted as Goh Youngmin, the popular boy that Han Groo fell in love with at first sight, and performed enthusiastically. Kwanghee was casted in MBN's sitcom 'Vampire Idol' as a top singer with prince syndrome, showing his very own variety-idol acting skills.
"We always go on the stage together so I was really worried when I have to do it alone. I had many NGs and was not able to get used to the environment. Nevertheless it was a time for me to learn so I must defeat myself." (Junyoung)
"When I received the script I think'finally it has come!'. Although I'm filming for the drama enjoyably everyday, I notice that acting and singing are really different. The filming time for singers is set but for actors they always have to wait continuously. As I have to such a long time to spend alone I always think of my members." (Kwanghee)
ZE:A has gained ground with their different charms in singing, varieties and acting. Still we can see from their eyes their great desire in delivering what they still haven't shown people yet.
Although Junyoung believed that focusing more on group activities, positioning themselves as a team first would not make it too late to start solo activities afterwards, Kevin expressed that "To show our more developed selves we are thinking about releasing solo album. It is still in process but if I am given chance in acting I will not turn it down", showing his aggressive side. Also to progress into the wide world, all members are learning foreign languages, not idled for even a single moment.
ZE:A all agreed that above all 'We are most afraid of being forgotten by Korean fans because of the frequent oversea schedules.' For their fans they have been organizing the most unexpected events constantly to communicate with fans - watching movie with fans, rock climbing camp and swimming pool camp etc. The members come up with the ideas themselves and after going through internal conferences preparation of the event will start, and this is how this time's enjoyable 'Christmas party' with matched Christmas dress code is planned. Talking about this Heechul mentioned "In the future every time we come out we will show people something different so it is always good to anticipate.", revealing such a request.
"I really want to get a deserted house and change it into a haunted house. Dressing up as ghosts and scare our fans. I suggested this last year but it was hard to book a place so it was not able to be done." (Taeheon)
"I want to visit the ski resort in winter but I am worried that it would be very cold and make it hard for our fans. So instead maybe we can rent a huge stadium and have a sports competition. After having a few events I think that there cannot be an event as memorable as a sports competition can be. Wouldn't it be fun to play in 4 or 9 teams? However it is too expensive to rent a sports ground. In the future I would really want to hold such a event even with my own money." (Dongjun)
"Renting the whole amusement park and play with fans for the whole day. That would be a really great memory right?" (Hyungshik)
These boys who want to get together with fans in a nearer place are really born to be entertainers. As much as they live on fans' love, they check their fan site everyday without skipping once. Of course, there are members who visit the fancafe more frequently.
"I am really curious about how our fans are spending their time. Especially I don't use SNS, so I use our fancafe to know more about our fans' lives. When I read the replies I think perhaps I may do the same if I like a celebrity. There are also older fans who are worried about our health. This is the feeling of reading our fansite. Without fans we can do nothing." (Dongjun)
Taking the lead in Hallyu, still they have a long way to go to advance into the world. Only having the love from fans is not enough. We have asked them what can singers like ZE:A do to keep Hallyu flourishing.
Although Junyoung thinks that "Actually Korean singers are still unfamiliar to people in Europe" and "although targeting Asia is good K-POP has to first enter US which is the largest music market.", Dongjun suggested that "K-POP does not have a long history so I think we still have to wait and see." On the other hand Kevin added, "I'm waiting for Hallyu not only on music but also on our culture. It is our responsibility to spread our country's history to other people."
ZE:A who wants to stand high in the center of K-POP. The slow progress may be frustrating, but having their own view and conviction as foundation to reveal their aspirations confidently, we can see infinite possibilities in them. We are looking forward to the day that K-POP can take it to the world in the near future, and ZE:A will be there as the leader of Hallyu.
"From the start of being singers to having more songs one by one.We think of all the trivial things as the achievements of ZE:A. Although every singer should think the same, we are not able to leave any bit of the things about performance and cheerings behind. Once you have stepped onto the stage it is impossible to forget that feeling. Please look forward to our more developed selves."
T/N: Not 100% accurate translation... But I've tried my best (considering the time I've spent on it... T-T)
Source: news.nate.com
Translation: jaiswan@naver.
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