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1st Look Vol. 226
INTERVIEW
(translation may contain innacuracies)
The inner firmness that will not break in the face of any wave, the glitter of the glass.
Q: It's been a while since we had an official schedule, right? What have you been up to?
YURI: I rested hard to run hard. I thought I needed a proper rest in order to move forward well, so I did nothing for about a month and just sat around, hehe. I went to my house in Busan and spent time with my family and my lovely Gamja (pet dog) and Yona (pet cat). I rarely went out, I just eat delicious food at home, watch my younger sister's drawings, and often play the piano, spending an intensive time. So, after fully charging my energy, I returned to Seoul, took vocal lessons, practiced, and was preparing to meet her fans.
Q: How long has it been since you rested like that?
YURI: It's been a really long time. I've been running out of breath all this time. But I think I can rest properly only after working that hard. Resting becomes sweeter as much as you sweat.
Q: We met for the '01z' pictorial on Coming-of-Age Day last year, right? The photoshoot at the time was pretty good.
YURI: 'Totally'. I remember it preciously. The editor said, "I'm jealous that we can vividly record the moment they're 20 years old." "I hope it's a good gift." That was very impressive. When I went to the set for the first time, I thought it was just one of the hectic schedules, but after filming and interviewing, I realized how meaningful it was to be able to record every day and share it with many people. I thought it was a special luck that only people with this job could enjoy. I also wanted to live that hard and only have good days and only have shiny images. I feel more responsible for every day.
Q: Wow, I'm thankful and proud that you had such a meaningful idea. But it doesn't look much different on the outside. Is it because I have such a young face?
YURI: Huh? I would have changed a lot. Didn't I get prettier? Haha. I was on a diet ahead of this promotion. I managed it pretty strictly. More than any other reason, I wanted to express the given concept as well as possible, so I went on a diet. If I become slimmer and sleeker, I think I'll be able to look better in stage outfits and clothes that fit the concept of a pictorial or broadcast program.
Q: Today, we did a photo shoot with a new concept that doesn't come to mind when you think of "Jo Yuri". How was it?
YURI: It was so different from my usual image, so I was a little worried about whether I would digest it properly, but everyone said ‘cool’, so I was relieved a bit. I've done a strong and strong concept before, but it's the first time I've expressed it in such a 'hip' way. I'm always nervous about new challenges, but I think it's just that much fun. The video interview that took place in between was also very enjoyable.
Q: "I have this side of me." Is there anything new that you discovered?
YURI: Rather than discovering it, I tried to find a new expression and a strange face. However, what I focused on the whole time while filming was 'Taking it out.' The conceptual outfits and unique accessories are the main points. There are a lot of elements that are already covered, but I think it'll be awkward and weird if I exaggerate. I tried to balance it out properly, but instead, I tried a variety of different poses, such as taking out some gloves and biting them into my mouth or keeping my eyes away.
Q: A new profile picture was released on the official SNS and I heard that she will be on stage soon. Are you on a new starting line?
YURI: Well, I think it's more of a 'relay race' than a new start. I'm not as lost as I was when I was standing at the starting line for my first dream of becoming a singer. It's not that I'm not nervous, but it feels different from the beginning when I couldn't even picture where and how to run. Now, I'm calmly touching the baton and getting ready to move forward vigorously.
Q: What was the first thing that came to your mind the day you started planning activities under the name of 'Jo Yuri' and not a member of the group?
YURI: In fact, IZ*ONE started out with a fixed period of 2 and a half years, so I couldn't help but think about what to do after the end of the activity. Maybe it's because I was scared in advance, but when it was right in front of me, I was rather blunt. "Ah, finally this day is coming. The time has come to stand alone. Now, let's go!" That's all. I think it was helpful to go through fear and think about things in advance.
Q: I think it would be very awkward and unfamiliar to do something alone while promoting as a multi-member group of twelve.
YURI: The atmosphere is completely different. The biggest thing I felt was loneliness. Would you say that you traded time for leisure and loneliness? It's nice because I do it alone, so everything from hair and makeup can be completed quickly, but it's so quiet and boring. During IZ*ONE, the waiting room was like an event booth experience. Dancing people, reading books, eating people, the members who are doing different things one by one, we choreographed together, shared a bite, watched a video together, and enjoyed it like a well-planned course. There was. After the broadcast or stage is over, we talk about what happened. I'm still feeling lonely more, but I'll have to get used to it.
Q: Instead, don't you think you'll be able to focus more on yourself after you're alone, or maybe you've learned something else?
YURI: That's right. We're working hard to objectify and look into ourselves. When I was working in a team, I tried to fit in and keep up with the things that I thought were different from me, but now I'm thinking about what suits me the best and what I can I do well. Especially, I'm trying to explore what I really like with the most interest in myself. I think I need to know myself well so that I can show you a better side of me.
Q: Your solo album is coming out soon, right? I'm so curious what kind of album it is.
YURI: It's an album I made with the thought that I and the fans who care about me would all like it. Even people who don't know me well will like it when they listen to it. Is it just my wish? haha. First off, I like it very much.
Q: You must have had a lot of worries because it was your first solo album. What did you focus on the most while working on it?
YURI: Continuing from the previous story, the goal was to satisfy as many people as possible. In fact, it may not be 100% pleasing to everyone, but I tried to find 'something' that many people would like. Overall, it melted a lot of my opinions. Unlike with my team activities, I had to put a lot of my will and thoughts into it. I tried to find the best answer by exchanging various opinions with the company staff.
Q: How do you feel about the title song? When you first heard it, did you feel like 'this is it'?
YURI: I made up my mind to practice hard for the live performance. It's not just a continuation of high notes, but it's not easy to bring out the taste of the song. It felt very different. I think it fits me well, but I want to express the subtle points well, like an unexpected newness. I have a good feeling! I made a lot of suggestions from time to time, so I revised it several times, and when I heard the final version, I felt it.
Q: You must have paid a lot of attention to the performance and visuals, right?
YURI: Rather than looking pretty, I focused on looking new, and the stage choreography was designed in a way that maximizes the feeling of enjoying the stage. If it was important to match the movement line when several people were performing group dance, now I have to fill the stage by myself. I'm going to be a little more free and daring.
Q: What do you want to achieve through this album?
YURI: Well, I want to hear people say, “I think Jo Yuri can do all kinds of things.” I hope this album will be the first step in showing the colorful world of Jo Yuri. And the most important thing is to communicate happily with the fans. I want to have a cute and friendly time with you all.
Q: We can't help but talk about the time spent with IZ*ONE. What kind of time did the last two and a half years leave for Yuri?
YURI: Well, is it too ordinary to say that every moment is so precious? I don't think I can properly express my deep feelings... I was so very happy to be with the members and fans. I think that a person like me has improved a lot during that time. It was an invaluable time.
Q: Looking back on your activities, what would you say is the most memorable moment?
YURI: There are countless. From the debut showcase to the last concert. I can't miss anything. And at this point, I especially miss hanging out with the members at the dorm. At the time, I didn't realize that it would be this precious. I especially miss Japanese members these days. I guess it's because we haven't seen each other for a long time.
Q: What do you think has changed the most when you look back on yourself?
YURI: Well, I think I'm able to expose myself a little bit more and bring it out. I practiced how to trust and rely on people while being with good people. In the past, I had a hard time expressing my feelings honestly and I didn't know much about myself. However, I was able to break the mold gradually and come out after working as a team and being loved by fans. It's hard to explain exactly, but I feel like I've become a better person I think we've changed and grown in a positive way.
Q: You must have affection for the members and the fans.
YURI: Of course. I still see the members from time to time, but I'm sad that we don't have many chances to meet our fans. I regret that I should've done better when I could make eye contact and hold hands. I should've put more in my memory.
Q: What does IZ*ONE mean to YURI?
YURI: When I was asked a question like this during promotions, I always answered that it was family, and I think I can say that even now. Even though we don't live together now, we treat each other like family and care for each other. Actually, it's not easy to have a heart to cheer and support someone sincerely, isn't it? But I am sending pure faith to these eleven people. I wish you all the best and I wish you all happiness. And I am so grateful to them for making me feel that way.
Q: From the perspective of someone who has been constantly watching you, the more I see you, the more contradictory you feel. It's pure white, but that white is very colorful? I think people have a lot of things inside.
YURI: Oh, thank you so much for looking at me that way. Actually, I tried to become that kind of person, and I am still trying. I still have a long way to go to become a complete person, but I want to become a new and colorful person who has many things the more you look at it. I am greedy and there are many things I want to do. I have a lot of interest not only in music, but in various fields. I learn a lot and try to fill in more to make it my own.
Q: Contrary to her innocent image, there is a surprising feeling that she rushes towards her goal with an attitude of 'I can do it' or 'I'm ready to die'.
YURI: I chose this path on my own will, and I'm doing what I want to do what I want to do. As we fulfill our dreams one by one. Of course, not all of the processes were smooth, but anyway, we are moving forward toward our goal. But suddenly, I realized that this was absolutely not normal. It's not something that comes naturally. It's such a precious moment, and every day is a great opportunity, so I think it's important to protect it. That's why I think I'm going to try harder and more earnestly and hold on to it.
Q: If there is a goal, what is Jo Yuri's next goal to achieve somehow?
YURI: First of all, I want to have fun sharing music with the fans. Next, I'll be an artist that my fans can proudly say to others, 'I like Jo Yuri.' I want to continue to be a cool person so that the fans think, 'I'm glad I liked Yuri.'
Q: Yuri has been growing steadily rather than being a complete form from the beginning. So I cheered even more. Those points seem to have been another driving force for Yuri.
YURI: That's right. Actually, I don't have much support until I stand on stage for the first time. Only my family and fans, I ran with their support as fuel. At least I added the belief that I was getting better little by little. There were many times when I was frustrated because I was originally very strict with myself and wanted to be perfect. No matter how the person next to me said I'm good, I couldn't bear it if I didn't reach the image I had envisioned. However, thanks to the warm support, I felt a little proud of myself and my self-esteem increased as I went through it one by one. I also think, 'I can do it too, I'm a person who can do better'. Perhaps in the future it will continue to be like that. I believe that the goals I mentioned earlier will surely be achieved. I'm sure I can do it well.
Q: You started dreaming of becoming a singer when you were in middle school, right? I'm sure Yuri from then and now are very different, right?
YURI: I think Yuri was a bit aggressive at that time. I risked my life even though I was not good enough, haha. I don't think that spirit and motivation disappeared now, but I think it's in a different way. It's not like 'this or die,' anymore, it's like 'I can live well because of this.' It may mean the same thing, but I think it's more positive and progressive. And I'm happy that there are more and more things that make me live well.
Q: How will the Yuri be different from now on?
YURI: Well, I think I'm going to take this idea as it is now. And we'll work hard to move forward. Straightforward and silent. If there's one more thing I want, I hope to be 'someone who has a lot on my side.' That means I'm determined to be a good enough person so someone can trust me and be on my side. Attitude, skill, in any way.
Q: It's been a while since we talked. You must have been tired, but should you hurry up and rest?
YURI: As I promised, I will go home and eat chicken feet first and go to sleep.
Q: Do you like something spicy? Did I stress you a lot today?
YURI: What are you talking about? It was so much fun. Chicken feet is the best gift for me right now. Until a few days ago, I was on a tight diet because I was filming the music video and the album cover. I want to eat it, but I've been trying to break the seal since yesterday. Yesterday was shabu shabu, and today is chicken feet!
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