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STAYC Japan Debut!! Feature 1

STAYC's first interview Fresh ambitions revealed in Japan for the first time

2023.01.09 18:00

In the first part of this special feature, we interview the six members of STAYC, a K-POP girl group that made its long-awaited debut in Japan last November, on their first visit to Japan just before their debut. What was your impression of Japan? What do you want to do in Japan? Please enjoy the first-time answers of the six members, who are still getting used to their first visit to Japan. All photos are newly taken for permanent preservation, and there is a gift at the end of the article, so be sure to check it out!

The feature article will be followed by a unit interview with each of the three members, and then a location project where they enjoyed Japanese traditions during their busy schedule (both will be published at a later date). Look forward to them!

| Want to be active for a long, long time

---- First of all, since this is your first appearance, please tell us what kind of group STAYC is.

Sieun: The group name STAYC stands for "Star To A Young Culture," which means "to be the leading star of a young culture," and I think our strength is that we are able to convey this through our stage presence.

Sumin: I think it's a group full of positive energy that's appropriate for that.

---- Next, please introduce yourself, including why you decided to become an idol and the girl groups that influenced you.

Yoon: This is Yoon from STAYC. I am in charge of the Tiger in STAYC. The reason why it's a tiger is because it has charisma (laughs). I wanted to be a singer because I loved singing and dancing since I was a child. I look up to BLACKPINK's Lisa.

J: This is J, the youngest member of STAYC. I look like a Maltese (laughs). I wanted to be a singer because I loved music and I loved to sing. I love Girls' Generation sunbaenims!

Sumin: I'm Sumin. I'm the leader of STAYC and in charge of the Rabbit. I also love Girls' Generation sunbaenims (laughs). I want to be active for a long, long time like Girls' Generation. The reason why I wanted to become a singer is because I loved singing and dancing like everyone else, so I wanted to become someone that I admired after making my debut.

Seeun: I'm Seeun. I am in charge of the Fox in my team. The reason why I chose to become a singer is because I like singing, but just like Sumin-chan [sic]*, I wanted to be someone's role model, just like I admired Taeyeon sunbaenim in Girls' Generation and became a singer. Taeyeon sunbaenim can do anything, so I respect her very much.

*[In this article, the Korean suffixes "야, 아, 이 (ya, a, i)" attached to the name when they talked are probably all written as "chan" in Japanese. Hereafter, "chan" will be omitted.]

Isa: I'm Isa. The animal that symbolizes me is a Cat. I decided to become an idol not only because I love dancing and singing, but also because I thought it would be a profession where I could share my love with many people. The people I respect are former 4Minute member HyunA and f(x) member Krystal. They are people with outstanding personalities.

Sieun: This is Sieun from STAYC. I am in charge of main vocals and Doggy. I have always loved dancing and singing very, very much, and I wanted to become a singer in the hope that my singing could bring healing and energy to someone. I respect IU sunbaenim.

---- There is an animal in charge (laughs). How did you decide?

Sieun: SWITH (generic term for STAYC fans) were all applying emojis of animals that looked like us, and before we knew it, it became official.

---- I see! You all get along very well, but is there any combination of members of ...... that creates a great synergy when you are together?

Sumin: Seeun and Yoon. When the two of them are together, there is so much energy, so much vitality (laughs). Even when they are far away, I know that Seeun and Yoon are there.

Yoon: Actually, yesterday, in the car, Seeun-unnie (older sister) [sic] suddenly started talking, "Don't you think we really get along?" (laughs). We are aware too!

Isa: Sumin and I have been together since we were trainees, and we have known each other for about 5 years. We share the same memories, so we know each other very well.

Sumin: Yes, she doesn’t have to say it in words, she can tell just by the expressions on her face. We are family!

J: Speaking of the family, Isa-unnie and I are like a parent and child. Unnie takes care of me a lot.

Yoon: Yes, she is your mother.

J: Yes (laughs).

Sieun: I can tell what Sumin and I are thinking just by looking into each other's eyes! We are the same age, born in 2001, and we share the same room in the dormitory.

Sumin: Hahaha, Sieun really loves me (laughs). 

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| Japan debut is something I want to cherish

---- I could tell that you were good friends (laughs). Your first visit to Japan was to perform at the Korean broadcaster MBC's event "MBC IDOL RADIO LIVE in TOKYO" (held in October 2022). How was your first stage in Japan?

Sumin: It was a bigger venue than we had imagined, and we were very happy that so many people came. When we released a new song in Korea, we held a video call event as a release event, and Japanese fans who participated in the event came! I was very happy to meet them.

---- You found it well.

Sumin: Yes, I found many of them!

---- Was there anything else that left an impression on you at the venue?

Sieun: When it went dark, it was so beautiful and moving to see the fans' penlights glowing. There were others who brought slogans (cheering items of paper and towels with photos and names printed on them). I was grateful and it was so cute to see them cheering for us.

Isa: There were also many cheering goods such as fans and boards with fluorescent letters on them, which looked so beautiful and shiny. There are slogans in Korea, but this was the first time for me to see a board with fluorescent letters, so it was a new experience for me.

---- Did you have any private time?

Seeun: Yes! I went to Ghibli's Donguri Republic, Kiddy Land, Game Center, and Don Quixote. I love cute things, so it was fun! But what I bought was Konnyaku jelly (laughs). It's popular in Korea.

Sumin: Everyone bought a lot (laughs).

Isa: I also bought a lot at Donki (Don Quixote). Hot eye masks, foot care goods, Doraemon cups, and more.

J: I bought a Doraemon pen.

Sumin: I bought a Hello Kitty smartphone case.

Yoon: I played the capsule toy machine of "Shugo Chara!" about 3 times. I didn't get what I wanted, but it was fun.

Isa: I did too, but I didn't get what I wanted...

---- What do you want to do next time you come to Japan?

Sumin: I want to go to theme parks, USJ, Disneyland, etc.

Seeun: Onsen too!

Sieun: I also want to go to the Ghibli Park.

Isa: I also want to go to Japanese restaurants.

J: Ah, sushi~, I want to eat sushi too!

Yoon: I want to go to Osaka~.

---- After your debut in Japan with "POPPY", I think you will have more opportunities to come to Japan. Please visit various places. By the way, how did you feel when you heard "You will debut in Japan"?

Sumin: I thought, "Finally, Japan debut!"  I couldn't go to Japan for a long time due to the corona wreck, so I'm happy to be able to meet my Japanese fans in person.

Yoon: Japanese fans have been studying Korean a lot during video calls. (In Japanese) Metcha arigatou gozaimasu (Thank you very much) (laughs). I have to return the favor! We are also studying Japanese now. I think I will be able to speak more Japanese in the next interview.

---- I'm looking forward to it! What kind of impression do you have on the Japan debut?

Sieun: Hmmm......, something important? There is no reason, but there is such an image.

J: It's a lovely thing for me, something I want to cherish.

Isa: I feel like I'm meeting a relative I haven't seen in a long time?

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| Doing something together with everyone is the best

---- Now asking a lot about the Japanese review song "POPPY". First of all, what kind of song is "POPPY"?

Sumin: The title "POPPY" is a coined word of POP and HAPPY. It compares happy emotions to crackling soda. It's a perfect song for STAYC's bursting charm. It is also perfect for STAYC's concept of Teen Fresh. It's a very refreshing song.

---- Please tell us about the characteristics of the performance of "POPPY".

Yoon: The performance of the chorus is cute~.

Siuen: It's really easy, so I hope everyone can imitate it. When we were filming the music video, we danced a few times, so the staff imitated it (laughs).

Yoon: Everyone made a flapping motion at their ears.

Sieun: I'm looking forward to you doing this with us!

---- What is the highlight of the music video?

Yoon: The highlight is the perfectly synchronized dancing. And, each member's small items will appear, so I want you to find out what they are.

Sumin: Let me tell you a little bit. My nickname is Tonyang-i*(rabbit + cat), but in my solo scenes, I put on bunny ears and put a cat tower behind them. I really felt like a cat and played with the cat tower.

*[Korean, a compound word of rabbit and cat. Not sure about the correct spelling.]

Sieun: Actually, I got that cat tower after the shoot (laughs). My family's cats are using it now. [sic]*

*[Sumin should have gotten the cat tower. Not sure about Sieun. There is a possibility that the speaker's notation is wrong.]

J: The accessories are so cute. I used a hat, which was decorated with LEGO and was super cute.

---- The Japanese version of "ASAP" is included as a coupling track.

Sieun: "ASAP" is our representative song. It's a hit song in Korea, so I wanted everyone in Japan to listen to it. "ASAP" is an English abbreviation for "as soon as possible". It expresses the feeling that I want the person I love to appear in front of me as soon as possible.

---- "ASAP" means "as soon as possible", please tell us what you wanted to do "ASAP" and what will you want to do?

Yoon: I wanted to debut in Japan early!

Isa: Yes. I wanted to see the CDs of our debut single "POPPY" lined up at CD shops as soon as possible.

J: I want to hold a fan concert in Japan soon.

Sumin: I'd like to try it in other regions besides Tokyo!

Seeun: I think it's still a long way off, but... the dome tour! Hurry, hurry! (smile)

Siuen: I want to appear on a Japanese variety show.

---- From now on, your activities in Japan will begin in earnest, but what kind of activities do you want to do?

Sumin: I would like to do events where I can meet fans closer, such as signing events and high-five parties. I think the most important point is to do something together with everyone.

Sieun: For example, dancing together, speaking Japanese together...

Yoon: From now on, I want to meet a lot of fans through live performances and events, and I want to hear more and more new songs. Please look forward to them!

| STAYC's autographed checkit (instax) will be presented to one person!

[How to apply]

(1)  Follow Bezzy's Twitter account (@Bezzyjp)

(2)  RT the tweet of this article

A winner will be sent a DM from Bezzy's Twitter account.

*Please apply only if you can contact the delivery address after winning. Personal information will not be used for purposes other than sending gifts.

*The winning announcement will be replaced with the shipping of the prize.

[Application deadline]

Until 23:59 on Sunday, January 22, 2023

* You can apply as many times as you like during the period. [sic]*

*[It seems difficult to apply from outside Japan, as the entry of the address is a condition of entry.]

End of translation

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