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STAYC interview "The support from everyone will be our healing"

2023.05.03

STAYC, a 6-member girl group STAYC (Stacy) continues to gain momentum! Since their debut in 2020, they have won first place on Korean music programs one after another, and now, two and a half years after their debut, they have achieved 17 crowns. They made their debut in Japan last year, and released their second Japanese single "Teddy Bear -Japanese ver.-" in April. So, let's hit the 6 members who came to Japan for "STAYC Japan 2nd Showcase 2023 'Teddy Bear'"! We asked them about the thoughts they put into their “Teddy Bears” and what they valued.

We want to support everyone who works hard every day!

“HealingDol”* STAYC that heals your heart and encourages you

*[HealingDol =Healing + Idol, 힐링돌 hillingdol/hilringdol]

──This is your 4th single in Korea and your 2nd in Japan, "Teddy Bear".　Please tell us about the new challenges you faced.

SIEUN “Through the activities of 'Teddy Bear', we received the word 'HealingDol' in Korea. This song is a “cheering song” with the theme of cheering for everyone, expressing it by both in lyrics and performance. I think that the activity that will heal everyone was a new challenge for us. Personally, I was able to work very well as a team this time, which left the biggest impression on me."

SUMIN “Overall, the song has a lot of new challenges. One of them, everyone sings the chorus part. I think we were able to give various images to this song because we all sang it together.”

ISA “The choreography of everyone singing and jumping all at once was a new challenge.” 

──In this song, the Teddy Bear is portrayed as a hero that protects your self-esteem, but what does a “Teddy Bear” mean to you?

YOON "All the members have the same opinion, but the first thing that comes to mind is SWITH (STAYC's fans). When I'm tired or having a hard time, I often read back letters from SWITH. I read the messages again and again. Everyone is always by our side and watching over us, so I feel like our confidence is maintained."

SUMIN “I agree with YOON. I also thought about the teachers who always guide us. They have been watching over our practice process so far, and they know all about our efforts and growth. Our vocal teachers, choreography teachers, and dance teachers are also our Teddy Bears.”

SIEUN “SWITH, of course, and the people who taught me everything up until this point are my Teddy Bears. I can stand on stage with a sense of reassurance because I have teachers who support me. I think of everyone as a Teddy Bear who guides me with passion and gives me what I need to grow.”

ISA ”When I'm active, I often feel uneasy and confused about whether I can manage my schedule properly or whether I can perform well. I think I am today because the staff who always encourage me. The staff who support us are also our Teddy Bears.”

SEEUN “The same goes for my family. My family is my Teddy Bear."

J “To me, my Teddy Bear is my mother. My mother and I are like friends, we can talk about anything. Whenever I have a problem, she listens to me and accepts my call. I am connected to her, and she gives me peace of mind.”

──This single "Teddy Bear -Japanese Ver.-" is a coupling with "Stereotype -Japanese Ver.-". Both are songs that give you a boost when you feel like you're losing sight of who you are. What do you value most to protect yourself?

YOON "Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone should live to be happy, so don't compare yourself to others, it's important to be satisfied with yourself so that you can always be happy, I think."

SIEUN “I think it’s important to understand your own strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge them, and cherish them. I think everyone is the protagonist of their own life. I’m the protagonist of my life, so I look at myself not to lose my happiness. I think that is the way to protect myself."

ISA “I think it's important to understand and manage my own condition and not cause trouble for others. I believe it will protect myself.”

SUMIN “I think it’s my style to follow my heart and do what I want to do. Rather than being forced to do something or be patient and do something, I want to value acknowledging my own feelings that made me want to take on the challenge in the first place and take action."

J "I feel safe with my family and members. When I'm with the members, I can express myself well, and I can honestly talk about various things. Maybe it is important to be in such an environment so that you can be more free, so that you can be yourself, instead of confining yourself to some frame of reference!”

SEEUN “Like the lyrics of ‘Teddy Bear’, there is no correct answer, so no matter what anyone says, I will go my own way! I think that is what makes me who I am. So it's important for me to love myself.”

Always anxious before a comeback. That's why I always cry when I come in 1st place

On Korean music programs, they have won first place 17 times, including this time with 'Teddy Bear'. No matter how many times you won 1st place, the moment the 1st place was announced, you cried. What are your thoughts on those tears?

YOON “I always feel uneasy during the process of preparing a new song. I started worrying about whether I could live up to everyone's expectations and whether things would go well this time. OK, we can do it! Believing that, we will work hard, but when it was announced that we won first place, I felt like our efforts had been recognized, and also felt everyone told us ‘STAYC is the best’. I'm moved to tears unintentionally."

ISA “Even If we and the company staff think this song is great and our performance is also the best, we have to be recognized by many people. When it was announced that we won 1st place, I realized everyone thought this song was good! I was so happy that I cried. I couldn't stop crying when I remembered the staff who had a hard time together. That's why I cry every time."

──The producers, Black Eyed Pilseung, are famous people in Japan. Please tell us what the two producers taught you, and what words support you now.

YOON “The two producers told us many times before our debut, ‘The more the rice ripens, the more the head hangs down. (벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다)’  We are still lacking in strength. So I always remember the words of the two producers and tell myself to work harder and try harder.”

SUMIN “Those two kindly talk a lot to us, but the one that comes to mind a lot these days is ‘Be a person with lots of love’. Give lots of love to the people around you. I think it means that we should become people who are loved by everyone. Also, I always try not to forget this words; ‘Nothing can be accomplished alone. You can do it because you are not alone.’”

──The reason why you guys are so close is partly because you two producers taught you. What do you think is important when living together as a member?

SUMIN “It’s about talking a lot. Eating delicious food together and talking. Even if we are busy, we try to talk about as many things as possible. We get to know each other better when we talk, and that's the secret to getting along."

YOON “I think consideration, respect and understanding, these three things are important. We all come from different backgrounds. To tell you the truth, there were some parts that I thought we didn't get along with at first. 6 people who grew up in different parts of Korea got together and worked together. To be honest, at first I thought we wouldn't get along. But I think we became friends by trying to understand each other little by little, and by being considerate and respectful of each other. We share one room with two people. It might be a good idea to share people with similar personalities in the same room.”

──What is the current room allocation?

SUMIN “SIEUN and I, ISA and SEEUN, YOON and J, in order of age (laughs)”

Local recommended spots that only 6 people from different hometowns know!

──You mentioned that you all come from different hometowns, but now there are a lot of people visiting South Korea for sightseeing from Japan. So, please tell us your recommended spots and specialties in your hometown that you would like to recommend to SWITH.

SIEUN “I am from Seoul. At Hangang(한강, 漢江) Park in Yeouido(여의도, 汝矣島), you can enjoy boat rides and other leisure activities. You can spend time with your friends eating fried chicken and Tteokbokki(떡볶이)and many events are held, so it should be fun just to go.”

SUMIN “My hometown, Pohang(포항, 浦項)is a seaside town with an iron factory. The specialty is Mulhoe (물회, water sashimi), a dish of iced water with sauce and sashimi. I think it's a rare dish in Japan, so please try it. Also, I haven't been there yet, but I heard that there is a mysterious stairway to the sky called Hanul Kedan."

ISA “I'm from Busan(부산, 釜山), but I recommend an area called Gamcheon Culture Village(甘川文化村). It's a residential area, but there's a lot of murals and street art. It's the place that became famous after being introduced on Instagram. The whole town is cute, so be sure to visit. Also, cold noodles made with buckwheat flour called Milmyeon(밀면) are delicious."

J “I love bread so much that I am nicknamed 'Pan-chan'[sic]*. In my hometown of Daejeon(대전, 大田), there is a long-established bakery called Songsimdang (성심당, 聖心堂). There are many kinds and all of them are delicious, so please try it!"

*[Written as “パンちゃん” = pan-chan in Japanese (“pan” is “bread”), not sure in Korean.]

YOON “I am from Gwangju Metropolitan City(광주광역시, 光州広域市), and all my family members live there. Jeolla-do(Jeolla Province, 전라도, 全羅道), where Gwangju is located, is so famous for its delicious food that it is said that Korean cuisine is in Jeolla-do. That's why I recommend all the shops in Gwangju!”

SEEUN

”I'm from Pyeongtaek(평택), Gyeonggi-do(Gyeonggi Province, 경기도, 京畿道). When you travel abroad, you probably go to theme parks in that area, and there is Everland in Gyeonggi-do. Although it is not a specialty of Gyeonggi-do, if you come to Korea, please try Kal-guksu(칼국수). It's my favorite food, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed when you go to a Korean Kal-guksu restaurant.”

──Hearing your story made me want to go to Korea. Finally, please tell us your future goals as STAYC.

SUMIN "Through the activities of 'Teddy Bear', we received many voices saying 'It cheered me up' and 'It was healing'. Such warm voices were healing for us as well. This time, we would like to cherish the new nickname "HealingDol" and continue our activities. Furthermore, we will be holding fan meetings in Osaka on July 13th and on July 15th in Yokohama! Please look forward to it!"

 Photo: kishimari Retouch: murasaki Interview & Text: Miho Matsuda Edit: Yukiko Shinto

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