This page is an English translation of the linked pages below.

このページの英文は下のリンクのページの内容を翻訳したものです。

Start of translation

I'm sorry to be so personal, but I have a few routines when interviewing K-POP groups.

One of them is to “hand out business cards to all members before the start.'' Then there are various reactions. Someone to pass it on to the manager right away. Someone who reads out my name. Under such circumstances, the reaction of STAYC, a six-member group that debuted in 2020, was exceptional.

"We don't have business cards..."

Sumin replied. Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute. This is the first time I have received such a pure answer.

I suppressed those feelings as much as possible and proceeded with the interview. In Tokyo on December 7th when they visited Japan. It was also the timing to release the original Japanese song "LIT" the day before. Here, in the first part of the interview, we spoke in Korean about his favorite places in Japan, their thoughts on Japanese fans, and more.

Saying "Tabetaidesu [I want to eat]" something they like in Japan in Japanese...

-- Before we get into the main topic, in addition to promoting "LIT" during your visit to Japan, you will also be performing at "Music Bank Global Festival 2023" at Belluna Dome [Belluna Dome] on the 9th. What do you expect?

Isa: We're rehearsing tomorrow, but I think you'll get a better sense of it once we try it. And I think there will be many Japanese fans on the day. We have held year-end stages like this in Korea before, so I think our Japanese fans will be able to enjoy it together this time. I feel excited about that.

J: I'm always excited to perform at a new venue, but I'm also pretty nervous.  So I think I'll be pretty nervous that day too. However, seeing the faces of the fans always eases the tension, so I'm sure we'll be able to enjoy the ending.

-- When you're nervous, how do you resolve it?

J: I don't know what to say... I try to think, "Everyone is obsessed with STAYC!" That way, I won't be nervous at all.

Yoon: I have to refer to that too....

-- Oh, is there something in common between maknae lines? Well, now, STAYC has been getting more and more opportunities to come to Japan. I ‘d like to ask you about the places you want to go in Japan, your favorite foods, things you're curious about, and more.

Yoon: The place I’ve wanted to go to the most was Universal Studios, but I haven't been able to go yet. This time, I went to Harry Potter Studio (in Nerima City, [Tokyo, Website]) just to try it out. It was really good. It felt like what I saw in a real movie was actually right in front of my eyes! I would like to go to Universal Studios this time.

(Continued) Yoon: Also, it was the strawberry flavor at Isetan Department Store, but I wonder what it was from Suzukake (Suzukake *main store is in Fukuoka City)...

-- Ichigo daifuku? [Strawberry daifuku]

Yoon: Yes! I really want to eat that. I definitely want to eat it! It seems that the number (manufactured per day) is small. Apparently there is a line to buy it, but if you go too late, it seems to be sold out.

-- Well, you have to wait in line to get the good stuff! Even if it's not Suzukake, there seems to be a variety of fruit-based daifuku available these days, not just strawberries. Persimmons, mangoes, muscat grapes, pears, etc.

Yoon: Eh, they look delicious!

-- Next, what do you think of J, who is also in the maknae line?

J: I've known this place since I was in elementary school, and it's a shop that sells 7-grade matcha ice cream... I don't know if it still exists, but it's said to be in Kyoto. Apparently we have to wait in line there too... so I'd like to try it at least once!　

-- Waiting in line enhances the taste, I think. What about Sieun?　

Sieun: A long time ago, I went on a trip to Osaka with my family, and there was a place where we went to a hot spring and had a course meal. (As if suddenly remembering) Oh, that wasn't Osaka. In any case, after going to the hot springs, I put on something like a kimono, the clothes I found there (* maybe yukata), and even had a meal prepared for me.

-- It seems like a story about Osaka, but it might not be Osaka. Which one!? Either way it's nice.

(Continued) Sieun: Also, I would like to go to Ghibli Park. Oh, wasn't Ghibli Park also in Osaka?

Members: Isn't it in Kyoto? (Actually in Aichi) It was done recently, right?

Sieun: I really like Ghibli.

-- Oh, what kind of works do you like?

Sieun: I really saw a lot. I guess I've seen it all? “Howl's Moving Castle”, “Spirited Away”, “Ponyo”, “My Neighbor Totoro”, “The Cat Returns”...

-- What about Isa?

Isa: I was going to talk about hot springs, but Shiuni [Sieuni (시은이)] has already done it... I’d like to go to hot springs and I’d also like to go to an izakyaya [izakaya: Japanese bar/pub]. When I watch other idols' VLOGS, even if they are in Japan for work, I see them going to izakaya bars during their free time. It gives off a retro feel and makes me feel like I can make some really good memories.

-- What do you want to eat at an izakaya?

Isa: Okonomiyaki...Udon! Oh, I've never eaten ramen!

-- Have you never experienced Ichiran [Ichiran], which is very popular among Korean tourists these days?

Isa: Yes. Tabetaidesu (I want to eat). (* A girl who speaks only this in Japanese.)

Seeun: Recently, I really want to go on a trip to Kyoto. The atmosphere seemed really nice. I would like to go there once because I can feel the traditional culture.

-- Kyoto seems to be extremely crowded with tourists these days, so please be careful when visiting.

Sumin: I want to go to Sapporo [Sapporo]. Actually, I don't like the cold, but it snows a lot in Sapporo. Still, I would like to go to the snow festival [SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL]. I also often watch VLOGs, and the scenes of trains passing by in Hokkaido are really beautiful. I want to be healed while walking.

-- Sapporo is beautiful in the summer, so when I tried to recommend summer, I thought snow would be better...What should I do? It's cold vs snow.

Sumin: Ahaha. Even if it's cold, I have to go.

In Japanese, "simple pronunciation is actually difficult"

-- Now, speaking of Japan, everyone is also studying Japanese, right? You will definitely use it when interacting with SWITH and when going to your favorite places. What is difficult?

Sumin: It's difficult because there are so many similar words [with similar pronunciations].

-- What kind of thing is it?　

Sumin: ooi [many] and ookii [big/large].

Sieun: I feel that many of the words are similar to adjectives. kowai [scary], kawaii [cute], hayai [fast]. Sometimes it's difficult to remember things like that.

- How about atatakai (warm)? Some Koreans find it difficult.

Seeun: In fact, sometimes it's more difficult to pronounce simple words. It's hard to remember. Also, it's really difficult to pronounce "tsu" and "zu".

-- This is something that modern Koreans find difficult when learning Japanese. It seems that classical Korean also had pronunciations of “tsu'' and “zu''. Aside from digressions, the latest Generation Z seems to be doing well.

Yoon: We took a lot of lessons, so I think we've improved a bit! There's a recording session, so if we can't do it, we must do it until we can. When I first learned it, I couldn't tell the difference. What is the difference? This is what I thought. I started to understand when I tried it.

-- What about kanji [Kanji]?

Yoon: It seems like I can't read kanji...

Sumin: You can only read "私 (watashi)" [I]. Also, I can read hiragana [Hiragana], but katakana [Katakana] is quite difficult. “エ” [E] and “オ” [O] … are they correct? I am thinking as I read them. However, as I have been working in Japan, I feel that I am gradually becoming able to talk with SWITH even if I cannot read!

-- What do you remember from speaking Japanese with SWITH (fans) in Japan?

J: Lately, I've been thinking, "なぁぜなぁぜ” [Why, why?]. Something popular on TikTok.

Sumin: That looks really cute.

J: After eating a meal, even though I'm full, I feel like dessert. I wonder why? It feels cute.

SWITH seen from the stage during their world tour

-- Now, STAYC has begun your world tour on September 23rd. What are your impressions of SWITH from around the world that you met there? I would like to ask Isa, who is from Busan and has a different perspective from Seoul.

Isa: No matter which country we go to, I feel strongly that they love us very much. What was particularly impressive was that the fans were waiting in the cold, but when our music started to play little by little, I saw everyone was singing along to it even before the performance started. It was so strange that I couldn't help but take a movie. Even before the performance, I realized that they loved our music so much. They gave us such big cheers during the performance and enjoyed the stage as much as we did. I'm really grateful to our fans.

-- You may be able to see your fans from the stage.

Seeun: During the performance, the fans may also get physically tired. I think it must have been hard to have them support us all the time and sing along with us, but I also saw from the stage that the fans were caring for each other. It was a very nice sight. Our fans are amazing wherever we go. The staff at the performance also praised us and said, “They have very good manners.'' And they are people who really love our music. 

-- It's a beautiful scenery.

Isa: It felt like we were receiving more energy. Therefore, we have come to feel a sense of responsibility as artists and the need to give back through music. In any case, we are proud of our fans.

Impressed by the “emotion” of Japanese fans

-- Finally, please give a message for Japan's SWITH.

Yoon: I think we've become even better friends by continuing to meet our fans while visiting Japan many times. It's getting closer, isn't it? Even though the languages ​​are different, Korean and Japanese, we are both learning and trying to communicate. That's why I feel like we get closer each time we meet, which makes me really happy. And this time, I'm excited to deliver the song "LIT" to everyone as a song for my activities in Japan. Until now, in Japan, we have often released Japanese versions of songs that we performed in Korea, except for "POPPY," but this time we released "LIT" in Japanese, so we hope everyone will like it. I would be happy if you could. I would also be happy if we could continue our activities together for a long time."

Sumin: There is something that I am very grateful for. We have a lot of new fans in Japan, and at the same time, there are also people who have loved us since before our debut and still attend our fan autograph sessions in Korea and various events and concerts in Japan. They support a lot. I appreciate it very much. Also, our Japanese fans seem to really like all of our activities, and we're very grateful for that. And I'm impressed 

Seeun: What I want to say is that I want everyone in SWITH to build up their memories with us, but I feel like we're actually receiving them, and I'm really grateful and I'm moved by that. I have a feeling that this will continue to be the case. That's why I always have the idea of ​​visiting Japan again soon.

Isa: I'm grateful for the compassion of everyone at SWITH in Japan. We think that's cool. That's why we would like to continue to show our sincerity and share our good music with you.

J: I also feel that SWITH always makes me happy every time I come to Japan and is always supporting me even from afar. I have always had the idea of ​​wanting to come to Japan.

Sieun: First of all, through this comeback of “LIT”, I hope that Japan’s SWITHs can live their lives cheerfully every day through the song “LIT”. We would like to continue to do a lot of activities in Japan, and I hope you look forward to seeing us in a lot of new ways. I would be happy if you could stay with me forever.

The most exciting part of the scene that day was the moment Sieun talked about Osaka for the first time and said, “Oh, that wasn't Osaka.'' I wonder where it was? I asked the proprietress of a Kyoto ryotei restaurant I know, and she said, "After all, there are probably no hot springs in Osaka. If it is in Kyoto, it is most likely in Arashiyama, Hyogo Prefecture or Shiga Prefecture.”

The lyrics, which are a mixture of Japanese and Korean, are also impressive.

On December 7th, I met STAYC in Tokyo, who had just released their original Japanese song "LIT" the day before.

The girl group, consisting of six members, Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, and J, debuted in Korea in November 2020, and debuted in Japan in November 2022. "LIT" is the group's third single release in Japan.

What kind of thoughts does this song convey? This time, I asked them what they had to say in Korean while presenting them with “certain documents.''

A title that means “dangerous, awesome”

-- Your third Japanese single “LIT” was announced on December 6th. I heard about its charm. The first thing to be concerned about is how to read "LIT". (Korean pronunciation) “Lit”? Or “Litu”?

Members: “Lit”. [“t” is not pronounced]

Yoon: The title of the song is also pronounced "lit", but the content in the Japanese lyrics is "litto" [In most cases, Japanese people do not pronounce the consonant alone, but instead pronounce it with a vowel. In this case, it is pronounced with an "o" after the "t".]. I think it's easier to say "litto" in Japanese.

-- So, Sieun, please explain this song. Oh, by the way, the YouTube show "Bammukjja" [YouTube video]  that you appeared on in South Korea the other day was really funny.

Sieun: Yes. First of all, this time's "LIT" is based on a hip-hop sound, and while it is hip-hop, it is also very catchy, addictive, and contains a fun melody. Therefore, you can feel both HIP and bright charms at the same time. And the word LIT (in Japanese) means “ヤバい” [yabai: dangerous, awesome],  “サイコー” [saiko: best], but this song has the meaning of wishing that the daily lives of those who listen to it become LIT.

I gave them the official explanation of the Korean version of "LIT"

-- Certainly, STAYC leads the listeners in a cute way with the lyrics. That's my impression. So, today...I have prepared some secret materials for this interview.

Members: Huh?

-- Oh, yes. This is a press release of "LIT" issued by the Korean head office. This is very detailed and the content is very good. Could you please explain "LIT" while looking at this?

Members: Wow~

Sumin: You even drew an underline....

-- First of all, there is an explanation: “Enjoy life in your own way with LIT.'' Please explain the word LIT a little more.

Sieun: It's the best. It's amazing, it's dangerous. That's what it feels like.

Sumin: It also means thinking that you are the best...how can I say it?…trying to think in that way. This has some connection to our recent songs. No matter what the situation, live your life as yourself and think in a positive direction. That's the nuance.

Sieun: In the end, I think it's "LOVE MYSELF" because everyone is so cool.

Korean trend term “HIP” and STAYC

-- Wow, that's probably something we won't find even if we look it up in a dictionary. The next thing I'd like to ask you is the word "HIP." It appears several times in this material. This is actually a word that frequently appears in K-POP song explanations. It seems to be a trending term in Korea. Can you explain what you mean? Does this mean something similar to LIT?

Yoon: That's not true. HIP, as the name suggests, is a genre of music. As the name suggests, this is HIP HOP as you know it.

Sumin: The bass of this song “LIT” has a beat in the 808 bass, which is often used in HIP HOP. The beat is a little different from the songs we've shown a lot so far, so I think it has the meaning of “HIP'' in the sense of HIP HOP.

-- Oh. “HIP” often appears as a trending term in Korea, so I actually looked it up in the dictionary. It seems to mean that you can express your own style while being considerate of the environment, correct?

Sieun: I think the meaning of “our own claim'' is correct. But I don't really have the image of being "environmentally friendly"... 

Sumin: It's true that in this press release, it means "HIP HOP," but in Korea we usually say things like "HIP," or "SWAG (It moves your heart = It's cool)."

Seeun: How to say, it's like “feels good.''

Sumin: I think that people who are able to make a point clearly and who are full of confidence will have a reaction of “HIP.'' That's why "It's HIP" means cool.

Changes in STAYC shown in “LIT”

-- Then, there is another expression in this document, “STAYC’s HIP transformation,” but is this also in the context of HIP-HOP?

Yoon: Yes. In any case, up until now we have shown a cute and soft image, but through our activities with "LIT", we are showing a slightly HIP and cool image that allows us to say that the future is always ours. That's how we transformed.

-- Right after your debut, you were doing cute songs. But something is changing.

Sumin: If I had to add a little bit more, since our debut we have been showing a lot of vocal-based songs, but this time, LIT has really strong vocals and a rich variety of sounds. I think that's the big change.

-- (Going a little further) in the materials, there is an expression that describes STAYC as “soft charisma.'' What does it mean?

Yoon: We've had this kind of concept for a while. This is because the song "Teddy Bear" and "Bubble" are cute and endearing songs, but the lyrics actually contain content that warns people, "Are you living your life in your own way?”. That's why I want to be a “soft charisma''.

-- Even if you say what you want to say or be honest, let's convey it so that people don't hate us. Is that your image?

Isa: It also contains a message about being yourself, sometimes without listening to what others say. I want to express that in a cute way. 

-- STAYC is the only one who can convey that cutely! I see.

Seeun: Yes! That’s right. That's the point.

Sumin: I want the image to be bright and refreshing.

Thanks to producer Black Eyed Pilseung

-- So, what will STAYC's schedule be like in the future? Seeun, who is also known for your cheerful personality, please talk to me so that I, as a reporter, can write a scoop. Joking. Feel free to.

Seeun: First of all, "LIT" has just been released in Japan, but in Korea it's the year-end stage and award ceremony season, so while we are working on those, also moving forward with our planned Asian tour. Masu. After that...a comeback in Korea... 

-- Oooooooooh, is that a scoop?

Sumin: I think we might make a comeback in Korea someday. Nothing has been decided yet, but we've been recording and preparing since our debut, so we'll definitely make a comeback in Korea at some point. We have a lot of songs.

-- Thanks to Mr. Pilseung. What kind of presence do they have for you guys? Lastly, please give me some words of gratitude.

J: No matter how much I say it, it's still not enough. That's what it is. First of all, it's reliable. They provide us with a lot of good songs, and they always think about us and write songs for us. I really, really appreciate it. I think they are like family to us. 

In fact, before their debut, I had interviewed the producer Black Eyed Pilseung multiple times. They are also known for having worked on many of TWICE's early title songs, including “TT''. Regarding the group that later came out as STAYC, they described it as “an extraordinary group where everyone is at the center level.'' I later learned that it was probably their unique concept of “Teen Fresh'' that was so extraordinary.

When I met STAYC members this time, I wanted to ask them, “What is Teen Fresh?'' but I decided not to. That was uncouth. Things like this are things that we look back on later, and now we see them struggling with life-size problems and trying to overcome them in their own way. So to speak, it’s natural.

On this day, there was actually about 30 seconds left in the interview. Even the answers from the last question I asked gave a clear picture of the natural state of things.

-- Please tell us about anything you are interested in or want to know about Japan in 30 seconds.

Sieun said.

    “Japanese fans, what do you like about STAYC?”

So cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute. What do you think, fans?

(End)

End of translation

翻訳終わり

このページは日本語がわからない友人に向けた私的な翻訳結果です。（検索されない設定）

問題がある場合は下の X アカウントにDMをください。速やかに対処いたします。