Shukan Josei Interview [All Member]

Group Interview
2PM, who came back to receive this magazine interview again after one year, has showed us an even closer bond and connected image.

Q: What emotions are expressed through your new song <Masquerade>?

• Wooyoung: We have continuously been working hard in order to show a fresh and upgraded stage, this main focus this time is the “Mask Dance”. We used two layers of masks to express the emotions within the song. Taking the mask on and off whilst singing is really difficult… 2PM, whose relationship is already really close, has become even more united through the difficult and rigorous practices. Because we worked really hard to complete this song, we hope everyone can love it a lot~

Q: What were your thoughts after listening to the new song for the first time?

• Taecyeon: Actually, the first time I heard this song~ rather than thinking of maturity and sexiness, I felt that this was a very unique song. I also worried about whether ‘our voices matched well together?’
• Jun. K: When selecting songs for release I’m always really distressed.
• Chansung: In particular, the melody and rhythm of this song is really good. It’s a completely different style compared to our previous songs. I also took into account problems such as; ‘would we perform this well?’ and ‘would everyone like this?’ etc.
• Junho: But we were able to show 2PM’s original ‘dark’ (?) charisma
• Taecyeon: Dark?! Isn’t it a little different?
• Junho: Correction! Its sexiness and full of manly charisma

Q: In order to successfully perform the Mask Dance, I’m sure everyone came up with all sorts of ideas.

• Jun. K: That is correct! Because it is very difficult to hold the microphone whilst removing and putting on the mask, after a lot of worrying and distress the end result was that when we dance to that part we would place the microphone in our pockets.
• Chansung: Compared to ‘production’ we contributed more to the ‘design’
• Jun. K: Thanks to this, we were able to successfully complete the performance.

Q: The other song within this single, Junho’s self-composed <Forever>. How was this song first created?

• Junho: At the beginning of this year, I went to Ethiopia with a few company staff to participate in volunteering activities. I stayed there for four days; suddenly I had an unusual feeling I had never felt before in my heart and I wanted to put that (feeling) into a song, which I did with another staff that went along with me. When I returned to Korea, I finished the song with the help of a professional composer at the company. I want to share the emotions I felt when I was in Ethiopia with the fans. So the phrases used within this song’s lyrics are easy to follow and learn. At the Arena Tour please make sure to sing along to this song, everyone!

Q: Through the activities and Hi-5 event on November 24th and 25th, all 6 of you will meet the Japanese fans together after a period of time. How does it feel?

• Nichkhun: I really would like to meet all the fans. When all 6 members were unable to stand on stage together, it caused the other members problems and I feel very apologetic to them. Since we have already returned, I will do my very best to not disappoint my fans and show everyone the best side of me! I am really thankful to everyone who believed in me and supported me!

Q: The information about holding next year’s Arena Tour has already been released, what is the main point we must anticipate for?

• Jun. K: Although it’s still a secret, we could slightly reveal a little~ Taecyeon-goon will…
• Taecyeon: Huh? Me?! (laughs) The main focus is a secret. We are currently in preparation to give everyone an enjoyable and satisfactory stage.
• Nichkhun: It’s interesting! New and fresh! Full of energy!
• Taecyeon: Yes, just like that! The staff and members all came up with ideas, we want to gather all kinds of charming performances~ please come to the concert to watch it~

Q: Then, what is the direction 2PM is striving towards from now onwards?

• Taecyeon: It’s different from what it was during debut. Now, whether it’s about music or performing, the members will all actively express their views to complete (the songs). In addition, the members each want to do many different things, so I have a feeling that not only will we deepen our bonds between each other and work together, we’ll also gradually move forward. There’ll be constant changes and transformations in the future~
• Chansung: Compared to striding towards a fixed target, everyone is constantly moving forward to the things we want to do, sometimes we may take a different route and perhaps there’ll be various changes throughout, but in the end “everyone is together”. This experience to each of us is extremely precious.

Credits: TAECMIN (SCANS) ;  PiLe & YangYang @2PMBaidu (JPN > CHN TRANS), xx_tiffany_xx@2oneday.com(CHN > ENG TRANS)