Harper's BAZAAR June Issue : TREASURE Interview [English Translation]

CHOI HYUNSUK

You seem to get very high-spirited in front of the Harper's Bazaar camera.

I like photo shoots. They’re fun. If it’s books, I read poetry the most, following that, I read magazines a lot, especially Bazaar which I really read a lot! So, when I heard we were shooting for Bazaar, my heart fluttered. Hehe. It’s also the first time only four members were shooting together, so I was looking forward to it in many ways. I'm enjoying it now with a very grateful heart.

Hyunsuk, Asahi, Doyoung, and Junghwan, how do you feel about this group combination today?

When I saw this combination, my heart became calm. As the oldest and the leader, I usually have to take the lead whether we're working or playing, but when I’m with these three, I can just relax and follow along. I even shared my worries with Doyoung and Junghwan recently during our Asia tour in Manila. Normally, I find it hard to open up, but with these guys, I can. (A)sahi, even if he doesn't say much in front of me, always reaches out if he sees I’m having a hard time. All three are really kind and deep friends, so today I feel very relaxed and happy.

You’re about to release a single album, right? I heard you participated in producing and directing the overall track.

Up until now, I mainly directed the rapper members, Yoshi and Haruto. This time, I participated in directing all ten members for the first time, so I learned a lot. Since I know our members better than anyone else, I thought a lot about how to bring out each member's abilities to the max. Although I had some regrets, the members told me they were very happy and thankful, which gave me strength.

You also participated in writing and composing Babymonster’s "Sheesh," right?

Yes, I was quite involved in writing the lyrics. Their vocal ranges were entirely different, and I don’t know Babymnster members as well as I know ours, so I felt some difficulty. Still, it was fun because it felt very different from working on TREASURE’s songs. It felt like I was opening a new chapter.

As a musician, team leader, producer, and lyricist, how do you take in the various titles attached to Choi Hyunsuk?

Ultimately, it’s all within the framework of art and music. My goal is to become a hexagonal artist. My role model, Virgil Abloh, was a fashion designer, but he also DJed and painted. Whether on stage or in the studio, I want to focus and do my part wherever I am, while expanding my range. (Dungeon Note: “Hexagonal, 육각형 ooo” came from sports. A player good at 6 different tools (dribbling, passing, sprinting, etc.), ie multi-talented.)

To become a hexagonal artist, you must have many moments when you need to be strict with yourself.

I don’t praise myself much. I try to be strict with myself because if I become complacent, I’m afraid I may just stay where I am. I try to be coldly objective about myself.

In place of praise, what are the things that drive you forward?

Whenever I say this, it gets suspected of being too formulated. (Laughs) My number one motivation is my members. I am naturally quite affectionate, and my members are precious people I have seen for a long time and will continue to see, so it’s impossible that they are not my motivation. Next are hobbies like music and fashion. I get a lot of inspiration from reading poetry too.

Is there a poem you’ve read recently that stands out?

I’ve been reading a lot of poems by Jeong Ho-seung. I feel like I see myself clearly within his poetry. I see both the Hyunsuk who needs comfort and the cool Hyunsuk.

Can you pick a memorable line you remember right now?

(Taking out his phone) There are so many... I’ll share one I recently took a picture of. “The heart decided to become an even poorer soil. It decided to become a blade of grass that breaks through the soil.” It’s a line from Jeong Ho-seung’s poem “When the Heart Becomes Poor.” Somehow, it comforts me. Since poetry is open to interpretation, if I try to find my own reason, be it love or happiness, usually we try to fill our hearts with something pretty and beautiful, but I think my heart doesn’t need to be filled with great happiness and stability. That’s because even if my heart is filled with soil, new sprouts can still grow from it.

ASAHI

I noticed you were meticulous in choosing your outfits with the stylist. Do you enjoy photo shoots?

I have a lot of interest in fashion, so I find it fun to wear styles in photoshoots that I don't usually wear. I really liked the red outfit today.

This is the first time you’ve shot with Hyunsuk, Doyoung, and Junghwan together. How does it feel?

It was refreshing since it’s our first time shooting together! Junghwan started as a trainee at a young age, which must have been difficult, but he’s very thoughtful. As I talk to him more, I notice how clear his thoughts are and how he seems to being gradually becoming more mature these days.. Doyoung is someone I can be playful with anytime. I’m always grateful for that. Hyunsuk hyung is like a mother figure I rely on. He’s reliable on stage but in everyday life, he has an innocent, inquisitive boyish charm.

Your single album in a year is coming up. Any memorable moments from preparing it?

I remember on the first day of practice, we all lay flat on the floor. (laughs) With 10 of us doing the choreo, it’s a song that shows a very intense and cool performance. There's hardly any time to rest. I think we can show a new side of us, so I’m very much looking forward to it.

Is there something you particularly want the fans to notice?

We shot the music video in various streets and sets.  I liked it since when we were monitoring because the colors and outfits came out nicely, so I hope our fans like it too.

I listened to your self-composed song “Sickness” from the last album. The acoustic rhythm and emotional lyrics were impressive. Are you still working on music?

Except when I occasionally visit vintage shops, I spend almost all day in the studio. I have a studio in our company, and recently I often work until dawn. Members drop by sometimes, like Junghwan did yesterday. I play them my songs and ask, "What do you think?"

Among TREASURE members, you’re known to preserve "romance." When was the last time you found a romantic moment in your daily life?

I recently bought a cassette player. At first, the noise was unfamiliar, but I got hooked. I guess I missed those small actions like pressing a button and inserting a tape. Nowadays, we just give the streaming service one touch to listen to music. I like LPs too, and it’s fun to think this was how people in the past listened to music while listening to themq.

What music did you listen to?

I listened to Prince, Tatsuro Yamashita's city pop, and I try to find new songs every day. I usually listen to disco, funk, and old pop.

After finishing last year’s Asia tour, you recently completed your first tour performance in Manila, Philippines. Have you noticed any changes in yourself?

I used to focus on not making any mistakes on stage, but now I try to enjoy it more comfortably rather than giving 100% all the time. When we performed in my hometown Osaka at Kyocera Dome, it was amazing. I don’t usually cry, but seeing my members at the end of the concert made me tear up.

You came to Seoul from Osaka to become a trainee, and you’ve been with the members from your late teens into your twenties. What do the members mean to you?

I could come this far because of the ten of us together. If I didn’t have these members, wouldn’t I be in a corner of my room in Osaka... They are an absolute presence that have to be by my side even in the future.

What's your goal for this year?

My goal is always the same: to become a team that is able to give off good energy. I want to show a stage that makes people smile with happiness when they see TREASURE. As Asahi, my goal is to upgrade. I keep reminding myself like self-hypnosis, "You can do more."

DOYOUNG

You just took your first photoshoot with BAZAAR. What preparations did you make before the shoot?

I was really excited since coming in. I get bloated easily, so I’ve fasted since 8PM yesterday after exercising. And I took a hot shower in the morning. I was fully prepared. (Laughs)

We saw photos from your childhood on Weverse. 

Did you see them? To commemorate Children's Day, I shared a photo from 3rd grade elementary school when I was holding a hamster. At that time, I ate a lot, when I came home from school, I would immediately open the rice cooker to eat. (Laughs) I was hesitant to post it, but fans liked it. It seems like fans want to know about small things, so I try to respond wittily. 

Your new song has a powerful image, quite different from before. What preparations did you make for the new album?

For the dance, much practice was done to focus on the core and for the singing,  I tried to change my vocalizations to present a solid and stable image. Externally, I tried bleaching my hair for the first time since debut, and I hope it’s looked upon favorably.

After last year's debut, you've been actively participating in various activities such as your first Asia tour, T5 unit activities, and releasing a full album. What are your physical fitness tips?

I'm trying to exercise more. At the company gym, I get personal training from master trainer ( DL note: Hwangssabu), and work hard on my personal exercises. Actually, I kinda enjoy muscle soreness. If I imagine that my muscles are growing, I can endure the pain. I am working hard on eating well, so now I can easily eat two servings of kimchi pork belly. (Laughs)

Do you have a gym buddy?

Recently, I often go with leader Jihoon and the youngest, Junghwan. After which, I feel refreshed and start my day energetically.

Besides dance and exercise, you also said you like quiet hobbies like playing the piano, right?

I used to relieve stress by learning the piano, but lately, I've been focusing on exercising, so I've drifted away from it for a while. Listening to classical music calms my mind. I especially like Debussy because I enjoy playing softly. Someday, I want to show my piano performance in front of our fans!

Is there a changed mindset while standing on various stages?

There’s always something regrettable when standing on stage. And then, I work towards making up for that bit in the next performance, so I feel like my shortcomings are decreasing. I've been able to attempt various things each day. I'm getting more ambitious to show diverse stages to Treasure Makers.

When is your favorite moment on stage?

When we go on stage, the lights are off until the song comes on, so nothing can be seen except the fans' lights. TREASURE’s lightsticks are called ‘Teulights’, and when I see Teulights, I feel really excited and it gives me goosebumps. In that short time, I get an overwhleming feeling from our fans as happiness and excitement intertwine with each other.

As a group in its fifth year, are there any aspects you feel proud of or want to praise yourself for?

When we receive awards at award ceremonies, members often say to each other, "We've worked through a lot," and I feel really touched and grateful for the hardships we've endured. In future, when TREASURE’s unique color is more defined, I want to stand on more stages.

You've been busy with single albums and tours for half of this year. Do you have any goals you want to achieve in the remaining year?

"We are TREASURE." I want to firmly imprint the team called TREASURE to more people.

SO JUNGHWAN

Your hairstyle has changed, hasn't it? I heard you had long hair for quite some time.

Yes, I cut a lot of it. It was my first time trying bleaching, but with this color, it doesn’t show the bleaching much which is a bit disappointing (laughs). I gained about 6kg compared to during "BONA BONA" and "MOVE(T5)" activities.

You recently finished your first performance of the Manila leg of your Asia tour in the Philippines. How do you feel meeting global fans after a year since last year?

Each country's fans have their own characteristics so touring is very exciting. Especially this time, after finishing our Japan tour, there was a few months before we got back on tour, we were hungry for the stage. It was good to feel that hot enthusiasm again. Even though it's the same stage, it feels new every time. I think I'm gradually gaining the leisure to enjoy it.

Enjoyable state, sounds nice, doesn’t it? I wonder what kind of appearance you will show in your new song this time.

Since it's a song about blind love, the vocals are very powerful. It's actually my favorite among all the music videos we've shot so far! This time, the music video scale is incredibly large and splendid. The concept is very clear, so I think it will be fun to watch the stage.

When it comes to TREASURE, it's about performance. What should we pay attention to when the song and choreography are released?

Like "JIKJIN," the choreography for this new song is very direct. If I spoil the performance, I think your expectations will get too high, so I'll refrain.

2023 was a year that Junghwan showed various activities, including T5 unit activities. Do you sometimes look back on the past?

I think last year was very happy. Especially during unit activities, I was definitely more nervous. It's easier to get noticed with 5 members than with 10. I prepared hard by going back to how I first started again. With that, I felt satisfied with each stage personally. I have the ambition to show an improved version, even a little, every year.

Is there a particular part where you are more ambitious this year?

Bringing happiness to those who see us. Let's live happily without regrets every day. And let's smile no matter what happens! It's my thought as I welcome January 1st. I've been living like that so far. I think it's important to give fans positive energy. So finding happiness and smiling every day ultimately influences our performance on stage. And this is something I want to achieve someday. For at least once, I want to create a stage where I feel like I truly enjoyed it 100%. For a stage where I enjoyed, and also feel proud and satisfied, I need to work harder.

TREASURE is now entering its fifth year since its debut. Do you feel that the moments of pride and achievement are becoming more frequent?

We're already in our 5th year? I'm twenty now (laughs). I didn't realize how time flew by so quickly. I try to be as realistic as possible and think about how I can improve. I try to stay as faithful to reality as possible, holding on to my initial intentions, yet constantly pondering how I can improve. Rather than dwelling on the past, I want to be a person that grows while envisioning the specific future that I really want to realize.

What does the future look like for Junghwan now?

I hope I'll be happy, and in reality, wouldn’t that be the case? I'm happy just being with my brothers, even there's nothing special going on.

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