Original Korean Article DAZEDKOREA

A BRIGHT STAR THAT WILL ONLY SHINE EVEN BRIGHTER

**(L-R)JIHOON,HARUTO, SO JUNGHWAN, DOYOUNG, CHOI HYUNSUK,**

CHOI HYUNSUK, JIHOON, DOYOUNG, HARUTO, SO JUNGHWAN

How was it today?

HYUNSUK I'm feeling really excited. I was shouting throughout the entire shoot. The mood was very cool, and I enjoyed wearing clothes in my favorite style.

JIHOON I haven't done many photoshoots before, so every time we have one, it's really fun and I look forward to it. I worked hard on my diet to look good and looked up a lot of photos. The results of my diet were clearly visible, and I felt a sense of accomplishment.

JUNGHWAN Everything is still new to me. All of us really wanted to do the photoshoot.

Now that all of TREASURE is gathered, let me ask one question. You've just finished the activities of T5, TREASURE's unit with 5 members instead of ten. How was the 'MOVE' comeback?

JIHOON In my life, I have numerous goals. I have a big dream of becoming a singer, and I have detailed plans for it. T5 was an unexpected opportunity among them. The dance video received over 36 million views, and it ranked high on Japanese music charts. Getting significant results from an unexpected chance gave me a greater sense of accomplishment.

JUNGHWAN It was my first unit activity, so there were many interesting aspects. There was a lot to be mindful of. Going from 10 members to 5, I stood out a lot. I paid more attention and put in a lot of effort. It was fun and satisfying to do it while enjoying myself. The satisfaction level was high too. I was fully immersed in 'MOVE.' I thought about how to match the mood better. I did a lot of research on my own and watched videos of various artists. I even changed my hairstyle to match the style.

DOYOUNG Everywhere we went, there were a lot of members, so I always felt secure. But when we reduced to half, it felt awkward. It felt like going from one serving to two, and I felt more responsibility.

I heard that Doyoung put on weight for the T5 activities.

DOYOUNG Yes, I worked out a lot to increase muscle mass. I'm still doing it now, mainly focusing on weight training.

How much can you lift?

DOYOUNG Haha, I still can't lift a lot. It varies depending on the exercise. It's cute, but recently, I lifted over 100 kg in deadlifts. There are many people who are much stronger, so it's a bit embarrassing. I'm just getting started.

I contributed to the views of the 'MOVE' dance video. It's famous for showing your well-defined abs in the '3-min 5-sec video.'

JIHOON Interestingly, we really didn't expect that video to be uploaded. We filmed the dance video as usual, just a simple monitoring video, and then it got uploaded.

Fans prefer such a natural appearance. Treasure Maker said, "TREASURE never appears nervous on any stage."

DOYOUNG We’ve been on various stages since our debut, and rather than saying we don't get nervous, I think we tend to enjoy it more. When we're nervous on stage, the audience doesn't feel comfortable either. It's a shame then. So, we try to enjoy it together and show it confidently.

Shall we talk about the second full album "REBOOT" ahead of your comeback? Literally, it means "starting again”.

JUNGHWAN "BONA BONA" is TREASURE’s powerful comeback song. The song has many elements of a band, and when you listen to it, you'll feel a powerful and grand atmosphere. We also incorporated choreography that enhances that marching band-like feeling. All the TREASURE members worked hard to bring this performance, and I believe the results will be even more visible on stage. I hope you'll watch our performance with full attention.

DOYOUNG I think of "MOVE" as an extension of it. We'll try to make it even cooler and more charismatic. "BONA BONA" has a strong beat. There's also individual performances from each member to showcases their sharp moves, so I hope you pay attention to that. There's also a performance where each member showcases their individual charisma, so I hope you pay attention to that part as well.

HYUNSUK You can think of this album as one that encompasses all generations. You'll definitely feel that when you listen to all the songs on the album. The structure is very diverse. "I WANT YOUR LOVE" is a song that's all about having fun, and "RUN," "G.O.A.T," and "B.O.M.B" focus more on the lyrics. I hope you enjoy all the tracks comfortably.

Are there any other members' parts that stand out in "BONA BONA"?

JUNGHWAN Hyunsuk Hyung’s rap. All the rap parts are great, but Hyunsuk’s part is especially good. His flow is really smooth and cool.

HYUNSUK You picked the rap part. The three of us had a lot of fun making it, thinking, "Let's just enjoy and write it our way!" I'm also very satisfied. For my part this time, I took inspiration from my favorite artists. I'm a big fan of Playboi Carti and NLE Choppa, and I was heavily influenced by these two rappers. I've mentioned them often, so fans would know them.

HARUTO I worked on the rap part with a lot of deliberation, and I'm satisfied with how it turned out, as I put a lot of thought into it.

Haruto, your voice is really unique. It's like a deep cave voice.

HARUTO It wasn't like this from the beginning. During my voice changing phase, I used to shout a lot, and that's how my voice turned out like this. It was a buildup for my current voice. (laughs) I'm satisfied that I found my own style. I'm also researching rapping in a higher tone. I'll show you a new tone of rap soon. I'm studying a lot to expand the spectrum of my voice.

August 7th marks your 3rd anniversary since debut.

JIHOON It feels like it went by so quickly that I can't even remember it. Looking back, we've grown a lot, but I still dream of achieving even more. The standards we set also gets higher.

HYUNSUK When we debuted, I used to wonder when the first year would pass, and now it's already been 3 years. It still hasn't quite sunk in. There isn't any particular overwhelming emotion right now, but I think there will be that sense of excitement on the actual day. They say where there's a beginning, there's an end, but I hope there's no end for TREASURE. Even on our 3rd anniversary, we'll be looking forward to the next 10 or 20 years .

JUNGHWAN At my age, it’s nice to keep a record of myself. I want to continue being a well-balanced person. I want to excel in everything I do, to be someone who can do everything exceptionally well. Nowadays, I create a lot of homework for myself to keep improving. There's so much more I want to do now compared to when we first started. I’ve become more accustomed, and I have more bandwidth, so I'm putting effort into various things.

What were your school days like?

JUNGHWAN When I was young, I was very active, but I gradually became quieter. If I had taken an MBTI test in elementary school, I would probably have been classified as an extrovert (E). Nowadays, the most noticeable activities I’m seen doing are playing table tennis with Doyoung hyung or going out to eat.

HYUNSUK It's not much different from now. I was just a kid who liked hip-hop and soccer. At first, I did classical singing. In my family, there's this tradition that if you're born, you try classical singing at least once. I started with soprano in the choir and eventually got into hip-hop culture. Watching Bigbang seniors, I thought, "This is it!" At one point, I was so passionate about soccer that I even dreamed of becoming a professional player.

And now, that kid has grown up to debut as the leader of TREASURE.

HYUNSUK Before I knew it, I found myself in the role of the leader. It's a enviable position too, especially because our company seniors are so cool. Strangely, being called the eldest brother felt even more overwhelming than being the leader. Everywhere I went, I was either the youngest or in the middle. I still haven't fully adapted to being the eldest. Taking care of someone is still challenging for me. Being a leader is really fun. The weight of it is very enjoyable. It's fulfilling, and it gives me a sense of responsibility.

JIHOON Because our seniors set examples of leaders becoming the core and role models of the team, it has become a positive form of pressure in various aspects. We have to show a lot of good things, and there's a pressure to avoid slumps and keep improving. I'm a perfectionist. The result is more important than the process for me. Right now, I'm only looking ahead to reach the goal, and I'm enjoying that process.

Just now when the members were passing by noisily, I saw you made things quiet with a simple gesture, and I thought, "This is the power of a leader."

HYUNSUK I'm not that strict, though. (laughs) I'm more like a mom figure. When you think of a leader, you might picture someone imposing and strong, right? Maybe it’s my personality, I can't be tough on the kids or create a harsh atmosphere. I think it's most important to maintain a warm team atmosphere. Of course, there were times like that before our debut as well. I made them train diligently and gave them a lot of advice. Now, I try to understand their hearts better and make it easier for them to lean on me.

What do you usually do when you have some free time?

HARUTO I take walks while listening to music. After having a meal at the dorm, I often walk to Baskin-Robbins alone to get Very Berry Strawberry ice cream and then come back. I do eat mint chocolate if it's available, but I don't spend my own money on it. I prefer Very Berry Strawberry or New York Cheesecake. (laughs) I also go to the Han River for a walk at night from time to time.

Nighttime by the Han River sounds like a perfect setting for the sentimental.

HARUTO When I walk by the Han River, I see all kinds of people. I find inner peace as I watch happy people. Just looking at them makes me feel good. I also contemplate my own happiness. I'm happiest when I'm on stage. I'm grateful for the people who sing along to our songs and support us. I don't dream of any extraordinary happiness. I'm very happy with where I am right now.

If you keep running forward without looking back, there are bound to be tough moments.

HARUTO Nowadays, I feel like it's a waste of time to have such thoughts. When things get tough, I just talk to the older members right away. It's the best solution. With so many members, you can get various advice. Some members empathize emotionally, and others provide practical advice. It's interesting to hear different feedback, and before I know it, my concerns are resolved.

JIHOON I often hear that from people around me. But I prefer to run hard until I get tired. I think it's better to run until you collapse rather than not even try and achieve no results. When you're running towards a goal, it's natural to encounter difficulties and setbacks, and taking a moment to rest is all part of the process. It's more thrilling and satisfying that way.

Aren't you worried?

JIHOON I don't have such thoughts. I have faith that I can always lean on the members who support and lift me up, my parents, and the people at our company.

JUNGHWAN I haven't really worried. Whenever it got tough, I received help. My older members, parents, the company, and friends have all helped me maintain my mental state. I'm in a very healthy condition now.

While preparing for this interview, I watched all your content "TREASURE MAP" and "TMI LOG." If there's one episode you'd like to recommend to the fans, which one would it be?

JUNGHWAN A lot of fans are looking forward to "TREASURE MAP" Season 3, and in our upcoming content, you'll be able to see a more raw and unfiltered side of TREASURE. In the past, we tried to show only the pretty side, but this time, we’ll let it all hang out. You'll see a new side of us as we pursue funny moments.

If there's a charm about yourself that the public still doesn't know about, what would it be?

HYUNSUK I'm quite cool-headed about myself, so this question is a bit challenging. However, if I had to say, it might be hip-hop and rap. Also, I feel confident expressing myself when a camera is on me. Please watch my videos for that aspect. You will be able to see it.

JIHOON I may not appear that way, but I'm actually a very cute person. In TREASURE, I'm the older brother, but at home, I'm still the youngest. People say that humans don't lose their true nature, so I still have a charming, cute side. The cuteness of the youngest son, perhaps? (laughs)

JUNGHWAN I'm naturally good at using my body because I have fast reflexes. Back in elementary school, there were 180 students, and I was the best in sports there. (laughs) Starting from the fourth grade, I excelled in sports, so even the sixth graders were scared of me. I participated in track and field competitions and learned many different sports.

DOYOUNG What we've shown in the past three years is only about 30% of our potential. Our potential and possibilities are boundless, so I hope you'll keep watching. Give it a try, watch TREASURE-related videos or listen to our songs for the just three days.

I did that myself. While preparing for this interview, I watched a lot of your content for three days, and I now understand why fans love you so much. Your relationships with each other are really great.

DOYOUNG It's fascinating. We're the people involved, so we can't feel it directly. Hearing stories like this makes us really happy. Our songs are also great. Please listen to them a lot. In the <REBOOT> album, I personally like "B.O.M.B" the most. The chorus is addictive. Even though the lyrics are straightforward, lines like "I throw my love, explode in your heart" left a deep impression. The simple content, when expressed in a song, fits well and I like it.

JUNGHWAN Since there are 10 members, we can create fun combinations like "Ddaeng-ddaengs" (the puppies) and "Mad-maks" (the eldest-youngest). Also, we are good at live performances. I hope you enjoy our stages together.

TREASURE comes across as humble yet internally strong.

HYUNSUK Bridging that gap is very challenging. ehe upbringing from our parents was important. We heard a lot about humility and self-esteem since we were young. Fortunately, it seems to have worked well.

HARUTO I hope TREASURE always stays the same as when we started. We think a lot about not losing our original mindset. It would be really sad if our older brothers, whom I see more often than my family, were to change. We are committed to staying true to our initial self together.

This is the first time we've had such a cheerful and enjoyable interview. We look forward to what’s in store with TREASURE.

JIHOON I still have so many goals. Even if we have just one fan who loves us, I want to perform for them. I have a strong desire to directly convey our presence. I want to become an irreplaceable artist.

DOYOUNG I don't think I’ve reached the goals I want to achieve yet, so even if it's tough, I won't give up. I tend to pursue perfection, so it's hard to pinpoint where I am. I want people to say, 'TREASURE is recognized,' 'they're cool,' 'they're artists we trust.'

HYUNSUK Initially, I thought I must fulfill the set framework. Now, I have a mindset of going beyond the framework and creating more creatively."

The artist temperament is evident.

HYUNSUK I'm studying with all my heart. So I often visit galleries and exhibitions. I also watch various genres of movies. I'm diligently exploring and researching areas that can help me on the path to becoming an artist.

In the end, what kind of image do you want to leave with the public?

HYUNSUK With this album, we want people to say, "These guys are artists," and "They know how to make music." We also want to show that we've grown to the next level. We hope our efforts will be conveyed to many people.

DOYOUNG Since I've received a lot of healing through music when I was going through difficult times, I also want to become someone who gives strength to others through songs. That's the direction I most aspire to. Being someone who provides comfort and healing through music is my ultimate personal goal.

I'm curious about the songs that Doyoung found healing in. Could you recommend some songs that each of you personally loves?

DOYOUNG There are really a lot of songs, but one that comes to mind right now is "Seventeen" by Wave Racer. It starts off dreamy and helps put your mind at ease. I recommend listening to it when it's raining. It makes your heart feel calm.

JIHOON I want to become a rock star. Even the word "rock" is in "rock bottom" and “rock the boat” (Korean word pun) (laughs) I think everything is made up of rock. There's a rebellious charm to it. I recommend "Touch Too Much" by AC/DC and "Shout at the Devil" by Mötley Crüe.

If we talk about today's TMI, what do you have to share?

HARUTO I spent the morning from 8 AM diligently dealing with the streaks in my bleached hair for a photoshoot, and there were even black and white tones. I think the hair salon manager was side-eyeing a little. (laughs)

HYUNSUK I got new nail art done today, and I did it myself. After applying it once, I realized it also looks like an accessory. It makes my fingers feel more luxurious.

JUNGHWAN I did some exfoliation skincare preparation for today, and I also ate foods that help reduce puffiness. I've been eating these kinds of foods since "MOVE," and it's been effective, so I've stuck with it. (laughs)

DOYOUNG Junghwan, which part are you trying to reduce puffiness from? (laughs) As for me, I visited a dermatologist today. TREASURE is a group that takes care of our body.

(L-R)YOSHI, PARK JEONGWOO,ASAHI,JUNKYU, YOON JAEHYUK,

YOSHI, JUNKYU, YOON JAEHYUK, ASAHI, PARK JEONGWOO

Since today is July 27th, your comeback is tomorrow.

JAEHYUK It's been almost a year since we came back as a complete group. I hope the viewers think we look cool. I don't usually frown (to look cool), but this time, I had to frown quite a bit on stage. (Laughs)

JUNKYU All the members wanted to show a slightly different side of ourselves, and the timing was just right. We also made some changes to our appearances.

YOSHI I also dyed my hair pink, and everyone said it was epic. Personally, I really like this album the most.

The album title for your 2nd full album, "REBOOT," is quite meaningful. Do you feel confident about it?

ASAHI Our older members introduce the album so well that I'm usually in the corner here (laughs), but they gave me a lot of strength. Really cool.

JEONGWOO I feel that everyone has grown a lot both externally and internally. So, I have a desire to show a more mature side. I always want to be a small source of strength or comfort to our fans. With that in mind, I'm doing my best as always. We prepared this album with that attitude.

Is that the end? Feel free to brag some more.

YOSHI Have you listened to track 6, 'STUPID’? (laughs) Please give it a listen. We included my first self-composed song in this album. The beat is rock and exciting, but the lyrics are sad. It's about a boy who loves someone but has to let them go due to various circumstances and reasons. So, the song is about him regretting and saying, "I'm really stupid." In my opinion, it's a very sophisticated song. (laughs)

ASAHI A song that first came out in the Japanese version, track 10, 'LOVE SICK,' is also great. Yes, “sick” like an illness. I wrote this song when I was a trainee.

The previously released unit song 'MOVE' by TREASURE UNIT T5 is also included in this album. I listen to it frequently.

JUNKYU Thank you. (laughs) We had a fun time working on 'MOVE.' Being chosen as the pre-release track definitely increased our desire to do better. But as time goes on, I feel like I should do even better and keep improving. These days, I'm also practicing letting go of such ambition. Since there are failures, there will be successes too right? So, I think we should enjoy our failures as well.

Of course, just by looking at your attitudes and appearances while speaking, it's clear that each individual is unique. How about each of you share something you like? Anything is fine.

ASAHI I listen to bossa nova in the summer. I'm also interested in interior design, and I enjoy art and fashion. I don't want to waste a single minute or second, so I try to use my time well. I enjoy trying out various things with that mindset. Even if I have a multi-tab in front of me, I'll explore cooking and other things.

YOSHI I like songs from the second generation of K-pop seniors. I really liked the music of Bigbang and 2NE1. I drew a lot of inspiration while working on my original song 'STUPID.'

JAEHYUK I also like songs by YG artists. I'm doing a lot of research while striving to develop my own style and uniqueness.

JEONGWOO I'm into ballads. I find it fun that I can express so much just with my voice.

JUNKYU Everyone is so distinct and different. I try hard to listen to a variety of songs, both from the YouTube world and from beyond. And... chicken, honey soy sauce flavor. (laughs)

Jeongwoo, you sang ballads by Na Yoon Kwon and Yoon Sang on 'King of Masked Singer,' right? As a vocalist, you have a deep and broad range of emotions. How do you see your own voice?

JEONGWOO My voice? It's ordinary. (laughs) It's ordinary, but when it comes to conveying emotions, it becomes sincere. When I sing with all my heart, I feel like that sincerity gets through to the listeners, and it makes me feel good. The happiness I feel when singing is immense.

Your eyes are sparkling.

JEONGWOO Actually, it feels like singing is the only thing that I have passion and ambition for in my life. It's almost like destiny. I love it that much. To that extent, while doing my best in my role within the group, I want to keep finding my unique voice and emotions that only I can convey. Thinking, "I should try this later," or "I should try that later."

Do you give each other feedback? Is it an obvious question?

ASAHI Haruto and I share a workspace, so we often talk about music. Sometimes, I ask for help with rap parts. When I play the demos I made to the members, they all seem to like it. I'm not sure if they're being sincere, though. (laughs) Anyway, I'm really grateful.

JAEHYUK Lately, I'm also working on music, and I feel good when the members give positive feedback. I have a dream. My goal in the near future is to work and sing with Hyunsuk hyung. I really respect him, so I want to make that happen. When I didn't know anything, I used to listen to his advice a lot. (laughs)

JEONGWOO Yeah, I listened to him a lot back then. (laughs)

JAEHYUK At that time, I used to feel a bit resentful towards the hyungs after getting scolded, but looking back, it's something I'm really grateful for. Even though the hyungs were busy, it's not easy to take care of all the members.

If there's something each of you considers important in music work?

YOSHI I'm particularly attentive to lyrics. Korean lyrics are beautiful, and they're good for rhyming, as well as expressing a lot of emotions. Since my trainee days, I've been quite ambitious about writing lyrics, so I've received advice to read poems a lot. A staff gave me a collection of poems by Yun Dong-ju. I still make sure to read it before writing lyrics.

JUNKYU It's popularity for me. I want to be the hit song generator for TREASURE. (laughs) If I get too personal or get too deeply involved, I've found from experience that I can stray from popularity. I consider popularity a lot, thinking that this song isn't just for me, but for the team and the company.

ASAHI To be honest, I don't really think of it as work. I just do it because I enjoy it, so is it more like a hobby than work? That's my mindset. It doesn't feel like a job. I just want to create things I want to make, try things I want to try, and if something good comes out of it, I'll build on it. Because anything forced is hard. I want to be more free and natural person.

YOSHI I think it's a big advantage from the perspective of someone who makes music. To show off my childhood a bit (laughs), I grew up listening to a wide variety of music. My father, who was in a band, liked British and American band music, and my older sister liked K-pop, while my mother enjoyed J-pop. I hope my music, influenced by such diverse tastes, can become a new style for YG.

What about Asahi's "mandatory" tasks? Something that's the complete opposite of music and far from it.

ASAHI You know, like in the morning, you have to wash your face, put on clothes, or ventilate the room, things that are truly essential. (laughs)

It's something that's a "must-do" because it's truly essential. You're from Osaka, right? Do you respond when someone says "shoot!" ("bbang!")?

ASAHI Is that a recent trend? I never imagined it would become popular in Korea. I don't even know how many times I've responded to it, but lately, I feel like I have this compulsion that I must respond in some way. So these days, I either dodge or catch it, something like that. (laughs)

You've completed some major tours over the past year. How was that experience?

JAEHYUK The memories of our Kyocera Dome concert are still vivid. I realized that our fans have been growing without me even noticing, and we've been receiving more and more love from them. Yoshi : I feel the same way. Thanks to our fans, I gained the confidence to think, "I'm the best" and "I'm great" during our tours. This kind of mindset seems to continue when creating new music.

JEONGWOO It was exciting and fun that everyone could react together to the same song. I was glad to be able to perform my cover songs that fans liked, and during the not-so-short tour, all the members have improved their live skills. (Laughs)

Being an idol is a dream that many people have at some point. Was it your dream originally?

JUNKYU No, I didn't have a clear picture of my dream until I entered the company. However, as I became a trainee and experienced the training, I naturally developed a desire to become someone like that and thought it was really cool. I think the environment played a big role in shaping my dream.

JEONGWOO Same here. When I think about my childhood, I used to write "doctor" as my future career choice (laughs), I’m not sure why. but I've always loved singing.

YOSHI I remember Kendrick Lamar once said, "I'm the one who represents you all" through his music, delivering both energy and a message. I found that incredibly cool, I remember I gained a lot of strength from that and it made me want to be someone's idol too. I had thoughts like, "Someday, I want to be someone who solves problems with music," "I want to empower people with my voice." Music has that kind of power.

JAEHYUK Actually, I was scouted and went on a broadcast show as a trainee all of a sudden. So when I think about it now, time passed by without me even having time to think. Currently, I'm asking myself a lot about what kind of music I want to do.

Speaking of which, Jaehyuk, you're the only member in TREASURE who was street-casted. Do you take pride in that?

JAEHYUK I don't really take pride in it, but it's unique in that it was the first time for YG. (laughs)

Is it the first time for the company?

JAEHYUK I was lucky. Haha.

By the way, I heard that there's a member here who is so shy that they can't even look others in the eye. Who could it be?

JAEHYUK Oh, that's me. I tend to be a bit shy, especially during fan sign events. I can't raise my head well. Even if I've practiced something 100%, if the fans are watching, it doesn't come out as well.

Being shy isn't a bad thing. From the perspective of TREASURE’s fandom, Treasure Makers, that side of you might be considered precious.

JAEHYUK That's true. I want to become closer to the fans as time goes on. Maybe if we meet more often, it will get better? Actually, our activities overlapped a lot with the pandemic in the past. Now, we should show ourselves more.

Your 3rd debut anniversary is coming up. How do you feel? Do you feel like you've grown a lot?

YOSHI Before auditioning, I was just a young boy in a random neighborhood in Japan. Somehow, I ended up receiving love from so many people, performing on stage, and doing what I love the most—music. Nowadays, just the fact that I'm making the music I love makes me truly happy.

JEONGWOO I debuted at 17, and time has flown by. Back then, I felt like I knew everything, but each year, I feel like I'm growing. These days, when I look at Junghwan, it makes me realize the time we've gone through. Junghwan is the youngest in our team, and he debuted at a very young age. Now, I think, "Wow, he's already grown up this much."

It seems like the youngest member has grown too.

JEONGWOO I first met Junghwan when he was in the 1st year of middle school. When we shared a room when we were younger, we used to argue a lot. Now, I want to be a friend to Junghwan. I think all the members have the same sentiment. We each have friends our own age, but Junghwan doesn't. So, these days, I feel a strong desire to teach him what I've experienced and learned before he goes through it.

When do you feel like you're truly "one team"? Is it always like that?

JAEHYUK Hmm... For example, if the four of us, including me, are traveling in the same car, and let's say three members are dozing off, the one who's awake will quietly go ahead and get ready. They do it thinking that if they go ahead and prepare, the other three can sleep a bit longer. All the members do this, so whenever that happens, I really feel like we're one team, and I'm thankful.

YOSHI When someone is feeling unwell or not in good condition, there's no need to say who will do it—someone will step up and help without hesitation. That's when we truly feel like one organization! It's amazing! (Laughs)

JEONGWOO While we might not express it that way, we all give back and take care of each other, as much as we receive.

I expected answers like "when we're perfectly in sync during choreography," so these responses are surprising and even better.

JAEHYUK Things like that are too obvious. They're just too obvious. (Laughs)

The trust and consideration you have for each other is always a beautiful thing. Do you feel like you've become adults now?

JUNKYU Um... I'm not quite sure about that yet. There are still many things I want to know, but I'm a homebody. (Laughs)

ASAHI When I look at the members, I do feel like we've grown, but we're still young. We have to become even better adults. However, even when we become adults, I want to preserve our childlike hearts.

That's like keeping your inner child alive?

ASAHI Yes, it's romantic! I am a romanticism.

What romanticist moments have you experienced recently?

ASAHI Yesterday, I went to the department store with Jaehyuk to buy his birthday present. His birthday was recently. I asked him, "What do you want?" and we looked at air purifiers, clothes, and various things. But Jaehyuk said, "Everything is fine." So, we were walking away from the department store half-defeated when we suddenly spotted a kick scooter. We both had this moment where we looked at each other and simultaneously thought, "This is it!" Jaehyuk and I, we are the "Romanticist Duo" in the team

When did the Romanticist Duo form?

ASAHI I became close to Jaehyuk less than a month after coming to Korea. Back then, my Korean language skills were poor, so I remember it like images. At that time, I felt like I had no voice. In that situation, Jaehyuk helped me a lot. We are both introverts, and it seems like Jaehyuk sensed it. I was wearing Converse shoes, and he initiated a conversation by saying, "You like Converse? I like them too." That's how he started talking to me, and then we became friends. It's a memory that will stick with me.

That must have been a memorable experience.

ASAHI Yes, it's quite memorable. Even though I couldn't speak Korean well at the time, I still remember it vividly.

How do the other members feel? Do they have a feeling they want to protect and never lose?

JUNKYU I have the feeling of never giving up. I respect that part of myself. I think it's because of that attitude that I've been able to come this far.

YOSHI This is more like my ambition, (laughs) but in the very distant future, after the Earth has been destroyed, and several centuries have passed, our album somehow falls into the hands of extraterrestrials. Then those aliens might listen to our album and say, "What is this song?" I hope they'll be surprised. It's not for anyone else; it's actually my own ambition. (laughs).

This is the first time I've heard such a grand ambition, even reaching extraterrestrials.

YOSHI I got this idea after watching the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." I like director Stanley Kubrick.

It seems that the word 'ambition' fits well with TREASURE right now. What ambitions do each of you have?

JUNKYU I want TREASURE to be something that fans, family, and people all around the world can be proud of. At the same time, I want to be someone who writes truly popular songs. I want to create songs that can represent the era, songs that are considered masterpieces.

ASAHI I want to create a lot of songs that tell stories about the path TREASURE has walked, stories about my family, and stories that convey my heart to the fans. Personally, I want to capture the emotions, perspectives, and things I feel, see, and hear in the moment. I hope I can express things through sound and lyrics that can't be explained in words.

JEONGWOO I want to do music for a really long time. There are emotions that you can only feel at a certain age. I want to capture those emotions well in music. I want to leave behind the songs I can create as TREASURE now, and as I become a person in my 30s and 40s, I want to capture the emotions I'll experience and complete them as a story.

JAEHYUK I'm really, really happy working with the members I like so much right now. If I only consider that, I'm 100% satisfied. This is my personal opinion, but I wish our team could last forever. So, I've been thinking recently, and if I blend and combine the members' names well, it becomes like wordplay. For example, if we have Junghwan and Jeongwoo, just for example. (laughs) If I phrase it like 'Decided(Junghan) to become adults / Let's live with friendship(woojeong),' all the members' names could fit into the lyrics. I want to create a song with our names stylishly packaged. It might sound old-fashioned, but if it's created well and stylishly, music will continue to be remembered.

From now on, or rather, from this moment, I hope all your ambitions come true. I'll also enjoy listening to your new song.

JAEHYUK The title track "BONA BONA" features a very grand sound, strong choreography reminiscent of a marching band, and unique music. It’d be great if you pay attention to TREASURE’s voices when you listen to it. (laughs)

Original Korean Article DAZEDKOREA

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