[Interview] Big Bang Interview series on Star News

 

The idol group of 5 men, BIGBANG, rarely speak out their minds in public. BIGBANG (T.O.P, G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri) have just released their Special Edition Album which features their double title songs.

The music video for "Love Song" was shot near Jeollabuk-do. It was originally planned to be filmed on the 7th but while filming, the rainy weather suddenly came. In order to shoot this "blockbuster" video, they used four big cranes.

After they released the "Special Edition Album", they have already climbed up to the 1st spot of real-time charts which proves the power of BIGBANG yet again. The production of the music video of "Love Song" has cost them 200 million won since they have used technology that has never been introduced before.

They used camera with a four-point wire as their main camera. Such kind of camera can synthesize the graphics to make the images look more realistic. The agency of BIGBANG, YG Entertainment said, "This is advanced technology only used by Hollywood films and broadcasts of the World Cup and Olympic Games."

Today, BIGBANG members did not only film their music video but they also shared some exclusive updates with Star News about their new album, future plans and many more stories.

  

Part 1: Impressed by "I am a singer... the pride of being a singer"

Q: ‘TONIGHT’ has sold more than 160000 copies by now and 1 month later after its release, you released a new special edition album. Why?

GD: In February, we released a new mini album and the response that we received was good. We are very thankful for it. However, it has been a long time since we became active again. Therefore, we want to show you many things that we have prepared in this album. The double title songs, ‘Stupid Liar’ and ‘Love Song’ and Daesung's solo, 'Baby Don't Cry', make it the best album to show our individuality. We have debuted for 5 years already but we think it is the best album since we tasted the fun and expectation producing it as we did at the very beginning.

T.O.P: In ‘Stupid Liar’ and ‘Love Song’, we want to convey a natural feeling so I will not wear smoky eyes make up. Haha. Now, we will show you how varied our colors can be and it seems that we convey you a feeling of maturity, too.

Q: Why do you have double title tracks this time?

GD: We have been working with Teddy Hyung for a long time in producing ‘Love Song’. I think it can go well with spring season since the feeling of the season matches the sentiment that we want to convey in the song. It can also show you that we have been listening to a lot of foreign music, you should be able to get a refreshing feeling when you listen to BIGBANG nowadays. ‘Stupid Liar’ has a tinge of rock which is a song about a woman cheated on her man but how a man can still stay positive.

TY: For ‘Stupid Liar’, I think older people will like it since they might experience this case before which is the biggest selling point of the song.

Q: Please tell us about the mini album ‘TONIGHT that you released last February. The response you got was good.

GD: It has been a long time since we worked together so when we are working, we just feel like working at home with good mood. Therefore, fans can treat us as oppas of the neighborhood rather than idols now. The great support that we received from fans towards ‘TONIGHT’ is a great encouragement to us and it has strengthened us.

Q: Without any promotion in US, ‘TONIGHT’ album has entered U.S. Billboard and also the Top 10 of World Album chart too.

T.O.P: When we knew about the news, we did not feel anything immediately but later, I feel good and think that I have shouldered with more responsibility.

GD: I feel the same too. This news made us think that there are a lot of foreigners listening to our music. And we also think that we are competing indirectly with international musicians too. It is another reason for us to work harder on our music.

Q: The passion towards music is still great. These days, when MBC airs, ‘I am a singer’, you cannot be in it unless you have passion. Have you ever watched it?

GD: Lately, I am impressed by the programme. A controversy has emerged because some contestants broke the rules which might not impress some people but it really touched me. I feel really good when I see talented senior singers come out to perform and give their best on the stage. I am impressed by singers who perform with all of their heart.

TY: I feel really good when I see the talented seniors to perform on the stage greatly. And the fact that the programme focuses on the singing makes it even more impressive.

T.O.P: It is a music programme that can hardly be seen nowadays since it enables the seniors to perform on their stage. I hope that in the future, there are more programmes like this which let the audience to watch the wonderful performance of the senior singers.

Part 2: The contract renewal between YG and BIGBANG

Q: It is very memorable that you announced the renewal of your contracts with YGE for another 5 years on 7th. Why did you make this decision?

DS: We have been discussing about this issue among ourselves for a long time. However, then we came to conclusion that we still want to be in YG. It is the company that we grew up and being trained in music field. Moreover, it is where we are familiar with too. It is true that we did not even try to contact other companies. Haha.

TY: I have been in YG for more than 10 years ever since I started training at 6th grade and I really like it here. Like what Daesung said, after we all have looked at this issue objectively, we think that the best place we should remain is YG, so we renewed the contracts.

T.O.P: Regarding that, the members have no problems in gathering an unanimous opinion. There is too much music that we want to show under the name of BIGBANG which we can achieve in YG. The president (Yang Hyun Suk) left us space to think about our renewal. YG and BIGBANG have much faith and trust in each other.

GD: Youngbae and I were trainees in YG since we were studying in elementary school. To all members, YG is more than a working place but also a family. We spent most of our teenage time here. Now, we seemed to know a bit of how our president is thinking. Haha. It seems to be natural that renewal of our contracts is a big issue but it is just not the case for us because we always think that we will stay with YG no matter we have a contract with YG or not. I like the relationship that BIGBANG and other singers share and in this case, both the company and singers can grow.

VI: I just feel like how my hyungs are feeling. I always want to be together with BIGBANG and I can do so when I am in YG so it is not surprising that we renew the contracts. Haha.

Q: It has been 5 years since BIGBANG made their debut. Now, you have renewed the contract for 5 years unless something happens, you will be staying together for 10 years. It seems that you are a band which can stay long.

DS: I would like to stay with BIGBANG until the very end. Please keep on supporting us.

TY: My dream is that BIGBANG can be like Rolling Stones which can perform in the public always. I will strive hard since I want to hear words like, "BIGBANG's music is really nice" even when we are old.

T.O.P: Even later when public get tired of us, I would still be there with BIGBANG until the last. This is my dream to let others recognize us as a super star like ‘Rolling Stone’ in Japan and Korea.

Part 3: Will donate some of the earnings from the Japan tour

Q: You have released the special edition album today. What is your future plan?

GD: On 10th, we will perform on SBS, ‘Inkigayo’ for we have released the special edition of the album. We will promote in different places to meet with our local fans.

T.O.P: This year, we plan to meet a lot of local fans under the name of BIGBANG since we thought there are a lot of people supporting this album.

Q: You planned to have your Japan tour in May.

GD: We will perform in Japan for about 9 time. In fact, these days are the sad days in Japan (because of the tsunami), we should have cancelled the tour and worry about our safety. However, there is a strong desire from Japan about us holding the tour according to the plan so we decided to stand up for our Japanese fans by giving them power through the shows. Last March, YG Entertainment has donated 500 million won for the relief work in Japan. We will also donate a part of our earnings from this tour for this purpose.

T.O.P: I think it is good to keep our promise to meet our fans in Japan in the Japanese tour.

Q: Please tell us BIGBANG’s plan after the Japan tour.

TY: In the second half of the year, we may release one more album of BIGBANG but we always put the quality first so there might be changes in the plan.

GD: In the second half of the year, we will collaborate with the famous producers of America and Europe for our new album. However, although we can have very good collaboration, it may take time for us to communicate with each other.

DS: For me, nowadays, I have to record for SBS programme’ Night After Night’ every week since I am one of the MCs. It seems that if I keep taking part in this programme, it is harder for me to do both the BIGBANG activities and filming at the same time. And, I am preparing my solo album step by step so that it will be able to be released someday.

T.O.P: It is not like our comeback will be delayed. Our aim of this year is to keep being active. However, for me, I want to meet all of you. Haha.

VI: I will be with my brothers both in Korea or in other places and I will try my best. Please support us.

Q: The last question, by now, what do you want to say to the juniors?

GD: We have so many groups nowadays and the performance given by them are not confident enough. We want them to improve on this part. There may not be very often for you to perform but I want to tell the junior idols that if chances arise, they should seize them in order to gain them more chances in the future.

T.O.P: I have done a lot of performances with the members of BIGBANG and I have been able to see some enthusiastic audiences from time to time. Young people really possess some qualities I want to have. A while ago, I had a chance to visit YG trainees. There are too many excellent people and we think that they will be welcomed by the fans.

Source: Star News
Translated by: Rice @ bigbangupdates