[Interview] Daesung @ PIA Magazine

:: 29 July

D-LITE (from Bigbang) first solo single is a cover of Yutaka Ozaki’s ‘I Love You’. In the PV he challenged his first kiss scene! Asia’s influential group Bigbang member D-LITE released his J-Pop cover album “D’scover” as his solo debut in February. After that, from March, he held 26 solo performances in 20 cities which mobilized 100,000 fans. He has just ended his solo tour and will be releasing a cover of J-Pop’s classic song, Yutaka Ozaki’s ‘I Love You’. The song producer is Seiji Kameda and he will also be collaborating with world renowned violinist Hakase Taro. What type of chemical reaction will happen?

PIA: For your first solo single you will be covering Yutaka Ozaki’s ‘I Love You’. This song has also been covered in Korea, do you know?
D-LITE: Yes, of course I do. It is also very famous in Korea. Aren’t there many people who also thought that this was a Korean song? This is a song that I like very much.

PIA: How did you feel after listening to Yutaka Ozaki’s original song?
D-LITE: The deepest impression I had was about the content of the song lyrics. The Korean version lyrics is a little different from the original lyrics. Although it talks about a warm and beautiful love as well, Yutaka Ozaki’s version talks about a painful and bitter story. I like the idea of the main character and the lover together.

PIA: What explanation did you add in for your version of ‘I Love You’?
D-LITE: When producing “D’scover”, I felt that it was important to add my own colors in without destroying the original song. This time I felt the same way too. After listening to the original song, what made my heart touched was Yutaka Ozaki’s lyrics and his straightforward performance. So during the first verse of the song, I tried to revive the vibe of the original song while in the second verse, I added what I felt was needed, which was an adventurer heart and strength to emphasize on D-LITE’s feelings.

PIA: Hakase Taro’s violin made the whole song more gracefully beautiful.
D-LITE: Usually I will always listen to the song’s melody a few times before recording so that the image of the song will appear in my mind and I would know how I should sing it. However for Hakase Taro’s violin melody, I just need to listen to it for a while and the image will appear in my mind immediately.

PIA: After your album “D’scover”, your new song is still a cover song. What is the charm of covering songs.
D-LITE: Listeners always have memories with the original songs. So when I cover a song there are many worries. While respecting the memories of the past, I must also add my own colors and summary of the song inside. Although it is the same song, but if listeners could create their new memories because of my new song, that is the charm.

PIA: You challenged a kiss scene in your PV. That is rather surprising!
D-LITE: Ahahaha, I am so embarrassed (laugh). When filming I was so nervous so I couldn’t think at all. Although we shot 5 times in total, I am still not very satisfied and I feel like filming it again (laugh). The rain droplets slides down the camera slowly which I think gave off a very beautiful atmosphere.

PIA: In the PV it talks about D-LITE eloping with his lover. ‘I Love You’ is a piece of work that talks about a love being destroyed due to age. Is D-LITE the type who will not bother about the consequences and just love?
D-LITE: In the past I did had experience where I just fall in love without thinking about anything… Then I was unable to focus on my work, I regretted.. Right now I have to consider many things, so I must work harder to ensure that I can balance both work and love.

PIA: If your girlfriend asks you to choose between work and her, how would you answer?
D-LITE: That, is so difficult.. I think I will probably answer “my body will choose work but my heart will choose you.” Ah~ although I just thought of it, but isn't this sentence good? I can use it eh. I feel that I am good (laugh).

PIA: What is your ideal type?
D-LITE: When together, both parties can feel relaxed. The inner heart must be in sync with me. As I value inner beauty more, so technically I will not have a “fall in love in one sight” situation.

PIA: Including your group and solo, D-LITE sings a variety of genre. Any stands about the genre of songs?
D-LITE: I feel that music is just like the ocean. Aren’t there all types of fishes in the ocean? The genres and fishes are the same. If there is only one, it is not special. To me, all genres is the same.

PIA: Although you are still covering songs for your solo, I really feel like listening to your original Japanese songs.
D-LITE: If there is a chance I would like to try too. I am not limited to only covering songs. Most importantly it is to do music that I love. All the songs that I covered are songs that I like. If the original songs are songs that I like too, I would like to try. If there are good fishes, I would like to catch one too. In truth I do not dare to touch fishes, but I love to eat it (laugh).

PIA: You have been on DLIVE tour constantly until the 23rd of June. What is the difference with the solo concert and Bigbang’s concert?
D-LITE: During Bigbang’s concert, even if I am unwell the other members will try to cover me. When looking at the members my energy will increase. But during solo, the band and staff members mood follows my condition. I can feel a stronger sense of responsibility during my solo tour.

PIA: Any new thoughts about Japanese fans after touring Japan nation-wide?
D-LITE: I am also very surprised. Compared to Bigbang’s concert, there are so many people who brought their family here. I am already very thankful when they come for my concert then I saw the audience ranging from kids to elderly who were all singing my song. Ha~… (deep breath). This is a happiness that I can’t explain. Japanese fans have been supporting and trusting me constantly. So I've trusted them too. This is the amazing part of Japanese fans.

PIA: This is a concert led by Sasaji Masanori and other top musicians in Japan right. Did you learn anything exciting from them?
D-LITE: A singer receives the biggest reaction from the band members. When on stage and I look at the members, I can receive positive energy and I can feel it from the voice to the strength. I am very touched and happy. This is the highest moment for a singer.

PIA: This summer you will be joining ‘a-nation’ concert as a solo artist. Regarding audience who are not your fans, how do you plan to attract them?
D-LITE: To be able to stand on stage and sing with so many artists is already an honour  I have to blend myself into the concert’s atmosphere. As long as people who don’t know me says “Ah, D-LITE singing is not bad”, I will be very happy. It doesn't matter if they are my fans, as long as they have a good impression of my music, I am happy.

PIA: Other members of Bigbang are also having their solo activities now. Any suggestions would you give in regards to each other’s activities?
D-LITE: Previously I've said many times, this year everybody is busy. There is a chat room limited to only Bigbang members. However recently all of us are too busy we could not have a proper talk (laugh). All 5 of us gathered together during G-dragon’s Japanese tour. When all 5 gathers together, it is quite impressive. So, I can only support in my heart (laugh). But we have a good relationship!

PIA: Can you give us some examples to describe about D-LITE’s relationship with the other Bigbang members?
D-LITE: TOP is forever a baby (laugh). As he is an actor, whatever he thinks of he will put it into action. This is very handsome. G-dragon is our leader. The only person able to lead all 5 of us is G-dragon. When all of us are together, we are all friends. When working, he will be strict, this is very important. For Bigbang’s songs, G-dragon will let us hear how he sings it then I will try and understand what he wants and practice my singing and harmony. SOL was a father figure previously, now he’s an elder brother. Our distance became closer. He is constantly supporting me. The person who work the hardest for music is SOL. For V.I, he is a pet (laugh). He would be a small beagle. Hard to train, but once we train him successfully; he is a very good dog. However it always takes time before we see results. I am unable to tame him yet…

PIA: Starting from November the 6 dome tour held by Bigbang will begin soon!
D-LITE: It’s been long since the 5 of us gather together once again. When SOL produced his solo album, his voice improved. I feel that solo activities help all of us grow individually. Right now everybody is busy with their solo works, but once all 5 of us put our energy and strength together, what reaction will happen? I am looking forward to this.

To know more; Q&A session
Q: What type of person do you think you are?
A: Chameleon. I am different every day.

Q: What would you like to change?
A: Japanese. I would like to change it to be more perfect.

Q: Please tell us what got you obsessed recently.
A: Lego! Previously I spent 10 hours fixing a lego truck. Recently I bought something more difficult; the London Bridge.

Q: Out of all the activities you did recently, how would you like to praise yourself?
A: Up till now I have always been busy with work. I will still continue to work hard in future. If it is not about work, good job for playing with lego for 10 hours! (laugh). I must work hard for London Bridge too!

Q: What happened recently that made you laugh non-stop?
A: I have always been laughing (laugh).

Q: Please list out 3 big things that 
happened in the first six months of 2013.
A: Work: 1. Solo album “D’scover” release. 2. Solo Tour DLIVE. 3. ‘I Love You’ release. I only had solo activities (laugh). 
Personal: 1. Lego. 2. Okinawa. 3. Sapporo. The food at Okinawa and Sapporo is delicious!

Q: Any work you would like to finish in the last six months of 2013?
A: If it’s work it would be ‘I Love You’ release and Bigbang’s 6 dome tour. And also to work on Bigbang’s new album. Aside from work, I think it’s good to learn how to cook?

Q: Your first concert or first stage, when was it?
A: It is Wheesung’s concert, during trainee days I went with Bigbang members.

Q: Your motto is?
A: “Force yourself”. This is what my middle school teacher told me. When you are tired and wish to rest, when your force yourself to continue working, you will have a brighter future.

Q: Any confident games/work that you know you cannot lose to others?
A: Finger-guessing game (laugh).

Q: If you have an off day tomorrow what would you like to do?
A: To buy lego at Odaiba. If not, I will go Akihabara to buy rare lego (laugh).

Q: Please tell us your future dream (things you would to challenge in future)
A: I would like to undergo outdoor activities. As long as I work out safely (laugh). Maybe something like fishing?

Source: PIA
Translated by: nakedae@SMILE HOLIC www.dsholic.com