:: 30 July 2013
As a member of the highly popular group Bigbang, D-LITE released his solo album
“D’scover” in February 2013, this also marks his debut as a solo singer. After
touring the nation for a long period of time, he is now stepping into a new
level. Let us be with him to think back about what he did up till now and to
understand the story behind new single ‘I Love You’.
In the friendly smile, we can detect warmth and diligence behind it. Using this
interview as an excuse to understand him as a solo artist and what type of
passion and sincerity he holds for music.
HMV: D-LITE san who has such a splendid smile, do you have times where you are
angry?
D-LITE: That was such a random question (laugh). Definitely, it’s normal.
Especially when I am doing music-related work, I will encounter things that
will make myself angry.
HMV: This is because you put your soul into your work and you work really hard.
Are you the type who will not reveal in front of people that you are angry?
D-LITE: (Look towards his manager) What do you think? Am I?
Manager: Daesung did not reprimand anybody before, he will not get angry in
many situations. However, for example, if there was a live performance yet
things are not prepared well, he will say something like “If you can’t prepare
on time, you should inform us earlier”. He will only say this when he encounter
situations like this.
HMV: For your first solo tour “D-LIVE D’scover Tour 2013 in Japan ~DLive~
(March-June 2013 in 20 cities and 26 venues) has also included the encore
concerts which made you go for tours in a long run. After wrapping up all your
live, are there any changes towards your mood?
D-LITE: Yes, there are some feelings that I can’t put to words. For example,
I have been singing everyday and if I have a break in between for 2-3 days, I
will totally forget my mood and feel when I sing. In retrospect, there are
times where I felt like things were being halt in the middle. But after the solo
tour this time, I really feel that even if I have a mid-break (without any
performance), I still have to maintain my mood for the song and I have also
gotten used to this through this tour.
HMV: In Bigbang’s concert and D-LITE’s concert, the atmosphere for both is a
little different.
D-LITE: Oh (⊙o⊙). Is it
different?! (laugh)
HMV: In Bigbang’s concert, there is always a feeling where you guys have very
strong sense of presence and motivated. In D-LITE’s concert it felt more
gentle, like you guys were all enjoying the slow pace of it and it lets people
feel warm and comfortable.
D-LITE: Ah~ So it’s like this. To me, fans have the same existence as my
family.
HMV: About your solo album release in Japan, what did Bigbang members feel
about it?
D-LITE: They didn’t really say anything specially. Really didn’t (laugh). I
think it is because we are all men, we are not used to saying our thoughts
about these things. But definitely, they did listen to my album and they also
came for my live concerts, at this point of time, they would say things like
“You've worked hard” or “We’ll see you back in Korea” (laugh).
HMV: They don’t need to say much for you to understand them. All of you really
have a good understanding of each other.
D-LITE: Yes. We understand each other even between words. It has been 7
years since we first debuted in Korea back in 2006. Although we don’t say
anything special to each other, but all of us will always support and care for
each of us even without words. So I said, their thoughts all dissolved to words
like “You've worked hard!” (laugh).
HMV: (laugh). When listening to “D’scover”, I feel that it has a slight
difference in music as compared to Bigbang’s. For example there is rock and
band sound (using simple guitar, jazz drums, bass, keyboard) and acoustic. I
will think that “Oh do you also like this type of genre?” What is your usual
choice of music?
D-LITE: I listen to anything! I feel that music is just like the ocean, when
it is huge they have all types of fish. It can be different types or different
languages but it all doesn't matter. I first wanted to become a singer due to
Maxwell’s portrayal of RnB music. But right now, I listen to any type of music
because to me, no matter what style or genre it is, it is a good learning
experience!
HMV: We have some questions to ask you regarding the 31st July release of ‘I
Love You’. This is a song that is as legendary as its creator. We wouldn't talk
about Japan, but just in Korea itself, it is also an extremely famous song. How
do you feel about re-creating this classic song that always has a place in
people’s hearts?
D-LITE: I still feel very uneasy even up till now.
HMV: Do you feel pressurized?
D-LITE: I feel really uneasy. Although I am a Korean singer covering a song
by a Japanese, however in Korea itself, there is already a senior who has
covered this song and received good comments. Also, this is one of my favourite
songs. There have already been so many people who covered this song and now I
will have to cover this song on it’s base… Because of this, I will definitely
feel uneasy.
Actually when I first heard the cover version, I did not like it at all.
Regardless of who it is, the original song is filled with so many memories that
is irreplaceable. No matter how good I am in singing, I am unable to re-create
these memories of the original song. In “D’scover”, and also ‘I Love You’, this
was the point I was most worried about. Every individual who listened to these
songs have their own memories pertaining to the original songs and the vibe it
gives off to. When I perform, I have to perform without ruining these memories
and also how to add my colors in naturally. This is a point where we are most
concerned about and also the one we are most worried of. In ‘I Love You’ this
time, the first verse of the song is similar to the original song, I only
started to add my colors in from the second verse onwards.
HMV: What do you think about the lyrics of the song?
D-LITE: I really liked the meaning of the lyrics, through my own
understanding of the song, I tried to perform it well to let others know what I
want to say.
HMV: It doesn’t contain a positive message and the lyrics are talking about a
future which doesn’t seem to exist.
D-LITE: Yes. Previously I mentioned about the senior band in Korea, POSITION
who covered this song too. When compared to the original version, I felt that
their lyrics felt more beautiful. However it is different this time because I
would have to perform in Japanese, I was deeply touched by one of the sentence
of the lyrics. I thought to myself that I would have to emphasize on the
courage, lack of fear and strength of the couple when performing, so I started
discussing with producer Seiji Kameda.
HMV: The album was also produced by Seiji Kameda right? However, this time you
are performing with violinist Mr. Hakase Taro. How do you feel about Mr. Hakase
Taro?
D-LITE: In the beginning, I thought that the world renowned violinist would
be strict and odd. But after actual interaction, I realised he is very cheerful
and friendly. In my tour, the drummer Muraishi Masayuki is a mutual
friend of me and Mr. Hakase Taro. After interaction with both of them, we
naturally clicked well together. Mr Hakase Taro’s recorded just 3 times before
it was completed.
HMV: Mr. Hakase Taro is really so focused!
D-LITE: Yes and his violin skills is really wonderfully good. When I do my
recording, I always have to listen to the instrumental colors and feel the
power in it and blending it in to the song. For Mr. Hakase Taro’s violin, once
his violin started playing, I clearly knew what I wanted to do and what I want
to present. Due to such great help, I completed my recording faster than
before.
HMV: I would also like to ask, will we get more and more addicted with D-LITE
san’s version of the song?
D-LITE: Eh? I’m also not that good (laugh).
HMV: Now that we have reached this stage, you don’t need to say these things~
(laugh) Lastly, please talk about your future dreams of being a solo singer!
D-LITE: Personally, I don’t want to just show my works to my fans. I want to
interact with them, feel with them and create memories with them that only
belongs to us. I always carry this heart at every single second of my solo
activities. I am also not a perfect person, I do have many flaws. Even if they
see my weaknesses, yet they can still understand me, like my voice, music and
style, if I meet people like this, I would like to walk with them forever. This
is my dream.
Source: HMV
Translated by: nakedae@SMILE HOLIC www.dsholic.com
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