:: 24 July
02
[First solo single is to cover the immortal song]
Presenting ‘I Love You’
D-LITE
Asia’s most influential group Bigbang’s main vocal D-LITE will be releasing his
solo single ‘I Love You’ on the 31st of July in Japan. Yutaka Ozaki’s classic
song has been covered by many artists before but under D-LITE and world
renowned violinist Hakase Taro collaboration, this song has been turned into a
glamorous love song.
Despite his busy schedule flying back and forth Korea and Japan, D-LITE
accepted our interview in Tokyo. From his new single to the group activities,
D-LITE tried as much as he can to respond in solely Japanese.
The stress being a celebrity brings to you
KFUN: Your Japanese is really not bad. I guess you are learning it quite
diligently?
D-LITE: When performing my activities in Japan everybody will teach me. But,
I just returned from Korea today, so I forgotten my Japanese (laugh).
KFUN: Your first solo single ‘I Love You’ will be released on the 31st of July
in Japan. I would like to ask which parts are worth listening to.
D-LITE: Because the original song is really very famous, this time I would
like to not ruin the original song’s memories and atmosphere and try to add my
own color in. The way I am going to sing, and then adding my colors in, it
gives off a slightly different vibe compared to the original song. If you are
all able to feel it this way, it would be best.
KFUN: On the 7th of July, you had your first performance at Makuhari Messe for
this song, were you nervous?
D-LITE: Although I wasn't very nervous, but my microphone condition was not
that good.. (from the earpiece) I can’t really listen to my voice well, however
I am very happy (laugh).
KFUN: This song is also the title track for softbank’s app UULA’s ‘I Love You’
TV series. This is a classic Japanese love song that has been covered umpteen
times, please tell us the reason why you chose this song.
D-LITE: Although initially the plan was to let this song be UULA’s TV series
OST, however I personally like this song as well. As this song is also famous
in Korea, so I have a huge amount of stress.
KFUN: What do you like about this song?
D-LITE: When listening to this song for the first time in Korea, I liked the
melody and the vibe the whole song gives off to. At that time I was listening
to the Korean version, the content of the lyrics is slightly different, but if
you understood the original lyrics, you will really like the idea of the
original song. Despite being objected by people surrounding them, they still
worked hard for their love, I really like this feel. I will try to emphasize on
the feelings about the two of them.
05
Harmony with the violin
KFUN: Do you think it is harder to sing ballad songs using Japanese? What is
the toughest thing during recording?
D-LITE: Even if I use Korean it wouldn't be easy singing ballad songs. But
for this time I do not need to worry because everything is proceeding smoothly.
It is not just me alone, but it is with my producer Seiji Kameda and Hakase
Taro’s collaboration. Both of them gave me great help. I have also become the
kind to naturally integrate into the song’s world.
KFUN: You must have undergone a lot of practice?
D-LITE: When singing, practice is a must. But I would like to imagine the
scene of the lyrics as that is most important. Any singer would be able to
understand their own voice and pitch. So after imagining about 10 times or so,
I will think the same thing and sing at the same time and I will continue to do
this repeatedly. I think this is very important.
KFUN: About your collaboration with Hakase Taro, it is quite uncommon to see
collaboration with classical music. What do you guys talk about when recording?
D-LITE: We do not have much time for small talks. Although we couldn't talk
more about the topic of music, but once I hear Hakase Taro perform on his
violin, I feel that it seems like we have communicated a lot. I feel that it
brings the same thought of a subtle unspoken language that can’t be expressed.
At that time, the image of my vocal style is very bright. When recording, I
imagined that me, Hakase Taro and Seiji Kameda were all singing together to
tone down my bright image.
KFUN: How do you feel when singing and listening to the violin melody at the
same time?
D-LITE: Previously I never had experience singing along to the melody of a
violin. However, I did think of when I could try it. In the end for this time,
I could sing along to world renowned violinist performance melody.. A piano
gives people a feel of warm stability. Although a violin produces the same
effect, however it is not heavy. Instead, it brings out the pain and sensitive
side. I feel that this is 100% suitable for this song.
KFUN: The lyrics talk about a love being ostracized by everybody around them.
What would you do if you met such a situation?
D-LITE: I will give up (he said it bluntly).
KFUN: Eh?! You will give up?
D-LITE: Ahahaha. However I’m afraid under the situation, of course, sigh…
(sighs), it’s so frustrating.. However, if I had to give up everything else to
love without fear, I guess… I will also do like what the lyrics say, to get my
loved one.
KFUN: Just to ask, up till now, have you met any female whom you can give up
everything for?
D-LITE: No. Ahahaha (wry laugh).
KFUN: Speaking about females, in your MV, you had your virgin challenge of
kissing a female for a scene. From all the angles it seems like you’ve filmed
it for a few times, how did you feel for your first kiss scene?
D-LITE: I felt good (sneaky laughter). I felt happy (laugh).
KFUN: Then are there any kisses that you would reminisce about?
D-LITE: Recently my deepest impression of kisses is still about the MV. The
atmosphere is good. I was very nervous because I did not have any prior
experience, but Hyojoo will lead me into the scene. I am really thankful. I
wish to meet her again (laugh).
KFUN: If there are still chances to take kiss scenes, how would you do it?
D-LITE: I will be prepared at any time!
Creating memories with fans
KFUN: Back to the topic, you have been highly anticipated by the audience due
to you covering many popular songs. What is your goal?
D-LITE: Goal… I don’t have any. Speaking about goals, when doing music
related activities, I will always want to create memories with my fans. This
time round after listening to my ‘I Love You’, if you are all able to have new
memories I will be happy and satisfied.
KFUN: This summer you will be attending FNS on the release of your single, on
the 4th of August you will be attending a-nation island concert. What type of
live would you like to present?
D-LITE: To be honest, in future there are many opportunities for me to
attend celebration parties. Of course, when on stage I am alone performing, but
for the fans, even if they are listening and singing in their hearts or singing
along with me, listening to my voice and getting touched it all don’t matter.
What matters is that everybody being together at that moment, creating a D-LITE
world.
Profile
D-LITE (Kang Daesung), 1989 26th April born in Seoul. Debuted as the main vocal
of Bigbang in 2006. His specialty is his strong yet gentle voice. “Lies” became
a breakthrough song for them. He has the variety skill and started to be a
permanent cast of 2008 SBS’s Family Outing. He is also good at Korean trot and
he released his first digital single “Look At Me, Gwisoon” in the same year. He
released “Cotton Candy” in 2010 and it attracted attention for his gentle appearance.
This year February, he debuted solo in Japan with his cover album “D’scover”.
The name comes from the English word “delight” which means making people happy.
It also means “always happy”. He is 1.78m, weighing 63kg and his bloodtype is
O.
06
Too beautiful to make it hard to forget
KFUN: Speaking about D-LITE World, you had achieved well for your first Japan
solo tour. How do you feel touring around alone for your tour?
D-LITE: To me, it is always a beautiful moment and it will become an
unforgettable memory in future. For the three months of tour, this
whole period of time is very memorable for me. (laugh).
KFUN: Are there any places that left you deep impression? The places you went
to must have been places you hardly visited.
D-LITE: Yes. I did not visit majority of the cities before. About the tour,
it is always good, so I am unable to choose one. However if you judge by other
things, I would say Sapporo is the best.
KFUN: What is it good at?
D-LITE: The food is delicious!!! Seafood, pork rice, roasted lamb and there
is also a particular restaurant which serves good chicken.
KFUN: Your solo activities seem to bring good influence to your group
activities.
D-LITE: Yes. When doing my solo activities, I think it is a good growth for
me. Even up till now it is the same, after my solo activities, when all 5 of us
gather together again, I feel like Bigbang will become stronger.
KFUN: Compared to group activities, you seem busier with your solo promotions.
What is your source of energy?
D-LITE: Rice! Ahahaha.. Tasty rice! I must eat my meals. Because if I don’t,
I won’t be able to do anything the entire day. So rice is very important
(laugh).
KFUN: Recently you are coming more frequently to Japan, any shops that you
particularly like?
D-LITE: To be honest, I ate beef rice at another shop for the first time
today. Tokyo’s beef rice!! From the past till now I have done activities in
Japan for about 4-5 years and I have always only visited two different shops
for it. But today I stumbled upon this shop by chance and I thought “ahh, it
looks delicious” so I tried it. I think I will eat it very frequently for these
two months.
KFUN: Although you’re busy, but are there any hobbies that make you obsessed?
D-LITE: Yes. Lego.. (cute expression). Lego, I am very obsessed with lego.
KFUN: it is the one that is rectangular shaped? The one that we can piece
together?
D-LITE: Yes, that’s lego (laugh).
KFUN: Perhaps this is something you like personally?
D-LITE: Yes. When I was young, I did not play with lego before at all. Even
up till now I thought that lego is for kids so I have no interest in it. But
two months back, I received a present from a fan which was lego. So I tried
playing with it and I suddenly realized lego had a huge charm. The door to the
car can also be opened. I totally had no idea that the door could be opened.
The engine can also be placed in it. So I will listen to music and play lego
together. It is quite therapeutic.
KFUN: You seem to think that being alone is very important.
D-LITE: Yes, that’s what I think.
Pursuing a result that everyone will be satisfied
KFUN: I would also like to hear about Bigbang’s activities. Starting from
November, all of you will start your 6 dome tour which is the first for
overseas artists. You must work hard.
D-LITE: After activities in Japan for 5 years, this is really the first time
holding a 6 dome tour. When deciding for dome tour, I thought back to what we
did from the past till present. We can achieve such results now is because of
the fans, so I am really thankful. Just like what I said just now, for this
year all 5 of us did not really have a chance to get together. After my solo
activities, when I get together with my members who have also grown up, we will
be able to release a never-seen-before Bigbang energy.
KFUN: Rumour says that G-dragon mentioned in previous activities that in this
year Bigbang will be having a comeback with a new album, is there such a
possibility?
D-LITE: Definitely. We are constantly working. We are constantly producing
an album that everybody will be satisfied with. However, right now we are not
sure when we can produce it.. Of course we have all been working hard together,
if possible, we would like to release our new album as soon as possible to
allow our fans to see our new stage.
KFUN: Irregardless of countries, all the fans seem to go crazy for all of you.
Even the overseas fans will all go crazy over all of you. Do you feel that it’s
real?
D-LITE: I felt it the most during last year’s Alive Tour. Even when we had a
tour at countries we’ve never been before, there are still so many fans coming
to watch our concert. When having a tour, I will think that in future I have a
mission. My mission is to work hard to make music the centre of attention.
KFUN: In future what type of goal and dreams would you like to fulfill?
D-LITE: I don’t really have a definite dream. However, I wish to become a
person which will bring hope and courage to others. This is always my dream. As
it is an unfulfilled dream, I will continue working hard.
KFUN: Lastly, please leave a message for your Japanese fans.
D-LITE: I feel that summer is the season for love. This year please listen
to D-LITE’s ‘I Love You’ and fall in love at the same time. If everybody’s love
can succeed it would be best. Please create more memories.
Through solo activities and when all 5 members gather again, this is when
Bigbang will get a re-birth
07
Sudden appearance creates a stir, showcasing his beautiful voice
18th of July, at Tokyo’s Skytree UULA’s ‘I Love You’ TV series showcase,D-LITE
performed as a surprise guest. It is a TV series about three different short
love stories. D-LITE covered Yutaka Ozaki’s classic song ‘I Love You’ which
serves as the TV series title track (released on 31st July). When the emcee
announced D-LITE’s name, shouts and claps happened in the venue.
Wearing a black suit with a tie, D-LITE was walking on the red carpet and
waving to the 3000 strong audience. He stood beside the 3 leading actresses and
said “it’s really hot today” with a wry smile. Following that, his back was
facing the skytree and he started to perform the title track. His flowy
sorrowful voice was transmitted across the sky and resounded in the venue. He
shyly said “I am really very nervous. I can also enjoy and sing at the same time.
To me, the best time is when I am singing.”
Apart from that, he also mentioned that it was his first time at skytree, and
he happily said “very tall, the atmosphere is good, it’s so hot. Isn’t it the
best today”. He also mentioned how he covered ‘I Love You’ and how he tried not
to ruin the original song and tried to match his cover song with the TV series
vibe. “I hope everybody supports ‘I Love You’ and also the drama ‘I Love You’.
Source: Korean Fun
Translated by: nakedae@SMILE HOLIC www.dsholic.com
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