[Interview] Daesung @ What's In

:: 12 Aug 2013

Bringing out the beautiful ballad songs heart

D-LITE whom enjoys the “heart of the song” has covered Japan’s classic song, Yutaka Ozaki’s ‘I Love You’. He has listened to many different covers of the song by different artists and he is now pursuing something that has his character, not forgetting to include the original song’s colors and also making the song more perfect by adding in Hakase Taro’s violin melody. This is a song that makes people intoxicated.

WHAT’S IN (WI): Firstly, can you please tell us about your solo concert that was held from March to June?
D-LITE: Ok. It was my first solo concert so every performance is a good practice session for me. It is my first time completing a 2-3 hours concert solely by myself so I had to consider wisely how I am going to spend my energy throughout the concert.

WI: Nervous?
D-LITE: I was definitely nervous at the start, but with the help of my band and staff members, when I stand on stage to look at the audience, all my nervousness has been forgotten. I was able to sing and enjoy the stage together with my fans. I then slowly integrated into this atmosphere and became a part of it.

WI: For your single ‘I Love You’ this time round, you included the live performances of the 31st March concert at Budokan. How did you feel when listening to it by yourself?
D-LITE: When I listen back to my live performances, I feel so embarrassed (laugh) It seems like I always make mistakes… However,the 3 songs in the single, “Wings”, “Try Smiling” and “Look At Me Gwisoon” made the atmosphere even hotter during the concert.

WI: Oh oh, sometimes I feel that you have a very good stage presence. During your concert, what do you do in your breakroom backstage?
D-LITE: Um… Eating, singing some songs and listen to music etc.

WI: You were also listening to music today in the dressing room~
D-LITE: Yes, today I was listening to 80s-90s songs from Korea.

WI: Listening to music on the year when you were born? (D-LITE is born in 1989)
D-LITE: Yes. When listening to songs from that era, it seems like I am being born again (laugh) However, I really clearly remember the songs I listened to during my kindergarten days. I miss it.

WI: Did you start your dreams of becoming a singer when you were in nursery?
D-LITE: No. At that time I wanted to be a baseball player as good as Bak Chonho who went to joined the American Major League Baseball, it is very very famous!!! Boys back then all dreamt of becoming baseball players. I also had posters in my room. I still like baseball now but I just watch it (laugh)

WI: (laugh) let’s talk about ‘I Love You’ now. This song was released in the 80s. How old were you when you first listened to it?
D-LITE: It was during my high school days. The first time I heard it was the Korean version. It was covered by POSITION sunbaenims, this song was very popular in Korea back then. I personally like it very much too. When having activities in Japan with Bigbang, I heard Yutaka Ozaki’s original version and I felt that it is entirely different from POSITION’s cover. The original version is very good!

WI: Undeniably, this song is very famous in Japan and also many artists have covered it.
D-LITE: Ah yes. When preparing for this single, I listened to many different cover versions. Ayaka’s version, Utada Hikaru version and also Kobukuro version etc. True enough, when they cover the song it cannot be similar to the original version, they have to create their own path.

WI: When creating ‘I Love You’, you made use of D-LITE’s personality.
D-LITE: At the beginning I felt really worried. Even up till now when I sing in Japanese, I feel that it is incompatible. I thought about how I could make Japanese receive the message that I want to convey. However, ‘I Love You’ is a song I like personally and with the help of Seiji Kameda and Hakase Taro, I am able to pick up my confidence!

WI: Seiji Kameda has also helped produce “D’scover”, how did he help you this time?
D-LITE: When re-arranging the song, I will firstly tell Seiji Kameda what message I want to convey. For ‘I Love You’, the melody is strong and full of courage. Even when the world objects, both of them will still love each other without caring about the world – It’s something that’s filled with courage. I wanted to show this message. Seiji Kameda trusted me 100% as well. In truth, he managed to produce an excellent melody.

WI: It really has the image of D-LITE. In ‘I Love You’ lyrics, which left the deepest impression on you?
D-LITE: This is hard to remember. During “D’scover”, it was all cover songs so I said things like “I like this lyrics”. But for “I Love You’, this song has a very good concept. For example, “both of them are like abandoned cats” etc.. I like cats too (laugh)

WI: Hahahaha, so it’s a common point (laugh)
D-LITE: When singing, I wanted to add a sound of “meow” in the song but this will spoil the entire song’s mood so I can’t do it (laugh). I was just joking but in any case, I put my whole self into the song too. Although I do not have such experience like the song says, but I myself can also feel that this is a great love.

WI: About your pitch, have you ever made different mistakes?
D-LITE: I am not sure about the proper way to sing. I was very confused during recording as well so I used up much time! I don’t usually think a lot when singing but I do think a lot before recording.

WI: You said you were fully prepared to ensure that your performance will be more perfect.
D-LITE: Even if I listened to it many times and it was ok, it is still important to have instruments to help understand the feeling. It has to be the same feeling when I sing.

WI: Hakase Taro’s violin has such a huge effect.
D-LITE: Yes. Before meeting him, I thought he was a scary person because he was a world class violinist so I thought he must be strict. I kept thinking what would happen if I wasn't good enough. However he is entirely different. No matter how I see, he is still a very interesting person who is good at creating small happy moments! His violin performance is so good I am speechless. I am super touched. Thanks to Hakase Taro’s violin, it made my voice sound clearer as well.

WI: Mm~ I too felt that it helped bring the performance of the song up another notch.
D-LITE: Ah? Really?! Thank you. I think that my solo tour has also helped me improve. During the concerts, although I always have much worries, but at the same time, it has helped me discover the way to enjoy singing.

WI: Music Video is also awesome. It’s very romantic but sad as well.
D-LITE: I have spoken quite a lot to the supervisor about the MV. In my heart I wanted the MV to have a color scheme of cyanine and purple. Then, I wanted to showcase a sense of loneliness and also parts where the main actor is strong and not weak.

WI: It is really important to express your own opinions.
D-LITE: That’s right. Without this, people will think that I am not serious. Then, filming will become a huge issue. In Korea, even though I acted in television dramas and musicals, but it has been very long already. However, I feel that it’s really sweet this time. In group activities, I had more images of my tongue sticking out and comical performances and actions (laugh)

WI: Being able to see a side of D-LITE that is rarely seen, this is the charm of solo activities. (laugh) your kiss scene is really good (laugh)
D-LITE: Ah, that’s good. (laugh) there wasn’t much NGs, which was a pity. I wanted to do it another 10 times (laugh). There were a few scenes where I was really embarrassed of my own acting so it was deleted. That can’t be seen by anybody!!!

WI: Don’t tell me, you are actually a very shy person.
D-LITE: Yes~. I am a little introverted.

WI: While talking throughout, I don’t feel that way though.
D-LITE: When working, I will change so much I scare myself too. For example, if I don’t talk when I attend variety programs, wouldn’t I not appear on TV at all? At this time, cheerful D-LITE will appear (laugh) However, deep down I still feel that I am a shy person.

WI: However, when you stand on stage to perform, you are very confident of yourself.
D-LITE: Due to a character like mine, I am not 100% confident. As I mentioned just now, I worry about a lot of things. However because of this, every day I will think a lot and I have to work hard. When being able to do all these, I will be satisfied.

WI: Oh I see.
D-LITE: I think God gave me this personality that doesn’t include confidence. If not for this character, I will become more relaxed and I may not work that hard too.

WI: I think what you are thinking now is good. Any dreams about your solo activities in future?
D-LITE: Although ‘I Love You’ and the songs in “D’scover” is similar, they are all songs that I like and songs that I always wanted to try. I hope people who listen to my music will spend their time creating many different memories while listening. I hope they will say things like “I did this today” or “I spent a beautiful time today”.

WI: It’s not just a one-sided performance but using music to communicate.
D-LITE: Yes. I performed ‘I Love You’ during the opening Message Event (“THE MUSIC DAY”) and it was great. Even though there are many people who didn't know me, but after this song, they were able to blend into the atmosphere.

WI: I am anticipating it right now! Lastly, I have a few personal questions. It’s summer, any places you would to travel for a visit?
D-LITE: Summer oh, I don’t really like it (laugh). It’s hot and I perspire a lot. Without watermelons, I think summer is pointless. This is just my thinking (laugh)

WI: You really like watermelons (laugh)
D-LITE: Yes…… other than this…….. Firstly, I don’t really know how to swim, but I am practising it recently and I can swim about 25m.

WI: Compared to going out to play, you prefer staying at home?
D-LITE: Ah, yes that’s right! Time spent at home is the fastest. I watch movies at home, watching Korean variety shows and suddenly “Ahhh, a day has gone passed” (laugh)

WI: Even when you are in Tokyo, you don’t really go out?
D-LITE: Ah, not really. I also like to go out for dinner with everybody, then go to something like “FrancFranc”…

WI: Eating and visiting a furniture store. Like a lady.
D-LITE: No! I’m a man! (laugh)

Source: What's In

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

No comments: