Over the course of 3 years, with nearly 10 appearances, the group INFINITE has gradually become a name associated with MBC1's "Weekly Idol". The MCs and production team has a sticky sort of family love towards INFINITE, but does INFINITE have the same feelings towards them? It’s been a long time since we’ve seen all seven together as a whole group and we’re interviewing them.
Q: Weekly Idol sent you a flower garland at your concert, so your relationship with the MCs must be quite deep.
SG: Honestly they are really nice to all idol groups. Disregarding the fact that we were the first idol group to go on or the group with the most appearance. Why are the MCs of Weekly Idol not idols, simply because they really want to be known as MCs. That’s how it was possible for it to become that sort of program. [I think he's praising the fact that it's not been presented by idols being MCs but rather MCs being MCs...]
Q: Are your seating arrangements set? Isn’t it usual for idol groups to have set positions? But INFINITE seems to sit in different places every time.
L: It just depends on our mood, there’s no special arrangement.
SY: Today’s seating is according to the order we came in.
Q: So it’s like that. Did you know Woohyun’s tantrum was edited out last time when you ranked your popularity?
SY: He throws tantrum quite often, it seems really natural now. So that’s why it was cut.
Q: I really regret it, not being able to see Woohyun’s tantrum.
W: I’m also regretful. I want to strongly protest.
SG: A lot of my parts have been edited out. To tell the truth, there was also a lot of nonsense. It’s a really relaxing atmosphere so everything and anything just comes out.
D: They once made me sleep so they could wake me up (laughs) It was really dangerous.
Q: Compared to other programs, Weekly Idol seems to need a lot more energy.
SY: Not really, we can really relax there. It’s the same when we’re on the radio. Because we’re so relaxed those who listen to us say that we’re not like idols. We really tried hard to display ourselves so that’s how we became like this.
Q: Hoya who has been doing really well, no matter when it is the woman’s name you write down is Park Kyunglim right? Sunggyu always writes 4minute’s Hyuna.
D: That’s all true.
H: If I had to pick someone who’s my ideal type I’d pick someone else, but that’s the first name to come into my head.
SY: It is possible for people to think of Park Kyunglim.
Q: The member’s aren’t going to push [bully] each other around today?
W: Today’s an interview, it’s not Weekly Idol (laughs)
H: The fans really love it [laughs] the audience can change the channel.
Q: I actually learnt a lot through Weekly Idol. I also knew about L’s acting in Japan through it.
L: The drama was called Jiu: Keishichou Tokushuhan Sousakei. It’s quite big in Japan. That’s why more people call me Jiu rather than L over there.
SG: Asahi TV dramas has a lot of well known actors/actresses in them.
SY: Actual when we go to Japan we’re not really known but a lot more people recognise “Jiu”.
Q: The role is a criminal right? During the flower boy period in TVN’s Shut Up Flower Boy Band you had the role of a rather peculiar and strong character.
L: The company decided it for me.
H: Right now we don’t have the power to make decisions.
W: (Playing dumb) We’re puppets.
Q: Woohyun-ssi your mood seems different today.
W: Yes, From today on I won’t act like a spoiled child but more chic, is it manly?
Q: It’s very manly, however it doesn’t really suit you (laughs)
(Following this it’s Woohyun’s tantrum time)
Q: Why did the maknae Sungjong not appear on the fourth show [No exactly sure about this...]
SJ: I had another schedule so I couldn’t go.
SG: Ah? You weren’t there?
SY: During that time Sungjong had 2 fixed shows.
H: It’s fair to say that during that time we and the MCs hadn’t felt that one person was missing.
W: Like I said, because we’re edited-dol. It was edited out.
Q: Jung Hyungdon and Defconn are extremely powerful MCs, is it not possible to relax in the show business world?
SG: Both of them are really fun and great, we’ve learnt a lot from them. It’s also a great experience. But those who know, Hyungdon hyung’s style isn’t well prepared. It’s hard to figure out what he’s thinking, but he likes to give a fair judgement to everyone.
Q: You successfully finished the arena tour. Was there a lot of emotions?
H: It was the first time we had a concert tour. Long term our physical health has improved. We performed around 30 songs in each place, and we did it 8 times. We also had rehearsals before that. Our dance and live skills greatly increased. We also sang in Japanese so our Japanese became better. Being able to make our audience happy with our performance has also gotten better.
Q: So who’s the best at Japanese?
SY: We’re all around the same. You can’t really choose.
L: To a degree everyone isn’t bad, the extent that people can understand what we say.
Q: Through Weekly Idol it seems like you guys are skilled enough to participate in Japan. [I got really confused with this bit] After this album’s activities has ended what are you going to do?
SG: We’re still deciding on what we’re going to do. Right now I’m trying out variety, and hopefully you can see me through TV?
Q: Acting leader?
SG: No, I’m really not.
Q: Why? You did really well in KBS’s “A Bit of Love”. Even Leehoon said that he didn’t really know any idol groups but he recognised INFINITE.
SG: I’m really embarrassed. It wasn’t a fixed role, it was only a cameo, there was a few scenes with Han Seung-yeon. There was also a seen with Im Siwan.
Q: How did the members react?
L: The members didn’t watch it (laughs).
SJ: I watched it. He did well it wasn’t awkward.
Q: Has Woohyun no acted before?
SG: He appeared in MBC’s “A Thousandth Man”.
Q: Ah, I know it. It ended so quickly. It’d be great if you could appear in a longer drama.
W: Sadly I’m not a very good actor, but I try my best at everything.
Q: What role would Sungyeol like to act?
SY: A thug role (laughs), I want to get rid of my stereotypical image. I was joking about the thug role, I want to have the role of a rather strong/individual character.
Q: Have you deliberately studied acting?
W: Our life itself is sort of an act. Everyone is acting right now (laughs).
Q: Have you thought of a concept?
W: Elegant and arrogant (laughs).
Q: Has the maknae not acted before? He would make a great actor.
SG: Sungjong has acted before with child actree Kim Yoojung. A famous line came out of it.
Q: Ah, that’s right. It was from the Tooniverse show, “Hello young lady, when you have too many thoughts have a lemon candy.” is that right? It was a hot topic [bad acting]. (Everyone laughs)
SJ: If I could prepare myself and with my poor acting skills (laughs) if I had the chance I would do a lot of preparation because I want to show my best side. [again confused]
Q: There are a lot of fans expecting something [acting wise] from Hoya right?
H: Yes, there’s a lot of people who expect something but even if I wanted to I can’t just go and do it immediately.
Q: An opportunity will probably arise suddenly like last time. Dongwoo really laugh well, from the beginning to the end he’s had this huge smile. Have you been ranked by it?
D: Of course I have.
SG: This chingu frequently laughs and cries.
Q: Does he cry usually? The leader seems to be the type who’d cry frequently. He cried in a show recently.
SY: He did cry.
SG: That was the first time I cried in a show. (laughs) But I’m actually the type who cries quite often. During the trainee period I cried a lot. When I discuss the future with the CEO, the competition for debut, before we debuted it was common for us to cry during the trainee days. I had a mass of anxiety, because there’s a lot of things in the world which can cause us to worry, just by watching the falling leaves can bring tears to our eyes. In this aspect Sungjong is stronger.
SY: He’s really soft on the outside but hard on the inside
W: He’s a rock
SJ: [Difficult to translate] If you look at the trials we went through and the hardships, I think we turned out really really well.
SG: I thought life was really difficult when I was around 20-21, Sungjong went through the same thing when he was only 17. When we debuted I was also older than Sungjong. He’s very mature, which amazes me. His control is also very good.
H: He’s really mature, I need to learn from you.
Q: But the leader seems to act like a baby. He’s eyes are laughing. He want’s to be the first leader who’s hot tempered and cute.
D: He’s really cute
W: Gyu-leader-zizi
SJ: Doesn’t everyone love it? (laughs)
Q: Is that so?
W: He’s a little cute, more manly than not.
Q: He doesn’t seem that manly…
W: He’s a very “central” guy.
Q: L-ssi is really quiet on shows, is he usually like that?
SG: He has a lively and fun personality. He enjoys his hobbies.
L: I really like taking photographs. A book is coming out, photo essay. I just remembered it.
SG: There’s already a lot of pre-orders.
Q: The fans will love it. INFINITE’s fans are amazing, the INFINITE right now is all thanks to the fans?
W: Of course, without the fans we wouldn’t exist.
SG: It’s impossible to thank them with words. When I was on KBS “Immortal Song”, they applied to watch the programme when it’s really difficult to get in. They cheered for me enthusiastically. Seeing the fans gave me a lot of energy.
Q: Although it’s like that, from a mother’s perceptive they must be really frustrated if their daughter is of a marriageable age.
SG: Our family does seem to have this sort of prejudice. There’s been times at fansigns when they’ve come with their mother, lovers have also come together.
Q: Please tell us about an especially memorable fan.
H: When we were in Thailand, a little girl right at the front was holding a placard with “Hoya” on it and was crying while being enthusiastic. I was so moved. I thought of when I was a massive fan of Steve Yoo. Now I’ve become someone like that, and I felt I need to be responsible.
SJ: I remember when we were promoting “Nothing’s Over” a person came over cosplayed as me. It happened during Japan’s high touch. I was so surprised.
D: I remembered when a mother and daughter came together. The mother really respected her daughter’s interests, I was really impressed.
L: I also remember a mother fan. I received a letter from her but she was too busy to come [to a fansign?]. Her daughter was really into us so she looked us up and after that became a fan. After reading it, we felt like we had the energy to do something really enthusiastic. I still treasure that letter.
SY: There was someone who came to see us in a wheelchair. I was so moved when they said they found something to live for. Through that person we gained a lot of strength.
SG: Mine would be Sungyeol’s mum. She’s a manic fan of INFINITE.
Q: Sungyeol’s?
SG: Of course, it’s because adores her son.
Q: No, no, I wouldn’t be a fan of my son if my son was in a group.
SG: (laughs) That’s right, she probably likes me. Before she used to come and support us a lot, now we never know when she’d turn up. She didn’t come to the recent fan-sign only to the concert. To simply put it she only comes to big events (laughs) that way she’ll stay in our mind whether she comes or not.
W: I can still remember all the fans, every one of them stays in my heart.
Q: You can’t say that, you have to say one.
W: Only one? If that’s the case I’ll say two~
L: Ai why is hyung being like this today? (laughs)
SG: Woohyun-ssi really loves all the fans. Even when we’re not sure if they’re our fans or not Woohyun would still constantly throw hearts at them.
Q: Ah that’s right. Wasn’t a [signed] placard that you gave to a fan sold. Are you still angry?
SG: He got mad when the placard was sold.
W: Even now I’m speechless. You used my signature to earn money.
SG: Ah there was a bit of a misunderstanding. The placard was originally something you could buy, a few of the fans were picked from a draw and we signed it for them.
W: Would you do that if it was you? I’m not only really grateful for those who support me but I’m also so sorry that you spent money because of me, I really out to express this.
Q: Weekly Idol was originally suppose to have 6 episodes but thanks to INFINITE it’s grown to 100 episodes. It’s a tremendous achievement to have 100 episodes on cable TV. Looking at the episodes the production costs seems to be quite a bit.
SY: I heard it’s quite a lot. We really ate a lot (laughs) They are really kind to us.
SG: From our point of view Weekly Idol is a place where you can mature. The programme has a lot of love from the fans and we’re really grateful for their support. The programme is like a family member. We’re really thankful when the 2 MCs show concerns and cares for us outside of the programme.
Q: In life there are poor relationships but there are really good relationships which will become a solid fence [a lasting friendship/relationship]
H: To me Weekly Idol is like a shop near home, the sort of place where you can go after work to drink a cup of soju, where you can talk comfortably.
SY: I agree. When we’re not happy with work. It’s like meeting up after a long time and chatting openly about what you’re feeling.
Q: The last episode Sungyeol had a problem with the random dance play. Wasn’t it always Sunggyu who had that problem?
SG: Eh~ I can do it if I put my heart into it. I get it wrong for the sake of entertainment (laughs).
Q: Really? You do it deliberately?
H: No comment.
D: He was deliberately wrong from the start.
SG: But Sungyeol was really wrong last episode
L: It’s true. However the most interesting thing was hearing how people were so surprised.
Q: Thank you for your time. I hope that INFINITE will go beyond the boundary of Weekly Idol and let the whole world see you that’ll be great.
Credit: chibi-chan2204.tumblr.com
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