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First Look May 2023 - Interview with Han Yujin

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 12:07:58 +0900

ZEROBASEONE's youngest, Yujin is full of unexpected maknae-like charms. "When they're tired, I want to be a source of strength to hyungs, and be a maknae that gives off bright energy during practices. For example, I'm the mood-maker that says 'let's do it one more time!' after practice ends." During <BOYS PLANET> he was also active as the maknae, but the situation is different from then. "There were so many people there. It was hard to be close to everyone. Right now, there's nine of us, and because there's so much time to spend together, we've become a lot closer. I think I can speak better now." (he laughs). But in reality, Yujin is a hyung with a younger brother. "I don't speak even one word to my brother. It goes both ways." His talking abilities that make people laugh feel more like that of a maknae than a hyung.

"Mm... because I'm Han Yujin?" Han Yujin answered like this when asked why he thought he received love. He speaks as though he's aware of his cute and quirky self, who knows how to make a peacefully happy mood. So he's a boy that you can't help but root for. That is the type of charm that Yujin has. However, to Yujin, there was also a period where he had a hard time. "I had a bit of a hard time while practicing for 'Here I Am.' It was after I received 'All-Star,' when there was a test. I had the flu, so my condition wasn't good. Seeing this, I couldn't memorize the performance well and kept getting it wrong, but no matter how I did it, I thought I had to show off the skills of an 'all-star.' So with the thought that I should protect the 'all-star' well by finishing the evaluation with good results, I held on with that promise. Even if I was sick, I kept practicing."

The dependable hyungs by his side who are achieving their dreams alongside Yujin was much of an example to him, who "was very bright when I was younger, but heard that I was too giddy all the time and shrank my words a lot. During <BOYS PLANET>, I learned a lot from many hyungs. (Lee) Hoetaek hyung is like this too, how should I say, a cool adult. (Sung) Hanbin hyung is also someone whose mind is positive and mature. I want to see this as an example." So what does Yujin see as a mature person? "I think it has to be someone who's calm. Even if they're feeling good, someone who isn't too giddy about it. I think that kind of side is needed." As much as Yujin has burning passion alongside hyungs with that kind of side, we can only have big expectations for his step-by-step improvements in terms of talent and as a person.

"When I was younger, even if I was a bright kid, apparently I didn't like being on camera. When family or friends went to play, I didn't like it to the point where I would just move away from it and not be in the picture alone. But now, I sing and dance in front of the camera. It's interesting." Then, we wonder what kind of space the stage is to Yujin. "It's a place where I show myself. When I think of that, my shyness and fear disappear right away." Hearing this, we understand why Yujin chose his own killing part as the verse "We gon' do it right now," from 'BACK DOOR.' Just as he said he is loved because he is 'Han Yujin,' this is a very direct and honest lyric. It's the confidence of a boy who affirms and receives love just as he is. He says, "Things may become harder from now on. But let's work hard." We send big cheers to this promise Yujin makes to himself.

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translation by @julyhours

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First Look May 2023 - Interview with Ricky

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 12:03:58 +0900

'G-group' contestant Ricky caught people's attention in an instant with his flashy visuals. However, as much as he came into the eyes of others, he was also observing the other trainees intently. "Before meeting everyone, I was wondering what kind of people will have been on here [the show]. I remember that moment so clearly. There were so many things that happened, and so many trainees that were handsome. I was curious about what performance they would show, and I was curious as to how those friends would see me as well." At the beginning of this nerve-wracking journey to achieve his dreams, he worked harder than anybody to show a good self to everyone else. Luckily, he had a first mission with no regrets. "I'm glad I was able to show myself off as much as I've prepared." With this relief, Ricky's jump began.

As much as he practiced and prepared elaborately, <BOYS PLANET> made everyone nervous in that it was a continuous series of worries. The moment that Ricky was most worried about was the 3rd mission. "I didn't know which song I would be matched to, so I was very uneasy. There was a song that I really wanted to do so much. Luckily, I was able to do that song, but at the moment when I had to first meet the audience, I was so nervous that I couldn't quite hold onto my heart. The fact that I would be performing in front of an audience was nerve-wracking as much as it was exciting.

He also remembers a moment that was very sad for him. "In the end, after the ranking announcement was over, I went down the stairs. And I made eye contact with the other friends. They were all outstandingly talented, but they still were eliminated, but even so they told me "congratulations," and at that moment my heart was quite tired.

On such a sad day, Ricky was very surprised by his results. "On the day of the live broadcast, I was exchanging talk with (Kim) Gyuvin like, 'What do we do if we don't make it?' Because looking at our third ranking announcement, it was a bit dangerous. If I was to debut, I thought it would be between ranks 7-9. So I was a bit nervous then, but my name wasn't called. So I supposed I was wrong. But then I was called at 4th place, and I could only be so surprised. I couldn't even imagine it. 'Something like this is happening to me?' That was the only thought that came up in my head. I was surprised, and then just thankful." After being so sad, Ricky experienced a variety of emotions on the final stage. "I promised that I would work hard and do well, to do enough for even the friends who weren't able to be on this team, and as much as people have believed in me."

"And as long as I've got my suit and time / I'ma leave it all on the floor tonight / And you got fixed up to the nines / Let me show you a few things." Ricky chose Justin Timberlake's 'SUIT AND TIE' as his "killing part." He said he was "particularly confident in expressing himself on stage," and that this song supported that statement. "I want to make my own style, and I'll try hard to make sure you all will like it. On stage, I'm cool and sexy, but off-stage I'm also cute, that's the Ricky I want to be." The last thing Ricky left as a word to himself was "Always be thankful and keep doing hard, don't rest until to the top."

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translation by @julyhours

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First Look May 2023 - Interview with Sung Hanbin

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 11:53:21 +0900

No matter what anyone says, <BOYS PLANET>'s Sung Hanbin was an all-rounder who shone in every mission. To him, compliments were something that gave him the strength to sharpen himself a bit more. "This is such a nice thing to hear, and a compliment I'm grateful to receive. But I want to say that I'm still approaching, still gazing at the title of 'all-rounder.' In fact, I'm in the stage of preparing to become an 'all-rounder' right now."

Though all his time on <BOYS PLANET> was special, the moment that stands out in his memory is the 'Star Level Test.' Hanbin explained why he performed ONANDOFF's 'BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL.' "It was a performance where I poured in all my charms and strengths. By adding tutting to the original performance, I made it a stage that only I could make. As someone who wants to become an 'all-rounder,' I think this is the closest I've gotten to the direction that I want to show off."

Hanbin considered each and every question carefully and answered each one fully and dutifully. Not just in this interview, but in every moment, this rule he has for himself shines. "Many people have loved and supported me, and that's something to simply be grateful for. I want to change that gratefulness into an opportunity, and I'm trying harder to have the skills that fit [this appreciation] a bit more. I don't think I'm living up to it just yet, so I'm a bit wary of saying this, but still."

However, no one doubts his potential for his skills to develop, because he is the one who turns expectations into belief. "Of course with dance, and with vocals too, I'm putting a lot of attention into them. Beginning with my visuals, I always wonder how I can improve as a whole. I have to become someone who doesn't make what I've said before something embarrassing, and become someone who really does 'well.'" He knows that every word he says will come to him as a responsibility. Hanbin's shoulders may be the ones that are the heaviest right now. Hanbin earned the final result of 2nd place on <BOYS PLANET>.

Because he had put in all his effort, he had no regrets. What he did worry about, however, was the people that had rooted for him. "Because I did my best, I have no regrets, but when I think of those who were cheering for me, I do have feelings of disappointment sometimes. Every moment, I think that I have to acknowledge what should be acknowledged so that I can grow more. People say that I'm having a 'good-spirited rivalry' with Hao hyung, but hyung is someone who does well and worked hard too. I truly acknowledge hyung and like him, so I wanted to sincerely give him my congratulations. Because hyung is someone that I can call 'my other half.' It really is a time you can call brief, but I've really created a strong 'something' with hyung. I've never thought there was someone I fit so well with, and can even learn alongside... Ah, recently we went to a restaurant and we even heard this: 'Hey, are you guys twins?' I want to continue giving each other [himself and Zhang Hao] a good influence between us, and develop together."

With the name of 'ZEROBASEONE' where he looks towards a new beginning, Hanbin's expectations and promised ambitions are different from the others. As much as a special 'team' has been created, he wants to enthusiastically express the gratefulness and happiness of now and grow it from now on. "I think I can match the temperature well within this team. Because if our hearts connect, then we can do anything well. And beginning from our personal performances, I want to study musical aspects too and increase our skills to meld our identities together. On the one hand, I don't think the path we will walk will always be joys and delights. There will be much that we have to experience and make our way through. Even if difficult times come to us, we must overcome them well so that we can grow more greatly and brilliantly, so I'll try and keep our balance well.

"Fly away with me / There's so much of the world / we have yet to see." Jeremy Passion's 'PAPER AIRPLANE' represents the importance of "togetherness" that Hanbin believes in. It is also a lyric that supported Sung Hanbin, who began his trainee days at a relatively late age. "Thinking of the fans who will support me in the future, I thought of this lyric. I want to communicate and connect with them, and live in this world together. The emoji that Hanbin uses often is a three-leaf clover ☘️, not a four-leaf clover. "Should I say this is my own philosophy or my own conviction? I believe that if you work hard and live with integrity, happiness will naturally follow. As much as the dream he wanted desperately is coming true and this is an emotional moment, he wishes that three leaves of luck will not be lacking for all of them. And we, too, wish for brighter luck that will spread in front of him.

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translation by @julyhours

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First Look May 2023 - Interview with Zhang Hao

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 10:44:47 +0900

He was 1st place. "I really couldn't believe it. First of all, I was so happy at the fact that I debuted. Just imagining activities with these members and this team, I felt grate. And on the one hand, this meant I was acknowledged for all my efforts. The fact that I got good results [because of it] made me so proud and so happy." The fact that fans were the ones who gave him the surprising result of first place was also something that made that day one full of gratefulness for him. "It was really something I can't even imagine. I was deeply touched. I'm thankful once again."

Among all of the messages of congratulations that he got, there was one that stood out. "'I believed you were going to be first place.' Hearing this was particularly touching and surprising. That there was someone who believed in me like this. There was someone who believed in me more than me. I was surprised by things like that." What he had heard that day bloomed into a promise for his activities. "I thought I should work harder for the people who support and believe in me." As much as the symbol of 1st place is meaningful, Hao's intention to work harder in ZEROBASEONE's activities became even clearer.

He had many different experiences on <BOYS PLANET>, but there was one that particularly stood out in his memory. This was 'OVER ME.' "Our team went first. Thinking of what kind of expressions to have that fit this song's concept, and what kind of me I had to be to stand on stage, I had to consider it carefully. Personally, I wanted to perfectly express the story in the lyrics with a high level of finish. I wanted to do well, so I did a lot of experimentation/studying. Because I had to carry out the killing part properly, I had a sense of responsibility too." And as he wasn't only worrying about his own parts, he was even busier with even more responsibility. "Not just my part, but the members' expressions, the expression of the lyrics, we were all looking at that together and shared a lot of opinions. I had one wish. That I wanted to make a good stage with all of us."

He always came to us with an upright and decent appearance, but there were times when his confidence fell. This was after 'OVER ME' ended and 'JELLY POP' started. This was when Zhang Hao's confidence was both highest and then contrarily, lowest. "After being 1st place, I was really satisfied with the good stage that I made. But on the other hand, it was also the most worried then. I tried out at the killing part, but I wasn't able to get it. I felt like I wasn't properly able to show off what I had prepared, so my feelings weren't in a great state. I had to do well no matter what. It was a time when I developed even more responsibilities for the stage."

Zhang Hao chose the 'killing part' lyrics that represent him as the bridge of 'HERE I AM.' "You know it, I am full of scars

But I'm okay because you are here to hold me tight / Thank you, I'll be here only for you / I'm here for you." He said, "at first I didn't really know what this meant. Then at the final, we were able to show off this stage one more time, and then I was able to realize how special the people by my side, supporting me, were. I was grateful. So this lyric became something that touched me more.." Hao just wants one thing from himself now. "I have to be on the stage." So on the shining stage, "I will be the greatest K-pop artist," he says as he shines.

First Look May 2023 - Interview with Jiwoong

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 10:05:32 +0900

"As the oldest hyung, I want to be a dependable figure." When someone hears this, they might think this is an obvious promise, but Kim Jiwoong is exercising tight control over himself with this one thought. The joy that took over his body the day he was called during the final broadcast has now become a serious consideration. As the oldest of ZEROBASEONE, which now stands at the starting line, this is the moment where he wonders what kind of existence he has to be for his dongsaengs. "As the oldest hyung, should I say I have a sense of duty? I now have a considerable responsibility. Of course, this is my share that I have to handle. It's a given that I have to be a dependable hyung to my dongsaengs. If I do that, then won't I become a trustworthy figure to fans as well?"

In <BOYS PLANET>, too, Jiwoong was someone who said sometimes bitter, sometimes warm things to his colleagues depending on the occasion. "I try to listen when my dongsaengs speak, to allow them to continue talking. Once they've told enough of their story, then that's when I start to talk." However, even though Jiwoong is this kind of a person, he felt gratitude as he depended on his dongsaengs, too. "They are all more mature and adult-like than their age. When I say that I'm having a hard time, they embrace me better than I do." Truly, age is not always an important characteristic in every aspect of life. Now Jiwoong may be realizing that in his life, too, the sharing of hearts is more important than that number.

"I think I have a rather cute side, actually." (He laughs). "So I was thinking of how I should take that (part of me) out and express myself, and I ended up thinking it could all be done on stage. Through 'Say My Name,' I found a new charm to myself." He's usually the type without aegyo, and according to his own words, he says he's "like a hyung," but also thinks that he's "rather cute." If you get to know him, Jiwoong has infinite charms. During the sports festival when he dressed up as a princess, he just said "when else would I be able to do something like that?" and that "he enjoyed it enough," while laughing. He knows how to show and express himself wisely more than anyone else. "During every stage, I didn't have a lot of parts. But whether it was 1 second or 3 seconds, I think how you do it is [more] important. I wonder which motions I should show hundreds of times, and while rehearsing I practice the gestures that suit that the most so that I can find the most suitable but also the one that spotlights me the most as well." Whether he has to do aegyo, show a tough side, or dress up as a princess, those were all results of Jiwoong's process of consideration. "I think the interpretation is really important." These are the words that made the Jiwoong of today.

"'You're so pretty that I might die,' this part." This is part of the song 'Say My Name.' Jiwoong referred to his own killing part as these lyrics, saying that this was because "every time I sang this, I was really so very happy." There's only one reason, because of his fans. "I hope they know the fact that I really love them." And thinking of the fans, he also brings to mind the ZEROBASEONE members. "I will become an existence like the tree of the team. There are fruits on trees as well. So then I can gift them to my dongsaengs, and to the public as well, right? I can be shade on a hot day, too." On Jiwoong's ankle, there is lettering. "'I will turn my footprint into greatness,' is what is inscribed there. Like these words on his ankle, it feels as though my footprints are only starting now. Until I achieve greatness, step by step, I will not fall and will steadily keep moving forward. Also, as I receive so much love, I want to be a person that loves [a lot], too." With his characteristically slow way of speaking, Jiwoong answered with intent attention to continue his solid promise with a shy smile. His time is going at his own pace, his methodical and clear tempo.

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translation by @julyhours

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First Look May 2023 - Interview with ZB1

0725july — Thu, 25 May 2023 09:27:23 +0900

Q: When is your favorite season/time of year?

→ Zhang Hao: I'm very much looking forward to the day of the first snow. It's pretty! The feeling of being alive when the snow comes down, and feeling the liveliness of the world at that time. It's also when I can reflect on the year. How did I live throughout this one year, did I do well, I think things like this. Where I lived in China, it didn't snow a lot. But I saw lots of snow in Korea. I still remember the day I saw the first snow. I was taking a Korean lesson, but I was so excited that I told the teacher and went outside to take pictures (he laughs). During this first snow, I think I'll watch it while busily doing my activities with the members. I think it'll be even more exciting and heart-fluttering.

→ Kim Gyuvin: I really like the short moment that winter turns into spring. It's more special because it's fleeting. The weather is good, and your feelings tend to meaninglessly become better as well. I especially like that I can wear pretty clothes.

→ Han Yujin: I like fall and winter. I don't like any weather that's too hot. I'll be able to spend this winter with the hyungs, the fans, and many other people, so my expectations [for it] are big. I want to happily create a good time as we go on.

→ Seok Matthew: In Canada, my favorite season was winter. It snows a lot in Canada, and I like winter sports. I like skiing and snowboarding, and I'm good at it too. In Korea, I started liking spring. The cherry blossoms are nice, and when it becomes spring, the flowers that bloom all over are very pretty.

→ Kim Taerae: It has to be the month that I was born, July. That's my favorite month. I actually don't like summer, but I just like July. For this year's birthday, our debut is also scheduled for around then, so I think it'll be a very busy time. It'll be meaningful to spend it focused on work.

→ Ricky: I like fall. It's not too cold or too hot, and it's just the perfect weather. The sun isn't too strong either, and I think it's a good season to do anything.

→ Park Gunwook: I like the period from winter that turns into spring. It's similar to the time I like the most, which is noon. The air and the feeling of the breeze. It's also a good time to finish something and start anew. It's also a heart-fluttering feeling.

→ Sung Hanbin: Spring and summer have nice weather, and nature is pretty then. I like being able to enjoy the beautiful seasons. My favorite month is June. Because that's when my birthday is (he laughs). More than that, I think there's meaning to the midpoint of each year. A time that you can look back on the half of a year and see if you've lived with all your effort, and a time where you can look within so that you can keep living while giving your all in the later parts of the year. I think it's another turning point within the year.

→ Kim Jiwoong: I like December. December is my birthday, and also Christmas! I like the mood that fills the streets around Christmastime, and I like watching the snow fall too. Ah, and I like April now too. Because now, I have a beautiful memory that I won't ever forget. The final stage of <BOYS PLANET>. It was a stage that I dreamed of since I was young, and one that I spent together with star creators beginning from my family, and many people that have loved me, it was really a happy stage.

Q: What is your day usually like?

→ Kim Jiwoong: Because I'm such a simple person, I think all of my days are usually the same. I wake up, stretch, drink a glass of water, and mm, what's a bit special is that I make time to meditate twice a day. In the morning, I have the mindset of 'How should I spend my day today?' Then I reflect before I sleep: 'How did I spend this day?' This morning, because I had the editorial and the interview today, I thought of my expressions and my pose alongside the content of the interview and did some image training. More thought and practice are always much needed. That is how I show a good self in any situation.

→ Zhang Hao: First of all, I find it so hard to wake up in the morning. I tend to swell up a lot in the morning, so I have to do a massage to reduce the swelling as soon as I wake up. This is really important. I looked in the mirror today but I was really so swollen that I got so surprised. Until a little while ago, I was massaging myself and summoning all the energy in my body. I think I usually lack energy before noon, so I'm exercising lately.

→ Sung Hanbin: When others look at it, it probably seems like my day just goes by in a leisurely way, but inside of all of that, I'm very busy. I tend to try and use my time effectively in small increments. On days I'm resting, I wake up early in the morning and read or look for what I should do, and if I think I over-ate the day before, I do high-intensity exercises. Lately, I hike and exercise with my younger sister and talk with her a lot, too. My sister exercises as well. It's because I thought I should spend time with family and people that are special to me as much as I can. Rather than just laying still, I look to do this and that, doing productive activities and spending my time to the fullest.

→ Seok Matthew: I tend to be very schedule-oriented. Every day, I make a list of things I have to do and spend my day checking each thing off. Lately, there are a lot more things to do so I spend the day much more systematically, and I'm especially busy in the morning. I have to wake up quickly and check how much time I have until I go out, and try to do all the things I have to while dividing up that time.

→ Kim Taerae: Right before I sleep, I think of all the things I have to do tomorrow, decide that, and go to sleep. Me? I'm definitely a "J" in the MBTI, I schedule and plan things ahead of time. 98% J. When I open my eyes in the morning, I don't linger in bed or anything like that, and I get right up to wash and review everything I have to do for the day. Then I dutifully carry out the day as I've planned it, just like that.

→ Ricky: This is always something I wonder about, but I can never wake up when I should, and I wake up after time passes a bit afterward (he laughs). In the morning, someone always has to wake me up. During <BOYS PLANET>, my friends rotated turns waking me up, and right now mostly Zhang Hao wakes me up. On <BOYS PLANET> there was a misunderstanding that I always get up early to get ready, but that's not true. There were often times where I was disheveled. It was to the point where the producers would ask me "You're 'young and rich,' but where's 'tall and handsome'?" (He laughs).

→ Kim Gyuvin: Lately, our schedule is so packed that I spend the day so busy I don't have time to think. After a busy day, coming back home to wash up and lay down anywhere, I think that's just the end of it. I really do just lay down anywhere. Strangely, I really like that.

→ Park Gunwook: I usually move according to the schedule that's decided for us. On days that I rest, I meet up with friends or enjoy my hobbies. I like soccer, so I sometimes play with my friends or watch movies too. The habit that I do every day would be to reflect on my day before I sleep. 'Is there something I didn't do well today, did I do something that needs to be excused to someone,' I look over things like that. The thing I hate the most is giving harm to other people, or doing something that embarrasses me. If there's something that catches on my mind, I reflect on it, and I always have time to introspect.

→ Han Yujin: I usually just practice or work. When I rest, I watch a movie or dramas, or play with my dog. When I have time, I tend to go out and mingle with my friends. I go look at this and that and eat tasty food. I buy clothes too. It's just average.

Q: What are the foods that you like and the foods you dislike?

→ Kim Jiwoong: The food that I like the most is samgyeopsal (pork belly). I really like meat, I could eat it every day. There's no food that i dislike or can't eat. I eat everything well, and I eat a lot too. If I go to a restaurant to eat, I usually have two bowls of rice. It's not just me, but the members all eat well. Gunwookie, Matthew, and unexpectedly Taerae and Yujin really eat well too.

→ Zhang Hao: I really like pork/beef intestines and milk tea. When I first had intestines in Korea, I was so shocked. Because it was so good. I want to eat it often, but I can't. Um, there's nothing I can't eat, but I avoid foods like peanuts that get stuck in your teeth because it's annoying.

→ Sung Hanbin: I'm totally the type who likes Korean food. I always find Korean food to eat. I like traditional Korean food, ssambap (t/n: rice wrapped in vegetables, usually lettuce), things of that sort. There's nothing I particularly dislike, but I try to avoid instant foods as much as I can. Because I once gained a lot of weight, I always pay attention to managing it now.

→ Seok Matthew: In Canada, I liked kkanpoongi (a Chinese spicy stir-fried chicken dish), but in Korea i fell for fried chicken. Something I dislike or can't eat is cheese. But it's not all cheese. On pizza or pasta, it's okay, but the cheese in burgers or cheesecake, I can't have. I don't like when the presence of cheese is super obvious. The feeling of it in the mouth is a bit odd.

→ Kim Taerae: I really like sushi. I couldn't eat it at all when I was younger, but now I can't eat it because there isn't any (he laughs). I used to have a kind of aversion to raw things, but now I wonder why I didn't eat something so good. Now, there's no food that I can't eat. Things I don't like are sour foods. Even with fruits, I prefer sweeter things to more sour things. In winter, when we buy tangerines, my parents always eat them first and only give them to me when they're sweet.

→ Ricky: I like samgyeopsal (pork belly). When I came to Korea, I first tried samgyeopsal and it was so tasty. I also like fried chicken with spicy-sweet yangnyeom sauce. It can't just be fried chicken, it has to be spicy-sweet chicken. And pizza, I like Korean style pizza. I like Shanghai food as well. I'm not very good with spicy food. And what I don't like is mint, I really dislike mint choco.

→ Kim Gyuvin: What I like the most is ice cream, no matter what. And then meat. There's no food that I don't like. I think all of our members are like that. I don't think anyone is really a picky eater? Ah, Yujinie does keep 'green friends' a bit farther away, though.

→ Park Gunwook: I like meat, but I especially like all dishes with chicken in them. I like steamed seasoned chicken and seasoned and stir-friend chicken, or buffalo wings too. Strangely, since I was young I couldn't eat tomatoes. Tomato spaghetti or ketchup is okay, but I can't have it by itself. The scent and the feeling as soon as it's in my mouth immediately gives me an aversion.

→ Han Yujin: I like all noodles. Without discriminating against any, all of them. Ramen, and ah, I like mala tang too. I like spicy food as well. Things I don't like are eggplants and mushrooms. I really can't eat them.

Q: What is an object you carry around all the time, or an object that you treat in a special way?

→ Kim Jiwoong: There's a book that I read every night before I sleep. I enjoy wise remarks/well-known quotes, so I read a book of those before I sleep no matter what. I especially depend on them when I'm tired or when things are hard. When I read these, I feel like the situation I'm in is only a stage in the process, and that this stage is one that is precious as well. Yesterday night? Mm, I don't usually read them in order, so I open the book and read that page. Then I sometimes realize that 'this is what the world is telling me today.' Yesterday, the passage said 'always hold fast to your goal.' Do not negotiate, do not lose your direction, always defend your goal and go forward, is what it must mean. Right now, I think this is something I needed to hear, so I engraved it right in my heart.

→ Zhang Hao: My favorite item is my violin. Because this was there for me, that was the beginning of music. While playing violin, I began to like singing and dancing, and I gained interest in K-pop and gained the dream of being an idol. Lately, I take out my violin and practice it so as to not forget my roots, too.

→ Sung Hanbin: I've been told that I look like a character from an animated series. I personally like that character, too. Maybe because of this, my fans send a lot of letters and stationery of this character. I collect that and put it in my backpack as I go about. It feels like they're cheering for me from anywhere, anytime. [It's] dependable and grateful, and so special to me.

→ Seok Matthew: Lately, I take lip balm with me wherever I go. During <BOYS PLANET>, I noticed that the other friends all had lip balm and carried it around. Whenever I put it on, I feel like I'm getting more handsome (he laughs). Because I also want to look handsome, I started carrying it around too. Ah, I also have something that's special to me. It's the wallet I got from my mom on my 17th birthday. Before my birthday, my mom asked me what I wanted, and I didn't want her to worry so I told her 'I don't need anything.' But when I woke up in the morning, this wallet was right next to me. It was a present that I didn't even think of, so it was touching. I take this wallet with me everywhere I go. Whenever I take it out to buy something, I think of my mom. I plan to use it for a long, long time while treasuring it.

→ Kim Taerae: The most special item to me, is of course, my guitar. I play it often too, but I even like just having it on me and sitting still. That's how familiar and important it is to me. It's also my closest and most comfortable friend.

→ Ricky: This small earring on my right ear is something I cherish. My parents gave it to me a long time ago. Because it's pretty, I always have it on.

→ Kim Gyuvin: There's nothing that I particularly take around with me, but because stamina is important, I always take vitamins and nutrient supplements first lately. During <BOYS PLANET>, the hyungs took supplements every morning.

→ Park Gunwook: I now have an object that's special to me after going on <BOYS PLANET>. While being on the program, so thankfully, many hyungs looked at me prettily. While we were dorming together, my birthday happened, and the hyungs gave me presents. Especially after wearing the bracelet that Hwanhee hyung gave me, the results that happened kept on being good. Since then, I cherish it like a seal of luck. And before the final stage, Keita hyung gave me an earring in the shape of the sun, and with the intention of becoming 'the sun of <BOYS PLANET>,' I put it on. I feel like maybe I debuted because of these things, and made up my mind to look after these objects well.

→ Han Yujin: There's a watch that I always wear. In my 2nd year of middle school, I said I wanted it, and my father gave it to me. Because it's something my dad gave me, I always carry it around, keeping it especially close to my heart.

Q: What is the song of your life that made me you who you are? Alternatively, name one song that is meaningful to you.

→ Kim Jiwoong: 'Say My Name', the song I performed during <BOYS PLANET> is a meaningful song to me. It's something that changed me. Something that showed a new me. On the outside, I may seem cold, but through this song I think I expressed that I could also be a bit of a cute or warm person. And in that moment, I was happy. The fans liked it too. The song title itself also has meaning, too. The feeling of someone calling my name anew.

→ Zhang Hao: I want to choose Winner's 'Millions.' It was the first song I practiced after becoming a trainee. Honestly, after really living the life of a trainee, it was so different from what I thought and so tiring that I thought I wanted to run away. But of course, the more I felt like that, I thought the more I had to hold onto my heart and bear it. For one month, I just listened to this song and practiced it. By doing that, I learned a lot. Especially this – that though singing and dancing were important, energy and the ability to express your feelings are so important. When I look at those practice videos, I think I'm a bit cute, too. It's a good memory. Because I had those times, the Zhang Hao of now must exist.

→ Sung Hanbin: PL's 'Honeymoon.' While I was on <BOYS PLANET>, I wrote this song in my self-introduction, too. If you just look at the lyrics, it's also a story of sweet words of comfort between lovers. But listening to this song, I thought of the fans I would have in the far future. Because I would have my own dependable fans soon, so I shouldn't give up and should keep walking this path – this is what I decided. If the opportunity allows, I want to let the fans hear me sing this song, too.

→ Seok Matthew: I really like the OST of 'Howl's Moving Castle.' When I listen to this song, I strangely become more relaxed. I close my eyes and focus my ears, and imagine. Sometimes I imagine the ocean, sometimes the sky, and sometimes a blue mountain range. When hard times happen, I calmed my heart like this a lot. When I came to Korea and felt lonely or had no one to talk to, this music protected me like a friend.

→ Kim Taerae: The song that's meaningful to me and my life is Park Hyosin's 'THE OTHER DAY.' When I'm tired or exhausted, especially when practice didn't go so well, I listened to it a lot. It's a song that feels like a dream, but when I listen to it my heart becomes more relaxed and it comforted me as well. I hope I can make a song like this and sing it to give comfort and happiness to someone, I think that would be good.

→ Ricky: The song that's meaningful to me is G-DRAGON's 'Black.' When I was in elementary school, I saw him perform this song and I totally fell in love. 'How can someone be this cool?' I thought. So I looked up other stages, and that's when I became interested in K-pop. Maybe this song was what first made me think that I wanted to become a singer.

→ Kim Gyuvin: The song I choose as one meaningful to me is Big Naughty's 'VANCOUVER.' When I began my life as a trainee, I started taking lyric-writing lessons that I found particularly fun. It was so cool how he wrote his own story so honestly. The song is about his unrequited crush on a girl. but the structure of the lyrics is so interesting and well-made. The rhyme, the flow, and the melody, too. It was very striking to me and nice to hear, so I listened to it often.

→ Park Gunwook: Baekhyun's 'BAMBI' is the album of my life/my favorite album. Rather than choosing one song, because I listened to this whole album a lot, I want to say that I like all of the songs. Every time I listen to it, I fall into it differently. The melody and lyrics seem familiar yet new, so the melody and lyrics always resonate within my heart.

→ Han Yujin: Taemin's 'Goodbye' is the song that I auditioned for <BOYS PLANET> with. I like Taemin sunbae, so when I was first living as a trainee, I really listened to this song a lot. Then I didn't for a while, but when I looked at it again while preparing for the program, no matter how many times I saw it, it was amazing. I really listened hard while preparing for it.

Q: What kind of perfume do you prefer?

→ Kim Jiwoong: I like perfumes with a subtle feeling, like the scent of soap when you just washed up. Ah, I like butterflies, but I like to imagine a single butterfly flying by a flower – I like scents like that. Me? I have a very active imagination.

→ Zhang Hao: I like different scents by the season. In spring and fall, I like soap scents. In spring and fall, you usually just wear one layer of a shirt. I want to give a clean feeling like that. In summer, I like fresh grapefruit scents, and in winter I like warm coconut scents.

→ Sung Hanbin: I actually like perfume, so I have an array of different ones. I'm the type that's sensitive to scents, too. When I was dieting, I heard that stimulating your sense of smell helps to suppress the urge to eat, so I used perfumes then, too. When I want to eat something, if I spray a bit of perfume on my wrist and put it under my nose while breathing in and out, it helped my desire to eat disappear a little bit. I use different perfumes depending on each day, but the ones that the fans that I've met said they particularly liked were mostly powdery scents.

→ Seok Matthew: On different days, I like different feelings of perfume. I like very strong? Intense scents too... when I want to seem like an 'oppa.' But these days, I usually use sweet scents. Something with pineapple and coconut mixed together.

→ Kim Taerae: I don't use perfume a lot, but my favorite perfume is the scent of my father's body lotion/cologne. It was a modern feeling, and it's still engraved in my mind today.

→ Ricky: I like deep scents of perfume. I tend to like heavier, woody scents.

→ Kim Gyuvin: I never had a particular preference for scents, but after becoming roommates with Jiwoong hyung, I developed an interest in them. Hyung has a lot of perfume, so I smelled this and that. I think I like sweet scents that aren't too strong, but I'm still finding out what I like at this stage.

→ Park Gunwook: I don't use perfume yet, but I wonder if I should start using it now. I think I like softly subtle scents that are cozy and comfortable like body wash and shampoo.

→ Han Yujin: To call it a scent is a bit much, but I like the smell of winter. What do you call it, the cold smell of when fall is turning into winter.

scan by @S2ovemorenow

translation by @julyhours

Do not use without credit.