[131026 Japanese Magazine EXILE translations]

Q: It's been a year since an album has been put on sale as a group. During this time, was there any time you've received any stimulus/push?
DW: In Korea, each person had participated in either drama or musical.
KK: By listening to foreign artistes' songs and thought, "it will be good if our next album can be released in such a way.". Holding this thought, although all six of us had different ideas, we collected our suggestions all in this one album this time round.

Q: You have spoken a lot of Japanese at the live held in Yokohama Arena back in July.
HS: I haven't received personal instruction, but on my phone there is an application that allows (me) to easily memorize, so I've studied using that. It's difficult for us to converse directly (in Japanese) yet, and unable to put across our thoughts altogether, but wanting to share as much of our thoughts as possible made me work hard.

Q: Yoseob-san who had his solo activities in spring time, did he teach the members Japanese?
DW: "Okane kudasai (please give me money)" was what I learnt from Yoseob. (laughs)
YS: My Japanese is not at a level where I can teach the members. Despite that, all of us want to do well in Japanese so we are all learning.

Q: Has your impression of Japan changed after having performed at "MTV Zushi Fes13", "2013 Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival" etc. such stages with Japanese artistes? You've shared the stage with the 3rd gen. J Soul Brothers at the Fireworks Festival as well right?
YS: At ZushiFes, the audience was dressed in swimming outfit, and listening and singing along to our songs - I think that is a first. They are more enthusiastic compared to what we had expected/thought of. Initially, to be able to perform in front of an audience dressed in swim attire, we were excited, but after seeing so, we are so shy/embarrassed that I couldn't meet their eyes. (laughs)
DJ: We exchanged CDs with the 3rd gen. J Soul Brothers as well!
DW: But we couldn't do more than just a greeting with them.
YS: We managed to watch their rehearsal from the side of the stage.
DW: That's right! The songs and dances were so cool that I continued watching. It was cool/suave.

Q: This is about your 2nd album Hard to love, How to Love - Japan Edition- that has been released this summer, the songs are by Junhyung-san, and the members all participated in the album artwork, did you all decide to do this personally?
JH: Whenever there is time, I will make songs, so there wasn't any special intention to do so. The time spent on each song is different but I haven't held the thought that this was difficult. Except that there isn't a song that was made within a short time. I always made my focus to align with "BEAST". That's why this time round I was able to make a great variety of songs. (looking at the members) There was discussion that it will be good if we could make the artwork different from what we have until now right? Even though that we could only give our suggestions to the designer.
YS: We discuss together about the group's music and form.
DW: Yes. We were to the extent discussing about the next album.

Q: Already?! That's fast. In this album, is there a song you like personally?
DW: I like the song I'm Sorry which has sad lyrics.
KK: I'm Sorry for me too. I've liked it since the first time I heard it as a demo song. It was such a good song to the extent, while we were recording it, I had thought "was this really written by Junhyungie?". (everyone clapped)
DJ: How to Love. The melody and the lyrics are pretty/beautiful.
YS: I like Will You Be Alright. We haven't had activities for this song, but it's also a song that we've gotten 1st on broadcast show too.
HS: Shadow. It's the title song of this album, and also we've had lots of activities through this song so I feel the connection/affinity with this song.
JH: If I had to choose, Shadow and Be Alright. I've always made songs starting with the beat, but I paid special attention to the beats for these two songs. So if you think of that and listen to the songs, it will have a different feel.

Q: Be Alright has a good feel to groove. Everyone's pronunciation for Japanese version of Shadow was good.
All: Really? Is that true? Daebak/great!!
DJ: Japanese is difficult.
JH: During the recording, the Japanese staff linked arms and were watching how we were doing. (laughs) (Them) watching (us) with sharp eyes, it was because they paid attention such that it will be the quality of which (everyone) is able to hear/understand us well.

Q: A literal translation of the album title will mean "Love is tough/difficult". Do you feel that way?
All: Yes.
YS: Love is difficult, but to take the first step, it's also difficult.

Q: Isn't having crushes/one-sided love more interesting/fun?
DJ: Crushes are even tougher.
DW: I like it.
KK: There are different forms of love, so there are both good and bad aspects. We sang lots of love songs and aged over time, so compared to the past I think of love more deeply now. Right now, I want to feel "safe/stable love".

Q: When you become adults, the vigor and yearning you have towards love diminishes as compared to your teens?
DJ: I think so. Amongst my friends, there are those who have gotten married and have kids, so you can't think of only the good aspects of love/dating but I have come to think of it realistically.
DW: I've a friend who has a 2-year-old child as well.

Q: Are there times you've been influenced by your surrounding?
KK: Marriage? It's not time yet. It's like a dream.
DJ: It's in the far future. Our hearts are still like idols. (laughs)
YS: Our lovers are B2uties.
DW: I think it's good to get married later, but I want a kid!!
DJ: That's a little strange right!
DW: I want to raise a kid. If the kid looks like me, he will be cute (laughs). I just want to put across that I like children.
HS: My perspective on love hasn't changed since the past. In love, there are meetings and there are partings, and it repeats.

Q: That's a cool answer. Hyunseung-san is an adult.
HS: That's not it.
YS: No, the one who says "that's not it" seems like an adult.

Q: Finally, tell us what do you want to do in future in Japan.
DJ: I want to do lots of lives.
YS: Yup, and also Dome tour.
DW: Personally, I want to act in a love story production with Aragaki Yui-san.

Q: The love that I think is the best.

DJ: I don't know if anyone else thinks of this, but "normal love" that does not fade. But if you think of that realistically, it's difficult so it's impossible. The other party's heart that doesn't change is definitely important, but more than that, it is important that my heart doesn't change. That's why it will be fine as long as the other party continually treats me well.

HS: I thought a dramatic love story will be the best, but, a best love will be one that has trust, and able to think of each others' stance and to meet a partner that you are able to spend your live with. But to me, to think about love and talk about it or decide on it, it's too difficult and I can't do it.

JH: It is ideal if the relationship is 50:50. It cannot be that one side's given love is too burdensome, or if one leans on the other too much. For example, usually the guy pays for the meal. But I think it's fine if sometimes the girl pays for it too. So it's important that both manages the balance well.

YS: I think the best love is the love now. There's a famous Korean saying that says, "Do not be fooled by the sense of familiarity and lose sense of importance.", and I got touched, and started to think like that. If you think like that, I think I will surpass the love talk done by the other members up till now. (laughs) I want to do that too, but unfortunately, I've no partner.

KK: Watching love story movies and thinking about it, it will be boring if there are only good times continually in love right? I think it's good to have fights/quarrels. And to that extent, give in to and depend on each other. Without concealing from each other and talk like friends, if you amass such kind of love, I think you will be able to have a relationship that goes on for a long time.

DW: Falling in love with someone who you've never thought was possible, or looking blissful but in reality isn't. I don't know if I have the right to talk about love but I think it's the best love as long as you love each other. But i think the best love isn't the kind between man and woman, but the love that parents give to their children.


Credits: @kongkongXD for JP-KR translations

Apologies if there are any inaccuracies!

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