HYUNA ; 'I'm Not Cool' Interview (Quality) ...=^=... Photos ...=^=... W Magazine (KR) , 2021.01.24

Only HyunA ; Interview (Quality) ; W Magazine (KR) ; 2021.01.24

www.wkorea.com/2021/01/24/오직-현아/

(Begin Part 1 of 2)

One day, HyunA stood on the stage with her golden hair and tanned skin, threw off her high heels and danced. As time passed, it became a face that came to mind when you think of a provocative red. And today, she is ready to transform into a strangely attractive salmosa (snake). The stage that is possible only with HyunA is about to unfold.

Q: I think you have lost a lot of weight.

I am eating well. But I can't keep it (add weight), as much as I eat. No matter how much I eat, it seems that I burn more calories faster than others. There is also a concern for becoming (weight) sensitive, because I am about to start a comeback performance cycle.

Q: As it was, the comeback should have been announced in August last year with the new song 'Good Girl' ... But it was unfortunately postponed due to health problems.

I promised to stand on the stage after a long time and was preparing a regular album. On the way, Vasovagal Syncope nerve fainting recurred. And the comeback activity was lost, and it seems that I got sick. I wanted to stand on the stage, but my body did not allow me. It was almost crazy.

Q: At the time, when you informed of your health status through social media, I know that many people sent you messages of support.

In fact, I was upset with myself for not keeping my promises. But receiving so many letters from my surrounding (fans) made me no longer feel blame. Some people wrote to me saying that they had experienced similar experiences on the subway. While others contacted me, saying that they were writing a long letter, even though they were not my fan, because I could not get rid of my worries (so they felt sympathy). Vasovagal Syncope nerve syndrome is really unknown. Because it suddenly happens, it is virtually impossible to cope with it. This is why there are many wounds on the shoulders, back head, and cheekbones. While resting, I read the (fan) letters one by one. Even if I prepared slowly, I believed that I will show myself standing up again. So I believed that I can make a comeback again.

Q: You announced the news of your comeback in January. This activity must be meaningful.

I will solve all the (previous) difficulties when I couldn't stand on stage (laughs). Another thing to look forward to is that this is the first time I worked on the title song in collaboration rather than alone. Psy's brother, and boyfriend Dawn, almost became 'Team HyunA' ... So it felt like they were moving me forward. And each contributed their own ideas, one by one, so the work went in a good direction. This is the first time I've ever worked in this (team) manner. I originally did everything by myself. In the past, there was always a homework that fell on me. There was a guideline for what to do and when to do it. And according to that, I systematically prepared myself. But this time, a group of people came together, and we worked collectively.

Q: Didn't Psy participate in the composition of 'Flower Shower' (song), which was released last year?

Right. Psy's brother and 'Tikitaka' match so well. And they fight a lot and make up very quickly (laughs). There were a lot of (spirited) conversations while preparing for this album. Sometimes I sent a text message saying, "Okay, Team, I have to sort it out soon. How are you doing?"

Q: What picture did you think of the most in your mind while preparing the album?

As I prepared for the activity every time, I thought about which character to show, but this time it was a SALMOSA. As soon as I listened to the song for the first time, I wanted to say 'this is a SNAKE song'. Dawn, who was listening to the song next to me, asked, "How do you like the lyrics, 'There's nothing stronger than me, Salmosa' ?" The appearance is so unique that the Salmosa dazzles people. But it is poisonous, so no one can think of touching it. It seems that I also have such duality. Even though I want to be kind, I want to be infinitely 'bad' on the stage. But on some days, I want to look cute, and then suddenly look sexy.

Q: One of the words that describes you then is 'Duality' ?

Perhaps because I hate being limited to one image. I think I can accept it, as long as it is open. There are many cases when I try to do something about the concept of my activity, and realize that 'I'm also suitable just as me.' I don't have a personality to use unplanned stage activity. However, if you decide to stand on stage with one distinct character, you will be stuck with that, and it will not come out well. When I come down from the stage, I don't always recall what I've been doing. So it's absolutely necessary to lay the groundwork in the practice room in order to perform to your heart's content.

Q: I thought it was because I had seen you move almost like an animal on the stage. Or that 'natural talent' moves you. I never guessed that there would be a systematic practice behind the scenes.

I have a personality that can't live (quietly). If I have a one-year schedule table, it is always full, whether it is classes or other schedules. It is easy to live systematically. It's surprising that it's a meeting between someone who is the most organized and a person who lives flexibly as it flows (laugh).

Q: The first mini-album <Bubble Pop! song> came out exactly 10 years ago from now. It was a strong release as a solo musician and an album that made you a so-called 'Sexy Queen'. How do you remember those days?

I really remember every day. At that time, the stage was so enjoyable that I wondered if I wanted to continue on stage like this now. I was so young that I couldn't even realize that I was Age 20. And I really worked hard without knowing anything. If you look at the stage at that time, you can see something healthy and full of energy. The confidence of 'I'm The Best' comes out with no intent to hide it.

Q: Compared to now, the music industry 10 years ago was much more conservative. I think it was because you had a firm will that was able to come out with a bold concept at the time.

Actually, I didn't do much (concept work). There were so many experts who 'set the table' so that I could play to my heart's content on the stage. I think that I was on the side of trusting them and following them.

Q: Didn't the people around you guide it (that way) because they saw something inside you?

Thank you for seeing it like that ... It was just like this, every time, I could DO IT. When a lot of people around me look after me beautifully, choreograph, and write songs, I try to live up to expectations without disappointing. There is something my Dad often said to me as a child ... 'There are so many people there with you, it is not all about you.' ... When I was young, I didn't understand what that meant. But as time went by, the words came into focus with greater meaning and concentration every year. Ten years ago or now, because of the people who make me shine, I always seem to be trying to do better and better on the stage. The people I want to have recognized most are the people around me.

(End Part 1 of 2 , Please Read Part 2)

Only HyunA ; Interview (Quality) ; W Magazine (KR) ; 2021.01.24

www.wkorea.com/2021/01/24/오직-현아/

(Begin Part 2 of 2)

Q: You are famous for the anecdote that director Na Hong-jin thought of you as the 'nameless' role played by Chun Woo-hee while preparing for the movie Gokseong. When the director said that he wanted to transfer the energy that you exhaled on the stage to the screen, I suddenly became curious about the name you are playing.

Thankfully, he came with a script. It was so glorious, but I gave up. It may be because I am not confident in acting or because I am more longing for the stage. I did not feel comfortable because I had not done it properly on stage yet ... It felt like I didn't want to set foot in another area (acting roles).

Q: It's surprising. I thought you might have enough of performance time on live stage.

The stage is a place of both starting and thirsty for more. It's so charming, so limitless.

Q: Do you remember the first moment you first felt the charm?

When I was in elementary school, I didn't have a lot of energy, so my dad advised me to learn to dance. While attending academy, I learned choreography. But one day I had a chance to stand on a small stage in front of an audience. When I first stood on the stage, I knew there was a certain 'mood'. The sensation of pleasure when I put what I practiced onto the stage, and the desire to do better next time.

Q: What are some common misconceptions people have for you?

Wouldn't there be too many? ... However, such gossip or misunderstanding is so natural now. It's sad in a way. I've come to accept things that aren't the truth, around me as 'it can be' (it happens, unfortunately).

Q: It wouldn't have been easy until you premiered.

I don't think it was difficult. There are a lot of really nice people around. First of all, my fans are the best. No matter what I do, (fans) they never leave me, and stay by my side.

Q: What do you hear most often from people close to you?

Perhaps the staff, I meet with them more often than my family. But I often hear the words 'I'm sorry' and 'I'm salty'. 'I have it all, but why is it salty?' When I am asked why I look pitiful, I just answer that I don't know. Probably because I always see my hard work like blood from inside.

Q: Last fall, I interviewed Dawn, who may be the person closest to you. At that time, I asked of his girlfriend, HyunA, what kind of person she was. And he answered that she was a person who could provide mental stability. By the way, he wasn't a kind man until now, but after meeting you, he became infinitely kind (laughs).

You know, too (laughs). Right. I think so too. He seems like a person who gave everything to me. He is the most beloved person in my world, enough to be the driving force of my life. He is a friend who can play without knowing how time passes. And he is also a rival who gives musical creation stimulation. When I'm in sadness, he can take it away the quickest. And when I'm tired, he does not reprimand me. He silently cheers from behind, and gives me strength, saying,'Well, walk forward, and then you can run?' He is a person for me that cannot be exchanged for anything in this world. I can't imagine my world without Dawn.

Q: Are there any questions you ask yourself the most as a professional these days?

'How are you doing now?' ... It seems that I have been checking my body (health) every day since I was sick. Previously, even when I was too indifferent to me, and I wasn't in good shape, I still claimed 'No, I can do it' ... And eventually, I had to stop doing everything (for health reasons). These days, I lightly ask questions such as whether I'm okay or how I'm doing. Moreover, a comeback is ahead. Just as an athlete must be in perfect condition to finish the game well when he stands in the stadium, I am trying to take care of my body as well as possible.

Q: So, do you have any questions you often ask as a person living your life?

A little abstract, but the question 'Are you happy?' ... Whatever it is, we are all trying to make ourselves happy in the end. I keep asking myself if I am happy, and I try not to forget that (happy) feeling. At the end of the day, I'm a person who likes to take a short walk with Dawn. I will (do that).

Q: How much do you think that you found the answer to the question of whether you are happy?

I still don't know. But, I think I know a little more about things that make me happy.

(End Part 2 of 2)

END: On January 28, HyunA's B cut, which was not published in the paper, will be released.