The moment when 7 songs became one for 7 people
GOT7
Before coming to meet GOT7 I listened to "7 for 7" album several times. How about getting rid of all trivial and formal questions and just talking about music? Seem like all of you have something to say
Bambam: Alright. Since debut all 7 of us wanted to include self-composed songs (into the album). That's why everybody constantly tried to compose but in fact it was unsatisfactory. But this time both us and company were satisfied (with outcome). In my opinion album even exceeded expectations. It feels like dreams came true, and we are also proud and love it.
JB: Even though songs composed by me have been included into the album before it's the first time when it was picked as title song. It's really meaningful. Including me all members cared a lot (about this album).
Jackson: I think it's album clearly filled with different worries we have in our twenties. Through title song "You Are" we wanted to express our gratitude. "Because we have you it's all good".
Bambam: Alright. Since debut all 7 of us wanted to include self-composed songs (into the album). That's why everybody constantly tried to compose but in fact it was unsatisfactory. But this time both us and company were satisfied (with outcome). In my opinion album even exceeded expectations. It feels like dreams came true, and we are also proud and love it.
JB: Even though songs composed by me have been included into the album before it's the first time when it was picked as title song. It's really meaningful. Including me all members cared a lot (about this album).
Jackson: I think it's album clearly filled with different worries we have in our twenties. Through title song "You Are" we wanted to express our gratitude. "Because we have you it's all good".
7 people completing one album through 7 songs they participated in has more than one meaning. Such words as "independence", "self-reliance", "freedom" and "responsibility" pops up in the mind.
Bambam: Seems like in our age you always think about independence and self-reliance. I think about time when later on I won't be able to do this job. So it's not only about music I also constantly put efforts in video-making and languages. Don't opportunities come to those who are prepared? (laughs)
JB: As I was working on this album burden and responsibility became bigger. It came to the extent it was difficult to talk. As my song was set as title I was extremely high but because of the burden (came with it) I prepared it even more diligently and cared way too much.
Youngjae: Even though this album reflects our opinion and thoughts a lot, big picture and tune of it was drawn and completed together with company. Rather than burden it became a happy experience since we were able to do things we wanted to. I have a lot of affection to this album.
Jinyoung: If I say I didn't feel burdened I don't know if it may also sound like I didn't have responsibility, but for me rather than burden expectations and throbbing arose. I am glad because title song made by GOT7 member became a title and received acknowledgement of company and public.
Bambam: Seems like in our age you always think about independence and self-reliance. I think about time when later on I won't be able to do this job. So it's not only about music I also constantly put efforts in video-making and languages. Don't opportunities come to those who are prepared? (laughs)
JB: As I was working on this album burden and responsibility became bigger. It came to the extent it was difficult to talk. As my song was set as title I was extremely high but because of the burden (came with it) I prepared it even more diligently and cared way too much.
Youngjae: Even though this album reflects our opinion and thoughts a lot, big picture and tune of it was drawn and completed together with company. Rather than burden it became a happy experience since we were able to do things we wanted to. I have a lot of affection to this album.
Jinyoung: If I say I didn't feel burdened I don't know if it may also sound like I didn't have responsibility, but for me rather than burden expectations and throbbing arose. I am glad because title song made by GOT7 member became a title and received acknowledgement of company and public.
Is it an album that reflects everything you wanted to do without regrets and lingering feelings?
JB: We did everything we wanted to do and could do as GOT7 members. Of course, from my point of view some lacking spots and regrets are there. But seems like nothing can be done about that.
If I listen to song made by JB now seems like I will understand (it's JB's song). It has unique refreshing note.
JB: Songs made by "GOT7's JB" are like that. But I personally like more dark and sticky feelings rather than refreshing ones. But, of course, both of them are present in me.
JB: We did everything we wanted to do and could do as GOT7 members. Of course, from my point of view some lacking spots and regrets are there. But seems like nothing can be done about that.
If I listen to song made by JB now seems like I will understand (it's JB's song). It has unique refreshing note.
JB: Songs made by "GOT7's JB" are like that. But I personally like more dark and sticky feelings rather than refreshing ones. But, of course, both of them are present in me.
"Remember You" in which Bambam participated also sounds exactly like Bambam. The sophisticated feeling is strong in it.
BB: My image is usually bright and energetic but this song is slow and earnest. Fans, too, thought of it as of twist. It's a story about anxious love.
Do you still like Saint Laurent?
BB: Hedi Slimane has left. (laughs) But I still like it. I receive a lot of Saint Laurent clothes as birthday and Christmas presents. Saint Laurent clothes present the most in my closet. I like that kind of slim style. But lately it became kinda tiresome? (laughs) I started liking simple comfortable clothes. Like baggy pants and slippers.
When I became familiar with melody and lyrics of "Firework", in which Jinyoung participated, I suddenly thought of you as a "dreamer".
JY: Lyrics are comparing the road we go through with the firework explosion. This song has a positive meaning - if you silently try your best one day you will shine brightly. I do think of myself as of a dreamer, but I don't know what people around think of me.
Earlier in a fitting room I saw you pulling out the book. What are you reading recently?
JY: I'm reading a novel called "Puppet of an endless youth" (<불로의 인형>). I finished it, so I'm choosing new book now.
The habit of reading books in some way must have effect on you when you are writing lyrics.
JY: It doesn't look like it has a direct effect on subject or expressions (I use). But books I usually read may unconsciously be reflected in music when I'm working on it.
JY: Lyrics are comparing the road we go through with the firework explosion. This song has a positive meaning - if you silently try your best one day you will shine brightly. I do think of myself as of a dreamer, but I don't know what people around think of me.
Earlier in a fitting room I saw you pulling out the book. What are you reading recently?
JY: I'm reading a novel called "Puppet of an endless youth" (<불로의 인형>). I finished it, so I'm choosing new book now.
The habit of reading books in some way must have effect on you when you are writing lyrics.
JY: It doesn't look like it has a direct effect on subject or expressions (I use). But books I usually read may unconsciously be reflected in music when I'm working on it.
When it comes to "내게", which Yugyeom worked on, it sounds like a song that indeed belongs to a dancer. It piles up and breaks into various beats and rhythms.
Yugyeom: Mostly I wanted to give it a try and make something fresh. I used beat and melodies that usually isn't wide used in Korean popular music. It's really unfamiliar so it was possible that it wouldn't have been published in album but unexpectedly it received a good response.
Yugyeom: Mostly I wanted to give it a try and make something fresh. I used beat and melodies that usually isn't wide used in Korean popular music. It's really unfamiliar so it was possible that it wouldn't have been published in album but unexpectedly it received a good response.
Jackson, Mark and Bambam wrote lyrics in Korean. You are fluent in Korean but "talking" and "writing" are different things.
Jackson: That's right. It wasn't easy task. When it comes to me, I don't really read books a lot (laughs) I referred a lot to other artists' lyrics.
Mark: There are things I want to express but my Korean is still clumsy so I couldn't express everything that my heart wanted to. It's upsetting but I'm satisfied. I think it's right not to be greedy and express as much as I can for now. For next album I can do better.
Bambam: Talking and writing is for sure different things. If you try to write lyrics the way you speak it may appear slightly childish so I was cautious of it. I was working on it (lyrics) while constantly listening to opinion of people around me.
Jackson: That's right. It wasn't easy task. When it comes to me, I don't really read books a lot (laughs) I referred a lot to other artists' lyrics.
Mark: There are things I want to express but my Korean is still clumsy so I couldn't express everything that my heart wanted to. It's upsetting but I'm satisfied. I think it's right not to be greedy and express as much as I can for now. For next album I can do better.
Bambam: Talking and writing is for sure different things. If you try to write lyrics the way you speak it may appear slightly childish so I was cautious of it. I was working on it (lyrics) while constantly listening to opinion of people around me.
How about other members? People of the pen usually have a rules they stick to (while writing) as if they have cleaning obsession syndrome.
JB: I try not to repeat expressions I have already used. When you compose a lot of songs sometimes content and expressions in the lyrics are all same. I don't like when expressions used in one song are written down again in other, too. During all that time I liked simple and easy expressions but recently I became greedy for metaphors and poetic lines.
Youngjae: Writing lyrics is really difficult. Even if lyrics are same, depending on person or melody, it may sound absolutely different. It's always a problem to control that aspect but I'm giving it a try. Whether it's too cheesy or not I'm writing down all my thoughts and then look through it.
JB: I try not to repeat expressions I have already used. When you compose a lot of songs sometimes content and expressions in the lyrics are all same. I don't like when expressions used in one song are written down again in other, too. During all that time I liked simple and easy expressions but recently I became greedy for metaphors and poetic lines.
Youngjae: Writing lyrics is really difficult. Even if lyrics are same, depending on person or melody, it may sound absolutely different. It's always a problem to control that aspect but I'm giving it a try. Whether it's too cheesy or not I'm writing down all my thoughts and then look through it.
I personally like Youngjae's straight and neat vocal. Your voice and "Moon U" match each other really well.
YJ: We had a fan meeting on that topic - "We under the moonlight". It's a song I want to sing to fans. I'm sure all members feel that, but I ended up writing this song from the very beginning till the very end in a way that I can sing it all alone. Because of it this song was naturally made in a way to fit my features and voice.
What do you personally think of your voice?
YJ: I don't think that my voice is beautiful. It's suffocated. (laughs) I'm not satisfied. Since I don't like it I get annoyed quite often.
YJ: We had a fan meeting on that topic - "We under the moonlight". It's a song I want to sing to fans. I'm sure all members feel that, but I ended up writing this song from the very beginning till the very end in a way that I can sing it all alone. Because of it this song was naturally made in a way to fit my features and voice.
What do you personally think of your voice?
YJ: I don't think that my voice is beautiful. It's suffocated. (laughs) I'm not satisfied. Since I don't like it I get annoyed quite often.
It's a little bit surprising to see (such) Jackson today. I expected to see (same) image that shows up in the midst of variety programs but you appeared to be very serious man.
Jackson: It's interesting for me and I like being a part of variety programs. But I don't like that public knows me only through the bright and lively image I show on the varieties. Of course, that image is also real me but I have serious side, too. For now I also want to show my musical and acting sides.
Jackson: It's interesting for me and I like being a part of variety programs. But I don't like that public knows me only through the bright and lively image I show on the varieties. Of course, that image is also real me but I have serious side, too. For now I also want to show my musical and acting sides.
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How do you feel about the interviews like today one? Too serious and not fun?
GOT7: No, it's rather good. It didn't feel like magazine interview so it's impressive.
JB: Of course, we like interview which flows comfortably but we also like being serious when we talk about music. Even though I'm aware of me being an idol there are a lot of occasions when I was denying myself. That was sort of rebellious. The thing l used to hate about idols is the fixed image. Now I want to bring the image of both idol and musician.
GOT7: No, it's rather good. It didn't feel like magazine interview so it's impressive.
JB: Of course, we like interview which flows comfortably but we also like being serious when we talk about music. Even though I'm aware of me being an idol there are a lot of occasions when I was denying myself. That was sort of rebellious. The thing l used to hate about idols is the fixed image. Now I want to bring the image of both idol and musician.
Not now, but after some time, how would the 7 of you remember this album "7 for 7"?
Bambam: While preparing this album the feeling I had when I debuted came again. From that point of view it's really meaningful album, so I think even as time passes by I would still cherish and treasure it. In general isn't your first attempts something you would never forget?
JB: I hope, as time passes by, fans would be able to listen to this album again and think that songs were good. For me personally no matter how much time passes by, as I listen to it again I will notice all the parts we lacked at. Satisfied or not some problems will still show up and regrets like "We could have done it better" will still come to my mind.
Mark: Previous GOT7's songs were great for stage but they weren't song you could comfortably listen to on daily basis. But this album is something you can keep in your earphones and listen to in your everyday life, too. It's also good to listen to them when you are driving. In my opinion, it's something you don't grow tired of and stick to listening from time to time. Satisfying album.
Youngjae: True. First of all, we are listening to our songs this much. Not getting tired of them. I hope other people are like that, too. And (for them, too) it's comfortable songs you are not growing tired of.
Yugyeom: I will remember it as a meaningful album in many different ways. Because first of all, it's an album which was fully completed with our participation. All 7 songs aren't uncomfortable to listen to so I will continuously search (and come back) for them, too.
Bambam: It wasn't that long since we came back so we are quite busy. It's hectic and we are tired. That's why it still doesn't feel real but at the time we produced songs for this album our condition was really good. We met friends and had a lot of joyful things happening. I think I will remember emotions of that time.
Jackson: I think it's the first true album of GOT7's 7 members. I think I will reminisce about it a lot. Won't you feel proud if you listen to "You Are" again when you are aged a little?
Jinyoung: Our second start. Different growth path we found for GOT7.
Bambam: While preparing this album the feeling I had when I debuted came again. From that point of view it's really meaningful album, so I think even as time passes by I would still cherish and treasure it. In general isn't your first attempts something you would never forget?
JB: I hope, as time passes by, fans would be able to listen to this album again and think that songs were good. For me personally no matter how much time passes by, as I listen to it again I will notice all the parts we lacked at. Satisfied or not some problems will still show up and regrets like "We could have done it better" will still come to my mind.
Mark: Previous GOT7's songs were great for stage but they weren't song you could comfortably listen to on daily basis. But this album is something you can keep in your earphones and listen to in your everyday life, too. It's also good to listen to them when you are driving. In my opinion, it's something you don't grow tired of and stick to listening from time to time. Satisfying album.
Youngjae: True. First of all, we are listening to our songs this much. Not getting tired of them. I hope other people are like that, too. And (for them, too) it's comfortable songs you are not growing tired of.
Yugyeom: I will remember it as a meaningful album in many different ways. Because first of all, it's an album which was fully completed with our participation. All 7 songs aren't uncomfortable to listen to so I will continuously search (and come back) for them, too.
Bambam: It wasn't that long since we came back so we are quite busy. It's hectic and we are tired. That's why it still doesn't feel real but at the time we produced songs for this album our condition was really good. We met friends and had a lot of joyful things happening. I think I will remember emotions of that time.
Jackson: I think it's the first true album of GOT7's 7 members. I think I will reminisce about it a lot. Won't you feel proud if you listen to "You Are" again when you are aged a little?
Jinyoung: Our second start. Different growth path we found for GOT7.
Out of 7 songs from "7 for 7" album there is one I listened on repeat last night. Leaving aside your own song can you name one you stick to fast and without hesitation.
Yugyeom: "Teenager"
Youngjae: "You Are"
Mark: Not one but two songs. "You Are" and "Firework".
Jackson: "Firework". But if you listen to it continuously on repeat doesn't it start to annoy you no matter what song it is? (laughs)
Jinyoung: "Remember You"
JB: "Moon U" and "내게". What was the song you listened to on repeat?* (laughs)
*question addressed to journalist
Yugyeom: "Teenager"
Youngjae: "You Are"
Mark: Not one but two songs. "You Are" and "Firework".
Jackson: "Firework". But if you listen to it continuously on repeat doesn't it start to annoy you no matter what song it is? (laughs)
Jinyoung: "Remember You"
JB: "Moon U" and "내게". What was the song you listened to on repeat?* (laughs)
*question addressed to journalist
