We interviewed Cho Jin-ho, musical actor Lim Gyu-hyun, Korean traditional musician Kim Soo-in, and vocalist Lee Seung-min to find out about their memorable stages, musical direction, and "CREZL
Q. First, please introduce yourselves one by one and tell us your TMI for today.
Lim Kyuhyun: Yes. Um, can I speak in Korean?
Kim Soo-in: I can't speak Japanese (laughs). Lim Kyu-hyun: Ah... (laughs). The only thing I can speak is Korean (laughs). I think this is my charm (laughs). Kim Kyu
My name is Hyung. I am the leader of CREZL. Today's TMI is that all my luggage was opened during the security check at the airport (lol).
Jo Jin-ho: They looked at my wallet too (laughs). Lee Seung-in: I was caught at the baggage inspection at the immigration and left last.
Im Kyuhyun: Today was a bit of an unlucky day, but I think it will get better from tomorrow (laughs). Jo Jin-ho: I am in charge of producing in the team.
My nickname is Angel and my name is Jino. Today's TMI is about eating beef (laughs). Kim Soo-in: I'm Kim Soo-in, a Korean traditional musician. I'm the idol of "CREZL".
Fans are saying "Tii!". Today's TMI was angry because Kyuhyun was late (lol). Even though he was late, he was so cheeky that it made me even more angry (lol)
I'm just kidding (laughs). Lee Seung Min: You're not joking, you're serious, right? Kim Soo In: Ah, yes (laughs). (In Japanese) "Joudanjanai" (laughs).
Lee SEUNG MIN: I'm Lee SEUNG MIN, a vocalist who is in charge of the bass part in the team. TMI: I love Japan, especially the food.
I've been on a diet for about a week in preparation for this visit to Japan. So I can eat a lot! Kim Soo In: SEUNG MIN eats seven meals a day.
Lee Seung Min: He eats a little at a time (laughs). Kim Soo In: He says he eats seven meals a day because Japanese food is so delicious (laughs).
). Lee Seung Min: Yes (laughs). Q. Is there anything you wanted to eat or any place you wanted to go to when you came to Japan? Kim Soo In: All the food is delicious so I tried a lot of different things.
However, if I were to go somewhere, I would like to go and see Kabuki, Kyogen, or Noh. I have seen something that introduces a Kabuki performance in Korea, but I have never seen a Kabuki performance in Japan from start to finish.
I'd love to see it. It's difficult this time due to my schedule, but I hope to see it next time. Cho Jin-ho: Hahaha! (laughing in a Kyogen manner) Q.
Have you ever seen it? Cho Jin-ho: I went to Kagoshima recently and experienced it. I was on stage and was taught how to talk and walk.
Kim Soo-in: I went to Kumamoto recently and there was a Noh stage there. I wanted to see it, but my schedule didn't allow me to see it.
It was a shame, so I hope I can go and see it someday. Lee Seung Min: I can't go to Japan this time, but I would like to experience a traditional festival someday. If I have the chance, I'd like to go.
Lim Kyu-hyun: When I came to Tokyo, I wanted to see the scramble crossing, and before I went to see it, Suin showed me a photo.
Kim Soo-in: I showed them some photos I took when I came here in November last year... Lim Kyu-hyun: There were so many people, I wondered if this was real... or was it just an illusion?
I thought maybe... (laughs) Kim Soo In: Just take a look and you'll understand (laughs) Jo Jin Ho: You can just take a look at it after work.
Lim Gyu-hyun: Yes, let's go later. And I also want to see a musical. Japan
There are a lot of licensed musicals in Korea, and I'm very interested in them because they got the licenses and are performing them earlier than in Korea. Kim Soo-in: I'd also like to see Takarazuka.
Cho Jin-ho: I come to Japan often... (laughs) But recently I've been really craving hitsumabushi and I want to go, but I don't have time this time.
Q. How did you feel when you found out you were going to hold your first fan meeting in Japan? Lim Kyuhyun: It's finally starting...
Kim Soo-in: Why are you trying to act cool?
Cho Jin-ho: I thought a musical was about to start (laughs).
(Jinho and Suin imitate, "It's finally starting...") Lim Kyuhyun: (laughs). They're coming true one by one, no matter how big or small... I'm working hard in silence.
I felt that if I stayed there, little by little, my dreams would come true. Cho Jin-ho: I was scared because we hadn't yet been active as "CREZL" in Japan.
So I was worried about whether there would be people who would come to see it. Kim Soo-in: I was the same as Jinho. There is a saying that goes, "heading into the ground (= doing something reckless)."
I think that's exactly what I wanted. It may be a reckless challenge, but I hope that the Japan tour will be a success and that it will become a foundation and a stepping stone for future activities.
I'm grateful to have been able to perform, I feel great, and it's given me motivation to try my best.
Lee Seung Min: I was like everyone else, but I was half scared and half excited.
We were a little nervous because we hadn't been active before, but we were also confident, so I think that's why we were excited. We have pride in our performances, so
If you come to see our show once, I think you'll be hooked on us, CREZL. Q. I'm sure you've done a lot of preparations for the fan meeting in Japan.
Cho Jin-ho: Since I was coming to Japan, I thought it would be nice to show something that was unique to Japan, so I prepared "HAKUNAMATA" in Japanese.
LEE SEUNG MIN: It was difficult to sing in a foreign language, but I listened to the guide and practiced a lot.
Kim Soo-in: We all relied on Jinho, who is good at Japanese. He taught us the Japanese lyrics one by one.
Q. It's almost been a year since your debut in April 2024, but what is your most memorable stage performance?
Cho Jin-ho: I sang at a temple in the mountains. Our first event.
Lee Seung Min: The oldest temple in Korea is called Thunder Temple in Ganghwa Island, Incheon. It's a very beautiful place.
Cho Jin-ho: I sang in the forest, which was really good. I ate vegetarian food there for the first time, and it was all
It was vegetables, but it was very delicious. Lee Seung Min: I'm a fan of BLACKPINK's "Kill This!", which was performed in the finals of "Phantom Singer 4".
This was the stage where we arranged the song "Love" in our own style and sang it in the final. At that time, I thought this was what they meant by "thunderous applause," and everyone gave us a standing ovation.
Lee Seung Min: This is the last stage of the 1st concert. "Phantom Singer" will be broadcast in 2023.
However, we didn't officially debut until about a year later, in April 2024, when we released our debut song. Until then, many fans had been waiting for us.
After we debuted, we held a concert, and the last song was a fan song for our fans. When we finished singing that song, everyone stood up and
I was very moved and filled with gratitude because it was a first-time project for me. That was the moment I remember the most.
Lim Gyu-hyun: I recently held a solo concert.
I was very happy that the album was made up of songs that were just ours. It's been a long time, and I wanted to release songs that show our identity.
It felt strange to be able to make a list and hold a concert. I want to continue doing the kind of music we want to do in the future. Q.
Is there any member whose impression you've had of them has changed since you first met them? (Kyuhyun looks at Sooin) Kim Sooin: Why are you looking at me?
Lim Kyuhyun: (laughs) I think he's the same as when we first met. Jo Jin-ho: It's the opposite for me. When I first met Suin, she seemed strong.
Kim Soo-in: It did feel that way. Lim Kyu-hyun: Oh, so it was really our first meeting?
Jo Jin-ho: Is there such a thing as a second first time? (laughs) Lim Kyu-hyun: Not really (laughs).
Cho Jin-ho: I respected Kyuhyun even before I met him as a musical star, but I had no idea he was such a fool (laughs). All members burst out laughing.
Jo Jin-ho: Only the singing was good (laughs). Lim Kyu-hyun: What a stupid concept (laughs). When I get home, I drink coffee and read the English newspaper.
(laughs). Jo Jin-ho: Liar (laughs). Lim Kyu-hyun: (laughs). I'm SEUNG MIN. I exercised a lot and dieted a lot, so I think my appearance has changed a lot. He's cool.
Lee Seung Min: Are you jealous? Lim Kyu Hyun: Yes (laughs). We met over a year ago, and we have both made efforts and changed.
I think so. If you look at old photos of Seung Min, you wouldn't recognize him. Lee Seung Min: I'll admit that (laughs).
Kim Soo In: I was not cool (laughs). I was on the same audition program as Seung Min.
We were on a team, but I thought he was married (laughs). But I was really surprised when he told me he was attending college. Then, when Jino hyung and I were on a mission together,
When I met her for the first time, I thought, "Ah, so that's why she's a celebrity." She had an aura about her. She looked like a doll, and I thought she was a celebrity.
Lim Kyuhyun: But now? Kim Soo-in: The guy next door (laughs). All members burst out laughing.
Kim Soo-in: Gyuhyun hyung and I went to the same university, and although he is older than me, he is my junior.
So when I first met him, I thought he was a junior. He had a baby face. But he was older than me (laughs). Lim Kyu-hyun: When I first met Jinho, he was alone in the dressing room, looking down.
When I saw him sitting on a chair while I was waiting, I thought he looked a little unapproachable... Kim Soo In: He was an ice prince. Jo Jin Ho: I was quite shy at the time (laughs).
Lim Kyu-hyun: But after we got to know each other, he really was like a neighborhood older brother. Kim Soo-in: At that time, I had a cold image of him, like an ice prince, but after we got closer,
Q. The group name has the meaning of "fun," so what is something that you've recently found fun in line with the group name?
Kim Soo-in: I went to small towns like Kagoshima and Ibusuki, and they were so beautiful and I had so much fun. What was the most fun thing I've had in the last few years?
Lim Gyu-hyun: I recently auditioned for a musical and it was so much fun. I felt like I was really alive.
I think you have to keep growing. I practice for auditions, and I thought it was hard at first, but I enjoyed the last audition.
I want to continue from now on. Kim Soo In: What about angels? Jo Jin Ho: For me, it's meeting our fans. All members: Oh, as expected (laughs).
Jo Jin-ho: Because they ask me, "What about Angel?" (laughs). Personally, I've been into games lately, and I've gotten a higher rank, so it's fun.
(laughs) It's fun to keep going up the ranks, and it's a brain teaser so it gives you a sense of accomplishment. Lee Seung Min: I'm similar to Kyuhyun hyung, but I've been practicing opera recently.
I am also active in "CREZL", but rather than continuing traditional vocal music, I have been doing a lot of crossover activities, so I feel like my voice has become a little thinner than it used to be.
But after I started practicing opera, I was able to sing as I had before, and it was fun. Q.
Please tell us about CREZL's future musical direction.
Cho Jin-ho: We released an album, and it was a pop song with a unique color that only a team could create.
I think that the two elements of the song came together really well, so I hope to take it a step further in that direction. By doing so, I think the color of the music will become even clearer.
I think so. I'm looking forward to what's to come. Q. Do you have an image of what kind of stage you want to try in the future? Cho Jin-ho: The response to "HAKUNAMATA" was good, so I want to do pop.
It's a new style, but one that makes the most of traditional Korean music... I have an image in my head, but it's not clear yet, so I'll keep working hard.
Lim Kyuhyun: I think a stage with a live band would be great.
Kim Soo-in: I just started playing the drums recently, so I want to do it, right? (laughs) Lim Kyu-hyun: It's not like that!
I thought it would be great for a crossover group to make refreshing band music with a completely different feel.
Kim Soo-in: These two (Lim Kyu-hyun and Jo Jin-ho) are doing musicals, and Soo-in
In the opera, I perform traditional Korean music, so everyone is performing "drama." So I thought it would be fun to have a crossover that included drama.
I want to do a stage like that. Lee Seung Min: I was also thinking about a play. Kim Soo In: Why did you steal it? (laughs).
Lee Seung Min: I didn't copy them, I just copied them, and I have one more. We are Kuro.
We are a crossover group, and the genre we deal with the most in crossover music is the traditional Italian bel canto. We have been trying to make it more pop.
Jinho hyung studied vocal music and is good at not only tenor but also countertenor, Gyuhyun hyung also has a good tenor voice, and Suin hyung can also sing in the mid-range, so we have a lot of voices.
I think it would be good to have one song that allows us to show a relaxed stage. Q. Do you have any dreams you want to achieve as "CREZL" in the future?
Kim Soo-in: Rather than a dream, I would like to be able to get along with everyone without fighting like we do now.
Lim Kyu-hyun: Dreams and ambitions alone aren't enough... Kim Soo-in: Could you be quiet for a moment? (laughs).
Lim Kyuhyun: We shouldn't start fighting so quickly like this (laughs).
Kim Soo-in: It's good to have dreams, but we can't just be greedy and ambitious for our dreams.
I don't think that's right. So if you continue to spend time together like you are now without fighting, I think you'll improve musically. Q.
Finally, please give a message to your fans.
Cho Jin-ho: I hope our music style suits everyone's tastes. Our music has a unique appeal that only a live performance can provide.
So, if you come to a concert, I hope you'll enjoy it with me.
2025/03/11 14:13 KST
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