Light up the Caratland
March, Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in seoul，Carat Land.
The cool weather is boiling with a ‘lightening’ stage."Light a Flame", a song originally performed by SVT Unit 96, was re-enacted by their teammate Unit 97 for "the exchange stage". The new version of "Light a Flame" at the CARAT LAND site shows the maturity of the 97th unit after a long time. The stage is well arranged. The eye-catching story begins with a hot button at the beginning and ends with a sexy bass voice from Mingyu: "light a flame in your heart. "
Until now, the exchange stage has been highly anticipated in b CARAT LAND. A new version full of contrasting charms always adds more listening to a good song. This is because all SEVENTEEN members are always doing their best to create new fun for the song even when preparing for the exchange stage, one of the most anticipated contents of the CARATs.
However, the results of the group were far from what Mingyu expected, saying, "I don't know why 97 and 96 were exchanged."
Mingyu said that while designing the show, breaking the rules and making the stage "Interesting" become a big goal of their unit. What may surprise the CARATS is that the stage of "Light a flame" is more like an improvised attempt by Unit 97. "It's more like a cover stage than a full-fledged stage. " Mingyu explains. Accurate step-
by-step dancing and a relaxed and casual attitude made this "adlib performance" one of the hottest stages on CARAT LAND.
WONDERLAND
Standing in the center of the stage is the best place for harvesting the support of CARATs. Mingyu, who took off his headset, heard sogo beating to cheer for CARAT LAND in unison. At that moment, the joy that was finally released after being suppressed for a long time turned into an incredibly suspicious illusion.
"It's been a long time since I met my fans offline, and I felt like I was dreaming. Before the performance, I was worried about what to do if I cried from the beginning, but I felt like I couldn't control my pent-up emotions after waiting for a long time. ”
The fireworks on the stage before the opening dance, the smoke that blew away in the wind, and the seats that filled the back row at a glance were telling Mingyu that it was a moment that could not be more real. "The adrenaline, stimulated by the beating heart to inject the human limbs, creates a feeling called tension, which is also very real." When the opening "Shining Diamond" was over, the tension feeling remained, but Mingyu knew and confirmed that this was his place and Wonderland, which he missed the most in his heart, was called "Carat."
Before performing the second song <HOME RUN>, SEVENTEEN spent about 30 minutes on stage with Carats. MINGYU and members had a relaxed chat, shared stories about the days when they didn't see Carats, and occasionally heard the interaction of the sogo. The initial restraint gradually disappeared during the half hour chat, and meeting with the Carats again brought the scales of MINGYU's sensory "distortion" back to their original position step by step.
"When I really saw Carats, it was really nice and I was very happy, more like fulfilled.”
SEVENTEEN announced their world tour at the last show of this year's CARAT LAND, which they have done twice before in 2017 and 2019. Since their last world tour which was reported as a "fantastic show" by the media, two years have passed.
Two years of waiting is nothing special if measured in time. But it's clear to everyone that the two years that have just passed have changed dramatically in too many dimensions compared to the past. The work and lifestyle of everyone on the planet has been "evolving" either actively or passively in the past two years.
The news that SEVENTEEN is going on another world tour has not only ignited the enthusiasm of the carats, but has also given MINGYU himself endless energy. In his description to us, he used the words "never got an extra second of sleep" to describe the importance of the recent comeback. Although the details of his surprise remain secret, he assured us that he and other members are "doing their best to prepare".
Only be strict when necessary
Our interview came at a very busy time for MINGYU. It's no surprise that everyone in SEVENTEEN has a full schedule when it comes to the comeback of SEVENTEEN. When asked about his recent leisure activities, MINGYU was in a good mood and shared with us, "It's the middle of April, but recently, almost every day is a morning to night schedule, so I don't have any time for myself. A week or two ago, there was a free day, and I went for a bike ride that day and met up with my family. I've been keeping up with my exercise and my hobbies."
The more I talk to MINGYU, the more I can sense the "non-serious" joy he exudes - of course, by non-serious, I only mean outside of work. In the face of music, art ...... these options that bring joy to life, the clear-cut distinction tends to create regret. The ability to embrace an open mind and appreciate from multiple perspectives is the strength of MINGYU and a gift that accumulates energy for the constant creation of new things.
"The standard of good music varies from person to person. Good music is what I think sounds good. Even if I don't understand what the lyrics mean, if the song has a good atmosphere, then I think the song is good. In fact, I don't really feel the difference between popular and artistic that others say, because everyone's benchmarks are different.
Where the music that someone listens to is hard to understand is artistic, does someone listen to the familiar and comfortable music to be popular?I don't think so.
To our "How to combine both massoriented and artistic" question, MINGYU’s answer was smart and sincerely as well.
MINGYU,
who enjoys painting, makes a conscious effort to keep his eyes pure when visiting art fairs, he says, simply because he doesn't want to lose the pure joy of painting. "I like to judge whether I like the work or not by not making 'professional' interpretations, but simply by whether I think the color looks good or whether I feel better after seeing it. Rather than wondering what the painting means or why the artist painted it, I prefer a piece that looks good and makes me feel good.
Occasionally, when he wanted to draw, MINGYU would find a quiet, dimly lit place and draw while listening to music.Accompanied by lines and colors, even alone with himself, MINGYU still found it interesting.
No need to hide
Someone has once asked MINGYU what is the motivation for the musician and artist to keep working hard and stay positive
“It's carat."not like some big dream or something but very reasonable answer .MINGYU never intended to hide that.
For example, he loves music very much, but the motivation for his persistence is more rooted in the belief that he should not disappoint those people who are waiting for him and love him and Love his music.
With the help of two Chinese members from Seventeen— The 8 and Jun, MINGYU was able to read the messages of the Chinese CARAT from time to time."I know you guys have always been supporting me from your country and the bottom of your heart, if we could meet as soon as possible.I wanna bringing the good and more work to meet with you guys.
The period without CARAT is very different from the present."There are so many different ones, and nothing is the same.I didn't think I would achieve those goal back then.In fact, the biggest difference between now and then is that now I have greater dream, the trainee dream is to debut, but now the ambition, dream, enthusiasm are getting bigger and bigger.”
Because he has experienced almost everything with seventeen, now even if he accidentally sees the number 17 on the road, he will feel cordial.No matter how much 17 means, the 1 representing CARAT will never be absent in MINGYU’s heart.
The interview
WAVES：Recently Seventeen opened “CARAT LAND” fanmeeting, and you can meet CARAT offline , how are you feeling before it? Now recall these three days of fan meeting again, How are you feeling now?
MINGYU：After a long time to meet my fans offline, it feels like a dream.Before the public performance began, I was very worried about what if I cried at the very beginning, because after waiting for too long, I felt that I could not be able to control my repressed emotions.But when I really saw it, the scene was really good, I am also very happy, more is the feeling of happiness.
WAVES：Because there has been online performance for a long time, how to adjust yourself from offline performance?When did you have the feeling about offline performance is really happening?
MINGYU：During the opening dance, I felt "ah It is real on the stage to performance” and "fans are looking at me now".The feeling of the stage, in fact, was a little uncomfortable at first, "ah, now the fans are just in front of me", "what's going on, I'm so nervous".After performing one or two songs, "That's right, that's what it felt like," just got the thinking like these.
WAVES：How did you guys decide which unit exchanged song to perform ? and you have different design for each exchanged stage opening . Do you think provisionally or have you discussed the special design with your members before?
MINGYU：In fact, there is no special reason, naturally 97 and 96 exchange the song to perform, 95 and the youngest exchange.I feel very happy to perform <Light a Flame>.The opening setting of the little team has a certain degree of improvisation, because it is actually more like the cover stage of the other members. So I thought it was better to put some interesting elements, so it was improvisation.
WAVES：Seventeen will be come back with The 4th album, how long is the recent rehearse every day ?Do you have any new surprises to reveal in advance of this come back?
MINGYU：I’m not sure what special surprise I had prepared. But First, I was trying my best to prepare, the amount of practice was part of it, and second, in the process of preparing for all this, I did not sleep a second longer.
WAVES：What do you think you will be doing now ten years later?
MINGYU：Ten years later... if there is a goal, it is to have travel around in other overseas areas and live there for a short time, experience a variety of cultures, and have new experiences in different places.
WAVES：As an idol MINGYU, what kind of yourself do you want to show?What do you think is the power of idols?
MINGYU：As an idol MINGYU, I want to give the strength to those who like me.Although everyone has their own work and life, but the tiredness and difficulties is that something everyone can relate to, I can give people who love me the strength to carry on with their life, I think this is the meaning of being an idol.As what I have just said, all we have is the power of love.give each other love and support,cherish one and other, with that, we can become each other's strengths.
WAVES：Under what circumstances you will feel like to create, And what would do when you have the inspiration？
MINGYU：First of all, I'd like stay at a dim place, and when I have the inspiration,I prefer to take photo while I am reading or watching something.
WAVES：During <Going Seventeen> you had been shooting magazines for your member before,I wonder if you usually like reading fashion magazines or not？
MINGYU：Yes I will, There is a time that I wanna read fashion magazine so I went to Dongdaemun for shopping,but at that time I didn't know anything about it,so the first time I bought fashion magazine is women's fashion magazine. After that I started to reading men's and brand fashion magazine.Although I don't know what's good and what's trending in which era.But first I'm trying my best to put the good color and what I think is goodlooking to my outfit of the day.
WAVES：Looking at your daily outfit is very simple but stylish and really good for go out.How long it's cost to matching outfits？And beside the black trousers which item did your really like lately？And do you have some matching outfit tips you like to share？
MINGYU：Actually if I don't pay any attention to what I wear today, Chose the clothes I wear pretty much won't take times.But if I don't want to get sweaty and good looking at the same time.matching outfits will probably take 5 to 10 minutes.
The item I bought recently is the Apple Watch,I really like Watches, When working out or matching outfits,one belt can make the watch different.and summer is coming,so I like to use watch instead of bracelet.
WAVES：During the vlive you were eating the chicken breast，everyone said your facial expressions are totally different when it compared to delicious food,what are you thinking when you eating chicken breast？And what do you think the biggest change that work out brought to you？
MINGYU：Actually, I don't have any thinking when I'm eating chicken breast. Of course I don't like the tasteless chicken breast,but I won't have the feeling that "I hate eating this" or "I wanna eating this". Just like sleep,I think this is just part of my daily routine.
the biggest change that work out brought to me？ I think is the figure.
WAVES：You had your make up removed during your vlive. a lot of Chinese fans said you have such good skin,So I wonder what you do to take care your skin？
MINGYU： Since last month,I started to use
Lancome for my skincare（laughing）.What？ I’m really using Lancome for my skincare,Clarifique Dual Essence(the product mingyu use for his skin care).
WAVES：Is there anything you want to tell Chinese carat？
MINGYU：I have always want to see you guys. The 8 and Jun will help me with reading the Chinese comments.I know you have always support me from your country and the bottom of your heart.I wish we can meet as soon as possible.I wanna bringing more good works to meet with your guys,so please looking forward the waves magazines,thank you so much.
（translate by China mingyu bar-肉肉 包饭 蘑菇 river）