winner for nylon, february 2018

" The WINNER Takes It All "

- They were continuously quiet throughout the photoshoot. There would be brief pranks that caused momentary commotion but overall, despite the bustle of the set, all of them calmly waited for the photoshoot to begin. KANG SEUNG YOON would joke around with the pictorial team, while SONG MIN HO captured moments on set with a camera that apparently there is only a few of in Korea. -

 

NYLON: 2017 was a year that stood out with your individual activities. There's been a lot of comments from your fans saying that 2017 was a hard-working year for WINNER because of both your individual and group activities.

SEUNGYOON: 2017 was a very special year for us too. I was really happy!

JINWOO: It was a year where we felt so honored and thankful because we were able to gain a lot of interest from obviously, the fans, but the public as well! I hope that in 2018, we'll be able to garner just as much love and attention as we did in 2017. And of course, we'll be coming back with better music.

SEUNGHOON: But despite everything that happened, the <NJTTW Spin Off - Youth Over Flowers, WINNER ver.> that we got to participate in was the most fun.

MINO: This was a very meaningful year both personally and in regards to WINNER. It was the best year!

 

NL: You're a group with titles like 'The fastest boy idol group to be #1 in both ground and aerial TV broadcasts', and 'The first and only male idol group to hit 100M in streams', etc., where the terms 'first' or 'fastest' are frequently used to describe you.

SY: Truthfully, the modifiers like 'first' or 'fastest' are gifts that all our fans helped create for us. Recently we were able to get awards from multiple award shows, and we felt so much joy when the fans said that those events became something that could make them proud 'WINNER fans'.

JW: I always have a thankful heart towards the staff of TEAM WINNER, who always puts in so much effort for WINNER, and my fellow younger members.

MN: That's true. Of course, having a modifier like 'first' is great, but to INNER CIRCLE and TEAM WINNER, who worked hard to earn this title, thank you!

 

NL: What kind of adult did you want to become? How did you want to age?

JW: I think I'm still a kid. Honestly, rather than what kind of adult I want to be, I just want to be a person that isn't shy when looked upon by someone.

SH: I'm feeling more responsibility towards myself and growing a bit of facial hair. I want to be a great man, a tough guy.

SY: In some aspects I feel like an adult, but in other ways, I think I'm still a child. But I'd like to live just like this. I want to be an 'Innocent Adult'.

MN: I think being a legal 'adult' and being a mature 'adult' are two completely different things. I was so happy and excited when I hit my 20s and became an 'adult' legally, but the point where I see myself as an 'adult' that is mature, I think I'll feel a bit sad.

 

NL: What is something you'd like to hold on to as time passes?

SY: Myself.

JW: My looks!

SH: All the fans~~ I want to be with you guys forever. Just like a diamond!

 

NL: During interviews, what's something where you think, 'It would be nice if they asked me this question'?

SH: When something funny happens in my day-to-day life I tell myself, 'I'll retell this story in a cool way,' but I always end up forgetting them in situations like this.

MN: I don't have one in particular.. But that's because when difficult, surprise questions are sprung on us we have WINNER's answering machine, Kang Leader, to do the job!

SY: This is exactly the kind of question I wish we could be asked! Something where the answer isn't always so obvious! (Smiles)

 

NL: What are your interests nowadays?

JW: Acting, WINNER's new record.

SH: Thoughts regarding, 'What kind of new image will I show along with the new music?

MN: ...Working on songs...

SY: #WINNERComeback #NYLON #CKJeans #INNERCIRCLE

 

NL: What's something you say to yourself a lot?

SY: Of course I don't ever say it out loud, but I do find myself saying things like, 'Is this all you got? That person can do it, so why can't you?' in my mind a lot.

SH: You must wake up...! (For going to work in the morning)

JW: Let's do well!

MN: It's okay, I'm right! I got this!

 

NL: What is the most important thing in your life?

MN: 'Happiness', 'childlike innocence'

JW: Me too, 'happiness'.

SY: 'Happiness'. I want to strive for happiness and be able to share that with many people.

SH: 'Inner peace'. I admire a simple and pure life rather than one of flamboyancy, but I think I still have a long way to go!

 

NL: Then, what is something you fear most?

SH: The betrayal of someone close and precious to me whom I put I lot of faith in.

SY: 'Being alone', 'unhappiness'. It's meaningless to earn a lot of money and be well-off if there is no one to share it with, and if you're not happy then what's the point of everything!

MN: Changing myself without me even knowing. A change in the way I think and my judgments due to my environment and based on what others around me think, and losing myself that way. That's scary!

 

NL: Your individual activities caught a lot of eyes. In which direction and what area would you like to expand your presence in?

MN: I've received so much undeserving love from many people through <NJTTW Spin-Off - Youth Over Flowers, WINNER ver.> and <New Journey To The West>. I think most people, except for our fans, will only know the image of WINNER in the way we came out in variety shows and our recognition in that field, so I hope to hear comments through our music-related activities, like 'WINNER's good with music and they're fun!'

JW: I want to be a source of strength for everyone, where they'll enjoy hearing my voice, and listen to it with positive feelings. In that field, I would want to try anything.

SY: I don't have any specific boundaries set for genres or areas to pursue. But of course, my roots will always be in music, but if it's for the fans and for people who I can spread happiness to, I want to challenge myself in any and all fields.

SH: It was a thankful period of receiving so many opportunities where the public could get to know about us more. But more than anything else, I want to be able to communicate with our fans on a deeper level.

 

NL: WINNER's steady, supporting power - where does it come from?

SY, JW, MN: Our fans! INNER CIRCLE! Seeing our fans happy and excited is our biggest motive and source of inspiration! 'Fans'. Just thinking about the fact that there are people out there who like us and are waiting for us makes it hard to stay still!

SH: However, there is also the thing that started everything, something called 'Song Finger'.

 

NL: Do you have any habits when you're working?

SY: Memos! Whenever I get a thought or inspiration I write in the memo app on my phone or I voice record it. There's a lot of instances where I can forget because I'm moving around from place to place or get busy. 

SH: Save it in my computer memos [*He says it like WANNA ONE's Park Ji Hoon's catchphrase, 'Save you in my heart'/ '내 마음 속에 저장!']

MN: With three bottles of water, my phone on do-not-disturb mode, the world's most comfortable pair of pants, shoes, blocking out any elements that can break my concentration or disturb me, and then I can begin working. And I have to work alone unless I planned in advance to work with someone. I think I work better that way. I'm nocturnal, so any time before 10 PM, I regard as not a time for me to be working.

 

NL: There are a lot of people waiting for WINNER's next record.

MN: We're working really hard to come back with good music. More details with Mr. Seung Yoon.

SY: We're looking at February for our comeback and planning accordingly. But one thing I'm sure of is that we're going to be a lot busier this year!

SH: I hope those who are anticipating WINNER's upcoming music won't be disappointed...kkyukkyu...[*an expression? of aegyo/cute-ness]