[NEWS - ENG TRANS] 120906 FTISLAND: The pain of growing up, and now

PLEASE TAKE OUT WITH FULL CREDITS, INCLUDING TRANSLATORS. THANK YOU ^^

This is the 5th year of debut for music band FTISLAND. Many things have happened in this time which is neither short nor long, causing them to grow up bit by bit. The experiences which they have accumulated are another story.

FTISLAND, who met with reporters for an interview with a relaxing attitude on 5th September, held concerts on 1st and 2nd September at the Seoul Olympic Hall, of which their voice is still ringing in our ears. The venue was packed with 7000 fans, and the members revealed, "There were so many fans who came from Denmark, Spain, Italy, France, Japan and other overseas fans; we were shocked."

The Asia Tour, which was held before this, had even better returns. In Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hongkong, Singapore and Japan, concerts were held with 40,000 fans. During March this year, they also went to Los Angeles and held a concert together with their junior band CNBLUE at the Nokia Live Centre, drawing a crowd of 5000 fans. Member Song Seunghyun revealed, "Everytime we do a concert, it feels like we've moved up a step higher."

Looking back, FTISLAND took a road far from ordinary: Setting off as a Flower Boy Band in June 2007, they immediately received attention from 10 generations of fans. Their songs also emerged at the top charts, becoming a group which led a lot of fans.

FTISLAND, which had let the public anticipate an interesting life, suddenly disappeared in their second year. In April 2008, there would be the occasional news from exchange students that FTISLAND was spotted at Japan's Tokyo subway stations. The news said that they carried their guitars and drumsticks and shuttled to and fro at a strange place.

"At that time, there was nearly no K-pop or Hallyu wave in Japan. So we went there with the mentality of being on exchange, starting a then-tough life there. We really started living from the bottom, a period where we couldn't even take a taxi without feeling guilty." (Choi Jonghun)

In order to experience the lifestyle of an underground band, they bravely set out, but the journey was not as easy as expected; there were some times when they missed the fans' screams in Korea. They had a few performances at clubs in Tokyo together with Japanese underground bands. At that time, the biggest audience only consisted of about 40 people. Choi Jonghun said, "We had a lot of issues with the language barrier, and member Lee Hongki had very serious homesickness."

Choi Minhwan recalled, "At that time, we were all very young, our performance was also not very good", "Additionally, people were suspicious of us; we were full of bitterness inside." But with every loss comes a gain: They received help from a staff member from their Korean management agency, directly experienced how to record locally. Adding in the sounds of their instruments, slowly understanding the musical interest of a band, they also later released underground singles in Japan.

6 months later, when they returned to Korea again, the music stage had a lot of changes. At the period when they were supposed to concentrate, the cost of being distracted came high: many fans left easily. In 2009, the result of their Korean activities was not smooth. Song Seunghyun stated, "We thought that we could only spend our days in the dormitory as useless people." He later added, "But the more it was like this, the stronger, the better the members' relationships became."

The chance to rebound came from Japan: In 2010, they received an invitation from Warner Music Japan to sign a contract. After discussion, some local personnel felt that returning to the local scene for activities would be better, and they have since released more than 10 CDs. Last year, for the first time, they received the first place for Japanese Oricon charts. Member Lee Jaejin said, "In the midst of our Japanese performance, there was suddenly commotion amongst the staff members; that was when we felt that something happened and then realised it was the news that we were number one." He added, "Although we also cried, the fans who have stood by us since our underground-band days cried even harder." It is now that they can frequently use the Oricon music chart's first position as a benchmark.

Another stronghold for FTISLAND is the sudden, unexpected Hallyu wave of fans from places like Europe. "Please think about it: Isn't the source of bands Europe? Don't you find it marvelous to find our fans at such a place where many great bands exist?" (Choi Jonghun)

They, full of confidence and passion, will soon embark on their Korean activities. After holding a lively Korean concert, they are expected to release, in this month, their 4th regular album after a 3-year break. The album is recorded with 10 songs, out of which half are their self-written songs. All the song are performed by themselves personally. Choi Jonghun composed U and LIFE with a modern style; Choi Minhwan and Song Seunghyun composed the rock style WANNA GO and the acoustic COMPASS.

Member Choi Minhwan expressed, "You'll see FTISLAND with more rock, and a side which is more free." and added, "I hope that we will lend a hand to the Hallyu wave, to become a band which can remembered as being able to achieve anything on our own."

ORIGINAL CHINESE TRANSLATIONS BY @lindy826

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Kyunghyang Shinmun

URL LINK: http://blog.xuite.net/lindy826/blog/63105363

[NEWS - ENG TRANS] 120905 FTISLAND opens their "FIVE TREASURE BOX" of charms

PLEASE TAKE OUT WITH FULL CREDITS, INCLUDING TRANSLATORS. THANK YOU ^^

All the members participated in writing and composing... There are punk, modern and many different colours; all of which are quickly altering the music world... Standing on the stage where they want everyone to listen and presenting what they want everyone to see

Rock band FTISLAND has returned. After concluding their fourth mini album "Severely" activities, it's been 6 months; and this time, they present their album, the fourth regular album, "FIVE TREASURE BOX", which is packed with 10 songs, showcasing a different side of FTISLAND, different from 3 years before.

FTISLAND, whom we recently met, had a solo concert, TAKE FTISLAND on 1st and 2nd September at the Seoul Olympic Hall, meeting with more than 8000 fans, and their emotions from there seem to not have been reduced. Although this is a group which has debuted for 6 years, FTISLAND said "Before releasing a new album or song, we would be as nervous and excited as newcomers". Let's take a look at what is in their "Treasure Boxes".

"During the concert, we released a little of the new hit song, only releasing the chorus part. Everyone should be thinking that this is an exciting song, but it's not, they can expect the opposite." (Lee Hongki)

During these activities, FTISLAND should be hoping to get the first place for hit song "I Wish". This song starts off with the acoustic guitar as the focus, then a melody which builds up the energy as we progress to the chorus. It is the work of "Hit Song Producer" composer Kim Do Hoon; just this point alone drove up the anticipation of the fans, but FTISLAND, which brought along their regular album, also demonstrated their work, which are the self-written songs infused with the members' individual charms.

"FIVE TREASURE BOX refers to the 5 members, and at the same time, includes 5 self-written songs; the album being named as such brings with it a desire to let everyone listen to songs as precious and eye-catching as treasures." (Choi Minhwan)

"The members' written works are known by many Japanese fans, but in Korea, we didn't let everyone know. We want to let Korean fans feel that, 'FTISLAND can sing these kind of songs?'." (Lee Jaejin)

FIVE TREASURE BOX includes 5 songs which were released and altered from their Japanese activities. FTISLAND unanimously relayed that "We want to let Korean fans listen to the songs we let Japanese fans listen to."

"The atmosphere of listening to songs in Japan and Korea is slightly different; there are a lot of songs which only allowing a certain group of people to listen to is wasteful. We are very confident in the recorded self-written songs in FIVE TREASURE BOX, that's the reason why we're even more happy with this album." (Song Seunghyun)

Together with Lee Hongki's lyrics in STAY WITH ME, Lee Jaejin-written PAPER PLANE and WANNA GO's lyrics; and Choi Jonghun-composed LET IT GO! were recorded in this album. Lee Hongki, Choi Minhwan and Song Seunghyun respectively wrote and composed COMPASS; Lee Hongki and Choi Jonghun wrote and composed LIFE, which were also recorded in it; Punk, Modern, Acoustic and many other types, stretching the boundaries of music, a theme of a journey for the sake searching for the meaning of life and in the midst of everyday life, reminiscing a girl's ever-existing love.

"In reality, the recent music market has changed a lot, I feel it is regretful. Even where activities are concerned, 3 or 4 weeks is not considered a long time. Even if you're number one on the music charts, it's only a matter of that instant. This is a well-prepared album... Towards the quickly-evolving music market, I sometimes feel very dejected." (Choi Jonghun)

Even on the eve of presenting an album which is more well-loved than any other time, the members' excited feelings also have a bitter side. FTISLAND, which estimates promoting for 6 or 7 weeks, just wants to have more interaction with fans.

"No matter how the market changes or how the world changes, we don't want to be swept away. We only want to sing songs for everyone to listen to, stand on the stage to present; This is the direction FTISLAND wants to go, it's a dream." (Lee Hongki)

Just like what Lee Hongki said, FTISLAND, to meet the areas of expectations of fans, are in the midst of working hard for performances. Because of Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, etc and European countries, even extending to America's global attention, they have become busier physically and psychologically. FTISLAND, which has "spearheaded musical exchange" in Japan where the band culture is more ingrained than in Korea, recalled their recent concert in America with CNBLUE, saying "It was really a new venture".

"Although we've done album promotions in other countries, in comparison to Korea or Japan, it's an insignificant standard. But when we see people who like us, I feel very shocked." (Choi Minhwan)

"Before going to America, I felt very vexed. I read Yoon Do Hyun senior's book saying that at when doing a performance at an American celebration, if they don't hear a popular song but a song of another language, hamburgers or beers will fly (to the stage). In my heart, I was thinking, there must be half of the people there who know and another half who didn't know who we were. Thankfully, the performance atmosphere was good, the response was also warm, the female fans were especially passionate. (laughs)" (Lee Jaejin)

FTISLAND, who recalled their American performance, changed the topic because of PSY's GANGNAM STYLE, which swept a wave of craze recently across New York, LA, New Jersey and other parts of America. Up till now, K-pop and the Hallyu wave is still at the stage of experiencing the foreign American atmosphere; how huge the response to GANGNAM STYLE is from America will show its influence.

"I feel that PSY senior's GANGNAM STYLE is a chance to showcase the faces of Korea's music industry, to let the world focus on this country, Korea, to be concerned about our culture, not just the passion of fans towards K-pop; the phenomenon of the ordinary masses being passionate is really remarkable." (Choi Minhwan)

"We also want to make music like this which can inspire change. It's all because of PSY senior that the juniors can follow suit. To make people believe and follow the road we inspired, we will work even harder." (Lee Hongki)


ORIGINAL CHINESE TRANSLATIONS BY bag
ORIGINAL SOURCE: SPORTS
URL LINK: http://blog.xuite.net/bag2828/blog/63063288