As they approach their debut, they have garnered a wild enthusiastic fandom. They formed a rivalry with the juniors they have gone through joy and sorrow with. At the end of the 100-day battle, they were chosen. They are getting love calls from Korea and overseas. Although we have watched their every move on the survival program WIN: WHO IS NEXT, they still have much to reveal.
YG Entertainment’s newest group WINNER formed from TEAM A members Kang Seungyoon, Song Minho, Lee Seunghoon, Nam Taehyun, and Kim Jinwoo dropped by at TV REPORT’s office. The members faces were glowing after gradually getting used to their popularity. Even with their current enthusiastic and confusing state after winning, they never forget their greetings. However, they also hinted about their apologetic hearts for the post-poned debut of TEAM B.
(T/N: A few are new interviews that haven’t been released, and others we have already seen in past articles from TV REPORT.)
◆ ‘SUPERSTAR K 2′ Kang Seungyoon – ‘KPOP STAR’ Lee Seunghoon, Participating In Another Survival◆
Kang Seungyoon, “It was really hard for me when I thought about going into another survival. However, I felt that I improved after going through the battle. I went through a tremendous development the past 10 weeks. So I thought, ‘Of course. It’s our CEO.’ “
Lee Seunghoon said, “Again? Again? (Laughs)” I watched as Lee Hi from ‘KPOP STAR’ and Akdong Musician from ‘KPOP STAR 2′ made their own debuts. Even Kang Seungyoon’s solo debut. (Laughs) As I watched all these people making their debut, it was hard for me as I thought I was gradually getting farther away from my own. However, I was actually glad once the battle started. It was like another chance has been given for me to debut. So I thought, ‘Let’s just put my life on the line for 100 days and give it my all’.”
◆ WIN’s TEAM A has two well-known members ◆
Song Minho revealed, “At first, I worried a lot about that fact. Because I also had thoughts that the viewers would be attracted to new faces (WIN TEAM B) that they haven’t heard of yet. Of course, we were also glad to have experienced members on our team.”
Kang Seungyoon, “I had a lot of worries thinking about the thought of losing. Since we lost in formal battles, I felt shrunken and lost a lot of my confidence. Following our first battle, we went through a considerable change. We improved a lot after throwing away the thoughts of losing. Since we started to calm our hearts, we were able to comfortably enjoy the stage.”
◆Leader Replacement from Song Minho to Kang Seungyoon◆
Song Minho, “I was upset. (Laughs) I was happy for the team but I also thought, ‘Did we lose because I was unable to lead them well all this time?’ However, I knew those kinds of thoughts could be very damaging to myself so I tried my best to stop thinking about that. I tried my best to enjoy the situation. I’m actually very thankful to Seungyoon for doing so well.”
Kang Seungyoon, “I felt a bit sorry towards Minho.”
Lee Seunghoon revealed, “Actually, we call Song Minho “Ex-Leader” amongst ourselves. (Laughs) Also, it’s not only because Kang Seungyoon was placed as the leader that we have done so well. It’s because the timing was right, too. After the leader replacement, Mino followed along well and he worked very hard.”
◆Before the viewer’s votes, WIN’s TEAM B was in favour◆
Kang Seungyoon, “I had thoughts that Team B would debut and that Team A would be dropped. Not only that but I also thought our members, all of us, would lose something. Ironically, as we slowly threw away the thoughts of losing, our teamwork got much better and we were a lot natural on stage. Thinking about it later, that was a big turning point for us.”
Lee Seunghoon, “We lost in the first battle stage but honestly, we lost before that as well. And so I felt like I was shrinking. Since we lost another formal battle, I was suddenly thinking ‘Could we really still win this?’ From that moment on, we slowly eased our hearts and just did what we loved to do. That’s why I think the results got a lot better after that.”
Kang Seungyoon, “We’re still continuously practicing. Since nothing is further decided yet and we haven’t officially gone to the YG Office. We are still practicing with the Team B members in our training rooms.”
◆The reason why you were able to beat Team B and win◆
Lee Seunghoon, “I think it was thanks to Kang Seungyoon’s self composed song, ‘GO UP’. He just writes songs very well. Whenever we hear the songs Kang Seungyoon writes we say, “Yes. This is it. Done.” Seungyoon’s burst into the victory paddy.”
Kang Seungyoon, “All of the members are always preparing self-composed songs. I am also practicing myself. We are also preparing each members’ solo songs for an album in the future. We all practice our individual and group songs amongst ourselves. However, Yang Hyun Suk CEO makes all the decisions. We must have permission in order to release our songs. Hahaha”
◆Must have had a hard time with Yang Hyun Suk CEO’s spiteful remarks◆
Kim Jinwoo, “It was really hard after undergoing hardship. I thought I couldn’t do it and I lost a lot of my confidence. But my Team A members helped me a lot. They give me a lot of advice in things I didn’t so well in. During the JYP Trainee Battle, I was more nervous performing a stage in front of Park Jinyoung rather than a stage in front of many people. I’m being honest. Yang CEO told me to develop from this mistake and gave me guidance. Actually it became a cure and a big help for me.”
Song Minho, “Honestly I was disappointed in some parts as well. I also thought that we lost because I was unable to be a good leader. I tried my hardest to forget that. Since everyone worked hard and helped each other out, we were able to get a good result.”
Lee Seunghoon, “Honestly we never watched Episode 4. (Laughs) We actually like Yang Hyun Suk CEO’s spiteful remarks. Having bad remarks than nothing is better. We would be more hurt if he were to say nothing to us rather than give us things to improve on.” (Members agree unanimously)
◆During your hardest times, what was Yang Hyun Suk CEO to you◆
Nam Taehyun, “To me, Yang Hyun Suk is like a strict father.”
Lee Seunghoon, “Yang Hyun Suk is a religion. He exists for us to worship him unconditionally. You can call him, YangGod? (Laughs) When I participated in ‘KPOP STAR’, Yang Hyun Suk CEO saw my potential and chose me. It’s because of his choice that got me to where I am now. And so I’ve gained trust for Yang Hyun Suk CEO.”
Kim Jinwoo, “Yang Hyun Suk CEO is a chameleon. Just like a chameleon changes its skin colour, Yang CEO also changes his image. At times, he is strict and other times, he’s like an angel. He’s always cheered us on and gave us strength throughout the entire battle.”
Song Minho, “To me, Yang Hyun Suk CEO is like a monsoon. His harsh remarks for me represents the rain. However, I also think he is my umbrella who gives these opportunities to me. (Thinks again) Of course, YG CEO is also my love. (Laughs)”
Kang Seungyoon, “Yang Hyun Suk CEO is a father to me. Actually, I don’t have a father who’s beside me so to me, he really is like my own dad. CEO came to my aid when I was astray. Honestly, whenever I was having a hard time to the point that I would faint, he was always there. Back then, I got strength from CEO’s words. I’m really thankful for him.”
◆Performing as the opening act for BIG BANG’s 6 JAPAN DOME TOUR◆
Kang Seungyoon, “Standing on BIG BANG seniors’ stage is an honour. It’s a stage once can stand on after working hard for more than 5 years. We are extremely grateful that we are able to stand on that stage.”
◆After your upcoming debut, what sub-units would you expect to be in?◆
Nam Taehyun, “Rather than a vocal, I want to be with a rapper. Since my voice is high-pitched, I would match well with Mino-hyung.”
Song Minho who was chosen by Nam Taehyun answered, “I would also want to be with Taehyun. We really match well. There’s also a lot of fans who love to see us together.”
Seeing the two people choose each other, Kang Seungyoon replies, “Fine, then I’ll form a sub-unit with only Seunghoon and Jinwoo excluding Taehyun and Mino.”
However Lee Seunghoon says, “I want to be with the Big Bang Seniors and 2NE1 though” leaving Kang Seungyoon flustered and causing laughter amongst them.
Then, Kim Jinwoo looks around him and says, “I want to be with PSY-sunbaenim?” causing the members to burst into laughter.
◆Are you slowly getting used to the popularity?◆
Kang Seungyoon, “I haven’t felt it directly as of yet. Just greeting here and there, and even doing this interview, I’m still gradually getting used to it. (Smiles)”
Kim Jinwoo, “I haven’t seen my dad yet but I bet he’s very happy about it.”
Nam Taehyun, “I don’t know much about being popular. I always get stumped when I get these questions. (Laughs)”
WLSY 