Taeyang's Interview for ELLE Korea: 'Solar Storm'

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Photographer: HongJangHyun
Stylist:  GeeEun
Fashion Editor: ChoiSoonYoung
Editor: MinYongJun

ELLE: How was the shoot with ELLE?
Taeyang: I liked it. And the concept was good too.

ELLE: You are going to release a new album.

Taeyang: I ended up preparing this album for a long time. I wasn’t inspired enough to make another album after my solo album 3 years ago.

ELLE: You mean your last album, <Solar>?

Taeyang: Yes. I had a very difficult time during the making of that album, and maybe because of that, I thought I would not do it again until I could really enjoy it or really wanted the next one. I didn’t even think about making an album at all. That’s why it took so long. I just travelled and met artists and producers l like and worked with them without particular intent. It wasn’t for my album, it was more like – I was just happy to be working with them. And as I completed one song, two songs, I was able to build an overall concept for my album.

ELLE: You received quite good reviews.

Taeyang: That made it harder for me. I was pleased at that time, but I felt I was constricted by those reviews. It felt like I had to keep doing that kind of music forever. Nobody set me up to be that way, but I still felt that I had fallen into a rut.

ELLE: You mean you were compelled to make music for the sake of recognition, not the music you wanted to do.

Taeyang: Yes.

ELLE: Do you think your last album is not fully your own then?

Taeyang: It was what I did, so it has to be mine. It’s just that I started to think about what people would like and whether it would be musically recognized – I hate myself for making music dependent upon other people’s thoughts.

ELLE: I wonder how you organized your songs.

Taeyang: I put various kinds of songs in my album. Typically I used to create an overall concept and tried to improve the quality of whole album, but this time I tried various genres of songs, and put them in the album. So I don’t think you will get bored listening to them.

ELLE: You were producing with Teddy for the last album. And I heard you produced your album this time again.

Taeyang: Hmm.. I chose those songs that I can do or I wanted to do for the last album, and I think they considered that as part of the producing job and included my name. Actually even as I participate in producing, I can’t control every single track. And I don’t want to. I would feel more responsibility then, and I don’t think it’s desirable in raising the album’s quality either.

ELLE: Is there anyone you annoyed during the making of this album?

Taeyang: YG?

ELLE: In what way?

Taeyang: Because I can’t release my album without his backing.(laughing) I kept pushing him once I thought my album is almost completed.

ELLE: This album is quite delayed from the estimated date, like your last album.

Taeyang: My albums seem to be delayed a lot.

ELLE: Why?

Taeyang: If I have to say why, I think I’m too stubborn. My world seems to become too strong. Especially during this album’s production, if there was something I wanted to put in my music, my urge to get it exact kept getting stronger. So if other people disagreed with my opinion and tried to put a different color into my songs, it took a really long time before I could accept it. Making my album as I want doesn’t mean that it becomes a good one. I knew that, but it took so much time for me to accept it. Actually, I don’t have any sense about music trends. Maybe it’s because the music I like is mostly dark and gloomy. I listened to my members who know me the best, and producers who have known me since I was young. I guess, right now, I need someone who can guide me in the right direction.

ELLE: Recently you were mentoring Team A in the survival audition program <WIN> on Mnet. I would think you had a lot to say to them as you were also a trainee before.

Taeyang: I certainly told them a lot of things. I recalled old days while I watched them. I also had been in an intense survival competition, so I know exactly how they feel now.

ELLE: Exactly how long had you been a trainee?

Taeyang: About 6 years with G-Dragon.

ELLE: It must have been a really desperate 6 years for you.

Taeyang: I was desperate from the moment that I decided to do music. When I declared that I would do music my family opposed me, so from that moment on, I was fully accountable for my life. At the time, I also appeared on the survival show to debut as BigBang. It was really a desperate and hard time, but now that I come to think of it, it was also the happiest moment for me. I had the purest passion those days. So when I see those trainees now, I feel good. I can see their pure passion.

ELLE: Is there a kind of satisfaction during your solo activity that you can’t get during group activity?

Taeyang: Before, I wanted to do solo activity because I could show the things I wanted to. And when I came back to BigBang, I felt less satisfaction, yes. But I like working as BigBang more now. I learned something significant from the past 2 years, when the members were involved in various kinds of issues. I am happiest when I am with the members, and BigBang is what made me who I am today. With them, I laugh the most, and I feel like I can achieve things. Whether it’s BigBang activities or solo activities, I’m ultimately doing the music I love, so I just hope to be happy during those moments.

ELLE: The words ‘maturity’ and ‘change’ come to mind.

Taeyang: I know what is important to me now, and, in that sense, I feel I clearly have become more mature and changed. Before, I was so young that I always thought in a self-centered way. I also victimized myself, because I thought I was working harder than other members. Actually they were trying their best too, but I was too young to realize that. The last 3 years, I’ve come to realize a lot of those things.

ELLE: In a past interview, you said you have never had a romantic relationship, and it was quite an issue. That question has followed you all the time since then.

Taeyang: I didn’t want to talk about it again. And I was very conscious of that image. So at that time, in my naïveté, I thought I really shouldn’t get into a romantic relationship. I don’t have a lot of interest in relationships now either. It doesn’t mean I’ve never dated anyone. It’s just… I haven’t loved anyone deeply enough to consider it a relationship.

ELLE: Any specific reason?

Taeyang: I think I’ve mentioned this once before, that I had a first love. It was really intense for me, and I find I can’t open my heart to someone if my feelings are not as powerful as they were then. I know I’m expecting too much.

ELLE: How do you feel when people keep asking these kinds of questions?

Taeyang: Like I’m being swept away? I have my own standards and my own situation, but people make broad interpretations based on the one answer.

ELLE: But people could see you as a single-minded person.

Taeyang: Actually I am not. I like to have fun, too. Of course, for me playing is… I don’t really do anything besides music. I lock myself up like that. I’ve gotten better than before though.

ELLE: Nothing but music?

Taeyang: Of course I eat.

ELLE: Everybody eats to survive.

Taeyang: Hmm..

ELLE: Who do you usually hang around with?

Taeyang: Mostly with the members, or with their friends.

ELLE: Do you drink?

Taeyang: Only with the members.

ELLE: You must really feel comfortable with them.

Taeyang: With them, I am really funny. For real!! (laugh) I don’t know how they feel, but I think I have more wit these days. I like teasing them, too. Actually, I am a very joyful person.(laugh)

ELLE: I think you are a thoughtful person rather than joyful one.

Taeyang: I think a lot when I’m alone. When I start to think about something, I think about it until I find an answer. But since 2 years ago, I’ve been trying to think less. I discovered that the more I think, the less things turn out the way I thought they would.

ELLE: Too much thinking disturbs sleep.

Taeyang: I had insomnia before, but I cured it in natural way. I sleep well.

ELLE: When G-dragon featured in your solo album’s title song before, your solo fans were upset that even your solo album had to have traces of BigBang. Solo fans and BigBang fans were arguing about it in a fan club community. How do you feel when you see the conflict between BigBang fans and your solo fans?

Taeyang: I didn’t know that. I just heard it from you. I thought it was a good thing that the song became better with my best friend GD’s featuring. (Those conflicts happen) because they love us in their own ways. I love my fans more than anyone else. I want them all to be happy. But it’s sad that they have such conflicts. It’s not something we can solve for them. We can’t listen to everyone’s opinion.

ELLE: You have many foreign fans now. You said once that your dream is to enter the US market.

Taeyang: Maybe it was when I’d just debuted. I cringe a little thinking about it now. I don’t feel that way now. I just want to express what I like, what I feel is awesome and cool. I don’t think it’s cool to set a huge goal and try to make it happen.

ELLE: It’s just past 1 am now. Are you usually awake at this time?

I am normally at the studio at this time.

ELLE: Are you a night owl?

Taeyang: The producers and engineers usually work at night, so I need to be there then if I want to work on something.

ELLE: How do you want your new album remembered?

Taeyang: I put every kind of music I can do in this album. So I hope many people like it. Actually, the single I released before my first solo album didn’t chart very high. I’m not one to care about that kind of thing, but now I know it’s my responsibility.

ELLE: Was it that bad?

Taeyang: [They] say it should have done better. I only found out recently.

ELLE: You realized now you have command responsibility?

Taeyang: Yes. I am responsible for it myself.

ELLE: Am I being too naïve if I say I hope Taeyang will always do what he wants to do?

Taeyang: I will keep doing what I want to do. If I can’t, it’s because I am not good enough. It’s my fault I can’t make my music, with my thoughts and my colors, in a way that people will want to listen. That’s why I feel affection for my upcoming album. I tried to show what I wanted to do with higher quality in this album. I think it will be a good one. For real.

ELLE: You must still have something you want to achieve.

Taeyang: My dream still is to be a singer. I still have so much music I want to do. I want to be someone who is free in this world called ‘Music’. I don’t want to achieve my dream. I just want to pursue my dream until I die.

ELLE: That’s a long-term dream. What is your immediate goal now?

Taeyang: For now, I hope many people can get good inspiration with the album. And I hope I can continue to make music. Of course I will. But, right now, when I’m in my best condition, I want to fully concentrate on creating something, without bothering with other things.

ELLE: I think you really are a single-minded person.

Taeyang: I’m telling you, I am really joyful! (laugh)

Source: Translated by Redsun and edited by Silly for AlwaysTaeYang

Comments

[blackstarnebula.livejournal.com]

His interviews always live me a little sad. I wrote a longer response on ATY but one thing I noticed is the same thing that's been repeated by TOP and GD, that there's a lot of music that they can't release because YG doesn't consider it public friendly enough, which is sad.

[erbalurbal.livejournal.com]

idol life is hard

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

IMO for every song they can't release, there's another that they CAN. I think they would always have that opportunity, of possibly releasing something that YG doesn't consider public friendly enough. For example, YG didn't back absolutely all of GD's songs on his albums. Sure, I wish they'd release some mixtapes but sometimes in producing an album, you really need someone to help rein you in / give a bit of a perspective.

This interview, rather than sad left me feeling hopeful if anything. Because he seems much more comfortable in his own skin now, and has let go of a lot of his previous worries.

[jjoeyjjang.livejournal.com]

A lot of YG Artist's interviews(excluding CL) have an air of sadness about them. But I did enjoy this interview, it really shows him in a conpletely different(yet POSITIVE) light, different from what netizens look at him to be.

[blackstarnebula.livejournal.com]

Yes, YB's always leave me sad despite being usually pretty positive lol. The one thing I disliked from it was the whole them telling him that a certain song didn't perform well and that that was his fault. Talk about pressure.

[spacecadet0.livejournal.com]

Bom has the saddest interviews. I keep thinking about the one where she kept saying stuff like "I can't believe people like me without a lot of makeup" and "I wish I got CF deals like Dara". Poor girl.

[mollyana.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Is his company after all, if he thinks something don't gonna sold is normal he don't go for it. But is just fuck up for the boys and sad for us.

[blackstarnebula.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I understand. At the end of the day, this is a business and not a charity (not more than ever since they've gone public). But as a fan that leaves me sad. However, the one thing that pissed me off was the part about them telling him a song didn't perform well enough and that that was his fault. Kind of seems mean and putting unnecessary pressure.

[mollyana.livejournal.com]

That pissed me too, and was the first thing I pointed in my review. The pressure of success that they seem to carrier is not a good thing for any of them, and is a big douchebag move that someone had made him think like that, more after all his achievaments, and a great profesionals reviews he had for his solo, plus the general recognition. His solo wasn't a failure, he gave his all for it and not all of them going to sold the same. in fact none of them as solo will sold as much as GD as solo, it just don't gonna happpen. YG should stop punish them for it or pity them against each other when they don't fill his money expectations..I feel specially bad for Taeyang because somehow he seem to see his abilities, his power of choice, in a less value. And it must be worst for him if he sadly believe that mentality of 'the one that trainee the longest, must do the best for the company' as if do the best was all about money. I really hope that whatever happpen with this new album is something he want, and that he can at last enjoy perform his music and feel satisfaction about it.

[specialiruka.livejournal.com]

Hello taeyang, u look gud









and taller
somehow.

[crowleyd545.livejournal.com]

at least he got of his butt ugly braids or whatever.

[shintotchi.livejournal.com]

I just want to express what I like, what I feel is awesome and cool. I don’t think it’s cool to set a huge goal and try to make it happen

Correction Tae, it actually is cool to set huge goals and try to make them happen. You only limit yourself by making small goals, or if you choose not to make them at all. Anyway, seems like he doesn't want to put faith in his work or push too hard for anything. He doesn't want to give the image of putting alot into something because it feels naive. And while I can understand looking back at your younger self and shaking your head, Youngbae's a bit depreciative here.I hope everything's cool. I'm curious about what sound he's going to put out this time around.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Now, idk if it's something lost in translation, but I don't think he means not setting any goals at all. I take it as more as a reference to "entering the US market" question he answered to. Which I think is a valid point for him to make because BigBang as a whole does not overtly move to have promotions in the US/ try to break into the US market. In their hungry beginnings, achieving success in the US seems like the be all end all to them. In retrospect, he has accepted that it's actually not and now feel that he just wants to utilise music as a medium to communicate rather than a tool for furthering his career. Rather than something far reaching, he pushes himself to fulfil immediate goals.

That's my (kinda long) take on it anyway. I just feel like he's gotten more optimistic about himself and life in general.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

Please let it not be ratchet, please let it not be ratchet (his album that is)!

[snoaz.livejournal.com]

Some interesting perspectives. Though I still really don't like those pics. Curious for the album though! Hope he'll do well.

I am happiest when I am with the members, and BigBang is what made me who I am today. With them, I laugh the most, and I feel like I can achieve things.

:')

and also

But it’s sad that they have such conflicts. It’s not something we can solve for them. We can’t listen to everyone’s opinion.

ty

[sunnydlita.livejournal.com]

It's odd and a bit sad to me that he seems to be disavowing "Solar," implying that that wasn't his true self? Because consensus seems to be that that album was one of the best K-Pop albums of the decade, and probably the best Korean R&B album ever?

[johnnyquest89.livejournal.com]

"best Korean R&B album ever?"

BAHBAHAHAHAahahah AHAHAHA I hope you mean by an idol.

[sunnydlita.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I don't know anything about Korean music outside of K-pop (I barely know anything about K-pop).

And his personal music tastes seemed to line up pretty closely with his Solar output. It's one thing if he says his tastes have changed, but strange that he seems to be saying Solar was never really him. He's the guy who once said he never changed his hair because he likes it, didn't he?

The only thing about Solar that maybe seemed to be incongruous to his offstage self is the super confident ladies' man image -- I remember one performance where he pulled a girl from the audience on stage and put his head in her lap, kissed her and walked off with his arm around her waist -- maybe he doesn't like making baby-making music? But I always figured that the flirt was his real self and the virgin image was more of the put-on. I dunno.

[johnnyquest89.livejournal.com]

eh, could be interpreted in a few ways. like he gave into suggestions on certain things where he's come to regret etc. Like the first half of the album was completely different before then got dumped changed added vocorder on a track even though he didn't like the idea then ended up liking the sound then etc.

image a long with the album I dunno. Most celebs are acting offstage because once you're a celeb you're always ON STAGE (if that makes sense) so dunno what anyone's real self is. Less I meet n know em and even then can't always know.

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

This was a really good interview. There were a lot of answers that had a real melancholy feel to them but I'm so glad to see that Youngbae still has that strong passion for music and even though he's had ups and downs his dream is still to keep trying to do the music he wants and work on making it the best he can.
Reading through this makes me anticipate his new album all the more. It also makes me want to give him a big hug then sit down over a meal for a chat with him :)

[mnemo-syne.livejournal.com]

Good interview. I like his voice, but I didn't like his solo music much, however I'm really curious about his album now. And I'm intrigued by this new look. (As a huge GD fan, though, it WOULD appeal to me! ha ha).

Seems like he appreciated being in BB more after doing solo activities because the workload and expectations are shared among the group rather than all on his shoulders, and he is among friends. That's nice and I'm happy bc I want BB to go on forever <3. But it sounded weirdly like he both does and doesn't have confidence in his solo work, and is still searching for his "purpose" or something. But like, you're doing fine, dude! You're pretty famous, and there will probably be people checking for you for a long time. I hope he can/is allowed to embrace his serious nature.

[mollyana.livejournal.com]

Something must had happened or someone must had been put alot of pressure in this boy is shoulders to achieve success that he now is downgrading his expectations or ambitions towards his own abilities. Now I more curious of what kind of music he want to present, and I really want it to do really well because I always want the boys to success with what they want to showcase.

I really love this interview and personal wise, Taeyang seem to have matured a lot.He practically confirm what I think of BB as a group, I didn't know he felt like that back then, but I'm happy that time had settled things well from them all.

[bauci.livejournal.com]

Interesting read.

But what is this Adam Lambert realness with pictures???

[lightasadream.livejournal.com]

I really liked this interview. He seemed very insightful here. I have this weird sentiment toward him where I just want him to be happy, like i know him. But I guess that's all fans! ^^

[scionofawhisper.livejournal.com]

He really seems to be able to look at his own life really thoughtfully and humbly, I loved reading this. Although the part about eating was a bit jarring. XD