Kai for Nylon Magazine's September Issue

[slowitdownbaby.livejournal.com]

Q: Are there any immediate mountains (obstacles) you need to jump over/surpass right now?

K: I always have to surpass myself. Yesterday’s me, no matter what good things happen, I forget them and want to do great things again. Instead of materialistic or physical outcomes, I want to spend time personally accepting, understanding myself. Activities are fun and make me happy, but I’m also happy seeing myself growing day by day. I would like for the me of today to sing better and dance better than the me of yesterday.

Q: Is there an image you want to try today?

K: I really like doing photoshoots. There aren’t any particular “images” I want, but I just think that I need to have fun while taking pictures. I like diverse of concepts and like, whatever pictures need to be taken, so I want to take a variety of shoots. I don’t do many photoshoots in a year, so I think it’d be fun to keep a record by doing shoots like “22-year-old Kai” - “23-year-old Kai”, or capture my everyday life like a photoshoot.

Q: What about a homage to someone you respect? Have you ever thought of becoming something else?

K: I haven’t ever thought about that. I like being comfortable. Just Kai, I like being myself. Because I’m always doing strong and intense things on stage.

Q: Would you want to be Kai even if you were born again?

K: Yes, because it’s fun. Since I did ballet when I was younger, I also want to be a ballerino, but I think I’d have to be Kai. But I’d like to be born as a better Kai.

Q: Since you’re alone, should we praise the other members or talk badly about them?

K: My first thought was, “This is fun!”. Compared to the loud and chaotic photoshoots with the members, shooting by myself was comfortable. But on the other hand, I missed the loud chaos and quickly began to miss the members.

Q: What do you often observe, and from what do you gain influance?

K: I don’t discriminate and take influance from a lot of things. Even from simply passing by a river, or just now, when I was changing during the shoot, my mask fell. I thought of a lot of things just from that. I valuably consider thoughts when I listen to music or when I’m alone.

Q: Do you watch and read books often?

K: I mostly read fictional novels, but not self-improvement books. They’re boring. I like the fun of imagining when reading fictions. You watch movies, you see the story and what’s visually pre-planned, but you can imagine things while reading books. Even if the same characters are portrayed in a novel, I like that each reader sees a different image. I think that’s why I read a lot of books. Especially mystery, fantasy and image stirring novels. As for movies, I watch them often, but I don’t watch melodramas or romance.

Q: Is there a special reason (why you can’t watch melodramas)?

K: I just can’t watch them. (laughs). They’re boring. I get sleepy. But no matter what movie I watch, there’s something to be gaines. When I look at the clothes from medieval times, I relate it to my stage clothes. Or when I see a character’s situation or setting, I gain influence to try and make choreography.

Q: What about seasons and weather? (Is there any influance?)

K: There is. Not too much of a difference, because I don’t typically have a huge emotional fluctuation. I like winter more than summer.

Q: Why do you like winter more?

K: I was born in January. Since winter is cold, you layer on clothes. There’s that warm feeling. A warmth, different from what you feel in hot weather. I like seeing people in the streets dressed warmly.

Q: Don’t people often tell you that you’re mature?

K: I hear that often. I like hanging out with friends my age, but because I started training at a young age, I think there are more things that I learned than friends my age. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll force my thoughts on them or have any reason to say “You have to do it this way” or “This is the right way”.

Q: But not everyone who lives a group life matures/grows up.

K: I was a very quiet kid. I didn’t say much but when I entered the company, I became brighter. There were a lot of fun friends and people around me, so as I shared stories and talked with them to fit in, my personality changed. Still, I have large sensitivity, feel guilt a lot, and think so much to the point that some days I can’t sleep.

Q: On what days can’t you sleep?

K: When I make choreography mistakes at important events, I continuously blame myself and feel guilty. And at some point, I forget that and fall deep into the thought of something else, like “Why was I born?”. In grade school, seeing the world through my eyes was fascinating. In middle school I thought “Out of the many people, not this or that person but me, why?” “Why am I seeing the world through my eyes?”. In high school I thought “Isn’t there a reason why I was born?”. And now I’m absorbed with thoughts of why I dance, why I sing. I think that these are the thoughts that bite my tail and keep me up at night.

Q: Is ‘You’re sexy” another thing you hear often?

K: Surprisingly, I actually hear people say that I’m bright and nice. Not because I’m actually nice, but rather because I look fierce and cold, but when they get to know me, I’m not like that. People don’t outright tell me that I’m sexy, but I think it’s a good thing to hear.

Q: How alike and different is the image people see of you and the image you see of yourself?

K: Every person sees me differently. It’s my dance, but some focus on lines, some focus on my emotions and some focus on my strenght. I want to be the Kai that everyone thinks of. I want to freely leave the thoughts of the people who watch me.

Q: Is there anything unexpected about you to share?

K: I’m shabby/lax. I often lose my belongings and when I eat I spill food down my chin like there’s a hole. And I have an instinct to be funny. I make people laugh by forcefully pushing words that don’t make sense in a ridiculous situation. It comes naturally with people I’m close to, but I can’t do it when someone forces me to.

Q: It seems like Kai is always thinking about being on stage even off-stage.

K: I get stressed because I think about it too much. The more I think about it, the more unsatisfied I become and go astray. And then I tell myself not to worry and dance and sing withouth any thoughts. I can’t mess up. I used to strictly pay attention to every little thing, but now that I don’t think and just have fun, I think things work out better.

Q: Does the stage always feel now? Or is it a completely familiar place?

K: Both. Overall, I feel comfortable and free on stage. Moving my body is the comfortable part, but the emotions I feel are new every time. There are choreographies that I dance happily and have fun, and there are choreographies that I dance to relay a message or feelings.

Q: Kai’s dance seens special, because it seems like there’s something you want to pass on to the audience.

K: For concert performances, I consider the mood and lyrics of a song, and for my solo stages I put in my own emotions. Title tracks have distinct choreography and pairing with other members. If there’s an importance to lyrics, there are no limitations of solo stages. If it’s sad, the dance gets sad too. But even if it’s sad, you dance in a way that makes you feel good, so the people watching will recieve the emotion and also feel good.

Q: It must be control/command of the stage.

K: Dance is fun because it’s like the assembly of a well put together puzzle. You don’t simply dance because you memorize choreography, but because there’s a reason behind every lift and drop of your arm. It’s probably because I think of that.

Q: Do you have the greed to learn all types of dance?

K: I don’t want to dance with the heart of just gaining information. But it’d be nice to be able to pull out bits of each (genre of dance) as a tool to use if there’s something I want to express.

Q: Do you also go to see other artists’ performances?

K: I don’t have much time. But when I was younger, I saw a lot of ballet performances.

Q: There’s YouTube.

K: Right. I watch things on YouTube. I really go there every day. Not just dance videos, but a lot of funny videos too. But I watch a huge amount of dance videos. Not just famous dancers, but even small performances, musicals, dance scenes from old movies like Singing In The Rain. I like videos of foreigners doing funny dances and singing in videos.

Q: I’m curious of your song playlist.

K: I listen to EXO songs, haha. Lately, I’ve been practising singing a lot. Since the past month, I’ve been listening to songs of our land’s (Korea’s) musicians. G.Soul, Na Yoon Kwon, Kim Yeon Woo sunbaenim’s songs. But I also like John Legend, Travis Garland and Boyz II Men.

Q: Is there a period when your interest in music over dance increases?

K: Recently I’ve bought audio cards and a mic at Nakwon Shopping District and now I’m recordind using Logic (an audio recording/editing software). I can’t make perfect songs yet, I just straighten out my voice to sound nice and do volume checks. I’m having fun with it, it’s like a game without getting stressed.

Q: Your birthday is on the 14th. Do you know what day that is?

K: Diary day? I have no idea. White day or what else? Valentine’s day? I’ve never celebrated things like that. I’ve never tried.

Q: Do you tend not to celebrate important days, anniversaries?

K: If someone remembers my birthday, I try to look out for theirs. But it’s okay if they don’t care for mine, I don’t think it’s so important.

Q: As of late, where is the place you want to go to?

K: Originally, if I hadn’t had schedules between August 1-11, I would have gone to Poland. I realized all the famous dancers go there and perform. I thought I could learn from dance workshops, but I ended up being unable to go.

Q: Would it be better to travel with family or friends?

K: I’d like both. I think it’d be fun with friends and comfortable with family. I think I’ll go to vacation spots with family and fun places with friends. It’d be fun to go to a deserted house and have a scary experience.




Source: fy-exo, exokaiforlie

Comments

[initialc.livejournal.com]

It sometimes makes me mad at how attractive he is.

[miuratenshi.livejournal.com]

He is so attractive. I weep.

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

he wants to come to Poland... He knows my country exists and he actually wants to come here. Maybe next time, fingers crossed ;__;

[amandaplan.livejournal.com]

best sept. issue cover of 2015

[kwikimart.livejournal.com]

He is a beautiful boy and I love how he moves even just walking, it's pretty obvs dude does ballet
I wonder if he'd ever be able to make it as a solo artist? Tbh, I can see it happening, he's stunning and his dancing is amazing. I wish this shoot showed him with his skin really tan and but otherwise I like it

[yuzuruhanyu.livejournal.com]

lol the exo kai in the magazine cover gave me predebut flashbacks of everyone calling exo-k exo-kai

he looks good

[atopworld.livejournal.com]

I am philosophiKai af tbh.

[kwonsoonyoung.livejournal.com]

he's a living art

[lycorisc.livejournal.com]

he's very thoughtful and i love that about him

[hitthoselightz.livejournal.com]

jesus he is so stunning and very smart

he wants to go to poland!!!!!!!! oh my god someone actually praising my country this is brand new info

[hitthoselightz.livejournal.com]

when i read it i was like :O

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

lmao same. i read it on tumblr at first and i screamed a little when i saw it. later i just kept saying "Poland?" to myself for some time :P

[heyitsrocky91.livejournal.com]

His thoughts are always so deep >< I like reading his interviews. I haven't liked reading a kpop artists interviews since Jaejoong. He and I are similar in that we prefer books over movies because with books we can imagine a whole new world whereas with movies it's already pre planned. I feel bad he hasn't been able to celebrate his birthday since exo debuted though ><
He's so good looking too. One of my fave idols to watch perform. I like how he described dancing. I want to read more of his thoughts. He has an interesting way of looking at the world IMO.

[yw7.livejournal.com]

i need him in a magazine spread every. single. month.

[vreally.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

him and krystal would have great photoshoots and babies together o.o

[szhuns.livejournal.com]

He is truly a babe 💕

[lesth.livejournal.com]

One of my fav choreographer was in Poland in early august and I was lika naaaah... WELL.

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

+1

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

My god, he's such a beauty

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

He's very good looking

[torontok.livejournal.com]

I wish they'd done more than just stick him in front of a white background but he still looks so good.That all orange picture is so cute.
he's so well spoken too, I really like reading his interviews.Thae fact that he's a reader is so attractive

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

he looks so good but that interview is really good too, i like (most of) his answers - he seems like such a chill and understanding person ;~~~;

[m. (from livejournal.com)]

the clothes are hideous but the truth is, he could be wearing a trash bag and still look stunning. it always messes me up how handsome he is~

jesus, he knows about this hole in the middle of europe that is my country O____o come, honey pie, i'll welcome you with bread and salt!

[lolylen.livejournal.com]

i loved reading his answers he seems so interesting and chill..totally my kind of person.. i relate to him a lot.

[oniongulru.livejournal.com]

your last para x 10

[oniongulru.livejournal.com]

i hate reading his interviews because they raise my standards for boys too much
how you gonna look that good and have such an ideal personality all at the same time???

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

ikr?! There's usually some kind of trade-off, but he is just flawless

[itstheworld.livejournal.com]

you totally feel my pain