We will rock you

F.T. Island wow Bangkok

By Sukrit Khaepimpan
Photos courtesy of Feo Co, LTD

In the K-pop world, many mainstream groups promote their looks and dancing skills rather than their music. The five members of F.T. Island are good looking, but they aren’t just pretty faces. While the group is well-known for their energetic and intense performances, the boys also have several chart-topping hits under their belt, including "Lovesick,” "Love Love Love," “Hello Hello” and "Severely." F.T. Island is one of the few Korean pop-rock bands which can attract fans locally and internationally.

The quintet is currently on a world tour to promote their album I Will and single “Pray.” On September 12 the guys hit the stage at the concert, 2015 F.T. Island Live [We Will] in Bangkok, held at Impact Thunderdome.

Student Weekly recently met the band members — leader and guitarist Choi Jonghoon, 25, front man Lee Hongki, 25, bassist and vocalist Lee Jaejin, 23, guitarist Song Seunghyun, 23, and drummer Choi Minhwan, 22 — at a press conference at Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel.

Unlike other K-pop idols who usually try hard to protect their polite image, Hongki gave straightforward answers about girls and his contract during the press conference. Here are some of the best answers.

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Question: What does “We Will” mean to you?

Hongki: “We Will” doesn’t only mean F.T. Island, but all the fans who will be at the concert. We can’t make the show fun by ourselves. The fans have to help us.

Question: How would you describe the latest single, “Puppy”?

Hongki: It’s a cute, fun track with a modern sound.

Question: Why was Jaejin selected to dress up in a Dalmatian costume in the “Puppy” music video?

Seunghyun: Jaejin is the most baby-faced member of the group. He’s also lovely, like a Dalmatian.

Question: How did you get to work with the Japanese singer Taka, from One Ok Rock, for the song, “Primavera”?

Hongki: We were close and we used the same rehearsal studio. So we discussed making music together.

Question: How did you meet Taka?

Hongki: We met three years ago at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and have been close since them.

Question: Apart from music, which activity is challenging?

Hongki: Attending variety shows is the most exhausting. I didn’t enjoy the show Idol Star Athletics Championship because F.T. Island isn’t a dancing group. I was on the show once and was worn out. I won’t go back.

Question: Which member is best at doing housework?

Jaejin: Cleaning isn’t something I do every day. I only do it when I want to or I have to.

Hongki: If you get close to Jaejin, you may notice a little stink. [Laughs.] But his house is actually very clean.

Question: If you could go back to the past, what would you change?

Jonghoon: I like how I am now.

Hongki: I also like the way I am now, but I want to go back to when I renewed the contract with our music label. [Laughs.] I regret that I didn’t discuss the conditions I wanted.

Question: Is there anything you would like to tell your fans?

Jonghoon: Hongki and I are trying to lose weight. We hope to be successful.

Question: What do you talk about when you’re together?

Hongki: Mostly we talk about women, just like our fans who talk about guys when they’re together. We’re human beings like you.

Question: Is there any particular place you would like to visit in Thailand?

Jaejin: I was in Pattaya once and heard that we could take a boat to a very beautiful island with not many people. I would like go there with somebody I love.

 

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