[TRANSLATION] EXO - 140821 1st Look magazine: “run AWAY, EXO”

"The manly aura that you showed in front of the camera today was really cool. How does it feel to film a new concept that isn’t usually common for you?

Tao: Until earlier, we showed you a bright and uplifted side of ourselves, right? That’s nice too but we always like trying new things. Our outfits are very rough and we’re on a majestic motorcycle so it feels like we have somewhat become real men. The concept was very clear so it was easy to film and it seems like it’s been a while since I had this much fun with the members.

Until now, we thought that EXO were the ‘pretty boy’ but now that we’re seing you, all the members are full of a charismatic and manly aura. When you see each other, who seems the most suitable to this concept?

Everyone: Tao! He was the best!

Sehun: The look with the MCM fur jacket and the Jaguar Bisetos backpack was the coolest. Tao hyung’s facial structure is a but sharp and very manly. When he looks at the camera seriously, the atmosphere becomes very charismatic. Since the makeup today is very strong, it seemed to fit well with the concept. Of course, his real side is totally different.

Kai: In real life, he’s a total softie. Kind of clumsy too. (laughs)

читать дальшеRecently, the members’ personal schedules have enlarged. They are participating in dramas, movies, and variety shows; how are they different while working and in real life?

Chanyeol: Today, I came from a different dorm than our members because I had filming for ‘Roommate’. Because I have to spend time in a different dorm than them for the filming of the show that I participate in, I think about our members a lot. People say that when we’re together, you may not realize it but when we’re separated, we feel the importance of each other. It’s a bit emotional sometimes, and I often miss them a lot. If we have been apart for even three days, I feel happy when I meet them and realize the importance that I didn’t know.

Sehun: Luhan hyung was in China two to three times recently for his movie filming. Didn’t you miss us while sleeping alone in the hotel?

Tao: It seems like he didn’t miss us at all. We sent so many text messages and there were no replies.

Luhan: After filming, once I returned to the hotel I was so tired. I really fell asleep right away. Why are you guys all saying you missed me! I sent replies to all of them in the morning! (smiles)

Aren’t the new challenges and experience you have to face hard by yourself?

Lay: I think it’s a nice experience and a thankful opportunity. I’m so thankful for all the things we recieve. Frankly, it’s very hard when we first crash into it ourselves. It seems like it will be handled easily but in reality, things don’t always go as we would like them to go. Recently, I was a one-day MC for a Chinese music program and I spent all night memorizing the sсript. Even with the practice, it was so scary to stand on the stage by myself without the other members. But it was a heart pounding, fluttering experience. Meeting new people and challenging myself little by little is very fun.

Do the members monitor each other and give good advice? How does it feel to see your members doing a great job in each of their criterias?

Luhan: We’re very proud of them! We watch all the programs, performances, movies etc that our members come out in. We always say a word of advice too.

Chanyeol: D.O is currently starring in a drama. Every Wednesday and Thursday nights, we all sit around together and watch the drama. In the beginning, it was awkward and quite funny seeing D.O in a tv screen but as each episode aired, it seemed like he was really good at acting so it made us proud. Honestly, we actually watched the live stream for the drama press conference too. D.O is a beloved member, and it seemed like the sunbaenims on set took extra care of D.O and like him very much. Seeing that made me relieved, but also a bit like I was sending my child away. It may seem a bit weird but it seemed like seeing a precious child you raised turning into an adult? Haha.

The strong bond between the members can be felt for sure. In May, EXO held their first solo concert in the Olympic Recreation Stadium very lavishly, right? How did it feel to have a stage made just for ‘EXO’?

Kai: In the midst of preparing for the concert, many bad things happened so honestly, it was very hard. In order to create a perfect stage, we had to change all our choreography and stage positions and practiced until we were tired to exhaustion. But we were able to pull it off because the members worked hard together until the end, and seeing them like that was very gratifying and reassuring. To every singer, their own concert is very special to them but to us, this concert was much more special and much more meaningful.

Sehun: He’s right. Any singer would dream of a concert of their own. But for us, we wanted a stage really meant for us, and a place for us to interact with out fans. With that kind of mind, we each prepared a special stage and in order to show them the best of us, we practiced all night. Since it was our first time, there were definitely spots in which we were lacking, but it was a time where we were able to sincerely play with our fans. I was so happy that it cannot be expressed entirely in words.

The look in your eyes all changed once we moved on to the concert topic. Your sincereness can truly be felt.

Chanyeol: All stages are precious, but the first concert especially is the most important. Since it was was our first concert we were holding in Korea, our nervousness and expectations were multipled by hundreds. And just days before the concert, something big happened so we were worried that we wouldn’t be able to show our best to our fans. But once we stood on stage, the fans cheered us on very deligently and enjoyed it with us, I was so thrilled and touched. In the last day concert, our fans did an event sending a message to us. During that time, I was so touched that all the strength in my leg was gone.

Sehun: The fans prepared an event for us. We had no idea. Everyone was so thankful that they all shed tears. Seeing the entire stadiun fill up with our lightstick was very touching.

Kai: The fans cheering at our Chinese concerts are be unforgettable too. I’m very excited for the stages prepared to come in Japan and Singapore and more. We will try our best and prepare in order to grow more, and we will always show a side of us that is greater than before to our fans.

The fans seem to be expecting a new album. Compared to the mysterious rookie days and the more friendly and rising stages, what kind of sides do you think you can show and portray?

Chanyeol: We are still in the middle of shaping our own color of EXO. I think that EXO’s charms come from being able to take in many genres of music and images and being able to portray them. Rather than making a specified image, I want to try more things. The sides of us that we can show you are endless. Especially since we have many members, there are many kinds we want to try too. ‘Wolf’, ‘Growl’, and ‘Overdose’ were all music with our color of that can’t be found anywhere else. Of course, we would like to show a great performance compared to other groups too.

It seems like the name ‘EXO’ has taken a special place in each of your lives. It also seems like you all consider each other much more than just a member and coworker.

Sehun: It seems like compared to friends my age, I have gone through a bit more, and a bit wider range of experience. Of course, there are some things that I missed out on as being a normal twenty year old man, but it’s alright because I am experiencing other things too. Being in a team with members from a different nationality, and spending times together like brothers is already very special. All our members are great people and I’m very thankful that I got to meet them like this.

Kai: When we all first met, there were obviously some things that didn’t fit right and there were times where we bickered and argued. But that is a very natural thing. As we lived together for about three to four years, there are things that grew where we know what each other were feeling even without saying a word. It’s very comfortable.

Chanyeol: Each of the members are all very kind. Even if there is a fault, they all understand and yield. Even if we see each other everyday, there are some minute things that we can get our feelings hurt about. I think it’s very important to trust and understand one another.

Luhan: Not just as a façade, I think we are all really close with each other. As we went through periods of practicing together while soaked in sweat up until now, more faith was shared and our friendship grew deeper. ‘Dependence’ was created.

Tao: To me, our members are much more than the greatest friends in life.

Starting last week, we were able to meet you through a new variety show ‘EXO 902014’. There are great expectations because it is the perfect opportunity to show off the members’ hidden charms.

Lay: It’s a program where we recreate the hit songs and the culture from the birth of K-POP, the 1990’s. Every episode, we showcase a ‘2014 version’ music video of our seniors’.

Chanyeol: All of our 11 members will participate as a lead in one of the music videos. It seems like it will be a very new experience for all the members. More than anything, the fact that we are able to recreate and discuss the songs of the legendary ‘first generation idols’ from the 90’s makes us feel very honored.

Kai: For me, just talking with the sunbaenims was very surreal too. There were lots to learn and we received a lot of adviced for things that were persistenly difficult for us. When I was a trainee, I practiced the dances of H.O.T. and Shinhwa a lot. It’s still so amazing that we can meet up and talk with each other. I didn’t know that time was flying by as I was deeply into listening to them talking about the IMF era, when they were at the top of their peak, and many anecdotes from during their promotions.

Sehun: As a singer, they have once been to the peak of their careers and they are still carrying on to promote or live to tell the tales of their legends. It somewhat seems like how we will be in ten and twenty years later. That makes me think more about our future and know that we have lots to learn from listening. I also wonder how I should become a better singer, and a better person.

We are quite sure that after gathering all those thoughts and concerns, a more mature, and strengthened EXO will be made. Lastly, a word for the fans who endlessly send their never erring support?

Chanyeol: I really want to thank our fans who always protected our sides whenever. We recieved support and touching moments too. I want to ask them, to go together forever with us.

Kai: There are singers because there are fans, and there are fans because there are singers. I’m saying we are one! I wish that we are all as happy and fun as now forever. I want to enjoy being on the stage with our fans forever.

Sehun: You all talk too much. The interviewer said to say ‘a word’. (laughs) You must write this down. EXO-L is the best! Everyone, I love you.”