U-KISS debuted in Korea in 2008. 「U」of the group’s name is the first initial of ‘Ubiquitous’ meaning the most advance and “You” and 「KISS」meaning Korean International Idol Superstar. As with the name, the background of the members is also full of international atmosphere. They who carried a cute concept till now make a big changeover in 1st album 「U-KISS ONLY ONE ALBUM」! We interview U-KISS, the global idol group who is increasingly popular in Korea and of course, Japan and Asia.
From the left:
Alexander (Real name: Alexander.Lee.Eusebio) Born on 29 July 1988. 182 cm. Blood O. Rap. Born in Hong Kong.
Eli (Real name: Kim.Kyoung.Jae) Born on 13 March 1991. 180 cm. Blood O. Rap. Born in USA. (3rd generation of Korean American)
Kibum ( Real name: Kim.Kibum) Born on 29 December 1990. 179 cm. Blood O. Vocal. Born in Korea.
Kiseop (Real name: Lee Kiseop) Born on 17 January 1991. 180 cm. Blood A. Vocal. Joined in as new member in November 2009. Born in Korea.
Soohyun (Real name: Shin.Soohyun) Born on 11 March 1989. 181 cm. Blood A. Main Vocal. Born in Korea.
Kevin (Real name: Kevin Woo/Korean name: Woo Sunghyun) Born on 25 November 1991. 181 cm. Blood O. Main Vocal. Born in USA.
Dongho (Real name: Shin.Dongho) Born on 29 June 1994. 178 cm. Blood B. Vocal, Rap. Born in Korea.
Please tell us the opportunity where every one of you aimed to be a singer.
Soohyun: I longed to stand on the stage long time ago and also often participated in singing contests. The desire of standing on the stage was strong. I took the audition and entered the current company.
Eli: Originally, actor is my aspiration so I went over to China to learn acting. So by chance, I got the offer to be a singer in Korea and not acting and I took the audition. Now I really enjoy the activities as a singer.
Alexander: I have interest in hallyu and I wanted to do job that was related to hallyu. But I did not even think that I will become a singer.
Kevin: Although I was raised in America, I love Korean music a lot and so I came to Korea to take the audition.
Kiseop: Around high school onwards, I was active in the dance circle. I like music so I took various auditions. Although I worked as a trainee all the times, I became a member from the activities of this album’s title song 「Don’t Underestimate Me」onwards .
Kibum: Wanted to be a chef, I was thinking of going to a culinary school. Although I liked music and dancing from a long time ago, looking at my elder brother (the maknae of『SS501』) during his trainee period and because I knew the seriousness of debuting, I did not think of becoming a singer. But my elder brother seemed to be very happy after debut and it looked fun…… I looked forward to such elder brother and so I also aimed to become a singer.
Dongho: My father ran a publishing company that released magazine and there were lots of magazines in my house a long time ago. Since young, I read those magazine often, went to watch concert and music programs, and I thought it was cool of the celebrities getting support from the fans. Thus I think that it is natural of me thinking of I also want to become like that.
How was the first impression of each member?
Soohyun: The first time I saw Eli, he was having his meal. The child who came from America ate Korean food with great relish. It was a good impression.
Eli: When I first met Alexander hyung, he was eating bread. (laugh) Because hyung loves bread and biscuit very much, he will always buy bread when he goes somewhere. Also, during the first time I met him, he said to me in Korean “you want bread?”(laugh) Though raised in a foreign country, his Korean was good and was much better than me also.
All: Was!? Then now!? (laugh)
Eli: Now also. (laugh) Though Alexander hyung is very gentle, but because in the beginning he did not know Korean culture very well, he seemed lonely and serious as well.
Alexander: Kevin was a very childish child. (laugh) Because our first language is English, I was very happy that there was an English-speaking peer. Kevin is very gentle, polite and like an angel.
Kevin: The first time where I met Kiseop, was at the practice room. Though he was introduced as the new member, but because we are the same year, amicableness arose. I though he was handsome, gentle and the way he practiced passionately was fantastic.
Kiseop: The first time I met Kibum hyung was inside the car at the filming location of the single 『Not Young』PV. The words that he gave me in the beginning was 『What’s your year?』(laugh). I heard that the younger brother of SS501’s maknae Kim Hyung Jun senior is in U-KISS but when I met him in the car for the first time, I was shocked that he looked very much like (Hyung Jun) (laugh) Although he was very thin and seemed that he will break once touched, now his figure has become better because of exercises. The first impression of him was I felt that he was a weak pretty boy but now a masculine image.
Kibum: When I met Dongho for the first time, Dongho was a middle school……
Soohyun: Elementary 6 student.
Kibum: Eh?! Only elmentary 6!? Uwa…… When I met him for the first time, he was very young and I thought how it would turn out to be grouped together with him. I felt uneasy when I might be the only older one among the young members. (laugh)
Alexander: Because Dongho was very young, his behavior and such were unexpected (laugh). Although he was very like a child, now he has matured.
Dongho: I thought Soohyun hyung was the manager (laugh). I thought he must be either good in singing or talented. (laugh)
How do you feel about the activities did so far as a new member?
Kiseop: It was hard when I made my debut. Unlike everyone else, I don’t have stage experience. I don’t know at all where the cameras are located and where to look at will be good…… But the members helped me. I’m grateful to everyone.
Surprised by the appearances of all of you who turned into adults in the 1st album [U-KISS ONLY ONE ALBUM]
Soohyun: The past songs, we were trying to show cute, bright and young image. We really enjoyed the activities but we couldn’t get popularity…… So, we thought the production of the album this time round to be the last chance and expected it. Probably, if this album did not go well, I think we would not be here today. We pay attention to each and every facial expression and gesture, and we practiced repeatedly in choreography and live broadcasting more than before too. We are glad to have a lot of people love it as much as we made an effort.
The member that changed the most is?
All: Dongho
Soohyun: Dongho was a very timid person. During the audition, he was embarrassed and his face turned bright red. He couldn’t sing song well, also couldn’t dance and was bad at talking too. But unnoticeably, he has become really good in variety program, stage and live too. He was nerdy in the past. (laugh) Now, his way of thinking and talking has become like an adult and I think he has become very cool.
Alexander: I was paying attention to Dongho and advising him in the past but now it became no longer required unnoticeably.
Kiseop: Now it’s Dongho who scolds Alexander hyung. (laugh)
Kevin: On the contrary, there is the part which he became childish. Although he was a child in the very beginning and there was quiet moment, he has become vigorous and cheerful after debuting. I think it’s because he has found his own character.
Dongho, do you admit it?
Dongho: Yes, I admit. (laugh)
The songs are a bit provocative and there are many things that are of rebellious taste. What is the most rebellious action that you have taken so far?
Soohyun: Eli rebels his mother the moment he wakes up every morning.
Eli: I don’t! (laugh)
Soohyun: You are doing it!
Eli: How did you know? You are not living in the house. (laugh) Oh well, but it is true that there were many rebellious behaviors. Particularly, during the days of adolescence, it was terrible. Because I was alone early in China, I was so used to living alone. So when I started living with my parents, there were many conflicts.
Kibum: After high school graduation till I became a member of U-KISS, there was a little interregnum. I wanted to do business but I was told by my parents that “that kind of business does not matter much. Please be an entertainer.” I have had left the house. After that, the business was doing well and I intended to walk that path but I returned home because my mother was sad. I think that time when I left the house was the biggest rebellion in my life. Because I lived by renting a room properly, I feel the sense of living alone rather than saying that it is a run away from home. (laugh) After I returned home, I packed up the business and did the preparations for becoming an entertainer.
Alexander: I was a very good child. I have never rebel before. (laugh)
Is there any quarrel among the members themselves?
Kibum: Although there were times where the opinions were split into 2 or 3 but by making a little mutual concession each, we never have quarrel before.
Who is the best mood-maker in the group?
Alexander: Everyone. Especially Kibum and Eli are the severe one. (laugh) Although they help lift the atmosphere when everyone is depressed, on the contrary, they have also dampened the lively atmosphere before. (laugh)
Kevin: When on stage, it is Alexander hyung who lift the atmosphere brightly. During the Japan fanmeeting as well, he did bizarre dancing, and lift the atmosphere of the venue with interesting words. All of the Japanese fans were very happy too.
By the way, do you have any hobby? How do you spend the holiday?
Dongho: I like watching movie. I also like riding bicycle in Hangang and so on.
Alexander: On days off, I like to go to Seoul’s Myondong, Namdaemun and Jongno alone or walking around with friends. It is a pleasure to eat delicious food and to sightsee. I also like going to the working location because I can eat delicious food together with the members. In the previous filming, I went over to Namhansanseong for the first time and it was very good.
Kiseop: I am mostly sleeping during the holiday but when I want to release stress, I go to gym and exercise. When I lift up the heavy dumbbell, I grit my teeth while badmouthing. (laugh) While overcoming my limits, I release stress.
Kibum: When one won one’s own fight, one can feel the sense of pleasure. Don’t you?
Kiseop: Yes. Probably Kibum hyung understand it.
Kibum: I also like exercises very much. When time allows, I work out in gym. I also like swimming and I go to indoor swimming pool with Kiseop together. But recently, I am also studying song composition. If there is free time during busy period at work, I am mostly sleeping. (laugh)
What kind of music does you all listen usually?
Eli: I like music with strong beats. To relax my throat and body before I get on the stage, because there are many road performances recently, there are many things to do in the car but I play joyful and fast tempo songs and such.
Dongho: I like to remember and imitate unusual rap. Imitating difficult stuff and once I am able to do that, I feel very good and I like it.
Alexander: I like R&B and quiet music such as New Age. I like music such as Secret Garden too.
Dongho: Secret Garden is the best!
Kevin: I like Western music; especially R&B which I listen often.
Kiseop: I like quiet music that also has beat and recently, I listen to Rock Ballad often.
Kibum: I really listen to our own songs often even though I listen to popular songs often too. (laugh)
Soohyun: I often listen to girls groups’ songs such as After School. It is the vital element of my daily energy. (laugh)
Kevin: We also dance the girls groups’ dances in the dressing room and so on together. (laugh)
Who is the best at it?
All: Kevin.
Kevin: It’s me. (laugh) I am good at SNSD’s dance. I have also danced Lee Hyori senior’s 「U Go Girl」before in a particular program and talking about sexy dance, I am made to do it. In the past, though I was made to do it, now I step forward myself and dance. (laugh)
Do you listen to Japanese song too?
Alexander: Yes! I am a big fan of J-POP. W-inds, Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru and such. I like the beats of J-POP a lot.
Soohyun: I like Nakashima Mika’s 「Always」. Nakashima san’s vocal is very charming. Other songs are also inserted in MP3 and I often listen.
Kibum: I like m-flo.
Does every member have any special talent?
Soohyun: Singing. Especially trot.
Dongho: For me is baseball and knitting.
Eli: I am good at animal sound imitation. Such as elephant, snake, Donald duck and......And I can do the imitation of pigeon’s expression. Sometimes, during the times when we are bored, members remark that「You resemble a pigeon」. Especially from Soohyun (laugh)
Alexander: Kiseop can insert a 500 won coin into his nose! (laugh)
All:It’s fantastic~! It seems that the nose becomes a coin. We are shocked.
Kiseop: Actually, I also did not think of putting in a 500 won coin. I knew of putting in a 100 won coin (about 24mm) but at the filming scene, I received a 500 won coin from Alexander hyung. After I tried inserting, it entered the spot. (laugh)
(500 won coin is nearly the same size as Japan 500 yen。When asked by his members “Show us!” , Kiseop really showed it and burst into laughter together. Alexander, Eli and Soohyun also tried but failed.)
What about Alexander?
Alexander: Linguistic ability (able to speak 7 languages: English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, French) and because my body is flexible, I can fold my body into half. (laugh)
Kevin: For me is sexy dance. (laugh)
Please tell us about the future activity plan.
Kibum: From June onwards, we will be active in Malaysia, Japan and the center of overseas .We will release a new album in Korea again around July. Please look forward to it.
Lastly, please leave a message for all Japanese fans.
Soohyun: Because our first stage was in Japan, Japan is a place of deep meaning. We are always thankful to all Japanese fans for supporting us that time. We are sorry that we can hardly go over to Japan. Though far away, really thank you for always sending presents to our office and also celebrating our birthday. If we go to Japan more often, I think we can spend it closer to everyone.
Dongho: There are many Japanese fans that came over to Korea to meet us. It is interesting that the stage in Japan is of a distinct feel from Korea’s one. If there is chance, please support us when we go to Japan again while we do our very best.
Eli: Thank you for coming over to Korea to see us even if we are not doing any activity. We will be able to show a good appearance soon on the Japan stage too. Thank you. I love you!
Alexander: To everyone in Japan, I really want to see you! (in Japanese) I want to spend time together with many fans and make friends more.
Kevin: I want to create a good memory with everyone in Japan. Please also support us from now on. I love you~! (In Japanese)
Kiseop: To everyone in Japan, let’s create many memories!
Kibum: I want to spend the time with fans happily in future too. Please support us!
Cognitive approach to U-KISS members’ psychology
U-KISS X Animal Psychological Test
I want to know more about U-KISS! We have the members challenged the psychological test. And the hand-drawn pictures by the members used during test will be given out randomly to the readers.
Q. Your favorite animal Best 3 and please gives a reason.
A: No. 1 ranking listed animal
...... One’s ideal self
(How you want to be seen by people around?)
No.2 ranking listed animal
...... How are you seen by the people around?
No.3 ranking listed animal
......Your true self
Kevin
1. Monkey: Cute and pretty active. Sometimes mysterious that it's human look-alike.
2. Cute Rabbit: I kept it when I was small, so I like it. Very cute and calm.
3. Fish: Because my nickname is fish, I came to like it~
Soohyun
1. Puppy: The animal I like the most. I want to keep it. And because its submission ability is pretty good.
2. Lion: The strong feeling is good. And it’s the King of animals
3. Bear: feels somewhat fluffy. Gentle image floats out.
Eli
1. Hedgehog: The hedgehog I’m keeping now! (the names are) Eong-i and Deong-i. Together is Eongdeong-i (ass)
2. Monkey: I want to keep it.
3. Puppy: My house’s puppy. The puppy that I kept when I was lonely.
Dongho
1. Puppy: The puppy that I’m keeping now is lovely~♥
2. Rabbit: Because it won’t fight, aim of peace and it looks cute.
3. Horse: Ｉlike horse riding and because a running horse is cool.
Kiseop
1. Lion: It has charisma.
2. Cat: Its behaviors are cute.
3. Sheep: The pure figure is good. I am born in year 1991 which is a goat year so it’s an animal that I came to like it.
Kibum
1. Puppy: I like it because it seems to be a human. It obeys human very well and it shakes its tail well.
2. Rabbit: I like the fluffy fur. Though I see it purely, it’s erotic!
3. Tiger: I like the stripes on the body a lot. Though it's scary when it gets angry, it is cute usually.
Alexander
1.Puppy: Puppy is also known as human’s best friend and its loyalty. Can always play together and live together happily.
2. Lion: Actually I’m a Leo! King of forest! And it looks like the sun! Power! It’s cool~!
3. Hare: Hare is very quiet and docile. Its fur is also very soft and I want to touch it all the time.
