Interview Part 1: Baek Yerin "Park Jinyoung PD's nagging? Worth the listen" "Across the Universe" is just like a miracle. Following the release of 15&'s Baek Yerin solo album, the title track "Across the Universe" has caused an uproar on all major music charts, with the music industry expressing their shock. This is because no one actually predicted this outcome. Before the album got released, there was little promotions, and even after the release there were no huge promotional activities. Yet it happened that her ranking was continuously on the rise. This is definitely due to the power of her music and there is no other reason to explain. With Baek Yerin's title track "Across the Universe" from her first solo album 'FRANK' being officially released on 30th November 0AM, it has already reached #1 on music sites Bugs, Genie, Olleh, #2 on Mnet and #5 on Melon on the same day. All of her album tracks have entered the charts as well. The emotions of a 19 years old teen girl Baek Yerin. Every bit of that has been expressed within this album. Her smoothing, comfortable voice, together with the amazing ambiance here, has left a very deep impression in me. I guess it's this charm of hers that attracted the public, isn't it? Carrying much curiosity, I finally met Baek Yerin. Petite with a tinge of shyness in her, yet I could feel her inner self. Just like her music. Talking about Baek Yerin, there are many things that are worth the mention. At the age of 11, she started her trainee days after winning 2nd place in JYP open audition (Jang Wooyoung clinched 1st place). "Across the Universe" swept charts and ranked #1. Did you expect this? Yerin: To be honest, I did not have any expectations. This may sound like I'm showing off, but I was shocked to see that the other tracks entered the charts as well. Many people told me that my music felt a little choppy, yet it could still enter the charts, so I'm pretty surprised. Even though this may be a little embarrassing to evaluate yourself, but what do you think the secret is? Yerin: Since many people heard our songs when 15& had their activities, and much love was given to us when Jimin had her solo debut, so they anticipated my first solo album as well. I'm thankful to many who complimented my music. I'm curious to why this album is called FRANK. Yerin: The meaning of FRANK is honest and being open. I really wanted to speak honestly without any kind of flowery language. I wanted to express that in my music, so I called it 'FRANK'. There hasn't been band score songs recently, so I wanted to try doing it, at the same time expressing my dulcet tones through music. The lyrics in "Across the Universe" is very interesting. Yerin: I did not write "Across the Universe" thinking that it will be my title track, it was written throughout the album making process. After planning and thinking over the theme, I have decided to go with 'Universe' as the theme. Regarding the universe, I thought hard before writing the lyrics. Many people might think that this is a love story, but in fact this song has no exact target audience. I only wanted to express the loneliness when waiting for someone to appear, thinking that someone will come, that kind of feeling. I am curious to know about your process of producing. Yerin: Since I am the type who will treat the lyrics seriously, I wouldn't force myself to use fabricated words. I wrote the songs while using sentences that would be used in daily conversations as well. It is my habit to write stuffs in my notebook. When I think of lyrics I will write them down, things that need to be done etc, I will definitely note them down. Perhaps, did Park Jinyoung PD give you any guidance? Yerin: He seems to be pretty confident of me. When recording etc, more than providing me with guidance, I often hear him saying "Be loyal to your feelings, follow your mind and do it properly". Regarding lyrics writing, he says that too. What are your thoughts about Park Jinyoung PD? Yerin: I think he's a sexy singer and cool producer. From my personal opinion, as a PD, the songs that he produce is the style that I like, furthermore he is very skilled on stage and is unique in his own ways. Different from a beginner like me. When I see him on stage as a singer, he really feels like a singer. He is really cool when he enjoys the process of doing what truly suits him. There isn't anything you are not satisfied with (JYP)? Yerin: The fact that he likes to meddle with other people's affairs? Haha. But he doesn't do that to me. Interview Part 2: Baek Yerin "'10th Generation Jeon Jihyun' What... This is too ridiculous" Not only is she receiving a lot of love for her music, Baek Yerin is also receiving a lot of attention in other aspects. If you were to search her name, phrases like "daily fashion wear" will appear as well. Originally already interested in fashion and dresses up very fashionably, her fans crowned her the name "fashion star". Even though she immediately stood up and waved her hands after hearing these, her fans still call her by a very cute name, "10th generation Jeon Jihyun". With these, I asked her questions that are related to fashion, and the difference between being Baek Yerin that is part of 15& and Baek Yerin who is a solo singer. Because of your "daily fashion wear" you seem to be very popular within fans. Yerin: My mum owns a fashion apparel shop since I was young. That's why I naturally became interested in fashion. Now that I have grew up, I often read magazines and will also observe the style of idols. How did your fans get to know about your fashion sense? Yerin: Whenever I am satisfied with what I am wearing, I will take a photo of it and upload it on Instagram. Many people would share the photo when they see it, maybe that is the reason (how many people came to notice it). There are even nicknames like '10th generation Jeon Jihyun'. Yerin: It isn't like this. I feel burdened. I only upload fashion related stuffs on SNS, and same age people who have seen it just compliment me. This is too exaggerated. Do you have any thoughts on filming fashion related programs? Yerin: I often watch these programs because I'm interested in such things. However, being on the program would mean that I would have to recommend items that the public like, this isn't something that I enjoy doing. I received official invitation to film before, but I did not accept it. To be honest I feel a little burdened on broadcast programs. I feel more at ease when I'm filming as 15& with Jimin... Then what is the difference between 15&'s Baek Yerin and Baek Yerin as a solo? Yerin: I participated in a lot of the music aspect in this solo album, which I guess is the difference. There were a lot of producing work to be done together in this album. Truthfully, writing lyrics is very important to me. Because I can follow my own feelings and write them down honestly, it can better show my own music. I'm thinking if this can actually become one of my advantages. Did Park Jimin cheer you on? Yerin: Both of us think its cheesy and embarrassing, so we don't say those kind of things directly. When I am with Jimin, we spent most of the times laughing and joking around. However, there was once where she sent me a text message and asked me why the album is so nice after listening to it. Interview Part 3: Baek Yerin "JYP 5 years trainee... Suzy unnie's debut was witnessed too"
Despite the fact that she is only 19, Baek Yerin is already a long-lived trainee. When she was 11 years old, she won 2nd place in JYP open audition (Jang Wooyoung won 1st) and that kick started her trainee life. After preparing for 5 years and finally debuting, she now has already debuted for 3 years. During this period of time while staying in the company, she has witnessed many unnies and oppas making their debut. Even though she did feel nervous about her uncertain future back then, Baek Yerin was not impatient. Before she was fully prepared to be recognised, she has been working hard continuously. She said, if she was to stay at home comfortably, she would feel uneasy. I asked her, if she ever regretted being a trainee at a young age. How long have you been in JYPE? Yerin: I entered the company as a trainee, living by 5 years. Now I have already debuted for 3 years already. I started as a trainee when I joined the open audition and got 2nd place when I was 11 years old. Jang Wooyoung oppa from 2PM gotten the 1st place then. If I were to estimate it, it has been 8/9 years already. You must have felt pretty uneasy back then with your long training duration. Yerin: Compared to worrying about whether I could debut or not, I was more vexed thinking about how I could do better and improve on my skills. I witnessed 2PM, 2AM oppas' debut, and also Suzy unnie's debut, but I was not impatient because of these. I have been working hard to walk down this journey since I was a trainee, singing seriously, so I must be responsible, that was what I thought. The company also strongly believed in this(my responsibility). Do you feel regretful from not being able to try many stuffs since you started music at a very young age? Yerin: Compared to feeling regretful, it's more of excitement. After all, this is not any ordinary experience, being able to do such job at a young age. I feel that this job is not an 'entertainer', but a 'singer'. Composing and writing etc, there are many music related things that I want to try out. What do you do when you are at home? Yerin: I don't really stay at home. These days my body isn't feeling well so I rested for a while, but this hasn't happen for a long time before. Not that I have many schedules, but I'm the type of person who doesn't know what to do when I'm alone at home. As practicing has become a habit already, I would feel restless if I'm staying at home. Anything that you would want to try as a singer? Yerin: Although I don't have much greed for performing on big stages, since up till now I haven't been doing any concerts, but I would like to try carrying out small scaled concerts first. Aims as a singer? Yerin: I feel that a good public singer should constantly follow what's in trend, but I would wish to keep to my own conscience, write lyrics without lying, and make honest music. I want to hold on to my current emotions. Reported by Jung Junha. Source: Part 1 - m.media.daum.net/m/entertain/newsview/20151216073854780 Part 2 - m.media.daum.net/m/entertain/newsview/20151216073900781 Part 3 - m.media.daum.net/m/entertain/newsview/20151216073907788 Translations by yerinBsupport (Kor-Chi by guoguo / Chi-Eng by yerinBsupport)
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