W KOREA（2023年４月号）にイェジ初のソロインタビューとフォトシューティングが行われました。
있지(Itzy) 예지의 좌우명은? | 더블유 코리아 (W Korea)
この記事では、インタビューの日本語訳と英訳を掲載しています。
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イェジ・インタビュー（日本語）
ITZYのイェジこそイェジ それが完璧だから
ITZY(Itzy)のリーダーイェジが一人で<W>カメラの前に立った。
LA、アトランタ、シカゴ、ニューヨーク···米国主要地域を経て、アジア最後の目的地であるバンコクまで、15都市を走るワールドツアーの長い旅程がついに終わろうとしている直前に、ソウルで行われた。
W Korea：昨日も公演してたんですよね？ KSPOドームで開かれた「ワンダーステージ」というフェスティバルにITZYが参加しました。
イェジ：はい、そうです。 昨日遅く寝ました。 夜明けの4時頃かな？
ITZYがまだワールドツアー中です。公演や撮影の時はいつもチームで動いていますが、今回初めて個人での撮影なんですよね？
はい。今回の画報はとても意味のある仕事です。私たちが待合室に行くと、ヘアメイクのための椅子が少なくとも2つはあるんですよ。ところが今日到着したら、椅子が一つだけだったんですよ。
たった一つの椅子。その姿から何か不慣れだったでしょうね。
さっきからちょっと不思議な気分になります。衣装を着る時もメンバー同士のバランスを合わせないといけない時が多いんですけど、そんなことなく私一人で着てカメラの前に立つから···進行速度がすごく速いですね(笑)。
私は実はせっかちな方なので進行早いのが好きですが、どうしても見慣れないです。わたしだけの姿をファンの方々も見て、 たくさん愛してくださればと思います。
YoutubeのITZYチャンネルに、ツアー中に撮った映像がよくアップされていました。ヒューストンの近くにシュガーランドというところがあるとは知りませんでした。シュガーランドって、名前から可愛すぎませんか？
そうですよね？ファンたちの名前も可愛いんですよ「MIDZY」。シュガーランドのMIDZYって言うと、何か妖精みたいで、語感がもっと可愛く感じるんですよね。とても気持ちよかった場所として記憶に残っています。
ITZYワールドツアー「CHECKMATE」は去年8月にソウルを皮切りにスタート。10月と11月には北米地域8カ所を回り、今年に入ってからはアジアを回っています。昨年11月30日にミニアルバム「Cheshire」がリリースされましたので、ツアー中に舞台で披露する内容が変わりましたか？
去年の秋に「Boys Like You」という英語シングルも出したんです。それでセットリストを変えました。最近は日本で公演したんですが、私たちは日本でもデビューしたので、日本公演の時は日本語の曲を追加するという具合です。
ツアー映像を見ると、あまり緊張していないように見えますね。
いいえ、すごく緊張しました。私の経験で緊張する時は2つの場合があります。
準備ができていない時、不安感から来る緊張、またはワクワクしすぎて生じる緊張。しかし、今回のツアーをしながら準備を完璧に近づけても、また別の緊張感があることが分かりました。
4月のバンコクを最後に、長い期間にわたって行われたワールドツアーが幕を閉じます。今回が最初のワールドツアーだそうですが、実はITZYは2019年末から翌年の初めまでプレミアショーケースツアーという名前でアメリカの主要都市舞台に立ったことがありますね。デビューした年の出来事ですが、あの時と今はっきり違うことを感じますか？
全然違います。今は会場がアリーナ級で規模から完全に違いますね。過去のツアーの時は公演曲数も少なかったです。デビュー当初、そのような経験をしたということが大きな助けになりました。
「私たちを応援してくれる海外ファンもこんなに増えたんだ」と分かったのですが、たった数年で体感される変化がとても大きいので、私たちも不思議で何より面白いです。
海外のファンが韓国語の歌を全部真似して歌うのは相変わらず不思議ですよね？
韓国語自体がお上手です。歌は覚えて一緒に歌うと思うかもしれませんが、私たちが舞台の上で何かを言うと、通訳者の方が通訳をしてくれる前に観客のみなさんが聞き取って答えてくれます。
どの国に行ってもメンバーから「わぁ、皆さん韓国語上手ですね！」という声が出ます。 今はKポップだけでなく、韓国についてよく知っている方が多いと感じます。
今更ながら、イェジさんはダンスがとても上手です。ダンスラインがすごくきれいでしたよ？チームのリーダーでメインダンサーですが、ボーカルとラップも全部消化していますよね？
ありがとうございます！
ダンス以外は、練習生生活で始めました。英語もそうですし、芸能人として備えるべきものがたくさんありました。
私は自分ができない状態を表すのが嫌いです。準備された姿を見せたいだけです。でもデビュー後は準備をする余裕がありません。練習生時代に後悔なく何でも頑張っていましたが、「私はなぜこれくらいしかできないのか」と思うこともよくあります。
座右の銘が「自分を信じよう」だそうです。
座右の銘と言えば、ちょっと大げさに聞こえますよね？私には自然に染み込んだ言葉なんです。
私が努力した分だけ何かが戻ってくるということを、私は早く悟った方です。私がどれだけ努力したかは、実は私自身が一番よく知っているじゃないですか。頑張った分、実力も報償も反応も来るということを知った後は、自分を信じて進まなければなりませんでした。
「私を信じよう」が周りの言葉に振り回されるよりは、私の中の声に耳を傾けようという意味だと思っていましたが、予想とは少し違いますね。
人の言葉は、実は「コメント」くらいの意味です。もちろん、ただ一人の言葉でも受け入れられることは参考にしなければなりませんが。
私は幼い頃「私は歌手になりそうだ」という予感はあったんですよ。しかし「どんな会社でトレーニング期間を経てどんな歌手になるのか」…問題は私の努力次第だと思いました。目標を高く設定し、自ら認めるほど力を出せば、その目標を達成できるという事実を初めて感じたのがJYPに合格した時です。
毎回、より良い自分になろうと努力する度に結局自分を信じなければならなかったし、そうして人生座右の銘として定着したようです。
肯定的な性格ですか？
すごい！でも私、たまに「ロボットみたい」って言われます（笑）。
社会生活や態度の面で、私に模範生のような感じがあるようです。
例えば、大変な練習生時代の話をする時も、実は私には大変なことより面白い思い出が多いんです。夜中までお姉さん、お兄さんたちと練習するのが楽しかったんですよ。そのように見せたいわけじゃなくて、本当に私が考えて感じた通りに話しても「本当？」「それは可能？」みたいな反応を聞くことが多いです。
それでもイェジは古風とは距離が遠いリーダーだと思います。
えっ。違います。私は古風です（笑）。一言で言ってFM気質という意味なんです。FM的というのは自分の中にお年寄りがいるということでしょう。とにかく規律を守り、組織化されているのが好きです。
自らに厳しいということのようですね。メンバーたちと一緒にいる時、楽に過ごせていますか？
メンバーたちに私の考えを話す時、「しよう」と言うより「したらどうかな？」という言い方が正しいと思います。メンバー数が5人というのは、Kポップグループでそれほど多くはないかもしれないですが、考えも価値観も違う5人集まったんです。
誰かが「こうしよう」と言うと、誰かが「でもこれは分かる？」と別の意見を持ち出すものです。私の意見に疑問符をつけるように話を出してこそ雰囲気も反応も良いと思います。メンバーたちが私が強制しないと理解して、フォローしてくれるのは本当にありがたいです。
肯定エネルギーが落ちる時ももちろんありますよね？そのエネルギーは自分で満たされますか？
体調が悪くて舞台に上がる前に苦しいという感じる日があります。今日が果たしてうまくいくか心配するような。でもステージを終えたら、またエネルギーが満たされます。体力的に、精神的に大変でも、ステージを通じてドーパミンが再び生成される感じ？
私はファンと同じくらい、ダンスが好きなんです。私には歌手という職業が本当によく合っているようです。
強力な模範生気質がやたらに感じられています！
ハハ、私もエネルギーをもらっている気がします。ショッピングモールや地下鉄のように人が多いところに行くと？同じように人が多くても公演会場とは違います。疲れている時は、ただじっと横になりたいですね。
ショッピングモールと地下鉄だなんて、ワールドツアーまでするKポップアーティストが歩き回ると、マスクをしても気づく人多いんじゃないですか？特に、イェジさんの目鼻立ちの中でチャームポイントが目なんですけど。
それで「イェジと本当に似てますね」みたいによく言われます(笑)。
私はITZYの歌の中で2020年夏に出た「Not Shy」が一番好きです。溌剌さとガールクラッシュが共存した感じなんです。ところで同年先に発表した「ワナビー」という曲を録音する時、歌詞のせいで何度も泣きそうになったそうですね？
デビュー曲「DALLA DALLA」を書いてくださった作曲家さんの曲なので、もっと意味深いです。いつか作曲家さんが「みんな、君たちは どんなアーティストになりたい？」「どんな人になりたいの？」と聞いたことがあります。
私の座右の銘のせいか、私は「ただ私になりたいです」と答えました。
「ワナビー」は「誰が何と言っても私は私だよ、ただ自分になりたい、あえて何かになる必要はない。私はただ自分の時に完璧だから」と言う曲です。
その人自体で個性が輝く人たちが今の数多くのKポップアーティストたちですが、舞台に立つまでは「誰が何と言っても私は私だ」のような考え方と自尊心を維持するのが難しいかもしれません。
ロールモデルを聞かれたとき、私は選ぶのが大変でした。尊敬する先輩たちは多いですが、それぞれ違う人格と個性じゃないですか？
人によってみんな違うし、ただ私が得意な面を見てほしいのですが、どうしても歌手を準備する過程から私たちは誰かと比較されることが多いです。
練習生の中からデビューグループを選ぶ時もそうです。「人より頑張らないといけない」ことに対するフィードバックを受けながら、疲れる時がありました。私を失っていく感じがしたんです。
私を失わないためにどんな努力をしましたか？
うーん。練習生の初期に、私は自分がどっしりとパワフルなダンスを踊るのが自分の強みだと思いました。
ある時「あなただけのスタイルがないようだ」と言われたことがあります。私はすでに私であり、私がするのが自分のスタイルなのに、私は自分のスタイルを作るために何を修正すべきか分からなかったんです。
もどかしくて号泣したりもしました。それで「スタイル的に何かを変えようと考えずに、ただもっと、もっと、頑張ろう」という結論に至りました。
その決心が通じましたか？
はい。否定的なフィードバックがなくなりました。自分の意志で自分のスタイルを変えたくないなら、それは作り上げていこうと思いました。
自分がやるべきことに一生懸命取り組んでいたところ、ある時点で私は色がはっきりしているメンバーとして尊重されるようになりました。
今になって考えてみると、本当に決まった答えはないんだなと思います。
人生に答えのない瞬間がたくさんあります。「多元的な人間になるべきか？」「私が自分だけのスタイルを持っていないという言葉の意味は何だろうか？」「一言で言えば、もっと頑張れという意味だったのだろうか」今でも時々こんな風に思います。
一方では、私が混乱しながらも答えを見つけることができず、ただ練習を重ねて変わったように、生きていく中で何かにあまりストレスを受け、自分を苦しめなくてもいいと思うんです。
賢明に聞こえますね。 JYPさんはこういうイェジについてどんなコメントをしてくれましたか？
去年ソウルコンサートをした時、PDさんがいらっしゃいました。
その時、ソロステージで 僕がDua Lipaの「Hotter Than Hell」を歌ったんです。ダンスなしでボーカルだけを披露する舞台もやってみたくて準備した舞台です。何も言わなくて反応が気になったのですが、夕方PDから連絡が来ました。「公演でイェジの潜在力をたくさん見た気がする、これからがとても楽しみだ、今日は本当に素敵だった」という称賛でした。
ああ! JYPさんがそうだと言ったらそうじゃないですか（笑）
PDさんはただ良いことばかり言ってくれる方じゃないんですよ。修正してほしい点が見えたら、良くなるまで教えてくださいます。そんなPDさんに褒められたという点でとても嬉しかったです。
ダンスをしている自分をどう表現しますか？
ダンスは私そのものです。頭で何を考えなくても、自然に表現が出ます。努力と時間がたまった末に私の体の中からスルスル出てくる、私の一部になった感じです。
ITZYは激しい振り付けを消化しながらも、ライブをしっかりやるグループの一つですよね？
私たちは口パクが本当に苦手なんです。口パクにするには口をよく合わせなければならないので、それがもっと大変なんですよ。そのため、喉の調子が悪くてもライブはしっかりやります。 歌手の義務を果たしている、という感じもしていて誇りに思っています。
こんな風に考えたことありますか？一つのグループが長く維持されるために重要な条件は何でしょうか？
メンバー同士の関係がカギではないかと思います。あるグループ内の関係は、実は表面的にかなり表れていると思います。
ユニットで動いたり、ファンとコミュニケーションを時も、その場にいない他のメンバーについて話すこともあるじゃないですか。
本当に仲が良ければ、そんな時やカメラのライトが消えた後にも分かります。お互いに気持ちが近くにあれば、何よりも舞台の上でその力が発揮されます。
ITZYワールドツアーは早くも売り切れとなり、成功裏に流れてきました。仲良しグループのリーダーとして、チームの未来についてどう思いますか？
デビュー当初はチームとして叶えたいこと、個人として叶えたいことについて色々考えました。
しかし、いくら目標を立てても、結局チームが一丸となって一つの目標を置いてこそ、そこに行けるような気がします。歌謡界の先輩たちを思い出すと、「あの舞台すごかったよね」「あの歌本当に良かった」というふうに記憶に残っている方が多いです。
後で誰かがそんな記憶を思い出す時、そこにITZYがいたらいいですね。多くの人の記憶の中に残って長く活動するチームになりたいです。
私はもっと良い姿で「MIDZY」に近づくイェジになります。
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YEJI’S INTERVIEW（ENG）
YEJI of ITZY is YEJI Because it’s perfect
ITZY’s leader Yeji stood alone in front of the <W> camera.
The meeting took place in Seoul before the long journey of the world tour, which runs through 15 cities, from LA, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, to Bangkok, Asia’s last destination, was completed.
“W Korea” had a concert yesterday, too? ITZY participated in a festival called “Wonder Stage” held at KSPO Dome.
Yeji. Yes, that’s right. I fell asleep late last night. Around 4am?
ITZY is still on a world tour.We’re a team that always moves as a group during performances and shoots, but it’s your first time doing a solo pictorial, right?
Yes, this photo shoot is very meaningful.When we go to the waiting room, there are at least two chairs for hair and makeup. But when I arrived today, there was only one chair.
A single chair. That must have been unfamiliar.
I’ve been feeling a little strange since earlier. There are many times when I have to balance the members when I wear clothes, but since I’m wearing it alone and in front of the camera…First of all, the speed of progress is really fast. I’m actually a bit impatient, so I like to move on quickly, which is exciting, but unfamiliar. I hope the fans will like it when they see my own side of me.
The video that I filmed during the tour was uploaded on YouTube and ITZY channel. I didn’t know there was a place called Sugarland near Houston. Sugarland? Isn’t the name so cute?
Right? Our fans’ names are cute, too. “MIDZY”. When I said “MIDZY” in Sugarland, I felt like they were fairies and it sounded cuter. I remember it as a very pleasant place.
ITZY’s world tour “Checkmate” departed from Seoul in August last year. In October and November, we went to eight places in North America, and this year we’re going around Asia.Since the mini-album “Cheshire” was released on November 30th last year, the program to be presented on stage during the tour must have changed, right?
I released an English single called “Boys Like You” last fall.Then let’s change the setlist.I recently performed in Japan. Since we debuted in Japan, we add songs in Japanese during our concert.
When I watch the tour video, I don’t think I’m that nervous.
No, we were really nervous.There are two cases of nervousness in my experience.Nervousness that comes from anxiety when you don’t prepare much, or nervousness that comes from being too excited.But during this tour, I realized that even if you prepare for it in a near perfect way, you can feel another tension.
After Bangkok in April, the long world tour ends.Although this is said to be the first world tour, ITZY has been on the stage of major U.S. cities from late 2019 to early next year under the name of Premier Showcase Tour.It happened in the year of your debut, but do you feel anything different now?
It’s incredibly different. Now the venue is arena level and it’s completely different in size.During the past tour, the number of songs we performed was not that long.It was a great help to me that I had that experience in the beginning of my debut. I realized that the number of overseas fans who support us has increased like this. But the changes we feel in just a few years are so big that it’s fascinating and more fun than anything else.
I’m sure it’s still interesting that international fans sing along to all the Korean songs, right?
Just speak Korean well. You might think that we memorize the song and sing along, but when we say something on stage, the audience understands and answers before the interpreter interprets it.No matter where I go, I hear, “Wow, you guys speak Korean well. Now I feel that there are many people who know not only K-pop but also Korea well.
It’s new, but Yeji is a very good dancer.The dance line was really pretty? You’re the leader and main dancer. You’re good at singing and rapping, right?
Thank you! Other than dancing, I started everything as a trainee. English, too. As a celebrity, I have a lot of things to have.I don’t want to reveal the state I’m not good at.I just want to show you how prepared I am. But after our debut, we don’t have time to prepare.When I was a trainee, I worked hard without regrets, but sometimes I think, “Why am I only this much?”
Backless dresses with rich hem decorations are from Moschino and black Chelsea boots are from Valentino Garabani.
You said your motto is “Trust me.”
It sounds a bit grand, right? It’s a sentence that naturally permeates me. I tend to realize early that something comes back as much as I try.I know how much I worked hard on it.After knowing that as much as I worked hard, I had to trust myself and move on.
I thought ‘believe in me’ meant to listen to the voice inside me rather than be swayed by what others say, but it’s a little different from my guess.
What they say is actually a comment.Of course, you have to take into consideration what one person says. I was like that when I was young, I had a feeling that I would be a singer. However, I thought that the question of ‘what company will go through the training period and what kind of singer will be’ depends on my efforts. It was when I passed JYP that I first felt that if I set my goal high and put enough energy into it, I could achieve that goal.Every time I tried to be a better person, I ended up believing in myself, and I think that’s how I became a mastermind in life.
Do you have a positive personality?
A lot! But sometimes, I’m told it’s like a robot. I guess I feel like a model student in terms of social life and attitude.For example, when I talk about my hard days as a trainee, I actually have more fun memories than hard ones.It was fun practicing until late at night.I want to look like thatIt’s not like that, but even if I say what I think and feel, “Really? “Is that possible?” There are a lot of times when I hear things like that.
But I think YEJI is a leader who is far from being an oldie ten thousand.
Oh, no. I’m a bit of an old-fashioned. The fact that I’m like a nerd, in short, means that I have an FM temperament. FM means there’s an oldie to the proposal.Anyway, internally, I like to be disciplined and organized.
It sounds like you’re being strict with yourself. You seemed like a very comfortable friend when you covered the members?
When I tell the members what I think, it’s better to say, “How about doing it?” rather than saying, “Let’s do it.” If you have five members, it may not be a large number of people in the K-pop group, but your thoughts and values are differentFive people are here.When someone says, “Let’s do this,” someone says, “But you know what?” I think the atmosphere and response are good when I bring up the story in a way that puts a question mark on my opinion. I’m so thankful that the members think I’m not coercive and follow me well.
Of course, there are times when positive energy drops, right?Does the energy fill itself?
I don’t feel good and I feel like I’m holding out before I go on stage.I’m worried if I’ll do well today.But after the performance, I get energized again. It feels like dopamine is being produced again through the stage even though it’s physically and mentally difficult? I like dancing as much as the fans do. I’m a person who fits well with the job of a singer.
I can feel the strong temperament of a model student!
Haha. I also feel like I’m getting energized. What if you go to a crowded place like a shopping mall or subway? Even if there are many people, it’s different from the feeling at the concert hall. I feel like I’m losing my energy and when I’m tired, I just want to lie still.
Breaking news. “Hwang Ye-ji is also waiting.” What do you mean shopping malls and subways? Aren’t there many people who recognize K-pop artists wearing masks when they go around the world tours?Especially, Yeji’s eyes are her charming features.
So I hear a lot of things like, “You look like Yeji.” (laughs).
My favorite ITZY song is “Not Shy” that came out in the summer of 2020. It’s a combination of cheerfulness and girl crush. But when you recorded the song “Wannabe,” which was released earlier in the same year, you said you got emotional a few times because of the lyrics?
It’s a song by the composer who wrote his debut song, “DALLA DALLA”, which is “DALLA DALLA”. One day, the composer said, “Guys, what kind of artist do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be?’Maybe because of my motto, I just want to be myself. “Wanna Be” is a song that says, “No matter what anyone says, I just want to be me. I don’t have to be something. I’m just perfect when I’m me.”
Many K-pop artists now have their own individuality, but it may be difficult to maintain a mindset and self-esteem like “I’m me no matter what anyone says” until they get on stage.
When someone asks me about my role model, it’s hard to pick one. There are a lot of seniors I respect, but each has a different personality and personality. Everyone was born differently, and I just want you to see what I’m good at, but from the process of preparing for a singer, we have a lot to compare to someone else. It’s the same when we were choosing our debut group. There were times when I got tired of receiving feedback on things that I had to do better than others. I felt like I was losing myself.
What did you try not to lose me?
Well, in my early days as a trainee, I thought my strength would be to dance heavy and powerful.But I’ve heard that you don’t have your own style.I’m already me, but what I do is my style, but I don’t know the standard of what to fix to make my own style. I cried a lot because I was frustrated. Then, the conclusion was, “Don’t think about changing your style and just work harder.”
Did the resolution work?
Yes. Negative feedback is gone. If I didn’t want to change my style naturally with my will, I thought I’d make it up.I worked hard on what I was doing, and at some point, I was respected as a member with a clear color.Now that I think about it, I don’t think there’s a fixed answer.There must be many moments in life when there is no answer, so should I be a person who has prepared in many ways. What does it mean that I don’t have my own style.In a word, did you mean to work harder?’ I still often think like this. On the other hand, I feel like I don’t have to be too stressed and tired about something in my life, just as I’m confused and can’t find an answer and just practice more.
That sounds wise. What kind of comment did JYP give with this prediction?
When we had a concert in Seoul last year, the producer came. I sang Dua Lipa’s “Hotter Than Hell” on my solo stage. I prepared this performance because I wanted to show only my vocals without dancing. I was curious about the reaction, but the producer called me in the evening. “I think I saw a lot of Yeji’s potential through the concert. I’m looking forward to the future. It was a great compliment today.”
Oh! Isn’t that what PD Park Jinyoung said? (laughs)
He’s not someone who only says good things. If you see something you want to fix, point it out until it’s fixed.I was so happy that I got compliments from the producer.
How can you describe “Dancing Me”?
I think dancing is just me.Even if I don’t think about something or do this and that with my head, it comes out naturally.I feel like I’ve become a part of myself, coming out of my body after a lot of effort and time.
ITZY is one of the groups that does intense choreography but sticks to the live performance, right?
We’re really bad at lip-syncing. If you want to lip sync, you have to do it well, but that’s harder.So even if my voice is not good, I stick to the live broadcast. I feel like I’m doing my duty as a singer and I’m proud.
Have you ever thought about this?What are the important conditions for a group to stay long?
I think the relationship between the members is the key.I think it’s pretty obvious on the surface that a group of doctors are involved. When we move as a unit or communicate with fans, we sometimes talk about other members who are not there.If the relationship is really good, it’s noticeable even when the camera lights are off.If we’re close to each other, we can show our power on stage.
The ITZY world tour was successful as it was sold out early.What do you think about the future of the team as a leader of a group that is close?
When I first debuted, I thought about what I wanted to achieve as a team and as an individual. However, no matter how much you set a goal, it seems that you can go there only if you set a goal with one mind.When I think of the seniors in the music industry, there are many people who remember it like, “That stage was amazing” and “That song was really good.”I hope ITZY is there when someone remembers that kind of memory. I want to be a team that stays in the memory of many people and is active for a long time. I will be Yeji who approaches MIDZY with a better appearance.
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예지 인터뷰
있지(Itzy)의 예지는 예지일때 완벽하니까
있지(Itzy)의 리더 예지가 홀로 <더블유> 카메라 앞에 섰 다.
LA, 애틀란타, 시카고, 뉴욕··· 미국 주요 지역을 거쳐 아 시아의 마지막 도착지인 방콕까지, 15개 도시를 달리는 월드투어의긴여정이마침표를찍기전서울에서이루 어진 만남이다.
<W Korea> 어제도 공연을 했더라고요? KSPO 돔에서 열린 <원더 스테이지>라는 페스티벌에 있지가 참여했죠.
예지 네, 맞아요. 어제 늦게 잠들었어요. 새벽 4시쯤?
있지가아직월드투어중이에요.공연이나촬영때면늘 단체로 움직이는 팀인데, 이번에 처음 개인 화보를 해보 는거죠?
네.이번화보는너무나의미있는작업이에요.우리가여 느대기실에가면헤어메이크업을위한의자가최소두 개는 있거든요. 그런데 오늘 도착했더니 의자가 하나뿐 이더라고요.
단 하나의 의자. 그 모습에서부터 뭔가 낯설었겠네요.
아까부터 조금 신기한 기분이 들어요. 의상을 입을 때도 멤버들간의밸런스를맞춰야할때가많은데,그런거없 이저혼자입고서카메라앞에서니까….일단진행속도 가 엄청 빠르네요(웃음). 저는 사실 성격이 급한 편이어 서진행빠른걸좋아하는데,그점이신나기도하지만아 무래도 낯설어요. 저만의 모습을 팬분들도 보고 많이 좋 아해주시길 바라요.
유튜브있지채널에투어중찍은영상이부지런히올라 오더라고요. 휴스턴 인근에 슈가랜드라는 곳이 있는지 저는 몰랐어요. 슈가랜드라니, 이름부터 너무 귀여운 거 아니에요?
그쵸? 우리 팬들 이름도 귀엽거든요, ‘믿지’. 슈가랜드의 믿지라고하니까뭔가요정들같고,어감이더귀엽게느 껴지더라고요. 아주 기분 좋았던 곳으로 기억에 남아 있 어요.
있지 월드 투어 ‘체크메이트’는 작년 8월 서울에서 출발 했어요. 10월과 11월에는 북미 지역 8군데를 돌았고, 올 해들어서는아시아를돌고있죠.작년11월30일에있 지 미니앨범 <체셔(Cheshire)>가 나왔으니, 투어 중에 무대에서 선보일 프로그램이 바뀌었겠네요?
지난해 가을에 ‘Boys Like You’라는 영어 싱글도 냈거든 요.그럼중간중간세트리스트를좀바꿔요.최근에는일 본에서 공연했어요. 저희가 일본에서도 데뷔했기 때문에 일본 공연 때는 일본어로 된 곡을 추가하는 식이에요.
투어영상을보면별로긴장을안하는거같더라고요.
아니에요,저희긴장많이했어요.제경험상긴장될때는 두가지경우가있어요.준비를많이못했을때그불안감 에서오는긴장,아니면너무설레서생기는긴장.그런데 이번투어를하면서준비를완벽에가깝게해도또다른 긴장감이들수있다는걸알았어요.
4월방콕을끝으로긴기간에걸쳐진행된월드투어가 막을내려요.이번이첫번째월드투어라고하지만,사실 있지는 2019년 말부터 이듬해 초까지 프리미어 쇼케이 스투어라는이름으로미국주요도시무대에선적이있 어요.데뷔한해에벌인일인데,그때와지금확연히다른 걸 느끼나요?
엄청나게 달라요. 지금은 공연장이 아레나 급이고 규모 부터완전히다르죠.과거투어때는공연곡수도얼마 되지않았고요.데뷔초에그런경험을했다는게큰도움 이 됐어요. ‘우리를 응원해주는 해외 팬도 이렇게나 늘었 구나’알게되었는데,단몇년사이에체감되는변화가 너무 크니까 우리도 신기하면서 무엇보다 재미가 있어 요.
해외팬들이한국어노래를다따라부르는건여전히신 기한 일이겠죠?
그냥 한국어 자체를 잘하세요. 노래는 외워서 따라 부른 다고생각할수도있는데,우리가무대위에서무슨말을 하면 통역가가 통역을 해주시기 전에 관객이 알아듣고 대답해요.그어느나라에가도‘와,여러분한국말잘하 시네요!’ 소리가 나와요. 이제는 K팝뿐 아니라 한국에 대 해잘아는분들이많다는걸느껴요.
새삼스럽지만,예지씨는춤을아주잘춰요.춤선이상 당히 예쁘던데요? 팀의 리더이자 메인 댄서인데, 보컬과 랩도 다 소화하고 있죠?
감사합니다! 춤 외에는 다 연습생 생활하면서 처음 시작 했어요. 영어도 그렇고, 연예인으로서 갖춰야 할 게 많더 라고요.저는제가못하는상태를드러내는게싫어요.준 비된 모습을 보여주고만 싶죠. 그런데 데뷔 후에는 준비 라는걸할여유가없어요.연습생시절에후회없이뭐든 열심히해두었지만,‘나는왜이정도밖에안되나’싶을 때도 종종 있어요.
좌우명이 ‘나를 믿자’라면서요.
좌우명이라고 하면 좀 거창하게 들리죠? 저에게 자연스 럽게 스며든 문장이에요. 내가 노력한 만큼 무언가가 돌 아온다는걸저는일찍깨달은편이에요.제가얼마나노 력했는지는사실저자신이가장잘알잖아요.열심히한 만큼실력도보상도반응도온다는걸안이후에는,나를 믿고 나아가지 않으면 안 됐어요.
‘나를 믿자’가 주변의 말에 휘둘리기보다는 내 안의 목소 리에귀기울이자는뜻인줄알았는데,짐작과는조금다 르군요.
남들의말은사실‘코멘트’정도의의미죠.물론단한사 람의 말이라도 받아들일 만한 것은 참고해야겠지만요. 저는어릴때도그랬어요,‘나는가수가될것같다’는예 감은 있었거든요. 하지만 ‘어떤 회사에서 트레이닝 기간 을거치고어떤가수가될것인가’문제는내노력에따라 달라지는 거라고 생각했어요. 목표를 높게 잡고 스스로 인정할만큼힘을쏟으면그목표를이룰수있다는사실 을처음느낀게JYP에합격했을때고요.매번좀더나은 내가되려고노력할때마다결국나를믿어야했고,그렇 게해서인생좌우명으로자리잡은것같아요.
긍정적인 성격인가요?
엄청요! 그런데 저, 가끔씩, ‘로봇 같다’는 말을 들어요(웃 음). 사회생활이나 태도 면에서 저한테 모범생 같은 느낌 이있나봐요.예를들어힘든연습생시절을얘기할때도 사실저에겐힘든것보다재밌는추억이더많거든요.새 벽까지 언니, 오빠들과연습하고 그런 거 재밌었단 말이 에요.그렇게보이고싶어서그러는게아니라정말제가 생각하고 느낀 대로 얘길 해도 ‘정말? 그게 가능해?’ 같은 반응을 들을 때가 많아요.
그래도 예지는 꼰대와 거리가 먼 리더로 알고 있습니다 만.
엇. 아닙니다. 저 꼰대스러워요(웃음). 제가 범생이 같다 는 거, 한마디로 FM 기질이라는 뜻이거든요. FM적이라 는건제안에꼰대가있다는말일거예요.어쨌든내적으 로는 기강이 잡힌, 정돈된 상태를 좋아해요.
스스로에게 엄격하다는 말 같군요. 멤버들을 아우를 때 는완전편한친구사이같던데요?
멤버들에게 제 생각을 말할 때, ‘하자’라고 하기보다 ‘하면 어떨까?’라고 말하는 방식이 나아요. 멤버 수가 다섯이면 K팝그룹에서그리많은인원은아닐수있지만,생각도 가치관도다다른다섯명이모인거죠.누군가‘이렇게 하자’라고 해버리면, 또누군가는 ‘그런데 있잖아’라고 다 른 의견을 꺼내기 마련이에요. 제 의견에 물음표를 붙이 는식으로이야기를꺼내야분위기도반응도좋은것같 아요. 멤버들이 제가 강압적이지 않다고 생각하고 잘 따 라와주는 건 너무 고마워요.
긍정에너지가떨어질때도물론있겠죠?그에너지는스 스로 채워지나요?
컨디션이안좋고무대오르기전에버겁다는느낌이드 는날,있죠.내가오늘과연잘해내려나걱정되고요.그 런데 무대를 마치고나면 다시 에너지가 채워져요. 체력 적으로, 정신적으로 힘들다가도 무대를 통해 도파민이 다시 생성되는 느낌? 제가 춤추는 모습을 팬들만큼이나 저도 좋아하거든요. 저는 가수라는 직업이 참 잘 어울리 는 사람이에요.
강력한 모범생 기질이 마구 느껴지고 있어요!
하하. 저도 기가 빨린다는 느낌 들기도 해요. 쇼핑몰이나 지하철처럼 사람 많은 곳에 가면? 똑같이 사람이 많아도 공연장에서의 느낌과는 다르죠. 기가 빠지는 것 같고 지 치면저도그냥가만히누워있고만싶어요.
속보입니다. ‘황예지도 기 빨릴 때 있다.’ 쇼핑몰과 지하철 이라니요, 월드 투어까지 하는 K팝 아티스트가 돌아다니 면마스크를써도알아보는사람많지않아요?특히예지 씨의 이목구비 중 매력 포인트가 눈인데.
그래서‘예지랑참닮으셨어요’같은소리를정말많이듣 습니다(웃음).
저는있지노래중에서2020년여름에나온‘낫샤이 (Not Shy)’를 가장 좋아해요. 발랄함과 걸 크러시가 공존 한 느낌이거든요. 그런데 같은 해 먼저 발표한 ‘워너비’라 는곡을녹음할때,가사때문에몇번울컥했다면서요?
데뷔곡 ‘달라달라’를 써주신 작곡가님의 곡이라 더 뜻깊 기도 한데요. 언젠가 작곡가님이 ‘얘들아, 너희는 어떤 아 티스트가 되고 싶어? 어떤 사람이 되고 싶니?’라고 물어 본적이있어요.제좌우명때문인지저는‘그냥제가되 고 싶어요’라고 답했어요. ‘워너비’는 ‘누가 뭐라 해도 난 나야그냥내가되고싶어,굳이뭔가될필요는없어난 그냥 나일 때 완벽하니까’라고 말하는 곡이에요.
그사람자체로개성이빛나는이들이지금의수많은K팝 아티스트들이지만, 무대에 서기까지는 ‘누가 뭐라 해도 난 나야’ 같은 사고방식과 자존감을 유지하기가 어려울 수도 있을 듯해요.
누가 저에게 롤모델을 물어보면 저는 꼽기가 힘들더라고 요. 존경하는 선배님들이야 많지만, 저마다 다른 인격과 개성이잖아요. 사람마다 다 다르게 태어났고, 그저 내가 잘하는 면을 봐주면 좋겠는데, 아무래도 가수를 준비하 는 과정에서부터 우리는 누군가와 비교될 일이 많아요. 연습생 중에서 데뷔 그룹을 추릴 때도 그렇고요. ‘남보다 잘해야 하는’ 것들에 대한 피드백을 받으면서 지칠 때가 있었어요. 나를 잃어가는 느낌이 좀 들었거든요.
나를 잃어가지 않기 위해 어떤 노력을 했나요?
음.연습생초기에저는제가묵직하고파워풀한춤을추 는게제강점일거라고생각했어요.그런데‘너만의스타 일이없는것같다’라는소리를들은적이있어요.내가 이미나인데,내가하는게내스타일인데,뭘더고쳐서 나만의 스타일을 만들어야 할지 기준을 잘 모르겠더라고 요. 답답해서 펑펑 울기도 했어요. 그러다 내린 결론은 ‘스타일적으로뭘바꿔볼생각을하지말고그냥더,더, 열심히 하자’였어요.
그 결심이 통했나요?
네. 부정적인 피드백이 사라졌어요. 제 의지로 자연스럽 게제스타일을고치고싶은게아니라면뭘바꾼다한들 그건꾸며낸나일것같았죠.하던걸그저열심히팠더니 어느 순간 저는 색깔이 뚜렷한 멤버로 존중받게 되었어 요.이제와서생각해보면정말정해진답이라는건없구 나싶어요.‘인생에답이없는순간이참많을텐데,그럼 다방면으로 준비해둔 사람이 되어야 할까. 나만의 스타 일이없다는게과연무슨의미일까.한마디로좀더열심 히 하라는 뜻이었을까.’ 아직도 종종 이런 생각을 해요. 한편으로는 제가 혼란스럽다가도 답을 못 찾고 그저 연 습을 더 해서 달라졌듯이, 살면서 무언가에 너무 스트레 스받고힘들어하지않아도될것같기도하고요.
현명하게 들리네요. 혹시 박진영 피디는 이런 예지를 두 고 어떤 코멘트를 해줬나요?
작년에 서울 콘서트를 했을 때 피디님이 오셨어요. 그때 솔로 무대에서 제가 두아 리파의 ‘Hotter Than Hell’을 불 렀거든요. 춤 없이 보컬만 선보이는 무대도 해보고 싶어 서 준비한 무대예요. 아무 말씀이 없어서 반응이 궁금했 는데 저녁에피디님 연락이 왔어요. ‘공연으로 예지의 잠 재력을많이본것같다,앞으로가너무기대된다,오늘 참 멋졌다’ 하는 칭찬이었어요.
오! 박진영 피디가 그렇다고 하면 그런 거 아닌가요?(웃 음)
피디님이 그냥 좋은 말만 해주는 분이 아니거든요. 고쳤 으면하는점이보이면고쳐질때까지짚어주세요.그런 피디님한테칭찬을 들었다는 점에서 너무 기뻤어요.
‘춤추는 나’라고 하면 어떤 느낌으로 묘사할 수 있어요?
이제춤은그냥저자체같아요.제가머리로어떤생각을 하지않아도,혹은이런동작과저런동작을뱉어도자연 스럽게표현이나와요.노력과시간이쌓인끝에제몸안 에서 스르르 나오는, 저의 일부가 된 느낌이에요.
있지는 격한 안무를 소화하면서도 라이브를 고수하는 그 룹중하나죠?
저희가 립싱크를 진짜 못해요. 립싱크로 하려면 입을 잘 맞춰야하는데그게더힘들거든요.그러다보니목상태 가 안 좋아도라이브를 고수해요. 가수의 본분을 다하고 있다는 느낌도 들면서 뿌듯합니다.
이런생각해봤나요?한그룹이오래유지되기위해중요 한 조건은 뭘까요?
멤버끼리의사이가관건이아닐까해요.한그룹내의사 이란 사실 표면적으로 꽤 드러난다고 봐요. 유닛으로 움 직이거나 팬들과 소통하는 과정에서 서로 그 자리에 없 는다른멤버에대해말하게되는경우도있잖아요.진정 으로사이가좋으면,그럴때나카메라불이꺼진뒤에도 티가나는것같아요.서로끈끈하다면무엇보다무대위 에서 그 힘이 발휘되고요.
있지 월드 투어는 일찍이 매진되면서 성공적으로 흘러왔 어요.사이좋은한그룹의리더로서팀의미래에관해어 떤 생각을 하나요?
제가 데뷔 초에는 팀으로서 이루고 싶은 거, 개인으로서 이루고 싶은 거에 대해 이런저런 생각을 했어요. 그런데 아무리목표를세워도결국팀원끼리한마음으로한목 표를두어야그곳으로갈수있는거같더라고요.가요계 선배님들을 떠올리면 ‘그무대 엄청났지’, ‘그 노래 참 좋 았지’식으로기억에남는분이많아요.나중에누군가그 런 기억을 떠올릴 때 거기에 있지가 있었으면 좋겠어요. 많은사람의기억속에남아오래활동하는팀이되고싶 어요. 저는 더 좋은 모습으로 ‘믿지’에게 다가가는 예지가 되겠습니다.
