[trans] in-depth interview with namjoon, from BTS’ Japan FC annual magazine 2019: a (very long) thread
“The first time I went to Big Hit Entertainment was 10 years ago. I still vividly remember the nervousness I felt then.” +
“The first time I went to Big Hit Entertainment was 10 years ago. I still vividly remember the nervousness I felt then.” +
![[trans] in-depth interview with namjoon, from BTS’ Japan FC annual magazine 2019: a (very long) thre...](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EGawv-XU4AAuZ5X.jpg)
[An intelligent but also conspicuous figure as a student]
The oldest memory that I remember is sitting and playing on my dad’s motorcycle when I was 3. The house we lived in at the time was on top of a hill, so he often used to ride it. That’s probably why I still remember it. +
The oldest memory that I remember is sitting and playing on my dad’s motorcycle when I was 3. The house we lived in at the time was on top of a hill, so he often used to ride it. That’s probably why I still remember it. +
I think I fooled around, played pranks, and was just very active as a kid. We used to spray water on each other with water guns. We would do it to each other, but I would always be the first one to start it. I might’ve not been a very good friend then (laugh). I’m just kidding.
But contacting friends and going to their house to go play was my most fun memory. In-line skating was popular then and I also loved doing it. I wasn’t really the type to be good at sports, but I was able to ride skillfully when I tried it, so it got fun and I continued it until+
around middle school. Also, I remember going camping with my dad, mom, and family.
As a student, I often used to be class president and study pretty hard, so in that sense, I think I was conspicuous in school. I had a lot of future dreams back then — police officer, scientist, +
As a student, I often used to be class president and study pretty hard, so in that sense, I think I was conspicuous in school. I had a lot of future dreams back then — police officer, scientist, +
father… I also loved online games and was good at them, to the point where I would play all the new games that were released, so there was a period of time where I wanted to become a pro gamer. Out of those dreams, one was [becoming] a bunny (laugh). +
I wonder why, I think I just wanted to mindlessly hop around like a bunny. It was a cute dream I had when I was in around 1st grade.
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[An encounter with music and a desire to take the same path]
In 6th grade, I started listening to music from people like Epic High and Eminem, which made me want to convey my message through music as well. I used to love books before that, and so I wrote poems and texts. +
In 6th grade, I started listening to music from people like Epic High and Eminem, which made me want to convey my message through music as well. I used to love books before that, and so I wrote poems and texts. +
I competed in writing contests that my school hosted, and there was a time where I wanted to become an author or poet. Since meeting music, my past experience in writing connected to my writing of lyrics now. I think I wanted to become someone who expresses something. +
In aiming for a path in music, I printed out English lyrics and imitated the music. I often made my friends listen to it in my classroom which sometimes made them sick of it — I was even told to “please stop doing it” (laugh). After doing that for about a year, +
I started wanting to not just imitate and sing, but to also make and write my own music. I then joined an internet community site. Writing lyrics with the people I met there was my first step into my activities in music. Back then, I remember going out of school when +
I desperately wanted to eat Jajangmyeon, and buying food at convenience stores on a daily basis. But since I was still a student and didn’t have much money, I deeply contemplated over the things I bought. It’s kind of funny, reflecting back on it now.
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[Were it not for the members, I might’ve not been doing music now]
I think a lot of people know this already, but the reason I joined Bighit is because I failed the secondary examinations in a couple underground agencies I auditioned at, in my 3rd year of middle school. I was +
I think a lot of people know this already, but the reason I joined Bighit is because I failed the secondary examinations in a couple underground agencies I auditioned at, in my 3rd year of middle school. I was +
I was seriously ready to focus on studying in high school, when I got contacted — one of the people who were evaluating my audition had connections with a current producer at BH. I was contacted and was [told] to bring a song to the agency, but since I was scared to go alone, +
I asked a friend to come with me. I still talk about this occasion with that friend. Because I vividly remember the nervousness I felt then, it doesn’t seem like it happened that long ago.
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After becoming a trainee, the time/energy I spent on music increased, so I started not studying as much as I was doing before (laugh). I was of course aiming for a path as a pro in music — but from my lack of confidence and hesitation in devoting myself to only music, +
I couldn’t completely abandon my schoolwork, and so I still studied a decent amount. If I hadn’t met Bighit and the members of BTS, I still would’ve probably been continuing to study. +
I moved to Gangnam when I became a trainee, and initially was just living in a dorm with someone, but the number kept increasing in time. [Some people] had to sleep in the living room because there wasn’t enough space. +
Living with many people was difficult at times, but thinking back on it now, it was lively and now exists as a really nice memory. But at the same time, I also felt then that my trainee era was very long.
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[I want to continue doing music w my members for a long time]
The hobbies I’m into rn are going to art museums and exhibitions to view art and buying furniture. Wooden furniture has a certain warmth so I buy them often. Everyone knows this but I’m also into collecting figurines.+
The hobbies I’m into rn are going to art museums and exhibitions to view art and buying furniture. Wooden furniture has a certain warmth so I buy them often. Everyone knows this but I’m also into collecting figurines.+
What I want to do with the members now… I’ve experienced roughly most of the things together already with them, so rather than doing new things, I want to just continue doing music with them the same way as I’ve been doing until now, hopefully for a very long time.
end of thread! hope you enjoyed:)
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