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Q. You ran constantly in 2021 with full-length the album, , and in 2022 with 2 Baddies
Taeyong: To be honest, I think I could have lived a busier life. But each member made good use of their time.
I think I’ll see you in 2023 with a more mature appearance.
Q. Do you remember an episode that happens when you were meeting with the members during promotions?
Taeyong: It’s been a while since we met Czennies and we wanted to present a special event. So we
decided to give back to them. Reverse tribute allows us to communicate more with our fans. Even
when we were deciding which song to sing at the concert, we put our ideas together and I asked
myself, “What kind of song will the fans like?” I was worried. Since it was my first time trying to do something for the fans, I’m sure there were a lot of things that I’m lacking. I saw Czennies’ feedback. It was nice that they acknowledged my heart (feelings/intention). I guess it’s because we have
the same thing in mind. Our promotions will remain a happy memory for us.
Q. As a leader, how do you gather the opinions of your members?
Taeyong: If someone presents an opposing opinion, I make sure to listen to their reason. If all the
members agree to that reason, then we’ll proceed accordingly. Or if a member gives an opinion that
‘you have to do it even if it’s too hard’, we listen to their reason. However, if one can’t accept that
opinion, I’m going to talk to him about it by myself. The feeling that I have always felt during the
process was gratitude. I think we were able to grow this much because the members followed and
helped us. When I can’t make a clear decision or settle the situation, the members do it for me. It’s
our goal to get things done so we work together to achieve that goal.
Q. You made a SoundCloud and YouTube account for the first time in 2021. How much do you love to keep making new things and showing them?
Taeyong: I like it a lot. It’s because of the music that I’m doing something endlessly. I think the music
that I’m making and the music that NCT does are different. If someday, I continue to do my music, I think it would be right to show it on my own platform. I think that’s how I can concentrate and make my work more unique. There are times when
the desire to create and present something continuously feels like greed. So there are times when I regret it. But I think it’s a good decision
because I’ve been doing it steadily and now I have something to show you.
Q. How many unreleased beats are piled up?
Taeyong: I think it’ll be enough to release 2 full albums. If I release a full-length album, I want to
include about 20 songs at a time. At first, I also thought of a mixtape without a title track.
Q. Do you like mixtapes?
Taeyong: Yes. It would be nice if many people could listen to it, but it’s okay even if they don’t. It’s just
that I have a strong desire to show the world the songs I’m making.
Q. Taeyong-ssi, the song ‘Swimming Pool’ was the most impressive song on SoundCloud. It’s very lyrical.
Taeyong: It’s a song that was born when I worked on songs nonstop. Personally, when I had a lot of
worries and concerns, sometimes I closed my eyes and captured the scene I imagined. I don’t think of
anything when I jump into the swimming pool. I have dim blurry vision and my ears are ringing. I
wanted to express the image of being in a swimming pool where only air bubbles were
floating, but I think it came out well in the end.
Q. What kind of person do you want to be?
Taeyong: It’s hard to explain exactly, but I wanted to be a rightful person. My parents have a unique way
of teaching. He (Dad) always says just one thing, “Be human”. I think I’ve become a little more human
now (laughs) And now I’ve gained confidence in my skills. I’m not shy anymore even when I go on stage.
Q. Each person has a time when things go well for them. At what time can you concentrate well?
Taeyong: When I was young, it was early in the morning. I had a lot of unnecessary thoughts at
dawn. I wanted to express those thoughts, so I worked on it at dawn. The daytime is good these
days. My goal is to go to the studio during the day and finish my work before 11 pm. After that, I try to
rest. I’ve been making it a habit to go to the studio, eat lunch or early dinner, and start working. And if I carry the tension that went up while shopping to the studio, the work goes well. My brain seems to be pinning fast. It’s kind of unique. But that doesn’t
mean I do that every day. (laughs)
Q. People tend to become lyrical at dawn, Taeyong-ssi, when are you the most emotional?
Taeyong: Early in the morning, when riding the carnival to work. When I listen to the song while
looking out the window, I get emotional. These days, my personality is much brighter than before,
so even if I want to be lyrical, there are times when I can’t.
Q. What is romance to Taeyong?
Taeyong: I’m not really romantic at all.. The romance that comes to my mind is from ‘Studio
Ghibli’. Every moment in that cartoon is a romance that I want to experience.
Q. Why?
Taeyong: I like old things. I like the memory of picking persimmons and making dried persimmons
at my grandmother’s house in the countryside when I was young. That’s why I like Ghibli’s old works like
From Up On Poppy Hill. There’s this romance of wanting to go to a countryside hill or an antique shop in every scene.
Q. In that sense, you must have been looking forward to this tour. You are leaving for
Thailand a few days after this interview?
Taeyong: That’s right. I think it’s in two days. Tour stages are always a gift to me.
Q. Are there any orders you don’t forget before going on stage?
Taeyong: The stage, music video filming, etc. are always different. Before filming a music video, I
always have a video call with my mom. When I show my outfit and the set, I’ll ask, “What do you
think?” She always says it’s cool. So I would feel energized for that day. I try to save as much energy
as I can during the tour. I order myself not to talk too much.
Q. What has piqued your curiosity recently?
Taeyong: Christmas! I spent Christmas alone or at home with my friends every year. It’s been a long
time since I saw the street view, so I’m thinking of putting a sparkling tree in my house like a sparkling
street. I set up lighting decorations on the tree and hung the ornaments myself. It would be so much
fun to buy a gift and open it on Christmas while saying “Wow, it’s Christmas! A gift for myself!”.
Q. Behind-the-scenes of ‘Love Theory’
Taeyong: I think I wrote that song quickly, too. I was watching on Netflix and there
was a scene similar to my usual behavior. It was a scene where a woman moved in next door and the
main characters were at a loss. I’m like that. Because when I’m in front of someone of the
opposite sex, I drop something and stutter (laughs). The song ‘Love Theory’ was created after meeting
and sharing this story with Wonstein.
Q. If you listen to the same beat repeatedly in the studio, your brain will temporarily stop. How
do you freshen your ears?
Taeyong: Once I’m into anything, I’m immersed in it until the end. Among the songs that haven’t been
released yet, there are songs that I’ve listened to 2,000 times. Nevertheless, if I feel like I need
refreshment, I listen to classical music.
Q. Please recommend a song that you’re into these days
Taeyong: It’s not classical, but it’s ‘Malena’ by Ennio Morricone. I really like it because it’s a song that
makes you feel comforted and empty at the
same time like you’re alone in this world.
Q. Is there a song that you made over a long period of time and that you’re particularly
attached to?
Taeyong: It was never released, but it’s a song called ‘404’. I made it 3 years ago. It’s about
personal concerns about work. I remember revising the lyrics several times. I like poetic expressions, so
even if the lyrics are abstract, you’ll know that I made it with my heart when you listen to it.
Q. I’m curious about the lyrics you’ve written down
Taeyong: (keeps scrolling through his notepad) these are all the lyrics (I’ve written). There’s no end. There’s a
phrase that I like. I’ve told the fans about this before. The lyrics I wrote in a song for my pet dog
(Ruby) are ‘If we happen to be born and meet again in the next life, let’s take each other’s places and fill
in each other’s missing parts’. It’s precious and a sentence I’ll hold on to eternally.
Q. What does personal creation mean to you?
Taeyong: I think creation is an outpouring to me. I feel happy when I’m able to express myself. When I
think about myself, I’m not a dull person. I’m filled with emotions so I feel comforted when I put those
emotions into music. I don’t want to keep the stress inside me. When I can’t focus on my creation, I
make Legos. Or I draw things I imagine, and I also try to create something that has physical properties.
To be exact, I think the word “expression” would be more suitable than “creation”.
Q. What is the most important thing to maintain the power of expression?
Taeyong: It’s just my physical condition. I got hurt a lot during promotions, so I had to take a break
unintentionally. Because of that unfortunate experience, I felt that it was important to stay
healthy. And confidence. I think I’ve finally achieved the standard of an artist that I think both as a
creative person, and as a person.
Q. What’s your dream as a human Taeyong and as the leader of NCT 127?
Taeyong: It is my dream for everyone to be happy. Of course, not everyone can always be happy. But
there’s something I felt while making the song. As a person grows up, it is true that a person goes
through trial and error, but as they overcome the trials and live, they can eventually find happiness.
In the process, I hope that my music can be a comfort and a way for someone’s growth. I hope
that many people will gain strength and be happy when they listen to my song later on.
Q. For NCT 127 to continue to develop and stay together for a long time, what should we not forget?
Taeyong: We must not lose our gratitude for each other. I think we were able to come this far because
we shared that grateful heart. You can’t leave out your ambition. Ambition is one of the key factors in growth. Last but not the least, health. Our team’s strength is these three things that shouldn’t be missing. And since we have a lot of members, we
have a lot to learn from each other.
Q. What’s on the bucket list that you want to achieve the most in 2023?
Taeyong: To pass the driver’s license exam. I passed the written test and I’m about to take the
practical test, but I’m busy, so I don’t think I’ll be able to do it in 2023 (laugh) I can’t wait to pass and
go on a ride with Mom. Can you recommend a place to go for a drive with my mom?
Q. How about the Bugak Skyway?
Taeyong: Then I’ll make sure to drive there in 2023!
Translation @leehyuniverse