OUT (to be continued... :) : Commentary with TEAM So!YoON!

kixxikim Hello. I am Poclanos’s kixxikim. If you have encounter to this track, probably may be the ones, so-called binge-listener to this commentary album. Despite each track was never short, but anyways, I would like to first shout out to So!YoON! and to all listeners who has listened to So!YoON!’s music world on behalf of artist. In this track, we will have conversation with our little special six guests. We invited six guests so-called who have done a great job in supporting artist from beyond the spotlight and releasing this full-length album safely. We might have called them So!YoON!’s clone. We would like to invite six guests, MAGIC STRAWBERRY SOUND’s director of the headquarters, Hong Dalnim and general manager Kang Donghun, director who has been involved to this project Kim Youngkyung, further more hair stylist Oh Jihye, make-up artist Choi Minseok and last stylist Park Anna. Hello everyone. All Hello. Nice to meet you. kixxikim I guess everyone is little bit frozen. Probably somehow this kind of place is not used to it. All Yes. kixxikim It seems that we are walking on eggshells. First of all, before we talk of this this full-length album, I would like to have a chat about Hwang Soyoon. There is Hwang Soyoon character who is up on the stage, after the off stage and when the lights are off and there is a person of Hwang Soyoon. As far as I know, three of you who is Jihye, Anna and Minseok, are vigorously involved in current field and have been like bread and butter of character Hwang Soyoon. So, as far as I know, I believe you have been a team for almost 5 years, sometimes as a crew, sometimes as close friends. how is it like when working with So!YoON!, are there any differences compared to working with other artists? Oh Jihye I think So!YoON! is subtle compared to other artists. Choi Minseok Very subtle. Oh Jihye Yes. Usually, she is a little clumsy, but when she takes music videos, she is knowledgeable about illumination, composition of her face, light, hair makeup, and thinks of all the parts of it, which shows more of herself. kixxikim However, some people may think that it may infringe on each other's roles, because each person has their own unique role. In the process of communication, finding answers or solutions can sometimes be burdensome or not come easily. Anyway, since you may have your thoughts on this matter, I would like to hear from the three of you. Park Anna But if only the result goes well, I can embrace it. Oh Jihye Also, we are not offended since we’re close. By doing so, the result comes well. Can not say a word of it. Park Anna The result is indeed good. Kang Donghun And this, the difference between other project and other artist’s project is having a lot of conversation beforehand to make a content. It develops slowly, listens of So!YoON!’s thought, some responses to hair-makeup-stylist and when she is in onsite, because of this makes more sufficient of understanding of each other that comprehends what So!YoON! wants or her needs and it makes our staff to accept. So, in the high understanding, we do not feel or think that we are invaded and tries to make the project goes well together. Hong Dalnim Now, it is like, we try to respect of the jobs who are employed as a staff. That is the very different point. As an instance, if just an artist or a staff has some kind of concept, they just give it away and that’s it. It is over when they say ‘Do it like this, do it like this, do it like this’. But when it comes to So!YoON!, since herself is not professional in makeup, she wants to have more idea and in the case of hair, she wants to have more of Jihye’s thoughts. So, by developing more, it can have feed back on it and I think it is being meaningful in bidirectional way. kixxikim By starting this work, there are a lot of cases which is thoroughly one-way. All Yes. A lot. kixxikim As everyone has waited to say. ‘It is not this. Please do it like this.’ Kim Youngkyung Or at the beginning there are some times they approach. By just saying it “like this please”. Park Anna One to ten Kim Youngkyung By just saying it ‘Please make it like this.’ Park Anna Yes. Most of them are like that. kixxikim Maybe the behavior might make to think workers not to be respected but since it happens often which may be used to that kind of conversation or working method. Kim Youngkyung Actually, I do not think it is a good idea to start with that kind of work style. So, I do not do such a kind of work. I try not to do any work that requires zero opinion. kixxikim So funny. It is like everyone has some feelings stacked in their heart. Kim Youngkyung In the day of taking music video which main title song ‘Smoke Sprite’, there was cold snowfield, there was a scene that needed to sit on very high-altitude tower wearing cold bustier and also there was a scene that had very cold water. It was the last scene. Even though it was the last filming scene, So!YoON! and I had the shortest-term relationship but had to work closely together and this could eventually be seen down to earth. Not in terms of business relationship but that music video on that day was so tiring that this person seemed to look pity. It is just that we are putting our effort but the last scene was not enough to be satisfied. To be honest, however, on that spot, I felt that no one was satisfied with the result. The main director, Donghun and Dalnim also weren't satisfied with the last scene. But we could not say to take the last shot of the film because So!YoON! was shaking with coldness. To make matters worse, cameras were withdrawn and we all said “Every one did great job” and that’s it. Afterwards, when everyone was wrapping their things up, So!YoON! came out to monitor the scene together and asked ‘How is it? How is it?’. Although, the director and I said ‘It is fine. We can use it.’ So!YoON! herself was not kind of a person who does not have a sense and asked my opinion of it, since she also desire to have what she thought of. She said to me ‘Youngkyung, you sure you like it?’ I could not lie to her on that spot. kixxikim All of a sudden, many thoughts might have passed by. Kim Youngkyung Yes. Many thoughts have passed by. It is because all the camera teams were withdrawing. But in all the thoughts passing through, I was dumbfounded for a while by looking at the monitor and was thinking ‘What should I do with this?’. In that situation, So!YoON! asked me first by saying ‘Shall we start to film once more?’ So, I told So!YoON! ‘I am really sorry. But, let us take one last shot.’ So, we filmed it again. By then, I felt something. She is not just going and out of the filming site and saying ‘Ah, cold.’ She is not weak and clumsy but, ‘This person is way younger than me and small friend but amazing in terms of the part that she is zealot in her field and when it comes to her things, she is responsible of it.’ I felt a lot of things by then. I really appreciated for her to say take one last shot. Choi Minseok Very earthy. Earthy and naive Hong Dalnim So, the name is wrong. Hwang Soyoon and Hwang Damdeok. kixxikim It is like a nickname. So, in private, to you call her “Hey, Damdeok?” Hong Dalnim We sort of say it like ‘Damdeok you here?’ Choi Minseok Or like before putting on makeup, we call her Damdeok but after putting on makeup we say ‘Huh? So!YoON!, Did you just arrive? Hi?’ Park Anna The gap is really big, especially when So!YoON! is on stage, and then after removing her makeup she becomes Damdeok. Hong Dalnim When So!YoON! makes a favor, she says ‘Hwang Soyoon makeup please.’ Choi Minseok Intuitive Hwang Soyoon. Kang Donghun But I think she also behaves different of her mindset before putting on makeup and after putting on makeup. Choi Minseok Yes. Her eyes change. Her eyes. kixxikim It is like switch on and off? Hong Dalnim Even her walking style changes. Choi Minseok I think her voice tone also changes too. kixxikim It is like the part of being professional, right? Park Anna Yes. Charming point. kixxikim Did it feel a little awkward when you first started working for her? Choi Minseok I was a little awkward. The reason is that I see many faces as I do makeups and when I first saw this person, there was a feeling that compared to the others, the appearance made me to focus more in detailed. Like the way she looks at somebody or something and her body shape also with sharp chin made me to think of her strong and intensive personality. kixxikim Like you thought of it but? Choi Minseok Yes, I initially thought so, but as I got to know her better, like I mentioned earlier, she really is a down-to-earth kind of person kixxikim Is it like when she works together, she takes care of the others? Choi Minseok I don’t think it is like that. kixxikim Or maybe she sends a message to celebrate birthday? Choi Minseok In that kind of case, she sends message and calls too. She does not forget of those kinds of big events. As an INTP, and having spent 5 years with her, I now understand that she is a person who is very self-focused. And now I can observe her emotions and mood on a daily basis. kixxikim ‘Sending message is slow?’ Choi Minseok Probably like that kind of things. kixxikim I would like to ask a question necessarily to Dalnim and Donghun. We have discussed professionalism of So!YoON! and it was not needed to make things up but, I would like to talk about perhaps her clumsy attitude and earthy image. Hong Dalnim I think it would be great if we all talk about So!YoON!’s first impression. kixxikim Anyways, she met you two first. How about recalling the day when she joined MAGIC STRAWBERRY SOUND? Hong Dalnim I still remember when I first met So!YoON!. It was in the recording field site of ‘NAN CHUN’, my boss sent me as a manager when SE SO NEON joined to MAGIC STRAWBERRY SOUND. But the reason, I was chosen is that as I was experienced employee and seemed to have a lot of experience, the boss sent me thinking of sending an ace. When I came back, I still remember what I said. “I cannot do this.” Park Anna Why? Hong Dalnim It is because the compared to the other artists, she was against to the grain. She was cold. So cold. But she had no choice but to be cold because she is kind of a person who does not mix business with pleasure. But, as I was the first employee in this firm, MAGIC STRAWBERRY SOUND is gathered with label. kixxikim Familyship is strong. Hong Dalnim Even artist, staff and every all people in the firm was harmonious but when I first met opposite person, I had too much of wariness that made me tired of thinking “How can I break that image?” Kang Donghun In my case, like how general people sees her appearance which is sharp, easy-going person and tough, I also saw her like that. But when I got closer to So!YoON! and work together with her, So! YoON! has various spectrum and I thought that only an individual has its own various layer. Sometimes she is cute, sometimes she is sensitive and sometimes she is smart but little bit dull that has many aspects. So, when she is on stage or in album her kixxikim Something like identity? Kang Donghun Sensitive identity or very smart identity comes out. So, now when I speak to So!YoON!, I always said to her a lot of times, ‘You are too emotional person. What I mean is that your rationality and sensitivity is too high.’ Park Anna I think she is. kixxikim How is she when she is clumsy? Hong Dalnim Stuffy. She always does not take her things. kixxikim Even if the things are important? Hong Dalnim Yes, smart phones and wallets Choi Minseok Yes. It is almost like Hansel and Gretel who leaves her things one by one Kim Youngkyung Like leaving her things? kixxikim Can she find it back? Hong Dalnim The annoying part is that everything comes back to its position. That is why she is not thinking to look for it. kixxikim Someone finds it for her, and laid in someplace. Hong Dalnim So when she says ‘Ah, I lost it again.’ I just say ‘Please lose it for this time.’ to make her get it together. kixxikim Anyways, you used the word coldness but when you work together and those kind of barrier Hong Dalnim Changed. Changed a lot. It is because when I mentioned cold, it was really saying her first impression, but anyways I was in the position to work together and the first words to So!YoON! was ‘Are you that kind of person, but I am kind of person who cannot work like this.’ For example, ‘Since I am in the position to do the management of artist, then I have to have intimate relationship not only to have mixing business with pleasure. If you do so I cannot work with you.’ Because of this I said ‘I will do something in my way.’ and started to work. In the beginning of her work, she seemed not to understand of my words. However, as times flew, she found out what it meant and recognized something and changed. kixxikim She also tried hard Hong Dalnim Yes. Something like being different person? Choi Minseok She is warm. I think I get to know her kind-hearted through this conversation. Hong Dalnim Yes. But I want her to know more of it. Still not enough. But she got better than before. Choi Minseok Five years of change. I feel it too. kixxikim five years isn’t short. Choi Minseok In a way that So!YoON! spent half of her life together in her twenty’s and since I am a makeup artist, I sent her a DM last time saying thank you So!YoON! for continuously letting me to study your face 5 years. kixxikim In same canvas Choi Minseok She also replied thanks. kixxikim This time I would like to focus on album and have some chit-chat about it. This project’s name Director still might not have been familiar to you and the world is also unfamiliar with the name. I would like you to concisely brief regarding what your role was and is it some kind of current process? Kim Youngkyung Brief the last years process? kixxikim It might not be easy. Kim Youngkyung Actually, the way to express my job is ‘Art Director’ but in this project, the reason that I have understood and I called it ‘Project Director’ is that it is just not thinking of visual things. It is just that there was an year process of album release and in it, there are small and big detailed contents. I just wanted to think of a way to approach it to consumers and listeners in strategic method, how I should show of colors and put right things with the right place and outlining it in a big way and coloring it. This is what I think of my role is. So, maybe I imagine to say ‘Project Director’. Hong Dalnim The first reason I invited Youngkyung Director is that when it was in a ready to work on new album, I had some ideas to make various character of So!YoON! in this album. But especially something different with SE SO NEON which made fashion significant part, I said some things that the parts to be highlighted, I had an idea not only seen interior but the people who is in fashion field should see it in different aspect of this music album. Also, she was an acquaintance of Donghun, so I had some familiarity with her before. So, I wanted someone from a different field to take a look at the album and provide some strategic promotion or plans, from a fashion industry perspective, so to speak. Kim Youngkyung So, at first, I was just saying things like, "I don't know much about this industry," because I really didn't know much about it. I would say things like that, but later on, I just ended up saying, "I don't know, but I'll just do it without knowing." I thought it would be better to just do it in a state of not knowing, because if I knew too much, I might end up being too concerned about it and not being able to meet their expectations. Hong Dalnim I also used that approach when trying to persuade her. So, she would say things like, "I don't know much about the music industry," and I would respond with, "It’s the same." So, I would try to convince her by saying things like, "Think of this item as a brand or a product that could be clothing, or just think of it as music, please." That's how I tried to persuade her. Kim Youngkyung Please consider it as a product. Please think of it as something to sell. Hong Dalnim Think of it as selling this song and album. kixxikim It must have become clearer when hearing it. Kim Youngkyung That's right. Although it's not accurate to simply categorize the fashion industry as a product-selling industry, considering the vast ecosystem it operates in. However, because it's a place where a larger system is in motion, I was more familiar with the concept of "selling something." So, if I promote this and sell it... kixxikim Anyway, in this album, including the album cover and other visual aspects, there are some interesting points in terms of those visual elements, particularly related to the six personas of So!YoON!. I would like to discuss more about that. Kim Youngkyung That's similar to what Managing Director Hong Dalnim mentioned earlier. So!YoON! has a passion for performing in different personas, such as Hwang Soyoon or SE SO NEON. During the initial meeting, So!YoON! explained in detail about the writer's hidden meanings and other aspects of the songs she was making for the album, and there were parts they wanted to showcase themselves. However, each persona had different feelings about the songs or different interpretations of the writer's intentions, as the songs had multiple personas within them. Therefore, it was decided to incorporate various personas and show them in different appearances, which was the initial idea. kixxikim As a result, there was inevitable six persona’s hair, makeup and styling but eventually during the process there has been a lot of close conversation between three of you here. Kim Youngkyung But, in fact, I feel really sorry to say this, but I think I didn't provide enough input or direction in this process. Knowing the purpose or intention behind their actions is important, but it's especially crucial when it comes to where they are headed. In that regard, I feel like I wasn't adequately prepared. What surprised me the most was that both of you, like you mentioned earlier with Dalnim and Donghun, have accumulated know-how and experience. You worked with So!YoON! together. So if I had just thrown in a red color, then interpretations and meanings would have emerged based on that red color's shape or form. I really felt like, "This is why this team is like this." I still remember when I handed over my styling board to Anna. If you watch the teaser, you'll probably see it, but now everything is revealed in the video, dressed in furry clothes like Babayaga. I was thinking, It would be great if there was something like that. I don't know who I should ask or where I can find something like that, but I just wish there was something like that. Park Anna That was the additional idea and concept based on the original concept. Kim Youngkyung Original intention was to have one concept that could be interpreted as a slightly crazy person, and we were wondering what that could be. What could it be? So we just attached an image that is hard to find or obtain. Park Anna We had another group chat. You gave it and found it. So, I said it is not same but something crazy. Kim Youngkyung So, at that time, Anna asked me, "Youngkyung, what exactly are you trying to convey?" But I could only apologize and say, "I'm sorry. I can't explain it in any other way. I think something with a strong intensity or that visual style from that era is needed.” Park Anna What was the picture? Hold on I cannot remember it. Kim Youngkyung It was something like wearing a mask. Some kind of mask with horn. But Anna and few days later, you sent me personal message saying ‘I found something like this.’ It was really amazing that you’ve found it. Park Anna It was an outfit from an overseas designer, and I somehow found it. And after getting it, and wore it. Choi Minseok Searching ability will be competitive to stylists. kixxikim It is competitive. Park Anna Yes. That is why I always look at it. Kim Youngkyung Yes. always be searching. Park Anna Yes. Founded. Choi Minseok It was the last scene among six and there was a fashion that wearing golden wig with wearing golden bustier, hair style general manager had to go business trip in abroad, so only the assistants were left in the field. But, since it was a wig and the crown of the head seemed to look little bit awkward, so I asked costume general manager if they have any abandoned black clothe to make a bandana. Fortunately, they had it with black socks and by weaving it, we made the bandana we wanted and it was so nice. Park Anna Oh, there was a behind story. Hong Dalnim If we talk about behind story, wearing bandana scene was edited. Park Anna Ah, really? It was edited. Choi Minseok Seen it. Hong Dalnim When Jihye General Manger came back, we took the picture separately and put So!YoON!’s face in it. Choi Minseok Then also edit this. Park Anna Just blow it up! Hong Dalnim No, but we can tell this kind of behind story. Kang Donghun But Minseok always gives impromptu help on-site. Park Anna ENTP Kang Donghun It is like when we take jacket picture or take music video film, little bit of creative and idea, in some way improved to us. Park Anna Great. Choi Minseok In the previous question, you mentioned that there are many companies that provide references unilaterally and ask for the same results. However, here, the communication is bidirectional, and I feel that my ideas are respected and appreciated, which I am grateful for over the past 5 years. So, I have a note written a few years ago about the SE SO NEON. It's something that might bring tears to my eyes. Hong Dalnim You have written this few years ago? Choi Minseok It is just saying that I am happy to be the team of SE SO NEON. All Don’t cry Choi Minseok But still it is on going so I thank that we have spent long years together. kixxikim It is like more than work relationship. Choi Minseok So, I sent that screenshot to So!YoON! and said, "I've been thinking about quitting makeup these days." Because there was a difficult situation. Park Anna Don’t cry. Choi Minseok So!YoON! said what are you talking about and gave nice words to me. It was touching and at that time, I felt that the time gives something touching things. Kim Youngkyung What a warm ending. What can we say more? Park Anna Yes. All the stories that we weave out is touching. kixxikim It happened to have natural ending point, talked about characters perspective and So!YoON!’s visual things with six guests. Rather than asking one by one, if there is anyone who wants to talk about it, it is like a review of the recording. As expected, no one in Korea Hong Dalnim I want to have the last word. Choi Minseok Want to have a word? Hong Dalnim We still have ‘Episode2’ left. Look forward to it, everyone. Choi Minseok I am having goose bumps. kixxikim What is this silence? Choi Minseok I did not expect this situation to happen and with no meaning I was supposed to say ‘Ah, If I can do it again, I will do it, I feel sad etc.’ But since this happens in real, I cannot say a single word. kixxikim If there is ‘Episode2’ commentary album, take all of these people and. Park Anna Oh my gosh. I am dumbfounded. Choi Minseok But since I've done this once, it has become a practice and it feels like I am getting better. Kim Youngkyung it’s a lot more comfortable kixxikim Expression of getting better is funny. Kang Donghun At first, I vaguely felt like this commentary album was archiving these moments. But after recording it today, it feels like when you complete something well, people often say that you tied up the loose ends nicely. It feels like I filled in the last button well, and it feels really good. Choi Minseok I want to metaphor it like lettuce. In side lettuce, there’s food and covers us with lettuce blanket. Like organizing it at once. kixxikim If the songs inside the album is side dish, maybe we have do wrap it with commentary album and eat until it absorbs it. Choi Minseok It is too delicious. kixxikim Didn’t I wrap it up well? Choi Minseok Yes. You did well. Thank you.