Ren: (In the past,) We once did a shoot in Taiwan. At that time, there were almost no fans at the airport, but this time it really was a big hit. It makes me think "So we've really done it"?
Aron: There were many fans who came to Incheon Airport too. I didn't know so many people would come. Although such a situation feels unfamiliar to me, it's fascinating.
JR: On one hand, I feel worried too. It was said that one fan got hurt at Incheon Airport, while trying to make her greetings...... I made a request with our manger until we got on the plane, to keep an eye on the fans first.
Baekho: We want to spend time closely with our fans just like in the past. However, I'm worried that accidents may occur while doing fan-service.
Q. You sang 16 songs at your Taiwan concert.
JR: 16 songs are of course tiring to do. But since there are the fans, it feels like we're receiving energy (from the fans). We did it without realizing that time was passing.
Ren: Although it was an unfamiliar place, the fans are always by our side. They always come to see us happily. This time, (the atmosphere) felt hotter like never before. We were able to do it while enjoying ourselves.
Q. You hung out at the night market. Even the paparazzi came. Your private life seems to be slowly disappearing.
JR: In the past, I thought "It'll be nice if people would recognize me on the streets". That was my dream. Nowadays, I get recognized even when I go to the convenience store. It's something to be thankful and happy about.
Aron: I went out to eat at 2am with a hyung I know. At the eatery, somebody said that she recognized me and waited for an hour. As soon as I heard that, I immediately went outside to shake his/her hands. Now, things like these are just fascinating.
Q. You completed your first activities as NU'EST W.
JR: It feels like it's a relief that I didn't give up (previously)...... Everything felt new. The support from the fans really became a huge form of strength. We didn't know that we would be able to do something like this. It was indeed a happy time.
Aron: Should I say that it's definitely a different feeling from before? Although I had a lot of worries and was nervous, I couldn't have been happier. So I'm looking even more forward for our next activities.
Ren: It's hard to believe even now. It feels like i'm dreaming. I'm really thankful for L.O.Λ.Es. On the other hand, I also feel apologetic. In the future, we'll meet even more often.
Baekho: It's an album that I had high anticipations for right from when I started producing it. It's a relief that the results were also better than what I had expected. I did my best while putting my trust in the members, and relying on the fans.
Q. What are the memorable moments for each of you?
NU'EST W: Of course it was when we won 1st place. Since that was our first time since debut.
Baekho: Ah, at that time, I really had no thoughts.
JR: Since it was something that we totally did not expect, just getting nominated for 1st place was an honour.
Ren: Even our managers told us not to put our hopes too high. So (what happened) was even more unbelievable.
Baekho: Since they say that it's better to dream big...... I had always dreamt of getting 1st place. But as I did that, I regretted, thinking "It seems like I had dreamt too big a dream". It felt like as if 1st place was eventually just ending as a mere dream? But we actually got 1st place, and we could not believe it.
Q. You had already experience getting #1 on the digital charts.
JR: On the day that the tracks got digitally released, I was in my room entirely. Refresh, then refresh again...... As I did that, I got to see #1. Everyone went mad. We screamed, hugged tightly, danced, and Ren sobbed. (Tears come to JR's eyes again.)
Ren: Ah, my sobbing? I immediately called my parents and told them about how we got #1. They said "Son, you've really worked hard!"...... At that time, (my tears) exploded.
JR: We got our #1 (on digital charts) at 1am in the morning. I was pondering about whether I should call now or not. My parents usually sleep at 8pm. But I could not hold it in. So I called, and they said "Mmm~ You did well!" then hung up. I thought, I should have just called the next day.
Q: You sold over 200,000 copies of your album in the first week (as the 4th artiste after EXO, BTS and WannaOne). This is something that 300x of your previous albums.
Ren: Before this, our first week sales were 600 copies. And this time, our first week sales are 200,000 copies. Of course we were happy. However, what we were even happier about, was the fact that we got to release an album once more.
Baekho: What had happened? It still doesn't feel real. I called my mom. To be honest, she doesn't really know the meaning of 200,000 copies. But she was just glad that we sold a lot.
Q. Your schedules also increased. Is it not tiring?
JR: Something that we had hoped for since the past. Um... "It'd be nice to be tired because of the many schedules.", "It'd be nice if we did not get to sleep because we were too busy." Things like that became reality. Of course, it's difficult. But, we are not tired. (To be honest, during our previous album [ie. Canvas] I got an IV drip at the hospital...... This is a secret.)
Ren: Even if it is difficult, it's a happy feeling? Many people show interest towards us and show their support, and they even react at the littlest of things that we do. It's really something to be thankful for. It was a round of promotions where each and every moment was perfect.
Aron: Of course, while doing promotions, there are times when we get tired. During those times, we see our fans. And we gain strength again. It's a first for us to receive this much love. I'm really thankful.
Baekho: Instead, it was 'less' tiring because we had many schedules. Since we were busy, time passed quickly too. I was thankful that we got to stand on the stage. I was also thankful that there were many stages (waiting) for us. It felt good waking up at dawn and going to music programs. Everything was happy.
Q. What is a moment that you were touched by the fans?
Ren: It's every moment. There were really many L.O.Λ.Es who came. I always choked up looking at the pink lightsticks. It was touching. I shed tears even without myself realizing it.
Baekho: Something that was hard to believe was true, happened on our commute back after schedule. It was that the fans were standing in a line on both sides of the road. They created a road where cars would be able to go through. It felt like as if we were having a parade? Gosh, it was also said that they (voluntarily) cleaned up their trash after the concert. I am really proud.
Aron: Our L.O.Λ.Es, are indeed amazing. When we perform, it is not just us that they show their support towards. When other artistes come on, they have fun and change the colour of their lightsticks. They're indeed the best.
JR: During the Dream Concert in Pyeongchang, it was really cold. However, the fans waited for 4, 5 hours. They screamed hot cheers with their cold bodies. L.O.Λ.Es always make me touched.
Q. But still, wouldn't it be difficult to look out for them personally like in the past?
Baekho: The feelings we have towards the fans are exactly the same. Whether it's the past or whether it's now, there is nothing that has changed. Instead, the safety of the fans is really important. I'm of course worried about that aspect.
JR: We pay even more attention now that we did in the past, lest people say "They changed since they started doing well". As long as our fans are happy, I want to do everything for them.
Q. The charisma of a leader and the cheerfulness & liveliness in a variety show - which side is closer to JR?
Ren: 1 vote for 'Night Goblin'.
Aron: 2 votes for 'Night Goblin'.
Baekho: Even usually, he doesn't really get mad. No, I should say that he can't get mad. In the audition program, didn't his angry side appear for a moment? He really speaks with that tone, meekly. However leader JR is different. He has stubbornness and conviction.
Q. JR always tells the fans that he'll make them happy. To you, happiness is?
JR: I received many things from the fans. So I want to return it back again. Happiness, you say? It is becoming a singer that can be of strength to L.O.Λ.Es. I hope the fans would rely on us. In my solo song [WITH], I put in those feelings.
Q. What is an individual activity that Aron would like to do?
JR: It's really cool when Aron hyung speaks in English. He really helped a lot when it comes to the overseas fans. I hope hyung would be an English radio DJ.
Aron: We did group activities after a long break. I'd like to do more things with the members. It's enjoyable and fun to be working together with my dongsaengs.
Q. Baekho received acknowledgement as a producer through this round of promotions.
Baekho: It's because I know the members well. I create songs while giving life to the highlight points. By combining that, I think synergy is formed. It is not because I have the ability to produce, but because we know each other well.
Q. Ren had a strong image in the past for gender neutrality. But this time round you're a tough man?
JR: Ren is the fashionista of NU'EST. He likes fashion. No matter the style, he pulls it off like his own.
Ren: I like a diversity of challenges. The confidence to pull off any~thing? (laughs) I feel that we shouldn't hesitate over change. Since I'm an idol.
Q. There are many members (JR, Baekho, Ren) of the same age. What is the key to doing activities closely?
JR: If this interview was done when I was 18, I would have said "We don't fight". (laughs) We've spent 9 years together. The key is to apologize immediately. Now we know each other very well.
Aron: When we were young, we felt ashamed to apologize and through that, we had misunderstandings too. Now, just by looking at each other's eyes we know it, so...... The space we have to understand each other has gotten wider.
Baekho: Each of us are strong in personality and individuality too. At first, we would think "Why is he being like that?", and then of course quarrel too. The time where we cried and laughed together is a time of 9 years. I think we know (each other) more than a family does.
Ren: Even now, the thing where our opinions don't match is choosing what to eat. Usually, it is one meal that reconciles us back together. When our opinions clash, our manager hyung would take care of it and order for us.
Q. I'm curious about the order that you shower.
JR: Shall I tell you the order of how we wash up. It's different from day to day. If there was a member who had a hard time the day before, we would let him shower last (in the morning), so that he could sleep more, even if it's just a little bit.
Baekho: In Japan, the 5 of us shared one bathroom. Each of us took about 15 minutes to shower? In that case, the member who showers the last gets to sleep for one more hour.
Ren: If there is nothing special, we decide on the shower sequence the day before.
Aron: (We decide it through) Rock paper scissors. That's the best.
Q. What is a special memory you have of Christmas?
Baekho: Last Christmas, I spent it in the studio. I ate ice cream cake. I also played with the dry ice, putting it in a paper cup.
Ren: To be honest, the memory I have about Christmas, is Santa Claus? He always left laver at our front door. As for why our Santa Claus left laver every year, that is still a question for me.
JR: To be honest, I'm the type that doesn't really celebrate birthdays too. It's the same for Christmas parties too. When I was young, I never asked to have a birthday party. I disliked that my mother would have a hard time while preparing (a birthday party) because of me.
Aron: The most memorable Christmas? It was during my trainee days. The company gave us allowance. With that, I went to look round Dongdaemun, bought clothes, and went to the karaoke too. I think this Christmas will be one that's memorable too. Since now I'm spending an 'early' Christmas with the members.
T/N: The word for 'early' in Korean is 미리 (miri), so it is a wordplay on the greeting "Merry Christmas".
NU'EST answers questions through post-its
Jonghyun
Q. What does Jonghyun think is his attractive feature?
A. Eye smile!
Q. Do you still like soccer?
A. More than soccer, foot volleyball! Jegichagi... (Korean traditional game similar to kikbo) I'm not good at soccer
Q. Your favourite nickname?
A. Wartortle
Q. Do you have any thoughts to get piercings again?
A. Yes
Q: Please say a compliment that you want to give to L.O.Λ.Es.
A: Thank you so much for always supporting us and being by our side! Thank you~
Q: What does JR want to say to L.O.Λ.Es?
A. Please support us lots in the future and show us love!
Aron
Q. What is Aron's favourite time?
A. Sleep time... ㅋㅋㅋ
Q. Please write something you would like to say to L.O.Λ.Es~
A: I'm always very thankful, and very happy thanks to L.O.Λ.Es.
Q. What does Aron do during his rest days?
A. Use his phone, sleep, and practice.
Q. A tourist attraction in America that you would like to introduce to L.O.Λ.Es?
A. 'The Grove' in LA!
Q. The Korean food that Aron likes?
A. Pork skin (I like marinated soy sauce crab too)
Q. Which part out of this album do you like the most?
A. I like all of my solo song. Please show loves of love to 'Good Love'~
Baekho
Q. What kind of sports do you like?
A. Soccer, kendo.
Q. A song you would like to sing for L.O.Λ.Es?
A. Good love.
Q. Where do you get inspiration when you write songs?
A. I think I get lots of it when I'm the most comfortable.
Q. What is your favourite snack?
A. I prefer eating meals over snacks.
Q. Something that Baekho would like to say to L.O.Λ.Es!
A. Thank you so much for liking us. I will not let you regret this!
Q. What is your magic point that makes fans addicted?
A. Brown eyes
Ren
Q. Something you would like to say to L.O.Λ.Es?
A. Everyone is a precious and amazing existence. So I pray that you will always confidence and be strong.
Q. The key to having clean skin?
A. Cut down on oily food. That makes it better.
Q. What is the style of your sleeping clothes?
A. Pajamas
Q. A special method to take card of your throat is?
A. I don't really take good care of my throat.. I only spray Propolis from time to time.
Q. Is your drama preparation going well~~
A. It's beginning soon. Please don't expect too much since it's my first drama. Hehe, no. I'm working hard to practice on acting.
Q. When are you happiest in a day?
A. When we do fansigns? When I communicate with L.O.Λ.Es.
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