[theqoo] JANG WONYOUNG, “IN THE END, YOU JUST HAVE TO SURVIVE”

How was the shoot?

I wore Tommy Jeans for the shoot because I’m a Tommy Jeans model. It was nice to see the brand reps after a long time, and I’m happy that they had a good story to tell.

And by good stories, you mean “pretty”?

They said that the brand has grown because of me, and I was grateful to hear that, because it motivates me, and I always want the brand I model for to be loved.

You’re a musician and a model, two things that you work really hard at.

Exactly, I don’t feel like I’m doing one thing and another, I’m doing both seriously. I get bored with one thing very quickly, so I always want to do something new.

Your new album <IVE EMPATHY> has two songs, ‘ATTITUDE’ and ‘REBEL HEART’. There must have been a process of deciding which song to perform first?

We listened to the songs together and talked about them, and we decided that ‘REBEL HEART’ was the right song for our first activity because of its grandiose atmosphere.

What do you think about the opinion that ‘ATTITUDE’ is more Ive-like?

I liked ‘ATTITUDE’ better, and I was involved in writing it, but it’s okay to promote ‘REBEL HEART’ first because we thought of something IVE-esque together.

The album is called <IVE EMPATHY>. Is there a moment when you want others to relate?

There are always moments like that, like when I’m laughing so hard and the other person isn’t laughing–why aren’t they laughing? I especially want empathy from my mom, because she’s my best friend, and I have most of my real conversations with her, so when I talk to her, I expect her to empathize with me, and of course she always does.

Is your mom still in disbelief that her daughter has become an ‘big star on earth’?

Yes! She’s like, “What a blessing,” but she doesn’t say that because Jang Wonyoung is a celebrity, she says she’s just grateful to have a daughter like me.

I think everyone who loves Jang Wonyoung would agree with that. What’s been your shining moment in your career so far?

Our performance at Lollapalooza last year. It was amazing to see people from all over the world respond so enthusiastically to our music.

There’s a line in ‘ATTITUDE’ that says, “When fate plays tricks on you, you have to play with it.” What would you do if fate really played tricks on you?

I believe that you can’t escape fate by avoiding it, so you have to accept it and overcome it, and good things come to you. In the end, you have to live through it, and if you have to change something along the way, then of course you have to.

One of the lyrics of ‘REBEL HEART’ says, “You’re a little lacking somewhere, and you’re a little overflowing there.” What do you think you’re lacking and what do you think you’re overflowing?

In terms of lacking, I get bored quickly, which I don’t think is a disadvantage, because it makes things go faster. On the other hand, I am overflowing with people who like me and the love and affection I give.

1. She’s so cool 💙💙💙 The “I eat everything though…” was too cute

2. She’s cool and cute

3. Her mentality is so solid

4. “I never failed. I’m still young”. For that age, saying something like this makes it feel like it’s her second life…

5. Her answer to the question about failure was too cool… I respect Wonyoungie

6. She’s still young but so strong. I think she see it as a process rather than feeling discouraged. I want to learn from her mentality

7. I like all of Wonyoungie’s interviews. I read them carefully

8. It makes me happy that she’s close with her mom

9. Wonyoung has always been exceptional in both visuals and mindset since Produce, but she was just a little middle schooler back then. It’s amazing to see how mature she’s become now, and it’s fascinating to watch her grow into an icon

10. She’s so cool. I want to learn form her strong and healthy mindset