YG artists Big Bang, Gummy, Se7en and 2NE1 [YG Enterainment]

Big Bang's G-Dragon ("GD") and Taeyang joined YG Entertainment about ten years ago. And during that time, they have been members of Big Bang, the most popular idol stars and have also proven their capabilities as solo artists. So what significance has the launching of label YGEX, held on July 21, have for them? And what thoughts does Se7en have on advancing into Japan a second time? He is the one who made it known that YG has entered its prime and advanced into Japan before Big Bang did. Below are remarks from YG's artists Big Bang, Se7en, 2NE1 and Gummy at the launching ceremony for YGEX.


<#10_QMARK#> All the musicians at YG will be advancing into the Japanese music industry. How does it feel?
Se7en: It's fun. There were many times that I had felt lonely when I pursued my activities in Japan before because I was a solo artist but the atmosphere's great because we're here all together. I think I'll feel reassured from now on. And it feels great that our agency set up a label in Japan. I'm looking forward to it because we'll be able to help each other.

<#10_QMARK#> I think you'll feel different from others in that you'll be advancing into Japan once again.
Se7en: The last time I promoted myself in Japan was in 2007 so it'll be new in a lot of ways. It feels like I'm starting all over again and being here reminds me of my past activities.

2NE1 [YG Entertainment]

<#10_QMARK#> Gummy, you'll be advancing into Japan for the first time. And it seems like your Japanese is very good. Did you learn the language with debuting in Japan in mind?
Gummy: I didn't learn Japanese because I had that in mind. But I've always hoped to expand my career into Japan. I'm actually not that good so thank you for the compliments.

<#10_QMARK#> 2NE1, you'll be the first ones debuting in Japan under YGEX. How does it feel?
CL: We feel relatively less burdened because YG Family's name is already known in Japan. And we already have some fans in Japan. The many things that YG Family has accumulated on in Japan is helping a lot. We were supposed to debut in Japan in March but I think we were able to be much more prepared by it getting pushed back to September.

<#10_QMARK#> You sang your first Japanese single "I am the Best" in Japanese but you use Korean in parts. What's the reason for this?
CL: We sang the hook for "I am the Best" in Korean and even wore modernized hanbok in our music video. It's what we did to try to inform people of our culture.

<#10_QMARK#> What's the difference going to be between YGEX and YG's style?
Se7en: YG has its own defined style so I think we'll try to differentiate our music from other artists' music while maintaining that style of ours.

<#10_QMARK#> And what do you think is YG's unique style?
T.O.P: Whether it comes to music or style, we try to do things that are ahead one step of what others do. Mr. Yang Hyun-suk thinks about this too a lot as well. I think it's important that our music is one step ahead of others' yet stays faithful to the fact that our music is different from music that others do.
GD: I'd like Big Bang or YG Family's music to become acknowledge for our music rather than create a Hallyu boom. I think trying to get more and more Japanese people like our music, even if we started underground, would be good too. Whether it's Big Bang or YG's music, we want to be confident about them and gain a lot of experience.

Big Bang Taeyang [YG Entertainment]

<#10_QMARK#> You'll be competing with J-pop musicians once you advance into the Japanese market. Are there any artists you consider competition?
Se7en: Seungri has that all figured out. (laugh)
Seungri: That's my field of expertise. (laugh) I actually don't think any artist overlaps with Big Bang in terms of style. And people already in the Japanese market have embraced us as well, saying that they haven't seen a group with our style. So I'm hoping that'll help with our activities in Japan.

<#10_QMARK#> Big Bang, do you have plans to promote yourselves in Japan as solo artists as well?
Seungri: We're all working on our solo albums in Korea right now so I'm thinking that us pursuing solo activities in Japan may become a possibility within this year. And the members of our group can also act and appear on entertainment shows so I'm thinking that we'll be able to pursue a wider range of activities.

<#10_QMARK#> Are there no detailed plans regarding your group or solo careers?
GD: We haven't set a date yet. Everybody is focusing on the level of completion of their songs so whoever has a better product will come out first.

<#10_QMARK#> Do you have plans to form a new unit?
T.O.P: We haven't decided on anything yet. But that's a possibility that could come about whenever.
Taeyang: If we make music that we agree on after talking about music, we just naturally come to make music together.
Seungri: I recently asked Taeyang to work with me but he left the room. That made me very sad. (laugh)
Taeyang: I never left the room. (laugh)

<#10_QMARK#> But Taeyang's solo album or GD&T.O.P and Big Bang's mini albums have gotten response in the North America region without any promotion. Don't you want to advance into the U.S. market as well?
T.O.P: I think that for now, it's more important that we make people want to look for us than us setting up detailed plans for our activities there. I think it's important that we make them be interested in us by making them want to watch more of the music videos YG makes.

Big Bang T.O.P [YG Entertainment]

<#10_QMARK#> Taeyang, you recently worked with famed U.S. producer The Underdogs. Do you not have plans to expand your career into the U.S.?
Taeyang: Working with The Underdogs was a great experience. But we worked together because we agreed with each other on the music we want to do rather than it being for my U.S. debut. I may once I'm fully prepared but it's hard for me to say, as of now, whether that'll happen.

<#10_QMARK#> Is there anything you'd like to say to Daesung who isn't here today?
GD: We wanted to be able to come here together so we're sorry to see that it couldn't happen. And we're a team so I think we root for him with our heart and gaze rather than words. We're always worrying about him and he's always worried about us so I'm definitely hoping that we'll be able to pursue our activities together someday.

<#10_QMARK#> Se7en, you've watched YG grow. How do you feel about the establishment of YGEX?
Se7en: It's been 15 years since YG Family came about and as someone who's been with them, I'm very happy to be here right now. I'm proud of our agency as well and I think it's great that we can compete with each other in a positive way. Our agency is one in which both individuals and teams can grow so I think you could look forward to the next 15 years.

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