【E】 제프 벤자민 인터뷰 중 씨엔블루/정용화 언급부분 CNBLUE/Yonghwa mentioned in interview with Jeff Benjamin

(관련 부분만 발췌)

김영대: 당신의 칼럼을 처음 보고 다른 외국인의 시선과 다르다고 느꼈다. 작년 연말에 〈빌보드〉에 썼던 기사인 것 같은데, ‘2014년 베스트 케이팝 앨범’. 국내에서도 많이 회자된 걸로 기억하고, 특히 록 밴드인 씨엔블루나 넬의 앨범을 탑10에 올린 것은 퍽 의외였다. 특히 씨엔블루의 경우에는 록의 진정성과 관련하여 한국에선 여러 가지 비판에도 시달렸다. 작년에 한 일간지에서 내게 가장 과소평가된 앨범을 꼽아달라기에 씨엔블루를 이야기한 기억도 난다. 그러다가 〈빌보드〉의 기사를 보았고, “얘 누구지?” 했던 기억이 난다. (웃음)

제프: 아, 통했네. (웃음) 팝뿐 아니라 록 스타일의 한국 음악에도 관심이 많다. 씨엔블루 같은 경우는 작년에 케이콘에도 왔었고, 뉴욕에 공연을 왔을 때 제대로 처음 봤는데, 대단히 인상 깊었다. 콘서트 바로 뒤에 중요한 약속이 있었는데 공연에 너무 몰입한 나머지 미팅에 늦었던 기억이 난다. 연주 자체도 훌륭했지만 무대 연출이라든지, 그리고 열성적인 팬들의 모습에 특히 놀랐다.

(후략)

Trans: 

(an excerpt from a longer interview article) 

Kim Youngdae: When I first read your columns, I felt they were different from other foreigners' perspectives. I think it was your article on Billboard last year, "The 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2014." I remember it being widely discussed in Korea as well, and I especially found it surprising that you listed rock backs such as CNBLUE and Nell. In the case of CNBLUE, they were often criticized in Korea regarding their authenticity as a rock band. It reminded me that I had mentioned CNBLUE when a daily newspaper asked me to select the most underrated album at the end of the year last year. That's when I read your article, and thought "Who is this guy?" (laughs)

Jeff Benjamin: Ah, I guess we clicked (laughs). I'm interested not only in pop but also Korean music in rock style. As for CNBLUE, they came to KCON last year, and I really saw them for the first time when they came for a concert in New York. They were very impressive. I had an important appointment right after the show, but I remember being late to the meeting because I was so immersed in the concert. The performance and arrangement on the stage were terrific, and I was especially surprised by how passionate the fans were.

KYD: Although many aren't aware, Jung Yonghwa is a great songwriter as well. I guess it could be likened to hip-hop, but rock especially has many hardcore fans who are always strict about their standard of authenticity in music. Perhaps it's natural that there are people who are vaguely negative toward the concept of "idol rock bands".

Jeff: Right. It might be related to why FNC promoted CNBLUE and their other rock band, FTISLAND, to Japan first and achieved success. It's an interesting story.

cr. http://idology.kr/5268