201.02.02 Taiwan magazine Trendy Vol. 43 - CNBLUE Is Back

CNBLUE Is Back

Comeback with Re:BLUE to Conquer the Music Scene Again

The concept of CNBLUE’s new album Re:BLUE is all-member-composed music, styles of which include modern rock, pop rock and disco rock. Plus, the release day is Jan 14, CNBLUE’s debut anniversary. Their choosing the third anniversary day, which has a very special meaning to both CNBLUE and Boice, as the release day adds to the anticipation from Boice.

It’s been a long time and they finally have the comeback. The MV this time was filmed in London. When chatting about the tidbits shooting the MV, all members say they just can’t forget the rainy days in England. They’ve heard it always rains in England but didn’t expect the non-stop rain when they actually got to film. The weather was quite chilly too. That was why the filming could not finish within planned schedule and their other plans in London had to be delayed as a result. But they were very satisfied with the product, saying all the hard work is worthwhile. It does look like this CNBLUE comeback is a big success! (Translator note: There’s this Chinese saying/belief that “water brings fortune". The reporter’s remark means they “met water and so fortune comes”.) The band members didn’t just take part in the music recording, but also the concept photos and MV filming. Each and every detail in this album is a result of the members’ dedication and hard work. All four CNBLUE members agree that this album reveals the closest to who they really are. They like it very much themselves and expect Boice to see it as their favorite too.

An explosion of music talent

The title track this time, “I’m Sorry”, is Yonghwa’s creation. Yonghwa talks about his own work happily, “The lyrics tell the story of a man hearing his lover saying the last sentence ‘I’m sorry’ breaking up with him. The song is about the sadness and other emotions he feels. Yonghwa explains though he was very delighted that his song was chosen, he couldn’t help feeling the pressure. And he was writing in a style not quite the same as his usual one, he was worried if Boice might not like it. So he spent especially great efforts making it, when adding a lot of pop elements to the song. Yonghwa recommends with twinkles in his eyes, “I hope everybody will get hooked at first listen!”

Minhyuk also reveals they had spent a lot of time to consider many things when planning the recordings for the album. But he is very happy that the end product is very satisfactory to all of them. Jungshin adds that “I’m Sorry” is really a song made with a lot of planning and discussion, that’s why the song gives a totally different feel compared to their previous title tracks. “Because Yonghwa hyung’s song was chosen to be the title track, I’m very happy myself. Very happy!” Not just “I’m Sorry”, but there are other songs in the album composed and written by Yonghwa. Jonghyun says his favorite among them is “Coffee Shop”. Yonghwa smiles and explains, “I usually get inspiration from my everyday life for music creation. I turned my feelings liking coffee and hanging out in coffee shops into “Coffee Shop”, but didn’t expect my bandmates to like it so much when I let them listen to it. I was a little too proud then.”

CNBLUE’s recommendations with love

As someone who likes music a lot themselves, CNBLUE members tell the music they listen to in private. Yonghwa says when he feels the need to be healed, he likes to listen to Oasis’s “Stand By Me”. He even invites Boice to listen together, “If you need to be healed too, please listen to this song!”

Jonghyun, however, recommends all the songs in Re:BLUE. With his signature smile, Jonghun says, “But I just love the song I composed most: 'More Than You'. (Laughs) This is a song made for the warm spring. Though spring is still a little far away, I hope you all listen to this song to make it a very warm winter!”

Minhyuk likes to listen to “Coffee Shop” of the new album a lot lately. He explains with lovely mannerism, “I remember when Yonghwa hyung let us hear the demo version, I just thought, ‘This is the best!” The melody just kept ringing in my head and I couldn’t help humming it myself. I really hope the song will be loved as much and by a lot of people as the title track. I look forward to the live performance of this song a lot too. There will be so many different ways to showcase the song. It will be so interesting!”

Jungshin says he listens to music of many genres, pop, folk, J-pop… But he is listening to John Legend’s “P.D.A.” a lot lately. “It’s actually a song that I used to listen to at night.”

Dramas besides music, eye-catching results too

CNBLUE members are getting attention participating in dramas too. Not just “lead actor no.1” Yonghwa, Jonghyun has been the target of envy too for he had the chance to co-act with Jang Dong Gun in A Gentleman’s Dignity. Minhyuk’s My Husband Has A Family has high ratings both in Korea and Taiwan. Jungshin’s My Daughter Seoyong is having ratings above 40% in Korea now. Commenting on such good results, all members say they are very happy that each member has had favorable comments with the acting challenges. Since their debut, they’ve been interested in acting besides music. They talk about music as well as acting in between schedules. When the opportunities came, they just jumped to them and tried their best to make things perfect. Though they still have a lot of limitations in acting, they just hope what they show the viewers each time means another improvement.

Not long ago Jungshin posted on their official twitter a picture of him and Yonghwa watching the drama series he was doing (in the dormitory), creating a lot of buzz on the Net. The four happily tell us that whenever a member is in a drama, they usually gather together to ‘monitor’ his acting, and share their acting experiences. They summarize naughtily however, “Not exactly helping with skills, it’s more in the line of cheering!” (Laughs)

The little secret for great physique … ?

Compared to the time when they debuted, all four members have obviously stronger physiques now. Whenever there are new photos on this matter, Boice discuss enthusiastically. But when asked about this, the four just smile and ask, “Our physiques really get better?” But they admit they have regular exercise all this time, though not of high frequencies. And they eat very three full meals every day. All members advise, “Boice, do have the regular full meals. Health is the most important!” Then we come to fashion trend topics. All four say they don’t spend a lot of time nor money to stay at the trend frontier. But Jungshin is the one who cares most what to wear, both clothes and accessories. As he is very tall, the other members say he just looks great whatever he wears. They used to not like Jungshin’s fashion style. But he has improved so much now that the others are beginning to borrow his clothes!

More 3-years, 30-years…

These couple of years, CNBLUE has gone to many cities. Unlike music shows or MVs, concerts are a better mean to reveal their music color, and a way for them to be close to the fans. Talking about concerts, members describe: They are proofs that CNBLUE exists, crazily. When they are meeting the fans face to face, it’s the greatest happiness they can feel as singers, to be one with the audience whenever they are on stage. The degree of happiness they feel always makes them wonder if they have actually gone crazy. But they think the moments make them feel they are the most fortunate people, because that’s when they can enjoy music most.

At their third debut anniversary, CNBLUE had their comeback to the music scene (Korean). In these three years, they’ve traveled many places, met with fans from different countries, made a lot of awesome music, completed many great stage performances, and given a lot of people many beautiful memories. They are very surprised that they have already spent three years with Boice without their knowing. It’s just because of the fans’ love that they can grow continuously. With the great love and support they’ve received, they feel even greater responsibility. They really want everybody to see CNBLUE grow even more in the future. The four tenderly pledge, “Boice, thank you! We love you! Please continue to stay with us~” Reading this, Boice must be all responding with sweet replies, in their hearts!

Chinese to English translation by klaritia

PS Sorry that there isn't "exclusive" info. The so-called exclusive interview. :p