50 Q&As with Baek Kyoung – Interview Translation

A short interview and 50 Q&As with Baek Kyoung, dating back to 1TYM’s first album promotion in 1999. The original material was gathered from various fansites and translated to Japanese by Jinhye, then to English by yours truly (Josh).

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Generous words of praise for Baek Kyoung
From Danny: He does his best no matter what. He’s always cheerful.
From Teddy: He has a nice smiling face.
From Jinhwan: He has talent. He studies many things.

Something you want to take this opportunity to tell Baek Kyoung
From Danny: Because you’re always working on music, you get cranky when we’re promoting. (He’s engrossed in music whenever he has free time, so I think he gets really exhausted.)
From Teddy: Try to have various hobbies, not just music.
From Jinhwan: You eat too little. (Contrary to appearances)

Three things Baek Kyoung really likes
Music, falling in love (I know it’s sad that the things I like and the things I succeed at are not the same!), reading fan letters.

Three things Baek Kyoung really hates
Dyeing my hair black and taking out my piercings for performances on television. [Some Korean TV stations had very strict rules at the time.]
Eating mackerel and garlic, arguing with people.

Stress relief technique
Reading fan letters.

The best way you ever spent money you earned
I earned money from working while I was in high school. I had a really serious conversation with an older girl I was working with. She had a terrible problem, so I lent it all to her. She couldn’t pay me back, of course, but I get a lump in my throat when I think about it even now. I didn’t tell my mother about it.

If you had all the money you could spend, what would you do with it?
First I’d buy sample CDs, I’d buy musical instruments, then I’d buy books and CDs with the money that’s left. I’d give presents to people I know.

The biggest lie you’ve ever told
I took 1,200,000 won from my mother’s card and bought a saxophone.

Something that made you cry recently
I always used to cry when my mother was angry. I regret the way I acted back then. Mother, I’m sorry. And father, I love you.

Baek Kyoung’s complex
I don’t have a complex.
My complex used to be my short stature and slim build, but now it doesn’t matter to me.

Fans who made Baek Kyoung sad
Fans who hit me for no reason and try to grab things I’m carrying.

Baek Kyoung’s 50 Q&As

1) The part of your body you’re most self-confident about?
I’m most confident about my fingernails and eyebrows.

2) Your mother’s conception dream? [Conception dreams, in Korea and other East Asian countries, are dreams that are said to foretell a baby's birth.]
My mother said she can’t remember!

3) Your favorite meal?
Ramyeon and pizza are my favorites.

4) Your favorite song to sing at karaoke?
Gyeooolbi by Kim Jong Seo
Ibame Kkuchul Japgo by Solid

5) Nicknames?
Cocorico, because I had a buzz-cut in junior high.

6) Most important album?
1TYM’s albums and Shim Soo Bong’s Guttae Gu Saram LP! My father really treasured that album.

7) The time when you hate yourself the most?
When I get angry too easily.

8) When do you think you look your best?
I look better when I’m with the other members of 1TYM.

9) Favorite animal?
I like small puppies and chicks.

10) What do you think you were in a past life?
A bird or a mouse.

11) Favorite color?
Purple.

12) Food you hate?
I don’t eat garlic or mackerel. Is that strange?

13) What do you do first thing after waking up?
First, I indulge in ten minutes of meditation. It’s not actually meditation, I just can’t wake up and I’m in a stupor.

14) How many hours per night do you sleep?
On normal days I sleep five or six hours a night. Depending on my schedule, though, I’ll reduce it to three or four hours a night.

15) If there’s a fan that left a lasting memory, please tell us
I remember all of our fans!

16) Recently, who did you talk to on the phone?
My mother and my friend Jung Tae.

17) What do you mainly do in your free time?
I work at home.
What do I work on? I write music!

18) Food you can cook properly?
Ramyeon, stir-fry. I have my own secret recipe!

19) Favorite TV program?
Love Request and Fun Saturdays. I also watch shows like Music Camp often.

20) Instruments you can play?
I can play the piano, saxophone and drums.
Jinhwan taught me how to drum a little.

21) Among the books you’ve read, which one made a deep impression on you?
Catcher In The Rye. It’s a little similar to my own student days.
Lately, I’ve been following Kwang-Su Saenggak [a comic strip] religiously.

22) When did you cry the most?
When my father died. And also when I’m away from the other members of 1TYM for a while.

23) Who do you want to meet the most right now?
My mother and my deceased father.

24) Make one wish.
Why ask such an obvious question?
I wish for 1TYM to continue smoothly and for my music skills to become outstanding.

25) What’s your IQ?
It was 134 in grade three, but it went down to 120 in my second year of high school!

26) The three things you’d bring with you to a deserted island?
My musical equipment (instruments) and a television.
People I’m close to (my family, 1TYM members, Hyun Suk, Jinusean).

27) What do you often drink?
I drink the ion supply drink Pocari Sweat a lot.

28) How much money do you spend in a month?
There’s no fixed amount. Every time there’s something I need to buy, I also buy a book.

29) Any special superstitions?
I can’t settle down to work if I don’t play a card game on my computer beforehand.

30) What will you do when the world ends?
I’ll sleep quietly.

31) Your most treasured possession?
My MIDI machine. And I treasure myself, but not the rest of 1TYM! It’s all about me again. In short, 1TYM is me!

32) Something your parents nagged you about?
Eat your food.

33) Which stage do you most want to try and be on?
I want to be on the stage of the Billboard Music Awards in America.

34) What kind of sports do you like?
None in particular. I like to watch baseball and diving.

35) The celebrity who’s closest to your ideal woman?
There’s none!

36) Your favorite perfume?
I like Polo, Tommy, Davidoff, Burberry, etc.

37) What country do you most want to visit?
India and France, America, South Africa.

38) How many phone numbers do you know by heart right now?
Office, Jinhwan, home, store, Jung Tae, my parents, my aunt… About that many?

39) Your favorite fashion style?
If I have to choose brands? Polo, Phatfarm, Tommy, Timberland.

40) Where do you hide out with your friends?
In junior high, it was the fine arts building, but in high school it was a little building that looked like a shed in front of the school.

41) Any sports you do to especially to keep healthy?
Rest and sleep.
I eat and exercise.

42) If you were a teacher, what subject would you teach?
Ethics, Korean history or world history.
If music class was hip-hop, maybe I could teach it.

43) What’s the movie that most impressed you?
The Power Of One and Forrest Gump.

44) If you became a movie star, what kind of part would you want to play?
Jung Woo Sung or Im Chang Jung’s roles in Beat. [A 1997 Korean movie about three friends who drop out of high school.]

45) What present do you want to receive the most?
Musical instruments, otherwise books.

46) Your quirk?
I’m always popping my joints. It feels really good!

47) When were you most seriously injured?
When I hit my forehead on the stairs in grade three and blood was gushing out.

48) What do you dislike the most about appearing on television or other media?
Since TV appearances are what I really want to do, there’s nothing unpleasant about them.

49) What’s your image of an ideal man?
Song Baek Kyoung, of course!

50) At what age do you want to get married?
I think about 30 or 35 years old would be good.