The Big Issue Korea No. 263 Cover Story A Type (2021)

In April this year, the 3 year period activities of IZ*ONE who were formed through a survival show has ended.
IZ*ONE has finished our activities at the appointed time, but we're still cheering for each other's individual paths. I hope all the members are happy and promoting healthily. I feel really bummed and I miss it (IZ*ONE), but IZ*ONE's activities has served as an opportunity for me to grow to another level over the past 3 years, and it remains as a very precious memory.

What was the most memorable moment during IZ*ONE's promotions?
The first concert was the most memorable. It was before COVID-19 so we were able to hold an offline concert, and because of that, I was able to hear the cheers of the fans and experience the venue vividly. I was full of drive as it was a 'first' that couldn't be experienced again. I'm really grateful for that time. I believe there will be another chance some day for me/us to meet my/our fans at concerts and music shows in person. We had an online concert this year to wrap up our activities, it was nice that we were able to create new performances, and as expected, I thought concerts are nice no matter online or offline. (laughs)

Don't you miss the members?
I don't miss them very much yet because I often see them on shows and personally from time to time. (laughs) Yuri and Yena came to watch the final broadcast of <SWF> and we went to Yuri's house afterwards and shared behind-the-scenes stories. When I was on the show, I get contacted a lot asking to know the results in advance but I said I'll never give spoilers and told them to check it via the broadcast. (laughs)

You were the only idol on <SWF>. Was there anything you were worried about as you started participating in the program?
I vaguely expected the format to be like Mnet's previous dance survival show <Hit The Stage> where the idols performed their own stage and competed. But this time, it was new because I'm the only idol and there were many dancers. As I started, it was nice because I thought SWF would be an opportunity to promote the culture of dancers but I was worried whether my participation would be helpful.

'WANT' is a project crew and you were formed in a team with dancers you met for the first time.
I didn't personally know any of all the dancers who appeared on the program including WANT. I've only seen an Instagram reel of Emma from our team dancing before. (laughs) I needed time to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. Everyone looked strong and cool on the outside but their true personalities were friendly and kind so they greeted me first, accepted my greetings well and also worried about me. We filmed in a nice and warm atmosphere.

What did you learn while forming a new team?
Everyone's individual abilities were outstanding but it was hard to match each other as a team, but throughout the entire process, I learned that we can match each other even in a short period of time if we do our best. I think we've grown more as we carry out various missions together. Especially me who had a lot to learn because it was my first time becoming a dancer.

What's the difference between the dances by the dancers and the dances as an idol like you did previously?
Should I say, so far, I have danced to show myself? There are different parts dancers and idols pay attention to when dancing. It was difficult because I had never practiced dancing like a dancer. Starting from the area of the body we use, the points we pay attention to are completely different so I tried to make my movements bigger and exert more power.

You had the nickname 'Feather Chaeyeon' because your movements are accurate and your dance lines are pretty even though you danced lightly. Wouldn't there be any new genres you'd like to try as you came across various dance genres during <SWF>?
I have been pursuing light dance lines and I like dancing like that. However, I learned through this program that I lacked the aspect of dancing heavily or expressing the groove in my body. I thought I should learn professional genres as I met dancers who did various genres. I gained interest in waacking and voguing now and I'd like to try modern dance. If I master other genres, I think I can further strengthen the merits of my dancing and make it an overall strength of mine. (laughs)

If you were to pick a legendary performance by WANT and other crews?
I felt that our crew was strong when each member of WANT were divided into leader, second, sub, and assist rank during the Rank Mission. We were a project crew, so we lacked teamwork. I chose the Rank Mission as our legendary one because the members' individual abilities were outstanding and the crews did a great job. Ah, we can't forget the last elimination battle as well. Every scene starting from the group routine until the end of the 7th round were memorable. And also, there were so many legendary ones among other crews' stage (laughs), CocaNButter and Prowdmon's performances during the Mega Crew Mission were amazing. I was able to witness many new masterpieces during the Mega Crew Mission and I felt the thrill when many people danced together.

Would IZ*ONE who had twelve members be comparable to a Mega Crew?
Having twelve members is considered a lot of people for a girl group and the flow of the movements can be complicated, but we are able to express various movement flows and formations so I think it's our strength. But I've never imagine I would form a huge mega crew with more than 40 people and perform a stage on <SWF>. It was very meaningful because I felt like I had an experience that couldn't be encountered in the future.

Weki Meki (Choi) Yoojung, LOONA's Yves, and rapper (Lee) Youngji who were known for dancing well in the Mega Crew mission, were you originally close to them?
Yoojung was casted through the relationship we spent together during our trainee days. I knew Yves unnie personally. We wanted to perform together so she got casted. Through the relationship build via <SWF>, I helped Youngji to film a dance video for YouTube. Yoojung had a comeback and we helped each other and danced together while filming dance challenges too. (laughs)

On the day of WANT's elimination, how did you feel when you were in charge of the last battle out of the 7 rounds?
I don't know where did that spirit came from, but I just wanted to dance. I was so out of it that I didn't even feel pressured, and I did my very best with the thought of wanting to finish it by showing something.

Comparing the first and the last battle, we can feel that your attitude towards battling was completely different, and that you gave much thoughts about it. The judges' comments were like that too.
Actually, I haven't watched the battle videos I did in the beginning, but during the last elimination battle, I liked my mindset and gaze so that's the only video I watched (laughs).

The most difficult moment while filming the program?
I was pointed out and had to do the worst dancer battle after the Rank Mission, and it was a situation where our crew would be deducted points if I lose. The thought of becoming a minus to my team members distresses me so I was upset. It doesn't matter if I'm the only one to bear it, but it's a minus for the entire team so it was really weighing on my mind.

You often brought up that you were sorry for always receiving the spotlight, and it was cool to see you care for your team members and working hard.
Since I did 6 battles alone in the 1~2 episodes, I would've appeared a lot from having many footage. However, I felt really sorry towards my team members. I wanted to highlight better dancers and my team members rather than showing my story.

You must've had a difficult time frequently going up the battle ring, but you did your best until the end with responsibility and perseverance. What's your real personality like?
I try hard not to lose my positive attitude. There are many people who think I look gloomy because there were many scenes of me crying, but actually, my personality is on the bright side. I'm bright, witty, and very nosy so I really like helping others.

Since it was your fourth appearance on a survival show, you must've felt the burden to produce results.
If I were to say this straightforwardly, it's true that I thought people might get tired because I used up my image as much as my frequent appearances on survival shows. However, I'm glad that I was able to show different sides of me because each program has completely different characteristics. During <K-pop Star>, I was a student attending a dance academy, I was a trainee during <SIXTEEN>, an idol through <PRODUCE 48>, and it was like I experienced being a dancer through <SWF>. What should I do next? (laughs)

Any memorable moments from the support of your fans you received this time?
They worried a lot about me, and the most memorable words were "I support all your challenges". In fact, challenges are processes. Though there are also times I create good results, I can't avoid failures. From the fans' point of view, it would be difficult to witness those moments of failures. If I'm having it hard, the fans will also feel the same, so I was always sorry whenever I go through those processes. I could've went leisurely and I was worried that fans would have a hard time because it was a challenge, but I was touched because they said that to me. When I heard it, I thought I should earn a lot from this challenge.

What is 'challenge' to Lee Chaeyeon?
I think more and more people view me as an icon of challenge over various programs. I thought of the need to try my best in order to continue giving good influence. My life motto is 'Let's do our best in the given situation'. So I'll try to do my best whenever I have a chance.(laughs)

These days, what is something you did your best for?
I'm doing my best to think these days. I've been thinking about creating my own genre, I'm thinking 'What is something that is "me"?' 'What is something that is "23 year old"?'. I'm still searching for the answer.

Is there a new activity that you want to try?
I'm interested in TikTok. It's good to grasp a good angle and do cover performances but I'd also like to film it a little light and fun.

You create your own choreography too these days.
I thought I should practice a lot while mastering bit by bit on the way to choreograph. I still don't like all the choreographies I made, so I want to find the courage to work on the things I like while practicing after amending and revising them.

What keywords would you like to be reflected on for your promotions in the future?
I'm thinking about it, but anyhow, things that are Chaeyeon-like would be repeated challenge, good energy, and growth. I want to continue surprising people with my dancing. Comparing myself this year to last year, I have grown considerably and I realised that life is a repetition of challenges and development. (laughs)

What is something you think you've improved a lot from last year?
I think my outlook has broadened a lot and having these kind of concerns itself is growth. I can do what I'm given, but I think I've become more matured when I think about the path I'll be venturing in the future.

It's the end of the year soon, is there anything you'd like to try within this year?
I want to sing a carol. I'm just thinking about it, but since my birthday is coming up in winter, I want to plan an event that I could show on my birthday.

We'll be looking forward to it. Lastly, please say a word to the readers of <Big Issue>.
I know that <Big Issue> is a magazine with good objectives. I often saw them being sold mainly at Gangnam station. It's a huge honour to be filming a pictorial and to have an interview like this and I feel proud. I hope the readers could receive a lot of my positive energy. (laughs)

by: flywitheleven / flyingeleven
scan by: flowerchaen and https://lovelygx9.tistory.com/107 (full scan)
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이채연의 성장 서사는 이채연으로부터 시작된다

http://content.v.daum.net/v/kD0xRVm8pf

'스우파'의 유일한 아이돌 멤버로 살아남기

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'K팝스타'부터 '스우파'까지, 도전의 프로 이채연의 다음은

behind the scenes: naver.me/Gz2Ee3kF