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상세 컨텐츠
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“Youngjae-ya, what changes have happened to you in a year?”
ERIC: In the past, Sohn Youngjae didn't have much confidence. Although I pretended to have one, honestly, looking back, I think I do. I used to have these thoughts before. I believe that if you look at it closely, in THE BOYZ, I'm not the member with neither outstanding visuals nor was I able to showcase a striking talent in dance and rap. How will I have at least one position that will stand out? I clung to these worries. I also want to do well with my role in THE BOYZ, or with me if I follow my desire and greed. I would like to do more than that. I have a lot of dreams and goals that are pressing me at the corner of my heart. At the top of my mind, I thought, if I didn't achieve each one of my goals, I would feel disappointed in myself. Just by imagining this, I didn't like how I would look if I pursued it. So I decided I would save it somewhere for now. Rather than dealing with frustration or blaming myself, I changed my mindset by focusing on what I could do now. The form of goals I have saved for a while also changed little by little over time. There's no specific reason for it; I just think it changed naturally. In a way, my impatience gradually faded when I saw the fans who constantly supported and waited for me. I feel like neither 'being better than other people' nor 'being among the best people' should be my goal. I was encouraged and even excited when I decided to turn my eyes to myself and not mind other people. Thus, I draw myself as someone who grew up more than I did in the past. Also, when I focused on myself, I was able to find my own style, and I felt confident that I could make it better. For me, a simple change already delivers a big change. Ok, then I'll develop my own style. Although I can't be the main character in other people's lives, I'm going to be the 'main character' of my life. The attitude of making my way confidently and actively without worrying about what other people think of me was the biggest and proudest change that has happened to me in a year.
"People say that I talk a lot. What do I think about it?"
ERIC: I love myself, who talks a lot. People half jokingly and half seriously say that 'Eric talks a lot.' People say it a lot with both positive and negative connotations, but honestly, whenever I hear those, it gives me the idea that it's not good, and it bothered me a lot. There's a saying that if you shorten your words, you still have the other half of what you want to say, so how should I talk less? Should I just keep quiet? Moreover, my fans liked me for being talkative. I eventually realized that 'Yes, this is my charm too.' Honestly, it's actually me; perhaps I don't need to fix it since it's a part of my identity too. It's nice when my talkativeness makes people feel delighted and refreshed. Moreover, as much as I talk a lot, it also makes me sympathize and listen well to what other people say. In this way, I can focus on the positive side of it. Most of all, I enjoy talking and communicating with people. If what I'm saying doesn't hurt people or bother them, and they get to enjoy it, is there really a need for me to change or hide it?
"Sohn Youngjae, do you have confidence?"
ERIC: My passion and confidence are tremendous. It's not that I have the best skills, but if I also don't have confidence, will people like me? I think it's hard to like someone who's timid and blames themselves. But I didn't force myself to have such confidence. However, I will not settle and will develop a variety of skills in different aspects to be competent, so I will not be a person with only confidence. I'm challenging myself by composing a song; I voluntarily request a lot of dance and vocal lessons too, and I put in a lot of effort to become an all-rounder in different fields. However, as I've mentioned earlier, the set of standards that I would like to reach is not what others have set or the wrong things, such as 'You're going to be the best!' But I would rather draw my own future. When I fill this blank, I think people will get more excited and be more supportive of me.
"The source of my strength."
ERIC: I have confidence in my future. It's worth investing in! I believe it's because I have the potential. In an interview last year, I talked about having 'potential' as one of my strengths. Now, I think after putting in the effort, that 'possibility' is turning into a 'potential'. I think this will help me be a skilled artist in the future, where I will be able to showcase my own color and personality as an artist. There are a lot of things I want to do. As THE BOYZ Eric, I'd like to do various things in music on stage if there is a chance of doing a unit, solo, emcee of a show, acting, etc. Of course, as big as my desires are, I know well that I will have to put in a lot of effort and there will be consequences. I'm still looking for what kind of person I would like to be. Therefore, I now know that I'm able to grow because I compare myself with my past and not with others. One thing's for sure: the present me and the future I created by me and not by others.
"Me, a year later."
ERIC: I honestly think that there will be no big difference between the present me and the year after me. Except that, I think I'll get a bit taller (hehe). I want to ask myself again after a year, 'Are you happy? ' or 'Are you proud of yourself? .'If by then I answer with, 'Yes,' I hope that I'm a step closer to the stage of completing the future I've drawn. I hope next year I will be old enough to talk about music and quality of life. I hope I'll find a specific answer for my future. Lastly, I would like to compliment the current me by saying, 'You're doing well enough.'
