#yoonmi.interview

[ggukkiedae]

Interview

Miya: “I dedicated my life to this career path around eleven years ago, and I’ve grown as a person in the past eleven years.”

BTS Butter album release interview

2021.08.02

Yoonmi spoke throughout the interview in a relaxed manner, confident in her answers and sharing her opinions without hesitation. She didn’t let anything influence her answers, they were all her own. She was herself.

Firstly, congratulations! “Butter” has been number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks now. (This interview took place on July 13)

Miya: Thank you! It was such a surprise to hear that it stayed there for so long. I never really try to keep track of rankings because I want to enjoy making my music and not either feel pressured to beat records or get disappointed if I don’t... But it’s always a really nice surprise to be faced with news like this. Though I still can’t help but feel quite nervous when I hear news like that.

Do these nervous feelings come with the increasing international fanbase that just develops over time?

Miya: A little bit, yeah. I’m a people pleaser. More often than not, I like to try my best and satisfy everyone that I can, and I get upset with myself if I can’t do that. I always begin with making music for myself, but sometimes releasing things to the public can make you feel anxious to see if people like it.

What about satisfying yourself? I’m sure that, with the self-love messages you and the rest of the group have been spreading, you’ve learned to prioritize your own thoughts and satisfaction.

Miya: It really depends. When it comes to my music, I have strong opinions. The oppas can tell you how irritable I get when it comes to production when things don’t go the way I want it. I’m the same way with certain opinions. I’m sure ARMY know I can get stubborn when it comes to certain opinions I have or situations I’m in. When it comes to myself, though, I like to put my friends’ and family’s opinion of myself over my own. If I don’t do that, then I probably wouldn’t love myself. (laughs)

Is this why you decided to release fully English songs?

Miya: (laughs) First of all, that wasn’t a solo decision, we decided on it as a group and with the company. No, it’s not because of my weird need to satisfy people, it was because we, as a group, believe that the release would be best expressed in English, especially with the style of music we chose.

The past three singles you’ve released have all been in English. As someone who grew up speaking English, how is that for you?

Miya: Honestly, I don’t have too much of a big opinion on making music in English. Music is music, and language doesn’t really matter, does it? We can understand each other quite well through melodies. But, all that aside, it’s another language that I’m comfortable in, so I guess I’m pretty thankful I could express myself clearly.

Is it easier for you to express yourself in English?

Miya: Not necessarily. (laughs) I know it seems like I struggle with Korean, but it’s really just me trying to remember to not speak in dialect. I like to think that I express myself well in both languages to be able to fully portray the songs we perform. Sometimes, though, I do tend to mix languages up. You can catch me trying to speak in English and forgetting the word so I have to say it in Korean. It happens vice versa, and sometimes with the other languages I speak. Yeah, I’m a mess in my head.

Do you have plans of releasing a fully English solo album one day?

Miya: Who knows? I’ll go wherever the wind takes me. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t made two fully English songs for my solos on two different BTS albums, right? But I’m comfortable with my Korean music right now. It’s the language of the music I mostly grew up on, so I like making songs in Korean. Maybe one day I will, though.

Your releases so far have been group songs. Are there any plans for a solo comeback this year? Especially after you won Best Solo Dance Performance in 2020’s MAMA with “Play”?

Miya: Oh, wow, I didn’t think you’d bring up “Play”. (laughs) Why did you bring that up? I feel embarrassed! Gosh, I mean, I might be working on something right now, but things are all up in the air. To be honest, there’s no pause for me when it comes to working on music. If I’m not doing school work or hanging out with my friends and family, I’m most likely working on something. You can say I’m always preparing, but plans are never really set.

We’ll be looking forward to your next song and its performance then. Speaking of which, you helped with the performance aspect of “Permission to Dance”. J-Hope mentioned you were the one to suggest and integrate sign language into the choreography. What made you do so?

Miya: Oh, it’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while. Because I was curious and a little confused, I did research when I was younger about how hearing impaired people enjoyed music, and they did so through the vibrations and visual performance. I wanted to know how to step it up. Then BTOB sunbaenim released “Missing You”, integrating sign language into their choreography. Not to forget, I also saw this one ARMY in particular during one of our concerts back then signing along to our music for I think their hearing impaired friend. I felt inspired by that, and I’ve been wanting to do this for so long so more people can enjoy our music and performances. I’m just glad I was given the opportunity to do this and that the higher ups thought it was a good idea this time around.

It’s nice that you’ve always been vocal about being inclusive and respectful to different types of people.

Miya: Thank you, I really try to speak about this. It’s honestly something I hope is talked about more. Everyone in the world is different. Some may have different needs, situations, traditions, preferences, or anything like that, but no one deserves to be left out. No one deserves to be disrespected for having different music tastes, ages, or places of origin. Honestly, the only time a person deserves to be disrespected is if they themselves are disrespectful, but I still think handling things in a more diplomatic approach would be better. To those reading this interview, violence is not the answer. (laughs)

You’ve even scolded ARMY on lives when things seem to get a little rough on the internet. What made you do this?

Miya: Oh, yeah. (laughs) Is it weird that I scolded them? I don’t think so. It just gets a little too much on the internet, sometimes. I don’t really see the need for it, though. Everyone just wants to enjoy their music, no matter how different everyone’s personal taste is. Simple, if you don’t listen to what someone else listens to, then life goes on. If someone doesn’t listen to what you like listening to, then life is still going on. Is there a need to fight when you can just take all your energy and focus it on the things that make you happy and give you comfort?

There are people, however, who disrespect ARMY as well as your music quite often. What do you think of these people? What can you say to them?

Miya: I guess thank you for letting us occupy your thoughts even for just a little bit. It means we had some sort of impact on you.

You don’t think they’re bad people?

Miya: Well, it’s not like they committed some type of crime worthy enough of sending them to prison for years. Besides, it’s not like people who are mean, for lack of better words, to us are mean to everyone. It’s not like they can’t go through self-cultivation and learn to handle their dislikes better. Keep in mind, we also don’t know their situations. They could be going through something that makes them release through doing things like leaving bad comments or picking fights on the internet. I’m not saying we should excuse them, I’m just saying that I understand, and I hope things get better for them.

This is why you have the image as the Confucius of Kpop.

Miya: People say that? Why have I never heard of this? (laughs) Oh no, I feel like people are going to think of me as a moral compass... I’m not! I stay up late, I cheat on diets, I used to sneak out of the dorm and hotels before the whole virus situation. Please don’t expect much of me. I’m just a normal 21-year-old. Oh wait, I’m still 19 to the rest of the world, right?

At such a young age, you’ve already achieved so much. Is there anything you would like to tell your younger self?

Miya: There’s a lot of things I’d like to tell my younger self, but I think the thing I’d emphasize to her is that things will get better. Younger me had a pretty rough time, which may seem weird to say considering I’m not actually old. Little Yoonmi struggled, though. She was exhausted in more ways than one, so I want her to know that things will get better for her. That she’ll end up doing what she loves surrounded by people who love her and will be by her side for a long time.

You’ve really come a long way.

Miya: I’d like to think that I did. I mean, I dedicated my life to this career path around eleven years ago, and I’ve grown as a person in the past eleven years. There were highs and lows, but here I am. I’m pretty happy.

How is it that you’ve still managed to keep the same personality you’ve had back in your debut years all the way until now?

Miya: I don’t actually know. (laughs) Having my members around me all the time kind of just reminds me of trainee days and the times we weren’t, well, big yet. I guess seeing them keeps the same thoughts in my head. I’m doing music with some of my favorite people in the world. We’re working hard. We want to show our colors to the world. You know, those kinds of things. Plus the familiarity of everything! Do you know they still treat me like I’m a child?

Your members do tend to forget you’re an adult. How does this affect the recording progress when it’s you working as the recording and production engineer?

Miya: That’s different, you can say. The oppas are professional, and they acknowledge me as someone who knows what works for the song. When they have something they want to try out and change, they speak to me the way they do to our producers. Sure, the oppas do it a lit when we’re messing around, but no one has ever pulled the age card in the middle of production. It was pretty weird at first, but we got used to it. Besides, it’s not like I have an iron grip on everything. I mostly just lay the foundation on tracks I work on, the oppas build on everything.

Were there ever times where you felt like you couldn’t express your opinion to the others due to the age gap?

Miya: These questions are so strange. (laughs) Of course, back when I was new to the company. Yoongi oppa started teaching me that it was okay to speak my thoughts, though, and the oppas all respect my opinions as well. It’s nice because I grew up being shot down every time I tried to express my own thoughts before I met the oppas. From them, I learned that I deserve respect as well, even if I am quite a bit younger.

The older members seem to have influenced you a lot.

Miya: That is true. They practically raised me, so I guess it’s inevitable that I adapted quite a lot of traits and thoughts from them. It’s nice though because they raised me in a way where they ask me how I think as well, so I was able to form my own opinions rather than just go along with what they say. Given, I may be a little... stubborn with my thoughts, but I like it that they were pretty open to letting me think on my own and that they only stepped in when I had a really hard time or asked them for help.

The members really raised you well. Despite that, though, there were conflicts within the group. Some stories were vaguely shared in other interviews, yeah? How did you deal with these conflicts?

Miya: (laughs) Sorry, I get amused every time someone brings up any of our fights. It depends. Sometimes we’d have a group meeting right away. Sometimes we’d let our heads cool off for a while before talking then having a group meeting. Oh, now that I think of it, group meetings are the key. It really helps a lot to be able to sit and talk about things and sometimes get an outsider’s point of view if the conflict is between two or a few members.

Are there any stories from recently that led to you having group meetings? Maybe from the preparation of BTS 2021 MUSTER SOWOOJOO or “Butter”?

Miya: Nothing really too big, but I can remember when we were discussing the encore outfits for SOWOOJOO. I really wanted to wear our pajama merchandise instead of the shirts and the jackets. (laughs) I thought it would be funny, especially since I’m sure there would be ARMY wearing pajamas while watching as well. Namjoonie oppa told me that it would be better if I wear the pajamas on a live instead of the concert, so that’s what I did! With Ggukoo oppa, as well!

I watched your recent live. Your pajamas looked really good. Anyway, you and Jungkook played other Kpop artists’ songs as well, which is something that idols don’t really do. You tend to do that every time you go live, actually.

Miya: Thank you! It took me forever to convince him to wear the pajamas with me. Also yeah, of course I’d play other groups’ songs! It’s not any different from playing western artists’ songs, anyway. I think people tend to have this huge misconception of us that because we’re too busy with our own music that we don’t listen to anyone else. That’s completely false! I’m constantly trying to broaden my music taste, so I experiment by listening to different artists. There is also the fact that I’m supporting my friends, my brother, and, well, my boyfriend. (laughs)

Don’t you think ARMY want to hear your songs on your lives?

Miya: Maybe, but I also want to share what I’ve been listening to with them. It’s a little like an exchange between friends. For example, I introduced Troye Sivan music to Ggukoo oppa back then, and he introduced me to Lauv’s music. It’s similar to that with me sharing my music taste to ARMY. It’s nice to see them sharing their own recommendations as well in the comments and on Weverse.

You have a very close and friendly relationship with ARMY, don’t you?

Miya: I like to think so. (laughs) They’re very sweet to me, so it’s only right that I’m very sweet to them as well. I like making it feel like it’s easy to reach me. I like reading their stories and replying on Weverse. ARMY are my friends, and no one can tell me otherwise!

What’s one instance which shows of your closeness with ARMY?

Miya: Oh! I used to release an Among Us code online and play with ARMY thrice a week! I would continue it, but I’ve been preoccupied with other things. (laughs) I just remembered. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but everyone already knows, anyway. I like going online and finding what ARMY talks about and whatever is trending with them, then I bring it up on Weverse or V LIVE and watch them panic over how I found out. It’s funny, but they do tell more stories or react under my oosts or in the comments, so it’s nice.

Is there any side of yourself you want to show them that you don’t think they know yet?

Miya: I... I don’t think there’s a side of my personality that they haven’t seen yet. They know so many things about me, some embarrassing stuff, too. I guess there isn’t anything much to expose about myself. Oh, in terms of performance! I constantly want to show a better side of myself, so I’ll be working hard on that. Maybe I’ll try a new genre of music or just come back with a better performance level, I don’t know.

I’m sure ARMY will be looking forward to your future stages. Thank you for the interview, Miya.

Miya: Thank you as well! It was a pleasure!

I really enjoyed that live, by the way. You should do more of those, and with your dogs, too.

Miya: Oh, you think so? (laughs) As long as I have time, why not?

Credit

Article. Myungseok Kang

Interview. Myungseok Kang

Visual Director. Yurim Jeon

Project Management. Yejin Lee

Visual Creative Team. Sunkyoung Lee, Yeonhwa Cha(BIGHIT MUSIC)

Photography. LESS / Assist. Hyungsang Kim, Donghoon Park

Hair. Som Han, Mujin Choi, Daeun Lee, Leeyoung Lim

Makeup. Dareum Kim, Seonmin Kim, Yuri Seo

Stylist. Hajeong Lee, Hyesoo Kim, Heeji Seo, Jihoon Lee, Minji Son

Set Design. Seoyun Choi, Yehui Son, Ayeong Kim(darak)

Artist Protocol Team. Jingu Jang, Subin Kim, Jungmin Lee, Dasol Ahn, Juntae Park, Seungbyeong Lee, Hyeonki Lee, Daeseong Jeong, Jaekeun Song

[ggukkiedae]

request for yoonmi on carpool karaoke :)

i gotchu hun! we’re doing this bullet style though if you donmt mind 🥰

everything she says is gonna be in english soooo yeah i wont do the italics thing for this ✊🏻

they unfolded the seat in between namjoon and james for her to sit on

“i really felt i needed eight people in the car to get to work properly” “you’re one strange man, james” “yes, yes i am”

tiny yoonmi in between namjoon and james vibing during mic drop just had her giggling and she couldn't rap properly because of how much she was giggling

“get it, jin oppa!”

the dance break part happened and she just “woah, i can feel the car bouncing”

he asked her and namjoon if they usually acted as translators and she just

“i’m actually not the best with korean, so we have rm oppa for that!” “that is a lie, princess”

“so how’d you guys learn english, again?” “i grew up in like england then la then the philippines, so yeah. but rm oppa learned from friends!” “watching the show friends?”

she heard seokjin and yoongi’s conversation in the back and had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing

when seokjin said he couldn’t understand but just laugh, she went into a fit of giggles and turned her head around to look at him. they made eye contact, and they both just laughed harder

singing the friends theme song, she didn’t clap along but waited to see if anyone would make a mistake

finesse playing and she nailed cardi b’s part with the boys hyping her up

“ggukoo oppa go!” “ooooh don’t we look good together”

she was straight up vibing to finesse

“girl you got it going on” she and jungkook accidentally harmonized and they just looked at each other like O.O

when asking about nicknames after tae said he was good boy james asked her “how bout our international sweetheart? any more nicknames?”

“i’ve had one since 2013, it’s nation’s makdungie? i can’t translate that wait” “wow, it’s been years. i heard you’re also called one of the princesses of kpop?” “oh yeah! it’s me, nct’s hannah, and now tomorrow by together’s seri! they’re good friends of mine and people just started calling us that for some reason” “well, it’s true. how about you jimin, i heard you were called mochi?”

she lost it at “you’re papa mochi”

her bridge part with jungkook got the car going silent during on

after the whole dumpling discussion, namjoon just “honestly our two youngests, too. miya and jk” “oh?”

“they fight about everything, but they’re never big arguments” hoseok clarified which namjoon translated

“but you two are best friends, right?” “right, so we get over fights in like seconds, right, oppa?”

she turned around to face jungkook who booped her nose “right”

then a familiar melody started playing and she laughed “why are you playing wannabe?”

hoseok was vibing the hardest out of everyone

and for some reason all the boys knew every word which had her shookt?

“so miya, as my honorary korean daughter, we have to talk about this. nct’s mark is on this track” “oh my god! i knew you’d bring this up!”

she was laughing while the members oohed at the mention of her (recently revealed to the public) boyfriend “bet you had to ask management for special permission on that, huh?”

“how long have you been dating?” “almost two years now, actually. why is this a big deal though? we’re just dating like everyone does? i bet you’ve done dates, james” “well, yes, but you’re international sweetheart! the world needs to know you’re being treated right!”

she smiled at the thought of mark “he treats me very well, thank you. next song!”

namjoon ruffled her hair lightly at that as james laughed and played black swan

when asked who she was most excited to meet, she deadass went “aside from shinee i think niall horan? yeah and ariana grande... oh! and troye sivan! troye, if you’re watching this, hi!”

when they were listening to circles, she was harmonizing with everyone

seokjin asked namjoon to ask what james would do if they were 9 instead of 8 and she laughed at james’s implication of joining the group

they pulled up to a dance studio and she was putting in minimal effort for the dance they suddenly joined

“i don’t like working out” she gasped out while doing the next dance

she was laughing when jimin was teaching the choreo for on “maybe we should have taught gogo instead”

[ggukkiedae]

WEVERSE MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

Miya: “I’m not the same person I was back in 2013.”

BTS BE comeback interview

2020.11.30

When I first interviewed 13-year-old Miya, she was very unsure of herself and relied on having RM sit with her. Now, at 20-years-old and finally an adult, she expresses herself well and confidently despite being on her own. She grew into a more independent and outspoken version of herself with a mature outlook, yet never lost her youth.

You’ve grown a lot since debut.

Miya: I grew 13 centimeters, yeah. (laughs) On a serious note, though, I agree. I’ve experienced so much since debut, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything that’s happened so far. I grew to be the way I am today because of the things I’ve experienced in the past decade, actually.

One of those experiences must include your general fame internationally. You’ve won Awards in America and performed on some of their big shows. You even topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Dynamite”.

Miya: I still can’t believe we did that, honestly. It’s like one day I’m my young self watching SHINee on my brother’s computer and accompanying him to music events, the next I’m producing and writing for our I think 19th or 20th album and filming interviews with shows I used to watch other celebrities feature on. It’s such a big honor that we can do that today. And “Dynamite” topping the Top 100? You don’t know how ecstatic all of us were knowing we were able to do that.

You’ve written a lot of personal songs in the past. Your solo on Map of the Soul: 7, especially exposed your inner thoughts.

Miya: That is correct. Music is my way of expressing myself. It’s like a diary, and that’s why my studio is called M.Y. Diary. (laughs) To be honest, we all tend to be a little more personal when writing songs, especially our solos. This time around, though we were able to put our thoughts together and channel all our emotions about the current pandemic situation into Be.

You worked with Jungkook on the song “Stay”. How was it to have a song that you two produced together after a long time?

Miya: Ggukoo oppa and I have been talking about working on something together for the longest time. The opportunity came when he was working on his mixtape, and he asked me to help him out with the last track. We really liked the idea of having an upbeat yet nostalgic song, so we tried out EDM for this. I guess the members liked it a lot, so we decided to put it on the album. It was fun to work not just with him, but also with Seokjinnie oppa and Namjoonie oppa.

I imagine that, as assistant music director and head producer, you had a lot of input on all of the songs on the album.

Miya: Well, I guess you could say that. (laughs) Namjoonie oppa and I worked closest together since he’s the head music director and assistant producer. To be honest, we just compiled everyone’s opinions and ideas while working on the songs and the tracklist. We both worked at least a little bit on each track, but we mostly just solidified what everyone was conceptualizing. I’m actually surprised the members all insisted on making me head producer, but it’s nice to know they trust me enough to basically help manage the sound and music quality of our album.

Were any of the members being nitpicky?

Miya: We all were nitpicky, to be honest. (laughs) We’re all a little crazy when it comes to our music. We want everything to sound a specific way and to feel a specific way before we release it to the public. Not to mention Be in particular tackles our emotions from the pandemic. We wanted to make sure we relayed our thoughts well so that people can listen to the album and relate or even feel comforted. So, yes, we were all pretty nitpicky. (laughs)

“Dis-ease” is another song I found intriguing. J-hope told me about it’s concept and how you two came up with it. Are there any events in particular when you felt the song’s message about your work?

Miya: It’s a little typical, but I sometimes would stop working and just think to myself, “I can’t do this. Not right now”. It’s usually when I have homework to do, though. But then I also want to go back to work when I’m doing other things, so I was confused for a bit. This is actually exactly what Hobi oppa and I talked about when we were writing this. He did most of the writing, though. I just added a few small things.

Have you ever had a bad burnout over the past few months where you didn’t want to work?

Miya: It was more of a mini-crisis than it was a burnout. When this whole thing started, I was already upset about not being able to show our ARMY what we prepared for them. Then, time went on, and nothing was really allowing us to continue with our plan. I just got more and more scared. I didn’t know if the ARMYs would grow tired of us after not seeing us live for so long. Ggukoo oppa had a really long talk about that, and that’s where we got the initial concept of “Stay,” actually.

“Blue & Grey” tackles a more sensitive topic. You all expressed your darker thoughts through this song.

Miya: I wouldn’t say it as our darker thoughts. I’d rather say it’s more of just our internal struggle. I don’t want to paint it in a negative light when these are some things a lot of people go through. We want these people going through similar things to know they are not alone, and it’s okay to feel like that sometimes.

You’re known as a happy person, so hearing your thoughts through this track must be a shock to a lot of people.

Miya: I’d like to disagree, actually. I’m not exactly a happy person. Well, I wasn’t back then. I’m just surrounded by people who make me happy. Everyone close to me have all helped build me into my more positive mindset now, but it still gets a little grey and blue in my mind. I’m sure ARMY knows about this, but I’m someone who can’t deal with people walking out of my life well. And there’s always that fear of these people doing just that.

This reminds me of your line in the song. “Please don’t leave me alone, it hurts too much”.

Miya: It seems a little dramatic taken out of context. (laughs) But, yes, that’s basically the bulk of my thoughts. I think Tae oppa did really well with the overall vibe of the song, so I wanted to do him justice by giving out the emotions he aimed for. Do you know that this was supposed to be on his mixtape? I’m really honored he let us put this masterpiece in our album.

He cares about the group that much, I’m guessing. Hopefully your fear of people walking out of your life doesn’t include the members, considering how much you all care for each other.

Miya: I can’t say I don’t fear it because it’s probably my biggest fear, but I know it won’t happen. I think it was two years ago, we all sat down and talked about our future as a group. We all agreed that we wanted to be together for a long time. It doesn’t matter where or how, but we just all want to be around each other. I know they’ll keep that promise, so, whenever this fear surfaces, the oppas somehow are able to tell, and they remind me of what we promised to each other.

You sound a lot more mature now compared to when I first interviewed you.

Miya: I’d hope so. (laughs) I was way too naive back then, and I was mostly unaware of what was going on. I like to think I grew up well, especially with the oppas helping me. I’m not the same person I was back in 2013. I’m stronger, more skillful, more confident, and more sure of myself. I think you can tell through my music, too. Especially with the Be album.

What are some things that you did in order to grow confident?

Miya: I didn’t do much, to be honest. Back then, I got a lot of negative backlash, so I hid myself in a shell. The oppas and my family worked really hard to pull me out of that shell, and I’m so thankful to them for that. I really am just surrounded by some of the best people. The Bangtan oppas always made sure to remind me of my skills and abilities. They showed me a lot of love, as well. My blood brother worked hard to be able to take care of me, and Channie oppa is always giving me advice and talking me through my thoughts. He and Namjoonie oppa are very similar in that way.

Let’s talk about “Life Goes On”. You’re the song’s producer and main lyricist. How did the members pick your song as the title track?

Miya: First of all, I’d like to say Pdogg oppa helped me with the production, and the rest of the rap line helped me greatly with the lyrics. Secondly, I really don’t know. (laughs) I was messing around on the guitar once, and Yoongi oppa heard what I was playing. He asked me to play it for everyone, and I guess they liked it. We built on it a little bit, played with lyrics and concepts and all. Eventually, the rapline oppas and I finished a raw version of it and sent it to Pdogg oppa who added more instrumentals. Now, “Life Goes On” sounds like this, and we’re promoting it.

You’re doing well as producer and music director, then.

Miya: Thank you!

The song itself is very comforting, especially with the pandemic situation.

Miya: Well, that is what we were going for. It’s just a little reminder that we still continue to live on despite the new reality we’re facing. We mentioned it during the 75th UN General Assembly. Life goes on, so let’s live on. Just because this pandemic is stopping us from doing the usual things we’re used to, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line.

You seem to be adamant about this.

Miya: I got a little bit louder, didn’t I? (laughs) It’s just because I realized this myself. When COVID-19 first led to all these lockdowns, I felt helpless. Like I mentioned previously, I was scared. I was frustrated. I thought, “There’s nothing I can do, now.” but there is something I can do. I’m fortunate enough to still be able to work, so I want to be able to spread positivity and comfort through the platform we have.

It sounds like you had an eventful quarantine. How have you been spending it?

Miya: To be fair, I mostly spent it with the Bangtan oppas, friends, and my biological brother’s family. You can ask ARMYs, I’ve posted many pictures and videos of my niece. As much as I want to say I spent time with my family, Channie oppa has been a little busy, and I haven’t gotten the chance to go back to Australia, either. I guess I can say this now as well, now that the public knows. I’ve been spending time with Mark oppa.

Your relationship became a big topic in the whole world, didn’t it?

Miya: Yes, and it’s a little funny. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal. I mean, it’s our lives, and we’re people, too. What’s the big deal with it that we actually made headlines? (laughs) It’s just a little bit of a shame that we didn’t get to reveal it on our own terms.

It’s great to know you have been living like how you would even if you weren’t the Nation’s Makdungie or the International Sweetheart. I heard from your Skit in this album that you drink now.

Miya: (laughs) I do! I’m an adult now, so the oppas can invite me to drink with them with actual alcohol instead of just juice or milk like they used to give me. They were all pretty excited when they realized I could drink with them. Well, Seokjinnie oppa had a little crisis because he was reminded of his age, but it was amusing.

According to Jungkook on one of your previous Vlives, you’re planning to do a drinking broadcast. What made you decide to do that?

Miya: I just want to talk to the ARMYs on a more casual basis, I guess. I saw a few of the oppas do it before, and they were actually really funny. They also have this intimate and homelike vibe that I want to try once as well. Warning to ARMY when I do finally do the drinking broadcast, those who aren’t adults yet must only drink milk or juice like I used to!

You must really miss your fans.

Miya: I really do. I miss hearing their voices and seeing their faces. I don’t think they realize that we do our best to see each and every one of them when we perform live. We remember. My very first fansite? I remember her. The fan that scolded me back in Manila for overworking? I remember her. The fan that gave me a letter written on paper designed to look like the oppas taking care of a baby me? I remember him. I think back on a lot of memories like this, and I just miss them a lot more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I guess. Is that how the saying goes? (laughs)

Hopefully you’ll get to see them soon.

Miya: Oh, I really hope so. I want to have fun with them. It’s been way too long, and I really miss the feeling of being with them. For now, though, I hope we can bring them comfort through our music and through the screen. When all this is over, we’ll all meet again, and it’ll be like coming back home.

Credit

Editor. Myungseok Kang

Interview. Myungseok Kang

Visual Director. Yurim Jeon

Visual Creative Team. Sunkyung Lee, Yeonhwa Cha (Big Hit Entertainment)

Photography. Sunhye Shin / Seongjo Baik, Minseok Kim(@co-op.)(Digital camera), Yurim Jeon(Film camera)

Hair. Som Han, Mujin Choi, Daeun Lee

Makeup. Dareum Kim, Sunmin Kim, Yuri Seo

Stylist. Hajeong Lee, Hyesu Kim, Sil Hong