[Checkpoint] The maturing process of the youngest, SEUNGRI
During the 8 years that BIGBANG spent as professional artists, the group became more and more popular, while each member stretched their boundary of expertise wider and wider. In particular, the team’s youngest SEUNGRI’s 8 years has been a very busy one as he branched out to different fields going back and forth from South Korea to Japan, and producing 2 solo albums. The period of a teenager becoming a big star can be summarized as ‘growth period’, but SEUNGRI’s phase cannot be described with a single and unified graph. From playing the role of the team’s youngest to realizing his potential as an entrepreneur, SEUNGRI has shown us multi-layered talents, which makes him suitable for different ages. Seventeen, or twenty-four? Either way he is too naïve and yet too professional. This is a story of SEUNGRI, who positioned himself as one of the top idols.
글. 윤희성 (대중문화평론가)/ 기획 강명석 (웹 매거진 < ize > 편집장)
Nine years old: the youngest, little Seung Hyun
In ‘Real Docu BIGBANG’, which is a program that showed the debut preparation process of BIGBANG, depicted SEUNGRI being on the verge of losing the competition. But his improved singing and passion for music helped him seize the opportunity to join the team again. Back then, he was only 17. He looked bolder and calmer than his age, but the first sentence he said when he heard the news of victory from Yang Hyun Suk was “I think I’m going to die.” To him the entire process must have been unbearable, as he breaks into tears every time he talks about it at concerts. Everyone knows how desperate he had been back then, but when he chatters on about his experience, he is quite different to the image BIGBANG carries, which is all about being charismatic. BIGBANG members often play pranks on him, and this portrays how he perfectly plays the role of being the youngest of the team. In the MV of ‘Dirty Cash’, he expresses the exaggerated cuteness in such a natural manner. He is even dressed in yellow kindergarten uniform. He has well and truly positioned himself as the ‘cutie’ of the group. At BIGBANG concerts, fans often throw stuffed panda bears to SEUNGRI. Not only do they do that because SEUNGRI looks like one, but because fans love seeing SEUNGRI’s reaction to the stuffed toy-throwing: SEUNGRI appears on stage wearing a panda bear mask.
39 years old: The dark horse of variety show
Dancing and singing could be embellished by training, but entertaining people cannot. Idols on variety show programs are usually highly energetic, or a little quirky, because those are the features the public enjoys. SEUNGRI, on the other hand, positioned himself as a little sly and experienced character. SEUNGRI does not hastily show his hidden talents when he is on the show alone, let alone with his members. He understands the entire flow of the program, and if required, he throws himself into uncomfortable situations. Instead of trying to take on the role of the main character, he jumps in when help is needed. Some may say this comes from his modesty, but for his age, he has the capacity to look beyond what’s happening immediately around him. On 2NE1 TV and Strong Heart, DARA confessed that she learned how to entertain people from SEUNGRI. And what she learned was that they need to find their roles in the program, not trying so hard to fit into one. This is how SEUNGRI is not simply a guest on Japanese variety show program, but could become the MC despite his foreign nationality.
19 years old: Strong Baby
BIGBANG’s 2nd regular album’s title song is remade from Lee Mun-sae’s ‘Sunset Glow.’ To BIGBANG, this album was what helped them become mainstream after succeeding with their mini album with the song ‘Lie.’ However, SEUNGRI wanted to prove his talents by producing a solo song ‘Strong Baby.’ He just turned 20 when he released the song, dressed like a party host. He tried to make a transformation from the original image of BIGBANG. His first mini album reminded many of Justin Timberlake. He grew up too fast to satisfy the audience, and perhaps it was risky trying too hard to fulfill the audience’s needs, but his choreography was filled with his passion. It was all about the details. This is why his solo performance is carries more meaning for him. He faces his doubts and questions in his mind, and responds to them directly. And then he sets the direction for his career. This is why his solo stage goes beyond just performing. SEUNGRI has the most important aspect an idol should possess, but rarely seen: he doesn’t fall back too much, but he doesn’t go too fast either, and he never stops trying. He is always on his way to mature further.
49 years old: the experienced idol
SEUNGRI’s social life started at a very young age. This is what happens to young idols, and they face a career crisis even before they hit 30. But SEUNGRI is a planner. He plans his life in detail. In Japan, he widened his spectrum by acting and entertaining people on TV programs, while also setting the foundation to open his business, an academy, to foster future artists. He is simply a role model. SEUNGRI invests in people. He invests his time in getting to know people. On Strong Heart, BIGBANG members once said that an advertising contract deal was successful thanks to SEUNGRI’s networks of people. He is known for his congeniality towards staff who he met through producing albums and holding concerts. He was the first to talk to YG’s rookie artists Lee Hi and Kang Seung Yoon. For famous idols like him, he already has a lot on his plate, and to consider other people’s feelings like his own would not be easy. And instead of focusing on the public’s attention, he turns his eyes to a visionary business. Plus, he understands the importance of interacting and keeping in touch with people. It is safe to say that SEUNGRI is a talented entrepreneur who is more than capable of running a business.
29 years old: Entertainer
Before releasing the 2nd mini album, SEUNGRI confessed his feelings on Facebook. He wanted to give up music, but he faced his fears. And how he coped with the dilemma, is that he didn’t view BIGBANG as a hurdle to weather, but he perceived being in the group as an important tool of learning. His goals looked significantly different from before. SEUNGRI does not try to fill the stage with superficial singing or dancing. The latest song ‘GOTTA TALK TO U’ clearly depicts his own voice, and ‘GG BE’, which is a song based on his actual love life in the past, is filled with his natural energy. He puts much thought into differentiating himself from other members. His provocative teaser video aroused much attention. If you have always thought SEUNGRI is the youngest of the team, you would not anymore because he became surprisingly honest to himself. He has gone through the times of trouble, like facing hardships for doing what he wants and being frustrated for not being able to carry out his passion, and now he is closer to becoming a true artist. That is his biggest charm now. And next, he will go up on stage, dressed up in a perfect outfit for him.
2013. 8. 25.
