Interview

[INTERVIEW] PURPLEBECK

In May 2021, Korea.net reporters attended a press conference by Majesty Entertainment and interviewed the girls from PURPLEBECK. We talked about the difficulties of preparing for the debut, plans for the future and asked how they usually spend their spare time.

PURPLEBECK is a group led by Majesty Entertainment. It consists of five girls, each very different, but at the same time, they are all moving towards a shared dream together. The group name represents the belief that small steps will lead to great results, like streams gathering in a great river.

In their debut single, “Crystal Ball“, released in June 2019, the girls talk about the fact that in order to fulfill your desires, you need to take control of the situation and move towards the goal without waiting for help from the outside. The second single – “Dream Line” – is about striving to rock the world. The sound here is more calibrated, and the tracks were written in collaboration with Scottish musical artist Mike McDermid, so the influence of the British pop scene is clearly visible in the music. The third mini-album – “Starry Night” – is dedicated to love. The starry night acts as a background for romantic experiences, allowing you to open up and become closer to the listeners.

PURPLEBECK members:

Layeon – the main voice of the group. She graduated from the university with a degree in vocals and won the gold medal in the student music competition in the piano category.

Yeowool is a leading dancer. She participated in the Hip-Hop International and is a medalist in a number of Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Yerim is a sub-vocalist, and she is engaged in staging numbers.

Mini – is a vocalist. She participated in the Miss Trot show.

Seyeon – is in charge of rap in the group. In the university, her specialization is dancing. She also participated in the World of Dance final.

PURPLEBECK / Photo: Majesty Entertainment

What did you want to become as a child?

 Yeowool: We’ve all dreamed of singing since birth.

 Is there someone who inspires you?

Layeon: Oh, there are a lot of people who inspire us! It would be great to be a role model for someone too.

What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?

Yeowool: My OST changes quite often. Now it’s O3ohn – 우리 사이 은하수 를 만들어 (Milky Way Between Us) from drama «Search: WWW».

Mini: What a cool idea! I have never thought about it, but I will definitely think about it.

Tell us what was the most difficult thing during the traineeship?

Layeon: As a trainee, I only thought about debut, like that was all I needed. Concentrating so firmly only on the goal is very difficult. In fact, my dream became a reality after my debut. If I had been looking at longer-term perspectives from the beginning, it wouldn’t be so hard.

If you could go back in time, is there something you would like to say to yourself?

Seyeon: Don’t give up!

Layeon, Yerim: Rest sometimes.

Yeowool: It’s okay.

Mini: And I have nothing to say.. I’m not one of those who go through a lot.

Due to the popularity of K-pop, many people want to try their hand at something related to the entertainment industry. What would you say to the people who want to work in this area?

Yeowool: Being an artist doesn’t always mean being a uniquely creative person. In my opinion, the most important thing is confidence in your own thoughts and actions.

In your work, you emphasize that the PURPLEBECK members are, first of all, bright personalities, completely different but going towards a common goal. So how does the interaction within the group develop?

Mini: Yeowool unnie and I are neighbors in the dorm, so of all the members, she is the one that I communicate with the most. In the mornings, Yeowool unnie sometimes wonders how sleepy I look. Apparently, I look pretty astounding right after getting out of bed. (smiles)

Saeyeon: Yerim, Layeon, and I share the same room, so we talk to each other a lot. Yerim talks in her sleep, and her speech is so clear that it is sometimes impossible to understand whether she is awake or not. It’s actually a little scary to hear that early in the morning.

What do you do in your free time?

Layeon: We all like to stay at home, so we stay in the dorm and watch movies or dramas, listen to music and sleep a lot. Also, in order to maintain weight, I go to the gym for training.

Mini: Yeowool and I are still studying, so our free time is busy with homework.

Yeowool: I am getting my degree in physical education and sports, so I like the workload. Recently I started skating.

You look wonderful! Share the secrets of your self-care?

Yeowool: If there are skin problems, or if they are about to occur, we try to get more sleep. And also, when you sleep, you don’t see that something is wrong with your face! (laugh)

Yerim: We just try not to gain too much weight outside of the promotion. People are attracted not by appearance but by charisma. So we’re working on the pitch. Doesn’t a confident person look cool?

2020 has turned the whole world upside down. What did you miss the most during the quarantine?

All: Family.

Do you often communicate with family and friends?

Yerim: We talk on the phone or correspond almost every day, but our parents live in Busan, so we see each other 3-4 times a year.

Seyeon: My parents and older brother are in Seoul, but we get to meet about once every couple of months. I live in a dorm, and I call them or exchange messages on the messenger every day.

What cities are you from? What do you recommend visiting there?

Yeoul: Nonsan, a city in Chuncheonnam-do. There are many military bases here, and there really isn’t much to do. (laughs)

Layeon: Seoul. Areas around the campus of Hongik University (Hongdae) and Itaewon.

Seyeon: Seoul too. Go to Lotte World Amusement Park!

Mini: Daejeon is a city of science! If you find yourself here, go to Yusong Hot Springs.

Yerim: I’m from Busan. In Busan, you have to go to the beach, for example, Haeundae!

When foreign fans are in Korea, where should they go before your concert?

Seyeon: If this is your first time here, go to Seoul first and visit Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam. These three districts are so different, so you will definitely have a feeling if you have visited different cities!

Layeon: I advise you to go to Everland. But it won’t really impress those who have been to world-class amusement parks.

Yerim: Of course Haeundae in Busan! I’m from Busan! (laughs)

Mini: I haven’t been to other countries that much, but people who travel often praise Korean nature a lot. How about Gangwon-do?

Yeoul: It’s hard to say because I’ve been to few places. But after listening to the overseas fans, I think you should visit Seoul first.

Let’s go back to the subject of creativity. Tell me, who is an example of successful growth in the music field for you?

Yeoul: For me, these are groups with many overseas fans. Chatting with foreign fans on social media is a tremendous support. People value sincerity, and if we are honest and open, we are more likely to be remembered. Therefore, BTS is the perfect success story that groups like us dream of.  They are so cool!

In your opinion, what is more important – the quality of the tracks or their quantity?

Yeoul: Of course, the quality. One song that will be heard is much more important than hundreds of songs that will not be needed by anyone.

Do you see TikTok as a relevant promo platform?

Seyeong: We are very grateful to this platform, as many fans have come to us through TikTok. I’m not very good at it yet, but I think it is a resource that gives a lot of cool features.

What style/concept would you like to try in the future?

Yerim: We love the cute and dark aesthetics alike. These are completely opposite things, but I want to do both. At the very first fan meeting, we performed with a dark concept, and many people liked it.

Would you agree if you were offered a large sum in exchange for giving up your idol career entirely?

Mini: You need money to promote and be active, but I’ll probably refuse if they tell me to quit. I am still quite young, and at this age, I want to be brave, to accept the challenge! My parents also always support what I do.

The rest of the participants: Agree with Mini!

How about the first concert?

Ryoung: We need to release at least 10-15 songs to hold a concert. If we go on stage in front of the fans and hear how they support us, we will definitely burst into tears. Will your heart be able to withstand such a thing?

Can you share your plans for 2021 with us?

Yeoul: First of all, we focus on self-improvement. Restrictions due to the pandemic provide a tremendous opportunity for development. All group members study foreign languages, including English, and work on vocals to make the songs sound even better. Once we’ve decided on a comeback track, we’ll  get back on stage!

PURPLEBECK / Photo: Majesty Entertainment

The material was prepared by Honorary Reporters at Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for Korea.net Kateryna Hrynko and Oleksandra Andrienko

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