Q: I saw a schedule fans organized for you. With drama filming, variety shows, and BIGBANG activities, it looked extremely packed.
Daesung: Now that filming for What’s Up is over, it’s gotten a bit better. But when I was really busy, I’d only sleep one or two hours a day. Even while falling asleep, I’d think, “Tomorrow morning is going to be even harder to wake up.”
Q: On those exhausting mornings, what makes you get up?
Daesung: You know how you keep saying “just five more minutes”? I think, “I’m already awake anyway, and if someone wakes me up again later, I’ll just get more annoyed.” So I try to wake up on my own. And since I’m the youngest, Seungri and I have to start getting ready first so everyone else can follow.
Q: Do you complain sometimes?
Daesung: I used to complain a lot. But after my accident, I couldn’t taste or smell, and I lost my voice for a while. During that time, I reflected a lot. I realized I had been careless to complain about being busy.
Q: Reflected?
Daesung: I prayed that even if nothing else came back, I just wanted my voice. I told myself that if it did, I’d never complain again no matter how busy I was. After a few months, my voice came back.
Q: Do you still complain now?
Daesung: I keep it to myself. I’m the type who doesn’t really show it, whether I’m happy or upset.
Q: What weighs on your mind these days?
Daesung: I don’t really talk about my worries. I feel bad for the person listening, because they already have their own concerns, and I’d be adding mine on top of that.
Q: People say you’re warm but also a bit distant.
Daesung: I used to be the type who only listened to others. Then I started hearing things like, “You always listen to me, but I don’t really know you.” Some people even said I seem warm on the outside, but actually a bit cold. So these days, when something is difficult for me, I try to talk about it more openly.
Q: What was your biggest concern during your comeback?
Daesung: I was really worried because it had been so long since I was on stage. I was so nervous my heart was pounding. I told the members, “I’m unbelievably nervous right now.” And I kept thinking, “I shouldn’t hold the group back.”
Q: Didn’t that make you feel upset?
Daesung: Not really. I don’t think I have enough confidence yet for solo activities. I want to be fully prepared before I do that.
Q: Aren’t you being too hard on yourself?
Daesung: Right after debut, I had vocal nodules and made a lot of mistakes on stage. That’s when my stage fright started. Even now, when I go up alone, I still think about whether I’ll do well. I want to improve myself more before I stand on stage by myself.
Q: When will your solo come out?
Daesung: Fans, I’m really sorry for making you wait so long. Please wait just a little more. For now, I want to focus on BIGBANG activities.
Q: What kind of music do you want to do?
Daesung: I like music that feels deep and heavy. But the company also has to think about what suits the public, so we’re trying to find a balance between my taste and what people expect.
Q: If your music had a color?
Daesung: Probably a dark brown. The company tries to make it brighter, more like an earthy tone. So I think of it as mostly that, with a bit of dark brown mixed in.
Q: You seem happier on stage these days.
Daesung: I really missed the stage. Before, it felt like something I had to do. Now, I just feel happy being up there.
Q: Your music video scenes were bold.
Daesung: I knew it would be awkward, so I just decided to go all in and do it properly.
(Translator’s Note: In the Tonight music video, Daesung filmed a scene that felt quite intimate for his image at the time, including a moment on a bed with a female actress sitting on his lap. While not explicit, it was more physically close and mature than what he had typically shown before.)
Q: People say you’ve become more charismatic.
Daesung: The members keep joking that I look kind of provocative no matter what I wear. Even a director said my gaze looked different, so maybe something has changed.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
Daesung: I stay at home. I like watching movies alone, eating alone, and listening to music. Being alone is comfortable for me.
Q: If you could live freely without worry?
Daesung: I’d want to try drinking until I completely lose my memory at least once, just to know what it feels like.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Daesung: Maybe doing a photoshoot for BIGBANG’s anniversary. I hope we’re still active and happy with our music.
Translated by @kwoncircles on X