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• 📖 Maki's Interviews

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• 📝 &TEAM interviews

translation disclaimer! my native language is english. i study korean and japanese as a hobby and don't consider myself fluent. i love languages and the nuances involved in translating from one language to another, so i hope that can be conveyed through my work!

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just a cozy luné corner! &team compilations, covers and subtitles

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Name: Maki
Nickname: Meongmungmi (puppy)
Personality: Carefree and honest charm
Habit: Whistling
Hobby: Tidying the dorm
Skill: Singing
Strength: Puppy-like energy
Weakness: Sleeping lateMy TMI:
When I was in Japan, I did so much shopping that it was like my luggage was gonna explode coming to KoreaFirst Announcement! A story with a member that I haven't spoken about:
Fuma-hyung loves SEVENTEEN's Super so much that he sang Jeonghan-sunbaenim's part in his sleepAn ability I have that is better than another member:
I'm better than Harua at KoreanAn ability I want to steal from a member:
Taki, his ability to make everyone laugh and smileRecent interest:
Playing jokes on HaruaFavourite member recently and why:
Harua, he's such a soft person, so I want to watch over himSkill I'm confident in:
Clapping with one handExercise I'm confident in:
Deadlift, I'm good at it cause my butt is bigA cover I want to do and am confident in:
TOMORROW X TOGETHER-sunbaenim's "No Rules"An idol performance I thought was cool recently (except my own):
ENHYPEN-sunbaenim's Blessed-Cursed at K-CONSomething I wanna do on WEEKLY IDOL:
Dance cover

✿ SOURCE: GQ Korea (2024.04.25)앤팀(&TEAM) “우연은 없어요. 우리가 만난 건 모두 운명이에요”

&TEAM "Coincidence doesn't exist. The fact that we met was all fate."

What's your staple breakfast food? : BreadWhen do you think LUNÉ are lovely?: When I hear their voicesWhat do you like about EJ? : He brings a sense of safety when we're together.Is popcorn a must-have when going to the movies? If so, what flavour? : It's a must-have. I like pepper-flavoured popcorn.What kind of mochi do you like eating? : Kinako mochiWhat cute behaviour or mannerisms does TAKI have? : When he gets nervous, he writes the character "人" (person) on his hand.How do you deal with nerves? : I get FUMA to punch me in the stomach lolSomething you say often? : "Why??"What do you like about K? : He brings together all our feelings before a performance.Do you have anything you're really picky about? : I don't like pants that are tight at the hem.What's your motto? : Don't forget greetings or gratitude.What do you like about JO? : I can talk to him about anything.What do you do to relieve stress? : Sleep, listening to musicIf you were to analyse your own personality? : I ask anything and everything about stuff I'm interested in. HonestWhat do you imagine you'll be like in the future? : I'll be even coolerWhat do you like about TAKI? : He naturally makes me smile when we're together.A challenge you'd like to take on? : Releasing a song in English. Releasing unit songs also seems like fun.An &TEAM song hum to yourself without realising? : War CryWhat has changed the most about you from pre-debut to now? : I've become coolerWhat's something you're good at? A special skill you have? : Singing. Clapping with one handA small worry you've had recently? : We've been super into the werewolf game recently, and I don't win cause I can’t act very well.What do you like about NICHOLAS? : He's like a real older brother and I can speak to him comfortably in English.What's something you like to eat to warm yourself up when it's cold? : RamenTell us one of your wishes! :I want to travel the world with &TEAM.If you became a farmer, what would you like to try growing? : PotatoesWhat do you like about HARUA? : We've been together since we were trainees, so we know each other the best.If you were to describe yourself in one word? : Dog-guyWhat do you like about FUMA? : He's like dad, and having him by my side is reassuring.Are you team pyjamas for loungewear? Team sweats? Team jersey? : Right now, sweatsAre you good at watching horror movies? : I can't watch them alone.What do you like about MAKI (yourself)? : Eyes. Voice. Says what he's thinking, but only sometimes though.A view you'd like to see (with LUNÉ)? : &TEAM performing in different countries and regionsWho would you want with you if you were on a deserted island? Why? : FUMA. It's reassuring to be with him.Tell us something true and unexpected about EJ? : He's really, really bad at paper-scissors-rockLet's say you run into a zombie; who would defeat it? : FUMATell us how you spend your free days? : Shopping. Going to see Pandy. Rolling around at homeWhat do you like about YUMA? : No matter where or when he'll always have an instant witty responseEmojis you use often? : 😊🔥💕A moment when you thought, "Lucky~!" : When recording finishes quickly and I can spend the rest of the day at my own pace.When you're cooking, do you measure everything out exactly or eyeball it? : Measure everything outWhat's a question you'd like to ask LUNÉ? : Why do you give us so much of your love?Something that's always in the fridge? : Face masksA memorable outdoor filming location? A place you want to try filming at? : At USJ, we went on lots of thrill rides. I want to do more filming at amusement parks and go camping for real for 2 nights and three days with the members.Something that made you laugh recently? : There was a funny scene in the movie I watched with Nicholas.(blank) puts me in a good mood. What would you put in (blank)? : Bungee jumpingWhat food has recently made you think, "Yummy!" : The egg drop soup that was part of the catering during our tour 😋😋😋

Member Introduction, Part 9

Part 9 of the interview project for the 9-member global group &TEAM features Maki (18). Their singles "Samidare" and "Aoarashi" became consecutive hits, and he expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's because of LUNÉ's support." On the 23rd, they will release their new song, "Jyuugoya," which he describes as having "a calm autumn tune." During junior high school, he gave up stage acting to join &AUDITION. Despite the challenge of going through puberty at the time, he succeeded in the program. We asked him about the hardships he faced prior to his debut, his solo activities, and his thoughts on his fellow members.

Consecutive hit singles, thanks to LUNÉ

Regarding their consecutive hit singles, "Samidare" and "Aoarashi," it seems that Maki, once again, feels the strong support of LUNÉ.As a team, we're so proud to have been able to earn double platinum (over 500,000 sales). For "Aoarashi," we didn't have that much time to practice, so we had some worries, but so many LUNÉ listened to our track, and I think that's why it could become a hit. I truly have nothing but gratitude to everyone who loves and supports us.

Closer than ever before

After going through our choreography, we think up ways to improve like "Hey, it might be better if we did it like this." I think our attitude when it comes to turning our work into something that feels more like &TEAM has only gotten stronger. These days, our teamwork is better, and we're closer than ever before.From a young age, he was part of a children's theatre company and has a background in performing in musicals. After watching the grand-scale project I-LAND, he changed his path in the hopes of becoming an artist.When I was part of the theatre company, I thought I wanted to become a stage actor, but when I watched I-LAND, it was as if my feelings changed within an instant. It's hard to describe in words exactly why I felt so moved, but it was kind of like I realised — "Wouldn't this suit me more than musicals?" The excitement of being chosen as part of a group that would work together from then onwards made me want to take a winning place on a survival program.The reason he undertook the HYBE trainee audition links back to his many years in musical theatre.When I was actively performing, HYBE took notice, and I received an offer asking me to audition. That's how I ended up taking it. For the vocal part, I sang BTS' "Butterfly," and for dance, I did SEVENTEEN's "HIT." Before the audition, I was the most nervous I had ever been, but I also felt confident in my singing. On our way home from the audition, my mother received a message on her phone saying that I had passed and I was already cheering and celebrating (laughs)

Vocal training since grade 2 of elementary school

Maki's weapon is his vocal prowess, but where did he cultivate that skill?..I liked singing ever since I was a kid, but my interest in it only began growing when I started taking vocal lessons in second grade. I could really feel a change in my voice after taking lessons. During &AUDITION, I made a conscious effort to be thought of by the audience as someone good at singing. Singing is where I shine. But, my voice started breaking quite late, and during the program, I was right in the middle of it.— Your voice change clashed with the audition program?Yes. About two to three months before the program started, my voice started to sound strange. I couldn't hit the same notes that I could before, and it happened week by week where the sounds I could make just that week before wouldn't come out anymore. I was in an unpredictable state, and that really stressed me out. Somehow, I was able to make it through the program, but the way I approached singing before and after puberty had to change. Singing the same way I used to had its limits, so (music producer) Soma told me, "You're going to have to change your vocalisation." I had to learn and rebuild my singing voice from scratch. There are still some things I need to work on, but as I keep practising, there are notes that I can hit now that I couldn't before.

With his experience performing in musicals, it seems his return to that stage is possible

Recently, there have been LUNÉ who tell me they want to see me appear in a musical again, and I also feel the same way. The other day, I watched the show of a friend I used to perform with, and even from my seat, I felt just how much fun it is to stand on stage and act all over again. As well as that, I'm interested in becoming a solo artist. While watching the solo activities of my senior BTS, I thought, "What a dream…" As a team, we'll strive higher and higher, and once we achieve our goals, I think it'd be great to take on solo activities to find myself too (laughs).

He has a sense of composure that you wouldn't expect from the youngest member. I felt his deep passion and pride for singing. I'd like to see him perform in a musical one day (Author: Kakobu Atsushi)

Maki sees the members

▼ EJ: His voice is gentle and even just listening to it makes you relax. EJ is our warm and cozy leader who is so accepting of us.▼ FUMA: Lately, the youngest members spend a lot of time with Fuma. He kinda feels like a papa with his kids (laughs).▼ K: K-hyung is someone we can rely on. He guides us, the members, in many different ways, and he always makes us laugh.▼ NICHOLAS: He feels like a real older brother. We talk in English a lot and I feel a connection that’s different from the other members.▼ YUMA: He understands each and every member the best. His observation skills are really sharp and he responds, sensitive to the changes the members go through.▼ JO: He’s comfortable to be with. Recently, he’s been making jokes himself. Despite what you might see, he does talk, you know (laughs).▼ HARUA: Amongst the members, we’ve known each other the longest, so close that we can talk about anything without it being awkward. He’s pretty quick-witted.▼ TAKI: Taki is so funny. He always makes the team and LUNÉ smile. He’s like the sun.

MAKI 17 February 2006. From Tokyo. 18 years old. German father, Japanese mother. Switched paths from being a stage actor to succeeding in an audition program. Leads his team with his extraordinary vocal skills. Height 183.5, blood type O

Extended Version

The plan for this year was to release 3 singles and an album with the theme of spring, summer, autumn and winter. As a team, we're so proud to have been able to earn double platinum (over 500,000 sales). Due to our schedule, the preparation period for Aoarashi was short and it was hard to find time to practice synchronising our choreography all together. To be honest, we had some worries. But even then, so many LUNÉ listened to our track, and I think that's why it could become a hit. Our efforts were not in vain. I truly have nothing but gratitude to everyone who loves and supports us.— As your songs become hits, have you noticed any changes in your team?After going through our choreography, we think up ways to improve like "Hey, it might be better if we did it like this." I think our attitude when it comes to turning our work into something that feels more like &TEAM has only gotten stronger. Ever since our group was formed, the 9 of us have always been together, but our teamwork is better these days, and we're closer than ever before. We share the same mindset of wanting to show off amazing performances to everyone, so we all monitor our practice and work hard to improve.On the 23rd, they'll release the autumn version of their season series, "Jyuugoya."While also being energetic, "Samidare" and "Aoarashi" are songs that convey a sense of beauty in that nothing lasts forever. Our new song, "Jyuugoya," as per the title, has a calm autumn sound that conveys a slightly sentimental and emotional vibe. Please look forward to it.&TEAM try to familiarise themselves with the English guide before recording their songs. This process seems to suit MAKI, who is fluent in English.For me, I listen to the English guide first and think about what kind of singing would suit the song and the lyrics. During the recording, there are details in the guide that we keep, but there are also parts we change so that it feels more like us. In our new song, I sing the bridge. The lyrics for that part are in English, so it has a completely different vibe from the Japanese parts of the song.—Is singing in English easier for you?That's right. Sometimes, it's easier to express emotions in English than in Japanese. Ever since I was young, I only really listened to Western music and I'd also sing music from different countries quite often. So, I think singing in English is easier for me. If I'm able to guide the team when it comes to singing in different languages, then I'm glad.Currently, they are working on their 2nd album, "Yukiakari" (releasing 18 December)2024, through our season series, has been a year where we've been able to meet LUNÉ in so many different places. I think those who didn't know of our team before have come to know about us. We're working hard to record each and every song for these people. "We want to be together with our fans forever," — with those feelings, we're making this album.During 縁DAY, Maki performed "Bad Day" by Canadian singer Daniel Powter. His first solo stage seems to have been thrilling.Bad Day was also released on YouTube, but, of course, it's completely different when you're in front of an audience. At the stage wings, right before my turn, I heard cheers yelling my name, "MAKI!" They must've known I would be the last to appear, but hearing those cheers made me nervous. Beside me, Nicholas and EJ would be playing the keyboard and guitar, but I would be singing alone. As part of &TEAM, that was the first time I sang all by myself. My heart was pounding (laughs).

&TEAM did not have much time to prepare for 縁DAY, but they prepared special performances for LUNÉ, who showed up for them.I sang with a live band for the fan event, but our schedule was so tight that I didn't have much time to practice with them. Even if I did practice alone, once you're accompanied by the band, it starts to sound completely different. I had some worries, but somehow, I made it through without a hitch despite the little time we had. Honestly, I wondered what I could do to leave an impression on the LUNÉ who came to watch. I wanted to put on a performance that was a little different from the cover on YouTube, so I did a bunch of improvisation.— Was there a positive response?Yes. It went better than I thought it would, and once I finished singing a "thank you," sorta just let my mouth (laughs). Everyone responded well, and I was glad. Covering songs is really fun cause I get to sing the songs I love in English, and LUNÉ also enjoy it. Recently, I've been listening to a lot of Justin Beiber songs again, so I'd like to cover more of them.— As well as tours, &TEAM also hold fan events like "縁DAY." Do you feel there's a difference between these two?From my point of view, during concerts, we can hype up LUNÉ and those in the audience through our music. During a fan event like "縁DAY", we can have fun with everyone. So during "縁DAY" play games and try doing things we don't really do at concerts. It makes us so happy that we each get to do our own special performances, and we're able to have fun with LUNÉ in many different ways.— The other day at your offline event, you all made your fans very happy by wearing yukatas.The yukata we wore at the event were the ones we wore during the summer festival scene in our music video for "Aoarashi." We wore the yukatas for the MV, but that was the first time we were wearing yukatas for an offline event. LUNÉ made requests to see us wearing the yukata, so we ended up doing so. It was our first time wearing yukata and meeting everyone so close, and I was so glad everyone liked it so much. Outside of needing to wear it for work, I don't wear Japanese clothing much, so it was fun.— Music festivals also seem to have a completely different vibe to fan events.At music festivals, so many LUNÉ show up for us. They do their best to get tickets even if they can be hard to get. Since they come all the way to watch us, we give our everything so that they think, "I'm glad I came." Of course, there are also a lot of other fans of other artists who come. We want to make our mark, or rather, we want to put on a performance that leaves a lasting impression and shows "this is &TEAM."— During the early days of your debut, you appeared on shows with some major groups. K saw members had become starstruck and gave you guys the advice; "let's focus on us."That's right. Of course, there are moments when we see other artists and think, "Wow." But it can't just end there because, at the same time, we also have to show off our own charm as a team. Last year, at the Tokyo Dome at MAMA (Mnet Asian Music Awards), many fans of other artists came to the show. Still, our feelings are so strong that we want to make sure that when the audience goes home, &TEAM is stuck in their head.— You recently put on a passionate performance at the TMA (THE FACT MUSIC AWARDS) held in Tokyo Dome.We performed in Tokyo Dome, for the first time in a while, with our two songs, "Aoarashi" and "Scar to Scar." Right from walking onto the red carpet, we were motivated to look our best on the carpet and, afterwards, make sure that we put on a performance that fired up the whole venue. Right from entering the venue, I hyped myself up. During the red carpet, I tried giving off a more mature vibe, and I walked thinking, like, "We look hot" sorta (laughs)

Part 3 🚧

Part 4 🚧

Part 5 🚧

How Maki sees the members 🚧

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