JS: It feels like I really explored a lot of places in LA after such a long time.
GQ: How was LA after such a long time? You really enjoyed it in tourist mode, didn’t you?
JS: It was new and fun. This time, I planned my route only to places I hadn’t been to before. The LA that I had visited countless times felt unfamiliar again. I liked it even more.
GQ: You visited LA as part of your world tour schedule, right?
JS: That’s right. We met our Blink fans at the Sofi Stadium in LA.
GQ: I understand this is a large-scale concert after a year and a half since the tour last year. With all seats sold out and 100,000 attendees, this set a new record among girl groups worldwide.
JS: It’s truly a wonderful thing.
GQ: The stage is always special, so I’m curious about what new elements were added to this concert.
JS: More than anything, this was my first time on such a large stadium tour. I was deeply moved by seeing the Blink fans at every performance, so I think that feeling was even stronger this time. I also recalled many moments from our debut. That’s right. As you mentioned, this stage had to be special. It was a time filled with gratitude, unforgettable scenes, and overwhelming happiness.
GQ: The last time Jisoo graced the cover was in January 2023.
JS: Time flies so fast.
GQ: It really does. In the nearly three years since then, how have you been, Jisoo?
JS: Wow, it’s already been almost three years. During that time, I prepared a solo album, filmed two dramas, and then returned to BLACKPINK for a tour. Focusing on each role as it came, it feels like those nearly three years just zipped by like a fast-forward.
**2/3**
GQ: What kind of times are you in these days?
JS: Well, if we’re just talking about work, the tours in North America and Europe have ended, and while preparing for BLACKPINK’s new songs, we’re also getting ready to start the Asia tour.
GQ: Wow, that’s packed. You must need some downtime. How about personally, Jisoo?
JS: Personally, I feel like I’m in a period of significant maturity lately. If I had various dreams, I think it’s now the time to finish some of them and choose reality? It feels like it’s time to choose reality and start something new. Looking back, there are some regrets, but since other lives will begin now, I’m excited. I think that’s how it is these days.
GQ: Your answer about being in a “maturing phase” is impressive. What led you to think that way?
JS: I’ve realized that many moments of obsession and dissatisfaction have disappeared. Yes. So sometimes, even though it’s something I’ve always done, it feels new. These days, I feel like I’m doing different things from a new perspective.
GQ: What kind of life do you hope to start anew in the future, Jisoo?
JS: I just want to live a life where I can be more satisfied both mentally and professionally.
GQ: How is your mood these days, Jisoo?
JS: Excitement? It can’t be helped. I’m currently preparing for both BLACKPINK’s new album and my solo album. In the process, I’m coming up with various ideas and creating new music, so it’s only natural to feel excited. These days, it feels like I’m living in music. Completely.
GQ l: What can you share about your identity as a musician?
JS: I’ve always been drawn to the moment and have made the music I want to make. In that sense, perhaps the unpredictable is my identity?
GQ: Usually, identity brings to mind something clear and distinct, but the idea that unpredictability and uncertainty are part of identity is even cooler.
JS: Thank you.
GQ: Earlier, when I asked about the events that have taken place over the past three years, you mentioned your role as an actor. You’ve spent quite a long time as an actor, having filmed two dramas. How did you navigate through that time, Jisoo?
JS: Of course, I enjoyed it. Spending several months with many people, I formed strong connections. It was nice to be able to look closely at each person’s work. I also had many conversations during that time, and I found it very rewarding to encounter and learn about everyone’s diverse aspects. In some ways, I felt a sense of gratitude as well. As I went through those times and acted, I realized that my personality has changed a lot.
GQ: What kind of change was that?
JS: It’s somewhat similar to what I mentioned earlier; I started to think from more people’s perspectives, and in that process, I felt a greater sense of gratitude. Specifically, I learned to work more kindly and to smile more often.
GQ: Observing carefully, learning transparently, and even feeling gratitude in that process. I think that’s a wonderful attitude.
JS: No, thank you.
**3/3**
GQ: So, aside from new changes or skills that you want to learn or acquire, are there any existing abilities that you wish to strengthen further?
JS: Why do most people waver at crucial moments? It seems like a natural thing, and I know that well, but I feel like I don’t want to waver. I hope I don’t doubt myself. For example, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve thought about it for a very long time, and I thought I had it all figured out, yet there are still moments when I waver. So I want to become a stronger version of myself. So that I won’t waver.
GQ: What methods could help with that?
JS: In my case, I try to think about myself a lot. If I don’t take care of myself, I find that I get swayed by many emotions from that moment on.
GQ: It’s already been 9 years since debut. What do you think about adding some meaning to the number 9? If you were to pick just 9 precious moments that have happened to Jisoo since debut until now.
JS: Nine moments. That’s a lot. (Counting on fingers) First, the fact that the four of us who practiced for a long time debuted together. Hmm, the first time I received an award, performing on a big stage, then being able to hold the first concert I had always dreamed of, and standing on the Coachella stage that I had been watching since my trainee days, and later even becoming a headliner! I also tried acting, and I released a solo album, which I really wondered if I could do alone, and I performed in a stadium as well. Wow, it feels like I’m reflecting on my life really quickly.
GQ: What is Jisoo currently thinking about?
JS: I don’t have any major concerns. I feel like the time for worrying has already passed. I think now is the time to organize the decisions I’ve made so that they don’t get scattered.
GQ: Speaking of ‘timing,’ what phase do you think you are currently going through, Jisoo?
JS: It’s hard to say. Lately, I feel like I’m in the calm before a storm, just before something changes drastically. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and there have been many changes that have turned my thoughts upside down. This is also my first time being independent, and naturally, I’ve had to make more choices for myself, so I think that’s part of it. With the changes in my environment, I need to adapt. Otherwise, I feel like I might get swept away. So, I’m carefully wrapping up each of the plans I’ve made. I feel like I’m going through that kind of phase right now.
GQ: Do you still dream a lot these days? You mentioned it in the last interview. You used to dream a lot, and when you were young, your dream was to become a writer. You wanted to write a novel based on all the dreams you wrote down. You even said you had written down a few.
JS: That’s right. I still dream a lot these days. Recently, I vividly remember jumping into a swimming pool, but then I had a dream of diving into the deep sea. I was pulled down to the depths of the ocean at an incredible speed and woke up in shock. Maybe it’s because I can’t swim, but anyway, I woke up really startled that day. It was on an airplane, though.
GQ: How about writing a novel based on Jisoo’s story instead of dreams? We could keep the name as ‘Jisoo.’
JS: Actually, I have written something down, but the content is a secret. I don’t want to name the protagonist Jisoo. If I do, it feels like it would turn into an essay instead of a novel at some point.
Thank you! I’ve read a lot of translations on Twitter but yours is the one that makes more sense 🙈. Appreciate the effort
**1/3**
GQ: I just watched the LA vlog.
JS: It feels like I really explored a lot of places in LA after such a long time.
GQ: How was LA after such a long time? You really enjoyed it in tourist mode, didn’t you?
JS: It was new and fun. This time, I planned my route only to places I hadn’t been to before. The LA that I had visited countless times felt unfamiliar again. I liked it even more.
GQ: You visited LA as part of your world tour schedule, right?
JS: That’s right. We met our Blink fans at the Sofi Stadium in LA.
GQ: I understand this is a large-scale concert after a year and a half since the tour last year. With all seats sold out and 100,000 attendees, this set a new record among girl groups worldwide.
JS: It’s truly a wonderful thing.
GQ: The stage is always special, so I’m curious about what new elements were added to this concert.
JS: More than anything, this was my first time on such a large stadium tour. I was deeply moved by seeing the Blink fans at every performance, so I think that feeling was even stronger this time. I also recalled many moments from our debut.
That’s right. As you mentioned, this stage had to be special. It was a time filled with gratitude, unforgettable scenes, and overwhelming happiness.
GQ: The last time Jisoo graced the cover was in January 2023.
JS: Time flies so fast.
GQ: It really does. In the nearly three years since then, how have you been, Jisoo?
JS: Wow, it’s already been almost three years. During that time, I prepared a solo album, filmed two dramas, and then returned to BLACKPINK for a tour. Focusing on each role as it came, it feels like those nearly three years just zipped by like a fast-forward.
**2/3**
GQ: What kind of times are you in these days?
JS: Well, if we’re just talking about work, the tours in North America and Europe have ended, and while preparing for BLACKPINK’s new songs, we’re also getting ready to start the Asia tour.
GQ: Wow, that’s packed. You must need some downtime. How about personally, Jisoo?
JS: Personally, I feel like I’m in a period of significant maturity lately. If I had various dreams, I think it’s now the time to finish some of them and choose reality? It feels like it’s time to choose reality and start something new. Looking back, there are some regrets, but since other lives will begin now, I’m excited. I think that’s how it is these days.
GQ: Your answer about being in a “maturing phase” is impressive. What led you to think that way?
JS: I’ve realized that many moments of obsession and dissatisfaction have disappeared. Yes. So sometimes, even though it’s something I’ve always done, it feels new. These days, I feel like I’m doing different things from a new perspective.
GQ: What kind of life do you hope to start anew in the future, Jisoo?
JS: I just want to live a life where I can be more satisfied both mentally and professionally.
GQ: How is your mood these days, Jisoo?
JS: Excitement? It can’t be helped. I’m currently preparing for both BLACKPINK’s new album and my solo album. In the process, I’m coming up with various ideas and creating new music, so it’s only natural to feel excited. These days, it feels like I’m living in music. Completely.
GQ l: What can you share about your identity as a musician?
JS: I’ve always been drawn to the moment and have made the music I want to make. In that sense, perhaps the unpredictable is my identity?
GQ: Usually, identity brings to mind something clear and distinct, but the idea that unpredictability and uncertainty are part of identity is even cooler.
JS: Thank you.
GQ: Earlier, when I asked about the events that have taken place over the past three years, you mentioned your role as an actor. You’ve spent quite a long time as an actor, having filmed two dramas. How did you navigate through that time, Jisoo?
JS: Of course, I enjoyed it. Spending several months with many people, I formed strong connections. It was nice to be able to look closely at each person’s work. I also had many conversations during that time, and I found it very rewarding to encounter and learn about everyone’s diverse aspects. In some ways, I felt a sense of gratitude as well. As I went through those times and acted, I realized that my personality has changed a lot.
GQ: What kind of change was that?
JS: It’s somewhat similar to what I mentioned earlier; I started to think from more people’s perspectives, and in that process, I felt a greater sense of gratitude. Specifically, I learned to work more kindly and to smile more often.
GQ: Observing carefully, learning transparently, and even feeling gratitude in that process. I think that’s a wonderful attitude.
JS: No, thank you.
**3/3**
GQ: So, aside from new changes or skills that you want to learn or acquire, are there any existing abilities that you wish to strengthen further?
JS: Why do most people waver at crucial moments? It seems like a natural thing, and I know that well, but I feel like I don’t want to waver. I hope I don’t doubt myself. For example, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve thought about it for a very long time, and I thought I had it all figured out, yet there are still moments when I waver. So I want to become a stronger version of myself. So that I won’t waver.
GQ: What methods could help with that?
JS: In my case, I try to think about myself a lot. If I don’t take care of myself, I find that I get swayed by many emotions from that moment on.
GQ: It’s already been 9 years since debut. What do you think about adding some meaning to the number 9? If you were to pick just 9 precious moments that have happened to Jisoo since debut until now.
JS: Nine moments. That’s a lot. (Counting on fingers) First, the fact that the four of us who practiced for a long time debuted together. Hmm, the first time I received an award, performing on a big stage, then being able to hold the first concert I had always dreamed of, and standing on the Coachella stage that I had been watching since my trainee days, and later even becoming a headliner! I also tried acting, and I released a solo album, which I really wondered if I could do alone, and I performed in a stadium as well. Wow, it feels like I’m reflecting on my life really quickly.
GQ: What is Jisoo currently thinking about?
JS: I don’t have any major concerns. I feel like the time for worrying has already passed. I think now is the time to organize the decisions I’ve made so that they don’t get scattered.
GQ: Speaking of ‘timing,’ what phase do you think you are currently going through, Jisoo?
JS: It’s hard to say. Lately, I feel like I’m in the calm before a storm, just before something changes drastically. I’ve had a lot on my mind, and there have been many changes that have turned my thoughts upside down. This is also my first time being independent, and naturally, I’ve had to make more choices for myself, so I think that’s part of it. With the changes in my environment, I need to adapt. Otherwise, I feel like I might get swept away. So, I’m carefully wrapping up each of the plans I’ve made. I feel like I’m going through that kind of phase right now.
GQ: Do you still dream a lot these days? You mentioned it in the last interview. You used to dream a lot, and when you were young, your dream was to become a writer. You wanted to write a novel based on all the dreams you wrote down. You even said you had written down a few.
JS: That’s right. I still dream a lot these days. Recently, I vividly remember jumping into a swimming pool, but then I had a dream of diving into the deep sea. I was pulled down to the depths of the ocean at an incredible speed and woke up in shock. Maybe it’s because I can’t swim, but anyway, I woke up really startled that day. It was on an airplane, though.
GQ: How about writing a novel based on Jisoo’s story instead of dreams? We could keep the name as ‘Jisoo.’
JS: Actually, I have written something down, but the content is a secret. I don’t want to name the protagonist Jisoo. If I do, it feels like it would turn into an essay instead of a novel at some point.
Thank you! I’ve read a lot of translations on Twitter but yours is the one that makes more sense 🙈. Appreciate the effort