NewJeans' Minji Talks About Recent Tokyo Dome Fan Meeting, Music Ambitions, And More

Jul 28, 2024

NewJeans’ Minji recently graced the pages of Vogue Korea magazine with a stunning pictorial!

Following the photo shoot, Minji took a moment to chat about her group’s recent fan meeting “Bunnies Camp 2024 Tokyo Dome,” her music ambitions, and her life principles.

The conversation kicked off with Minji reflecting on her recent busy schedule from NewJeans’ debut in Japan and their new song “Supernatural” to being appointed honorary ambassadors for Korean tourism. Reflecting on the topics Minji focused on amid all this, she said, “Honestly, if I were to tell you the truth—today’s lunch menu? When you’re busy or focused on one thing, it’s easy to overlook and make mistakes on the obvious things. I try to take care of the little things.”

Minji’s solo performance of Vaundy’s “Odoriko” at the Tokyo Dome was also greatly received. Regarding how it felt to fill that vast stage all by herself with one of her favorite songs, she replied, “I was truly happy! Even during the rehearsal on the day of the performance, I was worried about how to present the stage. But once I got up there, my body just moved on its own. Focusing on my emotions and the energy exchange with the fans made me feel lighter.”

When it came to whether choosing a school uniform for her stage outfit was her idea, she said, “Actually, I initially thought of a different outfit, but the styling team suggested the school uniform first. In that case, I wanted to wear my actual school uniform. During the first day’s performance, singing in my real uniform brought back so many high school memories. As I’ve said before, I love the song’s lyrics, and everything came together perfectly for that performance.”

Debuting in Japan and performing at the Tokyo Dome, Minji was asked about the fresh inspiration she gained from the new stage and Bunnies (NewJeans’ fandom name) in Japan. Curiosity rose about whether her mindset and attitude change with each performance, considering her past appearances on diverse stages such as Lollapalooza 2023, Summer Sonic, university festivals, and Gyeongbokgung Palace. She replied, “My desire to enjoy the stage never changes. The energy might vary slightly depending on the performance and situation. At the Tokyo Dome, I felt tickling happiness throughout. There was a moment when I felt everyone there shared the same emotion, and it made me feel like I was floating.”

NewJeans is known for retro trends. Some generations find the music, dance, and items from the past nostalgic, while others see them as new and cool. Discussing where NewJeans gets their inspiration for retro fashion and music, she replied, “For some, these might be familiar, but for me, everything we present as NewJeans feels new. It’s always fresh and exciting.”

NewJeans members are not limited to specific roles. They are known for their powerful dance moves and captivating low tones. Reflecting on their growing musical ambitions as they mark their second anniversary, Minji said, “I feel there is still so much we haven’t shown. Both as a group and individually, I want to showcase the music we enjoy on more stages.”

Minji once said that being called “smart” is the best compliment, reflecting her strong academic enthusiasm. Regarding what new skills or studies she would pursue if time stood still for the next five years, she replied, “I used to focus on that compliment, but these days, I appreciate any kind of praise. Right now, I’m very interested in learning an instrument. Whether it’s bass, drums, guitar, or keyboard, I’m open to it. Listening to music is great, but five years is a long time, so it would be worth trying it myself!”

Minji’s logical, rational, and positive thinking has also sparked great buzz. Addressing whether she ever finds herself caught up in worries despite this mindset, she said, “Worrying itself is not necessarily a bad thing. I do have a lot of concerns and often hesitate. However, I don’t want these worries to overwhelm me or make things harder for myself. Worries are worries, and tasks need to be done. Despite that, I remain unchanged, so it’s all okay.”

In the vlogs on the NewJeans channel, Minji often focuses on small beauties like flowers, sunsets, and the scents of the wind and trees. Reflecting on recent beautiful moments or scenes she has captured, even amid her busy schedule, she said, “Focusing only on what’s right in front of me can make me miss the beauty around me. Although I used to struggle with this, the members have helped me become more aware of my surroundings. Recently, the sight of the fans at the Tokyo Dome stage was the most beautiful to me.”