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[KpopStarz Exclusive] B.A.P Gives The Lowdown On Their "Continent Tour", Plus Talks About Their Desire To Work With Pharrell Williams And Walk The Abbey Road in London

KpopStarz Japan caught up with B.A.P and talked about their single "No Mercy", birthday celebrations, and going on tour around the world for "Live on Earth".

May 1, 2014 01:27 AM BST
TAGㆍB.A.P.
B.A.P
(Photo : KpopStarz)
Daehyun
Yongguk
Jongup
Youngjae
Himchan
Zelo

B.A.P is hitting stages around the world for their "LIVE ON EARTH 2014 CONTINENT TOUR." The group is also currently preparing for the European leg of the tour which will take place in London, Paris, and Germany.

It's a busy few months for the members, as they stayed in Japan for two weeks around the end of March to promote their 3rd Japanese single "NO MERCY," released on April 2. During their stay, they had a memorable opportunity to see their fans for the first time in Japan. Their Japanese version of "NO MERCY" ranked second on Oricon weekly chart and garnered much attention as the group that has both huge popularity and the potential.

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KpopStarz Japan recently caught up with power boy group B.A.P for an exclusive interview and photos. During the interview, they were as playful and honest as always. Below is the conversation with the boys who are making a stand for world peace, and other global concerns such as environmental awareness, through their music.

KpopStarz: Hello! The previous exclusive photos were pretty popular with our readers.
Himchan: I know it! (*In Japanese)
All: Nice to meet you again!

KpopStarz: How did it feel going on stages of your first Japanese fan meetings in Sendai, Osaka, and Tokyo?
Youngjae: I really get this feeling running throughout my body that whenever I go to the provinces, I can really see our fans out there. I am very thankful for that. I hope that everyone had a good time at the fan meetings as well.

KpopStarz: Is this your first time to visit Sendai?
All: Yes. (*In Japanese, respectively)
Himchan: Gyutan, gyutan! (*BBQ thinly sliced beef tongue, famous in Sendai)
Zelo: We ate Gyutan.
Daehyun: We had no idea what the Gyutan was [before we had it] for the first time. Then latter we heard that it was actually a grilled tongue and that surprised a lot.

KpopStarz: So you all enjoyed delicious treats at each fan meeting spot.
All: Yes we did!
Himchan: We had Okonomiyaki at a famous restaurant in Osaka.
Daehyun: Yeah, we did.
Zelo: Yum!
Youngjae: It was yummy.
Daehyun: I love it!
Himchan: Yakisoba was delicious as well. I love it!
(*They gave their bests to speak in Japanese respectively.)

KpopStarz: We celebrated Bang Yongguk's birthday at the fan meeting in Tokyo.
Himchan:Birthday!
[All clap hands]

KpopStarz: Do you all usually exchange presents?
Himchan: We would celebrate each other's [birthdays], but we get pretty busy these days and have no time for it. We say "Congratulations!" wholeheartedly.
Daehyun: Also we ask the members what they need most and then buy it.

KpopStarz: Bang Yongguk, did you get anything from the members this time?
Yobgguk: (Laughing) Well, my members themselves are the gift.
Himchan: Oh!
[Group Laughter]

KpopStarz: Alright, you didn't get a 'thing.'
[Group Laughter]
Daehyun: But I gave him a present last year!

B.A.P on their single, "No Mercy"

KpopStarz: You sang "NO MERCY" again to close the Tokyo fan meeting. [You headed] right back on stage for an encore.
Himchan: Yes, we were on the right track. (*In Japanese)
Daehyun: Because it was our last stage [in the meantime], and the members were also excited. Fans responded with enthusiastic cheers and we had the best time together.

KpopStarz: About your 3rd Japanese single "NO MERCY," are there any Japanese expressions that you encountered for the first time?
Himchan: "Unexperienced zone." (*In Japanese)
[Group Agreement]
Youngjae: Me, too. "Unexperienced zone." (*In Japanese)
Bang Yongguk: "Unexperienced zone."
Himchan: "Unexperienced zone"(Sings)
Zelo: No affairs! (*In Japanese)
All: Not that!
Himchan: At the part of "Yoridorimidori," (meaning: too much of something to choose from) I wondered why it was [termed] "Midori" (meaning: color green).
Bang Yongguk: ♪Although there are too many to choose from, we are the main! (Sings)

KpopStarz: What is your favorite word from the lyrics?
Daehyun: I love the part "we create a new age." I just love the meaning.
Jongup: "I'll take you put ya hands up."

KpopStarz: If you were to go sing Karaoke right now, what would you pick up as the first song to sing out of B.A.P's titles?
Youngjae: "Excuse Me."
Zelo: "Bang×2."
Daehyun: Me, too, "Bang×2."
Jongup: Well, I would choose "With You."
Himchan: "Coffee shop," since I like sensitive songs.
Bang Yongguk: "ONE SHOT."

KpopStarz: Many fans went out to see the live viewing "LIVE ON EARTH 2014 Seoul" in Japan, I was also there. How does it feel?
Himchan: How was the live viewing?

KpopStarz: Basically, the camera follows one member who is singing so that we cannot focus on our bias or whole the stage, but the idea that we can really see you up close is nice, which we cannot do at a concert.

Youngjae seemed impressed while Himchan said, "Thank you for your precious feedback."


B.A.P on their "CONTINENT TOUR" and "World Peace" theme

KpopStarz: How was your Seoul concert?
Bang Yongguk: Since it was the very beginning of our "CONTINENT TOUR", I was really excited. We worked so hard for this tour and really hope many people will get interested in.

KpopStarz: It's about "What the Earth needs" like Justice, Love, Passion, Happiness and "You". How did you choose the theme?
Bang Yongguk: Before each concert, we exchange ideas at the meetings with the members and the staffs in charge of performances.

KpopStarz: B.A.P always has this concept that concerns the Earth. When did you start thinking about "the Earth," and "World Peace?"
Bang Yongguk: Originally, we debuted as the group that came from another planet. We help the Earth and save the planet's peace. We also keep giving our best contribution with great determination. In this way, we have been thinking about "world peace."

KpopStarz: This is a question from KpopStarz English edition. This time, you will visit the U.S for the "CONTINENT TOUR", is there any American producer you would love to work with?
Bang Yongguk: Pharrel Whilliams. I personally think it would be interesting to do music that B.A.P has not tried yet. I would like to try pleasant music with him.

KpopStarz: Your "CONTINENT TOUR" will take you to European countries, is there anywhere you want to go or see?
Daehyun: Anywhere will do, since it is my first visit to Europe. I would like to go to many places. For us, each European city is a new experience with full of adventures. So I would like to do many different things if time allows.
Himchan: I would like to go to The Beatles' Abbey Road in London. We have done a parody for jacket cover of "Goodbye". [In the photo] we didn't actually walk on [Abbey] road but MATOKI, so this time, we would like to try walking there.

KpopStarz: You will kick off the European leg of your "CONTINENT TOUR" on April 27 in London, please leave a message to your European fans.
Bang Yongguk: We are very happy to keep the promise with our European fans that we will see you on stage in Europe! We can't wait to see you. Please be patient, any minute now!

KpopStarz: Also we can see your "LIVE ON EARTH" stages in Japan, right?
All: Yes!
Himchan: We cannot announce too much at the moment but we have a plan to visit several cities in Japan. We would like to see many fans again.
Daehyun: We will work hard so that you can enjoy our improved performances. We want to show our very best, with no regrets.

KpopStarz: You had promised to volunteer with fans if you won first place when "1004 (Angel)" was released in Korea. Did you?
All: Yes, we did! (*Cheerfully)
Bang Yongguk: We did it right before coming to Japan. (*Himchan shows pictures from his smartphone) We volunteered at the facilities for children with disabilities. We went there with fans and our staffs to feed them, get them take baths, place them in bed, celebrate their birthdays, read them fairy tales, sing songs to them, and etc.

KpopStarz: What kind of volunteer activity would you like to do as B.A.P?
Himchan: I want to [build a] school in Africa with B.A.P.
Bang Yongguk: We have already built a school in Cambodia, but we consider it is our fans that made this happen. We want to continue doing good deeds around the world.

Original Japansese text: Kiyori Matsumot

English translation: Nanase Yamaguchi

B.A.P LIVE ON EARTH CONTINENT TOUR 2014- JAPAN Official dates and venues:

DATE            VENUE
4 June 2014    Fukuoka / Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel&Hall
5 June 2014    Fukuoka / Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel&Hall
10 June 2014 Nagoya / Nagoya Congress Center Century Hall
11 June 2014 Nagoya / Nagoya Congress Center Century Hall
13 June 2014 Osaka / Osaka International Convention Center
14 June 2014 Osaka / Osaka International Convention Center
15 June 2014 Osaka / Osaka International Convention Center
22 June 2014 Chiba / Makuhari Messe

TICKET PRICE: ¥8,800 (Tax Included)
* More details about these concerts will be announced soon.
* Every child, older than 6 years old, needs to buy a ticket.
* The children that have not yet entered primary school are not allowed.

TICKET SALES SCHEDULE:
■ Pre-sale Tickets
Operating Date:26 April 2014 ~
* Please see the detail on the websites of your ticket agency.

■ General Sale
17 May 2014 10:00AM

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