SEVENTEEN‘s The8—one of the K-pop group’s two Chinese members—is known for being candid. In a live broadcast on Weibo, he talked about a topic close to his heart: his interactions with CARATs outside official events.
Reflecting on his evolution from an unknown to a world-famous member of SEVENTEEN, The8 said, “Whenever I go out, I almost always encounter CARATs who recognize me. That brings me immense joy, considering I was virtually unknown when I debuted.”
However, his new level of fame has its challenges, especially regarding fan interactions in public. “If I’m just resting outside because it’s my private life, I don’t like being interrupted,” he said honestly. “But if I already noticed that you saw me, say hi. I’d appreciate that. If you’re afraid of disturbing me so you don’t want to say hi, but you’re also secretly filming me, I’ll have to avoid you. If I avoid you, then you’ll try to find me, and that will make me uncomfortable, right? It’s a vicious cycle.”
[#LIVE] 230810 THE8 #디에잇 is live on WEIBO!
🔗 https://t.co/iVIpZrlzjK pic.twitter.com/YT24nJgXyj
— . (@svtcontents) August 10, 2023
Personal moments
The8 emphasized how uncomfortable he feels when fans take pictures and videos of him when they think he’s not looking. “I believe genuine fans of mine or SEVENTEEN’s should be confident enough to greet me. That way, I won’t feel anxious about being covertly photographed or recorded. You may think I’m oblivious when you do that, but I notice. I always do.”
While he treasures the affection from CARATs, The8 also hopes they understand the significance of boundaries. Genuine support, he believes, means respecting his privacy during personal moments.
“If I’m with my family or friends, perhaps you can wait until I’m free to greet me,” The8 suggested. When I went to the seaside with my parents, we met a lot of CARATs. Everyone was polite. There was a little girl who probably wasn’t even ten years old yet. As we were leaving, she said softly, ‘Are you The8? I’m your fan. I really like SEVENTEEN.’ I was taken aback because we were there for almost thirty minutes, and she didn’t come over to interrupt at all. I thought, ‘Wow, she’s so polite at such a young age.’ I was truly happy.”
#THE8 WEIBO LIVE REPLAY TRANSLATIONS
🐸 Hellooo, long time no see!
— ⑧ (@the8pics) August 10, 2023
The8 on art and self-care
The8 also discussed his recent endeavors, including filming a new episode of GOING SEVENTEEN and his love for art. Lately, he’s been more into drawing and painting than dancing.
When some fans asked him to post photos of his work on social media, The8 replied, “I’m hesitant to share my art casually. I’m happy to talk about my process, but I’d prefer to present my finished pieces in a more formal setting, where I can fully convey the emotions behind each work. I hope to share my art with you in the future. But for now, I need more time. I want to feel truly proud of my creations, whether they’re dance, musical, or visual art projects. I know CARATs are eager for new content, but I ask for your patience.”
He’s been into self-care lately because he wants to show CARATs his best side. “I want to interact with you when I’m at my best. Lately, I’ve realized I shouldn’t overexert myself. I’ve always been ambitious, pushing myself to improve my performance. While I enjoy being active, I understand my body’s limits now. That’s why I’m focusing on rest. But you’ll still see me in upcoming content.”
The8 🖤 pic.twitter.com/7hKZGw5juo
— 쿱정원 (@wonubliss) August 10, 2023
The8 wants CARATs to keep supporting him and his group while respecting their boundaries. As his live broadcast ended, he imparted a poignant message to them: “Take a moment to gaze at the sky, relish the clouds, and treasure life.” – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: The8 looks adorable in a behind-the-scenes collage from the next issue of GOING SEVENTEEN magazine. Source: Twitter/@svtcontents.