STAYC Yoon and Jai: "I Want to Start a Family by My Forties... Cars in Your 30s, Homes in Your 40s" [★22nd Anniversary Interview Part 2]

*This content was translated by AI.

-Continuing from Interview Part 1.

As she turned 22 this year, when asked about the biggest change compared to last year, Yoon began by saying, "I feel like I've learned so much more than last year." She continued, "I started appearing on the variety show 'Office Workers,' and it was my first time doing activities alone while temporarily stepping away from the group. Actually, I'm only the youngest within our team; I've never experienced being the youngest outside of STAYC. But on 'Office Workers,' I was completely the youngest and at the very beginning, so things like reading all the lines as the youngest during script readings were new experiences for me."

She added, "When we all had group dinners, I learned how to survive as the youngest member. To survive, you have no choice but to work hard at something. In the world of variety shows, you must jump in when seniors are speaking. At first, I found it difficult, thinking, 'Can I really say this here?' But since others encouraged me by saying, 'You should do it, it's fun,' I learned a lot about how to survive and how to secure screen time."

In contrast, Jai said, "I developed a desire to learn something new compared to last year. My ambition grew to want to learn new things and improve my skills. Since I don't have any hobbies, for the first time this year, I started looking for one. I feel like I've found many hobbies, and as a result, I feel like I'm becoming stronger on my own."

So, what kind of year will 2026, when they turn 22, be remembered as? Jai replied, "I hope it won't just be another passing year. Since I felt like I learned so much, I hope to grow even more next year."

Yoon said, "2026 was a year where I got to know myself better than last year. It was also less intense than last year." She explained, "I remember being so busy last year that I didn't have time to get to know myself. This year, when I had days off, I went traveling. Recently, I had three free days, so a week ago, I asked Sun-min unnie, 'Want to go?' and we went to Japan." She added, "By traveling like this and visiting my hometown more often, it feels like this is the year where, after living intensely as STAYC's Yoon, I'm also gradually taking care of my life as Sim Ja-yoon."

What about the dreams for their 20s that these two busy individuals had? Yoon said, "I imagined a typical freshman university student's life. I pictured going to college, drinking and playing drinking games with friends every day, traveling and having fun everywhere." However, she confessed, "But it turned out to be exactly the same as I imagined. I ended up staying home most of the time and only drank enough to count on my fingers. It was more ordinary than expected."

Jai recalled, "Actually, when I was in school, I wanted to graduate quickly and focus entirely on my life as a singer. Since we were at our busiest while attending school, sometimes I would come straight to the practice room after just one class." She continued, "So, I felt sorry showing people how I sleep in class, and I also felt sorry for myself for enduring it. Rather than having dreams about adulthood, I think I focused more on the thought of practicing a bit more at this time to succeed as a singer."

At an age full of thoughts and worries, when asked about stress relief methods, Jai said, "I just book a practice room nearby and dance or go out for hobbies or exercise. Moving your body makes your brain move less." She added, "Or writing. I write down all the emotions I feel. When I look back later, it's recorded why I was struggling over certain things, so it helps me resolve them." Yoon shared a contrasting method: "I just sleep. My personality is naturally one that doesn't get stressed easily. I try to avoid unnecessary worries before they happen." She continued, "If something is beyond my control and cannot be changed by my will, I just forget it. I try to let go of things in my mind as much as possible, so everything always feels new and fun."

So what will STAYC look like in their 30s ten years from now? Yoon said, "In reality, I hope to have a car by then. It's too hard commuting on public transportation right now. When I'm in my 30s, I expect to have a car." She added, "I hope to have achieved many things by then. I want the group to continue for a long time and be active with enthusiasm, and personally, I have ambitions like releasing albums or creating works." Jai also added, "I hope to be living a stable life too, and I hope to remain an artist who is actively active even then."

Although it's a distant future, when asked about what Yoon and Jai will look like in 22 years at age 44, surprising remarks followed. Yoon said, "I hope to have a house by then. Cars in your 30s, homes in your 40s." She continued, "By that time, my life goal won't be success but rather living safely and without major incidents. Around my forties, I think I'll have a family, and I want to enjoy happy family life too." Jai also smiled and agreed, "I hope I'll also have a good family? I just hope I'm healthy mentally and physically and doing well without any issues."

Yoon continued, "Recently at a group dinner, someone asked me, 'How can you be so clear-minded?' I hope to remain as clear-minded and stress-free as I am now even in my 40s. I hope every day remains new. It shouldn't stagnate; isn't that truly a wonderful life?"

Finally, as an encouraging message to her 40-year-old self who has grown safely and wonderfully over 22 years, Yoon said, "I'm grateful that I've survived without any incidents during these six years in the entertainment industry." She added, "I want to tell myself, 'You did so well. It will be busy and hard, but that's good. So let's just enjoy it now. If you want to live comfortably when you're older, you have to work hard now.'" She expressed her sincere thoughts with maturity. Jai also patted herself on the back for 22 years later, saying, "You've done well so far, so you'll continue to do well. Let's just endure a bit more."

-Continuing from Interview Part 3.

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*This content was translated by AI.