STAYC Yoon and Jai: "I want to start a family by my 40s... A car in my 30s, a house in my 40s" [★22nd Anniversary Interview Part 2]

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-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, away from the members. Actually, while I'm the youngest in our group, I had never experienced being the youngest outside of the team. But on 'Office Workers,' I was completely the youngest and at the very beginning, so even things like reading all the lines during script readings were new experiences for me."

She added, "When we all went out for a company dinner together, I learned how to survive as the youngest. To survive, you have no choice but to work hard at something. In the world of variety shows, you need to jump in when seniors are speaking. At first, I thought, 'Is it okay to say this here?' It was difficult, but people around me said, 'You should do it, it's fun,' so 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 more than last year. It was also less intense than last year." She continued, "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 days free, 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, I think this will be a year where I start taking care of Sim Ja-yoon's life a bit, after living intensely as STAYC Yoon."

What about the 20s' dreams that these two busy individuals had? Yoon said, "I imagined exactly the typical life of a freshman university student. I imagined 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 just like that. I ended up staying home most of the time and only drank a handful of times. It was more straightforward than I expected."

Jai recalled, "Actually, when I was in school, I wanted to graduate quickly and focus on my life as a singer. Since we were at our busiest while attending school, sometimes I would come to the practice room right after the first class." She continued, "So, I felt sorry showing people how I sleep at school, and I also felt sorry for myself enduring it. Rather than having dreams about adulthood, I think I was focused on the thought of practicing a bit more during 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 with something, so it gets resolved." Yoon shared a contrasting method: "I just sleep. My personality is such that I don't get stressed easily. I try not to worry about things that haven't happened yet as much as possible. If something is beyond my control and cannot be changed by my will, I just forget it. I try to throw it out of 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 taking public transportation now. I expect that by my 30s, I'll have a car." She continued, "I hope to have achieved many things by then. I hope the group continues for a long time and we keep working hard on activities. Personally, I also have ambitions like releasing albums or creating works." Jai added, "I also hope to be living a stable life and still be an artist who is active at that time."

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. A car in my 30s, a house in my 40s." She continued, "By that time, my life goal won't be success but rather living safely and without any major issues. I think I'll have a family by my 40s, and I want to enjoy happy family life too." Jai also smiled and agreed, saying, "I hope I'll also have a good family? I hope I'm just doing well and staying healthy in mind and body."

Yoon continued, "Recently at a company dinner, someone asked me, 'How can you be so clear-headed?' I hope that even in my 40s, I can stay as clear-minded and stress-free as I am now. I hope every day remains new. I think it's not stagnant life, but isn't that truly an admirable way of living?"

Finally, as a message of encouragement to her 40-year-old self who has grown safely and wonderfully over 22 years, Yoon said, "I'm grateful for surviving without any accidents during these six years in the entertainment industry. I want to tell myself, 'You did so well. It's 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 offered this sincere and mature sentiment. Jai also patted her future self, saying, "Since we've done well so far, we'll continue to do well. Let's endure a bit more."

-Continuing from Interview Part 3.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original