[INTERVIEW] MC Mong - Part 1

MC Mong appeared on MBC TV show "Golden Fishery" not too long ago, saying that his song '180 degrees' is the song of his life. The song, about him wanting his life to change 180 degrees, really did change his life and ever since, has become one of the most sought-after entertainers in the business. Every one of his songs sweep music charts upon their release and his variety show "Happy Sunday" on which he appears with his mentor Kang Ho-dong, records the highest ratings amongst such shows. Now, MC Mong has entered his 30s where he is set to make yet another transition. 10Asia had a heart-to-heart talk with the singer about the changes.

10Asia: Entertainer Kang Ho-dong participated the title song "Horror Show" of your repackaged album. How did it happen?
MC Mong: I got the theme for the song itself from him. Once he goes into shoot for his talkshow, he'll go for eight to nine hours straight without tiring out and continuously pay close attention to what people say. That's why I think he's the 'monster' of the entertainment industry. And that's why I thought I want to become a monster like him, but on stage. I had originally thought of setting it as the title song for my regular album but I thought it wouldn't make sense not to have him on the song when it's about him, so I included the song in the repackaged version after asking him for three months to take part in it. Out of all the people I've asked to do a featuring for my song, he was the hardest to convince. (laugh) But it turned out he actually quite wanted to try rapping. (laugh)

10: Why did you think of that looking at Kang?
Mong: In variety shows, if there is a main host, there are also the panels with their unique characters who support that host. Amongst those characters will be the seemingly-perfect guy like Lee Seung-gi and then someone like me who will always aggravate the host or the other panels. But there are some people who don't like the role I take on. That's why I've become quite scared on shows these days but Kang noticed that right away. We were having dinner once when he told me not to be scared. That I shouldn't be scared because I'm a 'meat-eating animal'. That's when I thought 'Yes! I'm a monster on stage!' But of course, I'm still scared. (laugh)

10: You said this in your previous interview too, but I think your life and the side of your career which pursues variety shows, has a big influence on your music.
Mong: That's right. That's how I was able to make "Horror Show". I'm worried when I appear on the TV shows, I regret things that I say, and that ends up influencing my music.

10: Why do you keep getting scared? You were never scared of anything when you first debuted.
Mong: That's true. And I become embarrassed looking at my past shows. I was one spiteful guy. (laugh) But in a way, I also miss those days because nothing used to scare me. And even still, there were people who said they agree with the things I say or stories I told and rooted for me. But these days, people will agree with me or get why I say certain things but they'll also question me and say that I might be being a bit too honest. That's why I'm starting to get scared. I'm usually not a very lively person. The side to me that you see on TV is a new side to me that I discovered while talking about myself on screen. But I'm starting to get scared now that people's reaction toward me has started to change. I was recently made fun of on a show by the hosts who said my recent title song 'Indian Boy' didn't do well but I really had nothing to say. I just had to admit to it. (laugh)

10: That's true -- I've even seen people write bad comments just because your girlfriend is pretty.
Mong: That's why I barely use the Internet at home. It's been a couple of months since I looked up my own name. And I rarely watch TV too. I think that's helped to ease my mind. I don't think I can help it. It doesn't matter if I'm the only one who is getting hurt but I've also become more scared seeing the people around me also get hurt.

10: Won't such responses from you have an influence on the image you have as MC Mong? You used to be someone not too important and shabby-looking but turned into a star one day. Have you ever worried over the thought that the public may turn their back on you some day?
Mong: I think that's an issue outside my power. In the past, I used to be worried that they didn't know me for who I really was. But they actually seemed to become more distant when my songs started doing well. I'm actually over that phase now. I'm not sure. The more I think I know about the public, the more I realize that I don't know how they feel.

10: I think you really showed a lot of you in your fifth album. "Indian Boy" is full of a happy melody we had never seen in your songs before. We can't feel the unique sorrow you used to express in your previous albums.
Mong: I tried to write it as happily as I could because my current situation isn't bad and I've become scared. I was never hesitant to take on new challenges in the past but I'm become quite scared now. I'm also nervous and anxious when shooting variety shows. So I think I rather try to think happy thoughts.

10: And I think that's how your music started to change. Up till your third album, you were someone you talked about everything about yourself. But you started to lay forth more imaginary concepts starting with your album "Circus".
Mong: I used to think all that mattered was singing and doing live performances well but I think I've found more diverse ways of enjoying myself. It's like discovering different ways to cook a certain menu. I think singers are the ones who should become the hero of their act during their three minutes on stage. That's why I have started planning for my performances on stage and try to come up with a costume and dance to go with it.

10: Has changes in your life influenced your music? Such as becoming more abundant economically and your interests changing?
Mong: Yes. To start with, I'm always listening to new music. That's why my musical interests change too. And before, I was only interested in delivering the stories I want to talk about but I'm becoming increasingly sensitive to sound. Even the mixing engineers said so to me too.

Senior Reporter : Kang Myoung-Seok two@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Jang Kyung-Jin three@10asia.co.kr