Twenty. An age where adulthood and childhood, sweetness and scrapes, dreams and reality all overlap. The very border WONHEE straddles today as she blazes along.

How does it feel to be 20 in Korean age?
WONHEE: My life isn’t actually all that much different from before. It feels like I’m having new experiences and making new memories with every year older as always. (laughs) But lots of people said congratulations, and I’m making a lot of good memories with the fans, so I think I’m having a good time making being 20 my own.

What’s some advice you could give IROHA since you’re a little older than her?
WONHEE: “Take your vitamins!” I went to an oriental medicine clinic a little while ago and they said my biological age is late 20s. I was shocked. “Start looking after yourself now!” (laughs)

Then there’s “Hello, Twenty - Wonhee,” the show where you checked off a turning-20 bucket list with older “girlies.”
WONHEE: It was a great experience for me just to meet and connect with so many different people. When you think about it, 20 is just another age, right? But turning 20 gave us the opportunity to make the show, and people really loved it, so I’m really thankful for it.

Did you feel pressure being the host?
WONHEE: It was exciting having my own show with my name on it, but it was hard, too. I only ever thought of myself as someone who can barely take care of herself, not a leader. Honestly, I just sat there excitedly (laughs) and it’s all thanks to the producer and the writers that we could invite such great guests. Now I look back and think, “Could I have made it more fun?” But I did the best I could. I learned how to be less shy around new people along the way, so that’s a little easier for me now than it used to be.

You also made a big splash on TV variety shows like “Radio Star” and in Japan.
WONHEE: I was so nervous to be on “Radio Star.” Next to such big stars, I felt like the baby in the room (laughs) and I was really worried about being out of place and whether I was doing well. The only reason I managed was because they were so incredibly welcoming. When I’m on Japanese variety shows, I feel like I get a kind of buff. There are things I can say since I’m a foreigner, and I really tried to have good timing with those types of comments.

Talking about variety shows with Lee Eun-ji on “Hello, Twenty - Wonhee,” you said, “I want to do well, but it’s hard. I have fun when I go on, but …”
WONHEE: Variety shows are unpredictable, and you can’t practice for them. You have to give yourself over to the moment completely, which makes it hard, but it’s also what’s so special about them. That’s why I find the most important thing’s always to get off on the right foot. I look up the show ahead of time, and once I’m on set, I try to loosen up right away and get settled in. Sometimes the biggest laughs are ones you never saw coming, and it’s rewarding helping other people have a good time.

You were friendly and open with Lee Eun-ji, but you also told her, “Tell me if I ever act rude.” It struck me how you were careful to be considerate even on a variety show, where keeping things fun is the main objective.
WONHEE: Sometimes you have to step outside yourself for things to be funny, but I was worried about accidentally landing somewhere between funny and rude, so I was upfront about it. I try to read the room and use my best judgment, but it’s not like math where there’s one right answer, so it’s hard. I always tell myself to think carefully but it all flies by so fast that I can barely remember what even happened. I still don’t really know what “instinct” is (laughs) but if I give it my all the whole time, the crew seems good at making it look nice on camera and editing it to make it fun to watch.

Doesn’t wanting to do well naturally come with some level of consideration? I remember how passionately you talked about the music all throughout the “It’s Me” comeback.
WONHEE: You know how “It’s Me” is a straightforward song you can sum up in one line? “Who’s your bias? I’m your bias! It’s me!” Like that. (laughs) It was easy and fun for me to explain. But I’m already wondering how to talk about the new album’s lead single, “You’re Under Arrest,” in a straightforward way. Part of me thinks, “Should I start by explaining who’s getting arrested?” (laughs) and that’s where it gets “complicatey.” It’s also the peak of the story we’ve been building up to.

The peak of the story?
WONHEE: With the debut album, we started out talking about a crush, then we even went “Who’s your bias? It’s me!” But they don’t reciprocate the feelings, so it ends up being anger directed at them. The music video’s even about arresting a guy who plays the field. I also felt like the new album is really well balanced on the whole. Some songs are upbeat, some are dreamy, some are mellow, but they’re all catchy and unmistakably ILLIT. I was really driven to do well on this one while we were getting ready for it.

With each track having such a clear flavor of its own, the key must have been in getting the emotion for each one right.
WONHEE: When we were practicing the choreography for “You’re Under Arrest,” I felt it was the facial expressions that mattered most. I smile a lot in general, but for that I can’t smile at all and have to frown a lot, which is so hard. Being annoyed falls under the category of bad feelings, but people still have to be able to have fun watching the performance. It’s a fun song at its core, so I hope people just let go and enjoy it and the whistle sounds. I have a pretty breathy singing voice, so I try to make whatever song I’m singing come across clearly. When I’m recording, I try to put even more emotion in and really get into it.

You seem to be discovering the fun of the job, having fun swapping ideas with the producer while recording and hyping up the crowd with ease from onstage.
WONHEE: The more takes we did, the more I got used to the producer’s approach, and he’s so open to my ideas that we got really comfortable with each other. (laughs) I’ve put on concerts and performed at multiple festivals too, so it’s a bit easier for me to have fun onstage now. I check how the audience is reacting, give some ad-libbing a try, and just do my best to act naturally. Whatever the performance, I’m happiest when fans are enjoying it. That’s why I want to get even closer with GLLIT.

You and GLLIT seem to have grown a lot closer.
WONHEE: The chillest atmosphere’s when I’m doing events with GLLIT, like music shows, mini fan meetings, and fan signings! I guess I’ve started to depend on GLLIT without even realizing it. I used to think, “Can I really talk to our fans this freely and openly?” (laughs) and I’d get self-conscious saying even the smallest thing to them, but now I don’t even hesitate, because the urge to joke around more, chat with them, and make them happy takes over. GLLIT keeps showing me so much love that I think it’s given me a real boost in confidence.

You also plan out your Weverse LIVE videos beforehand, like showing off your squishies and wax cracking ball haul.
WONHEE: To be honest, I always felt a lot of pressure doing Weverse LIVE, because I’d think, “I have to prepare something, it has to be fun.” I have to handle it myself, so I tried to put even more thorough preparation into it, but lately I’ve started to think just coming on more often might be the move. GLLIT must’ve understood how I felt because they say it’s fun for them even when I don’t do anything.

There was a recent stream where you showed off just how much you love raw shrimp hwe. (laughs)
WONHEE: I actually had hwe not long ago with Charles [Entertainment] and [KWON]TTOTTO. I wanted to eat it with GLLIT first, but I felt bad, so … I kept it a secret. (laughs) Please make sure you put in that I’m sorry to GLLIT. I really adore those two. I was really drawn to them because of the mature side they have that I don’t.

What makes you say you don’t have a mature side?
WONHEE: Well, my age, for one thing. And it’s just not really in my personality … (laughs)

You’re quite modest. You used to get shy just from people calling you cute or seeing yourself in videos. (laughs)
WONHEE: Now I’m just grateful. (laughs) I mean, I was always grateful before, too! Back then the embarrassment was just too overwhelming, but now there’s a lot more gratitude instead. With all the filming and being onstage so often, I started to feel like I needed to review my own footage. It can be kind of hard to watch sometimes when I’m laying on the cutesy act a little too thick, but I can kind of let it slide now. (laughs) Early on when we first debuted, even showing affection with things like “I love you!” was hard. Now I try to express that as much as I can. I mean, I tell my parents I love them all the time, so it’s not like I’m not used to saying it, but I’m still not that used to saying it to other people.

Based on seeing “Idol Human Theater” earlier, it seems like your parents are like friends to you.
WONHEE: My dad felt really embarrassed after his voice aired, but I get the feeling he kind of likes it. He even jokes, like, “I’d better go on a diet first.” (laughs) If I have any intuition for being funny, maybe I get it from my dad. (laughs) I get my looks and my tastes, including for food, from my mom. We like the same snack foods and have similar hobbies. She loves stationery too, so when we go out on a date together, we hit stationery shops or go shopping for clothes. I think she really tries to let me do what I want. (laughs)

You famously have a ton of hobbies. How do you spend your downtime these days?
WONHEE: I usually don’t come out of my room much, but the weather’s been so nice lately that I’m trying to get out more. I like decorating things, drawing, and making all kinds of different things. I’m particularly into nail art lately. I used to be allergic to gel nails, but it went away a little while ago, so I got my nails done yesterday! I have quite a few hobbies, so I try not to dwell on anything that gives me stress and just enjoy doing the things I like.

Do you usually work through any worries or concerns on your own?
WONHEE: I don’t really like telling other people about what’s bothering me. Even when something’s weighing on my mind, I just talk to one or two friends I trust. I’ve always been that way. It’s just what I’m used to. When it comes to work, if there’s anything tough, I just think, “It’s just work!” (laughs) and it’s fine. It’s actually non-work things that are harder. I meet so many different people, and interpersonal relationships are really important.

“Super in Love” is about finally giving up, with lines like, “won’t waste my feelings on you anymore.” When you personally don’t get back what you give, do you tend to make a clean break and move on?
WONHEE: I’m not the kind of person who can easily come to that kind of decision. Part of me always wants to try one more time. The only way you won’t have regrets later is if you really give it a shot. But I also think everyone should just go with whatever calls to them. If you’re not feeling it, just call it quits, and if you do want it, go for it.

Do you also try to fully express your feelings in your personal relationships?
WONHEE: Once I get close with someone, I want to do everything for them. I want to give them presents, and I want to see them on my days off. Actually, I like practical gifts, so I always add things to my wish list on my messenger app. And I want to give other people things they’ll get good use out of, too. I wish everyone would set one up. (laughs)

In “Where’s SU-ILLIT?” you were likewise happy to buy snacks for kids from your old school that you ran into when you visited your hometown, Changwon.
WONHEE: I wanted to do something for them since I went there too, but I don’t think I did a super good job. I was too shy. (laughs) It was surreal going with the group to these places I only ever went by myself, like the market or my school. It really meant a lot to me. So many memories from back in the day came back to me. I even got to see a teacher I thought had transferred away. It was so nice getting to meet up after all that time.

What’s changed the most about you compared to when you went to Bansong Middle School?
WONHEE: There’s the age difference, first of all, and second is that I feel like a member of society now? (laughs) But I’m still the same person. I think I’ve done a good job growing up into myself. (laughs) I think I’m still a long way from being an adult, though.

Why is that?
WONHEE: It’s like … I had this image in my head of this amazing adult, but the actual conditions to meet that feel vague and really broad. Sometimes I wonder if I’m becoming a good adult. I should’ve already known exactly the kind of adult I wanted to be, but I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to grow into becoming one. Anyway, seeing how visible I am to so many people because of what I do, I hope I’ll grow into an adult who’s a good influence.

What more would it take to become that kind of adult?
WONHEE: Time, for starters. Everyone gets more breathing room and a broader view of the world as they gain experience. If you don’t do things yourself, you won’t level up. And I think the skill and experience you build up that way can never be taken from you. There’s a reason people can become masters of their craft. (laughs)

You’ve packed a lot of experience into a short time, from your “R U Next?” days to now. What would it be like to relive all that, do you think?
WONHEE: If I could go back … hmm, I don’t think I’d choose to! (laughs) I like where I am now better.

Why’s that?
WONHEE: I was a blank slate on “R U Next?” That was a good time too, with possibilities for learning so many new things opening up for me, but I’ve grown at least a little since then, so I want to work harder, and I think it does make me work hard. Being an idol is something you can pour your passion into, and I think that really suits me.

How do you think you’ll look back on being 20 and being so passionate?
WONHEE: This whole year’s gone by like wildfire. It’s been so fast and so intense. I think that’s how I’ll remember it. And I want to make the little time I have left this year count—work, friends, family, all of it!

And what about GLLIT?
WONHEE: I hope they’ll remember exactly that—WONHEE at 20.