Staff: You tried making canelé this time! You requested this yourself so why did you want to make canelé?

Yuri: It’s so delicious and I really like it! I ate a lot of it when I was in France, but there aren’t a lot of chances to have it in Korea… I first ate canelé when we had SMTOWN LIVE in Paris in 2011. It was so good and I always wanted to try making it by myself.

I actually don’t eat a lot of bread or desserts, and I buy when I’m attracted to colorful and cute visuals, but for some reason I got attracted to the canelé even though the color and shape are very simple. I always wonder why it is so appealing. But there is one more reason once I got into canelé. There is a big difference between canelé that are good and canelé that are not so good (laughs). I don’t think financier and madeleine have that difference in taste, but canelé is different. An appealing factor for canelé is that depending on the store, the taste can be completely different (laughs).

But today, I asked the instructor what makes a delicious canelé and their answer was the quality of the rum. When I ate canelé in France I sensed the fragrance of rum and I was curious about it, but when I heard that from the instructor I thought, ‘As I thought!’ (laughs). I’m sensitive to smells. I’m confident with that (laughs).

Staff: Were you by yourself when you first tried canelé?

Yuri: I was with the members! But at first I didn’t know what canelé was, but I think I felt some kind of charisma from it despite the plain look (laughs). Without thinking I bought and tried it out and the feel of it outside and inside is so different. The outside was crispy while the inside was doughy… It was really good!

I learned how to make it today, so I want to make it at home and give them as presents. However, I have to buy the canelé mold. The instructor said that proper molds are only in France and Japan, so I have to get it in Japan (laughs).

Staff: You also made financier, but do you have any other French pastries or sweets that you like besides financier and canelé?

Yuri: I really like baguettes. And I also like croissants, especially chocolate croissants!

Staff: You said before that you don’t really like bread…?

Yuri: I meant that I don’t like them as much when compared to other food (laughs). I have quite gourmet tastes so I have different standards (laughs).

Staff: Have you made any sweets lately? Or, do you have any moving episodes where a member or someone else made sweets? 

Yuri: I don’t make sweets. Today is the first time I baked! Today’s experience was a first with no prior knowledge. As I don’t really eat bread or desserts, I did not think to try to learn how to make them… But it was really fun trying it out today! I’m happy to know the secret to canelé’s deliciousness and how to make it.

Staff: Do you think you’ll continue to bake in the future?

Yuri: No (laughs). I can’t make it by myself so I want to buy it at a store and eat it (laughs). There are so many good bakeries in the world and a lot of experienced, professional patisseries, right? I want to buy and eat from there (laughs). The only reason why I wanted to make canelé today was because I wanted to know it’s secret for deliciousness. I also have no confidence in making it properly by myself… I’ll have what the professionals make (laughs). Maybe I’ll make some as presents, but I don’t think I will make it just for myself.

Staff: Has there been any sweets that the members or someone else made that left an impression?

Yuri: I was really moved by just receiving a present that was just made. That day, Yoona came to my musical celebration and gave me handmade chocolate bark that she made on SONE NOTE LIVE! It was even wrapped! 

Staff: How was it?

Yuri: Of course it was delicious! Besides the taste I got quite an impression. An impression that was bigger than the taste!

Staff: What kind of image did you have for the canelé decorations? 

Yuri: I actually did not think of the taste at all, and topped them just thinking about the visuals (laughs). I like plain flavors that doesn’t have anything mixed in, but today I wanted to make cute canelé and topped them off with this or that! So that’s why I do not guarantee the taste (laughs). I did not necessarily think of a proper image, but I think it would be to have a good balance when served on a plate.

Staff: Which process was the most fun?

Yuri: Topping the canelé wasn’t hard at all and it seemed like a normal art class. The most interesting was coating the canelé mold with edible beeswax. It was so curious and interesting! It was a very enjoyable step. I did not even think of coating the mold with beeswax. When I saw the beeswax package, the manufacturing company was an apiary! To go as far as that! Ah, speaking of which, I asked the instructor just now but apparently bees will come flying because of the smell of honey during the beeswax coating process! Isn’t that amazing? It’s strange and interesting!

Staff: Which decorated canelé did you like the most? Please share the reason as well. Also, which canelé topping was the most delicious?

Yuri: When thinking about it together with the decorations, my favorite was the one with hazelnuts and matcha powder. It might be because I like plain flavors. Ah, the Earl Gray one was good!

Staff: The way to make financier is similar to canelé, but how was the result? Was it delicious?

Yuri: It was the most delicious financier that I’ve ever had before! But of course, it was good because the instructor helped me (laughs). I was surprised because it came out more delicious than I thought.

Staff: If you were to give the financier and canelé as a gift, who would you give them to? Please share the reason as well!

Yuri: I want to give them to the members. Speaking of which, Taeyeon learned how to make macarons at Nice in France and gave us handmade macarons. I want to do something like that. Ah, but… canelé and financier are best when they’re fresh… They might not be as good when they get cold…

Staff: If you were to make sweets with the members, or had the chance to go out to eat them, who would you go with?

Yuri: Well I always go out to eat with the members… But because Tiffany like desserts, if we were going to have desserts then I’d go with her. She’s in America right now, so I wonder if I should use that as a reason to go to America! (laughs)

Staff: You had your first fan meeting in Japan in March this year. How was it? Were there any memorable episodes?

Yuri: It was my first fan meeting by myself to meet with SONE JAPAN, so actually I was very worried at first. I met with fans as SNSD up until then, so that event structure was different and I was apprehensive if I’d be OK alone and if people would come. However, I was so moved that there were many longtime fans at the venue! Even though the event was on a weekday, they went out of their way to come so I was very moved.

Staff: Do you remember longtime fans?

Yuri: Of course I do! Even the hand fans that they bring are all different and distinct!

Staff: How was it to star in your first musical in Korea?

Yuri: It was my first time trying theater. I really liked the character I played and enthusiastically put my effort into it. I had to play three piano pieces during the play, and they were difficult pieces, so I was worried if I could play them all onstage. It it was really refreshing to perform for a long time on stage and I was really able to focus. It was a happy time.

Also, my concert experience as SNSD really helped. If I didn’t have that experience, then I might not have been able to perform as the starring role for 2 hours. But actually, I don’t forget lyrics but during concerts I sometimes forget the formation lines. So sometimes when we had to exit backstage from the stage I wouldn’t know the lines, and I would just follow the members. However, I was worried because this performance didn’t have members who could help me, but I somehow made it (laughs).

Staff: Did you always play the piano?

Yuri: I’ve learned how to play the piano and can read sheet music, but I didn’t want to play it after I was 10 years old and the piano was sold off (laughs). But my interest has piqued again thanks to this musical and I bought a new piano!

Staff: It seems like the other members went to watch it. What were their reactions?

Yuri: Everyone said that it was very interesting! They seemed surprised because I performed with no issues (laughs). They probably were worried about what they should do if I didn’t know which exit to take like in concerts (laughs). 

Staff: This SONE NOTE LIVE will be revealed in December. The year is ending, so what year was 2019 to Yuri? And what do you want to do next year?

Yuri: Are there ‘unlucky years’ in Japan? (laughs) A lot of unexpected things happened and it was a difficult year. But I was able to have my first fan meeting in Japan and I can say that it was a meaningful year! I want to meet SONE JAPAN more next year. And also it would be nice to do something like a surprise present instead of a properly planned event♪ 

For example, getting better at Japanese and trying my best at studying it thanks to a job in Japan! And, when my Japanese is better then my chances to see everyone will increase! Just imagining it makes me excited!

Staff: Please share if there is anything you’d like to try next.

Yuri: I’ve recently been really into golf. So next time let’s go to the course and golfing with everyone! (laughs) But then shooting photos would be difficult (laughs)

Staff: Finally, a message for SONE JAPAN please!

Yuri: I just want to see you all! Just as you all are excitedly waiting, I’m trying my best to see you all! I’m also waiting with excitement like you all are!

Source: SONE JAPAN website