In anticipation of the Chuseok holidays, the Busan club's Simon D and After School's Lizzy have gathered up to reveal their thoughts on the explosive popularity they've been receiving lately for their Busan dialect. Celebrities from anywhere other than Seoul have a tendency to mask their dialect, but the two have been known on variety programs to speak it freely and proudly, earning the praise of netizens and viewers alike. In an interview with Sports Seoul, the two discussed their memories in Busan, and the upcoming Chuseok holiday. Simon: Lizzy, it's been a while since I've seen you. How long has it been since you came to Seoul? Lizzy: During the one year I was a trainee, I went back and forth from Busan to Seoul. It's been about a year since I've moved to Seoul for good. Simon: Girls usually fix their dialects right away...you still use it. Lizzy: I personally think that I speak like a Seoul person, but those around me don't think so. There really isn't anyone that teaches me Seoul's accent, so I just speak freely. I'm so extremely proud of being from Busan. Oppa, when did you come to Seoul? Simon: It's been about three years, since I arrived in September of 2007. I still use Busan's dialect as well. I tried to restrict myself as much as possible when I first debuted because I was afraid that people would take me the wrong way since my voice is so low. Still, I wasn't able to talk on broadcast without using our dialect and noticed that Kim Shinyoung was speaking freely on her radio show. I, as well, loosened up and finally our conversation got going. Journalist: Are there any specific things you guys are proud about Busan? Simon: Athlete Lee Daeho. Me. Lizzy. And (Jung) Yonghwa. Puhaha. Lizzy: The PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival). Stadium culture. Rice cake sticks that were cooked in fish cake broth. It's so delicious but Seoul doesn't have it. Also, soondae (pig intestines) that you dip in soybean paste. Everyone in Seoul eats it with salt, but soybean paste tastes way~ better. But isn't it totally exciting to see people from Busan when you meet other celebrities? I'm close with Secret's Han Sunhwa and Jung Hyungdon oppa. He's from my hometown so he takes care of me a lot. Whenever someone uses the Kyeongsangdo dialect, I ask them where they're from. It's extremely welcoming when they say Busan. Simon: Yonghwa is actually my school junior from Namsan High School in Busan. We have a bit of a large age gap so we didn't attend together, but I knew a kid named Jung Suchul in my class. His brother always said he'd be a singer, and I recently found out that that brother was Jung Yonghwa. When I first saw Yonghwa again, I didn't have a good impression because he used Seoul's dialect and felt a bit cold. As I saw him more on broadcasts though, I noticed that he he was actually really nice and we've become like brothers now. Journalist: What are the characteristics of Busan people like? Lizzy: The girls have a quick temper. Simon: There's the stereotype that Busan men are cold and unresponsive, but that's just a stereotype. But yes, our personalities are a bit impatient. We have a tendency to repeat what we say. �For example, when someone asks what we'd like to eat, we'd repeat, "rice cakes, rice cakes". Lizzy: I also get goose bumps when people call my name really affectionately. Busan people just call the full name, including the last name. Simon: That's right, that's right. Or a nickname instead of your name. Sometimes "hey" or "you".�Haha. Journalist: Is there a special dish that you eat in Busan during Chuseok? Any customs? Simon: Well, there aren't any special customs, but we eat a stew with a lot of tofu and radishes. Also a clear broth with devil's tongue jelly and beef. I noticed that Seoul doesn't have this dish. I think Daegu has it...I hated it when I was a child because I'm really sensitive to smell. As I got older, though, I really began to enjoy it. Lizzy: I love that stew as well. Journalist: Do you have anything you'd like to say to those going home for the holidays? Simon: Please be careful on your way home. Don't eat too much, and have a joyous holiday. I won't be able to go to my hometown, so please spend it happily on behalf of me. I'll be appearing on Star Golden Bell's Chuseok special with my mother, so please watch out for that. Lizzy: Please drive carefully and without accidents. Eat a lot of delicious food, but don't get stomach aches...I hope that it's a great harvest moon festival for everyone. Journalist: Could you please comment on the love you've been receiving and any future plans? Simon: Of course it feels great...but I do feel that it's gotten a bit out of hand and that I might need to back off a bit. A lot of people tell me that I'm good at variety shows, but I really don't do much. I depend on my seniors a lot...I'm very thankful to everyone that loves me. A new digital single will be released in October along with a variety of events and performances lined up for our fans. Starting next January, we'll be preparing for Supreme Team's second official album. Lizzy: I benefited a lot from my appearance on "Happy Together", and my dialect helped a lot of my fame. I feel like it was luck. I haven't been on that many variety programs, so I get nervous whenever I appear on one.�After School has a lot of overseas activities planned, but I'd like to continue appearing on variety programs as well, should the opportunity arise. Source: Sports World