99. ♡

Q: Do you enjoy making transformation for group activities? Minho: We have obsession that we always have to show different color. Since we want it and the people like it so much, we’re concerned and work very hard at how to show that side well. In the early debut days, we mostly followed what our company suggested, but now our opinions are reflected a lot.  

Q: You’ve become a solid senior group that juniors would cover your songs. Minho: I remember those days when we covered Shinhwa and TVXQ songs in the past. It feels strange that we’ve become the biggest senior when we go to music shows. We’re still young because we’ve debuted at young age, but the number of juniors has increased.

Q: How have the members changed after 9 years? Minho: Lee Soo Man put thoughts on our skills or our character balance on the stage. From what I see, we’re almost similar. If there is any change, it’s about how we’ve become mature. Other than that, we are really similar. We tend to give judgement rationally rather than emotionally. When there are different views, I could feel that we’ve become mature with the way we resolve them.

Q: Are you now used to the price of fame? There are fans wherever you go. Minho: It’s a work in which I receive love from many people. I need to put up with it and feel more thankful as time goes by.

Q: Your fans left a lot of thank you message to us for letting Minho and Onew spend a good time. They’re really great. Minho: Sometimes when I see them I feel like they know me more than myself. Just like a word that says fans resemble their idols, I do think we’re like a mirror to each other. If I behave like this, then my fans will be have the same. When fans behave well, it reflects on me too.

Q: I think the character you played in <Hwarang> last year resembled you in real life. Minho: Surely, there are similarities, but our details are different. It’s the first time I met a lot of same age friends, so I became close with Seojun hyung, Taehyung, and Jihan. Actually that’s the reason why I chose Hwarang as the historical drama that I wanted to try.

Q: Do you feel the same enjoyment with acting, just as much as you enjoy being on the stage? Minho: Acting has been my dream. I show the image of myself a lot when I do activities as a SHINee member. It is fun to try out a new character when I’m acting. I learn a lot from the character and the things I didn’t usually experience. That’s the charm of acting. The people who act might feel it, that there’s joy in finding a new side in myself and expressing my thoughts through acting.

Q: What ambitions do you have in acting? Minho: I want to meet a lot of good seniors and do a lot of projects. Someone can become an actor who leads the play when he has a lot of experience. I plan to do it step by step. I will strengthen my foundation as I gradually move forward step by step and I will work hard to become an actor that can show a good appearance.

Q: What kind of effort do you put in order to be good at acting? Minho: I try to learn about daily life stuff. I think acting is about ‘relatability’ more than anything else. There’s a basketball citizen league. I’m into it these days. There are two to three matches each week and I usually participate once or twice in a week. So why would celebrities participate in a basketball citizen league? But I get to understand people’s happiness and sadness by participating in it. I won’t miss out on those daily life stuff and remember them.

Q: Are you seeking for another project? Minho: My next project is a one-act play and my character wears school uniform. I think I should take a project in which I wear school uniform for the last time, so I wanted to do this more.

Q: So you don’t only have concert schedules? Minho: That’s why I came here. I want to go and play ‘hard’ and work ‘hard’. I will go to the gym after this interview. I think it’s good to hit the gym first before getting on a plane.

Q: What is the hardest song? Onew: Energy-wise, I think the hardest song is ‘Everybody’. I like it because it’s the song that grasp strong performance. However, I will be 30 next year so I wonder until when will I be able to dance to ‘Everybody’? (laughs)

Q: Haha. I think you still can do it even after 10 years? Onew: Right? There is a word that an idol group’s limit is 5 years? But we’ve already passed that phase.

Q: You always try to show different look and concept. Do you enjoy transformation? Onew: It is always a challenge each time. We always have that concern whenever we release an album. We come out as a contemporary band that leads a trend by showing a new image, how come it wouldn’t be a burden to us? We might succeed, but we might also fail… It seems that everyone who creates something undergoes the same burden. It means we should work hard to find good points in it. We have confidence in ourselves. Looking at the members, I think they are good and doing well.

Q: Do you have any plans to release a solo album? I think a lot of people are curious. Onew: A solo album? I also want to release a solo album. It is still not certain but there are things I’ve thought of and prepared since a while ago. I want try doing things I am able to do one by one.

Q: You seldom had individual activities. How did you do during that time? Onew: I like resting. I’m doing this work because I want to show a good side. I think I can show a good side for as long as the recharge time I have. I will do it (individual activity) when there’s a good opportunity.

Q: What is your dream right now as a vocalist? Onew: I’m close to a ‘player’. I’m still embarrassed to call myself an artist. But if I have to take it like that then it starts making me think a lot. There is time when it’s good to think a lot. I still don’t know when can I show what I’ve perpared perfectly.

Q: What are the differences between a ‘player’ and an artist? Onew: These days I think back about my childhood dream, when I was young I vaguely thought I would write lyrics and compose songs, win music awards, and deliver good songs. Then I got a really good opportunity and debuted as an idol. At first I was very awkward when taking photos. But after experiencing it many times it became an unexpected skill that I discovered.

Q: Taking photos? I didn’t feel the awkwardness at all. You seem so relaxed. Onew: The atmosphere this time is very good so I did it comfortably. Haha. I think the discovery itself is really good. But it would be good if I could give suggestion on the composition and the color. I still don’t have that kind of sense yet. I think that’s what makes an artist and a player different?

Q: Articles of you joining <Age of Youth> cast were released two days before departing. Did you get to know the joy of acting from appearing on <Descendant of The Sun>? Onew: I liked the drama filming set. I liked it especially because I got a long time to wait. I think it was fun. I want to do well on my 2nd project.

Q: What is Onew's interest these days? Onew: I go fishing when I have time. Since I need a time for myself… It makes me feel good taking time to think and relax.

Q: You know that it is ’taking time’. Onew: It’s true. I should’ve caught yellow pin tuna in Maldives!

Q: I’m surprised you know underwater animals of Maldives. Lemon shark, tortoise, stingray… You call them like they’re your long time friends. Onew: This place is full of beautiful fish. They are very cute that I kept thinking it would be great if I had an aquarium in my house. When I saw them swimming freely in the water, I thought, ‘Do they even have problems?’

Q: What are you going to say to the members when you come back? Onew: I think it will be good to be like right now. And it will be like that. We understand each other even though we don’t say anything and even if we do, we all understand and acknowledge each other. That’s how our relationship is like. It’s nice.

Q: You said in an interview, ‘My actual dream is to be Choi Yun-kyum's fan forever’ A: What his colleagues and players said about my father is, ‘He’s a great person’, ‘I respect him’, and I think my father is a cool man. I also want to be a man who receives recognition from my colleagues, and an admirable man to my juniors. I always want to be a supportive son and a reliable representative to my father.

Q: Words that you hear the most from the father that you admire? A: He told me, “Listen to your mother well”, “Listen to your mother and there won’t be any bad things” (laughs).

Q: To editors, an interviewee is like one book and a teacher. To actors, the fellow actors who act together in each project can be like their teacher. You started with <Drama Special - Pianist> (2010), then continued with <To The Beautiful You> (2012), <Medical Top Team> (2013), <Because It’s The First Time> (2015), <Canola> (2016), and recently with <Two Men>, <Hwarang>. Is there any development point as an actor in yourself while working with different kinds of actors? A: Ma Dong Seok hyung-nim is a veteran. He knows well about how the flow of movie works. With movies, we also shoot the latter half of the movie when we’re filming the 1st half of the movie. We can’t shoot it in order. It’s like in we're running on the 1st half , then play on the 2nd half, and be back to the 1st half in soccer. It’s not easy for rookie actors not to miss the flow. Ma Dong Seok knows that kind of flow very well and he always helped me to be able to make me set foot vigorously. He gave me strength. On <To The Beautiful You> and <Hwarang> I got to experience ‘chemistry’ with my same age friends, so they were good.  I receive influence from my seniors and colleagues and create synergy. Even though there are things that I still feel regretful with, I enjoy acting. I also want to be an actor that can give influence to others someday.

Q: Idol stars always have prejudice following them when it comes to acting. However, there should be advantages of doing music and acting at the same time. A: There are a lot of people who are worried and asked me if it’s hard to do acting and music at the same time. They also ask me which one do I like more between acting and music. I always answer them, ‘I like both and they are difficult’. There’s a day when I’m excited to stand on the stage, and there’s also a day when I’m on filming site with pounding heart. What’s clear to me is that I gain great synergy when doing music and acting simultaneously. I need to be able to catch people’s attention when  it comes to standing on stage and facing the audience. Becaue thousands of audiences are observing SHINee Minho’s every gestures, expression, and gaze, so I should be able to dominate their eyes. This experience helps me a lot with acting. I’m with around 30 to 40 staff on filming site, but through camera lens, I think of seeing thousands and tens of thousands of people. I work hard on trying to show my charisma and conveying my emotions. On the other hand, the emotions I express when I’m on stage as SHINee come from what I feel when I’m acting as an actor. I think as I come and go as both actor and singer, my emotion's width has become wider. I’ve stood on a lot of stages, and had quite several projects. I’m still standing on the stage, and every time I start a new project I get to experience new emotions. For now I still have rooms for emotions which I still don’t know yet, and I will try to assure that I can open those doors through my effort.

Q: SHINee is already on their 9th year. When was your happiest moment? A: Ah! It’s really a lot. I remember our concert. We stand on the stage from the help of many staffs and managers, but I think of my fans from the beginning and the end of SHINee’s performance. I believe that the completeness of SHINee’s stage should be done by the members and all fans together. I recall the memories when I practiced and laughed with the members in practice room. Shouldn’t it be a happy moment when we enjoy doing a work that we like with the people that we like? These days, SHINee are happy.

Q: Is there anything that you still aren’t accustomed to when living as an idol? A: It’s having myself decorated. I still find it awkward to wear cool outfit and put on makeup. I originally have no interest in having myself decorated. Stress? Maybe it’s because I’m a simple person that I just sleep it off and forget it all.

Q: Fans call you ‘Third Floor Father’, ‘Choi Tenderheart’. What is a genuine celebrity like according to Choi Minho? A: I think it’s a person who is back to basics, tries his best on every moment, and knows how to draw a result. A man who is responsible in what he says and his choices, and a man who receives recognition and admiration are cool. Isn’t genuine celebrity a person who is not getting swayed by both good and bad things and stays true to his own identity?

Q: I wonder if celebrity also has some kind of ‘addiction’. What are you into these days? A: Working out. When there’s time I do weight training and move my body. I’m now in my 9th year since debut. Back then when I was busy I only focused on work because I needed to build up my experience. So now I’m thinking I should find a spare time in the midst of my busy schedule. I was pretty busy in 2016, but I worked out in my spare time, played soccer, basketball, and golf a bit. I think I’m the type who would recharge myself by moving my body the more I get busy. Once in a while I would rest and not doing anything like watching TV for a whole day. I don’t really enjoy games, probably only ‘Winning Eleven’? I want to be a ‘bookworm’, but too bad I didn’t read a lot.

Q: You’ll be in your 10th year since debut next year. What do you want to say to hard working Minho? A: I want to say “You’ve worked hard!”. Since you're still young, don’t be contented easily right now and I hope you always live your life earnestly. I want to give him a support, ‘although you’ve achieved a lot of things and gained many experiences, be more humble, lower yourself, and start afresh.'

Q: What does December 2016 mean to Choi Minhp? A: It might be because I get cold easily that I like Summer. However, this year’s December is special. It was the busiest year throughout my life. I had Japan tour right after I finished movie filming, I had SHINee concert after my drama ended, and we also released two albums. Although I was busy, I gained a lot of experiences. Thus, it became a year of my development.

Q: You have a unique love for movies. Were you this firm with your thoughts about acting since young?

“I’ve thought of acting a lot since I was young. I first started acting on dramas and already had few works, then I got curious of how it’d be like to be in a movie and wanted act in one. I started participating in a movie for the first time last year and I was a bit surprised at its difference from drama. I feel a movie as one assembly. I also feel that even if the acting is the same, the tone is very different. I thought, ‘Ah, I still have a long way to go’. It’s my first time having an interview for a movie, so there must be movie journalists who don’t know me. It made me feel that I should do my work more actively and diligently.“

Q: Do you take movie auditions a lot? Did you also participate in the audition for ‘Two Men’?

“With ’Two Men’, it was more like a meeting than an audition. Before, I took camera test and reading, but it became a failure at the end. I wondered if the director had prejudice about me being an idol. I felt if the acting I showed in dramas could get recognition, the director could be on my side despite the idol title. I felt burdened because the result wasn’t good. If you were asking whether I was upset, rather than being upset, I personally would think that it was a shame. I don’t feel resentful at all (Laughs). But that was good. I thought a lot from that process. When I felt shaken a lot by that time, I thought ‘Ah so they’re trying to make me become stronger’. I actually had a mental breakdown because I failed at the reading. I remember it was in 2013, I was thinking of appearing in a movie. I emptied out my schedules for 4-5 months, but I heard a ‘no’ so I wasn’t able to do anything. I had a lot of times, yet I didn’t want to travel, and I just stayed at home absent-mindedly. I also had no appetite to eat. I was able to naturally forget all that when I met people and I felt better as time passed by. I’m thankful for that. I would’ve continued walking down the path of celebrity easily if not for that time. I wouldn’t get a chance to make a drastic growth. I thought that I’ve walked down many paths, but I figured out that I actually haven’t.”

Q: There may be fans who are sad for not being able to see the handsome face completely?

“I probably appeared with that face only from the beginning for 10 minutes. However, I liked that better. That image was unfamiliar, but at some point I adapted to heavily bruised face. To the point I asked the makeup artist noona, ‘Can you draw it deeper here?’ (Laughs)”

Q: In the movie, you look completely different from the usual Choi Minho. It seems like a firm difference.

"I'm also shocked to see myself appeared on the big screen with different personalities. It makes me learn about new things, and I was able to perceive things which I wasn't sure of knowing. It's good to upgrade the image I've had before, but finding out about a new piece is like discovering a new world.  Of course it's still a very weak piece, but coming out with thoughts on how to pull it off is good."

Q: Since it's your newfound image, the director must be thankful to know that?

"I actually told (T/N: the director) that I really wanted to do it when I first received the script. The first thing was my curiousity, 'How will I appear if I do this?', The second was my worry and anxiety, and the third one was my other curiousity, 'Why did the scenario come to me? Why did it come round and round to me? Does the director not know about my image?'. In fact, only bright and lively roles were coming to me. It was unexpected. When I met the director, he said that Jin-il's image was drawn after he saw the image I've had in one of my pictorials. He has drawn other characters, but he only couldn't draw Jin-il until he was inspired by the pictorial. I was pretty surprised. What people usually think when they saw me was just a youthful image, but this one seems different (Laughs). I heard it after I filmed the movie, that people said my atmosphere turned different when I had a photoshoot. They said my youthful side disappeared, 'I've never felt a *beautiful mess image from you, but now I feel it.' It's fascinating since I also think he same.”

Q: In other interview you said something that sounds like you're regretful with your acting in 'To The Beautiful You'

“At that time I thought I've done my best. There were a lot of critics so it was a shame. It's good to think that I have to accept those with modesty. I dwelled on my thoughts, 'How would I do if I didn't hear those words?'. I think I needed that past in order to make me become who I’m now. There are people who give critics, but I want to say 'Even if I've got criticized, it's not now'. Saying, 'I've done well, why can't people understand' is rather full of bluff, so I wouldn't want to say that.  I have to be honest and embrace it humbly.”

“Actually I only became a main character when I started acting. The look from when I become a main character then go to a supporting character is different. The viewpoint itself is completely different. I’ve had to know that there’s viewpoint difference between a main cast looking at the supporting cast, anda supporting cast looking at the main cast. I get to know why people who go up gradually from the bottom are good at acting. I was aware that if we did well on our own, we could stand out by ourselves. I got lucky that I got a main role at the first time, but I got to learn later on as to why I got lucky. As the time passes, I've got to think and learn a lot about not making my acting look dull.”

Q: This time you've shown good acting, so I think you may only get this kind of role.

“It seems like a homework to break the stereotype, but I will think it's good at first if it looks like that. That means they acknowledge me and can rely on me. I'll be glad and would really like it to make a step one by one. Fortunately, I participated in the drama 'Hwarang' and my character is pure, lively, and silly. He’s a character who does actions without thinking. The pre-production drama filming has ended. I think you'll be able to see my new look again.“

Q: You've been consistently acting. You must be busy with singing and dancing practices for SHINee activities. What's your tips for being able to consistently act?

“It’s true that there’s a time limit. Unlike the people who only focus on acting, I have to do two things simultaneously. As a result, it pushes me to be more concentrated. I’m the kind who has strong stamina. It’s actually an advantage. Eventhough I have strong stamina, I’d like to say it’s about a willpower difference. I know how much should I focus on certain situations. I’ve got pull out a great focus on site and on tight situations. I have the strength that makes me work hard and stay focused even if I can’t sleep. People would say ‘But then you’ll die’, but I think it’s nice. It’s because of the tension that makes it possible.”

Q: I’m also curious with your chemistry with actor Ma Dong Seok.

“I have met hyung at private occasions and became close. I felt scared when I met him for the first time, but he’s actually warm and nice. You can say there’s a twist. Hahaha. He is very thoughtful, he’s considerate of juniors, and he is very open-minded. They’re (T/N: the traits) broader than hyung’s body. I’ve learned a lot from him at the filming site this time. Hyung is a veteran in action scenes and he knows all of the flows. He has many acting experiences in a lot of productions. He was able to explain those in words. It felt like I received a gift that I couldn’t buy somewhere. You wanted me to explain it in details? Hm, I’m not going to tell anyone (Laughs).”

Q: These days, 1st generation idols such as Sechs Kies, H.O.T, etc are making TV appearances again. What do you think about the comeback of best idols in the past as a present idol?

“I think it’s very wonderful and great. The seniors are wonderful but I think the fans are wonderful as well. They’re loyal. Our fans are also the people who give us strength and make us stand on the stage. Fans’ support create strength that didn’t exist before. The seniors must be tired and exhausted, but they are touched for the fans who have waited. Seeing them being active makes me want to be active for a long time as well. As the time goes and the future comes, I want our team to be remembered for a long time. I’m confident that we can do that too. I want to make the close distance with fans become closer. And I don’t want to break that.”

Q: You originally dreamed of being a soccer player. Have you ever regretted debuting as an idol?

“I had a lot of regrets for two years after debut. ’Should I quit now?’ I thought of that everyday. I’m the kind of person who’s confident, but I debuted without having any talent. Because of that situation I had no confidence in singing nor dancing. Yet those are what I had to show when I stood on stage, I couldn’t say anything during interviews, and I felt daunted. I had regrets at that time, but there were fans who cheered for me at that time. Actually there are many times when I leaned on the members, but the times which I appeared on variety shows alone erased those feelings and thoughts. All of those were lifted by holding onto determination of doing well and working hard. I prepared and put an effort, so I gained confidence. Now I think my early debut days were the most precious and valuable experience to me. Perhaps if I went back to that time and had someone asked me, ’Do you want to debut?’, I would answer ‘Of course. I will do it sooner’.”

Choi Minho isn’t haughty. It’s very remarkable of him for not emphasizing himself as neither an actor nor a singer. After the interview, he responded to the reporter who said to him “I received positive energy” by saying, “As a celebrity, there’s nothing better than giving positive, hopeful, and bright energy to other people.” His mind and thoughts are all positive. He doesn’t get into any scandal.  He’s very thorough and upright, “I’m just not different from any other son who gets scolded for waking up late at home, and gets scolded for not eating.” I want to meet him in his next project as an actor soon.

*(T/N: A term ‘beautiful mess’ / 퇴폐미 is someone who is morally and ethically damaged, yet still manages to look attractive) 

Q: You’ve released three albums until now. Have you ever thought of receiving most-talked Daesang? (T/N: A grand awards of having his work being most-talked) Jonghyun: I have confidence in it. Although public success is important, I think having my work being most-talked work is more artistic. The fact that people who listen to my music wants to talk about many things about it have made my work seem artistic. I always work hard to create that.

Q: When I write ‘GQ AWARDS’, I’ve wished for some album to receive most-talked Daesang one more time. But then idol’s background carries different content. Jonghyun: Platform in Korean idols have a lot of meanings. First is lucky people. Then catchy people? Prepared people? Thus, there are also kids who only attracted people’s eyes at the right time. I don’t feel bad about it. Since I have faith in myself.

Q: I listened to both <BASE> and its extension, the first album released this year <She Is>. Jonghyun: Albums which are seen as one set are nice, but I wanted to make albums that can be appreciated like a book. Although the lyrics aren’t connected, there is feels or other parts that keep making it connected. That has been my first priority. Then I created another concept from there. That’s <BASE>’s extension. I wanted to showcase my music color just like <BASE> and tried to act as one man. That’s the reason why I made <She Is> not having breakup song. I put contents of falling in love and dramatically made the romance worked out. I’ve thought a lot about the track list.

Q: The composition is especially similar. After starting out with ‘Pop’ song, you set a peak with Deez’s song (‘NEON’ and ‘AURORA’) on both albums. Then on <BASE>, there are famous Underdogs, Bryan-Michael Cox who participated in 2nd half of <She Is>. It’s somewhat typical but you’re true to your genre. Jonghyun: I make a lot of planning on the introduction. It’s pretty tight. That’s how I’m like when I work. I’m pretty loosened outside that. I’m the type who is obsessive like a crazy person when I’m working. I think all artists are having that kind of disorder. It does affect me in a good way.

Q: Have you ever felt loosened when focusing? Jonghyun: I don’t feel any difference. It’s because I’ve always lived like this. The people who work with me said there are parts they become careful of because I’m very sharp. It’s a character that creates tension that can’t be ignored?

Q: What kind of parts do you usually take charge in a group work? Jonghyun: I made many songs that were created early-on and made them into a track. These days I do more whole-producing or write melody lines. Creating its own small nuance, then thinking whether I should build up the song? Those kind of stuff. I have great ambition in producing. I need to set up standard and decide which direction is the song going to. I think of those as fighting with my nerve. Being on stage, meeting people, and also producing music with others. If I really work hard in order not to lose to each other, it will create synergy and radiate energy.

Q: Is having interview also fighting with your nerves? Jonghyun: Yes. But I don’t think of winning. When I give off this much of energy, I believe the other party will feel nervous and try to do well. It’s a good nerve. Thus, I also focus during interview. I’m also decisive when choosing words. I don’t usually use words that are on dictionary.

Q: Is there any formal expression that you often use? Jonghyun: Physical. It carries a lot of meaning. It can be used to talk about something about our mind that is out of reach, or something that’s related to time. For example, when I have questions like “Until when are SHINee going to be together?”, I answer “We will always be together as we’re physically feasible.” If one person suddenly migrates then it can’t be helped that we (T/N: as a group) would physically fall down.

Q: It sounds to me that you have confidence unless there’s no physical disruption. Jonghyun: Self-assurance is the most important in order to believe that we’re a great person. People might assume that I have high self-dignity based on what I said earlier, but my inferiority complex is actually high. I even felt inferiority complex from Chris Brown when I was a trainee.

Q: Isn’t it too far? Jonghyun: It is far. It’s because of my self-dignity that I can also feel my inferiority. While practicing, I thought it’s great that Chris Brown debuted around the same age as me, but what am I doing? 

Q: Who are the people that give you the biggest inferiority? Jonghyun: My family. My mother is a great person. She went to university when I was in middle school. She kept me motivated to get a grip of myself, that I can’t just stay like this. She didn’t use words, but actions. She has never gotten angry at me. I took GED exam, then I tried to explain my mother when I decided to drop out from school. That time, she told me that she trusted me. That is the first time she put trust in me.

Q: How did you explain? Jonghyun: I don’t just say “I don’t want to go to school, I want to make music”, I really pointed out my reasons of dropping out from school and what am I going to do after that. That was on my first year of high school? People around me told me not to do that, but my mother trusted me. Until now, I’ve lived out things that have taught me, and the way of giving trust to each other.

Q: Was 17 years old Jonghyun already a decisive person? Jonghyun: It’s about future. On what age I’m going to get married, and on what age I’m going to graduate. I thought I’d get married when I became 22.

Q: You wrapped up one chapter of your life through full-length album <She Is>, which can lead to a clue to the future. What do you like the most right now? Jonghyun: Performance. The energy that I give and take from stage. These days, I’m thinking that I’m in the position I deserve on stage. I’m able to use my ideas and derive them to the stage, be it for opening music or video.

Q: If it’s SHINee, then we come up with stage right away, but when it comes to Jonghyun, rather than stage, the album comes up first. Jonghyun: It’s true. That’s why <She Is> is more of a danceable song. I already wrote the song with thoughts, ‘This song will be feasible with any kind of stage direction’. I’ve performed songs from collection album <Story Op.1> before, and I also like that kind of feeling. I will continue making full-length album and collection album separately. I need a lot of time to work on dividing my list of music into two directions. Since I’m not yet tired of working.

Q: What are you going to do if you are tired? Jonghyun: I’ll find out when that time comes.

Q: I think you’re a person who’d do well on things you don’t want to do? Jonghyun: That’s true. There must be reason as to why I don’t want to do it. I will think and work on it.

Q: You said this on your interview with <GQ> 6 years ago, “My ambition is to be acknowledged by people who like music before 2000 and say that today’s music isn’t music”. Is that word still valid? Jonghyun: Of course. Actually I said it that time when I was young so it sounded compelling when I said I wanted to get acknowledged. There’s no compulsion now. To point out, today’s music is also great, but it’s a pity to say that it’s not music just because the instruments and platforms have changed. I did say that I wanted to get acknowledged, but now my mindset is I want to let those people know. That it’s also beautiful…

Q: You’ve become more mature. Jonghyun-sshi. Jonghyun: It might also be arrogance.

Q: When was that? Minho: About 2 or 3 years ago? It isn’t because there was special case. The image I showed to my friend as pre-debut human Choi Minho and the image I showed to people whom I met after debut as SHINee Minho were kind of different. It couldn’t be helped that the people I became close with after debut had prejudice about my image, right? Thus, I had my limit to open my heart. When I couldn’t feel the difference, I met my friends after debut and we started to open up. They saw my attitude and said, “Now you don’t look like SHINee’s Minho. I like human Choi Minho better.”

Q: From the realization, how did you change Minho? Minho: Ah, so that’s how I look like when I’m with people I’m comfortable with. I personally find it catchy. I thought to keep remembering that side of me. For example, a new employee can have distinctive behavior in front of his/her director during interview, but he/she can’t act strange. I get to know that I can behave comfortably without being wronged. I can’t make myself comfortable when there are cameras, lightings, and staff on broadcast, but since I’ve discovered the image I feel convenient with, I told myself I should make good use of it. I get to learn how to overcome “awkwardness” with staff, strategies, and know-hows.

Q: It seems that acting has also become a big help? Minho: That’s true. Acting has helped me the most. I’ve become relaxed in front of camera. Of course my debut and the films I’ve acted on has made me become comfortable. Though when I express something, there can be many kinds of thoughts running in my mind.

Q: From the perspective of viewers who aren’t able to look into what’s inside Minho’s heart and are only able to look at Minho’s image from the background, if there is a new defining moment that Minho shows, it’s his image from <Because It’s The First Time> Minho: Hmm… You really felt that way, which made me quite surprised. That was the first drama I acted on after I came up with realization which I mentioned before. What’s fascinating about camera is, although it only captures one’s expression and appearance, it can also read the atmosphere flowing on her/him. <Because It’s The First Time> Teo fits my real age so it was a character who viewed things the same as me. Back then I only wanted to flash my appearance, but now I think I should be more ‘solid’.

Q: I started wanting to see more of Minho’s acting. After <Canola> which was premiered on May, there are still more coming. Starting from drama <Hwarang: The Beginning> Minho: I just finished the filming. It was hard. Traditional clothing can’t absorb sweat so it all ran down to my foot. Whoa, Korea is this hot, Gyeongju is really hot, filming historical drama in summer is really… (laughs). I also shot two movies after <Canola>, one of them will be premiered this year and another one will be premiered next year.

Q: I’m looking forward to your indie movie <Two Men> with Ma Dong Seok. Still cut pictures of your bruised face were released. Minho: I got thirsty for new character. I was lucky that the scenario came to me. If we look at my life and the character respectively, at what point do they intersect? In this movie, the character has the same age and gender as me, and we don’t have anything in common other than that. Thus, I was attracted to it. I wanted to draw myself near the character… If you look at how it’s a low-budget indie movie.. there are quite strong content on it so I thought I didn’t get permission from my company. I got to express my willingness.

Q: Are you satisfied? Minho: When I act with seniors, I feel that I’ve fallen behind when it comes to experience. It’s like, when students want to submit a report to our professor, there are students who just submit, who point out essential things and do it easily, and also who understand the professor’s tendency and do write a long report. I think those are all experience differences. Seniors have shot many kinds of movie, so I can see that, “Ah, seniors know all of these things.”

Q: Is it exciting these days? Minho: It’s really interesting. Actually in my case, there are times when I have to act and do my activities as SHINee simultaneously so I’ve thought it’d be great if I can focus only on one of them, but these days I want to think oppositely. I think there will be something creative that comes out when I do both things and I personally find it fun that my image when I stand on stage is different from when I’m acting. I think fans really like it. I want to be appealing on that.

Q: Have you ever felt bad because you thought you’d do better if you only focused on one? Minho: Due to that, I should give all my best and put more effort on the given time. Also what’s really fortunate is, since my stamina can’t be lost to anyone else.. It’s at the point where it can be acknowledged as 2nd best in Korea next to Park Jisung. (laughs)

Q: You re-did your awkward rap from the “dark past” video during early debut days on <SNL Korea> in May last year. Did you remember? Minho: I thought it was an image which pretended to be mature and tried not to look flawed, which I found cute. If I came back to that time, I might’ve done similar things. Of course it will be different to go to the past with the thoughts I’m having right now. How to put this, if I realized it too fast, I would hate to see it? Finding out everything is not fun.

Q: How do you usually hang out with people you’re close with? Minho: I just drink with them, and go to TVXQ Changmin-hyung’s house at the end. That’s our pattern. Changmin-hyung’s house is the best so it’s our ‘last train’. It has its own fun. During year-end 2 years ago, when <Misaeng> was a hit, we dressed up as employees and drank at bar. We also look up restaurants and teahouse across the nation and went there. We do those kind of things.

Q: Do you know term ’Sambeoji’?   [T/N: ’Sambeoji’ is abbreviation of ’Sam/삼’ (Three) and Beoji (From word ‘abeoji/아버지’), which means father] Minho: I didn’t know, so I asked my fans and they said it means “3rd floor father”. I pay attention to fans on 3rd floor during concert so they gave me the nickname. When fans come to concert, they can get close seats and far seats. It’s pretty random. I want to let fans who are far to go closer, but I can’t so I feel sorry.

Q: There are many stories on internet from people who witnessed your kindness. Minho: It’s my parents influence. They always tell me to “Be humble. Work hard”

Q: Have you ever felt tired with that personality? Minho: Not at all. If I’m tired then it (T/N: personality) is fake.

Q: Where in Seoul do you like best? Minho: I like Daehak-ro these days. A hyung I’m close with is in a play so I go to Daehak-ro often. The atmosphere is a bit different. It’s a new space to me, and it makes me feel inspired. Ah, I also like Konkuk University area. Since I’m a Konkuk University student.

Q: It’s pretty busy in front of Konkuk University, there are a lot of alcohol bars… Minho: I’m sorry. I was one of those noisy people. Hahaha.

Q: Last question, your way of speaking and thoughts have become different compared to in 2010, but your handsome face remains the same. Do you agree? Minho: There’s only a hair’s breadth difference, and I didn’t think it has changed, just that it’s more mature. Rather than aging, it has became more mature. I didn’t think of anything when I look in the mirror back then, but these days I put on lotion and feel unusual. I really don’t know how to put it. Is this really me? I sometimes think like that and it frustrates me. Why am I like this these days?

Q: What kind of things have become different? Minho: It’s difficult to put it into words. The fact that I shave every morning has made me different from how I was in 2010. I didn’t do that everyday at that time. Haha.

Bonus Post: The Saem in Seoul

I found out there’s 3rd volume of The Saem SHINee Photobook at the time I was in Seoul. I’ve always liked SHINee shots for The Saem so I made sure I’m going to get the PB. I’ve heard a lot of stories about The Saem outlets in Seoul charging very high (over 100,000 won) to get SHINee gifts. The Myeongdong outlet charged the highest, probably because there a lot of of foreigners.

My friend informed me that The Saem outlet in Express Bus Terminal is one of very Shawol-friendly outlets. They’d give you more SHINee gifts especially if you tell the staff that you’re a SHINee fan. In my case though, I (unfortunately) didn’t get to say I’m a SHINee fan, yet I had made it obvious to them since I sang along to SHINee songs that they played, lol. 

They gave me the 3rd volume SHINee Photobook (30,000 won minimum purchase) and SHINee mini posters (20,000 won minimum purchase), yay! I didn’t get as many, but it’s okay because I have other The Saem SHINee stuff already. 

The Saem Express bus terminal outlet. It’s pretty small but they have SHINee’s face all around the corner! 

Left: Mini Posters (5 members) 

Right: SHINee The Saem Photobook Vol. 3

They look so handsome ;_______;

You’ve acted in TV Drama ‘Medical Top Team (2013, MBC)’ and ‘My First Time (2015, On Style)’ as a lead. I think you appear in a movie a bit late.

I like movies and have always wanted to appear in a movie but I didn’t get the opportunity. The schedule didn’t match if I have to go side by side with SHINee’s schedule. I read the scenario of ‘Canola’ and said that I wanted to do the project, so I strongly appealed the director (laughs). It was pretty impressive. I watched the movie and thankfully my appearance didn’t impose it.

What do you think about Han’s character?

He is a fixture who lives and grows up in Jeju. The director hoped for an innocent feeling from Han. Actually he couldn’t find a perfect actor to portray the role and I was the last one to get casted. He said that I’m the last puzzle piece to complete the casting. It made me very happy.

Han seems so different from Choi Minho who lives as an Idol

When I portray a character, I try to immerse myself in the character by making intersection between me and him (T/N: the character). I find it difficult to be inside his insistent daily life based on my experience last time. For instance, I was away from TV or iPad when I filmed in Jeju. In order to feel one with the place and look genuine, I only used Kakaotalk ‘a bit’ (laughs).

 How was your first day of filming?

I was pretty nervous, but it went really well. Perhaps it’s because the filming took place in Jeju. It’s surrounded by blue sea when we look back and canola flowers in front of our eyes. The food is also delicious and staffs treated me warmly. It was pretty healing (laughs). It was a moment I spent as another ‘human Choi Minho’ while having SHINee activities in Seoul. I’ve juggled my acting and singer activities in that place. I started feeling something special towards Jeju since then.

In the movie, Han let Hyeji listen to music together in the forest. Hyeji blurted out a question to him, “Why do you take care of me so well?”. Han dodged the question and confessed “You’re pretty”. The scene gives off a cute and fresh atmosphere. “It is a one take scene. The director told me not to be too cringeworthy so I felt burdened. ‘How should I do it?’ Hmm…, Han wanted to tell his feelings to Hyeji, but he got nervous and had no confidence. In the end, he gathered his courage because they were alone” said Minho about his acting. He said, “I like discovering a lot of things from myself and having a lot of thoughts in the process of understanding a character.” He debuted as an idol, but he didn’t want to let go of acting so he went to film department at Konkuk University. “I was in high school when I became a singer and I thought it was unfair to enroll in acting major with special treatment, so I went through regular application process by taking university entrance exam and got accepted.”

How was your university life?

On the beginning of my school days, I wanted to fulfill my desire in acting by studying hard. Not long after that, rather than studying, I ended up playing harder with my fellow batch 2010 friends (laughs). I play sports at sport tournament, I set up tent at a lodge…  The school events I regularly participated in were fun and precious memories. It might be because I’ve lived as a celebrity since I was a teenager, but after debut I felt that a lot of people whom I met only saw me as ‘SHINee Minho’. My school friends treated me comfortably with sincerity and I’m thankful for that. In the 4th year, I got told off by my professor, director Hong Sang Su. He told me to come to school often (laughs).

Your daily life is more ordinary than I thought. What kind of person is Choi Minho when he is not acting or being on stage?

He is not different from other guys in particular. He jokes around a lot, chatters around, gathers with friends to play sports and goes for a drink together after. If there’s any difference, he may have more mature mentality than his peers because he started his career earlier?

Have you ever gotten frustrated when you're acting?

Of course I have. Even when I monitored myself on site, ‘That’s too bad’ and watching the broadcast, ‘Why couldn’t I express work on it more than that’. Those are times when I feel regretful. There was a singer-actor hoobae like me. He asked me how he should act. He really looked like me from the past. I told the hoobae, “Lessen your regret”. It’s a big homework for me too. 

But you’ve been living as a celebrity since you were a teenager.

I’ve lived on great fortune. All the loves from public are my fortune. As a person who expresses his emotions in public, I want to become a good actor who gives positive energy. For that, I reflect on myself at the moment when I got stuck on my tasks and neglected my surroundings.

You’re very positive because of your habit to reflect on yourself

Of course. I inherit my parents’ ‘positive’ energy!