#junho interview

You’re now filming the drama “Rain or Shine” in Busan, right? You really came from so far away to Seoul for the photo shoot. Could I be the celebrity who’s come from the farthest place? That feels nice (laughs). Actually, it didn’t take that long to arrive, but I haven’t slept properly for a few days. We’re in the last stages of our drama filming now.

The character you’re playing in the drama, “Kangdoo,” is a really pitiful person. How did you feel shooting this sweet pictorial with chocolate today? I feel weird whenever I need to go back to Seoul for work while we film the drama in Busan. Perhaps it’s because I get so absorbed into this Kangdoo character, but then I have to go back to my regular life. At first I felt somewhat awkward when I had to smile in the beginning of this photo shoot, but then it got natural.

Do you usually purchase Godiva products? I like Godiva chocolate the most. Whenever I eat chocolate, it’s always just Godiva, I suppose? I quite often received this chocolate as a gift. And it’s a good present to give, too. I often visited their chain shop in Garosu-gil to buy gifts. I especially like the package with lots of small chocolates. It’s nice that each is a convenient mouthful. And of course, it just tastes good. (laugh)

When do you crave for sweets the most? Lately, I’ve had a lot of cravings while filming. After all, when you can’t sleep properly, your sugar levels fall. I want sweets when I work hard, when I need to use my head, when I run low on energy. For almost 5 months while filming the drama, I haven’t eaten my meals properly. Controlling what I eat, I lost around 7 kg. Lately, I’ve begun eating this and that.

If you were to use the phrase “Chocolate it XXXXX,” what would you say? “Chocolate is Love.” Doesn’t sound too good? (laughs) Personally, I like chocolate more than candies. That’s why I’ve liked Valentine’s Day over White Day.

Do you have any unforgettable Valentine’s Day memory? I liked it the most when I received chocolate from my parents. Especially from my dad. My dad is rather brusque, but he once bought chocolate on Valentine’s Day. It was really this rough-looking chocolate a father would buy. I felt really good. I had grumbled a little, saying that mom brought really pretty chocolate, so why dad bought something so ugly, but deep inside I really enjoyed eating it.

Do you have any plans for the oncoming Valentine’s Day? I will probably come back to Korea for a while in the midst of my Japanese tour. I’m going to drop by on my family. I haven’t seen them for almost half a year because of the drama filming. I should go see them with chocolate in hand.

Have you ever confessed to someone you liked giving them chocolate? In junior high? I haven’t done anything like that lately. In my junior high days, I used to flutter just thinking about giving someone chocolate on Valentine’s Day. I think I would get totally absorbed by the festival-like mood. Everyone gives and receives then, you know. If you don’t get anything, you become this unpopular guy. (I think you would’ve received lots.) Of course, I had received it sometimes. It wasn’t much though, around two or three [pieces]? I wasn’t completely poor (laughs).

When we think of Junho, you are famous among women for your warm boyfriend image. We’re curious if you’re really kind when you’re in a relationship or you’re more of a tough guy type? It depends on who’s that other person. I’m the type who adjusts to my partner. If that person is quiet, I calm down as well. If they’re talkative, I end up talking a lot, too. I tend to follow the character.

White Day is coming soon, too. Is there anyone you’d like to give a candy to? Our staff members. Since I go back and forth between countries a lot for my tours abroad, I often visit duty free shops. So I gave a lot of chocolate to our drama staff members. And this time, I want to give it to my staff members who are always next to me. Originally, I’m not good at taking care of those the closest to me, but from now on, I’m going to try (laughs).

I’m curious about your ideal type. Back in the day, I used to have a detailed ideal type. But, to be honest, ideal type is just an external condition. And right now, it’s something the hardest. A person who just feels right (laughs). It’s extremely hard to look for such person. Even if there is someone like that, it’s not that easy to approach them. If I happen to meet such a person more than 3 times, I will definitely try to ask them out. If you meet someone like that more than 3 times, it’s definitely fate.

Recently, you received an Excellence Award in acting at the KBS Drama Awards. Congratulations. Is there anything you couldn’t say in your acceptance speech? I forgot to mention my parents. So I gave them a call the moment the event was over. My parents were watching the award show, I felt so sorry about that. I want to express my deep gratitude to my family. And the fans. I forgot to mention the most important people: my family and my fans. I was so nervous back then, it totally escaped my mind. My hands were so sweaty. Even my medial cleft glistened with sweat (laughs).

You also received the best couple award with Namgoong Min. The kiss on the cheek was rather impressive (laughs). After that, even Min hyung said “To think my first New Year’s kiss is with you. I couldn’t even do that with my girlfriend” (laughs). Even as I was doing it, I wondered if it was something I could do. I think I was as nervous as when I received the award (laughs).

Is there an award you’d like to receive at the next award show? There isn’t anything else I’d like to receive. I just want to be acknowledged by the people. Of course, it’s nice to get a trophy, but I want to become a person who makes people think “If Junho appears there, I must watch it.” If you become a person that others watch because they trust you, I suppose trophies eventually find you automatically.

2PM is already a 10-year-old idol group. Have you ever missed the old “beastly idol” days with 2PM when you watch your juniors? I’m active as a solo artist at the moment, so I have no longing for the stage. However, I do miss being active as a part of 2PM. I don’t know exactly how that will happen in the future because right now Taecyeon hyung is in the army, and all the other members have to take turns with their service. When I watch the activities of junior groups lately, I get to cheer for them even more. Especially, I’ve liked BTS since long before. They are really kind friends who work hard and are good at what they do. You know that once you see how they greet people, even if you get to see them while passing by. I’ve always cheered for them, hoping they would grow big, and now I feel good because they are so successful.

If 2PM gets to promote again as a group, is a there a concept you’d like to try out? I suppose we should go for something glamorous (laugh). There was this song “My House” composed by Minjun hyung, but we couldn’t promote it for more than a week. Our promotion period was cut short because of various circumstances, but the fans really loved it. We also thought that the outfits did suit us well. I think I want to try out a sexy mood concept that would be suitable for our own age group.

Now, rather than “acting idol,” the word “actor” suits you even more. It is hard to focus on both, music and acting. What do these two spheres mean to you? It is everything for me as a celebrity. I’ve always been very ambitious since I was little. So even when I’m acting, I want to stand on stage as soon as possible if I see it; and when I’m performing on stage and I get to see some script, I want to quickly go back into acting. And even so, I don’t want to neglect either. So I think that’s why I’m working even harder at it. I can’t tell if I’m good at it, but I’d like to tell myself that I’m good at working hard. I do acknowledge that I work hard (laughs).

You were really busy in 2017, but I guess it was a special year for you. How would you like to remember 2018? If the year 2017 brought a lot of positive energy, in 2018, I would like to display and spout out myself more. Rather than simply accumulating popularity, I’d like to work more on the things I’m doing right now, and I want to be better at it. It would be great if I could squeeze out all the skills that I have.

I’ve heard that you’re leaving for Japan soon because of your concert. I’ll give you a minute to promote yourself. 2018 is the year when I’m having a tour in winter for the first time. I always used to have my Japanese tours in summer, and this is the first winter tour. Therefore, I think that this tour will be completely different from the previous summer tours. I’m preparing a calm concert program that can move your hearts, so please look forward to it.

Finally, what would you like to say to the fans who love you? I spent a precious year in 2017 thanks to you all. I hope that in 2018 I will be able to repay all the love you have given me.

Kor-Eng: Egle0702

About "DSMN"

---You will release your 4th solo mini album "DSMN" on July 20. Before asking you about your new mini album, what are your thoughts looking back on your three previous albums? "When I look back, I think there were a lot of parts that were lacking. When the album came out, I kept finding that there were parts I wasn't satisfied with and things that were unfortunate. I've continued putting out a mini album every year like this for four years now and I become aware of my past inexperience as time passes. It's not limited to music, but also dancing, jacket photos, and about everything else that was put into the albums, but I repeatedly think, 'Ah, I was so young.'"

---When producing a new album, do you listen to your past songs and redo them? "When I perform I will listen to them one by one and fix them. Furthermore, if there's a part I felt wasn't good previously, I will grab hold of it and give it a grade up while also trying to change some of the dance moves on stage or change the performance."

---When did you start production for "DSMN"? "First of all, I finished the song called 'Doku (On your mind)' in November. Full scale production started in January. Once we entered January, I produced what would become the title track for the album, 'DSMN.' The acronym stands for 'Don't Stop Me Now,' which has a theme of being released from my usual self, thirsting for freedom, and deviation."

---Why did you choose these keywords? "I think anyone would wish for freedom in their mundane daily life. However, you get chased by things in front of you and so your wish can't come true. Therefore, even if it's just for that 3 minute time frame, I wanted to express the image of people, including myself, wanting to take a breath, wanting to be free, and that's the kind of feeling I wanted to get across. But in order for it to be properly expressed, I want the fans to give it a listen and feel it for themselves."

---Wasn't your schedule strict this time with the arena tour as 2PM, filming a serial drama in Korea, and so forth? "This time I truly saw my personal limit. There were various things progressing simultaneously, which I think is how I've always been doing this work thus far, however it was an extraordinarily stronger feeling this time around."

---There was a time you filmed until morning and then went and performed in Fukuoka. "My schedule was thus: I filmed the last episode of the drama until 6:30 in the morning, went back to my house just to pick up my luggage, like that I went to the airport to fly to Fukuoka, then I rehearsed and performed. It wasn't just one day that I went to film for the drama's last episode; it was a continuation after pulling an all-nighter from the day before. I was able to do it somehow, but these days I wonder 'How did I live through that?' (laugh)."

---Honestly, do you have recollection of it? "(laugh). I got along well with both the staff and actor cast, the filming location had a good feeling, so although the drama had a severe schedule, I had a ton of fun. Not everyone might have been sane, however (laugh)."

---What is the source of your unlimited energy, Junho? "I really feel that I'm doing what I want to do and what I love to do. In actuality, if I didn't want to do it I wouldn't have to, but I feel that what I'm doing is literally 'living' for me. Though pain comes with it, I believe I'm able to keep going because it's worth doing and because it makes me happy. I started filming for a drama on my birthday in January, before that I had started album productions, and during that time truly a lot of things happened, but the time flew by rather quickly and though I thought 'What did I do, again?' in reality a lot of things had happened. I can't believe it's the month of June right now (laugh)."

---What's the secret to keeping your motivation? "I have created an image of myself as always, endlessly, standing on stage. Including in acting, I have an image of myself acting within a production. Thinking 'I want to make that image a reality!' gives me strength."

---You never have the thought that you want the inside of your head to be empty? "Of course I've thought that. I want to be removed from it, I want to be released from it -- that's why I wrote this song (laugh). I can't really drink alcohol and I don't really have any other way of reducing stress, so although I think it's important to have hobbies, I don't have hobbies. A few days ago, I appeared on a program with my 2PM members and there was a corner in which we were to talk about the hobbies of the member sitting next to us. Chansung was in deep thought trying to think of something for awhile and when nothing came to mind he asked me, 'Just what are your hobbies?!' Having a mental breakdown, I worried ' Huh? What are my hobbies,' but after thinking about it, when I lived with my parents in the past and even now, I flop down and watch movies or dramas I like, work on music, listen to music, watch over the cats, or relieve stress through exercise. However, all of these can be done inside the house. I even bought a running machine recently (laugh)."

About 2PM

---As it is the final installment of the arena tour (at the time of this interview), please tell us what you're now feeling. "I've lived the past 10 years as a singer. However, this concert became a chance for me to look back on things that have happened once again. If you add up the world tours, Asia tours, arena tours, and solo stages up to now, I think 2PM has stood on the stage more than 100 times, but despite standing on so many stages, I never once thought about it until this time around, when it suddenly hit me. To us, meeting with the fans onstage and putting on concerts is like breathing and eating -- it came naturally. However, it's really heartbreaking when I think about how the 6 of us won't be standing on stage together for awhile. At the same time, that feeling of reflection [that we won't be on stage as 6 for awhile] didn't come naturally. After thinking about that, I exhausted my resources to do my very best for each and every stage more than ever before, and compared to earlier days, I sense that I'm working harder than ever. At this arena tour, on stage Wooyoung always starts by saying 'More than before, I'm going to pour all my strength into this concert,' but it represents the feelings of all the members."

About His Private Life

---When do you feel that you are Blood Type A? In Japan it is said that Type A's are largely methodical, cautious, and attentive people. "(laugh) Hooo. That's great. It's true (laugh). When I'm methodical, I'm truly methodical, but when I'm loose, I'm really loose. However, I've become able to control the degree of how methodical or lenient I am within myself. Personally, I'll look into something thoroughly until I'm satisfied, but since there's a side of me that's a perfectionist, when I investigate something too much it will end up wearing out those around me. Therefore, I want to hold myself back a bit where I should, without investigating too much."

---It seems like the inside of your bag must be neat and tidy. "My bag? (laugh). I said there is a part of me that is methodical and a part of me that is not, but the inside of my bag is the part that's not (laugh). It's extremely masculine. My bed is extremely methodical (laugh). I want to put everything into order in my house as well as I can. However, the parts of my house are divided and I because I want to focus on my music room, I tidy that area the most. The entryway is very masculine (laugh). There hasn't been enough time so the house is still in a state of arrangement (laugh). Perhaps if I didn't have cats I could have finished arranging things, but my hands are full with taking care of them as soon as I get home. Like changing kids' diapers, I change out their litter (laugh)."

---You're not able to get out of the house, it seems. "Even if I were given time, I would end up looking after them. When I go to leave, they go to the entrance ahead of me and talk to me, saying 'nya-nya' (impersonating the cats)."

---What's the latest fashion item you bought? "The yellow hat I was wearing today. It's a super cute yellow color. Recently it seems retro fashion from the 70's to 80's era has been popular, right? There's not just that, but lately I've been challenging myself to wear primary colors."

---You're wearing an orange outfit today, too. "Carrot (laugh). This outfit was decided before Chansung could start calling me 'Carrot.' But because of Hwang Chansung, this outfit has become no big deal (laugh). It's without a doubt that I would be stuck getting called a carrot when choosing orange (laugh)."

---Now then, what perfume do you use? "I recently changed it, but it's POGOSTEMON."

---What do you wear to bed? "Please use your imagination (laugh). I tuck into bed and sleep."

---What is the fashion style you like on women for summer 2016? "(looking at mini) Wide pants are popular too, right? And loose t-shirts. I like simple fashion." (He chose for us a plain t-shirt paired with denim.)

---Do you have marriage aspirations? "Haaa-- (deep sigh). I haven't thought about it yet. My older sister recently got married. I thought she looked really happy."

---Have you become conscious of something as a result of people close to you getting married? "Rather than 'How nice, I want to [get married] too,' the feeling of 'You're getting married already?!' is stronger. Maybe because I debuted at such a young age, I don't feel like I'm as old as I am, and so I had thought that I was still very young, but more than anything I was surprised to hear that I'm of a marriageable age already."

---Many readers of mini are of the same age as you, Junho. Furthermore, there are many who support Junho while working. What does Junho think is more precious than working? "Passion. That's what I think is the most important. Even if you do a job that you love, it could be what you didn't think it was, and if it's different than what you had imagined, it could potentially cool your passion, right? 'Isn't this not how it's supposed to be?' etc. However, though it may be difficult right now, if you keep working hard in order to mature and make a better future, I believe you'll be able to come to think that the worries you had at the time were really nothing when you look back on it later, so don't forget your passion!"

---Lastly, please give a message to the readers! "Always carry your passion with you and look at mini to beautifully refine yourself!"

---

JPN-ENG: @dawnjelly

Scans: Timing_Kei

Are you in a bad mood? No, why do you ask?

I might be biased, but I’ve always considered you a person who maintains a bright smile. And since you don’t smile as much… Is that so? I have a tendency for daily mood swings, but I can’t “pretend.” I can’t pretend I’m happy when I’m sad, and I can’t pretend something’s good, when it’s not. If I really must nail it down, I’d say today I’m rather calm.

Why so? Hmm… Actually, yesterday I had both of my cats hospitalized.

They’re Wolie and Johnny, right? Are they not well? I think they ate something wrong. The house is often empty, so I use an automated pet feeding machine, and I guess the feed in there must have gone bad, either way; I’m currently worried to death.

They usually say that people who love animals have a good character. Really? Hmm… I don’t really know what they mean by “good,” but I don’t think I’m that easy-going. I sometimes feel really disheartened, and sometimes I might walk on clouds. Sometimes I even think myself that I’m a surly person, haha.

You’re honest. Yes, of course. Consequently, I’m not an evil kid. It’s just that I’m open about showing how I feel to others.

That’s a one healthy character. Usually, it’s not that easy for a celebrity to display one’s genuine character, because fragmentary impressions turn into prejudice. That’s right. When you have a character like mine, it’s really easy to be misunderstood by others. So at the least, I try not to ruin everyone else’s mood if I’m having a bad day.

Shall we talk about “Twenty” that is being released on March 25th? You’ve displayed eye-catching acting skills in “Cold Eyes,” then you filmed for “The Memories of the Sword,” so “Twenty” was a bit unexpected. I thought you would go for a role that would be possible to “brag” about, to catch everybody’s attention. “Twenty” is classified as a comedy, so you might think that it’s just a funny movie. But, to be honest, I don’t consider “Twenty” a comedy. It’s a story about 20-year-old boys.  It’s also a story of totally green youngsters. And, as you know, director Lee Byeongheon doesn’t try to be funny by force. Shall I call it a real-life humor?

The director’s previous feature “Cheer up, Mr. Lee” was also like that. Have you seen that movie? Yes. I really enjoyed it. It’s an autobiographic story about a newbie director who makes his debut in the movie world. It was rough because the movie wasn’t shot in perfect conditions. It was close to a documentary. It thought it was interesting and life-like, because there weren’t that many dialogues. This time that vitality shines through in “Twenty” as well.

You worked together with Kim Woobin and Kang Haneul. The three of you are of the same age, so you must’ve gotten along well. Yes, we also met on Christmas Eve last year. Finding friends of the same age with a similar mindset in this field of work is a lot harder than one would think. I’m really glad that through this production I gained two friends I can trust and rely on.

What do the three men do when they meet? We talk. Even now I have some 35 unread messages in my phone. I usually get a lot of advice when I act. It hasn’t been long since I ventured into acting, so there are still many difficult things. I tend to ask about such things without any moderation.

Even though your acting career has begun not so long ago, it seems like you’re cruising well. If so, it would be great. Actually, the most disappointing thing about it is that I can go for a good production only when “the time is right” because I have to juggle both acting and 2PM activities at the same time. I want to gradually, little by little, try out various roles over a course of time.

“Twenty” tells a story of the three friends who are going through the most pathetic days of their lives. Was there a time that could’ve been called “pathetic” for you as well? Of course. I had such a loser face during my trainee days. If you take a look at my passport photo in the early debut days, it really looks like shameful history chronicles. However, in my heart, that time was never pathetic.

What would you like the movie goers to think when they watch “Twenty?” The main reason I chose this production was that while reading the scenario, it was really comfortable and enjoyable. I wish the viewers would also feel that way. I hope they will have a breather while watching the movie.

Your character Dongwoo is repeating his studies, wanting to become a manga artist. Far from thinking about romance, he’s struggling to earn money as the head of the family. It’s a character who has a strong ability to maintain his livelihood. How are you in real life? The worst.

Is it really that bad? Yes. In order to cultivate my sense of independence and livelihood, I moved out to live on my own about 4 months ago, because the list of things you have to do grows when you have your own place.

Then you must have recycled the trash and done your laundry too? Yes. I was very diligent at first. For about a month I hated even seeing drops of water on the mirror, so I used to clean it carefully. However, now I don’t care even if there are cat footprints here and there. Even if there are tissues lying around on the floor, I’m already at the phase where I think “Meh, I can pick it up tomorrow.”

Haha, do you regret moving out? No, after all, having a place of your own is a good thing, I think. It’s good for work too.

Do you compose at home? Of course. I composed yesterday too. I watched the movie “John Wick.” Then I sort of wanted to compose something, so I wrote the song while having a can of beer. I learned that desire to compose something rises as you drink your beer with nothing but the indirect lighting on, and you gradually get tipsy.

Do you like the song you composed yesterday? No. I ruined it. No matter what kind of melody I’d try for the lyrics, it just doesn’t feel right. Oh well, I can just compose another one.

When do you want to compose? When I drive down an unfamiliar road or when I see an unknown landscape. Or, sometimes I get the inspiration when I go out for a walk at the Han River, when I see a tree or grass. I thought it was just because of my mood, but I’ve read in the news that if you get stimulated visually, all five senses grow.

If you think that visual stimulation is important, you must like shooting pictorials as well, no? Yes. It’s because I enjoy taking up new challenges. If I get a chance, I would like to shoot something like Sid Vicious from the Sex Pistols. Something gory and somewhat dirty.

I thought you wouldn’t like such a thing. Why?

Today you looked puzzled throughout the photo shoot. As if you were shooting weird photos at a strange location. Ey, it’s because I don’t know how it all turns out because you’re shooting on film (T/N: analog). They keep on telling me that I look great, but I honestly have no idea what they have in mind by saying that.

So that’s why you rejected the offer to take off your pants. That would’ve been a great shot. It’s not that I wouldn’t trust you, it’s because I didn’t like the underwear I was wearing today. Also, wouldn’t it be prettier if I were paler and skinnier?

That’s a shame. You were this close to becoming Sid Vicious. Haha, for that, let’s do this when I’m a little bit older and “sexier.”

You’re of a sufficiently sexy age right now. Ey…

Transcript: JunhoStage

Scans: JH_Topaz

Kor-Eng: Egle @ 2pmalways