[TRANS] GEEK July 2016 Issue - Nichkhun

You look like an LA youngster who comes to Cuba for a vacation. You really suit this free-spirited place. Really. I really feel that I’m overseas here. The weather is also bright today (June 10^th). The place is also beautiful so I’m feeling really good. It will be my birthday soon. I wish I can have a party here.

June 24^th is your birthday, right? Have you planned anything for the party? Other celebrities often invite more than 50 people and have huge birthday parties. However, I don’t really like such complicated and huge parties. I prefer a calmer party in which I can eat and watch movies at home, together with people closest to me. I think I will only invite around five people for my party.

Who will you invite? 2PM members and... Oh? That’s already five people. I wish to invite the hyungs with whom I work out so I will have to make several parties.

Not long ago, you released a travel photo book <Journey, Map that Embraces the Wind> with actor Lee Jungjin. How did the project begin? I was talking with Jungjin hyung about a lot of things when we found out that we have something in common, which is photo and travelling. We were joking when we said, “Should we go on a trip, take some pictures and release a book? An exhibit would also be interesting.” However, the vice president liked our idea so it turned into a business project.

There are many celebrities who use ghostwriters because they are not professional writers, did you write by yourself? That’s not the case. The editor-in-charge left with us and the speech was arranged through interview style in the script. The pictures with both of us in it were taken by a photographer who accompanied us. I think the book came out well because the professional helped us a lot.

We could at least find out who Nichkhun and Lee Jungjin are through the book. If it were a mere photo book, I could just release it during concerts. It’s not only a book that contains cool pictures. We wanted to release a book that can tell others who we are and how we live. The book does not simply talk about us being an idol and an actor. Instead, it talks about us as ordinary individuals with bad and good.

I bought the book and there was a book-signing coupon inside. It is for fan service. Fans are very important to me so I want to treat them well in everything. However, a line also needs to be drawn. I’d like it to be quiet when I’m having my personal time or when I have a company so I refuse to take pictures or give signatures. I believe that a principle is needed.

Not long ago, you had a bag design collaboration with particular brand. You not only lent your name but also participated in the designing process. I think it is a meaningless work to only lend my name. If I had, I would not have been able to say that I’m the one who made it. It’s not my specialty so I could not work on everything by myself. I put my ideas first, then I drew and until the product was completed, my opinions were actively reflected on the smallest things.

I think your honesty is something that keeps you popular for a long time. At the beginning, it was only my appearance. I admit that. Before JYP audition, I was nothing but a worriless and irresponsible teenager. I had to change. I desperately practiced my Korean, dancing and singing because I hated hearing, “you’re nothing but looks.” I had no choice but to show myself developing little by little so I wouldn’t hear those words. Fortunately, the fans appreciate my effort now. More than anything, there are people in Thailand who think of me as a hero for being a Thai who is active as a South Korean idol so I always feel responsible not to let them down. I have to be careful with every action I take.

I feel you have entirely changed since your debut. In which area do you think that you have developed? I think I have become wiser and more mature. My job is being a celebrity and I’m a singer but I’m still a person. I realized that it is essential to find what I want instead of getting buried in my job. Previously, I work to please people but now I work in order to satisfy and make myself happy.

When are you happy? I’m a freeman. I don’t follow strict rules. I still hold what I have to but I try not to be stuck with the standard. It is frustrating to always follow others. Don’t I have to be comfortable and natural to appear so in the eyes of others?

But you will have to put yourself into the standard people expect from you on the stage though? Don’t people expect handsomeness and charms from idols on stage? They demand those because of my job, not because of me as an individual. I don’t think that will change.

Your role is always to be handsome. Do you become discouraged by your plainness when you have no schedule? I am not. I also have no objection of being seen with no make-up. It’s just that I don’t go out often. I don’t really like crowded places so I enjoy being home. I would wear hat when I have to go out but it’s not to cover anything. When I want to wear a hat, I just put it on.

It seems that you balance the gap between you as a celebrity and individual well. I love both sides of myself. However, I also experience self-denial in both. Dissatisfaction is needed to develop. I never stop asking myself questions and looking for problems. I do them in order to love myself more. I think in order to become better, a person must not be easily satisfied with himself and love himself more at the same time.

What about other people? I think consideration is very important. Through others’ opinion, you can prevent harmful situations. Although I can’t do that when arguing about impossible things, I always put others’ opinion ahead of mine in other situations. I pretend to not know when they are wrong.  

Won’t you be let down so many times like that? Especially in the entertainment industry. I have learnt the trick to not be disappointed by most people. I don’t put any expectation. The entertainment industry is a business run by lots of people. Because of that, I think we have to concede and be more considerate when working with others unless it’s a critical matter. It’s common in this industry that when you don’t hit it off with someone, you will probably not meet him again. When I particularly have to express my opinion, I will have to see that person constantly. In that case, I will express my opinion slowly and little by little to change him.

It is quite sad that you said you don’t have any expectation so you won’t be disappointed by others. I became untrusting of people. It seems like it can’t be helped since I work surrounded by many people. I recently started living on my own but I didn’t feel at ease that I couldn’t hire a maid. So, I do all of the house chores by myself. It is difficult and tiring but I love cleaning, fortunately. I also clean the bathroom myself. I get on my knees and wipe everything clean happily. I also like shopping so instead of ordering in, I go to buy food myself. Even though I order in, I will also make some simple dish.

You said, “I’m lucky” a lot before this interview. Regardless of all your weariness, do you always think that your life is lucky? Although I made efforts, I think I got where I am because of my great luck. There are more people who are better and hard-working than I am but I managed to be where I am now. There is no other explanation other than being lucky.

Although you must have gotten a lot of things, is there anything you are not able to get? I saw an interview in which you daringly declared your ambition to be an actor representing Asia in the Hollywood someday. I don’t think that can be achieved with effort only. The opportunity may someday come if I’m doing well at where I am now. It would be good if I could achieve that with a good luck, but I will have no regret otherwise. I would still have the experience of trying my best at my current position. If we’re talking about dream, I would like to release a solo album someday.

Is there any object that you haven’t been able to get yet? Haha, a watch. Since a few years ago, I have vaguely thought about getting a good watch but I’ve been thinking more about it recently. I have a particular watch in mind. It comes with a leather band and I really like it. Although it’s not decorated with diamonds or extremely expensive, it can’t be considered cheap too. It’s a product of I brand. I’m originally the type to think a lot before buying stuff. I even spent one and a half year thinking before buying my first car. Though I spend well on food, I can’t buy things if I don’t really like them.

So it is not only a mere money issue when you put on a watch. I heard you’re also outspoken regarding donations. You must have done a lot more donations without people knowing, right? As the teaching of Buddhism also says, I think that people should share (with others) what they have. My mother also does a lot of good deeds in Thailand. She frequently calls me too. She would say, "Nichkhun, I went to some hospital and I think they need more beds." Then, I would answer "I think they do. How about we give them ten of it?" I do not consider that as a waste of money at all.

scan sources: pictures interview

[TRANS] COSMOPOLITAN - 6 Men Coming Together as a Whole Again, 2PM

6 Men Coming Together as a Whole Again, 2PM

Making a new phrase ‘Beastly Idols’ and starting the syndrome after their debut in 2008, 2PM have become matured men even more. The warm moment when the 6 men who have been bragging each of their ability through solo, acting, album producing, etc gathered as 2PM.

It’s been a long time since we met in 2009. We asked you what you think you would be doing 10 later, do you perhaps remember your answers?

Junho Didn’t we answer that we’d be in the army? Haha.

Taecyeon I can’t remember at all...

Taecyeon answered acting, singing, radio DJ, having a coffee business. Nichkhun answered being married and having a business. Jun. K answered to keep engrossed in music, and being married! Chansung answered acting and singing, Wooyoung answered to be the world’s best musician. And Junho asnwered launching clothing brand, composing songs, producing, singing and acting...

Jun. K When did you say we answered this? Euhaha.

Taecyeon Worst of all I didn't even like coffee that much so I wonder why did I say that? All of us didn't give it more thought.

Junho Wooyoung-ah, it won’t be long until you become the world’s best musician

Taecyeon Junho’s launching a clothing brand is even more shocking!

Junho Wait a moment. We are 2PM, are you sure you didn't interview 2AM instead of us?

Wooyoung Didn't we do this jokingly?

Taecyeon Jun. K No we didn't, we did it very seriously. I remembered...

That’s right. It’s still vivid in mind how all of you answered the questionnaire as if you’re answering for college entrance exam. Though it hasn’t been 10 years, 6 years have passed since then.  At that time, all of you said that 2PM’s strongest weapon was ‘performance’ so what do you think have changed now?

Chansung We did splendid things like performaces to draw attention in our debut days but I don’t think we can keep going with that only. We’ve gone through a period of change in order to find our own style since then. I would like to say that now is the time when the result of that change is becoming clear. It’s a process of change but we did everything to always show our best.

Your comeback is in June. It is said that there will be a lot of members’ composition too this time but if you are to give a hint about the new album? Only to evoke expectation.

Junho The sure thing I can say that this album was really made by us.

Taecyeon Members’ participation in this album is higher than in the others we’ve had until now. We’re showing more and more of our colors whenever we release new albums in the future. As Chansung said before, I think this album can show you the best of our current capability.

We can’t help but to ask about love to young people at the peak of youth. Honestly, we don’t have to tell that 2PM members will do well but who is the romanticist among the members?

Junho Well, won’t everyone be romanticist when in love?

Wooyoung If not, I think one can at least be romanticist to his lover even when he’s not to other women. There are many lovers who can’t date comfortable despite being in love because they go public. I think they would have the thought of wanting to try like ‘I want to date like this too’.

Chansung I just want an ordinary date of walking on the streets while holding hands.

Junho True. Something like eating spicy rice cake together at the snack stall. That’s why I want to have a lot of quality time with my wife when I get married later. It’s because I’m unlikely to get married soon. The soonest would be when I’m 35 years old? I’d be starting my life with the woman I love so I would like to try everything I couldn’t do before as much as I wish with her.

I personally think that ‘obsession propensity’ is one of the biggest traits of men so as <Cosmo Men> cover models is there something that you’re obsessed with recently? Not obsessed in a negative way but kind of something you’ve done much.

Junho I have one! I’m rasing 2 cats at home but I’m quite obsessed with the state of their feces. The kids have some diarrhea so I have to check on them and feed them medicines by myself, covering their feces right after they defecated... I’m not sure how obsessed I am to keep being alert of those moment.

Wooyoung I think I’m obsessed with studying these days. I’m getting really curious about the world lately. That’s why I read random books.  I keep on seeing things like documentary or video feeds... I recenly read a book called < Healing The Shame That Binds You> and it’s good.

Chansung I’m really interested in photography recently. It’s not talking selca, haha. The fans gave me a camera for my birthday gift so I started by wondering whether I should try taking pictures with it and it was surprisingly fun.

Nichkhun Mine is Mickey Mouse. Haha.

All Seriously, he has to go to Disneyland to see Mickey Mouse whenever we have schedule overseas. He also draws Mickey Mouse during his time off. But, he matches with Mickey Mouse well.

Jun. K I’m recently obsessed with spacing. I’m the type to not do well when my place is uncomfortable, even it’s only a little. I only sit on places to sit even at home. I’m obsessed with seeking comfort for rooms in that way.

Taecyeon I’ve fallen for spirits (alcoholic drinks) tasting. Wine, beer and recently whiskey, they have a lot of kinds and tastes. I find it fun to taste them and fine which one fits my taste. But I’m not an alcoholic. Haha.

Last question. What time is the hottest time now on 2PM’s clock?

Junho Of course it’s still 2PM. We’re always bright and energetic, very hot.

Taecyeon If so, it’s actually the hottest at 3PM. Because of the solar radiation. Haha.

Wooyoung Then the answer is 3PM.

Jun. K If 3PM is the hottest time, then we still have a long way to go. I think we’re at 2:02 PM. If we have gone through a process toward 2:01 PM until now, I think we’ll be at 2:02 PM starting from now on. We’re always progressing.

source

[TRANS] 150317 'Twenty' Lee Junho Interview by OSEN

‘Twenty’ Lee Junho, “Seeing My Acting Made My Toes Curl”[Interview Part 1]

Resultingly, an exact timing. Group 2PM’s member, Lee Junho debuted as an actor through ‘Cold Eyes’ which was released in 2013. Though he had a late start compared to other members, he got positive results. Despite his brief apperance as Squirrel, the ace of the surveillance team in the movie, he left a strong impression. That was the beginning of ‘Acting-Idol’ Lee Junho.

Movie ‘Twenty’ (Directed by Lee Byeonghun, Produced by영화나무) which is going to be released on upcoming 25th will be his second workpiece. Moreover, it will be his first lead role. The role he plays is Dongwoo, a poor repeater who balances the relationship between his two friends, bold and lively unemployed Chiho (Kim Woobin), clumsy model student Kyungjae (Kang Haneul) and him. Listen to stories about ‘Twenty’ starting with Lee Junho’s “I wonder how it would be if Dongwoo had been more broken.”

-You had a successful debut through your previous workpiece ‘Cold Eyes’

 “I was so shocked that I got praised that much. It was something I couldn’t even imagine. As said by the fans, I appeared for about 7 minutes in ‘Cold Eyes’. I managed to get praised that much even when I only appeared for 7 minutes in 2 hours running time. I think the role itself was good that it made me shine. I’ve always wanted to act. But I didn't have the chance and I didn't have the confidence to go for it. ‘Cold Eyes’ was an opportunity that came with a great timing.

    

-Even though you shot ‘Memories of The Sword’ before ‘Twenty’, ‘Twenty’ ended getting released first. How was the completed movie.

“When I watch the movie through my character, I felt regret. I had been in 3 movies and this is my first lead role so I have many worries. It’s hard and it made my toes curl to keep on watching my acting. I can’t watch the scenes confidently.”

-Is Dongwoo less broken than Chiho or Kyungjae.

“I wonder how it would turn out if Dongwoo had been more broken. Dongwoo is a composed character out of the three but he’ll undoubtedly become a broken figure when they are put together. Woobin and Haneul fought on their own, and I wonder how if I had given more strength to help. There are still a lot of characters which I have not tried. I want to show my potential first and then try various roles.”

-You worked together with actor Lee Byunghun in ‘Memories of The Sword’ and with director Lee Byeonghun in ‘Twenty’. How was director Lee Byeonghun.

“He’s cool. In the beginning, I attempted to start a conversation with the director and I had thought that he’s not happy to meet me then. (laughs) I wondered if he’s shy of strangers but it turned out that his personality has always been like that. He talked about everything without a change of expressions, he is a really interesting person. Later on, I became comfortable around him.”

-Dongwoo went through discouragement for the difference between his ideal and reality. How did you immerse into the character.

“I went through training period since I was 17 until I was 19 years old, it was hard. I wanted to give up. I ever thought that I was just doing it uselessly. But since competition existed in trainee period, I thought about anything but myself. I wanted to leave the company with my own feet but, I felt reluctant. I also thought about my family. I think Dongwoo has it way harder than me. That’s how I immersed into the character. Though our level of hardship is different,  it’s still a conflict between ideal and reality.” 

-You acted as a twenty years old in the movie, you must have got reminded of your own twentieth age period.

“I debuted as a member of 2PM when I was 20. To me, my twentieth age was only about ‘2PM’. Though I was happy that I reached my dream then, mine was not ordinary twentieth age. It became a great happiness for me to be able to go back to that time I passed while shooting for this movie. Dongwoo is also a character that can bring you back to your worries. I think the audiences who are in their 20s will be able to relate through Dongwoo.  Not dark and heavy. I don’t say “I won’t cry.” If I were to go back to my past, I won’t trap myself in it. To think about it now, I was really young back then but I got a strong sense of responsibility from turning into adult at the same time.”  

-If you were to compare the past and the present, are they really different.

“They are really different. My passion and ambition stay the same but they became buried. Let’s say something like “I got edited out on a broadcast”, I don’t know if it’s actually mine or not but my firy personality has disappeared. Before, I would ponder on it when I felt unfair. Now, I’m one to tell stories flexibly.”

-The pathetic twentieth age also appeared in ‘Twenty’. What was 20 years old Lee Junho’s patheticness.

“Everything seems pathetic when I look back at the past. Like when I saw the photos of mine from the past, the trend clothes, styles at that time now look pathetic. ‘Why did I put chains on my pants?’, ‘Why did I wear tank tops?’ those are what come into my mind. I laughed and talked about those fashion in the past while drinking with some close hyungs. There are more embarrassing things but I think I want to talk about this in a talk show in the next 10 years.”

[TRANS] Arena Homme+ March 2015 Issue - Taecyeon

Taecyeon’s Calluses

With a sneaky expression he joked around with the staff the most mischievously, gaze becoming different only when he entered the shooting. As much as the time he has spent since the early days of his debut with reality program <Wild Bunny> until <Cinderella’s Sister> and also <Three Meals A Day>, Taecyeon have gotten calluses on his feet.

How are you doing while resting from <Three Meals A Day> Winter Season?

I’m spending my time with my personal schedule as well as recording for 2PM’s Japanese album. The 4th album Japanese tour done. Now, we are preparing for our album again.

How is 2PM’s popularity felt in Japan?

Actually, you can’t really feel it other than in our concerts. Different from Korea, not every broadcasting company in Japan has their own music programs that singers have a lot of their own concerts there.

Now you are into your 4th year after your debut.

That’s right. Since I debuted in 2008.

Do you feel anything changing every year? Say for example your determination in performing or your attitude.

That is a sure thing. Thinking about my debut days... (laughs)

2PM, acting, variety field, and MC, you have done all that but surely there is one of those that keeps you balanced, right?

I started with 2PM so even all of the members did not say a thing, we all prioritize 2PM more. Of course, our own individual activities are important too but I think it is definite that we were able to start whatever we do now because of 2PM.

It seems that you have an unwritten aggreement to keep on doing well as 2PM while doing well on your individual activities.

I guess you can put it like that. It’s like we all know it without saying it out loud?

Although you are talking about this all indifferently, there was a lot of things that happened in 8 years. Have you become relaxed and at ease?

My personality has been originally so. I don’t really pay attention to detailed things. I have never thought about having to do this and that just because I’m a celebrity. That’s how I get to be more at ease.

What do you mean by ‘having to do things because you’re a celebrity’?

For example, when you have to pay attention to your fashion and how you look to others. Something like that maybe? At the time of my debut and even now, I think that ‘would not it be better for me to live my life in a way I find comfortable?’