Jung Yunho appeared on set exactly on time. “My taste is like that of a child’s, so I prefer juice over coffee.” Drinking grape juice from a straw, he began talking about TVXQ’s Japanese tour. Considering the fact that he had just returned to Korea yesterday, he was in great condition. He passionately dove into the photoshoot with various poses and expressions, though the concept was a little awkward with scarves and a muffler. “Let’s eat before continuing on. We all need to eat to survive~”. When the food that we ordered arrived, Yunho called each staff member over and made sure everyone had something to eat. He began to doze off as he sat on a sofa while the camera lighting was being changed during the photoshoot. The last shot was taken quickly as he was woozy from the lack of sleep. Though he tried not to show it on the outside, it looked like he was extremely tired. His eyes had even drooped shut for some of the shots. He must have felt embarrassed about it as he mumbled, “Ah, I guess I fell asleep without even knowing it.” This took us back three years when he had to participate in a ‘HIGH CUT’ photoshoot on a rainy day at the Han River Park. Even when he had to put himself in a yellow boat and slide into a puddle, he never lost his smile. We’ve filled this latest photo spread with the unexpected charm of the nice man who forced his drooping eyes open till the end of the photoshoot, so get excited for what’s to come. Reporter Lee Hui Seung
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At times one can seem formulaic, and at other times, one may seem boring. There are two instances when this is the case. When one tries to use their head too much to avoid direct questions, or when someone is so kind-hearted that it isn’t necessary. During the interview, Jung Yunho did his best to talk about what he has kept locked in his heart. There were times when unsophisticated expressions got mixed in with his words and when he would ramble and later say, “Even I don’t really know what I was talking about.” But one thing is certain, Each and every word he spoke rang with sincerity and truth.
- It’s been a while since we met. What have you been doing since finishing up the popular drama ‘Queen of Ambition’?
After ‘Queen of Ambition’, my break lasted a total of three days. I went to Jeju Island to reenergize myself and went right into preparing for our Japanese tour. I felt a little disappointed as I had to leave acting again to return to my original place as a singer. I attended the ending party for ‘Queen of Ambition’ while preparing for our tour, and my seniors still felt like a father and aunt to me. I was so focused on my drama that I didn’t have as much time as I thought I would for our tour, so I worked harder than ever during our rehearsals and stood on stage for our Japanese and World Tours.
- Putting everything else aside, your drama ended with the highest viewership of the first half of 2013.
Yes, it has. It’s a drama that taught me a lot of things, and I got to meet some great people through it. Sang Woo always took care of me like an older brother and Seong Ryung treated me like a son, and I still can’t forget their affection and care. I counted myself to be so lucky to have been able to work with them. At first, they just kept an eye on me to see what I could do, but we got to know each other pretty quickly and I learned so much from them.
- You must have received a lot of love from your seniors as the youngest actor on set.
Though I have a lot of experience under my belt in the music industry, this is only my second drama, and I’m so happy to have been able to work alongside such veteran seniors. Sang Woo, Soo Ae and Seong Ryung all said that they love TVXQ’s songs and didn’t hold back on their praise and advice for me. From the latter half of the drama, Lee Deok Hwa and Cha Hwa Yeon began monitoring my work. I remember Lee Deok Hwa saying to me, “I hope to see you grow more in a greater production next time. I’m excited to see what you’ll come up with next.” Though I heard that there was a lot of talk surrounding the drama, no one could deny how great the teamwork was.
- Kwon Sang Woo and Kim Seong Ryung have praised you a lot during their interview. You must have seen that?
The reason why I didn’t want to hold any interviews after my portion of the drama ended was because there were so many seniors working with me that I didn’t think it was right for me to sit there and critique the drama and myself. But I was so grateful to see that my seniors were saying such nice things about me. And because I’m a guy, I naturally found myself feeling most comfortable around him and leaning on him a lot. He’s such a great guy outside of the job as well. He takes care of those around him and he’s an honest, great guy.
- This is your second attempt at acting. What do you think has changed about yourself since ‘Heading to the Ground’?
Though I’m still lacking in some aspects, I think I’ve gotten more serious about my acting. I was able to pick up on what I’d missed out on before, and my way of thinking changed greatly as I found a world I had never known, and a side of myself I had never known, through acting. In that regard, I think Baek Do Hoon of ‘Queen of Ambition’, who fit me so well, was a gift I was given at the perfect time. The fact that he would believe in a person till the end was very similar to my own personality, and he made me realize the sense of justice and the value of family that I had forgotten. Of course, there were times when I would get frustrated while playing his character. (laughter)
- Shall we move on to the life of U-Know Yunho, the singer? It’s already been 10 years since TVXQ’s debut. Since your debut till now, when were you most happiest?
I’m always the happiest when I’m on stage. Being at one with the audience comes with a sense of elation and pride. So many things have happened to me as a member of TVXQ during the last 10 years. There were many times when I had to hold back because I was the group’s leader and a human being, but being on stage when I was worn out helped relieve my stress. I usually swallow my words instead of voicing them, but I say everything I’ve wanted to say when I’m on the stage. I don’t usually cry but there I am, crying on stage. The stage is what represents my true self the best.
- To hear that you become the most honest when you’re on stage. It’s a good thing you became a singer then.
Through my dramas, I was able to find a new side of myself I had never seen before, and on the stage, I’m able to also remember my former self as well. I think this is a great balance for me. And acting has helped improve my abilities to express myself. Though I’m still not great at it, I think I’m a little better at passing my meaning along to others.
- You must be a ‘legendary senior’ to most people in waiting rooms of music programs these days. Do you get along with your juniors?
Someone called us ‘the grandfathers of the idol world’, but not quite ‘the ancestors of the idol world’. (laughter) To be honest, you become lonely when you become a senior to others. Juniors find it hard to approach their seniors, and seniors try not to get in their junior’s way. We wanted to break this pattern so whenever we release a new album, we visit all the waiting rooms and give out our CDs to our juniors. When we say, “Please watch over us,” we’re actually saying “Let’s work hard together,” or “Let’s be friends.”
- Which junior has caught your eye?
I don’t think I could single anyone out because these days, they’re all so talented and learn so quickly. What I’m worried about, is that I hope they find their own unique color soon. Because the number of people in the music industry has increased as much as it has, the competition has gotten much fiercer. Skills will always improve, but if they’re not completely focused on figuring out what their unique color and personality is, it’ll be hard to find and may get wiped out. And they have to be ready to listen to what others say.
- Most people your age are currently at work and some are probably married as well, what do you think ‘Yunho’ would be doing if you were living a normal life?
My original dream was to become a prosecutor. If I hadn’t become a singer, I think I would have studied hard and be having a go at the national bar exam. If I was living a normal life, I would probably be married by now. My family has always been very harmonious, so I’ve always wanted to get married at the age that my parents got married at. They got married at the age of 27… But now, I’ve surpassed that age. (laughter) If I see my reality now, I don’t think it’s time to get married just yet. I think it’s only right to get married when you’re prepared and ready to take responsibility for someone else.
- Overseas, your popularity pretty much sums you up as ‘the gods of the East’. Additional subway runs were planned for your Sapporo Dome Tour in Japan, and you’ve become the first non-Japanese singers to hold a concert at Nissan Stadium. What do you think is the secret to your popularity?
It really wasn’t easy getting the chance to stand on stage in Nissan Stadium. (smile) I think our popularity is as high as it is because we’ve always tried to learn about the culture of whatever country we went to, and slowly made our way up from there. It’s been 8 years since we began performing overseas. When we held our first live tour in Sapporo, we performed in front of 400 people. And 8 years later, that number has increased by a multiple of 100 to become 40,000 people. I’m so grateful for that. We do feel bad to our international fans because our overseas activities are conducted for such short periods of time, and I think it would be nice if we could stay in one place for a long time if possible.
- You must feel very proud when you see international fans cheering in Korean?
It’s different from before. These days, because people can hear K-pop on sites like YouTube, and this helps get the Korean language and culture out there into the world. It makes me feel good and proud but um… I wish we could only transfer good things to them, but there are times when bad parts of our culture are transferred to them. (laughter)
- You must have bigger plans for the future than before now that you’ve been running non-stop for 10 years.
Ever since I was little, I’ve always had the thought ‘I want to become a hope for people who want to become like us’. I don’t know if this will be possible, but I’d like to create a school like the one in ‘Dream High’, and I’d like to create a volunteer organization. My dream to help someone else who has a talent in music and dance, the two things I am best at. Even now, I’m helping some people in secret. (shrug) I’d like to put my plans into action once I’ve learned more and built up a strong foundation of knowledge.
- Last of all, is there anything else you’d like to say?
Thank you for giving your unchanging love to TVXQ for the past 10 years, and I think we’ve gotten this far because of our fans. They’ve helped create TVXQ into who we are now. Thank you for silently staying by our side till now, and thank you so much to those of you who have believed in us.
-This!! We have to set this straight-
- Are there any misunderstandings or prejudices against Jung Yunho that you’d like to set straight?
There are a lot of people who have told me that when they first saw me, they thought I would be scary and cold. Girls’ Generation’s Seo Hyun stated in her last HIGH CUT’ interview that she thought I would be the head of the department at a school… (laughter from everyone) I’m actually a very innocent and nice person. I’m a kid in an adult’s body. And one more thing. My horrible drawing skills were revealed in ‘Running Man’ (aka ‘U-Know Yunho’s shocking art world’). I really want to set the record straight that (though I can’t draw), I’m not someone of poor sense!
-Yunho’s Wish List-
“If I was to ever set up a home that I would live in for the rest of my life, I’d love to decorate it to look really pretty. Because I’m a man with good sense. Of course, I’d have to leave any artwork up to someone else. (laughter) I would give experts my ideas, and participate in the creation of that home.”
Source: [HIGH CUT Magazine + 씸씸@Yuaerubi]
Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net
