Finally 2PM's 2nd album is out. You said for this album the member's opinions really influenced the concept, so we're curious what kind of concept it is.
Junho: until now we've done a lot of dark music so we've also felt depressed; Even on stage we've had a dark appearance so it was a bit difficult for us. I mean songs like ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Without You’, and ‘I'll Be Back.’ So for this album we all went to Jinyoung hyung and told him we thought it would be better if didn’t go that way this time.
Taecyeon: This time it's completely not a beastly concept. Rather than beastly men, we're showing a fun image. Being called beastly idols is an honor but if we go for that image again we think it’ll be stale, so originally we had planned to show a fun, music loving image.
Wooyoung: Until now, if you looked at the lyrics of our songs we sang a lot about sad love stories, the atmosphere was generally dark. But we haven’t really experienced those situations so it was kind of hard to express. Therefore we wanted to show that that's not what we do best. If we show our true fun selves, we and the fans can enjoy it. We want to show a truer stage in one stroke. We really want to become one with the fans and play.
Nichkhun: Right. When we were promoting ‘I'll Be Back’ we went to Psy's performance and saw him`naturally having fun on stage. We also wanted to show that image. We will show an exciting fun image on stage.
Junsu: This time without fail we're going to really play. When you see the stage you'll know but you'll really be able to see 2pm's playful eyes. Look forward to it!
Chansung: It's not just naturally showing our playful image, so try not to make it seem like we’re forcing that atmosphere on people. We want to naturally harmonize so that we can show it on stage. And honestly speaking, while making this album we had a lot of fun so we're saying this but it doesn't really matter if we succeed or not. It's big news from the company's position but because we had a lot of fun making it, we're already satisfied.
Taecyeon: What are you talking about? It's definitely not that. We definitely must succeed. This album will succeed!
1000 days after debut. During that time 2pm went through some hard times. In 2010, how did those times effect 2pm?
Junho: You're talking about our leader's withdrawal right? I can't completely say our group wasn't poisoned. It felt like it was filtered throughout. Should I say it's been a bit filtered out? It kind of feels like we’ve been reborn. We’ve all become closer because of it. From this point of view, it’s like past events can be medicinal to us.
Junsu: It was really hard. It's just become like a bad memory. It was a time when we all tried to work hard but people’s reactions, even without knowing anything, were really scary and there were all kinds of troubles.
Nichkhun: It seems like it was an opportunity for us to learn a lot. How people think, what kinds of behavior is unacceptable…
Taecyeon: Even now we’re not completely comfortable with it. Because it was a really difficult time. Despite that, we were together so we were able to endure.
Wooyoung: At the time we were shocked and sad and it was definitely not a laughing time. We all thought the same and decided that in order for us to be able to laugh again later, we would work harder. We said we had to get stronger but not in separate teamwork. But it seems like we came to depend on each other more. In a way it was a blessing in disguise.
What’s at the end of the road for 2pm?
Taecyeon: A little more success. Receiving love from more people and more acknowledgement of our music.
Wooyoung: Our goal is to evolve to the point that we make albums that get better reviews and which people can’t say anything bad about
Nichkhun: And for that reason it seems 2PM’s second album must really do well. But that’s not something that will happen just because we want it to, so all we can do is work hard and wait for the results.
Junho: Now it’s been three years since 2PM debuted, all our seniors said that when you get to 3 years after debut you get to thinking a lot, because mutually you might have different ideas, and it can also be a tiring time. So at times like these, since we talk to each other a lot it seems like we must go in a good direction. Because 2pm must absolutely go all out. Because this is a goal for all of us!
Junsu: Right. In the future each member might have their own activities but 2pm itself won’t crumble. Because all 6 members feel the same and we’re all looking at the same future.
★닉쿤 NICHKHUN
It’s already been over 3 years since you came to an unfamiliar country to start activities with 2PM. In that time, what was the biggest change to you?
-I can’t sleep enough like I used to. Until now I don’t think I’ve had a proper rest.
So you’re spending your 20’s doing work that doesn’t let you rest, and it’s called a life of luxury?
-Since we’re constantly receiving attention, since we’re receiving love, it can’t be helped. We all have complaints but even so, doing activities is good, so we’re constantly moving. Honestly speaking, if I think about what I’d be doing if I wasn’t in 2PM it’s really scary. I might have become a person who is nothing special. If I think about that my head hurts.
When you’re angry or stressed how do you relieve it?
-There aren’t a lot of stress relieving methods because there isn’t a lot of time. There’s almost nothing but exercising or eating something tasty. I think just thinking positively while overcoming seems to be the best.
You debuted together but the amount of time and degree of attention each member gets is a bit different. Have there ever been any problems because of this amongst the members?
-Absolutely none. When I was doing variety shows, Taecyeon and Wooyoung were doing the drama, Junho and Junsu were composing songs and Chansung was exercising diligently. Each of us had work to focus on so there wasn’t any bickering. We’re just good rivals to each other. We spur each other on.
Is your favorite field definitely song and dance? Or is it in a different area?
-Actually my dream isn’t to be a singer. Therefore I’m not greedy to do well. I just happened to come in and become a member and start practicing with them, compared to the others I’m really not great. I knew that, but hearing it often from others was quite annoying, because I didn’t really have a desire to become a singer. Come to think of it, I wasn’t that great. But since I debuted and kept singing and dancing, now a feel a desire to do really well in this field. I want to build on my skills and in the future gain recognition as a talented singer and dancer.
What’s your final dream?
-To become a good father. 10 years in the future after diligently earning money, whether in Korea or Thailand or America wherever it is, I want to run a restaurant or café. That way I’m not doing uninteresting work and because there’s a lot of free time, I can always spend it with my child. If the parents are busy it’s really hard on a kid. A child raised under busy parents will have a hard time with various things. I think that’s really not great. I know because I experienced it. So now I’m working hard to earn a lot of money. Really.
★택연 TAECYEON
The response to your debut song in Japan was positive. Did you expect this good response?
-It was better than I expected, actually however emphasized K-Pop is we didn’t know how much it was liked. Originally thinking about our debut song and our different bubbly image I had no sense of what the response would be. In Korea, we did music with a strong beat or sad melody but in Japan our debut song ‘Take Off’ was a really bright song, and had a ‘Ahahaha’ kind of feeling so I really couldn’t guess the response.
It’s been said you were the most popular member in Japan?
-Me? Who said that? It wasn’t me. Chansung or Khun are very popular. I know I’m no match for them. Really!
You’re just being polite but if a response is that big it’s hard. Haha. It’s been 1000 days since 2PM debuted right?
-More accurately it’s been a little bit over 1000 days.
That kind of nitpicking personality makes people tired, did you know?
-Hahahaha.
During those 1000 days, I mean a little more than 1000 days, did you change at all?
-I think I got a bit more perceptive. ‘That's just how things are, me!’ So now, I know how the company operates to a degree, and I think I know how tv shows operate now too. Since I know some shortcuts now, things I would have done thoughtlessly in the past that would get me into trouble, I can do more efficiently now. And if you mean things that have changed, I guess the degree to which I can endure things before hitting my critical point has risen?
What are you enduring like that?
-Pointless reviews. Before filming the drama
Of course, at that time your acting was a bit awkward. Haha. Even so, in the recently ended drama
-No, not yet. Hahahaha. Really not yet.
Are you thinking of continuing to act?
-Well I seem to lean a bit more towards acting than the others. If an opportunity comes and it’s a role where I can live as the character I think I’d do everything for it. If I can get to the point where I can act with just my eyes and overwhelm like Lee Byunghun it’d be great.
Not too long ago you gave up your permanent residency and announced you’d go to the military. It doesn’t seem like an easy decision, did you parents object?
-My parents were really against it. But I convinced them by saying it was a good decision for me and the rest of 2PM.
What is your final dream?
-Have a happy family.
Most of 2PM said ‘have a happy family,’ seems like you’ll be good dads.
-Oh really? It turned out like that because we’re all really nice guys. Right?
★우영 WOOYOUNG
We heard you injured your finger before starting activities in Japan, are you ok?
-While practicing, my cartilage became inflamed, and it doesn’t heal that easily. There’s constantly not much power in my finger.
Hopefully it heals quickly. Seems like each member is hurt somewhere.
-It’s because we all have a lot of schedules. There were the activities in Japan, and making the second album, and since we had individual activities as well we couldn’t help but overwork ourselves.
Do you think this album will do well?
-In my opinion it’ll be a big hit. As long as there are no accidents.
Accidents? Haha. That’s right in the past there was a big accident.
-Only one? They happened all the time. Also rumors were always spreading.
It’s annoying when rumors are being spread around isn’t it?
-There aren’t any words to refute it, and even if we contradict them it doesn’t get solved, so you just let it go. In the past I saw one bad thing and got really hurt. After that I don’t look at comments anymore. Some people say things really thoughtlessly, and I can’t even stand looking at it. I try not to look at things so I don’t become poisoned by them.
You’ve been living the entertainment life for four years. In that time there would have been a lot of good things but also a lot of bad. What’s the hardest thing about life in the entertainment business?
-It doesn’t make sense that there would be no hard things right? The pressure to constantly show a good image, to keep giving a more and more outstanding image is really big. Things get more difficult gradually. Little by little people want more, and even only 1~2 years after debut you have juniors who haven’t even come out yet, and there are eyes looking at us. We want people to feel that ‘as expected, 2PM is really different.’ To do that you need practice but it’s not easy in this situation. There are a lot of schedules and each of us has a lot of work to do.
2 years ago since the time of Mnet
-No, it wasn’t like that. Rather, that was a time when my confidence really hit the floor. As I just danced and just talked bluntly, it was getting wrecked. I really felt down. ‘Aye, I just don’t know’ like that. When I came into JYP, I kept meeting people who were a lot more attractive than me, and taller, and better at dancing. As that was happening I lost confidence. What was worse, I didn’t realize I’d lost confidence until 3 years later. Probably at the time of
That’s unexpected, it really didn’t look like that.
-That’s because I always pretended I had confidence. Since I was smiling it looked like that. Even now I’m constantly working to increase my confidence. If we’re going to climb and even higher mountain, I’ll need it.
★준수 JUNSU
You have plans to be on
-The program’s concept seems to be similar to ‘I’m a singer’ and it seems to be to show that idols can sing well too. I feel pressured to show a good image in order to meet that purpose. The pressure is great enough that I’m thinking I need to work harder.
What kind of image are you thinking of showing on the program?
-I saw what the others did and I want to show a well polished performance, because that is something I can do well.
Are you not going to do entertainment shows? The few times you came out on the variety shows it was really funny.
-For the moment I’m going to focus on music. Hahaha.
You debuted as a singer-songwriter when you created the song ‘Don’t Go’ for the
-It’s a name my friend gave me. He’s a Japanese-Korean friend, and he’s called me this since we were young. I told the other members I liked the feel of it and thought it would be a good composer name and it later turned out like this. If it’s Junsu then you think of 2PM’s Junsu, but if it’s Jun.K then it seems like you can fully see my music.
How does it feel to debut as a Singer-Songwriter? Seems you achieved your dream.
-It’s way better than I thought. Because I thought of and made the music and then others sing it. Kan Miyeon Shi sang it and I sang with Lim Junghee shi too. It’s fascinating how my sentiments can be directly conveyed to people through composing.
Was there anything that changed after you debuted? You broke out of a tough trainee period and gained a lot of popularity so it seems like an easy time for changes.
-It’s been 7 years since I started as a trainee. When I think about it, I didn’t even get a little bit arrogant. Even people I was seeing for the first time acknowledged this. If I even thought about becoming arrogant for one moment, I tried hard not to be that way.
★찬성 CHANSUNG
You’ve started your activities in Japan, how was the response there? We could only hear about it from foreign news so actually we’re curious about your reception.
-It was better than I expected. Enough that we felt a little pressured. At first we worried about it a lot but it seems like doing foreign activities is good for us too.
It’s been over 3 years since you debuted. After spending 3 years as 2pm’s youngest, what about you has changed the most?
-About TV shows, I can also call this culture right? Anyway in TV show culture, I’m much more used to it than I was at first. Now I can understand the cause and effect of a situation and even if I can’t see it clearly, it’s possible to infer.
In that time many idol groups came out. Is there a group or singer that spurs you on?
-Well…honestly I don’t watch tv, so I don’t really know who’s come out. And actually I only focus on my work, so I don’t worry about how others are doing or who wants to jump over me or anything like that. Really I don’t have time to worry about it.
Have you had any rest since you debuted?
-We really haven’t. I really want to rest. Since I debuted in
So have you said you wanted to rest a bit?
-I want to rest but my passion for doing this work is bigger. Personally I don’t think it’s bad to be this busy while I’m young.
When you say that it seems like 2PM’s youngest is all grown up.
-Ah, do you think? Well, anyway that’s how I feel. But then, I’m a serious person, enough so that I’ve heard people say I’m ‘sick with seriousness.’
Since your trainee days all the members have become like a family, after living together like that, there must be some things you’ve learned from your hyungs as the youngest member.
-There’s really a lot you can learn from our members. Firstly, Junho is very determined, Khun hyung is broad minded, Taecyeon hyung has a calculating side, so he can deal with things objectively, Wooyoung is quick witted and quite smart. Lastly, Junsu hyung really loves music, he’s the eldest but his character is one to always be so good to the rest of us without any restraint.
Have you thought about the life after being an idol?
-When you say life after being an idol, I don’t really know what would be important, but Jamie Foxx is a big role model to me. He’s both an actor and a singer, an all around entertainer. My goal is to be active for a long time like that.
But really, these days why aren’t you acting?
-I also don’t know. I want to but there doesn’t seem to be anything that really matches me. Even if I’m not doing it right at this very moment, if a role that wasn’t great came up would I not be moved to try it?
★준호 JUNHO
Your personality is very serious isn’t it? Somehow your personality seems like it would get in the way of your entertainment activities…
-Actually it really does. It’s not shyness or anything like that, but I can’t exaggerate well and can’t tell stories in a fun way. It’d be great if I could tell fun stories on talk shows but I can’t season them well.
Honestly if you’re a man in your early 20s you have a desire to play and date too. Isn’t it frustrating that you can’t do that naturally?
-In your 20s of course you’re hot blooded. But right now in this situation rather than dating, I think it’s better to be doing what I need to do. And I’m not really the type who craves love much.
So the “work you must do” are you doing it right now?
-Yes that’s right. My dancing and singing hobbies are my specialty, and because it’s become my work I want to pour more of myself into it and become better.
You were the winner of
-Not really. Actually I feel like it would have been better to have started earlier like Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake. If that had happened, wouldn’t my skills be better than they are now?
Is it rude to say that just like when we saw you 2 years ago, you still seem the be the most timid amongst the members?
-You’ve observed accurately. If I’m being really honest, until now it seems like I was really timid. Winning
Are you better now?
-A lot better. At some point, through talking with Taecyeon hyung I began to feel like I didn’t need to be timid. Taecyeon said if I started to have fun while doing it, I would able to do better, and then I would gain some confidence. So I tried that and gradually I started to really enjoy it. I was able to get better because of it and my confidence increased. So these days I feel a lot better.
What was your original dream?
-I wanted to be a soccer player, I wanted to be a baseball player, I wanted to be a computer programmer too. Actually, thinking about it I wanted to be a professional swimmer too. But it seems like what I really wanted to do was be a dancer and singer.
So it seems like you achieved your dream?
-I achieved my dream but that’s not the end. I feel like I’ve just advanced. If I perfectly achieve my dream it seems like I should do even better.
If that’s how it is, then what is your final dream?
-I don’t really know. Becoming a good person seems like it would be good in itself. As a musician and as an actor, I want to do well all around. I want to gain strength from it and live while developing these skills. It could be a way for me to contribute as well.
Source: Cosmopolitan Magazine July 2011
Scans from Matlejang
Translated by mcheller @ Wild2Day.org
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