“To be honest, my body doesn’t belong to me only. Changing hair styles is not an easy thing because of my job and the rules that come with it. But I think I’m still bit selfish, “I think I want to have a hairstyle that’s me.” Though it is important to find a hairstyle that suits myself, changing hairstyles can help me relieve stress. Because I have done so many things that were not of my choice, I think that as long as it doesn’t result in me reporting to the prosecutor’s office, it should be okay right?”
121113 ‘Code Name: Jackal’ Cast On OBS News – Interview and VIP Premiere [with translations]
3:05 “Although a lot of stars have come to support, there were certain stars that the actors actually wanted to invite.”
3:16 Jaejoong: “I insist on Song JoogKi’s watching [my movie].” (SangJin laughs out loud)
3:20 Jaejoong: “While I, Jisung and Song JoongKi were having a meal together, we promised among ourselves “Let us attend the VIP premiere of one another’s.” in the name of friendship, because our movies’ public release dates are around the same time. After Joongki’s movie got released, I and Jisung attended the VIP premiere. However, when it was my time, both of them couldn’t attend due to their own schedules. Joongki is even having a stage greeting at the same cinema (as I am having the VIP premiere). So we exchanged bitter greetings to each other a while ago.”
4:12 Interviewer: “So, Song JoongKi will not be able to watch your movie?”
4:15 Jaejoong: “Uh… because he has to promote his own movie. hahahaha. Yes, he should. haha. So, I’m fine.”
4:22 [To. JoongKi]
Jaejoong: “I see your movie is doing well. I hope you promote your movie diligently.”
Sang Jin: “Are you happy? huh?”
Jaejoong: “Let us not promise in the name of friendship from now on. hahahaha.”
4:31 “Song JoongKi who became the object of Jackal teams’ reproach. This day, although he was not able to attend the VIP premiere due to his busy schedule, he visited the waiting room and exchanged greetings with Kim Jaejoong.”
JYJ’s Jae Joong recently shot the film Jackal is Coming, which will be released on November 15. It’s a story about a ruthless top celebrity and a female killer who tries to kill him.
Jae Joong says, “I’ve had a charismatic image for a long time, so I chose this film because my character is quite comical. I was worried if I could do well at first, but it was fun.”
Regarding his charismatic image, Jae Joong says, “It’s actually hard to be charismatic. Charismatic characters are harder to portray.”
Jae Joong also says he doesn’t want to look charismatic. He says, “I wish people think of a a variety of images when they look at me. When people see that my actual personality is quite different from the charismatic image seen on TV, they usually say they haven’t expected it. I want to change that impression. That’s why I always try to do new things. I tried to portray different characters in drama series and in this film, as well.”
Jae Joong says he wants to portray an evil character next time. He says, “Such a character might not be a lead character, but I want to do if I get a chance.”
To everyone, the word ‘first’ has a very deep meaning. If the singer has the first record, the actor has the first movie/drama. To Kim Jaejoong who has already positioned himself firmly as the best Hallyu star of South Korea, the movie ‘Code name: Jackal’ is his first screen debut. His heart palpitated with worries.
Kim Jaejoong showed a quite stiff look at the interview with Newsen in a café at Seoul Samcheong-dong on Nov 12. It was his first interview as a rookie movie actor. Kim Jaejoong was very humble and answered honestly the questions.
Actually, even the reaction of ‘surprise/unexpectedness’ was also due to the tacit prejudice against him. Instead of topics that can become eye-catching gossips such as his private life, [JYJ] members, dating or love, I was more curious about the acting of ‘actor Kim Jaejoong’ (T/N: the reporter used연기학 to refer acting as a major of study). I was amazed by his cleverness and adroitness which I couldn’t catch for a brief moment at first.
“I think you will be trembling whatever kind of “first” experience it is. Also, because I don’t have experience, the movie world somehow seems harsher.” Kim Jaejoong carefully opened his heart, “I am having that feeling again. I hope that everyone would enjoy it. This is my first big screen appearance. It was really burdensome.”
In this movie, Kim Jaejoong plays Choi Hyun, an arrogant top star. Apart from the entire story and directing, it’s indeed surprising to watch the character Choi Hyun brought to life by Kim Jaejoong. Of course, his acting skill was already verified through dramas ‘Protect the Boss’ and ‘Dr. Jin’. However, movie is obviously different from drama. This man who will take over the big screen, there is nothing that he can’t do.
“I have watched the movie twice. The first time I was absent-minded. The second time finally the whole drama came into my eyes. More than anything else, the characters are so funny. Although it’s the movie I chose, I was actually worried a lot about how I would portray Choi Hyun who is also a singer just like me. I was also curious about my acting. (Laughs) I wonder whether it would be fine if I followed the screenplay.”
As time passed, many things were filmed but he also suffered because of that. He must not lose the string of emotion and had to show the aesthetic aspect of the ‘messing up’ which is not really easy to act out. Since he has perfectly digested it (t/n: portrayed the character), isn’t the only fear the praises that will pour down?
“Oh, it still leaves much to be desired. I think the first time is the hardest time. Should I do that gently? Should I give much power on my shoulders? Because I must show some desperate actions in order to survive after being kidnapped, it was probably a distinction. It might be confusing but I did my best. I did try very hard. Really! Haha”
Changmin, from duo DBSK, had a chance to meet up with a reporter for an interview.
# You acted in the Japanese movie “Run With the Gold” not too long ago. It must’ve been difficult acting in Japanese.
“I realized just how hard it was acting in a foreign language. I can understand a little just how incredible actors like Lee Byung Hun sunbaenim are acting in foreign languages like English. It’s hard acting in the mother tongue, but to act in a foreign language.. how hard it must have been. I filmed for the movie at the same time as our Japan arena tour. It’s embarrassing, but I would cry out of frustration if I couldn’t immerse in the acting. I gave it my all. I have no regrets because I know that I did my best at that time even if the audience might think otherwise.”
# I’m really curious how you spend your time when there are no scheduled activities.
“I do various things, but I prepare to hike the hills when the season changes to autumn. In the past, I hated when my parents would drag me to go on the hikes. But now, I think that going on those hikes are pretty.”
# This is the season for dating. Do you date?
“There’s something we would tell our hoobaes. One thing we regret about our past is that if we were more passionate during our debut days, we think that we could have been more entertaining now. (Laugh) I had my debut when I was really young and would sleep because I was so tired after working. Later, I realized that there really was a difference between friends who dated and those who didn’t. Right now at my young age, I’m able to express such feelings so I want to say that I have dated without anyone knowing. (Laugh) The company said that they’re not a matchmaker and encouraged us to date without letting anyone know. I didn’t date the first 3-4 years after my debut. I think I was crazy back then. We usually stay indoors for our dates!”
Sina: What is the most moving thing that the Chinese fans has done? Jaejoong: It’s really difficult to pick one most moving things, but since I don’t usually come to China and the fans are still very supportive, it moves me deeply.
Sina: You challenged comical acting in the newest Korean movie “Jackal in Coming”, what was the thing that needed the most effort when acting? Jaejoong: As the genre of the movie is comedy, the most fundamental responsibility as an actor is to interpret the role well. I will give my all to show the best of me in the moview.
Sina: Nowadays there are movies that are collaborated between South Korea and China. If you have the opportunity, would you consider take part in a movie directed by a Chinese director? Jaejoong: If there is such opportunity, of course I would like to try.
Sina: You and PSY follow each other on twitter and interact a lot, how did you two become friends? Jaejoong: We met on singer Rain’s birthday party, and became close like brothers afterwards.
Sina: Anything you want to say to the Chinese fans? Jaejoong: I’m very sorry that I couldn’t come to China often, and I hope to bring better performances to reciprocate your support.
Thank you so much for the love that you gave. I have to say this to express my heart of gratitude. I really wish to meet all of you in person under better conditions. I will work really hard to be a better musician and actor. Please continue to express your love. I love you all.
TVXQ. It was breathless to read the four letters. I had soon forgotten that the seasons have changed a multiple times while checking when they would comeback. As soon as their comeback was confirmed, it didn’t take half the time for the bear to eat mugwort and garlic to become OongNyeo* (Fuzzybunny: This is referring to the birth myth of Korea) to get the interview scheduled. For TVXQ, who must have the foreseeable future in their mind for their every move, daily schedules are filled in beforehand, clearly. So the problem didn’t start till then. We got greedy and asked them to meet us outside, rather than in an indoor studio. We asked the celebs who should be hiding themselves to meet us in a place where nothing hid them. Picturing two men who would stand in the dark sight with the definition of tough guy dripping all over, we settled on a desolate part of Nodul Island. The main characters are TVXQ. To think of that name, which makes us risk any and every strategy, there should not be any interference in this project. We got the Ok sign from the control office and the police. What if we set the fire on the drum for the photoshoot and someone who just happens to pass by the Hangangdaegyo reports it mistakenly? We reported today’s shooting to the fire station. Even the way to the said area, crossing the Nodul Island vegetable gardens from Hangangdaedyo area wasn’t easy. When we finally delivered a clamorous map to TVXQ’s guardian, an employee from the SM Entertainment, he noticed the “007 Plan” and yelled out, “Are we shooting a movie!”
TVXQ had very little sleep for the past 3 days, shooting the music video for their new album. The interview took place around the time when everything was getting ready in preparation for the new album release in the end of September. The two, who didn’t even have the time to trim their beard, got out of their van. It would be hard for the two, who met in their teens, to grow up in similar speed and condition, but Uknow Yunho and Max Changmin were in very similar shape, as if they’ve met for the “Over 180cm, 9 head figure” group. The first things that got blurted out of our mouth in meeting them were not the formal pleasantries but rather, simple and clear adjectives. “So tall” and “Handsome”. When one said “So tall!” the other replied by saying “Super handsome!” (The fashion reporter who was responsible for their styling was 5 months into pregnancy and gloated at seeing them standing there as it was apparently good for prenatal education).
As the previous album was released on January of 2011, it was definitely not a short break if one remembers the current music industry pattern. Of course, this “break” is only if we’re thinking of Korea. When they are out of our sight, they were in Japan or some parts of Asia. Big concert schedules such as “A-NATION” by TVXQ’s Japanese agency AVEX, “SM TOWN” where all performers from SM Entertainment appears, and TVXQ’s own tour dizzily cross each other on calendar. I attempted to somewhat memorize it, only to give up very quickly. Even the SM PR representative has given up on it. The reason why the broadcasting stations could make concerts like “Korean Music Wave” to go around the glove is because “SM Town World Tour in Paris” has proven something. I remember my eyes popping out at the photos and videos from Paris while watching them to write the <Vogue> exclusive report last summer.
“We did a lot of tour in Japan, but Paris was completely new. As well, I thought they may find us unfamiliar compared to all the active juniors… but the crowd started singing the Korean lyric along as soon as we started ‘Mirotic’. It was so cool! I was really surprised,” remembered Yunho. “Regardless of who, when you get interested in a person you get interested in his or her culture. Kind of like that, I think more performers were given the opportunity. There was a period where ‘Sorry Sorry’ by Super Junior was really hot overseas. Surely there has to be some Europeans who learned about TVXQ and SM performers through that?” There has to be both excitement and fear before jumping into a new market. Yunho remembered that the fear was a little greater. “It does feel like we’re the national representatives. But somewhere along the way, we were just having fun. At that point, it felt like I leveled up”.
What’s interesting about SM Entertainment is that their ideas connect with others in the end. And these ideas are usually confusing at first. Super Junior, which is composed of many people and different members in Korea and Japan was like that, and F(X) who brought out lyrics that were difficult to understand even in the 20s was like that. TVXQ was confusing even from its name. A name targeting the Asian market. They’re called “TVXQ” overseas. In Japan it’s “Tohoshinki”. When there’s a “K-POP” concert, whichever continent it’s held in, they decorate the finale. If that’s because of the power of the largest entertainment in Korea, the crews must be up to par with it to survive. When TVXQ brought out the previous album, they blew all concerns about how the duo will be lacking or foreign on their first stage. It was smooth slick, not leaning towards any of music, performance, singing, or rap.
To the singers who are doubtlessly on top level, ranking in #1 on various charts may not mean much. Of course, there are events such as bringing the most audience as a Korean singer in Japanese Tour, or ranking 10 singles on #1 spot for the first time as a foreign artist on the Oricon Weekly chart. To TVXQ like that, what do they need to have in their mind while being active? They surely would make decent profits by bringing a dance version of popular children’s song. Yunho said without hesitation. “My thoughts differ. That’s when we start. That’s the point where we can start going downhill. It only means something if we break our own record.” Right now is TVXQ’s “That moment”. Changmin said cautiously. “If I compare it to school life, the memories remain more precious when you do a lot of things well rather than just being #1 in academics. I want to build more than the #1 in academics. To be honest, our music isn’t even something that would be #1 in a lot of places. Songs that a lot of people can listen to while having fun, are the ones that get #1 these days.”
The topic changed to music. The idols who may appear to only concern about being pretty and look handsome, worry seriously about music from time to time. As an actor becomes famous by meeting a good character, a good music can brand the singer. TVXQ has passed the freshmen years long past, to be a nine year old group. Even the people who can’t distinguish between Uknow Yunho and Max Changmin would know that TVXQ isn’t a team making just another sweet song. TVXQ and its music go well with uniforms like suit, despite the powerful dance. It has a pattern to an extent, it’s sometimes determined, and it’s closer to being dark than being bright. It’s not a song we can sing along well in karaoke either (If I do, I fall tired while singing). During our conversation, we called this simply a “heavy music”. It definitely differs a bit from the current music trend. Ever since the “well playing” BigBang has changed the dynamics, if a performance-based singer couldn’t do one or the other, it didn’t look so good. Either you play up the stage, or you refine it perfectly.
The reason why TVXQ is still top when they’re walking a different path from the trend is because they have their refined stage and music. The dynamically formed stage combines with the looks, the shape, and the performance to reveal their body. Yunho is improving day by day on his singing ability, and Changmin is the person who got the best Shouting! Yoo Young Jin’s genes out of all SM performers. TVXQ had to try their best even after becoming somewhat successful. It’s because the two of them had to do everything. “A while ago, a guy at the health club just came up and said ‘You’re Uknow Yunho, right?’ and continued ‘You guys got this one thing. So you look different from all others.’ We sometimes hear that it seems like we’re spitting out blood. There are times when I do want to try a more trendy music. But we have our root elsewhere. It’s something that started when we sung ‘Rising Sun.’”
Changmin talked a lot with the producer Yoo Young Jin about the colour of TVXQ while preparing this album. To put it simply, he decided that if they bring out a “heavy music” again, the listeners and the viewers will define what TVXQ is. Changmin seemed to be concerned about being defined as “just their own music”. TVXQ’s conclusion was that in the new album they need to take a slightly different direction. A little easier, a little brighter, with various genres. “It’s always our homework. Not losing the current style but finding a connection with a variety of people… It must be a dilemma for everyone who expresses something for work. The popular culture changes the “It” trend very fast and uses it up. If we have to follow the public’s taste every single time, we won’t survive in the end.” Yunho said after Changmin. “I’m confident. While preparing for this album, I felt a lot lot lot lot of things. Not just from the work, but from my personal life as well. I can’t tell you what it is, haha. As I had a lot of thoughts, I want to believe that I’ve given some life into the album.”
Yunho and Changmin are standing in the same land, but their styles differ a bit. Yunho must’ve been a MAN from the moment he was born. A MAN who’s not macho. How precious! He treasures past and roots much. He even watches frequently their debut song, “Hug” or previous stage performances. The times when he “wanted to become the bed of your room for just one day”, the teen times which a grown up man would find embarrassing. Yunho acknowledged that he does cringe a bit. “But because I had that, I have now. So I don’t want to forget about it. The times when I lived as Jung Yunho rather than Uknow Yunho, the times when I was a trainee… I try not to forget about those times. I meet up with old friends often. I live hard, but everyone else really lives hard. I just had a little more of experiences that they couldn’t have. But when I see my friends working very hard to get things that I get easily from others, I feel that I’m still young.” Types like these don’t change easily wherever they are, whatever they do.
The story about him in middle school, participating in “SM Teen Best Competition” and asking the judges to “see my dance to the end, whether you will drop me or not. The stories about doing all kinds of part time jobs such as removing snow, serving at a meat buffet, etc. in Seoul as a trainee all the way from Gwangju. Yunho may have been different from other immature male students even then. But it was still surprising to see him talk about sleeping at the Seoul station and parks in <Knee Jerk Guru>. He even told us a tip about sleeping in the open. When you sleep on a bench, you cross your arms, keep the hands in the armpit to save heat, and cross the legs. Such experiences would have played a big part in making the calloused man Yunho is. “Yunho hyung is overflowing with fighting,” said Changmin. “when everyone’s tired and worn out, there has to be someone who pushes everyone through it, and hyung does that for us.” It was Yunho who talked to us first and agreed with us in a tone full of “fighting” during the photo shooting or interviewing.
Changmin has said through multiple occasions that he’s thought a lot about how it would’ve been “to live an average life”. The story about getting picked up by the SM employee who was watching him suspiciously while he was playing badminton in middle school (there were casting managers in the 90s who wandered round the middle-high schools in order to find the hidden gems), or the story about doing some “army clapping” moves when they asked him to dance, are so contrasting to Yunho that it makes us laugh. When there’s a day off, Yunho always goes out, whether it be just for a walk. Changmin leaves himself free, eating, sleeping, and just rolling around. He doesn’t ask the hypothetical question anymore. “It’s not that I changed intentionally, but it just happened naturally. It’s a little embarrassing, but this work became fun. I learned to enjoy it somewhere along the way as well.” It will take a bit more time to enjoy acting. Changmin’s first TV drama <Paradise Ranch> wasn’t so lucky getting scheduled in. Changmin has recently shot the movie <Fly with the Gold> with Tsumabuki Satoshi and Asano Tadanobu. A role of North Korean spy, pretending to be an international student. “My reaction was 0.5 seconds slower than other actors, having to communicate in foreign language and understand the character. It was very hard. If I may say, I truly felt that actors like Lee Byung Hyun are really great.”
The Changmin I found out through the media seemed to be sensitive and delicate, harsh on himself, and kind of like a poker-faced person. When I asked Yunho about good qualities of Changmin he said “He never speaks easily. He always thinks multiple times and shows with his actions.” Changmin really spoke delicately and cautiously. When he talked about his important qualities he said “I want to live easily and happily. If I have fun every day I may not know that it’s fun in the future, so I want to have fun as much as right now – drinking, on stage, with family and loved ones” and added that “maybe I’m saying ‘fun and happily’ easily because I’m much better off financially than my peers. Others may call it carefree…”. When he was talking about being #1, he looked for an euphemistic expression, in worries of devaluing other’s opinions about #1. It was brave to see him deliver his opinion prudently but clearly. Of course, he can joke around with funny faces, saying “I can rap so freaking well”. There were moments when his eyes got big and sparkled, and one of it was when we were talking about soccer. Talking about how there’s no end when you go online for soccer… we ended up concluding that “Otakus move the world”.
Although TVXQ is always surrounded by crowds, building airplane mileages like Geroge Clooney from <In the Air>, I could see the two men in mid 20s, on land, through the small and ordinary talks we had. The men who live switching constantly between the spectacular stages and whatever’s below it. They can now immediately “switch mood” below the stage without needing to calm the emotional waves down. But such ordinary people Jung Yunho and Shim Changmin, also known as the Uknow Yunho and Max Changmin who stand the Tokyo Dome stage, full of 55000 people, must draw their futures. Some fandoms carry the experiences of their old idol groups who they believed to be “forever their oppas” separating away suddenly. If the idols from the past learned that “popularity is only for a moment” after the times have passed, their result and choices could be a database for idols currently active.
Yunho said that he could continue TVXQ even after he aged. Since Michael Jackson went to his 50s, he could keep the TVXQ style and still go with it as long as his body allows it. “I do have the hope to perform good music even after times have passed. I would be a little more knowledgeable then, and I want to help out the juniors who would be going through what I’ve gone through. I’d like to have a family that I can take care of in mid or late 30s personally as well.” Changmin remembered Kaneshiro Takeshi, who lived around Asia as if they were all one country. “(He?) performed in Japan and in the Greater China region in their respective languages. I dream about acting and singing while traveling free and limitlessly. Of course, I could live like that even while doing TVXQ’s music like now.” Yunho and Changmin, who were picturing their 30s didn’t separate their hard-kept and well-keeping TVXQ from it. I hope their future goes as what they pictured now. There’s about as much time as what has passed since they first got into SM Entertainment to reach that goal. They said it themselves. It only means it if they break their own record. Will TVXQ transgress TVXQ?
Original Interview by VOGUE KOREA
Translation by Fuzzybunny
Please do NOT take this for anti-purpose towards both or one of the members. Enjoy!
Automatic is the president of InRage Entertainment and SONY’s producer. Ebony Rae Cunningham is the vice president of InRage Entertainment. She worked as vocal stylist for “Uncommitted.”
Korea.com’s JYJ Fan Club’s staff LeNeha got a chance to interview these two Hollywood celebrities who made Uncommitted possible with Xia Junsu.
You already have a band plus you are composer as well and Sony’s producer too. You are a multi-talented person. Tell us something about your InRage band. Automatic: My band, Asphalt Messiah is a rock and hip hop band. We call it “Ghetto Metal”. We rap about current events from politics to what’s going on in the streets. Kacy Jones is the founder and guitarist. I am the lead singer. Lamar is the drummer and Milky is the bass player. These guys are incredible musicians and really good people. We have an exciting live show. Our fans go crazy!
When is your band InRage releasing new music? Automatic: Asphalt Messiah has signed our first deal to release a single with Universal in the first quarter of next year. The single is called, “Let’s Get Dirty 2Nite”.
Ebony is the voice stylist for Uncommitted. And we all have seen her and Junsu’s hard work paid off in the single. But what do you both think how Uncommitted have been without Ebony? Ebony:My main goal on this song was to help Junsu feel comfortable with singing the English. He had already been practicing the song before we recorded and he has a great ear, so he knew the song well. What I did was breakdown the lyrics so that he heard exactly what it should sound like in English and how he should make those sounds. He was so shy at first. He would cover his face and giggle. Then, he would start talking to June, C-Jes executive, really fast in Korean. She told us that he was saying that the song was really wordy. He embraced the challenge, though and kept re-singing the lines until he sang them like you hear it on the record. Junsu has the best fans ever and I know they will support him no matter what. And, Automatic wrote and produced such a great song; we felt that it was going to be popular. Since this was his first English/American single, we had to make sure that he felt comfortable with the English so that it came across on the record. Junsu learns really quickly. He has a great ear and he is a hard worker! So, we didn’t have any worries about the outcome. So many of the fans have commented about how his English improved. Most listeners have said they can understand him well, so I think we accomplished what we set out to do.
Ebony is your future wife and business partner as well. Would you like to tell us your love story? Many fans are awaiting to know this part about you. Automatic: We met in the studio and we’ve been here ever since! Ebony was hired to sing on a soundtrack for an independent film that I was producing. She came to record with me in the studio and our chemistry was instant. We free styled (made up songs on the spot) and recorded. Then, she offered me some of her cashews and I fell in love! LOL Ebony: He made me some tea. All by himself. It was so nice of him. Shortly after we met, I went out of town for a few months. We talked on the phone for hours everyday. When I came back into town, he picked me up from the airport and here we are today.
Your single Uncommitted gives a fresh and new feel rather than the feeling of a sad song. After its release till today it is still on number 1 on all the charts all over Asia especially. So what actually you had in your mind when you were working on this song? What did you wanted to convey through your music to the audience? Automatic: When I wrote the song, I wasn’t thinking about if the song would sell or be a popular song, I was writing this song because of an experience my friend went through. The unique perspective of a player who wants to stop being a player and wants to become a perfect mate, but the woman he really loves doesn’t believe that he can be a good man. I wanted to convey that people can change when they fall in love!
What difference did you felt in working with Xia Junsu and other artists so far? Moreover, we have seen Rick Mancia tweeting about Junsu’s fans and even Maxi the makeup & hair stylist for Uncommitted MV tweeted that he worked with big names of Hollywood but no one cared but when he worked with Junsu he was overwhelmed by the response of Junsu’s fans. Automatic: The difference is the Junsu fandom is filled with millions of people who actually care about the welfare of the artist. They are quickly becoming our friends and fans and they have this real heartfelt concern about Junsu, about us, about our creativity and about where our careers are going. Ebony: We’ve fallen in love with the fans of Junsu and JYJ and now we want to give back. So stay tuned because we have a surprise coming…
Did you and your staff had to face any interaction problems with Xia Junsu in the start? Is there any memory you would like to share with us regarding Junsu’s interaction problems between you and your staff? Automatic:Not at all! As soon as he walked in the studio, I gave him a hug and introduced myself and Ebony and everyone on the team. He was ready to get right to work and start recording, but we wanted to talk with him for a minute and work with the English for a while so we asked him to come sit on the couch near us. Ebony: Automatic is so good at making everyone feel comfortable. He’s just a nice guy at heart and that comes across with everyone we work with. We played him another song we wrote and he was bobbing his head and drinking his tea while sitting on the couch. Then, we worked on the English and he got in the booth and we all had a great time!
How did you find Junsu as a person? Apart from work does he still holds a serious personality or a jolly one? Would you like to share some funny incident or memory you had with Junsu? Automatic: I would say he’s both. There are times when he is very funny and there are times when he is serious. When it comes to working, he gets very serious and gets right to work. He laughed a lot when it came to pronouncing English. When he did a great take on the song, I went crazy and that would make him laugh. Ebony:Sometimes Automatic would be yelling something great because he was so happy with Junsu’s performance. Junsu didn’t know what he was saying, but he would look over the mic, out to Automatic, then over to June, then over to me all with a serious face. Then, when June would tell him that Automatic was happy with his singing, he would smile and say “oh, oh, okay, okay.”
Have you met other Jaejoong or Yoochun? Do you have any plans on working with Jaejoong or Yoochun in near future so far? Automatic:We haven’t met yet, but we are looking forward to meeting them. We’ve heard so many great things about them. We are hoping that we can record many songs with all of them.
What are your thoughts on Kpop and Hollywood indulgence? Automatic: I think it’s long over do for Kpop artists to collaborate with artists from all over the world. Music needs something like that to help keep things interesting. Ebony:We’ll probably see if sooner than we think. Psy’s “Gangam Style” is making such a big mark right now on American culture. Since he has signed on with Justin Bieber and Scooter, it seems very likely that there will be collaboration with him and a major American artist soon.
You recently attended Junsu’s concert and even Junsu’s mom tweeted pictures with you. How did you felt watching him performing in the entire concert? What were your feelings when he performed Uncommitted? Are there any special memories of this concert that you would like to share with the fans? Automatic: We were AMAZED by his performance! His stamina and work ethic are incredible. The ability to perform for two hours while dancing and to be as accurate as he was is incredible. We were overjoyed when we got to see him perform Uncommitted. We love the choreography and his singing was on point. When Junsu’s mom placed the light stick around my neck and gave us the thumbs up. We gave her one back and we started dancing to the song. Ebony: Junsu actually gave a shout out to Automatic from the stage and all of the fans cheered for Automatic. That was so cool of Junsu to do! He’s such a great singer and performer. We also though it was cool of him to give the fans three wishes. They asked him to do the gangam style dance. He was so shy. He did it for about three seconds. LOL
We have seen that you have been interacting with Junsu’s fans. What are your thoughts about his fans dedication towards him and you? Automatic:We’re fans of his fans! We hope to have a fandom as cool as his! We try to talk to everyone to let them know we are just like them. If you reach out to us, we’ll get back to you. It may take some time, but we will get back to you. Ebony: Oh my! They are so generous and considerate. Just really good people. It’s been fun chatting with them.
What is the most special thing which any of your fan has done for you? Automatic:We have had fans design artwork for us, fans who have offered to help us promote and fans who have recorded videos singing Uncommitted. Ebony: The fans are so supportive and nice. We really appreciate it and we know Junsu does too. You’ll be able to see some of the fans artwork on the new InRage website soon. We are re-launching the site next month, so we hope everyone will check it out. We will be doing a countdown on twitter and Facebook so that everyone knows when to come check it out. We also have another cool surprise for the fans coming soon….
Interview and Questions Credit: pinkpuffpricess @ en.korea.com Photo Credit:Bruce’s Twitter and CJES Shared by:en.korea.com + JYJ3
