I know that a bunch of new people followed me (and maybe will continue to) as preparation for the Possible Great Exodus from twitter lol so I thought I’d do a little post about some things about this blog~
- I’m not really active again on here yet, so the state of my tumblr is still pretty much as it was when I was last active in beginning of 2016. if I start reblogging again etc, I’ll probably update my bio and all. so just a head’s up that things i wrote about myself before have most likely changed in the last 6 (almost 7) years haha
- currently I’m working on making an archive of my translations outside of twitter. If twt goes down, I hope to continue translating BUT it’s likely to be on a sideblog instead just to keep things organized (something I was too lazy to do before...)
- if you followed me here from twitter please come say hi! i would like to follow people back but i don’t really know who is who/who is active haha. i promise i don’t bite i’m just a little bad at conversation
... i think that’s all but i’ll update if i think of anything else!! thank you for wanting to stay in touch through another form of sns ;-;
SHINee member "Key," now a play actor
WRITTEN BY Choi Boyun | TRANSLATED BY @rawfudge
May contain errors. Please only take out with full credits.
Kim Kibum as Byeonggu in "Save the Green Planet," good acting performance from dramas to small theater
"Before, I used to think, 'Why am I always the only one not recognized?' After being in the industry for 10 years, I realized I had to go to the public first and let them know of my existence. Therefore I am also working hard at standing on the small theater stage."
Even though he's a member of K-pop stars SHINee, Key (real name Kim Kibum, 26) said he has many complexes. "Amongst swans, I'm not even a duck, but a chicken," "Amongst (public) recognition of the five members, I was last," he said and laughed. "After (people) acknowledged me, my heart became at ease. Chickens are common, but they're also familiar to that extent. After starting to act, I've felt that receiving less attention during all that time was rather of help to me."
Like his nickname of "Almighty Key," Key has recently been challenging various genres. Receiving positive reviews through the musicals "In the Heights," "Catch Me If You Can," "Three Musketeers," etc., he continued on to drama castings. With his natural acting shown in "Drinking Solo" and "Lookout," there were continuous reactions of "Key's rediscovery."
[Caption: Key (real name Kim Kibum) said, "Not being choosy about genres, finding stuff the public likes and showing it, I should be loyal to the essence of a job that gives happiness or consolation."]
This time is the small theater stage, for the play "Save the Green Planet" (directed by Lee Jina). Like Director Jang Junhwan's 2003 original film of the same name, the main character Byeonggu thinks all the irrationalities and misfortunes of the world are because of aliens, and causes a commotion by kidnapping an alien. The work that won various awards during its time first came to the stage last year and gathered attention. Continuing from last year, Key plays the role of Byeonggu.
"People around me said they didn't think I would do it again. I guess they thought I would be going for bigger stages. If the place with good contents is a small theater or an independent film, there's no reason to cover them up, you know."
Director Lee Jina was persuaded by Key's potential through the musical "In the Heights." Lee Jina evaluated him: "He has very natural breathing control while acting and—perhaps because compared to his age, he has a lot of societal experience—he acts cleverly."
As you see Key on stage, you don't quite feel a sense of difference from him being an idol. Even his calculations are effective. "In order to have more fun in the theater, seniors with multiple roles will sing SHINee songs. I purposely pretend I don't know. Because I want to hide myself. On stage, I'm Byeonggu, not SHINee's Key."
He said the charm of the small theater is being able to interpret the character a bit more actively. He is even enthusiastic about personally coming up with program proposals for aims, seasons, costumes/stage concepts, etc. at meetings with broadcasting stations. Through social media (SNS) activities, he promotes the play stages himself.
“I don’t want to hear that the works that I’m included in have failed or made a loss. With my opportunity to act, if even one more person comes to watch the play, then that in itself is rewarding.” The play “Save the Green Planet” will be showing through October 22 at Seoul Chungmu Arts Center’s Black Theater.
First Japan broadcast of Lookout! SHINee Key “I like Japan’s service areas! I tried wasabi ice cream before (laughs)”
WRITTEN BY Kstyle | JP → KR @shineshinee0525 | KR → ENG @rawfudge
May contain errors. Please only take out with full credits.
About Lookout: First broadcast in Japan is on Tuesday, August 29. Key plays the role of a hacker. In commemoration of the first Japan broadcast, we interviewed Key, who acts as genius hacker Gong Kyungsoo. We asked about his dissatisfactions and his second try at [acting in] dramas.
Q: First, we would like to ask your feelings about finishing the drama filming and it being broadcast in Japan starting from August.
Key: This was my first network TV drama and I also didn’t think I could do such a fast-paced genre, so it was a work I was highly anticipating. It may seem similar, but we intended to show characters different from the original work to the viewers. Of course, there could be inadequate parts, but it is a highly satisfying work. Through this drama, it is my second time greeting Japanese people. I think I can show a different side from my activities in Japan [as a singer]. I will be happy if many people watch it!
“I’ve learned that stepping back is also needed... but since I’m a bit of the combative type (laughs)”
Q: What kind of character is Gong Kyungsoo?
Key: Gong Kyungsoo has the title of “genius hacker” attached to him, but he is a very curious and brightly naïve person. Even though he has scars from his past, he has an aspect to him of working hard to do things brightly in order to overcome those scars. He is a person who gets happy receiving acknowledgement through his hacking skills. Please anticipate Gong Kyungsoo’s changes to appearance to fit the situation.
Q: Are there parts of yourself that are similar to Gong Kyungsoo?
Key: Similar parts… what is there? (laughs) Although Kyungsoo generally has a bright personality, he can be extremely serious sometimes. That fierce flipping is similar to me. The dissimilar part is that Kyungsoo is a person who knows how to step back and give up depending on the situation. That seems to be the part that’s different from me. While acting [in this role], I learned that people need to have this kind of judgment too. Even though stepping back is needed, since I’m a bit of the combative type… (laughs)
“If I were to pick the moodmakers of the set… Lee Siyoung sunbaenim and me (laughs)”
Q: This is your second drama after Drinking Solo. Why did you choose this work? And what makes you think that you did well in choosing this work?
Key: The reason I chose it is… Rather than me choosing it, I think my desire to repay the person who told me the drama’s story, by acting with a thankful heart, was bigger. Plus, I thought the character also matched me. When I met the director in real life, they said, “This role is perfect [for you],” so I also decided to appear in Lookout without hesitation. However, during the actual filming, there were worrying parts. I prepared for my acting, of course, but the viewers’ reactions can have some difference from what I intended. Even so, after the first and second episodes ended, the people supporting me slowly increased, so I was very happy and I strongly thought that it would not do if I disappointed everyone with my acting after that.
Q: You seem very close with your fellow cast members. If you were to pick the moodmaker of the set?
Key: If I had to say… Lee Siyoung sunbaenim and me. (laughs) We were both busy playing around on the set. At first I was a bit shy. Siyoung sunbae is really full of jokes and I also like filming in a bright atmosphere. When it was us with Seulgi-sshi, there was a really playful atmosphere on the set. There was a time when I was shooting a bust shot but Siyoung sunbae was trying to make me laugh by making weird faces. So there were a few NGs. It was to the point that Siyoung sunbae had to say, “It might be best if we don’t meet each other’s eyes while acting.” (laughs) It was quite fun.
Q: Your feelings after reading the script for the first time?
Key: When I first read the script, there were action and car chase scenes. It’s still only my second drama, so with the mindset of being able to do this kind of drama, I worried about whether I would be able to really actualize the scenes written in the script. However, in reality, the action and car chase scenes were completed beyond the script and beyond my imagination, so I was very surprised.
Q: The role of Kyungsoo seems to fit you really well, but were there any characteristics you had to establish for this role or hairstyles, etc. you had to prepare?
Key: For the output of the character itself, I proposed the ways I wanted to do the role to the director first; the director also said they liked it a lot. Even though at first I heard the words, “It’s a bit excessive,” (laughs) afterwards they said, “It’s indeed good.” I think the Kyungsoo I imagined was well-portrayed. It’s a hacker role, but I’m not a person with that much skill with computers. So in order to not look awkward when I first operated the keyboard, I practiced a lot. Although Kyungsoo is a bright character, there were many scenes where he had to reveal the scars in his heart. The part I was most interested in, in the process of preparing for that, was how I would express [the character] through acting in those scenes. Showing the complete opposite appearance of Kyungsoo, who only seemed to be very bright, couldn’t be avoided. I was very worried about that.
Q: How did you act out that appearance reversal?
Key: While acting as bright Kyungsoo and the opposite role, I definitely wanted to shatter any fixed ideas that “Kyungsoo is this kind of character,” so I decided that I would have to act as if he was a completely different character. After doing it like that, I think I was able to persuasively show, “So Kyungsoo has been living all this time with these scars hidden in his heart.” I tried my best to act as if he was a totally different person when he was showing the scars in his heart.
“I suggested that hairstyle because I thought it would match that character”
Q: What kind of image did you prepare with the hairstyle?
Key: I told them I wanted to do it like this. (laughs) I took a picture and sent it, but at first the director said, “The image seems too strong.” However, I kept saying that I wanted to do it so eventually I received the OK. But after that they said they liked it! Even so, it’s a little different from the hairstyles I like. I wanted to match the character so I suggested that hairstyle.
Q: In a sense, Kyungsoo is an almighty person. What was the hardest part while acting?
Key: The hardest part about acting is that TV dramas are only shot once. In the musicals or plays I’ve done until now, I could say the same dialogue again on a different day. For example, even if I said the wrong lines, I could review them and make sure they were not wrong on another day. However, the acting in TV dramas are continuously recorded… Rather than “I’m regretful about the acting in this scene,” I’m more regretful that there was only one chance.
Q: This time you acted as a “genius hacker.” If you knew how to hack, what would you secretly find out?
Key: Um~ What would there be? There’s nothing I’m particularly curious about, plus I also think there is a reason why things are hidden, so… (laughs)
“I like Japan’s service areas! Whenever I am traveling by bus, no matter what, I have to go in (laughs)”
Q: During the most recent time you visited Japan, what was a thing or place that you liked? Also, what do you think is the charm of Japan’s streets?
Key: I like Japan’s unique street atmosphere. When I was a little younger, I thought I liked cities but after visiting a few times, I felt that in order to feel Japan’s charm, you have to visit the local areas/countryside. I like to appreciate the landscape of each area and take pictures. Recently, I liked Hokkaido. Of course, since it was the winter, it may not have been the most charming, but I ate a lot of delicious food and liked it very much. The quiet atmosphere was also good. Ah, also I really like Japan’s service areas! (laughs) Whenever I am traveling by bus, I always go into the service area. I’ve gone to several service areas all over the country. I like to eat the local specialty foods. I went somewhere and had wasabi ice cream! I thought, “What is this??” but after trying it, it wasn’t as weird as I thought and was tasty. It was quite memorable.
Q: Recently, former US President Obama mentioned SHINee. We would like to hear your honest feelings.
Key: Although I don’t actually know in what way he talked about us... it was a great honor that the former president said our team’s name when talking about K-pop culture. Also, he even talked about the hamburgers we liked (laughs) so Teacher Lee Sooman was also happy.
Q: He also said that American fans learn Korean for SHINee.
Key: The fans are good at Korean. I think it’s very amazing.
[TRANS] 170616 Jonghyun “The Letter” Concert Review by TENAsia
[TEN Concert] Jonghyun, Breaking Down Barriers
WRITTEN BY Son Yeji | TRANSLATED BY @rawfudge
May contain inaccuracies. Please only take out with full credits.
Jonghyun is an artist that breaks down barriers. Watching his performances, you realize that it is meaningless to separate “idol” and “musician.” As idol group SHINee’s main vocal and as a singer-songwriter, he has closely shown his appearance as a “complete musician” that freely travels between being a singer and being a creator. His solo concert was indeed like that.
“The AGIT Glass Bottle Letter (The Letter) – Jonghyun” – which began its 20 concerts this past May, at SM Town Coex Artium Theater in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul – is like watching a glamorous idol concert; you can also feel the minor excitements only found at small theater concerts, as well as the feeling of listening to the radio when Jonghyun personally engages in conversation (with the audience).
I attended the 14th “The Letter” Concert on the afternoon of (June) 14th. For “The Letter,” Jonghyun’s third solo concert, he once again returned to the small Coex Artium Theater to perform after experiencing Korea University’s Hwajeong Gynasium.
When the curtain rose, Jonghyun appeared under bright lights and sang “She Is,” “White T-shirt,” “Crazy (Guilty Pleasure),” “Like You,” and more, one after another. A surprising point was that attendees stood up from the opening and enjoyed Jonghyun’s impressive performances all together.
After finishing “Suit Up” and “Orbit” with dancers that evoked a fatal atmosphere, Jonghyun said, “There are probably people who thought an agit concert would mean a minimal, charming concert. I wanted to give a different feeling, so I made you stand up from the start.” He laughed then requested, “There will also be a section where you can communicate (with me), so please participate in it.”
He also revealed the reason for returning to a small theater: “I really like the liveliness and temperature you can feel in an agit, so we chose this place for a long-running show.” Jonghyun even added a cute request: “Today is the 14th concert, and I’ve found that I have no choice but to improve to that extent as well. Where to control my pace, how to make it so that attendees will like seeing it even more— I am doing these concerts while thoroughly calculating these things. It would be good to prepare yourself.”
If Jonghyun was an idol during the opening, he then next transformed into a DJ. In the VCR to connect the sections, Jonghyun included the image of himself reading letters he received from a transfer student, a jobseeker, an office worker, and an elderly person, each containing their respective joys and sorrows. Afterwards, Jonghyun sang “1000” and “Just Chill,” presenting a healing feeling to the attendees. Specifically at the end of “Just Chill,” he wore a sleep mask that fit the concept of the song. He slightly lowered the mask while singing and winked at the camera; it was a part in which you could feel Jonghyun was a “natural idol.”
Jonghyun, who hosted MBC Radio’s “Blue Night, It’s Jonghyun” for 1155 days, began to confide a story about dreams with flowing eloquence and a comfortable way of speaking. He gained sympathy from the attendees.
“To others, I am a person who is doing everything he wants to fulfill his dream. However, I am still in the midst of looking for my dream. I’m not talking about whether I like or dislike being seen as a person who has achieved his dreams; I’m saying that because I haven’t found my dream yet by my standards, I don’t want to console others by matching their standards. When someone says they see me as a successful person, whether I myself comfort others or shrug at it… in the end, I still haven’t found my dream. How about you all?”
He received real-time stories as well. He chose a person from amongst the attendees, read the story he received beforehand, and interviewed them at their seat. “I wrote a few songs that can comfort you when you’re having a hard time. Actually, I tend to not be good at consolation. However, amongst my occupations, I was a DJ so it came to be that I gave a lot of advice. While doing so, I felt that to people having a hard time, just the words ‘fighting’ are not comforting,” Jonghyun said.
Therefore his chosen method is music. For the storyteller who was a job-seeking student, Jonghyun sang “Maybe Tomorrow.” The concertgoers matched the beat with a small instrument called a half-moon bell. It was a heart-warming scene to see everyone in the venue gathered, trying to comfort someone.
The highlight of “The Letter” would be this section, when he sang “Fireplace,” “Let Me Out,” “Elevator,” and “End of a Day” in a row. Enough for Jonghyun himself to say they are “emotionally and technically hard songs to sing,” they are songs full of somber and lonely emotions. Jonghyun even specifically confessed about “Fireplace”: “There is a white fireplace in my room. When I first got that fireplace, I was really excited so I decorated it a lot, cared for it, and cherished it. It would be the first thing I’d boast about when people came to our house. As time gradually passed after that winter, I naturally forgot about it. Because it was almost summertime, I came to forget about the fireplace that I saw as soon as I opened the door. I thought that if I was the fireplace, I would feel that it was really unfair. It’s not only something for fireplaces. It could be a person, a hobby, probably something you all have. Things that you forgot after preciously treasuring them. Me, of someone else, or something, by me – I took the sorrow over forgotten things and wrote this song.” Listening to “Fireplace” with Jonghyun’s production backstory was especially heart-touching.
Lastly, Jonghyun sang the duet songs “Love Belt” and “Lonely” with the attendees. It was decorated to the finale with Jonghyun, who filled the stage for two hours without a single guest, and the concertgoers, plus the band. Jonghyun sang a remix version of “Deja-Boo”, “Fortune Cookie,” and “Beautiful Tonight” as encore songs. He brightly smiled at the event slogan phrase the attendees prepared for him on this day.
“’Now (we) know the method of loving you.’ Thank you. It’s always been like that, right? For relationships, they last long if giving and receiving is easy. Knowing how to give, how to receive, those good relationships seem to be maintainable for a long time. Does everyone know how to love me? (laughs) Even though it’s not clearly written on that slogan, thank you for understanding me. I request that you continue to do so in the future too.”
A stage fully packed with self-composed songs, the band’s breathtaking live music, to the performances done with dancers on a small stage that was abundantly adorned more than any concert. Emotions, technique, and impeccable singing ability, of course, do not need to be talked about twice. In itself, it was a time spent meeting Jonghyun, who is worthy of being called a complete musician. There are six concerts left, from Friday (June 15th) to the 18th, until July 2nd.
favourite people ♡ kim jonghyun
“Even when I’m hurt and tired, I’m healed and happy because of you. Even when I’m sad and angry, I’m glad and I can laugh because of you. I’ll give back as much as I’ve received soon. I’m always lacking but… Thank you.”
