[Eng Trans] eclat 2018 September issue
On his tour “FLASHLIGHT”:
I took the tour title from one of the songs in my album SOUZOU. A “flashlight” is a sudden gleam of light. The happy time we shared was like a dazzling light, but it’s gone in a flash. Still, what’s left in my heart is not just sorrow but a mixture of various feelings from sweet yearnings, pleasure, to joy. This song expresses my feelings. I had my first solo tour in summer, and then the second and the third in summer, too. I didn’t care for summer before; rather, I wasn’t really fond of summer. But each time I had those summer tours, I began to look forward to the season, to yearn for summer to come more and more. To me, summer became a special season when I can meet my fans. To think of our momentary separation, it makes me feel sad and lonely. But there are also feelings of warmth and gentleness. I do hope you all enjoy my last summer with me.
Where he stands now and where he goes from here:
2 years ago, there was a time I felt like I’ve been hitting my head against a brick wall. It was when I was working on my fourth album DSMN. I didn’t have much time as I was also in a drama, but I still wanted to grow in terms of music, and so I was struggling, having a hard time writing the songs … although now it seems like it wasn’t such a big wall. Anyway, having been through this kind of things a few times, I began to think of myself as a tree. I felt that if I had solid roots, consequently the tree’s branches would grow and new buds would be formed. In this case, the branches are my acting, songs, 2PM, dancing, and so on. My experiences are the nutrients. I thought even those sufferings that seemed to make my heart torn to pieces would eventually help the branches and leaves to grow. Of course, I couldn’t have even imagined this kind of thing when I made a debut. It has been 6 years since I made a solo debut. Fortunately, I don’t think I’ve ever taken a wrong path. I believe I’ve been on the exact path as I wished to be, maybe even a better one. So far, that is. On the other hand, I realise that it would generally be difficult for people in their thirties to live more intensely than when they were in their twenties. I’m not talking about the difficulty in the sense of fitness and stamina. I mean, as we get older, we will have more things to think about, such as family and positions – things you have to keep and be responsible for. This makes it difficult for us to challenge new things. And the world is not exactly kind to us at all times, is it? I could be dispensable as an artist at any moment. That’s why I’ve been always trying to find what I can do, how I can differentiate myself from others, which led me to believe the only thing I could do is to always remember how I felt as a beginner and to do my best at each and every moment. If I act and behave in such a way I myself won’t feel ashamed of, I would be fine whatever remarks others make about me.
The Junho in the past who used to worry so much would be so surprised to see you now:
I suppose so. In the past, while I did want to make a solo debut or to appear in dramas as an actor, I guess I wasn’t thinking concretely enough, and I was scared of the uncertainty of getting those things done at the same time. Seeing that I have been able to make those wishes come true little by little, I feel like giving myself a pat on the back. If I could meet me in the past, I would say to him, “You silly boy!” And then I’d say, “You might be filled with worries now, but I’m sure you can overcome the difficulties. So Junho, believe in yourself and go for it!”
You are becoming mature steadily:
I’d rather be a child than an adult. I feel I shouldn’t be too sensible or prudent in my profession. Singers and actors are loved because they can be spokespersons for the public by expressing various feelings that people aren’t always allowed to express in their daily lives. Adults who have families and jobs that keep them busy tend to be affected by the given rules. But children aren’t like that. They can be honest to themselves and free to do whatever they want. That’s why I want to stay being a child and stay an idol forever for my fans. There certainly are a lot of hardships, but nothing is easy anyway. Another thing is, I have an advantage. I’m moody like the weather in the mountain areas that changes so often. I burst out laughing one moment, and then become serious or act foolishly a moment later, just like I’m in my adolescence! So maybe I’m cut out to be an idol since idols, artists, and actors are all those professions that express feelings.
Then are you facing any difficulties right now?:
I have to memorise my lines quickly for tomorrow’s shoot of Wok of Love! I have as many lines and technical terms to memorise as I had when I played a lawyer in Memory. On top of that, I have to say the lines, introducing the recipe of the dishes, while I cook them. But I’m enjoying this challenge because I’m engaged in what I love to do and thinking about the way to do it.
Listening to him saying that he enjoys the hardships made me realise Junho has undoubtedly come through the hardest part of his life.
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