[TRANS] Jaejoong Star1 Interview: The Return of the King
by Ces
|
Q. What kind of character is Huh Youngdal in MBC ?
Huh Youngdal is the rebel of casino world in Kangwon-do. He’s infamous
enough that if someone in town doesn’t know him, that person will be
considered as spy. He uses all kinds of tricks to swindle money and
there isn’t a day he doesn’t cause trouble. However, though he has to
live away from his parents and brothers since his childhood, he still
has a positive mind. If I exaggerate a bit, he’s a candy-like character.
Youngdal, who, with the dream of becoming Casino Hold'em champion,
causes trouble every night in casino, is somehow adorable. After meeting
his brothers, while taking revenge for his father, he starts to nurture
ambitions instead of chasing after a pipe dream, in order to protect
people around him.
Q. Any reason for choosing a lower-class gangster?
Huh Youngdal who has experienced all sorts of hardships and is trying to
achieve his desire and dream is very human. Don’t you think? It gave me
a familiar and comfortable feeling; and that feelings I got from the
character melted into the script, too. The roles I have taken so far are
the characters whose life is far different from mine. I especially
looked forward to how Youngdal would change after meeting his long lost
brothers and the person he loves. I think episode by episode, I
understand Youngdal better and make him my own.
Q. Because you determine that you need a transformation in acting? (T/N: the reason in choosing 'Youngdal' character)
To be honest, to act in a sageukdrama like in Dr. Jin , I also
had to pluck up the courage. But even at that time, I didn’t attempt a
“transformation in acting”. I wanted to well digest the character and
make it a character which reinvigorates the drama. I had such ambition
as an actor. Same with this drama. I had a strong will of creating an
awesome character. Instead of “break the stereotype of Kim Jaejoong”, I
wanted to expand my limit as an actor. Actually, I was offered several
roles in modern dramas like Cha Muwon in Protect the Boss. At
that time I declined because I was preparing for my solo album but in
fact I was greedy to try a new role. I wanted a vibrant and human
character. That’s the way Youngdal is.
Q. Any special effort to play a real “scoundrel”?
In Triangle, I discuss more with co-actors and try to exchange
feelings. A senior told me, “I don’t think there’s a rule to play the
gangster role. Just live as Youngdal who is a scoundrel. Don’t think of
the reason why he talks that way or acts that way, you’ll become him.”
As per those words, I don’t create Youngdal’s gaze or tone, I just try
to make the viewers think “Ah, so he’s Youngdal” when they look into my
eyes and hear my voice.
Q. I heard that you tried to gain weight for this role.
I tried to lose weight because this is a character that has grown from a
tough life. But not long before the filming started, PD-nim told me
that it would be better if I put in some weights. The result is, in the
early phase of the drama, it has become a hotter topic than I thought.
However, I lost weight again shortly. I only had 5~6 hours to sleep in
four days. Since he filming schedule of this drama is harsher than the
others’, I don’t have time to gain weight.
Q. How is acting with Lee Bumsoo, Im Siwan?
Since this is the second time I work with Lee Bumsoo sunbaenim after ,
there’s nothing unfamiliar. This is the first time I meet Siwanie but I
think he’s very nice. As a singer, he’s my hoobae (junior) but as an
actor he’s earnest and somehow off the wall, which is very cute. We talk
much about each other’s character and story and cheer up each other.
Because we enjoy the filming, the atmosphere between the staff and the
actors is really nice. I’m thankful toward Siwanie.
Q. Recently the brothers has reunited and your ‘tears’ acting became hot topic.
I’m very thankful that the viewers watched it with generous mind. I also
cried in the scene where I received hypnotherapy to regain memory. The
memory of parting away from brothers came up and I wept while being
hypnotized. After the ‘cut’ sign, the emotion still lingered and I
continued to cry for a long time. I had to film next scene but my eyes
and my face swelled up. I remember that I had to try hard to cool it
down with ice.
Q. I think it’s not easy to break the prejudice against idol-turned-actor.
Well, it’s right to use “idol-turned-actor” though. It’s not a wrong
term. However I think I should do something to make a positive change to
its image. Also, I think no matter where I am and what I do, I just
have to get on sincerely and steadily with it. Therefore, rather than
think about breaking the prejudice, I think about living as Youngdal
first.
Q. Despite your enthusiastic performance, the ratings of Triangle are not very good.
Even so, it still increases. When it decreased, as the male lead, I felt
responsible but as we’re trying our best, it raised again steadily. It
taught me a precious lesson. The ratings change depending on how
immersed the actors are on the filming set. As I’m more vigorous,
discuss much more with the actors and try harder, better result came out
with the support of PD-nim and writer-nim.
Q. Many actors joined your agency. I wonder if you communicate with big sunbaenims.
Our company has team workshop every winter. The artists who don’t have
schedule all participate. At the last workshop we went hiking with Choi
Min-sik sunbaenim and Seol Kyungku sunbaenim. Lee Jungjae sunbaenim and
Jung Woosung sunbaenim came to my house and we drank wine together. I
have a drink with them sometimes. Of course it's nice that they give me
fair words but it's great that I can feel and sympathize with their
down-on-earth image and life. Sunbaenims.. no... hyungnims are very
nice. I'm happy that the number of hyungnims in the company increased.
They're like my real brothers.
Q. Now I would like to as some personal questions. How are the pets that you have been raising?
I only keep a brown poodle named “Hiro” now. Filming this drama, I have
to leave him at my manager’s house. I miss him a lot. Even so, when I
come back after working hard, it’s a comfort to see him greet me. It’s
good to commune with animals.
Q. I see that your muscle lines are still there. How do you manage your body line?
There lines are there but I don’t have time to build muscles. When I was
active as singer, because my genre is rock, I almost completely got rid
of muscles. When started filming drama, I built muscles again but now
my schedule is very tight, I don’t have time to work out. However, I
still run (treadmill) and ride bicycle regularly. I’m thinking of doing
strength exercise before JYJ activity started.
Q. I think you’re too busy to date but just to be sure, don’t you have a hidden girlfriend?
Ha ha ha. A hidden girlfriend? Even if I had, she would have run away
already. Well, not only do I stay up all night for a whole week without
resting, I also have to prepare for JYJ’s activities. The team even
jokingly said that we didn’t have to pay for room charges. The filming
don’t end at night and start again in the morning. We do film overtime,
working at night everyday. I barely have time to clean myself up at the
sauna.
Q. You will stand together with JYJ again and enlist soon, how do you feel?
We have finished filming the MV and shooting for the album jacket. The
recording is also almost done. We worked together after a long time, so
we enjoyed it without caring about time. And as expected, just the
thought of meeting our fans as JYJ on stage makes my heart flutter. It’s
a pleasure to work. In our first meeting for this album, we said,
“Let’s make the music in the way we, who living this moment, feel
comfortable, the kind of music that we can call our own.” “Let’s put
down the thoughts of overdoing just because this is our album after a
long time.”
Q. I wonder what kind of music it is. Any message for your fans who have been waiting for you for more than 2 years?
The album contains music of several genres. And the majority of lyrics
were written by us. We also added some songs which fit the concert
atmosphere (T/N: literally, thinking about the concert, we also added some songs). Since it has been a very long time, I think this album is meaningful as itself.
Q. Please tell us about JYJ’s activity plan.
Firstly, we have 014 JYJ Membership Week at the end of July. After the
official release of the album, we will start our full-scale Asia tour
with comeback concert in Jamsil. We’re going to meet our fans in Hong
Kong, China, Vietnam, etc.
Despite
his busy schedule, actor Kim Jaejoong came to @Star1 for shooting.
While waiting for him who has firmly positioned himself as a member of
JYJ and an actor, I thought that I wanted to right away look at his
sculpture-like face through my camera lens. I’m not sure if he knows
that heart of mine, during the photo-shoot, his eyes was only captivated
by the puppy. There isn’t only me who wanted to be the puppy for a
moment.
After
the shooting started, I got flinched by his eyes which were like
piercing through my camera. But his “manner” hand which covered his
armpit put a smile on our faces.
A
man called Kim Jaejoong, how could you be so well-mannered? Kim
Jaejoong didn’t show any unpleasant expression and boldly took off his
shirt when the staff kept saying “More! More!” demanding him to expose
more. What do you base on to be that cool?
Source: Star1 Magazine I Transcribed by: Herose
Photo by: Star1 Magazine via @cheesecakeJJ
Translated by: Hannah @ PrinceJJ (@The_Little_Pear)
Shared by: PrinceJJ
Please take out with full credits.
MORE PICTURES
Translation of the interview is posted [
HERE]. Download here [
MEDIAFIRE]
More from Fans

as tagged