Pure Passion
Passionate First Step
Kim KyuJong
Start. First ever fencing in his life, breaking away from ‘SS501’ and set his first step with the name ‘Kim KyuJong’. During the period where he is filled with a retreating heart saying ‘Should I quit everything’, he met this musical, it was a thankful meeting as it made him rethink of his motto ‘Let’s challenge without any regrets’. Living as actor Kim KyuJong these days, he uses the method of ‘Do my best in everything no matter what’ on the tensions, takes out his confidence with ‘I can do it’ on the heavy burdens, while preparing for musical <Goong>.
Musical <Goong>, Prince
Playdb: Started <Goong> first performance in Japan.
I was very worried prior to the first performance. After the first performance ended, the actors/actresses talked about “Having good hunch about it”. Besides feeling great to be talking about the sold-out of tickets, the audience response is really great even till the very last performance. Our performance venue is Kabuki theatre in Kyoto which can hold 1,200 seats, it is a very old theatre, there are a lot of fans in the audience who are there to see the performances in the theatre. Especially that there are many grandfathers and grandmother audiences, and maybe the royal family story touches their heart so they cried a lot. At that moment, the thought of ‘Moved the hearts of the audience’ came to my mind and tugged at my heart.
Me to Musical
Deep acting, outstanding singing skill. I don’t think that I was successfully casted because of these.
To me, I want to achieve that role if what they want is the ticketing power of idol singer and the vitality of a musical.
I am currently learning intensively, the reason for practicing is also because I can do my part on stage, also because to be able to well in the other roles given to me.
Playdb : Critics that “If there is no Hallyu Star Kim KyuJong, overseas fans won’t move”
Prior to musical <Goong>, there was comic and drama which plays a big part on letting people know about this musical. There are comments such as “Heard that SS501 Kim KyuJong will appear in musical <Goong> which Hallyu star representative ‘Dong Bang Shin Gi’ Uknow Yoonho acted before”. (Kim) HyunJoong hyung asked “I heard you did well for the musical in Japan?”, and I replied “but that theatre has seats for 1,200 people which means not a big theatre.” Then he siad, “That is really great, a good experience, really great”, giving a lot of praises to me. I’ve stood on stages of theatre with 30,000~40,000 seats with my members, but I had no idea about other genre, other theatres. After I returned to Korea, every time the people I know said to me “That’s great, congratulations”, I felt ‘Wah, it turned out well’. Feels good.
“Idol Singer, I know the part I have to play”
Playdb : Under the poor critics of idol singers going into musical acting, there must have been a lot of stresses.
It is fine, really fine because I don’t think that I was successfully casted because of outstanding acting and singing. They thought of idol singers’ ticketing power too. I want to do well in the role given to me by them, so practicing is the basic thing to do, and did many interview so that it helps in promoting <Goong>. However, idol singers really prepare a lot before coming out these days. Came out really intensely and difficult. Because that they are labeled as idol, I hope that these friends will not get hurt.
Playdb : Are you very interested in musical?
I like performances. I watched a lot of plays and musicals. I watched Ock JuHyun noona’s <Ida>, and thought “That’s impossible, how can a person do that? I guess it is possible because she is Ock JuHyun”. Then (Park) JungMin was going to do <Grease>. He asked me “How was my musical?”, wah it is really good. But he was always saying “It’s hard, hard, really hard”. So I thought “ah, I mustn’t do musical”. In fact prior to <Goong>, I received a lot of proposals for musicals, but I was determined not to do it ever while rejecting them saying “I will watch it as a fan”. I didn’t know it turn out like this in the end.
Musical to Me
I had one dream since young. 5-member idol singer.
Because that dream was fulfilled, I was troubled by the thought of ‘What should I do now?’
When I was troubled and even decided that I have to quit everything,
I met this musical, and felt once again the fun of singing, dancing and acting.
It is none other than musical that made me find the interests of life.
Playdb : What is the reason for changing your thoughts?
There are any talks about trying out in drama and movies. I received acting lessons, for a person who used to dance and sing under the fancy lightings, I felt uncomfortable acting in a quiet place, and formed a bad feeling at the thought of ‘ah, I think I can’t do well’, and can’t adapt well. I said to my boss “I will prepare for an album release since I work hard on singing”, but he told me “I hope you can go into acting”. After a long discussion, the conclusion is that the stress will be smaller if I go for acting via musical which has music too. But musical is even scarier to me. I said I hated it for almost 1.5 months. Finally I started with the thought ‘It won’t do, I must get interested in it’, and now I am really enjoying it.
Playdb : Is there a reason why you chose <Goong> as your first musical?
First is that <Goong> is a interesting story, and also the fact that the performance is in Japan. When will there be another chance to be able to stand on the stage in Japan as a Prince from Korea? (laughs) What attracted me the most is the honor of going up on the stage as a representative from Korea in Kyoto.
Playdb : It is a musical which Uknow Yoonho acted in before.
After being confirmed casted as Lee Shin, I sent a text message to Yoonho hyung ‘I think it is really difficult’. Hyung replied back ‘You will do well. You are now Lee Shin’. So I thought, ah, it will be fine if I am determined like that. Yoonho hyung is strong and charismatic, but I am the opposite. You will see a different Lee Shin in the opening performance.
“I had one dream, 5-member idol singer”
Playdb : During your school days, heard your nickname as ‘Prince’, so you played the role of prince.
Since elementary school days, my dream was to be an ‘idol singer’. I will definitely not take any funny photos with my friends. I can’t let those photos get around when I become an idol singer later. Because I have such a foolish side of me, my friends tease me like “Are you a prince?, Prince! You are not eating today too?”. It is definitely not that I’m a handsome prince. In <Goong>, ‘Lee Shin’ is handsome even by just keeping still, a truly prince role. Really a prince. (laughs)
Playdb : First musical performance in Korea is right ahead.
Burden is heavier compared to the first performance. Everyone’s expectation is higher because of the news that the musical has done well in Japan. Jokingly “Ah, I guess I shouldn’t sign the contract for performance in Korea” we joked about it like this. (laughs) The best thing is that almost all the actors/actresses who have done the performance in Japan will also perform in Korea. That is a great strength to me.
Playdb : Seems like your friendship with <Goong> actors/actresses is extraordinary.
We got attached to each other since the long hours of practices, and performances in Japan. When with SS501 members, we practically don’t talk much. Because we have been always together since young, we just know everything about each other. Not feeling good, or what happened. But over here, because we have to get closer with each other so that we will be able to be in tune with each other on stage, we had to quickly get to know a lot about each other, so we talked a lot. It feels like entering a new school and meeting new friends. This is the first time I talked so much with people and not singers, and knowing new friends.
Playdb : There must be a good point about musical.
I was pondering ‘What should I do in the future’ because I’ve fulfilled my dream of being an ‘idol singer’. I thought in even more details when our members were dispersed around, and having different agencies. Should I start on other studies, should I rest for a few years, should I paint drawings, should I dream a new dream.... I have a lot of ideas but I’m at a loss and couldn’t do anything. I was afraid and fearful. At that time, people around me and my members gave me good advices that I can do musical, thus I was able to start. Last time when I receive drama proposals, I would be afraid and said “I will do it a little later, I am preparing to perfection.” But now I say “I will do it, I will try it out”. It is none other than musical which made me find the interest again in the things I am able to do.
Playdb : What is the response of SS501?
Big trouble than advices, what they told me most is ‘difficult/tough’. It seems like it will be fun to act in a play with (Kim) HyungJun. Like <Café-in>, a cute while fun musical. While watching HyungJun’s performance, I was surprised “Why is he doing so well?”.
Playdb : SS501 is famous for being ‘GaeNyeom-dol*’. (*Idol with upright ideas, i.e thinking of the interests of fans)
Everyone is simple and honest without any bad points. Even during our promotional period, we were always being scolded, “You guys must have ambitions, when others do well, do you only clap? Have some ambitions” (laughs) There was a popularity voting via phone ARS, we told our fans not to vote as it will affect their telephone bills. That was 100 won or 200 won per call, which is a huge money for young people. And because they will not just once or twice but vote continuously. Thus we told them never to do that, and that representative (from the company who organizes the voting) was angry why we said that.
(xiaochu : Can you girls remember?! TT_TT That was during the MKMF 2006 mobile voting! They had an interview for the voting and they were leading, and JungMin told the fans not to spend such money, they’re okay not to win this award~~ And HyunJoong also wrote in one of his diary entry asking fans not to use money to vote. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww that’s my boys!)
Playdb : There are many people who are waiting for SS501 album.
I think the important thing now is gain experience while doing our individual activities other than 501 album. Later when we come back together, we must return and possess the strength that nothing can break us. I am thinking that 501 album will be released some time next year.
Playdb : Is there a musical you want to play in?
I watched <Finding Kim JongWook> played by (Kwak) SeonYoung noona, I really enjoyed watching it. I would also like to play a slightly childish role like that of <Café-in>.
Playdb : What is your future target, wish?
I hope that musical <Goong> performance in Korea will end in great results. It is fine even if you speak unfavorable of it, but please give it lots of attention. (laughs) Even though being a ‘idol singer’ used to be great, but it is not good forever. It seems like we practiced a little and showed you the same thing for the past 4~5 years. To the extent that we felt sorry to our fans. I think the moment has come to show what I have worked for. It is good that I am able to act and sing now, it is valuable and fun experience. And knowing very well how much determination and hard work was put in. The moment for me to show what I have work for is now, I want to spent ‘now’ well.
Credits : www.playdb.co.kr (Text : kangjuck@interpark.com + Photo : Ki JoonSeo (www.studiochoon.com) + Design : Jung HyeRin) + (English Translation) xiaochu @ Quainte501.com
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