Jung Yonghwa BEST 3 Memories of Japan Major Debut 5th Year Anniversary
1st – Guerilla live in front of Shinjuku Station, Tokyo
CNBLUE went to Japan for a spartan training in 2009. While we had a poor-living together, we were active on the street and small live houses. On the first-time we sang in front of Shinjuku Station, of course, there are no audiences at all. But two years later after did guerilla live in front of Shinjuku Station we made our major debut with “In My Head”, and 7000 people came. At the same time in Shinjuku, the audiences were growing from zero to 7000 people. It’s amazing to remember about that now! It’s touching!
2nd – First time in Yokohama Arena
“392” live is the end of our indie era. On that day, we were announcing our major debut through a press conference and told fans (about major debut) through the live (concert). For the first-time arena tour, it’s a turning-around center stage. At that time, I couldn’t remember what kind of performance I’m playing, but I still remember that my body was shivering because of a shining lighting and it was filled with a lot of fans. I was nervous, I’ve worked too hard, with a limited physical and mental strength, I fell down right after the live ends (LOL).
3rd – “In My Head”
On October 19th 2011, CNBLUE made a Japan major debut with “In My Head”. It was sung live for the first time on “392” live at Yokohama Arena, when we announced the major debut. Since then I played (the song) live for many times, the feeling to sing it on each year changed, there is something different even if I listen to my singing (to that song) later on. That’s interesting. Also, when this song goes live, the tension will surely rise, it will become very hot! It’s surprisingly become hot while singing!
Lee Jonghyun BEST 3 Things to Seek on a Lover
1st – Personality
I think I’m that “nice” and friendly/kind person. But after all, the most important thing is about personality, right? I think that this is the most important thing for men and women to see for a partner. I’m that type who will aggressively appeal the person I like in a gentle way. I’ll try to find out what things that she likes, and will do a such effort(s) to fit with her and things that she likes. But I’m not that gentle to the person I’m not interested. It’s not that good in being good/kind to everyone. It will be quite rude/impolite even if you make your partner/opponent misunderstood (because of the good treats).
2nd – Thoughts
I’m a person who can understand my own way of thinking, and, also the one who will respect other thoughts. My way of thinking is very simple. The policy is “to live happily right now”. Taking care of her is important, even work and hobbies are also important, but I’d like to do those happily. Basically, it’s the man who will try his best and devote himself for the woman, but I also have my own world, so I want her to understand on my way of thinking/thoughts. I also respect her as much as I can. I think it’s wonderful to have a relationship that can understand and respect each other.
3rd – A Family person
It may be an old thought, but isn’t marriage is the end of a love affair? After all, I hope for the one who will become my wife is a family person. A person who protect her families just like my mother is ideal. Actually, I look at cooking as a hobby, I can make quite anything fairly. Even if I have to say it to myself, that my skill is pretty good (LOL). Since my hobby is fishing, I’m good in making a fish’s fillet. Last time, I caught fish and make its sashimi then put it in Jungshin’s house. I’m unexpectedly that homely guy as well.
Kang Minhyuk BEST 3 Favorite Japanese Food
1st – Sushi
When I come to Japan, Sushi is the No. 1 thing that I definitely want to eat. I love every kind of Sushi! There’s nothing that I don’t like. Hikarimono and Sea urchin are OK. Since this promotion was only for one night, I don’t have the chance to eat Sushi, so I ate ramen for dinner with Jungshin. But then, I heard that Yonghwa and Jonghyun had eaten Sushi, right now, I’m a bit shock… I’ll definitely take a revenge during the tour, I really want to eat good Sushi!
2nd – Omurice (Omelet Rice)
Japanese omelet rice with eggs are fluffy and delicious, right~? There are places that have this in Korean franchise/convenience store, but it’s totally different. That fluffy things are impressive. It has a deep taste/feel of the rice (LOL). I also choose an omelet on the menu of our 5th anniversary cafe (15th – 23rd October at cafe manduka Shibuya). In Japan, it is a dish that boy wants the girl to make, right? I will eat everything she made deliciously!
3rd – Bamboo Steamer Dish
Right now, Bamboo Steamer Dish is a bit trending in South Korea. When I want to eat it, sometimes I went to the one (place which sell it) in South Korea. But, we can do/make it at home, aren’t we? Next time, I’d like to buy the “Bamboo Steamer” and make it at home. I like various ingredients on it like vegetables, but after all there has to be meat! But I prefer beef than pork! When steaming the meat with vegetables, it has a slight taste of veggies, but it all healthy and refreshing. It only steaming a simple dish, but this is a “simple is best” dish.
Lee Jungshin BEST 3 Favorite Fashion Items
1st – Hoodie
My recent favorite is parka hoodie. I love “VETEMENTS” brand. It has a coordinated stylish oversized street style. I usually like both casual and traditional style, I wear both, but parka hoodie is fun and easy, so, I like it. About my favorite fashion, I think you can understand it by checking through my Instagram. All the pictures are Simba? Ah, I’m sorry (LOL).
2nd – Damaged Jeans (Ripped Jeans)
Do you say it as Damaged Jeans in Japan? In South Korea, it called Destroyed Jeans. It (the name) seems strong in South Korea (LOL). I only wear Damaged Jeans recently. The damage itself is cool and I like the bigger one. A light denim color is better, I think the heavy/thick color one match for upcoming season. Damaged Jeans with Parka Hoodie, I guess if it all comes with short boots will be like a style for autumn.
3rd – Accessories
I think that the fashion point is a watch and a bracelet. I don’t wear rings and earrings recently. Watch is on left hand, and bracelet is on right hand. It’s a NO for digital watch. I like a classical metal belt, but now I love gold watches. I wear not only one bracelet, there are gold and silver one, both are thick and thin, a coordinated square and a chain, I like to put it well-balanced.
— From December 22nd, “Cinderella and The Four Knights” will be broadcasted. Please show us your impression towards this drama to be broadcasted in Japan
Jungshin : Since I want to have communication with fans, so I’m more into SNS. Japanese fans even watched the drama while it’s being broadcasted in South Korea, they even cheered us a lot. But after all I’m happy that it will be broadcasted in Japan. I think it’s a good opportunity to see myself as an actor, other than a singer. “Cinderella and The Four Knights” is a drama that may give you a light heart attack. Many people wrote on my SNS “it’s a drama that has such affection yet I can’t stop watching it”. I think it’s an attractive drama that will become addictive once you watch it!
— What made you want to appear in this drama?
Jungshin : Since the characters’ theme of this drama is about young age, I felt that its interesting. I’m not like other actors who have appeared in so many works but I’ve appeared on five drama so far. Even though this work can be done easily by an older people, but still, it’s also a “youth-romance-things” drama which targets young people. I’m 26 years old now, I thought about “When there’s a chance to appear in a drama before I’m getting older, what would it be?”, so I thought about a bright drama! That was the thought and the reason on why I want to do this work.
— What kind of characters did you play?
Jungshin : From what I saw it’s simply a bright character with positive energy. There was a time when I was worried about “how can I make it on my own (way)?” for this character, but the answer is unexpected. It was said that there are many parts that’s similar with my own figure (in real life). I’m also a bright type, but there are also times when I occasionally can become negative, but I’m basically the positive one. Later after I noticed that I can resemble (the character) as myself, I was able to relax and acts as “Lee Jung Shin”. I’m not that rich (chaebol) person (LOL), but since I’m being an entertainer and a singer…there are many things in common. There are a lot of parts where the word I spoke (in the drama) is similar to the word that I speak to myself, so I thought maybe it could make me grow for 1 or 2 stages…?
— I have a question for Lee Jung Shin. When Kang Seo Woo appeared dressing up like a woman, it was pretty impressive. But from your point of view, do you think when Seo Woo dressed up like a girl looks good?
Jungshin : I guess you could laugh because it wasn’t fit nor suitable at all, but I was pretty uneasy about that scene~! I have a thick legs hair… (LOL) Is it called “Ashige (in Japanese)?” I’m still good with my thick legs hair, but my legs are thin like a woman. So, it looks like a hairy woman legs, I guess fans will be disappointed…. For people who had expected for a solid/firm man thighs…I’m sorry but I’m here with my thin legs (LOL).
— On the drama, Kang Seo Woo wrote “Confession” and “You Pour a Star” for Eun Ha Won who played by Park So Dam, but which song does Jungshin himself got attached more from those two?
Jungshin : Hmmm…if I have to choose one from two maybe “Confession”. I felt great to be able to participate in the OST with two songs “Confession” and “You Pour a Star”. I’ve never participated in the OST of the drama I’m playing, but with this drama I was able to challenge myself for the first time, and fans were pleased (delighted)! Even in CNBLUE activities I’ve never sung any part other than chorus, but it seemed like there are some who wants to hear my voice more (LOL). I feel like my heart is full when people saying “I was glad to hear your voice”.
— On this drama, there are many actors who has the same age, how was the atmosphere on the shooting site?
Jungshin : So far, all of the shooting sites on dramas that I’ve appeared have nice atmosphere, but shooting sites for this drama was also really good. We’re close even with the younger, same age, or older actors…. Kim Yong Gun senior was there, and he really has that kind of sense. When I knew that there is a senior, I thought that I’m going to feel awkward, but Yong Gun senior is a very funny person and loves to throw some jokes, so it was fun to have a shoot (for the drama).
— What kind of work does “Cinderella and The Four Knights” casts do?
Jungshin : Even though I’m more into a singer, but I also work as an actor, and this work is the 5th for me, I felt that I was able to make a step forward as an actor. Of course, there are parts that I regret, some parts that seems fine/successful, I have various thoughts on it, even after it all ends, the regret still remain. But, you can’t grow without regrets! Even during my activities with CNBLUE, we did the tour and its DVD released six months after the tour ended, although there are parts that I think it’s cool even if I watched it, but there are also some parts that I think weren’t that good. But, it become a noticeable evidence that I’m growing on that six months. I said this because at some point you can improve further more the good ones, like you can see it by your own eyes looking on it and say it to yourself “don’t do this in the future” (for the not-so-good part). For me this work is like “a step forward of the growing process” and “an important experience”.
— Please tell the ‘watching point’ to the Japanese viewers who have been looking forward into “Cinderella and The Four Knights”.
Jungshin : Even the point of a heart-throbbing part between male and female may vary to each person and depends on the country itself, but I hope Korean “heart-attack” (heart-throbbing) point will be wide-spread to Japan! Also, to fans who said that they like me (LOL), from now on, even if you can’t see this drama on any websites or else on internet, as long as you can see it through TV easily, I also feel happy. Even to all my fans who have watched over me from my debut on 2009, I hope you can relax while enjoying it (the drama).
CNBLUE released a new album to celebrate the fifth-year debut anniversary! “It’s filled with happy songs…I want you to listen to it to be happy”
CNBLUE released their fifth new album “EUPHORIA” on October 19th on their fifth-year debut anniversary.
On the album, the lead song is “Glory days”, with other songs in total 10 songs, “Puzzle”, “Be OK” written by Lee Jong Hyun, meanwhile “Stay with me” written and composed by Lee Jung Shin, it has plenty compositions which leads to a “euphoria”. This time, they challenged to have an ‘in-depth’ interview. We heard about the album production and its secret story of their fifth anniversary, also we had a variety talk and also the tour that they’re going to perform in November.
―This fifth album was created along with the moment of five years of Japan debut. Please tell me what’s your thoughts to put “EUPHORIA” as the title.
Yonghwa: Ah, it’s Jungshin’s responsible to describe this, it’s him!
Jungshin: Yes. “EUPHORIA” in Italian means “happiness”. It’s five years after Japan major debut. We’ve got a lot of happiness from fans and also everyone in these five years, so we hope that by putting this title the happiness continues in the future. The songs in the album are packed with our feelings of gratitude to our fans.
Jonghyun: Since it’s full of happy songs, I hope that you all can be happy by listening to it.
―The lead song “Glory days” is a very positive song, I think I can feel happy by listening to it.
Yonghwa: It is, right? I put a message that “From the past up to the future, I want to spend the time, such as dreaming together forever”. Even it’s a lot more pointed toward/about us, but I wrote it for everyone who support us.
Jungshin: I think the mood will increase as soon as I listen to it, right? Even if it’s (performed) in the tour (the mood) will rise.
Minhyuk: Yeah, that’d be fun.
―In “Glory days” Music Video, there’s a child actor who has appeared in a lot of Korean dramas, which is familiar to Kstyle readers. Following the appearance (of a child actor) in your Korean song “YOU’RE SO FINE” this would be the second time (they have a child actor appeared on their MV), but it’s a fantastic piece.
Minhyuk: Yes. We want to express the world of the dreams that we saw when we were child.
Jungshin: On the solo scene, each scene is different. The scene where we’re on a studio set, and the scene where the child actor appeared are synchronized to symbolized members’ childhood, it’s like we created our own dream world.
Yonghwa: I have various shades, so I didn’t indicate a dream only, but dreams. It’s led from the scene of the child, he is walking while feel troubled and guided by the butterfly which is a symbol of a dream, and then going the adventure as he goes through the woods.
Minhyuk: The scene where I play the drums and I was hanging around is symbolized by the water droplets on it. It synchronized with the scene where the child is playing with water on the river. I like a quiet atmosphere.
Jonghyun: I’ve been surrounded by those sparkling, the scene where I got a look at the sky and pick it, it actually may can be done in our childhood, and seeing a scene which has things that can be done for a long time ago in a Music Video was a nostalgic feeling.
Jungshin: In the part where I came out, I’m like hanging on something like white strings, it symbolized a tree, which means an old memory and old things.
―Listening to the stories and see the Music Video, makes me understand it more. From the 10 recorded songs, started from “Glory days”, please tell me your favorite song.
Jonghyun: Mine is the opening song “Be OK”. I’m a person who always Be OK, so by made this song I hope that everyone can Be OK (and let’s be OK together). If you don’t want to be struggled or troubled, then let’s have some fun?
Minhyuk: Mine is song number 4 “Face to face”. It’s Yonghwa’s song, the lyrics and the song itself is unique. Somehow, the tune can make me feel excited.
Yonghwa: Mine is the 6th song “Royal Rumble”. On the lyrics I’m talking about the dream, the song itself has it’s lightness tune that makes me want to move my body naturally while listening to the song. It has a catchy melody, which can remain lingering on your feeling. I can imagine something while listening to a relaxing music.
Jungshin: Mine is the 8th song “Stay with me”. I choose it because it’s my song (LOL). When recorded my own song for the first time, it’s “Daisy” on the previous album “colors”, it’s an English lyric. This time is the fifth anniversary, and since it’s Japan album, so I want to make this song in Japanese. I think that it’s a good song to be listened, and I’m glad for it.
―It’s Japan major debut fifth anniversary. Right now, what kind of feelings do you have?
Jonghyun: When I’m saying (or explain) something it would be long, very long, so I think short speaking is better, so…..(LOL). (he may refer for other members to explain about it since he loves to talk a lot XD)
Jungshin: But, the point is CNBLUE’s live activities in Japan. Came in 2009 with the Spartan training, CNBLUE began from street live where we don’t have anyone to listen to us.
Jonghyun: If there’s no money, we always have ourselves hungry.
Jungshin: When we’re ready to have a major debut, and play live in front of so many fans, we could also take out 5 albums (for ourselves). It’s (a moment) full of gratitude.
Minhyuk: Not only about album and live, since we also planned a variety of events to commemorate the fifth anniversary, I hope everyone can join us, let’s enjoy it together.
―Start at Makuhari Messe Event Hall on November 2nd, until at Budokan at November 30th, for about a month, “CNBLUE 5th ANNIVERSARY ARENA TOUR 2016 -Our Glory Days-” will be held across the country. Because it’s fifth anniversary, I guess it will be good to see Yonghwa dancing during “Wake up” song like on the previous tour which shocked the audiences and is more than expectation?
Yonghwa: We’ll do our best (LOL). We want to do something special. Ah, not only my dance (hahaha). With new songs, there’s also new arrangements of the stage’s set. I’m thinking about what kind of thing that can make fans happy…… Anyway, please look forward to it!
―On December 10th-11th, the annual “2016 FNC KINGDOM IN JAPAN – CREEPY NIGHTS-” will be performed in Makuhari Messe. What kind of performance will CNBLUE have?
Jungshin: CNBLUE style has been decided and is a great deal!
Yonghwa: I think the set is about who is the KING. It’s a special set list! Since it’s not only our fans who come to the Kingdom, shall we compressing the nice thing about us? There are so many cases this and that, but don’t worry, we’ll show you the best live!
The new album, which was put their feeling of thank to the fans has been accomplished.
CNBLUE who marks 5th anniversary of their major debut in Japan will release their 5th album ‘EUPHORIA’. This album, which means happiness is the special one which was put their feeling of thank to the fans who spent 5 years together has been accomplished.
Yonghwa: Because this album will be release our 5th anniversary year, we made it with the theme of the feeling of thankfulness.
Jungshin: We are happy to have got the love from fans until now, and we are also happy if we keep offering a good music to fans. That’s why we named the title of the meaning of happiness for this album
—The lead song ‘Glory Days’ was made by Yonghwa, how did you make it?
Yonghwa: I wanted to make a warm atmosphere song to say our thankful message for fans. First, I wrote a lyric of that I wanted everybody to have a smile. We didn’t have any other choice as a lead song excepting this, because I made this song in consideration of the 5th anniversary from the start of making.
Jungshin: This is a good song for our 5th anniversary! This has a happy atmosphere.
—The album has 10 songs. Which one is your favorite?
Minhyuk: I like ‘Face to Face’, because its lyric is funny. And it has a medium tempo like ‘Don’t Care’ and ‘With me’ that Yonghwa-hyeong made before. It has various faces depending on my feelings.
Jonghyun: I like all of them, but I suffice it to say that ‘Be OK’, ‘Slavers’ and ‘Royal Rumble’. I made ‘Be OK’ and ‘Slavers’ for my solo. But if I made all of my composed songs for my solo, there would be no songs for CNBLUE. So, I decided those songs are for CNBLUE. I sang them myself first, but I thought Yonghwa’s voice suit them. Both of them were good.
Jungshin: I composed a song ‘Stay With Me’. I wrote ‘Daisy’ in English that has been in our previous album, but I thought Japanese fans were happy if I wrote a lyric in Japanese, so I tried it. I think Japanese is a romantic and emotional language. This song is a song that I put the message for the fans. Because fans are here for us, we were able to overcome big challenges. This is the message that we’ll support to each other.
—How did you have your recording process?
Minhyuk: We always record own part depending on oneself schedule.
Jonghyun: I gave an advise when the recording of the song that I made. I requested yonghwa to sing ‘Be OK’ to speak.
Jungshin: I was listening that Yonghwa-hyeong was singing my song ‘Stay With Me’. He‘s sung it to my image, and I was happy.
What do you want to say to the members when you look back at the past five years.
—This year is the 5th anniversary of your debut. If you named these 5 years like ○○days, what do you want to name it?
Jonghyun: ‘The days of my 20’s’
Minhyuk: How about ‘A short moment’ days? It seems 5 years are long, but look back it, it’s short.
Yonghwa: ‘Happy’ days for me. Because I had a happier time than hard time.
Jungshin: ‘We have a long road to travel’ days. I know that the 5th anniversary is one of an important event, but we can say it if we would have 10 year anniversary and 20 year anniversary. We still have a long way.
—Well, what do you want to say to the members when you look back at the past five years?
Yonghwa: I want to say to Jungshin that you grew in height than the time of the debut. To Jonghyun, challenge more to fishing (Laugh). And to Minhyuk, try to make a song
Minhyuk: I always thank to my elder brothers (Yonghwa and Jonghyun) making a great song. Although I haven’t joined to compose songs, I have never rushed and will never be. Now I’m satisfied to play CNBLUE songs.
Jungshin: I want to say to the members that I hope we’ll play together, even after 10 years, 20 years and 30 years.
Jonghyun: Thank you for your hard work, and we’ll go together.
—If you say to yourself in 5 years ago, what do you want to say?
Jungshin: I want to say myself that try to challenge a lot of things. When I look back at the time of debut, I could something like practice and more. And I want to say “ Be patient and win yourself”! (Laugh)
Yonghwa: I think I say “Envy you”. I had a hard time, but I think slightly that I want to go back. Because I was young, I could try to everything.
—The end of this interview, would you say a message for fans?
Jonghyun: Even though I’m not a special, Thank you for making me a person who can have a concert.
Jungshin: I wrote the lyric of ‘Stay With Me’ in Japanese for fans. I hope you like it.
Minhyuk: Thank you for being rooting us these 5 years. I hope we’ll make music and concert together.
Yonghwa: I am impressed many fans come to our concerts every tour. I wish I could have enough time to say thank you to everyone directly. Thank you!
★Personal interview
[Yonghwa] My nature of humanity hasn’t been changing by time
Q. The dance scene in your concert got good reaction, can we watch that again? A. hahaha. If fans enjoy it (Laugh). Because I wanted fans to enjoy it, I might do that again. The things I want to do is an acoustic concert. If I have a chance, I’ll do it.
Q. You’ll appear the drama ‘The package’ in 2017, why did you decided to appear this drama? A. This is the type of drama that we haven’t had in Korea, and I was attracted to this love story and the setting that the characters go to the trip. This is the warm story. I’ll stay in France two month for the shooting. I think it’s little bit long, but I’m exciting.
Q. What is your ‘First step’ in your life ever? A. Started learning piano when I was 6 years old. My mom made me learn it, but this is the reason that I’ve dreamed to be an artist.
Q. What is the event that changed you? A. Nothing special. I’ve changed adjusting to the real world as time goes along. But my nature of humanity hasn’t been changing by time
Q.Are you the type of person who can express the feeling honestly? A. It depends on the situation. If I have to say something, I say. if I have to hide something, I do so.
Q.What is the thing that will save you when you have a bad day? A. Nothing. Because I’m not a type of person who bothered myself.
Q.Please tell us that you and the other CNBLUE members are good for each other. A. We have became good for each other while spend a time together. Especially we have similar tastes in food. Even if we had some issues, we would reach an agreement.
Q. What is your favorite food, one that you won’t get tired of even if you were to eat it every day? Is there something that you have been using from the child? A. Coffee! I take a cup of black coffee every morning. I feel the start of the day when I take it. I haven’t been using anything from the child, but now my favorite is portable speaker. When I go the oversea, I exactly bring one. Q. When you look a mirror, what do you think? A. I have a slightly swollen face today…(Laugh). I check my condition when washing my face every morning.
Q. What is the things that holding yourself? A. Nothing. I always do everything that I want to. I’m getting into preparing for new drama. Because the shooting is going to start soon, I’m memorizing my line desperately.
Q. Are you a type of person who always wants to meet a person you like? If you can’t meet, how do you express your feeling to a person? A. I am a type of person who want to meet a person I like all the time. I know we can’t it all the time when I am busy at work, but I try to do. I want to send a selfie to each other.
Q. If you have farewell foreboding, You would say goodby first? A. No, I can’t say goodby from me. If I was in this situation, I would wait to be say so. And I have no choice at that time.
[Jonghyun] I’m a simple person. I express any feeling honestly, except anger
Q. How was your solo concert in Japan?
A. I was happy and enjoyed it. Even I’m not a special, Thank you for making me a person who can have a concert. Thank you (Laugh). I sang using by hand microphone, because I wanted to concentrate to sing.
Q. Why are there some songs written in English?
A. Nothing special reason. But I think the atmosphere matches.
Q. What is your ‘First step’ in your life ever?
A. Buying a guitar. At first, I didn’t think anything, but I wanted to be cool.
Q. What is the event that changed you?
A. Myself. Even if I got the influence by reading books or watching movies, changing myself is myself in the end.
Q. What is the thing that will save you when you have a bad day?
A. I rarely feel blue, because I don’t think deeply. I forget soon the things that might be my stress.
Q. Are you the type of person who can express the feeling honestly?
A.Yes. I’m simple. I try to not get mad, but I express except it.
Q. Please tell us that you and the other CNBLUE members are good for each other
A. I already don’t feel like that. Since we are together these 10 years, I don’t think the compatibility any more.
Q. When you look a mirror, what do you think?
A. I think many things like too much drink last night, slightly swollen my face or something like that. I don’t think I’m handsome (Laugh).
Q. What is your favorite food, one that you won’t get tired of even if you were to eat it every day? Is there something that you have been using from the child?
A. Rice and ‘Ore no Humburg’ (The restaurant name in Japan). I used to eat at there like every day. I haven’t been using anything from the child. I’m a type of a person that I get bored soon.
Q. Are you a type of person who always wants to meet a person you like? If you can’t meet, how do you express your feeling to a person?
A. Of course I want be with the person who I like all the time. I try to contact with the person. I think I’ll do my best.
Q. What is the things that holding yourself?
A. It’s not fishing (Laugh). I went to fishing every day even in Japan though. I got about 30 sea basses. Because I don’t like boredom , so I try to find something fun. I think what do I do today, every morning. I can say that I’m under the control of joy.
Q. If you have farewell foreboding, You would say goodbye first?
A. I don’t say from me. I think if I had farewell foreboding, the other person would realize it. But if we are going to break up very fast, I might as date her at all.
[Minhyuk] 4 pieces that has different characters gather, and perfected CNBLUE
Q. You had solo fan meeting in Japan. How was it?
A. I was surprised because many fans came out to the event, in spite of it was my first fan meeting. I was impressed everything, but especially I enjoyed singing by myself.
Q. You’ve been started to preside at Music Bank from this Summer. How do you appreciate yourself? A. Because it’s only short time since it has started, It hard to appreciate myself. But I enjoy it. Solbin who preside together is a dependable person. I try to introduce musicians.
Q . What is your ‘First step’ in your life ever?
A. My first step is becoming a family born to Kang family. Because of having my own family, I came into the world and learn a lot of things. And I’m here now.
Q. What is the event that changed you?
A. I think I’m always changing. I can learn, realize and be influenced while I come in contact with many people. I keep changing myself by being influenced by people than the nature and some things.
Q. What is the things that holding yourself?
A. Work out. I think it’s important in my life. Working out helps us to cheer up our tired mind.
Q. Are you the type of person who can express the feeling honestly?
A. I’m a type of person that I express my feeling to my close friends.
Q. Please tell us that you and the other CNBLUE members are good for each other
A. 4 pieces that has different characters gather, and perfected CNBLUE. We are good for each other.
[Jungshin] Becoming the member of CNBLUE, it makes me strong.
Q. You appears the drama ‘Cinderella and four knights’ in Korea. Are there some untold stories?
A. We are almost the same age, I enjoyed the shooting. I keep in touch with Jung Ilwoo hyeong and Park Sodam. My role is similar to me.
Q. Please boast about your dog Simba!
A. I have wanted to have a Golden Retriever for a pet, and he came my home two years ago. He gives me a smile and happiness. I love him and think as a family. That’s why I post his photo and video on SNS. It’s like parents who post their child’s photo on SNS (Laugh). We are said to look alike, though, we might more alike while we are together. When I can’t go dog-walking, my elder brother goes for doesn’t get a stress.
Q. What is your ‘First step’ in your life ever?
A. When I was a trainee, I bought a bass guitar with my money for the first time. I was a student and not have enough money at that time, but the bass guitar was 1 million won.
Q. What is the event that changed you?
A. Joining CNBLUE. I was weak, but joining CNBLUE was one of a chance that I turned out to be strong.
Q. Are you the type of person who can express the feeling honestly?
A. I am a really honest person. Of course I control my feeling in public. When I talk with close friends, I say something honestly, it might make them hurt. But I think I have to express the feelings.
Q. What is the things that holding yourself?
A. My parents and Simba. Simba is one of my family who accepts my too much love.
Q. Please tell us that you and the other CNBLUE members are good for each other
A. We haven’t been having any trouble with the time of choice a food menu because we have similar favorite.
Q. When you look a mirror, what do you think?
A. I need to be more stronger.
Q. What is your favorite food, one that you won’t get tired of even if you were to eat it every day? Is there something that you have been using from the child?
A. Beef. The other day, I went to Osaka and ate meat. They were delicious!
Q. Are you a type of person who always wants to meet a person you like? If you can’t meet, how do you express your feeling to a person?
A. I know it’s best that we can see all the time. But if we can’t see each other, I control myself. I don’t get stress because of it. I keep contact with her, but I’m not a person that always want to check my cell phone.
<5 answers talk>
Q. What is the happiest moment in these 5 years?
Major debut
2nd album release live~392~
Summer Sonic (Music festival in Japan)
Live concert in Nihon Budokan
Live concert at Saitama Super Arena, Yoyogi National Gymnasium and more..
Q. 5 best foods in Japan
Beef bowl
Japanese style hamburger
Sushi
Ramen
Hitumabushi (Chopped broiled eel over rice)
Q.What is the thing that yourself or member has changed since the debut?
The vocal skill was improved (Yonghwa)
Getting muscle (Minhyuk)
Turn out to be short hair (Jungshin)
CNBLUE’s stance has not been changing (CNBLUE)
Weight cycling (Jonghyun)
Q. What is the most ROCK moment?
Yonghwa: When I was a trainee, I ROCKed (Laugh) Jungshin and I have had big hole for earrings.
Jungshin: Yonghwa-hyeong had 12mm and mine was 10mm
Yonghwa: We don’t have them anymore. We always ROCK on stage!
Either band or solo, I only want to enjoy the music with fans
“Moonlight Swing” become the lead song of your first solo album “SPARKLING NIGHT”, but it comes out with a swing genre, which is quite unimaginable.
…I never thought about it also. So it’s funny (laughs). It’s a song that’s composed by an American or European song writer, where I can’t compose such piece of music like that. Because, there is something that’s carved in a DNA. But in Japan swing music isn’t a major one, also since J.Y. Park’s “Swing Baby” is a hit song at its time and people sing it at karaoke so I’m quite familiar.
The lyrics are very romantic, but are you a romantic entertainer?
…Considerably, romantic (laughs). But, I’m too embarrassed to actually do it in action, so put it as lyrics is better. I think every man has the pieces of himself which looks like the lyrics.
About escorting of your dream girl, what will you do?
…Well, I’ll do anything what she wants. That’s important, isn’t it? So if there’s anyone that makes me interested, I’ll find out about what type of man that she likes, if she likes a quiet man then I’ll become a quiet man, if she likes an interesting man then I’ll be an interesting man (laughs).
It’s changing yourself?
…Yes. Anything for you (laughs).
In 「Moonlight Swing」 MV it shows off yourself dancing without guitar, but this is also surprising.
…It’s not dancing! It’s about feeling the rhythm. There are 2 dancers with me, but I’m not dancing, I’m just shaking (laughs). The set is gorgeous, then I sang in the mood for a gorgeous man. It’s quiet but very good. More than I expected, it was fun.
In the album, the lead song「Moonlight Swing」written by the song writer’s and also the other 5 songs, Jonghyun’s self-written 4 songs, and a cover of “I LOVE YOU” from Yutaka Ozaki has been recorded. I was thinking and guessing that you only do your favorite blues and quiet song to be on your solo and it’s challenging to have various genre.
…There’s also blues, but probably my configuration is surprising? It’s a place where my own song is, and not a band sound. Of course CNBLUE is a band, we do a refreshing band sounds, but in solo it’s about the unusual ideas which is also a refreshing overlook. In band, I have to discuss things to the members one by one, but this one I can do my favorite things alone by myself, it’s easy (laughs). But, I also feel lonely when I’m doing solo.
I wonder if any CNBLUE member considered to participate in your album?
…Everyone is busy with shooting for drama (laughs). The fact is, I was supposed to get to write a song for Yonghwa, but Yonghwa also can’t be meet that often since he is go abroad for shooting (laughs). But I was motivated.
As a solo entertainer, what type of artists would you describe yourself?
…I don’t think about myself as a solo artist that much. Solo or band is just the same. I’m just having fun with music. Also, to play the guitar at home or stage it’s also just the same, I might say such “because it’s live broadcasting today, I have to put the fight in” without consciousness and it’s fun, it does the same in any time. I also did a Japan solo fan meeting last August, and number of people who came is more than my expectations. For the following stage is not a fan meeting, because I made a solo album, it’s about music and I want to share the time with live performances. It’s an album to be enjoyed along with the fans.
CNBLUE is a strong rock band from Korea. They have trained their music skill as a street musician in Japan for half a year in June 2009. They did also have their music activity in the small venue. They officially debuted on January 2010 in Korea with their mini-album ‘Bluetory’, and also debuted in Japan on October 2011 with the single ‘In My Head’. Now they are grown to a popular band based in the world. Their documentary film ‘The story of CNBLUE/NEVER STOP’ was revealed on 17th January. We, Excite Music staff, got a chance to interview them who are coming to Japan for the movie’s PR.
Excite: When the offer of the documentary film comes first, what do you think about it?
Jonghyun: I think it is too early for us. But since we can film a documentary again, not only this time, it would be good if this film takes part in the process of growing. The title is very ‘NEVER STOP’(Laugh). Because the camera crew filmed lots of video, I thought it was too much(Laugh). But I felt sad when the filming was over.
Minhyuk: I worried first how I should be taken. When the filming was finished, I felt sad too. The camera crew had followed us wherever we were going. In fact, I felt it was annoying (Laugh). But when it was finished, I worried that they had taken the scenes they needed.
Excite: How do you feel after watching this documentary?
Minhyuk: I feel ashamed because my face came up on the big screen.
Jungshin: I also feel ashamed and I wonder to appear on the screen of a theatre. And then, because we have shown our natural self, this film is well made.
Excite: There is a scene in which you visited Shinjuku which is the place that you have had a street performance. We think the street performance was such a hard experience for you, but were there any encouraging events?
Yonghwa: When we did a street performance for the first time, some Korean college students stopped to watch our performance. It was very happy for us.
Jonghyun: Yeah, we were agonizing to keep our performance in that situation because nobody watched our performance. But when we were going to finish performance, they stopped to watch us. It was a great encouragement to us.
Excite: Did you interact with other bands?
Jonghyun: No, we did our utmost to play with each other.
Jungshin: While we were appearing at live house, there was a band who was interested in us. Because we were not good at Japanese, even though we (CNBLUE and the other band) could not communicate, they helped us. They gave us advise and a drink. It was a big help to us.
Yonghwa: They have given us half-finished drinks (Laugh) Of course we received it.
Excite: We were impressed by a scene in which Jonghyun said “I felt to be taken as Vocalist from our band”. It was because Yonghwa had decided to appear in the drama ‘You Are Beautiful’. Now all members are active as an actor, but why are you keeping band activity?
Jonghyun: Because we like music very much, so band activity is not as much work as a hobby. Since music is our favorite, we are keeping to do that.
Excite: Even if you have had something bad, playing with members is fun and you can forget it while playing?
Jonghyun: The stress that I usually have goes away when I listen to music or when I have a concert.
Excite: The first half of your world tour was filmed in this documentary and the last half of it will start next week. By going around the world, are there any changes in your mind?
Yonghwa: Especially nothing. I feel everybody loves my obsession with music, so I have thought that I will do what I want to do.
Excite: What is your obsession with music?
Yonghwa: Composing music, writing lyrics and arranging a lot of music.
Excite: Does this mean that it’s not perceived differently according to the country?
Yonghwa: Yes, it does.
Excite: I see. At the end, please message fans about your documentary film.
Jungshin: This is a movie that has depth, as it’s a work different from a variety program or fiction. Because our natural selves were filmed in it, it would make our fans happy. We keep going our way, please give your love to us. Our Best Album named ‘PRESENT’ is going to be released on the 5th of Februar.
Yonghwa: Exactly, this is the best album that has gathered our Korean songs, please listen to it!
Mini: 5 years have passed after your debut in 2009, finally a documentary film will be released!
Jonghyun: I feel like 5 years are short but we haven’t wasted any time.
Yonghwa: Exactly. But our passion for music, that we really like the music, has not changed.
Jungshin: I feel us growing and I am happy to receive love from our fans.
Minhyuk: I also feel us growing but there are some regrets, I’ll do more my best for the coming 5 years.
Mini: How did you feel about the filming camera always being by your side?
Jungshin: Actually I felt weird at the first, but we were getting close with the director, I missed it when we finished filming (Laugh)
Mini: ‘Doenjang jjigae’ that you made looked delicious!
Jungshin: You can remember if you make it once. I have a good sense of cooking (Triumphantly)
Minhyuk: He makes us Budaejjigae, Ramen or rolled egg. All of these are so delicious.
Jonghyun: But…. 98% of the Korean population make Ramen not also rolled egg. It is only said we don’t make them . (Laugh)
Yonghwa: yes, we can do it if we want.
Jonghyun and Minhyuk: Hmmm, really?
Yonghwa: Actually we can’t. Sorry (Laugh)
Mini: There was the scene that Jonghyun-ssi does mixed martial arts.
Everyone: Wowwww, yes!! (Talk up a storm about the martial art)
Jonghyun: I pulled a wrestling move on Jungshin in our house (Laugh)
Jungshin: We do it to each other (Laugh)
Jonghyun: Because Jungshin has longer arms and legs than me, he should be good at it! Why aren’t you doing martial arts?
Mini: (Laugh) It stuck out in my mind that Minhyuk-ssi has sobbed to hear the remarks of the media after you debuted in Korea. Were that regretful tears?
Minhyuk: ehhh, I feel ashamed.(Get shy) I think I was like childish to do that.
Yonghwa: Because we were still childish at that time.
Jonghyun: We are used to be told something by the people who don’t know us well, we never get nervous. We feel sure of ourselves to have lots of Lives, so we don’t care about things said about us.
[About BACKSTAGE]
Because they finished their Live soon, we thought they were tired. But they were more hyper than usual. They said “We are tired!” while laughing and said “long time no see, Mini!” After this interview, they went to eat Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)
Jung Yong Hwa, who has been cast for KBS2’s upcoming Monday-Tuesday drama “The Future Choice,” was asked what he thinks of the fellow CNBlue members’ activities on the small screen during the drama’s press conference on October 10.
The multitalented actor coolly answered, “I am not interested in what dramas they are acting in. We tend to tease each other a lot, so no matter how well or bad we do, we will mock each other jokingly.”
When asked to rank the members according to their acting skills, he said, “I can’t bring myself to putting us into an order. I really don’t know. Everyone is working very hard.”
In related news, the first episode of “The Future Choice” starring Yoon Eun Hye, Lee Dong Gun, Choi Myung Gil, Jung Yong Hwa, and Han Chae Ah will air on October 14. Yoon Eun Hye will be playing the role of ”Mi Rae,” who will travel back in time to meet herself in the past, and start guiding herself towards a new future.
Lee Jung Shin (above), bassist of popular South Korean rock band CNBlue, on how his band differ from others. — PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
By Yip Wai Yee
K-pop stars are famous for their immaculate grooming and slick dance moves. But Lee Jung Shin, the bassist of popular South Korean rock band CNBlue, has some simple advice for those auditioning for tomorrow’s TV talent quest Scoot: K-pop Star Hunt.
“Just be yourself. As long as you’re true to yourself and sincere about your music, the audience will feel it. You don’t have to do anything really fancy,” says the 21-year-old in Korean via a translator.
He was in town on Thursday to promote the third edition of the regional talent competition, which aims to uncover the next K-pop star from Asia. The Singapore leg of the auditions will be held at Bugis+ shopping mall tomorrow. Auditions will also be held in other parts of Asia – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.
Lee practises what he preaches as a member of a band that is “all about the music”. CNBlue’s brand of rock music stands out from most slick dance- pop hits that dominate the K-pop industry and have propelled groups such as Super Junior to fame.
His groupmates – lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jung Yong Hwa, lead guitarist Lee Jong Hyun and drummer Kang Min Hyuk – focus on playing their own instruments at performances instead of dancing, and write a lot of their own music too.
“We are different because we don’t dance and we don’t focus on frills to make up a whole package. For us, it’s really all about the music,” says Lee.
He was in town alone to promote the show, as his bandmates had prior engagements.
Two contestants will be shortlisted from each Asian location for the talent search, and the 14 finalists will gather in Seoul next month for three weeks of training. They will vie for the title of Scoot: K-pop Star on Jan 5 next year, and the winner will be offered a contract with Korean entertainment company CJ E&M and record label FNC Entertainment and be groomed as a K-pop star.
The whole process will be shown on Channel M (StarHub TV Channel 824/874 and SingTel mio TV Channel 518) from Nov 30.
Lee admits that it gets “lonely” whenever he has to make the publicity rounds alone. “But it helps that we’ll always call to talk and check in on one another no matter where we are,” says the bachelor.
He is quite the fashionista. Dressed in a two-toned shirt, he says with a chuckle: “Whenever there is an event, I would make myself the band’s stylist. In fact, Min Hyuk will come up to me to ask for suggestions on what to wear. Yong Hwa has his own sense of fashion, so he doesn’t really listen to me. And Jong Hyun is the guy who will never change what he’s wearing, no matter what I tell him.”
CNBlue members were talent scounted separately by FNC Entertainment while playing music at various venues around Seoul. They were originally formed and marketed as an indie rock band for Japanese audiences, as their musical tastes tend to be broader than those of Koreans.
While he has no experience with talent quests, Lee says he understands the dedication needed to achieve one’s music dreams.
Before their official debut in mid-2009, CNBlue spent more than six months travelling around Japan, where they underwent musical training. Part of that meant having to hold impromptu performances on the streets as well as in train stations.
“I played until I had blisters all over my hands,” he says.
But there were fond memories too. “Our days as trainees were tough but filled with many interesting experiences. One of them was how we had only 30 minutes for lunch,” he recounts. “There was a hotdog place that was 10 minutes away from where we were stationed at one time. So we used to sprint all the way there, eat for five minutes then run all the way back.”
Today, CNBlue have six Japanese-language albums to their name, including Thank U (2010) and Code Name Blue (2012). They also have seven Korean albums, including First Step (2011) and extended play album Ear Fun (2012).
Citing rock bands such as Metallica as their musical influences, he says: “I’m happiest when all four of us are together on stage, just jamming away.”
Korean popular boy band CNBLUE finally made their second appearance in Malaysia after this year’s Golden Disc Award which was held in Malaysia too back then in January. The boys were welcomed by over 100 of fans who flooded the airport to meet them.
A press conference was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel a day before their Blue Moon World Tour in Malaysia. CNBLUE’s members entered the press conference room in high spirits. They greeted the press with “Apa Khabar” and introduced themselves in English before pursuing with a short Q&A session. With bubbly and friendly personality, CNBLUE’s members managed to make the press conference really lively and happening.
Check out the Q&A session during the press conference below!
MC: How do you feel about Malaysia so far? Probably the weather or the food. A: The weather is just like Korea now and we are here for our very first, our very own concert in Malaysia so we have so much expectation.MC: Have you tasted the food yet? MH: I would try ‘Satay’. I have not tried it yet before this. I like all the skewered type of food so satay will be the number one thing I would like to try.
MC: Yonghwa, you have written many tracks for CNBLUE, so where and when do inspiration happen when it comes to your song writing? A: It’s not like I plan or anything, but these inspirations just come naturally. It depends on what type of music I listen to, so it really depends on the environment. Sometimes I get inspiration for the lyrics and sometimes I get inspiration for others.
MC: Jonghyun, you’re a judo goal medalist in your school, so can you take on a bad person when you’re in a top situation? A: Well now I have a lot of security brothers around me, so I don’t think it’s necessary for me to take action.
MC: Jungshin, you are the youngest but also the tallest. So much so that you have also walked the runway as a model for some big fashion events. Will you get into disagreement with your team members? Will you go like “Hey, I am the tallest”? JS: NO~ (in English) MC: You’re a really nice person JS: Thank you~ Q: Do you have any fashion advice for your teammates? A: Well it’s not quite an advice but whenever we go, for example Japan, We gave some ideas to our stylists that I would like to wear something like this and like that. MC: You guys are amazing; don’t you (press) think so? Press: Yeah~ Yonghwa: Yeah I know~
MC: Minhyuk, you acted in Korea’s popular drama. Which is your first love? Singing or acting? A: My first choice is always the band. That is always my priority.
[Questions from press]
Q: Your start evolving around this year. How do you describe your style?
Yonghwa: Appearance or fashion?MC: FashionYonghwa: Well thanks to our stylists, who style us nicely. But usually whatever we wear… ummm I will stop here (laughs)Q: Yonghwa and Jonghyun are successful singer song writers, so what about the maknaes (Minhyuk and Jungshin)MH: Usually I take notes on the lyrical idea that I get time to time but we are still in the learning process and Yonghwa is teaching us really much but we usually edit songs together. So whenever we are doing work together I get to learn more. So by that time I reach their level, maybe we will have some songs written by ourselves here.Q: What inspired the name BLUE MOON for your tour? A: Blue moon only comes once in a while but you know sometimes these two moons appearing together called Blue Moon so since it’s gonna be our very first world tour, we want our tour to be very special so we name it Blue MoonQ: In the next few days, you will be releasing your Japanese albums. Any plan to release Korean album near future? A: We don’t write songs or make songs whenever we want to make a new album. We are always writing songs so when we are ready, and the right time comes then we will release our album. So every time constantly we are preparing for our new album. So I wouldn’t say that by this specific day we will release our album. We are always working on it. We hope it will release sooner too.Q: How do you make sure your songs are different from other boy bands so that you’re CNBLUE. A: Well, I don’t really have a clear definition of what is CNBLUE’s color for our music, but I guess our songs are very catchy and easy to sing along. Also, when you just hear our music, you can feel it’s CNBLUE’s song.
Credit: GOKPOP
CNBLUE will be hold their BLUE MOON World Tour in Malaysia tomorrow (24/8) at Stadium Negara. Stay tuned with us for further updates!
Photos will be uploaded at Gokpop Malaysia.
Gokpop would like to thanks the organizer, Daol Entertainment for the invitation to CNBLUE’s press conference.
CNBOICE 