[“Cut” Interview] Pretty boy’s BDC view of life

Aphrael77’s note:

I didn’t save pics of Japanese “Cut” magazine, so these pics are from Zegda and totally not related to the article at all ^^. Chinese website Sohu Entertainment translated the “Cut” interview.

As much as we all adore JKS’ pics, I love his interviews equally too. Provided the interviewer doesn’t ask questions that we’ve all heard before, interviews provide an insight to Jang Keun Suk. The more I know about JKS, the more I admire and love him. He is the most dedicated and professional actor I’ve come across, and always so passionate and responsible for the things that he does. 🙂

Sohu Entertainment – Korean star Jang Keun Suk’s debut “Let me cry” album, originally slated for release on 23 March, has been postponed as a result of the massive Eastern Japan earthquake, and now the release date is confirmed on 27 April. Television dramas such as “You are Beautiful” and “Marry me Mary” have made this actor the best loved Korean star in Japan. His official music album debut has been much anticipated, and fans are not unfamiliar with JKS’ voice as he has sung drama soundtracks at fan meetings and on television. His musical talent demonstrated in Lounge H collaboration with good friend Big Brother also amazed fans. Upon the first hearing of “Let me cry”, many Japanese reporters who are not familiar with JKS are greatly surprised by the explosive power of his voice, and comment that JKS is frankly a rock singer and has performed his debut song effectively. Recently, JKS accepted the interview of reputed Japanese magazine “Cut”. Facing the reporter who has a reputation for asking challengingly tricky and sophisticated questions, JKS was open and talked freely about his experiences thus far, and answered questions like why he chose to launch his singing career in Japan.

Japan’s Hallyu craze is well known and doesn’t need further elaboration. In this fiercely competitive market, JKS stands out with his unique charm. Interestingly, in spite of his high popularity and seemingly sunny disposition, JKS has always maintained a certain level of doubt about his position, or a kind of severe, critical look at himself as a star. This left a deep impression on the reporter. Maybe JKS himself wonders whether the label of a “pretty boy” can be rescinded – there is too much unpredictability in the future, and this makes JKS feel a continuous sense of crisis. This interview gave the reporter a deeper understanding of the real JKS and how JKS defines his true self. At the peak of his career, JKS launches his new identity as a singer, showing his willingness to accept new challenges and singing not from a fictional identity but from Jang Keun Suk as a person. In the face of his ever-rising popularity, JKS’ grasp on reality and self-discipline are what the reporter most admires about him.

As the representative of the younger generation stars in Asia’s showbiz at the age of 23, what is JKS thinking about? The interview not only provides a window into JKS’s internal world, it also uses a theme of “JKS’ facial expressions when alone in the house” to shoot a series of photographs. Below are the main contents from the interview. (C = Cut, J = JKS)

C: First, why did you choose Japan as the first platform for your debut as a singer?

J: In fact, 4 or 5 years ago, I had received invitations from a few record companies in Korea to release album. I deliberated over it anxiously for a long time, and feel that now is the best time. It is not just a good opportunity, Pony Canyon places sufficient trust in me and accepts many of my ideas about the way I want to make music, so I made this decision.

C: When making your decision, is the thought that Japan is your strong source of support one of the main factors?

J: I often get asked the question why it is Japan. The musical style I like is band. If I must say the reason, it is because Japan has the music style I like. To date, people know me through my acting performances, and everyone can see a different side of me from now onwards. Frankly speaking, I’m very nervous. So I think, instead of just working hard, I should steadfastly do each step well. And one important reason is, many people know actor Jang Keun Suk well because of my many characters. Korean dramas air in Japan either in the form of original voicing with subtitles, or with Japanese voice-dubbing whereby the voice-dubbing will be half a beat behind the actors. Because of this, I hope it is not through subtitles (which influence the audience’s appreciation of the actors’ actual performance) and voice-dubbing, but to let everyone see a Jang Keun Suk that is real.

C: After hearing you say this, we can now understand your wish to express your feelings through songs.

J: Song is a way to express one’s feelings directly and instantly without pre-rehearsed artificiality. To me, it is the best way to convey my current feelings. I expressed my thoughts to Pony Canyon. They prepared around 40 songs for me to select the debut song. I chose 4 of them for my first album. Actually, this is the same logic as that of choosing a script. As a singer, I hope to find a song that complements my voice and style, of course voice is also important in expressing feelings. No matter what, choosing what kind of music is an important thing.

C: Now, is the meaning of music to you “directness”? It complements fictional acting, do you bring this concept into the development of your singing career?

J: Yes, this is the case. An actor transforms himself into the character after knowing the script very well, so he cannot present his own individuality. But a singer is not like this. For example, what one says in front of the camera during acting is completely different from what one says as a singer on stage. Therein lies the charm of a singer.

C: Did you previously have this idea of organising events as a singer?

J: In fact, before becoming an actor, many people advised me to debut as a singer first. I ever had the experience of acting indifferently without knowing what my main identity was (whether being an actor or singer suited me better). My acting career so far can be said to be a journey of self-discovery… even now I am not clear what my main “identity” is. So challenging the role of a singer is also part of my journey. I am not living each day indifferently, but facing each challenge with renewed vigour. Of course, I know that there will be failures and successes. But even if I fail, it’s all right, this is the price to pay for being young. So singing is what I should be doing now. Being alive is a happy thing, because one never knows what would happen in the next second. I often say this: life starts from ‘B’ and ends at ‘D’. ‘B’ for birth and ‘D’ for death. ‘C’ refers to the many choices in life. Making choices (or chance) will, to a great extent, result in a different kind of life.

C: I see (laughs).

J: As for my “main identity”, I’m always searching for the real me. To do music now is perhaps fated.

C: I think self-discovery is a lifetime’s work, but maybe in the process of singing, one does not need to consider anything, and just present one’s genuine feelings.

J: It’s like what you said. Rather than say it’s singing, at the moment when one stands on the stage, all the stress and worries vanish. But during acting, what I see in the camera is not myself (watching my own drama is like watching someone else’s life). Hence, singing to me is a form of catharsis (unburdening feelings).

C: Keun Suk, you’re now a super star. Be it in Japan or Korea, you’re clear about the direction of your future development and you have many methods to replenish your energy. But after listening to what you said just now, I feel that you are fighting with a part of yourself? Why is this so?

J: It’s not really struggling with myself. It’s just that I feel now is the best timing for me to become a singer. I choose this myself, so I don’t want to regret. Hence, I always expend most effort when making a decision. The company does not make me do things; all the work is chosen by myself. If I fail, I cannot push the responsibility onto other people. The company respects my judgment and go all out to support my work. The responsibility for my life is mine alone to bear.

C: Oh I see. To summarize, you have two main reasons for being a singer: One, you have accumulated sufficient support from fans and have the confidence to accept new challenges. Two, “Jang Keun Suk” is shouldering many expectations and responsibilities, and needs a bigger space to present yourself. Music then is an appropriate stage.

J: I agree with both your points. I am not even absolutely clear about the reasons and necessity of becoming a singer. Though being the champion on the best-sellers chart is important, another reason is, the songs I have sung up till now are songs belonging to the characters in the drama. I hope to sing songs that belong to myself… choosing the songs I like, and singing for myself. So during singing, maybe many lies may be exposed and everyone will see the “real JKS”. This is what I’m thinking about mostly.

C: Keun Suk, from your current standpoint, you should be feeling the stress of the thought that “the dramas you star in must become popular”. Because you are already a successful actor, you should also be feeling the same stress in the role of a singer, that “your songs must become popular”. How do you adjust your mentality?

J: I guard myself against these thoughts that “the dramas I act in must be very popular” and “if I act in this, this will also become very popular in Japan”. What is important to me is how I face challenges. I will not lose myself in a world of my own, thinking that “I am Jang Keun Suk”; I always remind myself. If I only stay in my own world, the ending is that I will destroy my own self completely.

C: Ah, maybe it’s like this.

J: But there was a time when I slumped into depression in a world of my own, and this happened in a much earlier period in my life compared to other people. When I was a senior high student, I acted in sitcom “Nonstop 4” which became popular and many of my co-actors became popular too, except for me. I didn’t get any work in the following 3 years. At that time, I once thought, it doesn’t matter how other people looked at me, what I needed to think about was where my motivation lay. And also, there are many people who applauded and cheered for me, but they also applauded for others too. Of course, I don’t expect the audience to applaud for me only. In order to gain heartfelt applause from the audience, I always give my best acting efforts in every drama and I don’t want to give myself any chance of regret. If I don’t push myself, I won’t gain results. I believe in my ability, yet I don’t completely trust in myself, isn’t it contradictory?

C: Why don’t you trust in yourself completely?

J: Speaking of the reason, it’s because not everything that I have chosen is good, so I will maintain a critical attitude. The consequences of what I have chosen, no matter good or bad, are my own responsibility. For example, I receive around 50 scripts a year and it is extremely tedious to finish reading all of them (laughs). So I will remind myself to be patient and finish the reading. Of course, if my manager can select 3 out of the lot, he is a good manager then (laughs). In order not to lose myself in a world of my own, I have to battle with myself. So from a certain perspective, I am perhaps a lonely person, always bearing my worries alone. When I watch dramas, I will classify them into “interesting” or “boring”. As for my own dramas, I will make notes such as “I did well in this part” or “I screwed up that part”, and think about what kind of acting method will touch the audience’s heart more deeply.

C: Lastly, your commemorative debut as a Japanese singer is perhaps the biggest challenge in your career. What ambitions do you have?

J: To date, I have attempted many challenges, but to be a singer now is also a big choice in my life. Maybe this choice will become a very important milestone in my life. My CD debut launch is a decision that I will not regret. I also want to find out quickly what the results are, and so I will continue singing.
　　
Credits: Sohu Entertainment (source article)
English translation: Aphrael77

　搜狐娱乐讯 受东日本大地震影响，发行延期的韩国男星张根硕的日本出道单曲《Let me cry》（原定于3月23日发行）日前已确定在4月27日上市。《都是美男》、《玛丽外宿中》等电视剧令这位童星出身的演员成为当今日本最受宠爱的韩流明星。正式进军歌坛可以称得上是众望所归，但是粉丝们对张根硕的歌声并不陌生，此前他已在fan meeting、电视节目中多次披露所演电视剧的OST歌曲。和好友big brother合作的Lounge H show，也令粉丝见识到他令人惊叹的音乐才华。许多不熟悉张根硕的日本记者在初次听到《Let me cry》时，都被张根硕粗犷的嗓音所震撼“如同一位‘武骨’、坦率的摇滚乐手，‘炸裂’的声音很具爆发力”，“作为出道曲，诠释得干净利落”。日前，张根硕接受了日本著名娱乐杂志《CUT》的专访，该杂志记者的问题是出了名的“刁钻、深刻”。张根硕面对记者也是敞开心扉，畅谈了自己迄今为止的心路历程，以及为何选择在日本以歌手身份出道等话题。
　　日本对韩流的热狂，相信已经不需要笔者多加赘述。在这个竞争激烈的市场中，张根硕以自己独特的魅力拔群。有趣的是，尽管拥有如此高的人气，外表看起来阳光爽朗的张根硕却始终在保持着对自己所处立场（位置）的怀疑，或者说身为明星对己的一种severe视线令记者感触颇深“也许张根硕自己也觉得‘IKEMAN’（美男）这一标签到底不是一个可以‘回收’的注脚——未来还具有太多的不可预测性，这也让张根硕时常有危机感”。这次的专访，令记者更加贴近真实的张根硕，关键词是在他眼中“真实的自我”究竟该如此定义，在事业绝顶期中的他以崭新的“歌手”身份亮相，也表明了他勇于接受新挑战的立场“不是以‘虚像’，而是以‘个人’（张根硕）的名义去歌唱”。在不可阻挡的人气面前，张根硕的清醒和自净（自律）是令笔者最佩服他的地方。
　　弱冠23岁，作为亚洲娱乐圈年轻男星的代表，他现在到底在思考些什么？专访不仅走进张根硕的内心世界，也以“一个人呆在屋子里的话，会有怎样的表情”为主题，为他拍摄了一组秒杀的照片。以下是专访的主要内容（《CUT》、张根硕分别简称为：C、J）。
　　C：首先，为什么会选择日本作为自己歌手出道的第一个舞台？
　　J：实际上，4、5年前，在韩国也收到一些唱片公司的邀请，问我“不如帮你出专辑吧”。为此我烦恼了许多，觉得现在是出道最好的时机：对我来说不仅是一次好的机会，ponycanyon充分地信任我，也听取了我想要做的音乐的很多意见，因此下了这个决心。
C：在下决定的瞬间，“日本是你强力的后援”也是一个重要的因素吧？
　　J：“为什么会是日本”我经常会被问到这个问题，原本我喜欢的音乐类型是band。如果实在要我说原因的话，因为这里（日本）有我喜欢的音乐style。目前为止大家都是通过我的影视作品认识我的，而从今往后也让大家看到我的不同一面。说实在的，我很紧张。所以我想与其是拼了命地干，不如踏实地把每一步做好。还有一个重要的理由是，尽管“演员张根硕”为很多人熟知，因为我扮演了许多角色的缘故。韩剧在日本播放时多是采取原声配上字幕，或者加上日语配音的方式。配音的话，声音会慢（剧中演员）口形半拍，因为这样，希望不是以字幕（也影响观众对演员最本真的表演的欣赏）、配音的方式，而是让大家看到一个更加真实的张根硕。
　　C：现在听你这么说，我们也可以理解你希望通过歌曲的方式直接表达自我的心情。
　　J：歌曲，是direct（直率）表达感情的一种方式。Instant（即刻）地，不是做作（事前准备好）的，对我来说是将纯粹的自己现在的感情传达的最好方法。我把自己想表达的东西全都告诉了ponycanyon，他们为我准备了约40首歌曲（作为出道曲候选）。我在当中选了4首收录进第一张个人专辑中。其实，这和作为演员，挑选剧本的道理是一样的。作为歌手，我希望可以遇到与自己声音风格相符的曲子——当然声音在直接表达感情方面也是重要的。但无论如何，选择怎样的音乐确实是件重要的事情。
　　C：现在，音乐对于你的意义是，“直接性”对吗？与fiction（虚构）的演技来说是相辅相成（互补）的，你是带着这样的意识去发展你的歌唱事业的吗？
　　J：确实如此呢。演员是熟读剧本后令自己完全变成当中设定的角色，所以不可以把“自我”表现出来。但歌手就不是这样。例如，在电视剧的镜头前说的，和作为歌手在舞台上所说的，完全不一样。歌手的魅力，就在于此。
　　C：作为歌手开展活动是你很久以前就有的念头吗？
　　J：实际上，在成为演员前，不少人都建议我先以歌手的身份出道。我曾有过在不知道自己的“正体”（究竟演员和歌手哪方面更适合自己）是什么的情况下漠然地演戏的感觉。（迄今为止的演艺生涯）可以说是找寻自我的一次旅程……我现在也不清楚到底自己的“正体”是什么。所以挑战歌手也是我“旅程”中的一个内容。在其中，我不是依旧漠然地过着每一天，而是应该打起精神来迎接每一个新的挑战。当然，我也清楚当中会有失败和成功。但是，即便是失败也没关系，毕竟这就是年轻需要付出的代价（笑）。所以，（歌手）是我现在应该要做的事情。活着就是一件快乐的事情。因为你永远不知道下一秒会发生什么。我经常会这么形容：人生从“B”开始“D”结束。“Birth”出生，“Death”是死亡。“C”则是指人生充满了很多“choice”。这些“choice”（机会）如此去挑选将很大程度上决定不同的人生。
　　C：原来如此（笑）。
　　J：自己的“正体”，我总是在寻找着真正的自我。现在做音乐也许也是命中注定的事情。
　　C：我想“寻找自我”是一生的命题，但是也许歌唱得过程中，是什么也不去多作考虑，就这样把自己最真实的情绪和姿态呈现出来。
　　J：确实和你说的一样。与其说是唱歌，不如言登上舞台的那一瞬间，自己的压力和烦恼全都烟消云散。但是在演戏的时候，在摄像机里看到的却不是自己（在看自己演得作品时，如同是在看别人的人生一样）。因此，唱歌对我来说，是Katharsis（精神宣泄）的一种方式。
　　C：根硕，现在已经成为一名super star。无论是日本还是韩国，都很清楚自己将来的发展方向。而且有许多方法去不断地补充能量。但听你刚才的一番话，觉得你也在和自己“素”的一部分在做“斗争”？这是为什么呢？
　　J：也不能说是和“自我”在做挣扎。只是觉得只有现在是（做歌手）最好的时机。全部都是我自己选择的，所以我也不想后悔。因此在决断的瞬间，总是尽最大的力。只是如此。不是公司让我做的，全部的工作都是我自己选择的。如果失败的话，也不能把责任推到其他人身上。事务所只是尊重我的判断，全力配合我的工作。我的人生由我自己负责到底。
　　C：原来如此。让我总结一下你做歌手，有两个主要的理由：第一个是现在已经积蓄到足够的粉丝的支持，接受新的挑战的自信也恰好已经充分。第二个则是“张根硕”背负了很多的期望和责任。所以“张根硕”这样一个存在，需要一个更加广阔的展现自我的空间。而音乐正好是一个合适的舞台。
　　J：你所指出的两点，我都同意。作为歌手的必要性，现在就连我自己也未能完全整理出一个清楚的头绪。夺得销量榜的冠军固然是重要，还有一个原因是，迄今我演唱的都是电视剧中的人物的歌曲……从“人的歌曲”这个角度来说，我也希望演唱真正属于自己的歌曲……挑选我自己喜欢的歌曲，为了我自己歌唱。所以（在演唱时）也会让许多谎言败露，让大家看到“真实的张根硕”，是我现在考虑得最多的事情。
　　“我也许是一个寂寞的人，总是独自在烦恼着”。
　　C：根硕，从你现在的立场考虑，应该有着“主演的作品必须受欢迎”这样的压力在吧？现在作为歌手，由于作为演员已经很成功，也同样背负着“歌曲必须大卖”这样的责任和压力。你是如此去调整心态的？
　　J：“我出演的话肯定会有人气，我出演的话在日本肯定也会受欢迎……”这些事情是我现在最警惕的。如何接受挑战，对我来说才是重要的。“我是张根硕”——我不会沉迷在只有自己的世界里（过度自信），我总是会这样提醒自己。如果只呆在自己的世界里，结局只是把自己杀死，令自己完全坏掉。
　　C：啊，也许是这样。
　　J：但我的确有过在自己的世界里一蹶不振的时候，而且这个经历比其他人要早。在还是高中生的时候出演了情景剧《Nonstop4》……之后有了人气，一起出演的很多人都成为受欢迎的明星。唯独我，在那之后的约3年时间里，几乎没有接到什么工作。那个时候，我曾想“旁人怎样看我一点也没关系，我的原动力在哪才是我要考虑的事情”。还有就是，为我鼓掌喝彩的人尽管很多，但他们也会为其他的人送去掌声吧。当然，不会觉得观众的掌声只是为了我一人。为了能得到观众心悦诚服的喝彩，我总是在不能让自己后悔的前提下努力拍好每部戏。如果不拼命的话，就不会有成果。我尽管相信自己的实力，但也未能完全信任自己，很复杂（矛盾）吧？
　　C：为什么不信任自己？
　　J：说到原因，那是因为自己选择的不全都是真的好的。所以我会保持着警戒的态度。自己选择的，所以无论是怎样的结果都是自己的责任。例如一年收到50个剧本，要把这些全都读完是件非常费力的事情（笑）。所以会提醒自己保持耐心，深读下去。当然如果能在当中挑选出3个左右的剧本给我的话，那个就是一个好经纪人了（笑）。不要陷入自己的世界里，实际上就是与自己作战。所以从某种程度上说，我也许是一个寂寞的人，总是独自在烦恼着。通常在看作品时，我会区分出“有趣”和“乏味”的界限，但对于自己演的戏，则会记笔记，“这里演好了，那里演砸了”之类的，考虑怎样的演法才能更触动观众。
　　C：最后，这次值得纪念的日本歌手出道，对于你的演艺事业来说，也许是最大的一次挑战。对此，你有什么抱负？
　　J：迄今我尝试了很多挑战，但这次作为歌手，也是我人生中很大的一个选择。也许这个选择会成为我人生中很重要的一个里程碑。这次的CD出道，是我不会后悔的一次决定。我自己也很想尽快看到到底会有怎样的结果。当然，我会继续唱下去。