[News] JKS’ popularity in Japan surpasses Gaga, anxious over popularity

27 June 2011– Stylish Korean star Jang Keun Suk held a press conference on 28 June 2011 for the release of his first photo-book “Jang Keun Suk 1st Official Photograph J Plus Series”, which will be on public sale from 27 July onwards. Besides 500 fans specially invited to the press conference, nearly 400 reporters came to cover this event and the organizers had to change the venue last minute for security reasons.

The role of Hwang Tae-kyung in “You are Beautiful” was the reason behind JKS’ meteoric rise in popularity in Japan, and there were 800 fans at Haneda airport yesterday to meet JKS. Besides the 800 fans today at the press conference and autograph session, there were also many fans waiting near the venue to catch a glimpse of JKS. At the start of the press conference, JKS said he felt touched by fans’ passion. “Because there were so many people, I was worried that accidents might happen, but luckily I reached safely.”

A point worth noting is that the scale of JKS’ press conference today exceeded that of Lady Gaga’s “MYV Video Music Aid Japan” which attracted over 200 reporters, and nearly on par with the currently most popular showbiz event “AKB48 Third Elections”, fulfilling the prediction that JKS’ popularity in Japan is slowly reaching a level far beyond other Korean stars.

Media also becomes “eels”? 2 fat uncles “declare their love” for JKS

This is JKS’ first official appearance in Japan since the Great East Japan earthquake, so not only are eels anxious with the long wait, even the usually calm reporters are also excited. JKS’ debut single “Let me cry” topped the Oricon weekly chart in the first week since its release on 27 April – not only is it a record since Kondō Masahiko 30 years ago in the 1980s, it has also set the record for the highest-selling debut single by an overseas singer. As a result, various TV stations came up with variety and news programmes to analyse JKS’ charm. At bookshops, one would discover that more than half of the Korean Hallyu magazines have JKS on their cover. Because of his schedule, JKS could not spare time to visit Japan, and some Japanese media even flew to Seoul to grab the chance of interviewing JKS

With such a good chance of interviewing JKS today, the reporters were obviously not going to miss it. A female reporter from “Tokudane”, Fuji TV’s news programme, asked, “Remember when we went to Seoul to interview you, you promised to attend our programme when you have a chance. May we ask when that will be?”

JKS said with his usually honey-coated words, “Ah, I remember this promise. I have always wanted to attend.” But the official answer was not enough to satisfy the reporter, who continued to ask, “So when is that?”

JKS said in resignation, “The people around me tell me that I cannot go out.”

The reporter asked again persistently with a note of whining, “So when can you come?” The other reporters could not help but laugh. Finally, JKS came up with an answer that pacified the reporter for the time being. “I’ll try to get a chance within this year.”

Just as the emcee reminded the media that the Q&A segment was ending, JKS suddenly pointed to a fat man dressed in a red shirt, “I know you, you’re the uncle from “Woman Herself” 《女性自身》. Please ask your question!”

The man was shy but stood and asked, “I think everyone wants to know the type of girl you like best.”

Having been asked this many times before, JKS said, “I think everyone (fans) is very clear that I like more feminine women whose hearts are generous. I often travel overseas to work. I hope that she can understand my work nature and wait at home for me to come back. Never mind if she cannot cook, because I can cook quite well.” Hard for girls not to be moved at such a gentle guy! Later, this man became the target of reporters who asked him about how he knew JKS. He said that he has interviewed JKS a few times. “I like him very much, but I didn’t expect that he recognizes me. I’m very touched.”

Towards the end of the press conference, JKS once again interrupted the emcee and specifically invited another reporter, an “uncle” dressed in black, to ask his question. This man is a well-known comedian, chan-kawai, who shouted, “I like JKS very much! I’m his loyal fan!” He was much bolder to “confess his love” for JKS in comparison to the previous man.

Praises Japanese girls for their gentleness and courtesy

“The Japanese I just learned? Kabayaki (grilled eel)!”

A reporter asked, “What do you think Japanese girls (fans) are like?”

Without hesitation, JKS replied, “I dislike them!”

The atmosphere froze instantly. JKS said, “Hahaha, bluffing you! I like them very much!” JKS’ laughter brought the audience/media back to their senses. After such a superficial answer, JKS continued with his opinion of Japanese women, and reporters marveled at his words “He’s good at speaking!”

JKS said, “I like feminine women, and Japanese women possess this quality. I like them waiting quietly for me.” JKS also praised the fans waiting in an orderly manner for him yesterday at the airport; it warmed his heart. After a thoughtful moment, JKS continued to be playful. He pointed to a female fan in the audience and said, “I like you especially!”

Everyone could not keep up with JKS’ swift change in thought and remained puzzled and quiet. JKS explained, “These (provocative) words make you feel unhappy, right?” People burst out laughing again. This press conference appeared to be fast becoming JKS’ fan-meeting as the reporters seemed drawn into “the sea of eels”!

Feels horrified at the current “JKS craze” – I will face it calmly

JKS may look as if he’s a child who has not grown up with all his antics, but this time, he impressed the media with his high level of EQ when he brought up the topic of the “JKS craze” that has been sweeping Japan for the past half year. Yesterday when the author (reporter) went to interview JKS at Haneda airport, he felt that one word can be used to describe JKS’ high popularity in Japan – “scary”, and he didn’t expect that he would hear the same words from JKS at the press conference.

“Frankly speaking, having gained the love of so many people in such a short time, I feel somewhat horrified at myself becoming a ‘boom’. I want to continue to enjoy my work calmly with happy feelings, and not to be affected by the influence of external factors.” This reveals JKS’ hopes that the JKS craze is not going to become a bubble that will burst as quickly as it had formed. Although many have considered JKS to have surpassed Bae Yong-joon to become the top Korean Hallyu star in Japan, JKS continues to face the ever-changing entertainment scene with a calm heart and ordinary mindset.

Freedom-loving JKS who doesn’t like restraints admits that the increase in his popularity comes with a fresh set of problems. “This time in Japan (actually previously I was also like that), I’ll often have some sudden ideas and actions which if I insist on carrying out, will make my staff angry, so I always hear ‘No’ or ‘You cannot do this’, so my ears also become painful.” Although JKS says this with a smile, one can still see JKS’ sense of frustration at having his degree of freedom limited.

For example, JKS mentioned that he wanted to go for a stroll at the park near his hotel, but if he wanted to go out, he must be accompanied by a group of security and staff. Because of his insatiable curiosity and sudden actions, he would make his staff angry. As JKS related all these, JKS appeared sad and fans in the audience murmured, “So pitiful!”

Reporters understood from Tree-J and staff that in consideration of security issues, JKS had his meals in the hotel yesterday and today. Despite JKS having said many times that he wanted to go out, all these requests have been rejected. Although this was “cruel”, it was necessary.

“If you all have a change of heart, I’ll turn you into grilled eel and eat you up!”

When asked what is the newest Japanese phrase he has learnt, JKS said that he has always called his fans “eels”. “I can get nutrition and energy from them, so I call them eels. Recently I learnt the phrase ‘kabayaki’ (grilled eel). If you all have a change of heart, I’ll turn you into kabayaki!” said JKS with a “ferocious” expression on his face.

Concert in October, JKS wants to see fans in swimsuit?

Besides the questions from reporters, JKS also selected fans and answered their questions. One fan holding the card “please give me a kiss” successfully got JKS’ attention and became the first fan to ask a question. She said, “Erm, erm, I want to ask, I like JKS very much!” Perhaps because she was too nervous, her question became a “declaration of love”! JKS burst out laughing too! After a few seconds, the fan became more composed and said, “We hope that you can come more often to Japan in future, and organize events such as autograph session.”

“I also hope I can come more often,” JKS promised.

In October this year, JKS will be having his concert tour at Arena. “All along I have been singing at fan-meetings. This time, it will be a true concert. I’ve started preparing 5 months ago. It will be a high-standard performance, and I’m looking forward to enjoying this together with fans.”

While replying a question from the “Tokudane” reporter, JKS came to the topic that he had the intention of organizing a pool-side party with fans this summer. “That will have to depend on Frau’s director. Did you hear that?” JKS called out to the director on the spot. The emcee had to jump in to say, “The director is feeling shy and hiding where everyone cannot see.”

“I thought I am like Eun-ho, but everyone says I’m more like Hwang Tae-kyung”

When asked about which character JKS was most similar to, JKS said he thought his character was like Eun-ho in “Hwang Jin-I”, but “those around me think that I’m more similar to Hwang Tae-kyung”, to which fans clapped heartily in agreement.

Behind-the-scenes

(1) Did a strange dance 4 times; playing a fool in front of and behind the camera

At the press conference, during the lapses in between listening to reporters’ questions or the translator, JKS continued to engage in “interactive gazes” with his fans and also blew a few sweet kisses at them. When asked to do a different pose (face or action) in front of the camera to show a different side of himself, JKS hesitated for a moment and then said, “Then I shall do a dance. I actually don’t like to dance in front of the camera, so it’s only for a short while.” Taking out his mobile phone to revise what the dance looked like, JKS started to spin around. “This is the latest shuffle dance I’m smitten with. It’s really nice. Let’s dance together!” Everyone looked on in confusion, but still broke out in laughter. Don’t think that JKS intentionally wanted to perform this in front of the camera; while waiting behind the door for the press conference to start, JKS was already dancing this (though the media could not see it). Such “craziness” made his managers and bodyguards laugh too.

After the press conference, he did the shuffle dance too as he walked out. Also halfway through the autograph session, JKS also did this dance abruptly as a “break”. According to the author’s observation, JKS did this strange dance (which JKS claims to be healthy) 4 times, in front of and behind the camera. Staff said, “This is JKS’ nature. Sometimes, we also don’t know what to make of it. During this period of time, JKS would suddenly just dance this. We’re taken aback sometimes, but we get infected by his happiness.”

(2) JKS’ most-used phrase: “I want to go out and have fun”

The temperature in Yokohama that day reached 32 degrees Celsius, but apparently JKS whipped up the atmosphere to more than that. Before the press conference, JKS had gone on an inspection of the photo-book exhibition at Sogo and had left many messages there for fans, such as “You’re only permitted to look at me” (together with a domineering tone and expression), reminding fans not to have a change of heart and to like him always.

What left an impression on the author was that on that day, JKS said many times, “I want to go out and have fun.” This had almost become his favourite phrase. Having just completed his FM in Taiwan, JKS only spent a day in Korea before coming to Japan. On 30 June, JKS has a brand concert to attend. Moreover, there is still the filming of the movie “You’re my Pet”, the new album and performance tour for the rest of the year, JKS’ wish to go out and travel will not be realized anytime soon.

The first photo-book “The Romance Jplus Photograph Collection” that JKS is releasing comes in 3 versions – “Limited”, “Favourite” and the Japanese limited version. As a review of his past 24 years, the main theme is to display the real JKS. “Be it handsome or beautiful … I want to show everyone the me in real life”. As this is JKS’ first photo-book, JKS feels anxious and nervous. But actually, his worry is needless, because 50,000 books have been pre-ordered, and sales are estimated to rise.

Source: Tengxun Entertainment News
English translation: Aphrael77

[END]

张根硕日本人气超GaGa 为爆红不安
腾讯娱乐讯 （Mango/图文）韩国旬男张根硕6月28日在横滨举行了个人的第一本写真集《JangKeun-suk 1st.Official Photograph J Plus Series》（7月27日发售）和写真展的纪念记者会，除了被特别招待的500名粉丝，还有近400人的媒体记者前来报道，难怪主办方临时更改了会场，确保活动的安全问题。《都是美男》中的“黄泰京”一角让张根硕在日本的人气爆发得不可收拾的，昨天到达羽田机场就有800名粉丝接驾，今天除了参加记者会和签名会的800名粉丝，还有不少人自发地在会场附近等候他的现身。记者会伊始，张根硕表示对粉丝的这份热情十分感动：“因为来了很多人，曾担心会出意外，幸好平安地抵达（日本）了”。
值得一提的是，张根硕今天的记者会超过美国流行天后Lady GaGa出演的MTV慈善演唱会“MTV VIDEO MUSIC AID JAPAN”（200多人记者）的报道规模，已经逼近现今日本艺能界的第一盛事“AKB48第3届总选举”吸引了约500名记者报道的规格，“逐步兑现‘他在日本的人气已经慢慢走向无其他韩星能及’这一预言”。
媒体也成“鳗鱼”？两名胖大叔当场“告白”
这是张根硕在东日本大地震发生后第一次正式亮相日本，所以不仅鳗鱼等得心切，向来冷静的记者们也开始不淡定起来。出道单曲《Let Me Cry》4月27日发行后登上公信榜周榜冠军，这不仅是自上个世纪80年代的近藤真彦后时隔30年之久的创举，也刷新了海外歌手出道单曲的最高销量纪录。自此，各大电视台一窝蜂地轮番推出解析“张根硕魅力”的娱乐和新闻节目，到书店更能发现半数以上的韩流杂志都是把他当作封面人物。因为档期原因，张根硕一时无法访日，不少媒体甚至飞赴首尔争取他的专访。
今天这么好的访问机会，显然众记者不会错过。首先富士台的新闻节目《tokudane》的女记者提问道：“记得我们之前去首尔采访你时，你和我们约好有机会会来上节目，请问什么时候可以？”，“啊，我记得这个约定，我一直很想去的啊”根硕的话依旧贯彻其“如同嘴巴抹了蜜”般的风格，记者不满其稍显官方的说法，继续问：“那是什么时候呢？”，“现在身边人都告诉我‘（不可轻易）外出啊”根硕露出无奈的表情，“那到底什么时候才能来呢”记者语气中带些撒娇，在场的其他媒体已经忍不住笑场，“年内争取吧”根硕这个回答毫不容易让该记者罢休。
在MC提醒媒体提问环节结束时，根硕却突然指着台下一位穿红色衬衫的胖大叔“我认得你，你是《女性自身》（日本知名女性八卦周刊）的大叔，请你提问！”，胖大叔不好意思地捂了捂头，站起身来：“我想大家最想知道你喜欢什么类型的女生”，已经被问过无数遍这样问题的根硕称：“我想大家（粉丝）都很清楚我喜欢比较有女人味的女生，心要‘宽’的人，我经常会到海外工作，希望她可以体谅（我的工作性质）默默地在家守候，等着我回来”，他还补充“不会做料理也没关系，因为我很会做”，如此温柔的男生，恐怕很难有女生不会动心。这位大叔之后成为各媒体争相访问的对象，追问他和根硕的渊源。他透露之前已经采访过根硕几次“我很喜欢他，但没想到今天他认得出我，很感动”。
根硕在记者会尾声再度打断MC的安排，点名让另一位黑衣胖大叔提问，这位大叔是日本电视台的著名搞笑艺人chan—kawai，他大喊：“我非常喜欢根硕，是他忠实的粉丝！”，相比之前那位红衣大叔的含蓄，他可是一点也不含糊地就“告白”了。
赞日本女生宁静有礼：“最近学到的日语？蒲焼（烤鳗鱼）！”
记者会上有媒体问：“在你眼里的日本女生（粉丝）是怎样的？”，根硕不假思索地回答：“我讨厌（她们）”，现场气氛瞬间冰冻。“哈哈哈，我骗你的啦！很喜欢她们！”根硕爽朗的笑声这才让被他吃了一惊的众人回过神来，“肤浅”过后根硕对日本女生的评价字字珠玑，令记者也不禁赞道：“他太会说话了”，“我喜欢有女人味的女生，而日本的女生就很具这方面的气质，我喜欢她们安静地等待我的身姿”（赞昨天近千粉丝在机场有序的迎接让他很窝心），一番深刻过后，根硕继续调皮起来，指着台下的一名女粉丝“特别是（喜欢）你！”，众人被他迅速反转的思维兜得转不过神儿，鸦雀无声，根硕只好自己解围：“（我说这样挑逗意味的话，令大家）心情不爽吧”，台下这次反应过来再度笑场。与其说是记者会，不如言记者都被拉入“鳗鱼深海”，俨然是张根硕变相的一场粉丝见面会。
“为现在的‘张根硕热潮’感到恐怖，我会冷静面对”
别看张根硕总是人来疯，一副长不大的淘气小孩模样，他这次在记者会主动提及近半年来日本越来越高涨的“张根硕风潮”让笔者和同行们感慨“他的情商太高了”。昨天到羽田机场采访时，笔者就感慨他在日本的人气高到用“恐怖”来形容，没想到今天从他本人口中说出这番话“说实在的，在这么短的时间内得到这么多人的爱，我对自己成为‘boom’这件事感到有些恐怖，其实想（不受外界追捧的影响）继续从容地带着开心的心情去享受工作”，表白了不愿这场风潮成为来得快去得也快的泡沫的心迹。尽管已经被认为是超越裴勇俊到达日本韩流顶点的明星，对于娱乐圈这个永远高深叵测的名利场，张根硕始终带着一份冷静的平常心。
个性自由，不爱受约束的张根硕坦言人气爆涨的另一面，也随之产生新的烦恼“我（这次来日本，其实以往也如此）经常会有一些突发奇想的行为，但这么任性令身边的工作人员很头疼和生气，总是听到‘不行’，‘不可以这么’……的词语，所以耳朵也发疼”，尽管是满脸笑容说起此事，但可以一窥其对知名度提升的代价是私人空间的缩小化的无奈。他表示这次访日即便是想在下榻的酒店的公园附近散步“身边都需要跟着保安和工作人员一群人”，“（永远好奇心旺盛的他）因为一些突发行为还惹恼了工作人员”，说着现出欲哭无泪的惹人怜模样，台下的粉丝纷纷小声嘀咕：“真是可怜！”。
记者向事务所的相关人士了解道，考虑到安全问题，“根硕昨天和今天都是呆在酒店吃饭，尽管他提了很多次想出去逛，但被我们全部否决掉”，虽然“残忍”，也是无可奈何的事情。
“如果你们花心，我会把你们变成蒲烧（烤鳗鱼）吃掉！”
被问及最近新学的日语是什么时，张根硕表示一直把自己的粉丝称作“鳗鱼”，“我能从她们身上得到营养和能量（所以这么叫）”，“最近学到‘蒲烧’一词，如果你们浮气（花心、变心）的话，我会把你们变成‘蒲烧’哦！”，说着露出“凶狠”的表情。
10月开真正的个唱 想看粉丝性感的泳装姿？
当天除了记者提问，根硕也亲自挑选了粉丝回答问题。一位举着“请给我一吻”的女粉成功吸引到他的注意，成为第一个提问者。“嗯，嗯，我想问，我很喜欢根硕！”也许是太紧张，提问变成了“告白”，“哈哈哈哈哈”张根硕也忍不住掩嘴大笑起来。几秒过去，粉丝才稍微镇定起来：“我们希望你以后可以经常来日本，例如开签名会什么的”，“恩，我也希望可以常来”根硕和粉丝约定。今年10月，张根硕将在日本开自己的第一次ARENA巡回演唱会，对此他言：“一直以来都是以FM的形式开唱，这次终于拥有真正意义上的演唱会，已经在5个月前开始准备，会是一次高水准的表演，期待和粉丝一起享受这个珍贵的时光”。
在回答前文提到的富士台新闻节目《tokudane》的女记提问时，张根硕突然聊起有心在今年夏天和粉丝开泳池派对，“那就要拜托frau（其日本事务所）的社长了，你听到了吗？“直率的他当场喊出社长，令MC不得不赶紧救场：“社长觉得不好意思，正躲在大家看不到的地方”。
“我以为我是恩浩，可身边人说我更像黄泰京”
有媒体问在迄今扮演过的这么多个角色中，张根硕认为自己和哪个角色最相近时，他指是《黄真伊》中的翩翩公子“恩浩”，“可身边的工作人员都说我比较像‘黄泰京’（《都是美男》中的角色）”，台下的粉丝立即抱起热烈的掌声表示赞同。
花絮：
1：四度跳“欢欣雀跃舞” 镜头前后搞怪连连
记者会上，在倾听媒体的提问或者翻译解释的间隙，张根硕和粉丝“眉来眼去”不断，抛去几个甜蜜的飞吻。此外，在被问可否“对着镜头让大家看到你不一样的姿态（表情、动作）”时，根硕犹豫了片刻，“那我跳舞吧，我其实不爱在镜头前跳，真的只是一瞬哦”，说着拿出手机温习动作，如一只欢快活泼的雀般疯狂地“旋转”起来：“这是我最近沉迷的shuffle舞，真的很不错。大家也一起跳吧！”，众人虽然一头雾水，但还就爆笑起来。而其实别以为这是根硕故意对着镜头做出的“表演”，在记者会开始前，在大厅门后等待出场的他就已经拿这个‘shuffle舞’预热（当时所有的媒体都看不到），如此“疯癫”让他身边的经纪人和保镖也是呵呵直乐）。
记者会结束时步出会场，根硕也是边跳边走，加上在之后的签名中途“跳舞休息”，光是笔者的观察，他就已经四度在镜头前后跳了这段搞怪成分大过他自己所说的“对身体有益”的舞步，“他的真性情就是如此，我们有时也哭笑不得”事务所的工作人员透露“这段时间，经常冷不丁就跳起这段舞，我们虽然觉得有些莫名其妙，但也会被他欢乐的样子感染”。
2：“想出去”几乎成口头禅
当天横滨的最高温度达32度，但显然张根硕煽动的气氛热度更甚之。记者会前去了写真展现场SOGO横滨“视察”的他留了许多言给粉丝，“如我写了‘只准看着我’（配以霸道的语气和神情）！”，叮嘱粉丝不要见异思迁，一颗芳心永远向着他。令记者印象深刻的是，当天他数度用日文说“想出去玩”，几乎成为他的口头禅。“刚在中国台湾完成FM，在韩国呆了一天就马不停蹄飞抵日本，30日在首尔有品牌的演唱会，加上《宠物情人》的拍摄和下半年新唱片、巡演，张根硕想出去旅行的愿望恐怕一时半会是难以实现了”。
张根硕这次发行的第一本写真集《The Romance JPLUS PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION》共有《Limited》、《favorite》和日本限定版三种形式，以回顾他这24年来的身姿，展现镜头下最真实的‘素颜’为主题，“帅气的，美丽的……想表现私底下的我给大家看”，并称因为是第一次，“所以感到不安和紧张”。但其实他的担心是多余了，目前写真集光是预订量就已经达到5万部，而可以估计销量数字还会继续攀升。