Credit: Cri-J Magazine, photo as tagged
Chinese Translation: Neineilove
English Translation: Springsuk_USA
Q1: Your debut on stage, do you still remember?
A: I was 4 when I was on stage first time. It was not in front of camera. I think I stood on a stage with audiences when I was at 3rd grade. That was a fashion show at a shopping mall. I remember I was very nervous. But after it was finished, do you know what I was thinking? “Ahh, this is pretty cool, it finished so soon!” I was only a primary school student. That might be the “stage physique” (laugh), even that was not dancing or singing, but on the stage, that was the first time.
Q2: You want to do everything in perfect; so far for all the stage shows you were on, is there performance you want to redo it?
A: In high school, I was in a musical “Theseus” even I practiced it very hard, but due to over nervous, when I should say my role’s name but I mistakenly said my rival’s name, I felt so shameful… Of course, time can not come back, if I could go back, give me a chance to do the musical, I hope I can say my role’s name right.
Q3: When you structure your Cri Show, where you get inspirations?
A: Many people said you can get inspirations from Manga. It works for me too. Compare to Manga, I can get more thoughts from cartoons. What makes me so happy is that I utilize the things I felt from cartoons to real life. And Manga is really useful to make you feel that you can put your heart in peace and don’t have to care too much about some other things in your life,
Q4: If you’re the sponsors to the show, what you will praise the performer: Jang Keun Suk?
A: That he doesn’t miss any detail and being professional perfectly; he is being decisive on let things go when he need to; he is being tough to take challenges fearlessly and shamelessly. All these three elements made my current Cri Show. To do shows is more expensive than to do a movie, it also collects more audiences… From this point, I think I should let audiences see the real good stuff. They buy tickets and come to see the show from their busy schedule, if they don’t feel the show is worth it, that’s not good. I and my team may feel so tired from doing the shows, but I would never put a show that I feel regret to the audiences, a stage show should be a happy performance and also touch people’s heart.
Q5: Please tell us the strength and weakness of the performer: Jang Keun Suk
A: There is only one “weakness” was called by my company is that the production cost is too much. The company wants to make money and hope to reduce the cost. I don’t care about that. Stick to detail will make the cost get higher and higher, but I have no choice, if the show in the name of “Jang Keun Suk” becomes a boring show, that’s the biggest shame on me.
Q6: If you become the composer to write music for yourself instead of others, what kind of music you would write first? Ballads? Dancing song? What you will feel about it?
A: Basically I have two senses, and I’m more in the happy mood than be in the other. If you don’t feel happy in your life, that would be a meaningless and boring life. So if I am the composer, I would make music that everybody would like to dance, like the best night club music and a music suits for grandpa and grandson to listen together, which they won’t feel this is strange. I don’t like to make music to follow certain trend. Everybody can dance with my music, that’s my goal.
Q7: Before you get on stage, do you have some habit that others don’t know?
A: I like to do scribble talking. Even myself would wonder: “What did I just say?” Sometime, I will make strange sound for vocal preparing. And I will drink water to moist my throat, also to protect my throat I will eat honey gel. I’m not a professional singer so I have to work harder. I will do whatever I can to make it better.
Q8: What Jang Keun Suk needs when he is on stage?
A: I think is to understand a singer on stage can become another person of himself. I hear the cheering from the fans; I can be so excited from excessive secretion of adrenal hormones. I have experienced that, for show to go smoothly, I need to control the degree of excitement, but when I see the audiences waving the glowing light sticks, when I hear the fans sing together with me, It makes my go crazy… that’s the happiest thing, I feel myself and fans united become to one body……
Q9: We hear that normally singer would have some unlucky encounter in the recoding studio
A: I don’t really have that bad… I am feeling claustrophobia when I am in a small and closed space. But I over come that. One time, I used alcohol helped me recording. Now I have over come it already. I always have the sincere thoughts when I go into the recording studio (laugh), in this world as long as you try your best nothing you can’t accomplished.
Q10: In your songs, if there is one that is like “this singer suits to sing this song”?
A: I always say, my songs can only be sung by me. No matter in Korea or overseas, no one else can sing my songs better. This is Jang Keun Suk’s song. The music is only made for Jang Keun Suk.
Q11: When the lights on and off on stage, what you think at that moment?
A: When the stage lights up, my heart beat fast and think: “When it will be off?” (laugh). When the lights are off which means the show is over. At the moment when the lights dimmed I think: “Which place have the lights on?” And “Which night club I should go?”
Q12: The moment you feel I’m the singer “Jang Keun Suk”
A: To be honest, I don’t feel it very often. To make a satisfied stage show there are lots of things need to do, I still need to work harder. I feel “I’m the singer” when the show is over, and also I am satisfied for my performance. As a singer, to stand on the stage by yourself, that needs lots of courage. Is rare that I have a full self-satisfied performance, it is difficult for a person who is not easy be fully satisfied with himself.
Q13: In this album which song you choose first? Reason?
A: The joyful song and make people dance: “Always close to you.”
Q15: When Jang Keun Suk is singing, what’s THE moment that you feel “This is it”.
A: When I’m on the lift and get close to the audiences. When the faces of fans come into my eyes, my heart will beat fast and I can’t help but feel “This is it!” If there are no audiences, singing loses its meaning. To be so close to look at the people who is listening me singing makes me feel so happy.
Q15: For some countries that you haven’t had Cri Show but you want to do it no matter what?
A: US, a country with multicultural and multiracial; Great Britain, a country with high cultural self respect. Even I was talked that I just became Asia Prince, now I am already aiming for World Prince. I will make it happen and let you see it! To let people know that Asians have so many talents. To let them understand not everything is occupied by them. So, eels, I will work hard to become a world eels’ leader (laugh)!
Q16: Now, the on going Cri Show Tour, what’s the secret of it?
A: I won’t tell you for sure. Chef will not tell his secret recipe. Please come to the show, see with your own eyes, hear with your own ears, you will find the answer.
Q17: To Jang Keun Suk, singer Jang Keun Suk is…?
A: A free people. I’m my own producer. I praise myself. don’t know how people would think about me like this… Seems there is no one like me has great directing ability, planning ability and also is a performer (laugh). On stage, I don’t only do singing, I also act. Even myself would say “talented Jang Keun Suk” Today I will continue to say my Abracadabra (laugh)
The End.
If you haven’t read the Self Interview Actor Jang Keun Suk part, please click this link: http://jangkeunsukforever.com/archives/18514
What an amazing man and a mesmerizing artist he is!!! Thank you so very much for translating this for all of us, Sarah!!!
Now, it’s just a matter of time ’til he comes to the U.S. to do a Cri-Show!!! I will wait for him until this dream of his comes true…then, my dreams would become true also!!!
Gotta love this guy!! Jyo-Zikzin!!!
…’To let the people know that Asians have so many talents’… wow what a thoughtful Prince we have… Thanks Prince for uplifting your fellow Asians… You will become World Prince in Due time…God bless you…
Ahh,another great interview,this boy is the master of the interviews field,simply amazing,so smart and when I read his interviews I never be bore,i enjoy each part of them and feeling more close to him.Thanks for the translation Springsuk USA.
a free people. I’m my own producer. I praise myself. don’t know how people would think about me like this… Seems there is no one like me has great directing ability, planning ability and also is a performer (laugh). On stage, I’m not only sing, I also act. Even myself would say “talented Jang Keun Suk” Today I will continue to say my Abrocadabra (laugh)… Yes… that’s why i am falling in love with you , not because korean wave effect i like you my Prince…!!! There are a lot of singer, actor,…. but no one becomes my favorite. Of course, all have their own characteristics as entertainer, there are a lot of choices but for me JKS is the unique one..
Like today, i arrived at home and ‘ve got rain after work, i caught my computer and just wanna see something new in this blog, in his twitter…but he seems still in his silent for almost 20 days…
Thanks a lot Springsuk for ur translation. 🙂
so true.. i also checked his twitter account and saw his last post, and that was Oct. 18..
a man of great words…I really admire how he anwers his interviews..not only enteraining but also inspiring !
you are one and only PRINCE JKS 🙂
Wise Prince, smart answers, inspiring words. No one in this entertainment circle has such unique qualities. He is priceless. So special, so amazing. Totally AWESOME! He deserves my admiration! Zikzin JKS! Wish you smooth sailing throughout your career!
thank you , Sarah, for the translation ♥♥♥
such a very proud Prince !!! true enough, your songs are only yours ^_^
Q10: In your songs, if there is one that is like “this singer suits to sing this song”?
A: I always say, my songs can only be sung by me. No matter in Korea or overseas, no one else can sing my songs better. This is Jang Keun Suk’s song. The music is only made for Jang Keun Suk.
Q8, quote: ‘ I can be so excited from excessive secretion of adrenal hormones’. Yup….we can attest to that countless times! Lol!! Where’s Doc Maya and her adrenalune rush theory?
Sarah, Thanks a lot for the translations!
One of the many characteristics of Sukkie that I love most is his depth in answering interviews. I’m always amazed with his answers.
Really enjoy and love all your comments and thoughts here.. thousand of words ain’t enough to describe him eh?..but “One and only” and “unique” here seems to be most suitable for “short description” of our Prince! 🙂
I am the kind of person who don’t usually likes or even dislike a person esp. a celebrity but from the moment I’ve watched his dramas, i was like OH MY GOSH.. he’s the one,,, since then I’d liked him as a person who is very talented and very down to heart..
Jang Keun Suk will be my first and last super duper Oppa..
same here, roxanne. JKS is the only artist I put my interest in for such a long time. It’s just now that I experience the feeling of wanting to be always updated about a celebrity. He’s like a friend to me even though I can’t talk to him personally. I feel so close to him even though he’s a star. ^_^
wow amazing
thank you y like him more and more his personality its amazing.
JANG KEUN SUK AS A SINGER.actually its quite hard to talk about that.instead of a singer..he’s more to a performer or entertainer.he knows that..he’s keep saying that he’s not a professional singer.that’s why he take a long time to debut as a singer and the only reason is he want to sing his own song to his eels.i can feel his sincerity towards this because i also think he still lack something to be a great singer..vocal..suk got everything..he has amazing voice..emotion and soul..but his vocal still need some improvement if he want to do a big concert like a REAL singer. i wonder if he has this plan ahead in future.
As a performer..i think he has great presence on stage.he can make many eyes stick to him for hours.he’s not boring and full of creativity. he can fully utilize his energy and talent from talking, acting, singing and dancing and the most impressive thing is he also directing the show. i know he got many staff behind him but he’s the one who take the full responsibility to everything he do..the most hardworking man..the LEADER..the CAPTAIN..
i can say jks is a true actor but jks as a real singer?? i think he still need some time to prove it..
needless to say..suk as an actor or singer..i see him as the most attractive person i ever know..
the end-
Thanks Sarah for the translation!
I really love reading his interview, everything he says feel so real and it defines him. and sometimes it even inspire me. He truly captivates me, the one and only perfect Jang Keun Suk.
Truly Awesome Prince !!! Can always feel the ‘Bond’ in every of his interview & his love for eels .. love this part – I would never put a show that I feel regret to the audiences, a stage show should be a happy performance and also touch people’s heart…. Love you Sukkie, for always !!!
i love his self-esteem
“Q10: In your songs, if there is one that is like “this singer suits to sing this song”?
A: I always say, my songs can only be sung by me. No matter in Korea or overseas, no one else can sing my songs better. This is Jang Keun Suk’s song. The music is only made for Jang Keun Suk.”
you are a great singer my man!
eels lets watch his official MVs all day. lets make crazy and abracdabra reach 500 000 views. put them in a playlist and play whole day 😀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lK_v3jp2ag&list=PLKe56HPTqebU-FuY6vfCsOuX6In_xt9v8&index=1&feature=plpp_video
kkk promotion time 😀
And you’re successful,right..? I play this MV all day and play his CD while driving am/pm. 🙂
Sis Sarah, thank you so very much for devoting your previous time to translate this article for us. We know you are very busy with your REAL life and work.
I never tired of reading Sukkie’s articles or interviews. JKS can me “aweeee shaking head with amazement”, laugh and cry at the same time. His answers are so refreshingly sincere and dept words, with good amount of humor, too.
Singer Jang, in my opinion, might not have the BEST of trained voice….BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE his deep manly romantic untrained voice. IT’s real. IT’s unpredictable. IT melts my heart like a cooked noodles, both talking and singing voices.
I listen to his SONGS everyday even I do not understand the meaning to some of the songs.
I admire ACTOR JANG. I’m enchanted by Singer Jang. I love the real JANG KEUN SUK, the crazy adorable and the deep old soul boy-man!!!
Singer Jang, in my opinion, might not have the BEST of trained voice….BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE his deep manly romantic untrained voice. IT’s real. IT’s unpredictable. IT melts my heart like a cooked noodles, both talking and singing voices.
Exactly..kailey..his look and voice make me addicted..even his singing is not as great as other trained singer..the song which i listen to everyday are only his songs.kkk..its strange..but its true..also..i like watching him singing live even his voice crack sometimes..i still love it..and i never tired to watch it.
thousand like to your description of him “the crazy adorable and the deep old soul boy-man!!!”
Vote here: http://www.i-m.co/fet888/BestOfKorea/vote-here PLEASE VOTE FOR JANG GEUN SUK FOR BEST POPULAR WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO GAIN THE TITLE AND VICTORY THANK YOU EELS 🙂 KEEP FIGHTING
First of all, I’m a non-eel. I just have a need to somehow express this mind-boggling fascination I have about this 25-year old kid, the one called Jang Keun Suk.
I first saw him in You’re Beautiful, and that was only after watching Boys Over Flowers. I had no hankering to watch BOF but I got curious because it was really popular in my country so I gave it a try. I got hooked on several episodes but the interest waned eventually and there was no compulsion to finish the drama anymore. I guess that was mainly because of Jandi (oopps sorry) and maybe the storyline. Or maybe I was just too old for the drama! But Li Min Ho was ok I guess. Now here comes You’re Beautiful. Again, I was thinking maybe it’s too young a storyline for me. But Mysoju said it’s HOT so I went ahead with Episode 1. And BANG! I got hooked all the way to the end, all the way to the making, all the way to the interviews and the reviews. But most of all I got hooked on Jang Keun Suk! I just couldn’t seem to get enough of seeing him. I kept on searching for news about him, interviews in whatever language, write ups, comments, blogs, whatever. I started tracing back his early works and watched everything, even The Case of Itaewon Homicide (I don’t usually go for these kind of stuff because I hate seeing blood or murders). But this kid was really good! He just pulled it off so convincingly. And his English is quite good huh. I listen to his songs every morning while getting ready for work, while driving to work or driving from work. What the…! But I’m a non-eel. Is this some kind of a virus? A JKS virus perhaps? Could this be an eel syndrome?
From the interviews I’ve seen of him these were my observations: 1. he is a smart guy, very witty 2. he is crazy, funny, does random things, a child at heart 3. but he is very hardworking 4. detail-oriented 5. perfectionist 6. very determined 7. he has a sincerity not very common in the industry he belongs to 8. he seems to have a deep personal relationship with his eels (I find this really amazing) 9. he seems very exacting, to himself especially 10. i saw him hovering on a line between self-confidence and over (and could be annoying) self-confidence. This bothered me a lot. There is just something that I couldn’t put my finger on. That’s why I kept on searching for interviews of him because then I would somehow find a clue of what I’m trying to capture. The essence of Jang Keun Suk is what comes to mind flittingly. As far away from him and as un-eel as I am, is it even possible to get a glimpse of that essence of him? But somehow I did. I was able to assuage those niggling questions in my mind, What is he really? and Why are there eels not only in Asia, but in the US and Europe as well? That documentary by KBS was very illuminating. The interviews translated in this website are enlightening. Even from the comments of the eels, one could glimpse not ordinary fans but intellectual fans. And this reflects on JKS himself.
Now I somehow understand where JKS is coming from, where that self-confidence came from, why eels are eels, why eels cry over him, why I got goosebumps while watching that documentary, why he was able to fill Tokyo Dome!
I may not become an eel officially (though in my heart maybe I’m already an eel lol), but I will be cheering for JKS all the way to his being world prince.
Good health and God bless you, Jang Keun Suk! And to all his eels, Zikzin! (my apologies for the very long comment)
Hi dindee, thanks for your posting. Your comment is so honest that it makes us understand what kind of wonders is occurring in your mind. Yes, we’ve experienced the same one as you do now! It’s not important to call yourself an eel. But we hope you keep your eye on him and support him 🙂 Again, thank you.
why try to deny ur an eel..?u already caught JKS syndrome like us..kkkk…be careful coz it just at early stage..maybe u can get worse frm time to time..kkk..be prepared.
Hmmm… not denying anything haha. just not sure what’s happening. sukasukkie may be right, this could be the early stages:D
Yes, I’ll be keeping an eye on him… and on you eels 😉 Hey I voted with you guys! Boy it was fun! Congratulations eels and congratulations to the Prince!
Thanks tenshi_akuma.