[INTERVIEW] Jang Keun Suk, Interview with 17173 [Transl-Video-Photos]

I. Jang Keun Suk 《劲舞堂》 exclusive trailers

He shot his first commercial at the age of 5, acting in his first drama at the age of 9. In these past 30 years, he is the first Korean star who debuted his first song in Japan and got to the Top Oricon Chart. This year is the 20th anniversary of his debut.

He is Jang Keun Suk.

On Oct. 29th in the afternoon, Jang Keun Suk showed up in Chengdu for the press conference as the spokesman of the 3D musical dance game product 《劲舞堂》. After the press conference, he accepted a 17173 interview. Jang Keun Suk expressed that he is very happy to be the spokesman of the《劲舞堂》game, and also very satisfied with his development in China, and revealed that he will come to China again at the end of the year. Apart from this, 17173 will let you see a video clip of Jang Keun Suk at the Chengdu airport pick-up and behind the scene trailers of the press conference , lets us see together the unique charm of the Asian Prince.
(17173 Reporter: 饭饭)

II. Video: 17173 brings you closer to 《劲舞堂》  spokesman Jang Keun Suk

 video link: 17173带你走近《劲舞堂》代言人张根硕.)





Jang Keun Suk: Actually this type of game had already been up in the Korean market for a long time, played many times, so everybody is very familiar with it. I have a nephew who often comes to my place to play, he will use my computer to play this type of game, and I will play it when I am free. This type of game has music and dance, rather than a more complex RPG game, it is more attractive to me.

Reporter: This is the first time Jang Keun Suk serves as a spokesman of an online game, why did you choose this game? In your feelings, where is the charm of 《劲舞堂》?

Jang Keun Suk: Firstly, this game will be able to design an image of my own role, this attracted me greatly. It can let China and the players get to know me through this game, this is really great. Of course, the main object of this game, is to be able to put the fashion “music” and “dance” together, to me this is really great. In addition, this game can also implant some of my songs, and later through this game I can use it to publicize my songs, so that everyone knows me.

Reporter: Jang Keun Suk in recent years began his development in China, taking up roles as a spokesman one after another, participating in top variety shows, opening concerts, then what is the next plan in China?

Jang Keun Suk: This year compared to last year, it is true that the number of times I came to China is so much more. The more times I come the more experience I accumulate, this kind of development is good. I am now planning to come to China at the end of the year 2-3 times, to participate in a few special programs. In addition, now I am in preparation for my new album, so I will still have many new chances to meet up with my China fans.

Reporter: Is Jang Keun Suk learning Chinese at the moment?

Jang Keun Suk:  Recently, due to being busy with my Cri Show tour,  I had learned a lot, but now some I have already forgotten. (On site, he still spoke a few words “I love you”, “I am Jang Keun Suk”, “ You want me?”, “I want you!”, etc.)

Reporter: Will you invite some of your friends to play this game together?

Jang Keun Suk: I will. My game company made me a special role, so I think it will be fun to play with my friends together. I still get a special account number. The characteristic of this game is that you can become a couple and after that this couple can contact each other through the phone. I believe that this is the game’s biggest attraction.

17173 exclusive exposure Jang Keun Suk’s pick-up car can see the scene.
( A programming language: At this moment, better not to offend those fans..)

17173独家曝光从张根硕接机座驾看到的场景。（小编语：这个时候的女粉丝千万表去惹。。）


 III. Even the security was unable to sustain the fans…Jang Keun exclusive trailer

Nearly a thousand fans gathered at the airport to see a glimpse of their idol.

After the Shenzhen concert, Jang Keun Suk reached Chengdu on the 28th of Oct for the press conference as the spokesman of 《劲舞堂》. That day, nearly a thousand fans gathered at Chengdu airport, they were holding a banner of Jang Keun Suk, and the passers-by are feeling the excitement.

女粉丝保安都架不住 张根硕成都行独家花絮
近千歌迷聚集机场为睹偶像风采
在结束了深圳的演唱会之后，张根硕与10月28日抵达成都出席其代言的游戏《劲舞堂》发布会。，当天成都双流机场聚集了近千名粉丝，她们手举张根硕的横幅，让路人都大为感叹。

Due to security considerations, Jang Keun Suk was requested to use the safer passage way to leave the airport directly. But at the exit’s entrance, fans are still standing in sequence order. Through the custom staff, they get the photographed picture of Jang Keun Suk in the car.

出于对安全考虑，张根硕被要求只能直接从机场安全通道离开。但是，在出口处，依然整齐有序的站满了接机的粉丝。通过官方人员，我们拿到了从张根硕座驾上拍到的画面。

IV. Praised Chengdu Hotpot

This is the 2nd time Jang Keun Suk has come to Chengdu, upon arrival the 1st thing is to enjoy Chengdu cuisine, he went straight to the Chengdu hotpot restaurant that evening, he praised the Chengdu spicy hotpot, and said he wanst to buy some hotpot ingredients to bring back to Korea, to share them with family and friends, and let them feel the Chengdu spicy taste.

对成都火锅赞不绝口
这是张根硕第二次来到成都，抵达之后第一件事情就是要享用下成都的美食，当晚直奔火锅店，对成都火锅的麻辣赞不绝口，并称要购买一些成都火锅底料带回韩国，与家人和朋友分享，让他们也感受一下成都的麻辣味道。

V. Photos Below are from JKS Staff

29 Oct. Afternoon 2pm, Chengdu “Audition 2” press conference site. Many of the fans reached the site very early to take pictures with Jang Keun Suk posters.

10月29日。下午2点，成都音乐公园《劲舞堂》发布会现场。不少粉丝早早就到达现场，与张根硕的人像海报合影

Fans were busy outside the site while Jang Keun Suk was also busy backstage, personally preparing the presents for the players and his fans.

歌迷在场外忙碌着同时张根硕也在后台忙碌着，亲自为到场玩家和粉丝准备礼物。

Photo: At the hotel with his manager

Photo: Jang Keun Suk resting at the press conference backstage

Photo: Preparing to give the players the autograph postcard.

Original Chinese for Part 1:

张根硕成都行独家花絮

他，5岁拍摄第一条广告，9岁出演第一部电视剧。

他是30年来第一个出道曲就能在日本公信榜夺冠的韩国艺人。
今年是他出道第20个年头。
他就是张根硕。

10月29日下午，张根硕为其代言的3D音乐舞蹈游戏《劲舞堂》产品发布会现身成都东区音乐公园。并在发布会后，接受了17173的访问。张根硕表示很高兴能够成为游戏《劲舞堂》的代言人，并很满意自己现在在中国的发展，并透露，年底将会再次来到中国。另外，17173将为大家送上张根硕成都行的接机和发布会幕后花絮，一起来见识下人气爆棚的亚洲王子独特魅力。
（17173记者：饭饭）

张根硕：因为其实这款游戏在韩国已经上市了很久，所以已经玩过很多次，大家都很熟悉。我有个侄子经常到我家里玩，会用我的电脑玩这款游戏，所以之前有空的时候就曾经玩过。这个游戏有音乐也有舞蹈，比起RPG类的比较复杂的游戏，更能吸引我。

记者：这是张根硕第一次为网游做代言，为什么会选择这个游戏？觉得对你来说，《劲舞堂》魅力在哪里？
张根硕：首先，这个游戏会为我设计一个属于我自己形象的角色，对我来说吸引力很大。并且可以让中国更广大的玩家可以通过这个游戏认识我，这点真的是很棒。当然，最主要的是这个游戏，能把“音乐”“舞蹈”“时尚”结合在一起，对我来说也是非常的好。另外这个游戏还可以植入一些我的歌曲，以后可以通过游戏来宣传我的歌曲，让大家更加认识我。

记者：近年张根硕事业发展开始全面进军中国，陆续在中国接了代言、上了综艺节目、开了演唱会，接下来还会有什么在中国的计划？
张根硕：今年和去年比起来，真的来中国的次数变得很多。来的次数越多能累计更多的经验，这样的发展不错。我现在正在计划年底的时候再来中国2-3次，来参加一些中国的特别节目。另外，现在我还在筹备我的新的专辑，所以还会有很多新的机会跟中国的粉丝们见面。

记者：张根硕现在有在学习中文吗？
张根硕：最近因为忙着巡回演唱会，本来学了很多，现在有点忘记。（但还是现场秀了几句“我爱你”“我是张根硕”“你要我吗？”“我要你！”等）

记者：你会邀请你的一些朋友一起来玩这个游戏吗？
张根硕：会的。游戏公司给我制作了特别的角色，所以觉得和朋友一起玩会很有趣。还拿到了特别的账号。这款游戏的特点是可以成为情侣，且成为情侣之后还能打电话联系。我认为，这点就是这款游戏最大的魅力所在。

Credit: Korea.com
English Translation: Kalen
Source: 17173 新闻中心
Compiled by: The Eels Family

[Interview/Magazine] anan_2012.10.03 (No.1825)

[Exclusive interview]
JANG KEUN-SUK
Prince of the World

We interviewed with “World Prince” in Seoul! He was relaxed probably because the interview took place in his hometown. During shooting photos, he sang songs for us and unveiled a secret for the first time… We succeeded to catch his real self not shown in Tokyo.

My next goal is to be “World Prince”. Once I have declared , I will make my dream reality.

This shooting was held at a studio in Seoul. Keun Suk who himself drove his car to the shooting location seemed more relaxed than usual. “I feel most comfortable when I’m driving a car alone. Except this, I’m obsessed with work. It might be driving a car is the only time when I feel free without thinking”.

About 2 years has passed since he became super popular after appearing on ‘You Are Beautiful’. Since then, he’s kept running tirelessly. His latest drama is ‘Love Rain’. He played a double role, In Ha, art student in 1970s and Jun, his son, today. “It was quite a fun to play completely different roles in one drama. Since my childhood I’ve been a big fan of Director Yoon Seok-Ho’s drama ‘Color’. So I was happy to work with him”.

As it is a love story, there are a lot of kissing scenes in the drama. “I’ve enjoyed shooting kissing scenes because I haven’t kissed for a while. Lol. Was I nervous? I wasn’t at all. Because I have confidence. Lol. But I’ve always had complains about kissing scenes in dramas. I want to kiss more freely, but I can’t because of the shooting angle. As for kissing scenes, I prefer movies because I can kiss more realistically! Lol”… like this, his mischievous answers haven’t changed a bit. The big thing he’s changed since he first appeared on our cover one and a half years ago is the interview was conducted all in Japanese and perfectly. During shooting, he communicated with the photographer in English. On the other hand. he spoke to us in Japanese. His brightness really amazed us. “I am an actor, but I am a singer, too. I think knowing the meanings of the lyrics is totally different from without that. As long as I sing in Japanese, I must learn hard”.

Keun-suk is active as a singer, too. He is currently in the midst of arena tour. He’s directed the stage since the producution this time. “It’s not in my nature to leave the production to other people. Of course, when acting, it’s necessary to create with other actors and staff. On the other hand, when I’m on stage as a singer, it’s important to bring what I want to convey into shape”.

I became blind to my goal for the first time in 20 years.

This year is Keun-Suk’s 20th anniversary since his debut. How does he feel?

“Until last year I thought something would change when the time came. But in fact, nothing changed. Lol. I’m thinkig what to do in the future while watching my past works”.

His specific plans to the future are as follows. “As an actor, I want to find my representative work. As a singer, I want to challenge various genre of music. Besides, I’m starting a new bussiness this year. I’ll open a shop in Shibuya, Japan, where I’m going to offer original products collaborated with various brand-name manufactures. The first ones are bag collaborated with Korean brand, but eventurally, I want to cooperate with Japanese or foregin brand-names. In this case also I’ve been involved since the planning stage and negotiated them directly. The interior of the shop is in progress, so I hope it will be open within this year”.

Listening to his plans, we’ve become convinced that his leverage and ambition are indeed extraordinary. That’s why he’s reigned as Asian Prince. “I spare no effort to carry out my word. When I released my first CD in Japan last year, I answered that my dream is to be Asian Prince in a lot of interview. LSince then, I’ve found newspapers in different countries describes me as ‘Asian Prince, Jang Keun Suk’. Without knowing, I’ve really become Asian Prince. Lol. A sense of responsibility for my word is probably my motive force”.

However, he’s experienced to give way to despair before. This year he thought he really wanted to quit his job since his debut for the first time. “It was around after Tokyo Dome performance in Japan. Performing at Tokyo Dome was my dream since I was a child. So after realizing the dream, I became blind to my goal for the first time. Every time when I was asked what my next goal is in interviews, I came to think that I want to escape. And, this is my first confess in public, but, in fact, I came to think that I want even to die at that time. Last year I worked literally day and night, so I had no time to relax. I needed some time to consider”. Under such situation, he had a car accident when his manager was driving a car. Fortunately Keun-Suk didn’t get a big damage. “I thought I was about to die. Lol. But when the car narrowly stopped, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m still alive!’ At that moment I found my next goal.. to be World Prince. I felt as if God had asked me ‘What do I live for?’ Of course, as long as I have made a promise, I will make my dream reality. I’m sadistic even toward me, I push myself to do my best”.

At first, I depend on and try to be nicer.

His well-known sadistic characteristics still remain. But we wonder if he might be masochistic when he’s in love…!? “Never! I’m totally sadistic. Of course, at first I depend on her and try to be nicer to her. But it’s just because I try to give her a good expression. Lol. Most of the time, I push her around. But, currently I devote to eels (my fans) only. This is true! When I hold a concert or speak something through camera, I do so thinking I’m in love with my eel. It’s true that I have no time and room to spare, so I don’t need to be in love. But, to be honest, I want to be in love with you, my dearest eel. Lol”.

Credits: Magazine World, tenshi_akuma (Japan) @Jang Keun Suk Forever

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] Star Date:Jang Keun-suk & Koh Jun-hee - As beautiful as autumn!

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.


Credit: kbsworld

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] Codes Combine Entertainment Weekly interview

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.

Subs start from 00:15 seconds.



Codes Combine_EW interview by sniffiv


English subs by Aphrael
Credit: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[PHOTO/INTERVIEW] Codes Combine F/W Interview

Codes Combine F/W Interview; (Random)

Q: Where would you like to go if you're invisible man?
JKS: bathhouse 

Q: What kind of question people always ask you? 
JKS: "When are you going to grow up" 

Q: If you're a girl, where would you like to go? 
JKS: go to bathhouse -  

Q: Which artist do you want to become if you reborn? 
JKS: Jackie Chan -  


Credit: brighteststarjanggeunsuk
Eng trans: sa_sha26
pic credit as marked + uploader

[Q&A] Numero TOKYO October 2012

A close-up Q & A of the real face of Jang Keun Suk

 Q1: As an artist, what are you planning next?

A1: I’ve come to think that doing as soon as possible is not always the best. Detouring is sometimes better, I think. I’ve achieved my current success much earlier than I expected. That’s why there was days when I had fear about this early success and was thinking every day about what I should do. Now, I’m enjoying every single moment and searching for what I want to do. It means what I’m preparing for now is what I personally want to do, not as an artist. I have another dream to be a businessman. To realize the dream, my next plan is to open up a collaborative shop with brand names as a designer. While doing a lot of research desperately, I’m sometimes mixed up if I’m an artist or a business man. Lol.

Q2: Actor, Singer and businessman…, in which area will you plan to conquer the world?

A2: All of them. I want to conquer the world in all the areas. I started my career as a child actor, but I’ve never thought of the day comes when I retire from showbiz. To pursue my new dream as an actor and a singer, I will continue to work in showbiz and at the same time I want to try in my new fields. This is my stance and principles.

Q3: What was 25-year-old Jang Keun Suk like you imagined when you were a kid?

A3: When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a boss of car repair shop just because I loved cars. After that, I wanted to be a boss of carubi restaurant and a doctor. Lol. I think I never thought to be an artist before I debuted as a child star.

Q4: How do you describe in your 30′s and 40′s?

A4: Surely a success in showbiz is important, but more important for me is to have my own family. I’ve had wishes to get married and have lots of children for some time. If I had a family, I would be more responsible and refrain from drinking too much. If I looked at my family’s pictures when I was tired from work, it would encourage me to work much harder to protect my family. Now my family consists of my parents and a dog Suni, so I’m thinking of them when I feel tired. I don’t have enough time to love someone, a potential partner…… that’s all. Lol.

Q5: As an artist, what kind of experience do you want to accumulate?

A5: For me, every moment is experience. Appearing on various TV shows is experience, but I think seeing all the scenery on my way to TV stations is also one of experiences. Finding meaning in everything and being more mature, I want to go to the next step.

Q6: Looking back over the past 20 years, when do you think is a turning point?

A6: After all, when I was 20 years old. I’ve set my goal to be a free man since I found “I’m the main character in my life”. As I just started to take the first step in becoming a free man, I’m not sure yet where it’s going to lead in the future.

Q7: So, you don’t know your life is going?

A7: I don’t know. But I think it’s OK. Because I can’t see what will happen, I enjoy my life at every moment.

Q8: Do you get depressed?

A8: Of course, I get depressed. I also experienced a slump. When I watched the DVD of SMAP concert at Tokyo Dome in my junior high school days, I vaguely thought I wanted to hold my concert in a big venue someday. Last year one of my big dreams to hold my concert at Tokyo Dome came true. But just after it finished, I wondered where to go from now. I prefer doing what I want to do rather than doing what my company asks me to do. I couldn’t find my next step soon after the concert, and everything stopped. I mean my idea of managing my company, acting and making album all stopped. But there were a lot of things I had to do. At that time, I realized again that it was really hard for me to be forced to do something. Thinking back now, what I had to do at that time was what I wanted to do. I’m afraid I alone didn’t notice that… I wonder why I forgot everything I chose because I wanted to do. I think I fell in a terrible slump.

Q9: In your previous interview, you said “I don’t know who I am”. How about now?

A9: I think my real identity is myself. Today I answer like this, but there may be times that I can’t see or understand myself in a moment. But searching for real self and going forward is my homework.

[END]



Source: Numero TOKYO via Jang Keun Suk Forever
Photographed by Leslie Kee
English translation: tenshi_akuma

[MAGAZINE/INTERVIEW] Numero TOKYO October 2012

– deep emotional range –
Even an adult can’t help but fall in love again…
Jang Keun Suk’s attraction; mysteriousness and beauty.

You’ll see his crazy world never before shown to anyone. Jang Kuen Suk, who released his first album “Just Crazy” at the end of May in Japan, got a No.1 ranking on Oricon daily and weekly chart. It means he became the first solo foreigner artist in the history of music in Japan. He has a clear and beautiful voice we can’t help but get lost in. Listening to songs into which he puts a lot of emotion, we tremble all over with the rhythm. It’s a moment when his new creative talent sublimes. Who on earth is this 25-year-old young superstar? A close-up of the real face of Jang Keun Suk, the most mysterious and attractive guy who is gifted with remarkable talents inside.

He is only 25 years old, but this year is his 20th anniversary since his debut. Jang Keun Suk has succeeded to become the most popular Hallyu star, with superb acting skill he has gained from his experience as an actor and born artistic sense. Now, he’s taking the first step in becoming a singer. His free spirit helps this new challenge.

Looking back over the past 20 years, Jang Keun Suk started his career as a model when he was 5 years old. Then, he debuted as a child star on TV when he was 10 years old. Whenever he went for shooting, he brought a big bag and used expressway bus from his home in a rural area to Seoul, all by himself. As his parents daringly had his son do anything by himself, it encouraged his self-reliance. He had wanted to study abroad since elementary school and went to New Zealand for studying English when he was at the first year of high school. He planned to attend the school until graduation, but he went back to Korea to accept an offer for appearing on TV. Since then, he’s pushed forward with his work as an actor.

A while later, the trial which every child stars would experience also came to Jang Keun Suk. There is a jinx that says “Actors who have career as a child star never succeed”, which means it’s hard for them to break away from the fixed image. For him, especially he has a long career as a child star was not exceptional. He experienced hard times in his late teens. When he was 20 years old, he appeared in the drama “Hwang Jin Yi” and it became his turning point. He was selected as the first love of the lead actress. Contrary to viewers’ expectation that young Keun Suk can’t play the role, he did quite well. The success helped him to become more mentally mature. And he gradually succeeded a transition from a child star to an adult actor and expanded his range of acting. Movie “The Happy Life” in 2007 and Drama “Beethoven Virus” proved his acting skill and he won the Newcomer Awards for each work. He eventually got rid of the image as a child actor.

In 2009, he had a chance to act his perfect role in Drama “You Are Beautiful”. He played Hwang Tae Kyung, a leader of a popular pop band, who is a very sensitive and very difficult person to get along with. He perfectly performed this bossy character and after YAB, he’s become increasingly popular. Without exception, as soon as it was broadcast in Japan, he’s became a big hit and getting a ticket of his tour is very difficult to obtain now.

 espite of the success of his tour, a dilemma occurred to his inside. Most of the songs he sings at the tour are those of which his characters on dramas sing. Since then, he gradually began to think that he wanted to sing his original songs. Then, he debuted as a singer in Japan, with a single CD “Let me cry” released in April last year. He set a new record for the first solo foreign male artist who topped on Oricon chart with his debut single. Furthermore, he released his first album “Just Crazy” this May. It contains various songs from rock music to ballad. It’s really a high-level of completion which shows his many talents.

He talked about the album as follows. “I first thought I wanted to make my own album when I was 23 years old. Honestly I had a dream to be a singer when I was a kid, but in Korea I was satisfied to be appreciated as an actor. However, while I was singing songs of my characters, I gradually came to think that I want my own! My dream to release my album came true this time. I’m more than happy to be on stage as a singer who has own songs from this tour”.

He describes that the title “Just Crazy” reflects “his real self” perfectly.

“When I wonder what is happiness for everyone, it might be thought that everyone feels happy every day. Every day is a new day. As for me, when I wake up in the morning, I feel very happy thinking about what will happen or who I will meet today. Our life is so short that I put a message in the title saying ‘Let’s do whatever you want to try, not you have to do. Let’s enjoy your life like living in CRAZY WORLD.’”

Then, we asked him what inspires him most to be crazy. He replied immediately, “It’s my album. It’s my first album in my life and all songs were selected by me and I love them all. And to keep trying to achieve my goal to conquer the world also inspires me”. Then, we asked him about the moment when he becomes crazy in his private life. He answered shyly, “Well, I’m crazy every day. Lol. While working, if I think it’s ‘work’, it’s absolutely ‘work’. On the other hand, if I try to enjoy it, I feel happy at that moment and I think it has a different meaning. Work and play is totally opposite like black and white, but by just changing our view or way of thinking a bit, we can enjoy working as well as playing. And this thought encourages me to be crazy”.

It’s because he approached the work with a feeling that he tries to enjoy everything, he has confidence in the album. He said, “Every song reflects my life”. Interestingly enough, there are similarities in songs “Let me cry”, “Abracadabra” “Tomorrow” and “In my life” which he wrote the lyrics and music. All the songs include a word, “fly”. This word implies his view of life?

“I want to become ‘a free man’ more than an artist or a singer. I don’t think it necessary to restrict what we should speak in interview to keep the image of an artist. As long as it isn’t impolite to others, I want to show all my view of life. That’s why ‘fly’ might have a meaning of ‘freedom’. My goal to conquer the world doesn’t mean to gain more money or expand my business to the world. Rather it means I want to meet, talk and drink with various people living all over the world. If there were Doraemon, I would ask him to give me wings with I can fly to the world freely. Lol”.

His saying that he wants to be treat people in the world frankly reflects his belief “I’m a human before I’m an artist”.

“People consider me as an artist, but I’d rather want to be considered as an individual, ordinary person like everyone. It might be my view of the world is different from yours, but I eat the same food as you. I also enjoy eating. Of course, I feel lonely, too. I’m living with such various feelings like everyone. That’s why I use Twitter and my apps on smart phones to share ‘the world I see’ with you. In this way, as I open my heart to my fans first, I believe they also open their heart and we can feel an intimate connection with each other”.

It’s Jang Keun Suk who follows the path he believes in. To our surprise, he had never thought what he wanted to do until he turned 20 years old.

“As I started to work in showbiz when I was 5 years old, I have more memories of staying at TV stations than those at school. I always cared about what seniors around me thought. That’s why I had not had my own idea in those days. However, when I turned into 20 years old, I began to think if there was my own will in my life so far. I want to be a good actor. But at the same time, I want to care about my own life. Since then, I’ve started to think ‘fly’ and ‘free man’. It might be a bit slow, but now I can search for my new life by myself and finally enjoy my own life”.

When it comes to the story he got No.1 ratings both as a single and an album on Oricon chart, he told us an interesting episode. “When I knew the news I got a No.1 ranking on Oricon single chart, I was in Hong Kong. At first, I thought it must be a fraud. Lol. Someone must have posted a fake news on the Internet as a joke. I can’t still believe I also got the No.1 with my album. I’m sure I got the No. 1 ratings not because of my effort only. I made it because a lot of fans and staff united together and supported me. For me, this achievement means more than No.1 ratings. As I want everyone to listen to my good songs, I bought 50 copies of my album at TOWER RECORDS in Shibuya (I paid for them out of my own pocket), autographed on them, and gave out them to passers-by while walking around. Lol”.

He’s been active in various areas such as Actor, Singer, MC, DJ and Director of movies. He’s quite versatile. He said, “I want to be an artist, not just a celebrity. The important thing is I have something to express inside me. I don’t want to act like a robot. Whoever has something to speak or tell can become an artist. For example, when I write lyrics as long as I use my own words, it becomes my song. No matter what genre it is, the most important thing is what I want to express myself. I think there’s no longer a big difference”.

Talking with him, we felt his solid vision as an artist.

He always keeps his antenna fully spread out to catch immediately what he wants to do. Then, he expresses them freely. He stands firm in his own convictions even if he faces new challenges. “I just do what I want to do. So, I never feel pressure. If I feared pressure, I wouldn’t try to do anything”. Hearing his reliable saying, we can’t help but feel his unlimited potential that he will surely accomplish his goal to conquer the world.
[END]



Credits: Numero TOKYO, via Jang Keun Suk Forever
Photographed by Leslie Kee
English translation: tenshi_akuma

[INTERVIEW] Jang Keun Suk: Numero Tokyo interview (rough trans)

Numero Tokyo interview rough trans: Q: In Jang Keun Suk's mind now, how your 30s, 40s would be? A: although success in entertainment industry is very important, but more important is to build a family. Wanna get married, have a lots of kids always present in my mind. Having a family certainly would give me more responsible feeling, and I will drink less. When I'm tired from work, looking at their picture I would get the encouragement 'to take care of you I must fight'. Right now in a family with Mom, Dad and Suni, when I'm tired, thinking of them would make me strive. But with no love relationship, marriage partner is... over... hahaha (laugh) Q4（1）：现在的张根硕描绘的30，40代是怎样的？A：虽然在演艺界的成功非常重要，但比这更重要的是建立家庭。想结婚，有很多孩子的愿望一直都有，有了家庭，一定比现在更有责任感，酒也会少喝. 我想，在工作累了的时候，看着家人的照片“为了守护大家我必须加油”会成为一种激励。现在是和父母及小纯三人一匹的家庭，疲惫的时候想着他们奋斗着。可是没有恋爱的时间，结婚对象就……以上。哈哈哈哈（笑）(neineilove)

Numero Tokyo interview rough trans: Q2: Actor, singer, businessman(?) what field you're using to conquer the world? A: All. Using all fields successfully to conquer the world is my dream. 'maybe one day stepping back from entertainment field' thought has never crossed my mind. Becoming actor singer looking for new dream, one side continuing my acting career, another side challenging new projects, this is where I stand... Q2(译）：演员，歌手，实业家将会以哪个分野进军世界？A：全部。以全部分野进军世界取得成功是我的梦想。“或许有从演艺界引退的那一天”这样的想法一次也没有过（爱你～）。作为演员歌手为寻求新的梦想，今后将一面继续演艺生涯，一面挑战新事业，这是我的立场原则 (neineilove)

Numero Tokyo interview rough trans: Q5: to become an artiste (or singer) how do you accumulate experience? A: every moment is an experience. to act in a variety program is a kind of experience. To do shooting for the programme, in the car going to TV station looking at the scenery is also an experience. Searching the meaning from all things, taking a step toward maturity... Q5(译）作为一个艺术家（或译“歌手”）今后将如何积累经验？A：所有的瞬间都是经验。出演各种各样的电视节目是一种经验，为了拍摄这些节目，在去电视台的车中看到的沿途风景也是一种经验。从所有的事物中寻找出它的意义，向着成长的下一个阶磴迈进。（25岁的思想家哲人）

credit: shiro (@shiro401) 

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] 8/19/2012 Tean H @ WOWOW “SUMMER SONIC” [English Subbed]

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.





Credits: shino395
English translation: tenshi_akuma (only Japanese interview part) + Jang Keun Suk Forever

[INTERVIEW] Jang Keun Suk Interview @ ‘The Yomiuri Shimbun’

Next goal is to be World Prince

10 years has passed since Drama “Winter Sonata”. His latest drama “Love Rain”draws attention as a new collaborative work between Director Yoon Seok-ho and Scriptwriter Oh Soo-yun (whose masterpiece is “Winter Sonata”). Jang Keun Suk plays the leader actor with “SNSD” Yoona. They shot in Hokkaido, too. The beautiful scenery familiar to Japanese adds spice to their fatal love.

“I’m not sure about 1970s, so I tried to feel the soul of the era, asking Director and watching documentaries in those days.” Through his mature manner of talking, We can feel his another face, a down-to-earth actor quite different from his other face, a pop idol called “Guen-chan”.

He just turned 25 years old, but this year is his 20th anniversary since his debut. “I went to TV station more often than school. I held microphones more often than pens. Once I felt sorry that I didn’t have similar experiences or memories as friends had. However, I have been doing what I want to try instead. That’s why I’ve never regretted it”.

Every morning he talk himself in the mirror, checking his condition and make plans. He says, “This 10-second reflection is the most important time in a day”.

“I became Asia Prince. Next, I want to be World Prince” … He said so with his face set.

Q: How do you release your stress?

A: Traveling. Especially I love to travel without any plans or preparation. It’s convenient that China and Japan are not so far from Korea. I have friends living in a lot of countries, so I often visit them.

Q: Where do you definitely go when you’re staying in Japan?

A: Yoshinoya (Beef bowl restaurant) and CoCo-Ichibanya (Curry and rice restaurant). I   often go there after staying up late with friends.

Q: What are you into now?

A: (Inclining his head to one side) “So-da-ne~” It’s a joke I made recently.

Q: What do you expect your marriage partner?

A: A career woman. I prefer those who are professional. I prefer cooking together to making her cook and wait for me at home. I think when we leave home in the morning, saying each other “Do hard work today!” sounds very good. 

Credits: THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN, tenshi_akuma

source: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] [8/11/2012 Chinese Media Reports of JKS Cri Show Presscon

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.




Credit: Le Shi Entertainment



Credit: Jang Keun Suk Forever
English Translation/sub Sarah Ye

[INTERVIEW] 8/13-20/2012 Jang Keun Suk Interview @ AERA

I’ll do something big within 10 years

Despite a super busy schedule, Jang Keun Suk accepted shooting of the cover of AERA and our interview. He’s broken a new field with his latest drama “Love Rain”. What is his resolution in the future? He talked passionately about it with far-off look in his clear eyes.

“One, two, three… I was fallen in love in three seconds.” Drama “Love Rain” starts with such an impressive line. It describes love relationship of two generations and unchangeable adoration of first love. Jang Keun Suk plays a double role, In Ha living in 1970s and Jun (In Ha’s son) living today (in 2012).

JKS: I myself haven’t experienced living in 1970s. Therefore, Senior Jung Jin Young (In Ha in 2012) and Director Yoon Suk Ho helped me to understand the reality of 1970s. Korea in 1970s was a suppressed era. At that time. student demonstration was very popular and people prioritized happiness of their family or people around them over themselves. I can’t imagine the world without freedom. Because I’m the very person regarded as a ‘free man’, right?

As for me, it takes 0.3 seconds

– How do you feel about love relationship in 1970s?

JKS: Love relationship without mobile phone is new for me. Because we have to speak out if we want to tell our feelings. Now we are just texting for that. On the other hand, we have to wait patiently in front of her house until she comes back if we want to see her. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, beautiful. I wish I had such experience.

– In the drama, there is a line uttered by a man who experienced his youth in 1970s. “Love relationship of today is lack of adoration. Have you ever experienced your heart ache with love?”

JKS: I think it reflects Director Yoon’s real opinion. And it’s also the reason I adore 1970s. Love relationship of today is ‘instant’, isn’t it? We utter the words “I love you” instantly, and also we break up instantly. Honestly I can’t feel the preciousness of love like 1970s…

– Surely, Jun living today doesn’t believe love and he brags that he can ‘get women easily in three seconds’.

JKS: Well, as for me, it takes 0.3 seconds. Lol. Even three seconds sound long. I’m very busy. I try and get her as soon as possible.

His images are literally art

The way Yoon Suk Ho, ‘the magician of images’ directs a drama inspired him a lot, as he has also studied how to direct dramas and movies in university.

JKS: First of all, the beauty of his images. He is particular about color contrast of details as well as backgrounds. Therefore, the complete images were literally art. Long takes without cuts were also impressive. Most Korean are short-tempered. I’m very short-tempered, too. Korean culture is the one which continues to transform, while pursuing something new. It can’t be helped. But Director can ‘wait patiently’. That’s why he can do a production as such.

Director Yoon showed his spirits of ‘wait patiently’ on the shooting in Furano, Hokkaido. What he had been looking for was ‘diamond dust’. It’s a phenomenon that grain of snow looks like a diamond by reflecting sunlight. It can’t be seen unless the conditions of weather and time are right.

JKS: The shooting was carried out in late February. Because it was the dead of winter in Furano, I thought I was going to die of the cold. At the end, we could see diamond dust only for a moment. However, it was really romantic scenery. The poor thing is what I saw was a lot of the staff, wondering if it would be romantic my beloved one was standing in the light when I turned around. Lol. Soon I was pulled back into reality.

There is no end of what I want to do

After around 10-months shooting, it was over on May 28th. Wondering he would relax after that, he hardly took a break and was busy for preparing his concerts and shooting CFs. Such a busy guy, Jang Keun Suk. What does he plan to take the next step?

JKS: I’ll realize one of my dreams, ‘a production of short films’. Without any limitations of time or adult situations, I want to produce a film satisfactory to me. That’s why I decided only with my company’s money, not with investors’ one. Needless to say, I play a double role as Director and the lead actor. The script was already completed and I got the staff, too. I think I can launch the shooting this fall.

JKS: What I want to do comes out one after another and never ends. I want to become a figure whom my juniors adore me saying “I want to be like him” in five or ten yeas later. I’ll do something big within 10 years. Therefore, I just keep running now.

—

The keyword of the drama is ‘first love’. But it isn’t the same as that in Japan. When we told him that most Japanese experienced their first love in elementary school, he looked very surprised to hear that. Then he asked many questions all at once. “Do you remember what your feeling was although you were so little? When was it? Where was it? Who was it?” And he added, “I don’t think it’s not love, but just affection. In my opinion, we experience ‘first love’ when we starts to be interested in girls in youth. When we first feel butterflies in stomach to a girl, I think we call it ‘first love’.”

Then, we’re curious about who his first love is? “She got married three months ago. For the first time in a long while, I got an e-mail from her saying she got married. At that time, I replied jokingly, ‘Congratulations! You’ve become older!’ But honestly I had profound feelings. It reminds me how old we’ve become. Am I shocked? No, not at all. First love remains etched into my memory and won’t disappear.”

In Korea, it is said that men have a fantasy in first love. “Yeah, men believe ‘first love’ is the purest. I found it interesting that women want to leave their ‘first love’ behind. As I heard a story from my male senior, the woman informs him of her marriage if both are their own ‘first love’. Besides, women also informs him if she has no regrets having loved him in her life. It’s really strange. Does it only happen in Korea?”


I’d like to improve myself so that people may say “Jang Keun Suk is my goal”

Jang Keun Suk is not a person who doesn’t lock himself in. Even between takes, he goes out from his waiting room to the studio, and enjoys chatting with a much elder cameraman in a natural manner. Looking at the covers of AERA back number, he said, “Ah, it’s Takeshi-san!”

Takeshi-san is Takeshi Kitano. He says he is a big fan of him. “As I’ve studied how to direct at university, he is a role model. I admire his talent which enables to express his view of the world in a two-hours movie. For example, Movie ‘OUTRAGE’ describes Yakuza’s black world funnily. I accidentally thought ‘Yakuza’s life looks interesting’ while watching.”

His latest drama “Love Rain” is currently being broadcast on Fuji-TV networks. It was directed by Yoon Suk Ho of “Winter Sonata” so that you’ll imagine how pure this romance is. Jang Keun Suk plays In Ha who lives his youth in 1970s for this early episodes. After episode five, he plays In Ha’s son, Jun. “At first, I wasn’t confident to act well because I haven’t experienced 1970s. But I decided to play the role because I felt obligated to a person in 20s should try anything.”
He visited Furano, Hokkaido for the shooting. He was shot with a heroine whom Jun would fall in love with later, with diamond dust in the background. “I’ve always been to big cities in Japan. So it’s new for me such a quiet city, Furano. The residents were waiting at 6 am for seeing the shooting. Besides, they provided us delicious meals. Thanks to their warmness, I could bear the cold.”

He doesn’t stay in his actor’s shell. He has started music career as a singer. Last month he started his third Asian tour. He has concerts held in Osaka and Nagoya in September and Fukuoka in October. Tickets were all sold out instantly. An additional concert is confirmed to be held at Saitama Super Arena in November.
“I don’t like to be described as a Hallyu star. Then, Actor? Singer? No. I want to live as Jang Keun Suk that isn’t fallen into any categories.”

CREDIT: Jang Keun Suk Forever 

Source: AERA

English translation: tenshi_akuma

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] 7/29/2012 Sanma-no-manma (digest & unseen footage) [English Sub]

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.




tenshi_akuma’s note: At the beginning of the show, Sukkie introduced “The iPhone Lens Dial”. It was a present from his U.S. eel.





Credits: SUKNationHK2nd
English translation: tenshi_akuma
Source: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] 7/16/2012 Jang Keun Suk @ HEY! HEY! HEY! [English Sub]

HEY! HEY! HEY! (AMEMIYA)_20120716
AMEMIYA made a song featured Sukkie history and characteristics. It’s a lot of fun and full of love!






HEY! HEY! HEY!_20120716
Honestly this part isn’t worth subbing. Most of the scenes were just occupied by his eels artists. So I just subtitled the part of what Sukkie said, not translated all.






Credits: jkshiroko95
“Crazy Crazy Crazy” singing part





English translation: tenshi_akuma
Source: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[7/25/2012] LoveRain Japan Press Conference [English Sub]

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.

English translation: tenshi_akuma
Source: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[VIDEO] 7/24/2012 Waratte-Iitomo [English Sub]

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English_translation: tenshi_akuma
Source: Jang Keun Suk Forever

[INTERVIEW] 7/16/2012 Jang Keun Suk @ Tetsuko’s Room [English Subbed]

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.














Credits: SUKNationHK, Jang Keun Suk Forever
English translation: tenshi_akuma

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] Jang Keun Suk @ Hey! Hey! Hey!

Note: Please pause the background music before playing the video.






credit: unaginokai@YT

[VIDEO/INTERVIEW] Jang Keun Suk @ "Tokoro-san teaches something school doesn’t teach!" TV Show

Note: Please the background music before playing the video.






credit:  SUKNationHK2nd

[VIDEO] 7/7/2012 Jang Keun Suk @ Sanma-no-manma

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Part 1




Part 2




Credits: WorldPrinceJKS4 (with Korean hard-sub)
영상:JKSgogo님(=unaginokai님) 감사합니다
번역&자막: 어름인형(DC장근석갤러리)
English translation: tenshi_akuma
Source: Jang Keun Suk Forever