Original interview: http://sports.donga.com/SPORTS/3/all/20150416/70731417/2
Source: http://card.weibo.com/article/h5/s#cid=1001603832375766302693
Kor-Chi: OPKM独家中译
Chi-Eng: @junhoempress
Please credit OPKM and I properly when translating to another language or taking segments out. Ask me before re-uploading this. Thank you for reading!
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Actor Lee Junho says: “I first began with 2PM, so I hope to remain with 2PM until the last. As we gradually grow out of our youth, the members and 2PM will coordinate individual paths and have [individual] activities. I hope that I can do well in both music and acting.”
2PM member and actor Lee Junho has appeared in three movies thus far. He debuted in the big-screen movie ‘Cold Eyes’ (2013) and now has a support role in ‘Cold Eyes’ and is the main actor of ‘Twenty’. People are astounded when they discover that he was able grow into the role of a main actor within 3 movies. There may be people who see through colored glasses and treat [rookie actors] as ‘utilizing an idol’s popularity to have a spectacular result’ and will not get to know them; however, despite such harsh criticisms Lee Junho outstanding strength in acting is by no means inferior to that of other actors. He has already surpassed the “for an idol” and has reached a higher level.
In fact, when the casting for ‘Cold Eyes’ was revealed the public wasn’t particularly warm [towards him], for an idol with no prior acting experience may hinder the direction of the plot can cause people to be worried. As a result, Lee Junho threw his strength into preparing but did not have a reckless mindset like ‘let’s give my acting a try’.
“I have wanted to act since I was little, so I enrolled in a high school with a theatre department. In high school, I participated in the talent show ‘Superstar Survival’. At that time I wanted to become a singer because I enjoyed dancing and singing. Although I would’ve liked to become a singer, the desire to stand on the stage was stronger. However, I also wanted to experience acting so I majored in broadcasting. Unfortunately, 2PM’s activities were too busy so it was impossible for me to completely devote my energy on academics… but I did not abandon this path so that [I can find] future acting opportunities.”
Maybe it was a result of [his] hard work; although it was his first role, Lee Junho’s acting indisputably obtained a passing mark. His presence did not lose to that of his sunbaes Jin Kyung, Jung Woosung, and Han Hyojoo.
“I was very happy because [my acting] was well-received, but I also thought “what did I do to deserve such praise?” So when I received praise at that time, I became determined to show everyone in my next role that the praises [towards] me did not come from pure luck.”
Although ‘Twenty’ was released first, Junho filmed for ‘Memories of the Sword’ before ‘Twenty’. In ‘Memories of the Sword’, his role is that of a young warrior who felt love towards Solhee. Lee Junho says: “because I have a supporting role in ‘Memories of the Sword’ so I don’t have a lot of content, but I feel as if I’m accumulating [experience] layer by layer and I feel great.”
Lee Junho says: “I do not care about the genre, I just want to act in a variety of works. I especially want to try a role similar to that of a ‘flower boy’.” Concerning whether he will act with his fellow JYPE family member Suzy in the future, he jokingly said in an exaggerated manner: “Sorry, if I touch Suzy I will be cursed by everyon in the country.”
Then, this past summer he met ‘Twenty’. Among the descriptions of the twenty-year old friends Chiho, Gyungjae, and Dongwoo for the young adult movie, he is playing the role of Dongwoo.
Dongwoo carries the dream of become a cartoonist, he’s a character who works various part-time jobs day and night in order to make a living. He has a more realistic personality than Chiho, who lives a life of affluence, and Gyungjae, who is a ‘model student’. The role itself is very ordinary, definitely not very eye-catching, and is the complete opposite of the dazzling image of an idol.
“Since the first filming, I discard all thoughts related to my outer appearance. Maintaining this aspect would only cause inaccuracies in the larger context. If I’m okay just by acting like an idol, then what’s the point of taking on acting? Because I want to be faithful to the roles I play, I am not worried about ruining my image.” (laughs)
After discarding all the inner distractions that are attracted to Lee Junho, he becomes Dongwoo’s ‘real face’. Lee Junho admits: “Dongwoo has a story that resonates with everyone. ‘Will I pull this off well?’ As my heart waits, I remember the suffering I went through as a 17-year old trainee in order to act.”
The schedules of many singer-actors are obviously hectic, almost to a degree of death. While Lee Junho was filming for ‘Twenty’, he performed a solo tour in Japan and stepped on the stage to hold concerts with his coworkers under the same company. The most important thing is that he had extremely busy activities with his fellow members for 2PM’s Go Crazy comeback. He recalled that all those activities melted away the past summer; he can’t even speak of a specific time.
“Now that I’m recalling it I (really) was busy from dawn to pitch black darkness. The filming for the movie ended at 6-7 in the morning, and then I would rush to a television station for 2PM’s performance. In the car even sleeping for 30 minutes is good but I couldn’t even fall asleep because I was too tired. But my fatigue isn’t a problem because I am doing what I want to do. If I cannot handle my hardships, it’s better to not do anything [in the first place]. I even gave up on vacation because I had a desire to do both things well.”
Even though he is busy to an unfathomable level, he successfully completed everything with the care of his fellow members and the help of the filming staff. The next problem to be solved is whether it is easy to switch between ‘Dongwoo’ in the movie and ‘idol Junho’. Because it’s different from the bleak life of Dongwoo, the playful and excited dance of ‘Go Crazy’, the gap between the two is quite large.
“Actually when I first joined 2PM I felt some distance and it was a little awkward. It’s not like the relationship that the members had amongst themselves because I’ve always been ‘Dongwoo’. On [the stage] there’s a short period of time when you immerse yourself into the music, and after that is done you can only turn back into Dongwoo. To me this was an important lesson. With great effort I controlled my thoughts and let myself rotate (personalities) within a short period of time. Fortunately, I am the type who can transform quickly. After trying that, I can freely change.”
Lee Junho did everything through his own strength. He was able to memorize his counterpart’s lines by himself, and in his brain [practiced] exchanging lines. Although Chansung, Taecyeon, Nichkhun, and Wooyoung are also actors, he did not specifically request for help. Why is that?
“I do not mention questions concerning my acting to my fellow members. I feel that everyone need to take responsibility for themselves and the decisions they make. Furthermore, [we mutually] trust each other. Although if there really is a problem I will speak about it, I am not worried about the things that aren’t mentioned. That’s because [2PM] all know how to take care of their friends. They are really great in this aspect.”
So it seems that the members had various numbers of big and small scandals, but Lee Junho was never involved in anything controversial. There aren’t any news of the most commonplace gossip.
“After my debut I have had friends who I considered with good feelings. However, the first thing on my list to do is ‘work’ and I know for myself that I’m the type that is in deep once he falls, so I decline to comment on affairs like progressing relationships and instead throw myself into work. Even if I feel something within my heart, I won’t be able to develop it so I will go work.”
If it’s really like this then he’s a true ‘workaholic’. Lee Junho says: “It’s like that even now. In comparison to love, work is more important. In comparison to rest I prefer to work.” That being said, his opinion towards love has not yet been solidified to the degree of ‘impenetrable wall’.
“Although I am quite similar to Dongwoo, but sometimes I will take the initiative and other times I will be passive. If I feel good about it then I will allow it. At that time I will also become the proactive one.” (laughs)