Please make sure to thank the translator for her amazing translation of this interview\ (*^ w ^*)/

 

Q. TVXQ’s last concert took place a little while ago. It’ll be two more years until you can get back on the concert stage again. You’ve performed countless songs on stage, but which moment do you think you’ll miss the most? For instance, when you are in the midst of ranger training or CBR training at the army-the fondest memory that’ll cross your mind in your toughest times.

A. I think I’ll miss the stage itself rather than a particular moment. I always express my emotions on stage, be it through laughing or crying. Well, the audience probably didn’t see me cry all that much, because I cry backstage a lot. If during my ranger or CBR training that moment(on stage) should pop into my mind, I will accept that proudly as a soldier. I think I’ll miss it when I see my sunbaes or hoobaes perform on TV.

 

Q. Artists tend to tear up at their last concerts, but you looked quite composed. What were you thinking at that moment on stage?

A. Actually, I was secretly worried that I might cry. I felt a lump form in my throat about twice while I was singing. I wanted to tell my fans that ‘there’s going to be a next time.’ I had the feeling that if I cried at my (last) concert before enlisting, it would be as if my life as a singer was coming to an end. That kind of sentiment was something that I myself could not put up with. Also, since it was a concert in Korea, I wanted to show fans a smiling face as much as I could. I cried a lot in the dressing room after the concert. But still, I realized once again that I’m a very happy kid, and that I’ve been loved a lot. During the whole concert, I wanted to give my all till the very end, and only thought about enjoying the moment more.

 

Q. Your performance for the opening ceremony of Gwangju Universiade (July 3rd) will be your last work as a singer before enlisting. It seems you’ll be able to spend meaningful time in your hometown Gwangju, getting together with family, relatives, and friends. There must be some personal things you’d like to do before enlisting.

A. For a day or two, I’m planning to visit my alma mater and see my teacher and visit my family home. I think I might get busier in Gwangju for all the personal matters I’ll have to attend to. (laughs) In a way, the period of my youth(adolescence) is coming to a close. I want to go see people I must pay my gratitude towards and tell them ‘because of your help, Yunho has grown (into such a man).’

 

Q. You have about a month until your enlistment. I would like to know how you honestly feel at this point.

A. People usually take a break before enlisting, but I chose to do more work. (laughs) I feared I might get weak. It still hasn’t really sunk in because the date isn’t all that close yet, but since I’ve been TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho for a long time before the public, I’ll be missing the stage during my brief hiatus. I think that’s why I’m working so frantically now. I want to feel like I’m still running. I guess I’d feel differently the day before enlisting. I don’t know myself yet, haha.

 

Q. Your last drama before enlistment is ‘I Order You,’ a web drama. Though web dramas are still a new genre in Korea, celebrities starring in them are on a steady rise. Was there a special reason in choosing this drama?

A. At first, I wasn’t planning to do any more acting prior to enlisting, that is, after ‘Ode to My Father’ and ‘Night Watchman’s Journal.’ Actually, I was planning to act after I served my time, but I was drawn to ‘I Order You’ because it was so new. I’ve tried a lot of new things like musicals up till now, and (I felt) this could also be a new challenge for me. Also, I chose this drama because I felt the director was a very humane person, and that I could learn and feel a lot of things as an actor through it.

 

Q. The drama is centered around cooking. I noticed that (in the drama) you cooked yourself and ate (the results), too. Were you able to improve your cooking skills to the point where you’d be able to cook for your girlfriend in the future?

A. To be honest, I’m very bad at cooking. (laughs) I did become interested in cooking through this drama, though. But I don’t know whether my cooking skills have become good enough to treat my girlfriend in the future, hahahaha. I do want to present my dish to the person I love. In the future, I want to cook and eat (a dish) together, rather than serve it.

 

 

Q. I understand that this was your first encounter with the rest of the actors in ‘I Order You.’ How was it acting with Kim Ga-eun, your counterpart, and the other actors?

A. When I first met Kim Ga-eun, it was awkward. I am a very smiley person, but I don’t open up from the very beginning. (But) seeing a humane side of her, I thought she was down-to-earth. Keeping in tune to each other is important, but it was all the better because I was able to work happily. Everyone, not just the staff, were such warm people that the set was constantly filled with laughter as we filmed. I think the breaks in between shoots kept us going. We were able to talk a lot to one another during those breaks.

 

Q. What were your first impressions of the actors? There must have been people who took you by surprise as you got to know them.

A. Everyone took me by surprise. Hahahaha. When I first met Kim Ga-eun, I was worried that she might be prim or minxy (*both words don’t quite do it-korean term yunho used her is ‘깍쟁이’). But more than anyone, she turned out to be very easy-going and considerate. As for (Jang) Seungjo hyung, I thought he’d be difficult to approach on account of his sharp eyes, but he makes his dongsaengs laugh a lot.
Soori(Cho Yunwoo) is easy to like, very pure at heart and playful. I liked how Biryong(Baek Jongwon) hyung was so reliable. Songjoo(Yoon Hongbin), the youngest one of us, is eloquent with his words and in some ways mature like a friend. They cheered me up a lot, and I feel grateful to them all.

 

 

Q. High Cut has visited the set of ‘I Order You’ for a few days. Unlike other drama sets, the overall atmosphere was really nice. The actors and staff all seemed to be close to one another without any reservations, and I feel I haven’t seen any frowning faces.

A. I thought that the director and the actors were all so very humane. Since it’s my last drama before enlisting, I worked on it as if I were preparing for my graduation piece. I felt good because everyone was like hyung and dongsaeng, (upon) approaching them first and talking to them. I think I was able to work hard up to the end, all the while smiling.

 

Q. You seemed very close to your co-actors, like Kim Ga-eun, Jang Seungjo, Beek Jongwon, and Cho Yunwoo. Do you have a group KakaoTalk chatroom by any chance? If you do, what kind of things do you talk about?

A. It was awkward at first of course, but as we went on we got ourselves a group chatroom. Rather than work-related things, we mostly talk about what’s on our minds, cheer each other up, and share funny pictures. Sometimes when I check my KakaoTalk after I’m done with my (other) individual work, there are more than 300 messages in the chatroom. (laughs)

 

Q. Singer U-Know Yunho is already at the very top in all of Asia. However, it seems that actor Jung Yunho has not reached that level yet. How much were you able to grow (as an actor) through this drama?

A. Rather than thinking of certain levels, I feel that the important thing is for myself to learn and grow through acting. So I think a lot about finding my inner self through the dramas I’m in, and try to reflect that side of me in the work. This time the genre is romantic comedy, and since it’s my first time in one I felt thrilled and nervous. But I was able to have fun shooting it.

 

Q. How does TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho on stage and actor Jung Yunho on set differ?

A. Both-TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho and actor Jung Yunho-are similar, as they are all me. When I’m on stage, I feel that a shade of me that even I don’t know about comes through. I think that I won’t have any regrets even if I die on this stage. As (actor) Jung Yunho, I feel my emotions explode. I have to (learn how to) act in a longer rhythm with perseverance, and bring impact to the expression of my character. I think these are personal challenges I have to bear from now on.

 

Q. You hold an extremely good reputation in the entertainment industry. You haven’t caught the so-called ‘celeb disease,’ are always modest, and place importance on being polite. Have you sometimes felt as if you were trapped inside your ‘good guy’ image?

A. A lot of people do tell me that I’m a ‘good guy.’ (laughs). Actually, I don’t even know what a ‘celeb disease’ is. I just think it’s right to display the values I’ve had as a trainee, and try to act on that. And when I’m with people that I work with, I try to be understanding of each person’s respective life story and environment.

Q. Fandom-wise, TVXQ is ‘numsabyuk(unconquerable).’ At the press conference for your concert last year, you said, “Thanks to Choigang Changmin, TVXQ was able to stand as a long-running group.” Looking back on your TVXQ years, when was the most memorable ‘Changmin moment’ out of your times with him? Say, was there a symbolic moment when you felt ‘Right, Changmin was this kind of person to me!’

A. When I looked to my side as I laughed, cried, had tough moments or felt cathartic on stage, Changmin was always next to me. Although we of course had our own individual activities, we were mostly together and so fought a lot, too. Changmin was able to grow as much as I did, and I as much as he. In a way, I think Changmin may be another me on the other side of the mirror. I feel that it’s better that our styles are so different, and that for this we’re able to continue on for longer. I’m grateful to him just for following my lead. As a hyung, it feels strange to see Changmin become a man in a more splendid way.

 

Q. You were in ‘Ode to My Father’ as Nam Jin, a cameo role. Director Yoon Jekyoon praised you very highly, saying that you were ‘impossible to replace.’ I heard that director Yoon tried to set up a dinner with you, him, and Nam Jin, but you couldn’t make it due to your work in Japan, Did you get to meet him afterwards?

A. I wanted to meet Mr. Nam Jin after hearing about it too, but I still haven’t been able to meet and pay my respects to him as we couldn’t coordinate our schedules. I couldn’t go to the wrap-up party of ‘Ode to My Father’ either, as I had an all-night shoot then. I just sent my greetings instead. I plan to go see director Yoon personally before I enlist. ‘Ode to My Father’ has left me with such good memories. All the sunbaenims were so good to me, and director Yoon had also been most kind as well.

 

Q.Your best friend Son Hojun calls U-Know Yunho his savior. I heard that you helped him that much till he made his debut. Is there anything special you’d like to say to him?

A. You can well say that Hojunee Hyung and I are family. (laughs). When he had it rough I was there for him, and when I was going through hard times he was there for me. I’m so glad that he’s successful nowadays, but I wish he wouldn’t settle for where he is now. We’ve promised each other (this) a long time ago, and I think we both need to keep running forward, more and more. I’m always rooting for him from my heart. And I miss you, Son Hojun. Hehe.

 

Q. You became 30 this year. Do you have any plans that are different from the ones you’ve made in your teens or twenties? Getting married, traveling the world, for example.

A. I’m interested in shows, so I’d planned to go see various shows around the world in the last years of my twenties. I was sorry that didn’t happen. After I come back from the army, I want to make time to go to Las Vegas or Broadway with friends. Since I have the money I’ve been saving up since my debut, I’ll make it come true then. (laughs)

 

Q. You held concerts in many countries for the last 12 years. Your airline mileage must be humongous. Do you have any plans to pass on the mileage to your family? Or are you already planning to?

A. I don’t know how much mileage I have. If my sister wants it, I will pass it onto her someday. To my parents too, of course. (laughs)

 

Q. You’ve been with SM for 12 years. Among the staff you’ve worked with, who would you like to thank the most?

A. I never could understand why it was only the artist that received the spotlight during the 12 years I’ve worked. I would like to thank my manager hyungs the most as they’re always with me. The stylists and makeup staff too, for working without wanting (other) things. And also our security guards, I’d like to tell them all I’ve been happy and that I’m sorry.

 

Q. It’s your twelfth year since your debut as TVXQ. How many of the goals you’ve had when you debuted have you fulfilled? What is your proudest achievement, and is there an unfulfilled goal you fill wistful about?

A. When I came to Seoul before my debut, I told myself that I want to be a person who can give off positive energy to many people through the work I do. Some time ago, there was an overseas fan who ran into misfortune. That boy gave me a letter written in Korean. “Thanks to the words you said to me, hyung, I was able to cheer up and overcome my hardship.” “I want to be like you when I grow up.” “I want to give off positive energy to more people.” I felt tears come as I read that letter. I want to give off energy to many people with my singing and dancing-things I can be good at. I think I’ve kept running up till now for that purpose. Of course I feel some aspects of that wish haven’t been fulfilled yet. For that, I will show you with my future actions.

 

 

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Credits:

Interview KR-JP Translation by @tmvlzj26
JP-EN Translation by @mystaryunho: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Shared by TVXQ! Express