DongBangShinKi

Part 1 - Yunho

[Emotions]
Q: From the time you debuted in Japan until now, what is the thing that has made you the most happy?
A: As expected, the thing I was happiest about was being able to sing at Budoukan. This is because we really did our best, beginning when we came to Japan and performed on a really small stage, all the way to Budoukan. Moreover, I'm really happy that our fans gradually keep increasing.

Q: I think this might turn into a conversation about "sadness", but when I was talking to you in the dressing room of Budoukan, you said even though in Korea you were really loved by so many people, when you came to Japan you felt lost and confused because you had to start all over again from zero as newcomers, right?
A: But that became a good lesson for us instead.

Q: And so because of that, when you laid your eyes on Budoukan being filled by fans, weren't you all the more overjoyed?
A: That's right. But I don't cry even at happy times. I didn't cry at all even when we received a big prize in Korea. If you ask why, it's because I made a promise a long time ago. There are extremely painful memories of when I was a trainee.... When an uncle that I respected and really loved passed away, I had a really painful period of time. At that time I made a promise to myself. "In the whole of Asia, and the whole of the world, until I myself am able to become a human being I am satisfied with, I will never cry." But at Budoukan, I ended up crying a little for the first time (smiles bitterly). Seeing Junsu and Yoochun crying, I too........but I was really happy, standing in Budoukan. Because while singing and dancing, when I looked at everyone's faces, they had become one with us, and sang along for us with faces that seemed so happy. That was truly something that made me happy.

Q: That was really the best moment, wasn't it?
A: Yes. I always think, "I wonder if everyone who came listened to our music and was able to become happy." When I saw everyone feeling happiness, I was also able to be satisfied. Since in Budoukan everyone became one and seemed to be enjoying themselves. When I remembered the lifestyle we had ever since coming to Japan, when I thought about how we'd started on a small stage and were able to make it all the way till here, my heart welled up with all kinds of emotions.

Q: It was really a good experience, wasn't it? Now next, would you tell me about "anger"?
A: The thing I was most angry at myself about was injuring my leg and not being able to participate in "a-nation".

Q: It was last year, wasn't it?
A: Yes. The truth is it wasn't just "a-nation", but because I also couldn't participate in all kinds of events in Korea. Now I can laugh while talking about it, but at that time I was told by the doctor, "You might not be able to dance ever again. Your Achilles tendon is weakening, and it's a miracle you've been able to dance up till now." At that time, I really got so angry at myself that I beat my own leg. And I cried and cried and cried. It was such an important period for Tohoshinki, and because I wanted to be able to participate even if it was just a day earlier, from morning till night I played sports, I did physical rehabilitation exercises, I gave it everything I had!

Q: You're a strong-willed person, aren't you? Have you been that way since you were a child?
A: I have a personality where I definitely do things that I feel I want to do. Since a long time ago, if I start to concentrate on something just once, I really don't like it if I don't do it all the way till the end.

Q: I see. That's something that's really understandable just by looking at you. Now next, shall I ask about "enjoyment"?
A: Something I enjoy is performing, after all. The top of the stage is the place I am most able to become completely engrossed with my happiness. The stage Yunho and normal Yunho are different. If I'm standing on stage there are times my consciousness flies away from me. When I'm singing a ballad I keep myself properly conscious since I think I need to deliver this song, but during dance songs I have too much fun and shake off all the emotions of the song, and there've been times I just lose my memory of what I've done (laughs). Also, being with the Tohoshinki members is fun. Whether it be as work companions, or as friends.

Q: Because these few years, you've been together with them even longer than you've been with your family, huh?
A: That's right, these roughly four years.

Q: Tohoshinki itself is pretty much like a family already, isn't it?
A: We aren't members, we're brothers. We fight a lot, too. But we make up really quickly.

Q: And if you have things you're worried about, you talk to others and get talked to as well?
A: We do talk to the others and get talked to ourselves.

Q: Next is "sadness". Earlier this did come up a little in the conversation, but is there anything else?
A: Earlier I was talking about the artist Yunho, but privately the saddest time for me was when I was a trainee. Because my household was undergoing all kinds of difficult circumstances. On the money side and all. So because of that I worked part-time while continuing to be a trainee. It was a little saddening during the moments when I thought, "Don't tell me, it might be impossible for me to continue being a trainee....." Since at first I didn't know anything about what was happening at home....I became very anxious. (Apparently rather than being a personal circumstance, there was a period in which the country's economy had taken a sudden downturn which had an impact on his household in general. This was also one of the strongest impetuses for Yunho's deciding to become an entertainer.)

Q: It was difficult for you. Being a trainee, even commuting back and forth takes a lot of money, doesn't it?
A: Because my home was far away from Seoul, when I was in Seoul I would live in Junsu's house and commute from there.

Q: Even in times that were that difficult, being able to think of your family so much, you are really someone who thinks of his younger sister, thinks of his family, aren't you? You are really a person that works hard.
A: I worked the hardest at that time (laughs). Later on I heard from my relative, an uncle, that my father had really given his all at that same time too. When I heard that I cried. The person I respect is my father. He will listen to anything I have to say, and he's a person with a really big heart. I love everything about my father. And so my father is my aspiration. My mom tells me, "Your father is cool, isn't he?" too (laughs).

Q: That's a good relationship, isn't it?
A: Yes. Even during difficult times, my family always kept living while smiling. Even during truly difficult times, my parents would smile at us and say, "It's alright, it's alright." I respect my father and mother for being that way.

Q: What a wonderful father and mother. It's like an image of the ideal husband and wife, isn't it? Your parents were classmates, weren't they?
A: Yes. They've been childhood friends since they were in elementary school.

[Music]
Q: Would you tell me which foreign artists you're currently interested in?
A: For me it'd be Yolanda Adams.

Q: The gospel singer?
A: Yes. She's a black woman; she's good at singing but more than that, I like how it feels like she sings with her heart.

Q: Yoochun and Changmin also said they liked her, within the members do you let each other listen to the songs that you like?
A: Yes, we do. A person I've respected from a very long time ago is Michael Jackson. The truth is even though Michael is good at dancing, he's even better at singing. But doesn't he have an image that he's good at dancing to people in general? But the truth is that it's his singing. In Tohoshinki I have a strong dance image as well, but the truth is I that also really love to sing.

Q: Which of Michael Jackson's songs do you like the most?
A: "You Are Not Alone". But I like them all. "Beat It", too.

Q: How about Japanese artists?
A: The Gospellers, Skoop On Somebody and MISIA.

Q: All good singers, aren't they?
A: Skoop On Somebody has many songs that make your heart feel warm, and the Gospellers don't need any explanation. We're also a chorus group, but their chorus singing is really beautiful. In chorus singing, five people's harmonies assemble and become one. I think that balance is the most important of all. The Gospellers are really wonderful at that.

Q: How about Korean artists?
A: I like Yoo Young Jin. And also Kim Dong Ryul. Also, Im Jae Bum. Because Yoo-san and Kim-san can compose songs as well, and they are wonderful people both as artists and as human beings. I admire them.

[Travel]
A: I love to travel. When I have time I go on trips with my friends. It's just that going overseas is impossible after all, so we just do it within Korea.

Q: I think you've taken all kinds of journeys up till now, but which remains in your memories?
A: I think everyone said this too, but Bora Bora. Because it was really a beautiful island. I'd really like you to go by all means. And the Czech Republic was also good. It has a charm that is unique only to Prague. The night view is especially beautiful. But I want to go to Bora Bora again after all! (laughs)

Q: If that's so, someday as your honeymoon....what do you think?
A: But I think I'd like to go to a place I've never been before on my honeymoon.

Q: Why?
A: It's because after all, I think it'd be better to create new memories together, in a new place, with your most important person.

Q: A trip around the world would be nice too, wouldn't it?
A: I want to go on a trip around the world with my parents and family. Since my father and mother are both quite old already a reeeeally far away place might be impossible, I think. The truth is, I'm currently searching for a holiday destination. I'm reading books, asking people I know, and am in the midst of coming up with a plan.

[Private]
Q: Is there anything you've been absorbed in lately?
A: Composing. I spent the whole of yesterday composing too.

Q: Do you think you're going to get a good song out of it?
A: It's a dance song; it looks like it's going to turn out good.

Q: Have you composed a lot of songs?
A: I've performed them in Korea before. Recently, I sang a song I composed myself during my solo performance at our concert in Korea. The other members are also performing their own songs in Korea. My songs are rock. One of my friends is a famous rapper, so we did it together after a long while. I made a promise with that friend from a long time ago. "If I become famous, let's sing together on stage." I was really happy that I got to keep that promise.

Q: This is a digression, but if you had a time machine, which period of time would you like to go to?
A: I'd like to go to the future in twenty years.

Q: And your reason is?
A: Since one of my biggest dreams is to become a good father, I'd like to know what kind of father I become.

Q: By the way, do you take after your father?
A: We have the same point of view. We both have a really charismatic air. But it's not a tough charisma, it's a gentle and waa~rm charisma.

Q: Your father is your goal, isn't he?
A: Yes. But I want to have a higher kind of charisma (laughs). Speaking of time machines, there was once five years ago when I wrote a letter to myself. I wrote it with Heechul and Donghae of Super Junior, and we said we'd read it six years later, and buried it in the ground, but now it's gone (smiles bitterly). Since five years ago was the hardest period of time for me as a trainee, I wrote two separate parts of the letter: "If you've succeeded, this is what you should do. If you haven't succeeded, this is what you should do."

Q: What kind of contents did the letter have?
A: "If you've succeeded, always be humble. Call your parents at least three times a week."........that kind of thing. Another thing I think I wrote was, "If you weren't able to become a famous artist, give your everything to accomplishing your other dream, your original dream of becoming a public prosecutor."

Part 2 - Junsu

Q: I would like to ask you about the changes of your state of mind, your emotions, that you've had until now - first of all "happiness", shall we start with something that made you happy?
A: Something that made me happy was the last day of our second tour ("2nd LIVE TOUR 2007 ~Five in the Black~") at Budoukan. After that concert ended, I grew to love our activities in Japan more and more, and the feeling that I really had to do my best for the people who listen to our music grew all the more.

Q: Isn't that because when you're at a concert, you can directly feel your fans' encouragement? When those cheers actually reach your ears, you actually feel that this is what you have been searching for all along.
A: Yes, that's true.

Q: What was the impression you had standing on the Budoukan stage for the first time?
A: Even though we were doing the show with pretty much the same menu (setlist) as the rest of the tour, Budoukan is special after all. We made all kinds of preparations for being able to finally make it to Budoukan. So I felt we had to give a perfect performance in Budoukan, and there was a little pressure. But that pressure turned into excitement which grew.

Q: The tears that Yoochun shed during the encore, do you think it was due to the relief and joy he felt at having overcome that pressure?
A: I think so. On the first day Yoochun was the only one who cried, but on the second day everyone cried. I had been trying to bear it for ages, but when I saw Yoochun crying, I couldn't bear it any more...

Q: How did you feel at that time?
A: From the two-and-a-half years ago when we first came to Japan till now, there have been many painful and lonely moments, so those came to my mind. Having activities in Japan was, to us, our first challenge, and we had many feelings of worry, but when I went onto that stage and saw the audience's expressions, that was truly happiness.

Q: That's right. That must have been a really wonderful experience for you. So, next is "anger". Something that made you angry.
A: I was angry at myself for not being able to speak Japanese at the level I wanted to be able to. We came to Japan in order to be able to have the same music activities as "Japanese artists". And so, we had to sing in Japanese. But we really suffered because of the Japanese language(smiles bitterly). We couldn't understand anything the director would tell us during recordings. At times when we couldn't do anything if our manager wasn't around to translate for us, I'd feel my own incompetence. If I thought about how we couldn't do anything by ourselves, everything began to look futile...So, up till last year, to be honest, I didn't really like coming to Japan. In those early days, it was not entirely a good thing to us...to be honest. Coming to a different country, and performing in the midst of people we didn't know at all was extremely lonely, and in those days I wouldn't be able to sleep at all. We were so lonely, and for a while all of us were in depression.

Q: At those times, were you able to overcome them by coming together with your members?
A: That's right. At that time, the only people I had to confide in were the members, so we were always coming together to give each other encouragement. The occasion that made me feel that we should do our best in Japan too was the fanclub event we held at Makuhari Messe last December. The two years since we had come to Japan hadn't really produced any special results to speak of, and there was a period of time where we honestly thought to ourselves that we didn't know what we were doing there, but for the first time, we felt that the hardships we had faced up till that point had not been for nothing. From then on our feelings began to change, and we began to think more along the vein of "Let's work even harder!"

Q: Now emotionally-speaking, what kind of condition are you in?
A: Now things are going great, emotionally, too. I'm spending my time here feeling as good as I do in Korea. Timewise, we've got a bit more free time here than in Korea too (laughs).

Q: So now it's not really a pain for you to come to Japan any more, is it?
A: To be honest, previously when we were in Korea, when we were told "You'll be going to Japan" we'd all be like "Ahhhh~ (sighs)", but now coming whenever is fine with us. From that time, we've also become able to think of the house (dormitory) we're staying at in Japan as our own home.

Q: What kind of bedroom do you have? Did you arrange the furniture in your room, or have some kind of personal scheme in mind?
A: I bought furniture recently. Only my area is gradually becoming beautiful (laughs).

Q: What kind of furniture did you buy?
A: Designer-ish, a little cyber chic kind of furniture (laughs).

Q: And you're the only one who put in your own furniture?
A: No, Yoochun and Jaejoong did too. Everyone composes music, so I remodeled my room in order to make the composition process easier. I have something like a bunk bed, with the bottom being a desk, and on the top I put furniture to use as a bed, like a loft. I have curtains around my bed too, and my lights are red and blue, I bought some cyber chic kind of lights. The atmosphere of my room has completely changed. My instruments also all arrived from Korea today. Even though we've been going back and forth doing activities for about two-and-a-half years, because we kept thinking of our home as being in Korea till now, we left all our important equipment in Korea. But because we have more time to chill out in Japan, I thought of bringing it all over, and did it!

Q: Is that so?
A: Yup. When we return to Korea we're busy with work, and even if we have a little time I'd want to go to my parents' place, or meet my friends. In Japan I don't really have that many friends yet, and because we can make time, I thought I'd be able to make more progress composing music here.

Q: I see. So basically, you're making use of your time in Korea and Japan for different things. Now, "sadness". What saddening or painful memories do you have?
A: Not being able to see my parents during hard times. Also I heard that "it's difficult to sell records in Japan", but because we had a certain degree of popularity in Korea, we came to a different country and had to start all over again, that was difficult and saddening.

Q: Living apart from your family, there have got to be lonely times after all.
A: During difficult times, don't all of us think of our parents? When we catch a cold, or even when our head hurts. At those kinds of times, being in a different country was saddening.

Q: At those times did you call them on the phone?
A: No, during times when I was lonely or in pain, I wouldn't call them instead. Because I didn't want to worry them.

Q: That's very big of you.
A: I try to hide that...

Q: This is the real Junsu?!
A: What I show on the outside is not the real me. The essence of charisma is not something to be shown, it lies in the parts that are hidden and cannot be seen.

Q: Very good, let me use those words too. I was a little touched (laughs).
A: (laughs) It was a bit embarrassing to say it myself.

Q: Next is "enjoyment". What is something you enjoyed?
A: There's been lots of enjoyable things in these two and a half years. Going to a river for a shoot for "WHAT's IN?", playing sports, those are some things I strongly remember. When we hadn't become very busy yet we went to Shimoda's hot springs, that was good too. We pretended to be samurai before getting into the springs. All the way till the springs, we were in our yukata using disposable chopsticks as swords (laughs). There were many various things, so many I can't count them all. And this year's Okinawa. That was really good.

Q: It was your first time in Okinawa, wasn't it? And you said it's a place you'd always wanted to go to.
A: Ever since last year. We said we'd go to Okinawa to shoot the PV for "Sky", but at that time there was a typhoon so it was changed to Saipan...

Q: What were your first impressions of Okinawa?
A: I thought it'd be a quiet island, but I was shocked seeing many more big buildings there than I thought there'd be. But there are those kind of city areas, but once you get in a car for 20 minutes there's a quiet ocean and naturalness.

Q: In Okinawa that's called chanpuru (a mix of everything).
A: Is that so?

Q: The food was okay?
A: The food...I didn't really eat it (smiles bitterly). Because everyone would go to eat Okinawa food at night. And I can't really eat once it's past 6pm.

[Travel]
Q: I should think by now you've traveled to all kinds of places, but which place stands out to you?
A: Bora Bora. Bora Bora is the greatest place I've been to in my life. The sea and sky are so beautiful it makes you think, "There's still islands this beautiful that exist on this earth." But because the cost of living here is high, I think there are places Japanese people can't really go to. I think Japanese and Korean people probably go there on honeymoons or something. When I went there I really got the impression of "an island that is only for a selected few". At the bungalow of the Meridien Hotel where we stayed, it seems that people like Zidane, Halle Berry and Mariah Carey had stayed there, so there were their pictures stuck on the wall. "Ohhhh! They came here!" we thought, and had our picture taken there together too (laughs). I will definitely go again before I die!

Q: Your recommendation for a honeymoon?!
A: I think it'd be good to go with a girlfriend or boyfriend. If you go to Bora Bora and confess your love, your success rate will be 100%. The bungalow's living room had a glass kind of style, so at night the bottom of the glass would light up, and you could see fish swimming from the living room. It was like a fantasy, it was so beautiful. But at night, when it was just us boys, we took all our clothes off and went swimming(laughs).

[Music]
Q: Will you tell me what artists and CDs you've been into recently, in the following order: foreign, local and Korean?
A: Foreign music would be Brian McKnight. I respect him as an artist. The song of his that I like most is "ONE LAST CRY". His voice is just beautiful, and I like how he sings like he puts his own soul into his singing.

Q: He sings with his heart, doesn't he?
A: Yes, he sings with his heart. And I think his R&B improvisation singing is cool too, I think he's a perfect artist.

Q: How about local music?
A: As a member of Tohoshinki I like the Gospellers the most. Their harmonisation is really beautiful. Since we are also a team that harmonises for people to hear, I'd like to become like them. Songs of theirs that I like are "Hitori" and "Towa ni". And personally I like Hirai Ken's "Hitomi wo Tojite".

Q: And Korean artists?
A: Our senior Shin Seung Hun. I think it's awesome how he's been able to let us hear his beautiful voice for such a long time.

Q: Which song of his do you recommend?
A: "I Believe".

Q: Earlier you mentioned that you compose music. Is singing one of your own songs one of your dreams for the future?
A: Of course. I'd be really happy if I were able to sing a song that I composed.

Q: Do you already have any completed songs?
A: Right now, there are about four that are complete. I've been playing around a little lately, but today since my instruments have arrived, I'm going to start composing again!

[Private]
Q: What have you been into lately? Is there anything you want to do?
A: I want to go on a trip! (laughs) Not for work, I want to go somewhere to have fun. It can be within Japan. If there's time I'd like to go have fun in Nagoya or Hokkaido or Fukuoka or something.

Q: Don't you have any interest in theme parks or anything?
A: I love theme parks. I'm up for going to a theme park anytime! Because the last time I went to a theme park was five years ago. I think if it's Japan, it'd still be alright. Because people don't really know me in Japan.

Q: No, it's pretty bad in Japan too.
A: Nobody knows who we are, do they? (laughs)

Q: No no, you're recognised well enough! (laughs)

Part 3 - Yoochun

[Emotions]
Q: Shall we start with "happiness"? Why don't you let us hear about something that made you happy?
A: My becoming a member of Tohoshinki; and I was also happy about being given the opportunity to hold activities outside of Korea, in Japan and other countries as well. Especially our activities in Japan. Because even though we've had concerts in other countries, we don't hold activities there as properly as we do in Japan.

Q: Because you've stayed in Japan for a long period and been in an environment where you've been able to carefully hold promotions and recordings, right?
A: I am happy about that. Because though there have been other Korean groups coming to Japan for short periods as foreigners in order to do promotional activities, Tohoshinki is not like them. Since we have exactly the same schedules whether we're in Japan or Korea, and we had to start our activities from the very beginning, just like Japanese artists. There haven't been any artists given that kind of opportunity, so I was delighted to be able to receive that chance as a Tohoshinki member. That is what I am proud of!

Q: Next is "anger". What is something that has made you angry?
A: During the roughly three months when we first came to Japan, we really were lonely. That loneliness we felt at first turned into anger later, though there isn't a reason why. And to be honest, the members' relationships with each other became not very good. But on the contrary, it is true that when we overcame that period, the bonds between the five of us grew even deeper.

Q: That's because you were living in a completely different environment to what you had been experiencing till before that, right?
A: At first we couldn't even speak Japanese, and because we didn't even have friends we didn't have anything to do during our private time. In Korea, even if we were busy we'd be able to meet our friends or parents if we wanted to, we'd be able to speak to them, but in Japan the only way we could talk was on the phone. Even if we wanted to go out we wouldn't be able to speak Japanese, and if our manager wasn't around we would be unable to do anything. That was something that I had felt when I was in America, and that feeling was something I remembered once again.

Q: And so that became anger. And you were angry at yourself for wanting to do things but not being able to do them.
A: Yes. Lately I've been going to the supermarket by myself, cycling in the streets by myself, so I've made progress (laughs).

Q: You've shown amazing growth.
A: Because we had that kind of period at first, I'm able to think of our circumstances now as a truly very good one.

Q: Next is "enjoyment". What is something you've enjoyed?
A: What I've enjoyed and been glad I joined Tohoshinki for is not receiving grand prizes or our debut, but the fact that I've met good staff members. We were really busy when shooting the video for "The way U are" in Korea, we didn't have time to eat or time to sleep, but if for example we'd be shooting a close-up scene, just for one member there'd be the cameraman, lighting guy, about eight people doing their very best - seeing them, that's what I felt. "I'm glad I met these staff members."

Q: Well, how about something that made you sad?
A: It's the fact that ever since I became a member of Tohoshinki, I haven't been able to see my friends like I used to, after all. Even friends who I've known from before, because they look at me now as Yoochun of Tohoshinki, that is a little lonely. Plus I want to keep a dog, but I have an allergy...pity (laughs).

Q: Earlier there was someone who said he was lonely because he wasn't able to meet with his family, how about you?
A: Instead of wanting to see them, it's more like wanting to feel them. For example it's okay even if I don't get to see them, but I remember the meals my mother used to make for me when I was a child, and think "I wish I could feel my mother." Because even if I'm in other countries, that's something I'm able to feel. Also when our schedule is over and I return home and get in the shower, and the two to three minutes before I fall asleep, those are somehow the loneliest moments I have.

[Travel]
Q: Shall we talk about travel next? What is a trip that has remained in your memories till now?
A: I've talked about my trip to America in interviews before, so...I guess I'll talk about the trip I made in Korea this year. We had ten days of holiday, so I went to the sea in Cheongdo-gun by myself. That was really great. What I felt then was..."Ahhh, this is a little crazy*." (smiles bitterly)

Q: Eh, what was crazy?
A: In the past, when I was in America I had no money, and to be honest I was working part-time jobs more than I was going to school. And with the money I earned, I'd buy food or clothes for my younger brother. But returning to Korea and debuting with Tohoshinki, and gaining a level of popularity in Korea, now I've come to even own a car. And don't I even have more of an allowance** now compared to back then? So I think, "Now I can even come to the sea, in a car...all kinds of things have changed these four to five years." It felt a little good, but I also thought, "This is crazy."

Q: Even though your circumstances have gotten better, I wonder why it is you think of it as crazy.
A: Though I think I've been really lucky to have received these kinds of opportunities these four, five years, doesn't that mean there have also been people who haven't been receiving these opportunities? For example, Tohoshinki's dancers or manager in Korea. I ride in my own car although I'm still young. Of course I think that's a good thing, but when I think about the people around me...

Q: You feel that you've been too blessed when comparing yourself to people of your generation or the people around you, don't you?
A: For example, we go to all kinds of countries for work. Even though we move around in a nice car, our staff members move around in a bus. Even in my private life, everyone's treatment of me has changed from how it used to be... For example when I said I wanted to eat with my dancers: "Have you eaten?" "Not yet." When I said, "Then come over here and let's eat together," they said, "Ahhh, now's a bit..." kind of half-heartedly. Even if that happens, I think that I myself cannot afford to change.

Q: Yoochun is himself even if he becomes a big star.
A: I don't want people to think that I've changed. I am concerned about the relationships between myself and the people around me. All of Tohoshinki's members hold that same thought. I perform on stage with a kind of "I am different" feeling, but once I get off the stage the time I spend living normally completely does not differ from other people. But if we had only been active in Korea, I might not be able to think that way. We became first place in Korea as singers and had our breakthrough, but because we came to Japan, and because we had to start from the beginning all over again, I think that's why I felt that way.

Q: So you're saying you're glad you were able to return to how you originally felt, one more time. That is what you told us when you talked about "happiness" as well. It's related to how you were happy that you were able to start activities from the beginning in Japan, just like you did in Korea, isn't it?
A: That's right. I'm really glad.

Q: Let's go back to talking about your travels.
A: Instead of spending my money on traveling, I'd rather buy a house early instead.

Q: A house?
A: This house, it actually means I want to start a family. I want to create a place early on where I can be at peace, a house where I can say, "This is my place."

Q: You're thinking about that even though you're young.
A: I only think of that once in a while, though (laughs). If I travel, I'd like to go to Bora Bora again after all~

Q: I knew it, that's where you're going to go, is it?! (laughs)
A: I don't think it's just me, all of Tohoshinki probably feels that way. In any case, it's because the people in Bora Bora all have great faces. They have no stress, and there's nothing like, "Who are those people?"

Q: The people on the island all have tranquil faces, don't they?
A: For example, the feeling when they say, "Good morning" is different. I get the feeling I'd be able to become like that if I were on that island(laughs). The scenery is beautiful, but more than that the atmosphere the people on the island create is really great.

Q: You've told me before that you'd like to go on a trip backpacking, right?
A: Ahhh, I really want to go backpacking! If I could, I'd just have a map, carry a bag on my shoulders, and make absolutely no plans.

Q: Travel where your heart takes you.
A: Aaahh~, I want to try it. Even a month will be fine, I will definitely do it someday!

[Music]
Q: Which Western artist do you like the most right now?
A: To be honest, there are many artists that I love. Recently, and I was listening to him today as well, the pianist Bill Evans. I found out about him when an artist called Brad Mehldau participated in a Bill Evans tribute album. I heard it and that started it all.

Q: You like piano pieces?
A: I love the piano. I think both singing and dancing are like this, but aren't they about the expression of emotions, with what you think, what you feel and so on? I think the piano is that way too. I love feeling while listening to myself put my own emotions into a piece and play. Also someone I've been listening to a lot lately is Yolanda Adams. And the soundtrack of the movie "Bridget Jones's Diary".

Q: How about Japanese artists?
A: Kuramoto Yuuki. I've come to listen to him a lot lately. Because I listen to him on the background music of his homepage***.

Q: How about Korean artists?
A: Recently, clazziquai (who hold activities in Japan as CLAZZIQUAI PROJECT). I put them in my iPod and listen to them a lot.

Q: What about them do you recommend?
A: They have a good raw, new age kind of feel. The female vocalist's voice may have a gentle sound, but if you hear it right in front of you it gives you goosebumps. I love their song called "Speechless".

Q: By the way, Yoochun, how about lyric writing and song composition?
A: I do them both. I've loved writing lyrics since I was in America, I'd skip school and go somewhere by myself, and write poems**** and lyrics(laughs). Going to America, at first I had absolutely no friends, so I turned my conversations with myself into lyrics. I love to write lyrics even now. It's just this year that I've been placing more importance on composing songs. I compose songs every morning, from 5 to 6 a.m.

Q: Recently it's felt like all the Tohoshinki members are crazy about composing music, hasn't it?
A: We've brought all our equipment and materials over from Korea. Since our manager brought the one remaining mixer that was in Korea over for us today.

Q: What are the songs you've completed recently like?
A: The song I composed yesterday was an R&B song with a beat. It's a bit different from what I've been composing until now.

Q: How many original songs do you have?
A: Over fifty. Recently I composed a slightly erotic song as well. With a sticky feel. I composed it while eating natto (T/N: fermented soybeans - which are very sticky). That was a joke (laughs). It's a song that I slightly........composed while imagining doing it (laughs).

Q: Hm? While imagining doing what?
A: Errrrrr, the time when you love, when you love...

Q: You summarised it beautifully (laughs). (Yoochun lets the interviewer hear the R&B ballad he has composed on his iPod) Ohh, isn't that a good song?!
A: If you come to our house you get to hear even more. Since there are people here, it's a bit embarrassing (smiles bashfully).

[Private]
Q: What is something you've been into recently?
A: I actually hadn't been able to eat natto for ages, but I came to like it about a month ago. Now I'm eating about three packets with every meal.

Q: What got you liking natto?
A: Seeing Jaejoong and Changmin eating it like it was delicious. I thought, "Is it really that delicious?" and wanted to try it a little. At first I thought it tasted bad, but when I next ate it, I thought it might be a little good... And the next time it became even more good. Now I cannot eat meals in Japan without natto! Natto is a Japanese art...(everyone bursts out laughing)

Q: By the way, if you had a time machine would you want to go to the future? Or the past?
A: I'd want to go to the future. Five or ten years in the future.

Q: And what would you want to see there?
A: I'd like to see the me of that time, the future me, for just a little, about five minutes and then return. And if I could go to the past I'd want to see my parents before I was born. "What kind of couple were they? How did both of them love each other?" Also if it were possible I'd like to return to the moment my younger brother was born.

Part 4 - Jaejoong

[Emotions]
Q: First "happiness". I'd like for you to tell us about something that made you happy.
A: Something that made me happy was Budoukan. What did the other members say?

Q: "Budoukan." The same, huh?
A: If that's the case I will go for something different (laughs). Our Budoukan performance really was something that made me happy, but something else that made me just as happy was getting to stand on the same stage ("SOUL POWER SUMMIT 2007") with The Gospellers, who we respect. Because up till now I've watched The Gospellers in videos, and always listened to them on CDs, my iPod and so on. I was really happy to have been able to meet them, but being able to stand on the same stage with them was truly an honour.

Q: How was it actually meeting them?
A: There wasn't that much pressure. Rather, they were very kind to us, I was really happy. They were good-humoured, it was somehow as if they were our older brothers from next door (laughs).

Q: Next is "anger". Is there anything that has gotten you angry recently?
A: The fact that I was unable to speak Japanese.

Q: I see, that's the same as the other members too...
A: Eh, the same?! (smiles bitterly) But that really was a big problem for us. Just shooting a normal comment*, even though the Japanese would be able to finish it in ten minutes, because Tohoshinki would have to reshoot and fix our Japanese countless times we would take about an hour. Interviews and stuff, also communication with our Japanese staff was stressful at first. We'd want to say, "Tohoshinki wants to do it this way," but being not really able to express this, there were times when this invited misunderstanding. And the misunderstandings were our mistakes after all. We'd want to make excuses for the mistakes we made, but we couldn't express those well either. During the period we came to Japan, most of the misunderstandings we had were never cleared up. I was angry at myself for being that way.

Q: It was difficult, wasn't it? But there shouldn't be any problems by now, should there?
A: There are still. Because there are sometimes occasions when I can't say things well. There are many times where I get angry at myself because even though in my heart I'm thinking, "I want to say this properly," since I still know little Japanese vocabulary I am unable to express it perfectly. But what I feel is the most important. Personally, I hate artists who betray their own staff members the most.

Q: Hearing that, it gets across that you treasure your staff members. That feeling that even though you being an artist are standing at the front, that's only because you have staff members that support you.
A: There is also your talent and hard work, but isn't it impossible to do it using only your own energy?

Q: That's true. You're outstanding. Most people aren't able to think that way. So next is "enjoyment". Will you tell us about something you enjoyed?
A: Something I enjoyed was "a-nation". It was so fun. When last year's "a-nation" ended I immediately said to my manager, "I want to appear on the next a-nation too!" (laughs)

Q: So it was that fun (laughs). It's great that you got to appear this year, too. And you've fixed your eyes on next year's, too (laughs). Well then, what's something that made you sad?
A: Hasn't Tohoshinki not just remained in Korea, but gone forward into Japan, Asia, the whole wide world? But when we came to Japan at first, even though we were supposed to have come into a wide world, for some reason it felt like we were trapped in a small one. There was a feeling as if there were high walls surrounding us and we were put inside them. It could have been the problem with language that I mentioned earlier, or I might have had anxieties about holding activities overseas.

Q: Even though Tohoshinki were superstars in Korea, they came to Japan and were a group of newcomers. Didn't you think of these circumstances as saddening?
A: To be honest, I did at first. We became top stars in Korea and then came to Japan, didn't we? So "If we go to Japan we'll immediately be able to sell", there was that kind of feeling. Because we had gotten the number 1 spot in other countries besides Japan, to be honest there was that confidence that we'd be able to sell in Japan as well. But there were all kinds of circumstances, there was also the problem of language, in reality it didn't go well... Even though we were singing the same music there was the problem of emotions and the differences in culture. Because I totally didn't know anything about that kind of thing, I also gave things complex thought. There were a lot of things I had to learn. Because I was in Japan for one half of the year, it became a good learning process for me not just as an artist, but for my life as well.

Q: Instead of breaking through from the very beginning, I think slowly selling more while maintaining a steady interchange with your fans builds stronger bonds with your fans. I thought this while watching your performance at Budoukan: "Tohoshinki is warm to their fans, there's love there." I felt that was, after all, because there was a period for you to deepen and cultivate the bond with your fans.
A: Thank you very much. The fans are all pure people. In one's short life, to be able to experience two successes is something I feel is very difficult. There are times you fail and also times you succeed. Even within one's successes, I think being able to experience two types of success at the same period of time is something you don't get. I think in Korea, and in Asia before we came to Japan, we swiftly had what can be called "a success". But in Japan we have still not been able to match that success. It feels like we are steadily and slowly climbing upwards from the very bottom. I think it is a happy thing that because we experienced that, all the members have not changed. If we can make it to the top in Japan like this, it'll probably feel like reaching the summit of Mount Fuji (laughs).

Q: In your long life, the first one or two years that you suffer through are short. Since the future after that is much, much longer.
A: Life may be long, but isn't there a period where you are simply in perfect form? I think for Tohoshinki, that is the period of time from when we were 16 till we are around 28. We are able to perform intense dances, and we are able to carry out intense schedules. Physically, I am able to do everything I want to. But I think the period where you can do your very best is surprisingly short. What's more it's not just in Japan, but the whole of Asia that we want to be active in...there is not enough time. Because it seems people of other countries also think, "I want Tohoshinki to hold more activities in my own country!"

Q: If only you had three bodies (laughs).
A: (laughs) I really think so. But I think there is no person out there that can imitate Tohoshinki's music. So I think, that's probably why there are many fans existing out there who love Tohoshinki's music. I really think that's a great thing. That is what Tohoshinki is confident of!

Q: You're saying it is thanks to the very five members of Tohoshinki's voices that this music is born.
A: Yes. When the five of our voices come together, there is a special something there. That is something that I know.

Q: You mean there's some kind of magic that happens when your five voices become one?!
A: That's right! That magic really does happen. That is Tohoshinki's top secret weapon. Songs like "'O' - Sei.Han.Gou" and "Rising Sun", when sung and danced to on an especially big stage, have amazing power.

[Travel]
Q: Which travel destination remains most strongly in your memory till now?
A: Thailand for me.

Q: What about it was good for you?
A: I had many memorable experiences in Thailand. Because too many fans gathered in the airport, it was deemed a "hazard", and without going through customs, we went straight from the aeroplane runway to the bus outside (laughs). To be honest, I was thinking, "Eeehhhh?! Is it okay for us to do something like that?" (laughs). What's more something even more outrageous happened, on the very next day after we went back to Korea there was a coup d'état. An internal struggle in Thailand. But it was alright because it happened after Tohoshinki left.

Q: So is there anywhere you'd like to travel to in the future?
A: The North Pole. I want to see it before it disappears.

Q: Because it's in grave condition due to global warming, isn't it?
A: It'll disappear someday. Our world, our planet is in danger.

[Music]
Q: I'd like to know who your recent favourite artists are.
A: Color Me Badd. It's made up of one black person and three white people, and you can see they have the characteristics of black music. Even Asian people can listen to them without feeling uncomfortable. They're good at singing, and have beautiful voices.

Q: Which song do you especially like?
A: I like "For All Eternity".

Q: How about Japanese artists?
A: I've always loved Kubota Toshinobu. Even yesterday I watched a video of him again, and thought, "This person is not Asian." His voice may be Asian, but his feeling and groove isn't. You can see the hard work he put in in America. Ah, yesterday I had an opportunity to meet him, but because our timing wasn't synchronised I didn't get to (makes crying face).

Q: Which song do you especially like?
A: "Just the Two Of Us", a cover of a Western song. When in Korea I heard Kubota-san's English album that he released in America, and I thought the person singing this song was an American. The vocal director who created this English album is the same person who was Tohoshinki's vocal director about one-and-a-half years ago. Not being able to express emotions in Japanese or pronounce well, there were times I was angry at myself due to that stress. At that time the vocal director said, "I know very well that Tohoshinki is having a lot of trouble with Japanese, but in the past when I worked with Kubota Toshinobu, he suffered a lot, too. The song that he had trouble with due to his pronunciation and rerecorded countless times was "Just the Two Of Us"." From the time I heard this, I thought, "I've gotta do my best, too."

Q: Which Korean singer do you recommend?
A: Naul. This person was the lead singer of Brown Eyes, but has now gone solo. I think he has the largest R&B scale out of all the artists I know in Asia. He is the artist that gave me the hope that Asian people can do this, too.

Q: By the way, I heard that recently you've brought your equipment over in order to compose music, but do you compose songs a lot?
A: Yes. I did till four in the morning today, too (smiles wryly). Lately, there's been time to sleep, but I don't sleep, because I compose music.

Q: So it's more enjoyable to compose music rather than sleep. It's like you feel, "I don't even have to sleep"?!
A: No, I want to sleep! (laughs) I want to sleep, but once I start I can't stop. Today I thought it'd take three hours but five to six hours passed just like that. It's really interesting.

Q: You compose on a keyboard?
A: Yes. The one I have now is small. Two weeks from now a bigger one will come, so our music work room seems like it's going to get even narrower.

Q: It seems Junsu has been buying furniture and changing up his bedroom in a variety of ways.
A: Junsu bought all kinds of equipment for him to compose music with, but he says, "Until they arrive I'll spend my time playing video games." Lately Junsu has been becoming a lazy sloth (laughs). The equipment is arriving today, so I wonder if he'll be starting to compose again tomorrow...?

[Private]
Q: What are you into right now in your private life?
A: Bicycles. I bought a bicycle. Recently, if I'm going shopping or something, if it's a short distance away I'll ride my bicycle there. It works as a sport, too. But I kind of don't want to go to neighbourhoods with lots of people in the daytime.

Q: It's when it gets crowded, right...
A: You can't move forward. That, and recently when I went to the electric appliance store on my bicycle, there was a Korean person there. "EH?! DONG BANG SHIN KI IS RIDING BICYCLES IN JAPAN!" she said. It was embarrassing (blushes). But the truth is it's something I'm proud of, being able to ride bicycles in the street. Is that not considered something to be proud of? (laughs) In Korea it's not really a custom to ride on bicycles.

Q: So the Korean who saw you riding in the streets on a bicycle may have been surprised, huh?
A: I think so. But I'm getting a little high over myself being able to run through the streets (laughs).**

Part 5 - Changmin

[Emotions]
Q: What is the happiest thing that has happened to you since you've debuted in Japan?
A: The happiest thing was the final show of our second tour at Budoukan. It's a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but in Korea Tohoshinki is a group loved by many people. But when we started holding activities in Japan, we were newcomers with no achievements in Japan of any kind. So we would be singing on very small stages, and when we compared this to Korea there were a lot of feelings of vexation and loneliness....Those kinds of memories came to mind when I stood on the stage of Budoukan. I was extremely happy at that time when I thought, "So we've come to have this many people love us even in Japan." It was a moving moment.

Q: What kind of image was reflected in your eyes at the moment you actually came out onto the stage?"
A: There were so many guests that had come. I could see many red lights. I tried to hold it in, but at the moment I witnessed this scene, it was like my tears were already going to fall.

Q: It's been often said that Budoukan as a venue feels like you are being enveloped by the audience, but how was it really?
A: It certainly did feel like we were being enveloped by the audience. Even though Budoukan is a large venue, when you stand on the stage the distance between you and the audience is nearer than you'd think. And because of this we became even more passionate (about our performance).

Q: Could you see the audience members' faces properly?
A: I could see them clearly.

Q: I see. Next, what's something that made you sad?
A: I think coming to hold activities in Japan, the saddest memories I have were caused by, as expected, Japanese. I really felt that, "No matter what kind of things I feel, if I cannot express them properly, they really become completely meaningless." In the period immediately after we first came to Japan, I always carried around painful thoughts. Even our staff members, because I couldn't hold deep conversations with them to find out what they were thinking when they were working for us, I didn't know these things, and at sets or wherever, even if I had any questions, because I was totally unable to comprehend what they were saying in Japanese, I was full of uneasiness. There was also a period of time where I closed my heart up a little because of those kinds of things happening. I couldn't express anything, and nothing could be expressed to me, so I created a sort of distance between myself and others; I might have come to behave so that people would not try to come closer to me.....But now, I'm getting used to even Japanese a bit at a time, and thanks to many staff members, I've come to be able to communicate well. But because I am still unable to hold conversations as smoothly as I imagine, I think I must study more.

Q: That's true. And now I'd like to ask about "enjoyment".
A: Yes. Something I enjoyed was "a-nation". Last year only four of us participated because our leader Yunho got injured, but it was so much fun. Though I'm really apologetic to Yunho for saying this (laughs). Because in Korea there aren't any of that kind of big open-air event tours, and it was the first time we got to experience them. Holding a big event while going round the different regions, there were lots of really fun happenings!

[Travel]
Q: What is a country that has left a deep impression on you, or what are memories of a trip that you've taken?
A: For me it'd be Prague in the Czech Republic. We went there for work in Korea, but I used lots of time to walk the streets of Europe. But of course we did nothing but work, so you couldn't really call it sightseeing (laughs). But because it was a city I was experiencing for the first time, whether it was things to see or things to hear or things to eat, I had a deep interest in anything. The scenery was really beautiful. There were many houses preserved on the streets that had a sense of nostalgia, so it was so beautiful that no matter where we took a picture it'd be good enough to put in our photobook.

Q: Was the food alright?
A: I......it doesn't matter what country I'm in or what kind of food it is, I can eat anything well (laughs). Since getting to experience that country's peculiar foods is also one of the thrills of travel.

Q: That's true. That's something I really understood when I had a meal together with you at a restaurant in Okinawa. After all, you did really well eating goat testicles (a delicacy) too (laughs).
A: I became reealllllyyyy energetic eating those.

Q: You were having a slight cold on that day, but you became energetic?
A: That's right! There might be people who will think this is a lie, but the next day after I ate that my physical condition got a lot better (laughs). If it's for health, I will challenge anything.

Q: You seem like someone who is rather able to monitor their health closely, don't you? For example, what kinds of things do you do in order to maintain your health?
A: At home, if there's even a little time I'll use dumbbells or do weight training. I build up my body with a machine.

Q: Is that so? By the way, what kind of personality do you yourself think you have?
A: I am clear about what I like and dislike. There's that personality assessment based on your blood type, right? I think I am a perfect B type(laughs). I have a bit of a quick temper and get angry easily. But if I decide, "I'm going to do this", I will definitely unshrinkingly do it all the way till the end!

[Music]
Q: Which foreign artists do you like?
A: Recently...well I've been listening to them a lot from a long time ago, so can I list more than one? Stevie Wonder, Bryan McKnight and the gospel artist Yolanda Adams, as well as Eric Benet and lastly, Connor Reeves.

Q: That's a wide range of genres!
A: Recently I've been more aware and am listening to a wide range of genres. Yolanda Adams is extremely good at singing so I admire her as an artist as well. I've liked Eric Benet since his first album.

Q: Eric Benet's newest album, Hurricane, was a good album, wasn't it? I liked Cracks of my Broken Heart.
A: Lately I've been totally engrossed in listening to him. Speaking of, as an addition I like George Michael as well. What these two have in common is probably their genre as artistes, I think. George Michael and Eric Benet sing from R&B to jazz to electronica, it has nothing to do with genres. Both of them also have soft singing voices.

Q: How about Japanese artists?
A: The one I've liked for a long time, ever since being in Korea, is the Gospellers. But of course there are many people in Japan who can sing well, like Kubota Toshinobu, Lyrico and so on. Earlier Jaejoong said out of Korean artists he respects Naul, but I respect that person even more than Jaejoong does (laughs). I've really liked him from a long time ago; I remember when I met him for the first time I was so nervous my heart was really beating fast. Speaking of, before this we got to meet the Gospellers for the first time and had the opportunity to practice together. At the rehearsal for an event ("SOUL POWER SUMMIT 2007"). I was really nervous at that time too. It was the first time I had felt as nervous in Japan as I had when meeting Naul in Korea. I think they are Japan's number one male group and artist.

Q: Which song do you especially like?
A: It's just one of the many, but as expected, it's "Towa ni".

Q: Your favourite artist in Korea is, as expected, Naul?
A: That's right, and I also respect Cho Yong Pil as an artist, as well as our producer Yoo Young Jin (has written famous songs by S.E.S, SHINHWA, BoA and other SM artists. Also composed DBSK's Rising Sun and "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap, and others). This is something I always feel when Yoo Young Jin is recording with me right next to me, but he is really good at singing. I think you could call him the Stevie Wonder of Korea. He is someone who really has a great talent for singing, but he is a humble person. I admire him as a person as well.

Q: Changmin, do you not compose songs like the other members?
A: I don't. I feel instead of being fixated on composing songs, there are still things that I should be doing. I want to increase my level of proficiency in Japanese too, and I also feel I'd like to pursue "songs" a bit more. I think if I start composing I'll definitely become too engrossed in it (laughs). But now, my feeling of wanting to properly learn other things more is stronger.

Q: Right now, you want to energetically work on your performances and singing in Japanese, don't you? Do you feel, "I'd like to compose sometime"?
A: That's right. Since the other four are doing it, there is a part of me that is influenced by them after all. But right now, what I pay attention to when I listen to music is the singer's voice or method of enunciation. Certainly, I pay attention to even the arrangement of the music and so on, even though I don't know it. But because composing songs is really difficult, I don't want to do it yet (laughs).

Q: How about composing lyrics?
A: I have an interest in composing lyrics. Please look forward to it in the future!

[Private]
Q: Right now, is there anything you're addicted to?
A: Recently I've been watching movies a lot.

Q: What kind of movies have you watched a lot of?
A: I especially like sad movies.

Q: Are you the type to cry when you watch sad movies?
A: I do cry (laughs). There's a saying in Korea that "People with big eyes have a lot of tears", which means "People with big eyes cry a lot" - that's in referral to me (laughs).

Q: What was the movie that made you cry the most recently?
A: Out of the Japanese movies, "Love Letter". I watched that yesterday and cried again. I think I'd like to watch a lot more sad Japanese movies in the future.

Q: Is there anything you feel, "This is the one thing I definitely have to try and do!" about?
A: I think I'd like to go on a world trip. Because there are lot of countries I still haven't been to, I would like to broaden my horizons more.

Q: What kind of trip would you like to take? For example would you want to go round the world by ship, or traverse the continents by car..there are lots of methods, aren't there?
A: I'd like to take a trip around Europe by train. I'd also like to go to America. America is one country but made up of 51 states, so even laws differ by state, and cultures differ slightly too. I think each state almost feels like its own country, so if I made a trip there it feels like I'd be able to experience all sorts of things. I want to have lots of different experiences.

Q: In America music also differs according to area, doesn't it? Like if you go to the Midsouth there's the blues or country music and stuff.
A: Japan is like that as well. Okinawa's music and Fukuoka's music are also a little different, and so is Sapporo's. Each place's distinctive characteristics differ slightly.

Q: A trip taken while being able to feel that kind of thing would be a good thing, wouldn't it?
A: That's right.

Q: By the way I'm just going to change the topic here, but if there was a time machine here right now, which you of which time do you think you'd like to meet?
A: I'd like to go and meet the me of my middle school days.

Q: And why is that?
A: In Korea there is a teaching that studying is the easiest thing you can do. "Because your studies will be easier than any kind of job you can get, if you don't study while you are young, you will suffer later on." There is that kind of teaching in Korea. That is something that I too feel now and then, nowadays. I think that doing my best at normal studies, and entering a good university, that would be easier or should I say, simpler to do, than going out into society, and performing a special job. So I want to meet the middle school student me, and I want to tell him, "You'd better study properly." (laughs)

Q: If you hadn't become a member of Tohoshinki, what do you think you'd be doing?

A: I think I'd be enjoying a campus lifestyle now.