(FULL TRANS) YUNHO’S INTERVIEW WITH ARENA HOMME
Idol is the epitome of the modern times; numerous youths chase after that source of light. To a certain extent, it is possible to say idols exist to satisfy the desire of this era. Uknow Yunho has been standing at the top of the idols for more than 10 years. When asked about the past ten years and the future ten years, the infinite passionate dreams of a youth appeared, even if it is not world peace, it is the passion that is similar to world peace.

“I am never afraid of changes. I am the type who runs forward while creating changes. Anxiety was not felt during the production of album or the moment before (I) step onto the stage, but (I) get edgy once I stand on the stage. This is because people who are looking will pass judgments. But I enjoy this anxiety, this is the time I can feel I am still alive.”

“(I) like that.” “Then, how about starting?” “Is this alright?” said Uknow Yunho who seemed to be shouting slogans during the intervals of filming. It really gives off the feeling of shouting the slogans. This also shows the personality of Uknow Yunho. Some people are steady, some people are alert, even though nothing is said, and the momentum of the filming venue can be felt. Although there is charisma (in each personality) but career wise, people who are energetic are preferred. People influence each other, the time spent interacting is sufficient even if they have worked for only a few hours. Uknow Yunho leaves a hearty impression to everyone at the filming venue. Just like the relaxation that shot through the body after drinking a chilled bottle of beer after exercising, he is determined and confident; he also knows who he is and what he can do. Is this the attitude of an idol trained by the ten years? Or is this the growth of a man who has been standing at the top for ten years? Fact is, no matter what this is, it has been continuing for ten years. He dreams to reach the top of what an idol means in the kingdom of idols, South Korea. What kind of idol will he become? No one knows.

Q: (Your) personality seems to be very cheerful during filming.

It is like this during work. Isn’t it better to smile while working?

Q: Then let’s smile while doing this interview. Firstly, please give your comment for the tenth anniversary album.

Firstly, when (I) heard the tenth anniversary album, I thought it was a challenge. The promotional songs from the past are skewed towards performance wise and this is the first time it directs towards swing. Although it is important to let go of strength-represented music, but (I) want to present music that the public can listen to. I believe it is an album to convince everyone we can still move forward. Just from this point, (I) want to grade it a 70 points or more.

Q: Whenever a new album is released, there are people who crave (for it) and of course there are people who are scared.

I am not afraid of changes. I am the type who runs forward while creating changes. Anxiety was not felt during the production of album or the moment before (I) step onto the stage, but (I) get edgy once I stand on the stage. This is because people who are looking will pass judgments. But I enjoy this anxiety, this is the time I can feel I am still alive. I am the type who relieves stress on stage.

Q: Many things are already showcased as the range of time doing activities gets extended, so you must have felt burdened right?

Not only in Korea, a totally different album is released in other countries and therefore (we are) different from the normal singers because we have two or three times more concepts. As (we are) TVXQ, we present performances that are of no other, and exactly because this expectation exists, the sense of burden exists too. But motivation comes from this sense of burden. From that, the difference of thinking started. (Things) will develop the way you think as well as the way you strongly believe in. Like this time, I wanted to be the type who can kill someone in seconds (T/N: in terms of charisma) I thought of becoming a little childish and naughty. I try this, and I try that. I will try items that I’ve written on a notepad when I had time.

Q: I am also a reporter of ten years or so. I also have thoughts of giving up or trying other jobs, after all (I am) human.

This is not a lie; I do not know the word ‘give up’. I am a personality that will endure all the way once I started. Once I make a decision, I must continue it permanently, then I can become a person that is enough to influence others. It is not all to just sing and dance on the stage. It will be good to transmit my message or feelings to the other party and influence them to dream the same as mine, I am progressing with this mindset. (It) probably started since the second album; I want to create a stage to share these. I felt a lot and have been continuing this seriously during the days of the second album. There was one day when I did not felt comfortable and wanted to finish the stage casually but all these are conveyed to the audience. It was felt at that time. One day, a male audience gave me a letter. He is a young Japanese audience, and he wrote “I want to be a person like hyung, I want to give others hope just like hyung”. That sentence touched me immediately. It can be a rare thing that a male will show respect to other male in other countries… this really touched me.

I believe it is that sentence that I have placed deep inside my heart that motivated me to continue. Changes were made gradually. I think the reason there are 850k people who (came) to watch our concert is because we have walked through (the years) with this attitude. So do I think there are other jobs that I will like more than this? I do not have that kind of confidence. This is something I can do well and enjoy in and that is why I believe there is a need to continue - same for Michael Jackson.

Q: Encounter and breakup are separated pretty clearly.

There are many minor feelings here and there in social connections. If a target or action is mentioned at once, (the relationship) will continue that way.

Q: You are being labeled as an idol at the start but you are still being labeled as an idol after ten years, is that a good or bad thing?

I guess it depends on the mindset. I have confidence, that there is no idol that has created as many records as we did. Although there are many outstanding idols, but breaking own records is really a difficult thing. Not only that, being seen as idols that still carry what an idol is seen as, it seems not too bad, because this is not possible in the future. Being labeled as idols by people from this era, I am thankful for this, I am happy because I am still seen as young. (Laughs)

Q: What about music wise?

In fact it is not that Changmin and I did not want to venture into other music but there must be a time segment. If everything is presented all at once, the day when we have nothing to present will arrive quicker and therefore we have to observe the situation. It is only right if we present in the right period and opportunity. Names can be anything. Some people say “I am an idol” if they are an idol star, but if some people talk about artistes, it’s “Oh, artiste”. Also, there are people who talk about others who are doing a show and the name will be “a person to presents a show”. I am thinking like this, just think of yourself as a comedy actor and live by the days as per you wish.

Q: It is hard for one to not nod his head along with this cheerful conversation. Your words have a strange attraction. Just for this tone, no matter what you say, people will follow right?

Recently, I have been thinking to let go whatever I want to let go, to hold onto whatever I want to hold on to. This will start to showcase my own attractiveness. Since I want to impact the others I will do this properly. Not only this, at times when my own thoughts should be spoken freely, they should come out unsuppressed. Of course, responsibility should still be shouldered.

Q: What have you let go of?

I used to be a child who has an “extremely” high passion. I work hard in everything, (I am) filled with energy… but working too hard caused social connections to be… shouldn’t there be times when (I) should not work too hard? An ability to let go appropriately when people cannot catch up emerged. Or should I say age gap is produced?

Q: It is impressive that you can recognize the situation happening at each age stage and adjust accordingly.

I am especially lucky. Or should I say, I received help from many people. My manager hyung and I are being called “fool one” and “fool two”. I really like the word ‘fool’. I heard this story, if you climb the mountain and there is a higher mountain in front, you have to climb down and re-climb the mountain because this is how mountains are produced. There is no way to jump over mountains. Take mountains as life, if there are other targets produced just like other mountains are, you will have to get down and climb up again. People who use their brains often will have different imaginations once they start climbing. Will there be different paths? Can I get up? What to do if I cannot climb up? Etc. But a fool will straightforwardly say ‘just get up’. In this case, targets can be met and fulfilled. I believe dreams should continue this way, which is why my luck is really good, because I still can have dreams even up till now.

Q: It feels like you have other plans other than music.

Ultimately I want to build a school. Maybe it is because I came all the way up in a more tiring way that the other trainees, I thought of giving more chances to the children. Our country may have art schools but there are not many places where lectures provide support to artistes. I want to build a school where all these can be learned. This is my last dream. I personally want to retire as an artiste at the age one year older than Michael Jackson. Following, I want to continue as an actor. I also want to get into directing and producing a show. Also, I want to do some inventions as my hobby. If this can continue like this it will be good.

Q: Invention?

When I was 20 or 21 years old, I mentioned that I want to invent on a show. The results will be out at the start of March. Although I don’t know if it will be successful, but it has been forwarded to representatives to progress. It is not those kinds of huge inventions; it is just a very small invention, something like changing a cup to something different. I will think of a lot of things usually, such as ‘can’t KTX be on the car’ (T/N: KTX = Korean Train eXpress) or ‘is it possible to turn a car park to rotation style to generate electricity’. Why can’t I move forward? Is it not alright to try even if I may fail? I always think this way. Failures will become experiences, I just have to hold onto my determination and continue doing until I succeed.

Q: Do as you say!

I am like this since I was young. People say I am crazy initially, because there is nothing to achieve. As time passes by, ¼ of the dream is realized. I donated quietly at the start, I am not sure how that was found out but it became a motivation. I am realizing my dreams like this. The first step to dream is hard, but it gets better if conditions are created.

Q: Seems like there is a feeling of expanding a positive image of idols.

I am on the stance as a senior now and responsibility is produced after becoming a senior. I am to be an example to seniors of idol groups who are doing similar music style like us that we can still continue to venture into other aspects even if we are older. If I want to be this kind of senior, the road must be paved properly. I detest a word called ‘in the past’. There may be excellent things done in the past but it will be over with a round of applause. It is important to keep walking; I want to convey this point to the juniors. We have been through many things and further road is seen after experiencing that. I want to let the juniors know “I did this, and therefore you can do better”. I want to become this kind of senior.

Q: Is this too certain?

Ah, is it?

Q: If an issue is too certain, uncertainties will follow like shadows. Isn’t it that way?

Sometimes thoughts may change because (I) feel lonely. Of course uncertainties occur on me too. I am a very competitive person in my heart and therefore once my heart comes out with reasons for me to work hard, the uncertainties will be cured. Reporters are also people who impact others; different kinds of strengths are given along with different kinds of reports written. I think that no matter who you are, a positive strength should be given. A positive strength will be produced if you keep thinking of positive areas. Especially males, once something is spoken, actions will follow. I will let people say it out. Whenever I meet juniors, I will ask for their current dreams. This kind of conversation will allow people to think through sincerely.

Q: Popularity, money, status may cause envy while relationship with females will not. Man in his 20s will prefer hanging out with females, but isn’t it rare for situations like this to happen?

I have relieved myself of stress for area like this. Everything has a time interval; it is the golden era in the 20s. I am also a human, why won’t I have thoughts to understand her better if I find her good? But exactly because there is something I want to do, I have to finish the others first. If we meet (date) casually, not only the other party will be hurt, I will be hurt too. Talking about the past, it is not that I have not tried dating when I was doing activities. I realized if I don’t do my things properly, I cannot be distracted towards the others. If it is like this, I have to find someone who shows a lot of concern to me, but the ending will not be very good because this will over stress the person. Therefore a solution to dating problems is found – if I am too lonely, I will gather with my friends.

Q: As expected if it is not women it will be friends.

Friends were my priority when I was in high school; I play along with all the lonely people. Ah, play healthily of course, such as bowling, baseball, fly darts on maps and travel to the places where the darts hit, we gather everyone with this method. People can come (with us) as they like but they cannot get out (of the group) easily. (Laughs) I want to date too, I want to get married, as to when it will be, it is not confirmed.

Q: Ah, no plans to get married now? I thought…

(Laughs) I do not want to live alone, but I just feel there is no other half that suits me yet. I want date properly if (the other half) appears anytime. Just like this, if moments such as ‘I want this woman, just her’ happen then I will make a choice. I cannot live protecting this and that, I do not want that kind of life. I want to live a life that I will not regret at all. TVXQ is created and therefore even if I date, it will not be publicized. Sometimes when someone ask if I will announce my dating life I will say no right away. Although there is advantage to announcing my dating life, but that person may be hurt because of it.

Q: You have reached the top as a singer; to the opposite of it, what kind of person are you? Do you think you have grown into a good person?

The personality of Uknow Yunho is actually different from the real Jung Yunho. Uknow Yunho is proceeding with the interview right now. Uknow Yunho is a child who had begun this life since he graduated from high school while the child called Jung Yunho is left at the high school era; he is a child with many pure innocent dreams. Therefore when people meet me at work, they think I am very cool but when they meet up with me after work, they will think of me as an extremely cheerful person. It is my target to grow the child Jung Yunho to a more handsome man so that both of them (Uknow Yunho & Jung Yunho) can walk down the future with the same steps. I cherish all my friends, because Jung Yunho will be forgotten if I do not meet up with my friends.

Q: Do you feel as if you had lost anything?

I want to start doing trivial yet very life based kind of things. The child named Jung Yunho will still marry and have kids. Put aside the social status, (I) should grow independently. There is this inner confliction; what should I do alone? What can I do? When I think of this, I get frustrated. However, I completed things that the hyungs wanted to do during high school, and therefore I want to start all over again to let Jung Yunho grow. I have worn sports outfit and walked around, as well as negotiating prices with the auntie who sells rice cakes at the express way stop. There are still many people who do not know Uknow Yunho. I realized it is interesting after attempting to do those things. (Laughs)

Q: Seems like life will not be boring.

Physically, it is tiring because basically my schedules are very tight. But if I keep going out in Korea, I will not feel like going out when I am overseas. I will reflect upon many things at that time.

Q: Since the 10th anniversary album is released, it is time to envision your life 10 years later.

I will be nearing the 40s 10 years later. My father told me a man’s age starts from the 40s. Enjoying and understanding of life will start in the 50s and hence in the 20s, there is no room for nonsense and (I) should just run forward. According to my father’s words, I had run through the 20s amazingly. It feels as if lesser troubles will happen in the future, my many dreams are starting to fulfill too. I will realize these dreams in my late 30s, which will be interesting.

* Translation is not allowed to be shared to sites that do not respect Yunho or TVXQ.

Pictures: UltraTVXQ

Korean - Chinese trans: Park_GPA是会呼吸的痛

Chinese - English trans: @yunjaery

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