170601 Woman Donga CNU's interview translations

Shinwoo of idol group B1A4 took on Musical Hamlet. Before the first performance, as we meet him who was preparing more intensely than students, taking their exams, compare to previously, the thoughts of him broaden.

"I slept 4-5 hours last night. Compared to other nights, it's considered more."

It is not the time of a student taking national exam. It is the time of group B1A4's Shinwoo who is playing the main role in Musical Hamlet which is starting on 19th May. From Chess in 2015 and The Three Musketeers in 2016, Hamlet is his third musical. As it is a musical production that has no script and everything is through singing, it is not only important to prepare well, but he also needs to take care of his voice well too. For Shinwoo who is practicing for the musical almost everyday, and still having to get on his usual schedule, it is hard to take good care of his own health.

"I have practice from morning all the way till night, but the thing that I am worried about the most is the need to take off my top. Last year I exercised too hard, so now my body is in a mess. However, since it is not possible to starve, so I maintain it by eating meat or abalone, mostly food which are good for the body. I have to lose weight, but even if I don't eat a lot I am gaining weight, so I am worried."

Q: In the midst of your busyness, it became a topic that you also participated in the election of the President. There are overflowing comments of you saying "You're handsome" even though you shot a proof shot with a black mask.
A: I'm not sure if it's because I was tired, but my face was bloated in the morning, so I wore a mask out (laughs). Up till now, I have not missed a chance to vote during the election. I hope that fans can utilise their authority as a citizen and cast their precious vote. 

Q: I heard that the four different cast for Hamlet has their own charms this time round.
A: Lee Jihoon who is a singer and actor has been doing musical for a long time and he shows as an experienced Hamlet. I learn a lot when I practice with him. He is like a subject we are learning. BTOB member is a Hamlet who has a charming voice. I personally like hyung's voice a lot, and I am touched when he sings the song one by one with all of his might. Vixx's Ken is younger than me by one year, he has a bouncy charming. He is a atmosphere maker in the practice room. I'm a little embarrassed to talk about myself, but if I were to quote what people around me says, I am Hamlet who has my own heavy resonance, so it fits Hamlet. I am able to live my own charms and act as Hamlet with my own colours.

Q: You came from a musically inclined family with your mother being a trot singer and your sister majoring in pansori. Did you get influenced by your house to become a singer?
A: I think I was influenced as my house always has music playing. There is not one second where we do not have music. My mother will always have a music program on. As such, since I was born I was surrounded by music, I thought it would only make sense if I grow up to be a singer. There is almost no other dream that I had other than being a singer.

Q: The era now is planning to make music that brings comfort to youths.
A: I was born and grew up in Chungbok Chungju. Since young, I was famous for being able to do music well. When I was in High school, I form a band called kaepgol and do performances with other schools and club. Even though I was deep into music and careless at my school work, I was not those kind who creates trouble in school. As I was a pioneer, on the contrary, I am the one scolding kids who are trouble makers. I was not able to just let it go when I see kids who stand up against the teachers or smoke. With a sense of justice, I will talk to the kids who have gone astray or give them a scolding. So we hardly get into any trouble. Shall we say that I am a young yet old student? (laughs) Now that I think of it, I can understand the behaviour of those friends. I think that it was the childishness during that age.

Q: Does your parents like that fact that you were active in a band?
A: I don't talk a lot to my parents. I was a very cold child. When I was in 3rd year of Middle school, I opened up my heart to tell them that I want to be a singer , they replied "I hope you will be able to High school and study hard. How about participating in University music festival when you enter a University?" My studies was good and I even became the class president when I was in Middle school, so I had some expectation (that they would allow). No matter what kind of thoughts my parents were having, I did band without them knowing. The money that they gave me to enrol into an academy, I used it to enrol into a music academy. It was my life's first deviation. It was only when one day my home room teacher asked "Does your parents know that you are attending a music academy?" that I told my mother honestly. I thought she was going to object the fact that I want to be a singer but unexpectedly, she told me to work hard on it and cheered me on. I wish I could've told her earlier. After that, thanks to my mother's staff, I was able to attend a music academy in Seoul and did auditions more actively. When I went on a youth music festival "Chin Chin Music festival", I got a prize. The managing director of my current entertainment company saw me at the music festival and picked me as a trainee. My band member, Jooyeong, who did a duet with me at the same music festival also became a singer. He is currently serving the army right now, but the singer who sang a duet with Sistar's Hyorin is that friend.

Q: You were a trainee for 2 years since the third year of your high school. Were there any difficulties during that time?
A: The practice studio was very poor so there were a lot of ups & downs. When it rains, water will come through the ventilator, and the floor would be flooded, it was a cramped and shabby underground practice room. There was even once when Jinyoung and I scoop up water and mopped the floor. Now these all became a fun memory but the members whom stuck through that period together are really like family and sticks together.

Q: In 2012, you acted in sitcom "I need a fairy" and started acting before any other members.
A: One year after I debuted as a singer, it was a coincidence that I get to do the drama, it was a fun experience. Even though I had acting lessons before I debuted, but I came to know that acting is hard and I was able to feel that I am lacking. Since then, I have wanted to do well in and acting so in 2013, when I was able to get into a university, instead of a music major, I chose an acting major. However, it is not easy to have work and studies at the same time. Even though I am having a break from school now, when I get the chance to be able to attend regularly, I intend to go back to school.

Q: Comparing actor and singer, which one do you have an aptitude for more?
A: In the past, I would definitely say a singer, but now as I do more acting, there are times when I ask myself if acting would suit be better. It gives that catharsis and ecstasy that being a singer can't feel. However, I ultimately still wants to be a singer. But I want to be able to make my fans proud with my acting.

Q: Other than just musical, how about taking on dramas and movies too?
A: We kept trying to grow towards that directions but there are times when we are unable to take the role due to schedule clashes, there are also times when we failed the auditions. When we first debuted, there were a lot of musical proposals that came but I rejected. There were fears about musicals. I felt that I still do not have the skills to do a musical, however, when I did Chess in 2015, I regretted not going it earlier. I was able to enjoy a different joy compared to standing on the stage as a singer, I was also able to meet a lot of people who sings well and are outstanding in their personality.

Q: Is there any role model actor whom you want to learn from?
A: I want to become someone like Song Kangho. He acts well, takes on challenging roles, and is a steady and constant person. He is really cool respectable.

Q: Is there any motto of your own that keeps you in watch?
A: When I was young, it was "Live humbly". I always feel a need to bend my knees and live according to my condition. Right now, rather than saying that my motto has changed, the words that I always think about would be "Don't self justify yourself". I find that if I did things that I regretted and not think that I was wrong, making excuses for myself and self justifying, that it makes me very narrow-minded and stupid. Also, my motto for my life in the future would be "Live enjoyably". I find that it is very difficult for me. Whenever I do something, I tend to be hard on myself and push myself to the edge in order to get good results so I find it hard to enjoy it. I wonder if I am able to enjoy life at 60-70 years old.

Q: What do you normally do during your rest days?
A: I make music. That way, we can release an album. Jinyoung and I are in charge of writing songs. Our styles are different from each other and after we make a song, we will put it into the songs we will pick for our albums. Rather than feeling competitive about Jinyoung, there are a lot of things to learn from him. There are times when Jinyoung listen to a music and is able to analyse it in a certain way. Even though he is a friend, he is respectable.

Q: Your parents must be proud that they have a decent son. Are you still the cold son you were previously?
A: I contact them a lot more compared to previously. Previously, I don't really call them. My father's health isn't good. When I saw his ill image, I thought a lot. "Time has passed by a lot. My father is no longer young. I have to do better!" thoughts like these. I think I matured a little now. I hope those reading this interview will not be late and regret, but treat your parents well.

Q: You debuted for 7 years, if you were to pick a point that you have discovered about yourself?
A: The past seven years has been intense. There are things that made me regrets but I feel that if I remain constant and work hard, I will be able to pull it through and I can be praiseworthy of myself. Also, 7 years ago, I was not able to show my feelings to my fans well. I find it shy to say I love you so I will tell them I like you. However, the fans like hearing I love you and now I tell fans I love you.

Q: How would you be like if another 7 years went by?
A: I think it will be like now, working hard making music and doing performances, living in fiercely. However, I hope that by then, I would be able to have the freedom to enjoy life more. Even though I like making music and doing performances, but I feel that if it becomes a job, work would become obligatory and mechanical. For someone who makes music, this cannot happen. In order to become an artist who can give our listeners their laughters and tears, I feel that we need to be able to have a comfortable heart.

Q: Please let BANA know about the activities you will have in the future.
A: We are in the midst of making music which will bring comfort to the youths who are carrying a lot of worries in this era. Also, we have plans to release a new album and doing concert tour in the near future soon. We hope that it will be a good present to the fans so we are preparing and working hard, so please give us your support and cheer on us till then. (laughs).

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