Jinyoung's time
Just a pleasant time spent with a cup of coffee, thumbing through the pages of a barely read book. GOT7 Jinyoung, with whom we met at 3 pm, pretty much matches the atmosphere such time gives.
GOT7's member and also an actor Jinyoung has one nickname. So-called "nation's first love", and I will try to go more detailed about it despite embarrassment. It would be exaggerating if I say that it's the image of first love every person holds inside his heart, since Jinyoung is for sure not my first love, but looking at him it's like good memories of my dim first love are replacing. Of course, Jinyoung, a person in blame, said that "it's a nickname at least one member of every idol group has" and "I don't care much and just focus on self-development". But just by looking at him, I think I know why that nickname was given to him. He showed up in the studio wearing dark clothes, which perfectly matched his slender body, with canvas bag and Alain de Botton's "Status Anxiety" in one hand. For a moment, I thought of my university years and the most popular sunbae in our department dressed up just like that. With Jinyoung, who recently had activities for GOT7's unit JJ Project, and now preparing album for the full GOT7, while acting in web-drama "Magic School", 3 hours were spent more joyfully than I expected. I felt it even more seeing not the idol on stage or actor in front of the camera, but a 24-year old young man with clear face, who likes Hong Kong movies and reading and hates noise.
In last month's arena issue Mark's interview was published. I remember he said that he personally has a lot of greed. Are you greedy, too?
If you aren't greedy you can't do this job, no? Every member has greed, and I especially have it, too.
What is greediness then? Is it something like "let's become better than we are now"?
Let's become good people. Let's do a good job with the things we are already in. Since you only live once, shouldn't you try your best? Nevertheless, everybody may have different criteria of what "you did well" (means). Personally for me, this criteria is the will to become/do even better than today.
If you aren't greedy you can't do this job, no? Every member has greed, and I especially have it, too.
What is greediness then? Is it something like "let's become better than we are now"?
Let's become good people. Let's do a good job with the things we are already in. Since you only live once, shouldn't you try your best? Nevertheless, everybody may have different criteria of what "you did well" (means). Personally for me, this criteria is the will to become/do even better than today.
Starting from the late July you had JJ Project activities, right? Comparing to 5 years ago the feeling (you radiate) is much more mature. What has changed during that time?
Even though I can talk comfortably about it now, back then I was desperate. Because I was maknae in JJ Project, I had some kind of unintentional "obsession" that I must be bright. During those 5 years I went through different kind of things (doing different work) so now I can be more relaxed.
Now it looks more natural. Like the original you.
Really? I'm way more comfortable now, too, a way more.
Even though I can talk comfortably about it now, back then I was desperate. Because I was maknae in JJ Project, I had some kind of unintentional "obsession" that I must be bright. During those 5 years I went through different kind of things (doing different work) so now I can be more relaxed.
Now it looks more natural. Like the original you.
Really? I'm way more comfortable now, too, a way more.
Recently you have been shooting for web-drama "Magic school", right? Is it something like "Harry Potter"?
Ah, in "Harry Potter" they deal with spells, in our drama we deal with magic. I have learnt magic (tricks) for more than a month so in drama I did most of the tricks by myself except difficult ones. (Magic) isn't a topic which is highly covered in Korean dramas, that's why even though we did amazing job and each character developed personally through the magic, there were a lot of challenging questions. So whether drama came out well or not, that was still a really good experience.
Ah, in "Harry Potter" they deal with spells, in our drama we deal with magic. I have learnt magic (tricks) for more than a month so in drama I did most of the tricks by myself except difficult ones. (Magic) isn't a topic which is highly covered in Korean dramas, that's why even though we did amazing job and each character developed personally through the magic, there were a lot of challenging questions. So whether drama came out well or not, that was still a really good experience.
I'm not just blindly kind-hearted person
If you search for "GOT7 Jinyoung" you will see the article "Nation's first love".
Ah, this nickname is present in every idol group. In this group this person, in that group - that person is in charge of that kind of image. So I never believe in such words and just try to improve myself. (laughs) I, myself, still don't know what kind of image I have. According to other's definition, my image is judgeable, though. How other people see you also determines you, right? But I try not to think how most of people see me. In the past I look a lot at the comments people left, but now I don't really look at them. I want people to like me for my hard work. I don't think paying attention to others is something you should do.
You said you don't know what kind of image you personally have. Then what kind of group is GOT7?
Group with losing cannon brightness. I'm a little bit calm, right? But when it comes to our members, energy is great. Encouraged by that, we can work hard together. The main strength of GOT7 is the mood uplifting energy.
What people from your surroundings who has been with you for a long time say about you?
I heard a lot about honest side of me. And they also talk a lot about me being natural.
Aren't there opposite opinions?
I have serious sides but when I'm in the private situation I exchange sly jokes. I like exchanging sneaky jokes. On the other hand people who meet me for the first time knows only serious and "no jam" me. Of course, I somehow admit "no jam" part. Ha ha. Lately no matter what kind of people I get to know, they tell me "Because you are too serious it's embarrassing". Since they are not close to me, I show manners and I look like that for them.
I have read your previous interviews, and your kind soul and straight mind were showed. Considering those sides you are still called "no jam".
That is the power of interview. When I hear "We are doing interview", I think I should talk more suave and make some sides of my personality more standing out. What you have noticed is accurate and right. I have good soul, but I'm not just blindly kind-hearted person. Ha ha.
Ah, this nickname is present in every idol group. In this group this person, in that group - that person is in charge of that kind of image. So I never believe in such words and just try to improve myself. (laughs) I, myself, still don't know what kind of image I have. According to other's definition, my image is judgeable, though. How other people see you also determines you, right? But I try not to think how most of people see me. In the past I look a lot at the comments people left, but now I don't really look at them. I want people to like me for my hard work. I don't think paying attention to others is something you should do.
You said you don't know what kind of image you personally have. Then what kind of group is GOT7?
Group with losing cannon brightness. I'm a little bit calm, right? But when it comes to our members, energy is great. Encouraged by that, we can work hard together. The main strength of GOT7 is the mood uplifting energy.
What people from your surroundings who has been with you for a long time say about you?
I heard a lot about honest side of me. And they also talk a lot about me being natural.
Aren't there opposite opinions?
I have serious sides but when I'm in the private situation I exchange sly jokes. I like exchanging sneaky jokes. On the other hand people who meet me for the first time knows only serious and "no jam" me. Of course, I somehow admit "no jam" part. Ha ha. Lately no matter what kind of people I get to know, they tell me "Because you are too serious it's embarrassing". Since they are not close to me, I show manners and I look like that for them.
I have read your previous interviews, and your kind soul and straight mind were showed. Considering those sides you are still called "no jam".
That is the power of interview. When I hear "We are doing interview", I think I should talk more suave and make some sides of my personality more standing out. What you have noticed is accurate and right. I have good soul, but I'm not just blindly kind-hearted person. Ha ha.
Everyday you introduce yourself as "Hello, I'm GOT7's Jinyoung". Apart from that, how about listing out the things you like and don't like? For example, I work in the magazine, I like sea and surfing, and undergo intensive training for butterfly stroke - this is how I want to introduce myself.
First of all I'm GOT7's Jinyoung and my real name is Park Jinyoung. I entered JYPE. I don't like noise and I like when it's quiet. Rather than going to place with a lot of people I prefer cafe or quiet bar, where I can chat comfortably with 2-3 friends. Also I'm really into watching movies. Lately I'm especially fond of Hong Kong movies. Now I tasted the golden age of Hong Kong movies, which is from 1990 till early 2000, and I can't really watch anything besides them.
First of all I'm GOT7's Jinyoung and my real name is Park Jinyoung. I entered JYPE. I don't like noise and I like when it's quiet. Rather than going to place with a lot of people I prefer cafe or quiet bar, where I can chat comfortably with 2-3 friends. Also I'm really into watching movies. Lately I'm especially fond of Hong Kong movies. Now I tasted the golden age of Hong Kong movies, which is from 1990 till early 2000, and I can't really watch anything besides them.
For example, what movies are they?
"In the mood for love", "Infernal affairs", "The Killer", "A moment of romance", "Days of being wild", "Comrades, almost a love story" - movies like these. These are pretty well-known movies, aren't they? I really want to watch director Wong Kar Wai's "Ashes of time" but I don't where I should download it so I can't watch for now. Ah, just for you to know - I really don't appreciate illegal downloads so I only watch it on the legal sites after paying for it. (laughs) I'm really fond of actor Tony Leung, so I search for and watch all his works. Before my favorite movie used to be "Scent of a woman", but now it's a battle between "In the mood for love" and "Infernal affairs".
I remember the last scene of "In the mood for love", when Tony Leung is whispering to Angkor Wat temple's wall. You should go on pilgrimage once.
I want to visit a steakhouse where Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung ate together. In fact it's a quite famous place with good food, and I will definitely try to go there at least once. This time we had schedule in Hong Kong and I wanted to visit, but we didn't have time so I couldn't go.
If you are a fan of "Chungking express" you also should take a photo in Hong Kong Soho's mid level escalator.
Ah, I want to go to dumpling place. I really like the scene where Tony Leung takes off the officer hat and do greetings.
"In the mood for love", "Infernal affairs", "The Killer", "A moment of romance", "Days of being wild", "Comrades, almost a love story" - movies like these. These are pretty well-known movies, aren't they? I really want to watch director Wong Kar Wai's "Ashes of time" but I don't where I should download it so I can't watch for now. Ah, just for you to know - I really don't appreciate illegal downloads so I only watch it on the legal sites after paying for it. (laughs) I'm really fond of actor Tony Leung, so I search for and watch all his works. Before my favorite movie used to be "Scent of a woman", but now it's a battle between "In the mood for love" and "Infernal affairs".
I remember the last scene of "In the mood for love", when Tony Leung is whispering to Angkor Wat temple's wall. You should go on pilgrimage once.
I want to visit a steakhouse where Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung ate together. In fact it's a quite famous place with good food, and I will definitely try to go there at least once. This time we had schedule in Hong Kong and I wanted to visit, but we didn't have time so I couldn't go.
If you are a fan of "Chungking express" you also should take a photo in Hong Kong Soho's mid level escalator.
Ah, I want to go to dumpling place. I really like the scene where Tony Leung takes off the officer hat and do greetings.
I'm not really fond of "emotional Instagram"
Your hobby also looks calm. You said you also take photos on film camera?
During JJ Project activities we went to Japan to take photos for our album jacket. We took pictures with film cameras by ourselves, then wrote small essays for them and launched an exhibition. It was the first time for me. I couldn't look through pictures after I took them so it was kind of tantalizing but also fun.
Usually what pictures do you take?
Landscape. I took photos of people but there were a lot of complaints. (laughs) I am not good at taking photos of people. It's not satisfying and there also a lot of questions like "Why did you take photo of me in this way?". Nature can't say me anything so I'm just taking photos of landscapes.
Your Instagram also speaks about your personality. You post really calmly and relaxed.
In fact it may look like laziness. I don't want to write a lot. Even though SNS is a good way to communicate with fans but if I do a small mistake there can be people who would feel uncomfortable because of it, right? That's why mostly I try to make it as short and brief as possible. I'm not really fond of "emotional Instagram". Hashtag "love", hashtag "destiny" - I don't like such things. Ha ha.
During JJ Project activities we went to Japan to take photos for our album jacket. We took pictures with film cameras by ourselves, then wrote small essays for them and launched an exhibition. It was the first time for me. I couldn't look through pictures after I took them so it was kind of tantalizing but also fun.
Usually what pictures do you take?
Landscape. I took photos of people but there were a lot of complaints. (laughs) I am not good at taking photos of people. It's not satisfying and there also a lot of questions like "Why did you take photo of me in this way?". Nature can't say me anything so I'm just taking photos of landscapes.
Your Instagram also speaks about your personality. You post really calmly and relaxed.
In fact it may look like laziness. I don't want to write a lot. Even though SNS is a good way to communicate with fans but if I do a small mistake there can be people who would feel uncomfortable because of it, right? That's why mostly I try to make it as short and brief as possible. I'm not really fond of "emotional Instagram". Hashtag "love", hashtag "destiny" - I don't like such things. Ha ha.
There are a lot of good hidden songs, which people still don't know about, and it makes my heart hurt
How about giving some hints regarding time or activities of GOT7's comeback?
First of all, regarding time of comeback I will say "soon". That is like "coming soon". Then, we are going to solidify bright image of GOT7's music, which you will listen to. We are preparing songs that are sad but have a refreshing feeling. And since we worked in collaboration with really cool composers I hope you would anticipate it.
The more you listen to GOT7 songs the better they get.
Exactly. There are a lot of good hidden songs, which people still don't know about, and it makes my heart hurt. I'd like if more people will hear them.
But in the end people don't forget good songs and they will remember them.
I won't forget those words and will remember them.
First of all, regarding time of comeback I will say "soon". That is like "coming soon". Then, we are going to solidify bright image of GOT7's music, which you will listen to. We are preparing songs that are sad but have a refreshing feeling. And since we worked in collaboration with really cool composers I hope you would anticipate it.
The more you listen to GOT7 songs the better they get.
Exactly. There are a lot of good hidden songs, which people still don't know about, and it makes my heart hurt. I'd like if more people will hear them.
But in the end people don't forget good songs and they will remember them.
I won't forget those words and will remember them.
