Donghae graces us all with Elle Korea + Esquire photoshoots + interviews

[caramelorchoco.livejournal.com]

Deep down in the heart: ELLE KOREA JULY 2014
ELLE: Last night, there was filming for the whole night as well right? Recently, you’ve been acting as Han Siwoo in the new season of the popular drama “God’s Quiz”

Donghae: Although I have not seen the previous series, just the occasional once or twice, I felt like it gave the same feel as a movie. I wanted to act in a medical crime-solving drama, but it did not have the kind of dialogue I had expected, the lines really are a mouthful. What to do… that’s why during breaks, when I’m driving, or when exercising, I am always practising by myself.

ELLE: You also acted in the film “The Youth”, which was displayed at the Jeonju International Film Festival in May. It’s surprising that you’ve chosen a non-commercial film to make your movie screen debut.

Donghae: I’ve always been more interested in independent films. I know the wife of Kim Jinmoo, the director of the film “The Apostle, and it was she who told me that the Director had been preparing a new film, and so I then received the script. No matter how big or small the audience is, I still wanted to act (in it).

ELLE: And so it has turned into a really great experience.

Donghae: It was really very interesting to shoot. For just a single scene, everyone was discussing together, repeatedly shooting that single scene, to go through this painstaking process actually has its charm of a sort. I understand the feelings of movie actors now (laughs). This is the 5th episode of the TV series now, I still feel that when I appear in roles on TV, it is really magical. Actually, the fact that people know me is magical in itself. Compared to the other members, other than performing in music shows within Korea, there are not many other activities.

ELLE: Regardless, you’ve been part of idol group Super Junior for almost 10 years! Compared to those more mischievous members, you have a kind of “old town” feel

Donghae: I didn’t intentionally mean to make this sort of image. I was always like this. I don’t like to drink alcohol, and going clubbing is not agreeable with me. I do not like these kind of impolite things. I am very respectful towards my brothers, I always listen to what they say.

ELLE: So regardless, where does this psychology come from?

Donghae: My father always said that to me. Regardless of where, I should always set an example, in the first year of junior high, when I entered SM as a trainee, I alone was collecting the bowls of other people, Leeteuk-hyung saw me like this and asked “Who are you? Who asked you to collect the bowls?” and I said “My father taught me like this.” After that hyung always took care of me and went around everywhere with me.

ELLE: In such a highly competitive entertainment environment, there also be a time when you lose right?

Donghae: Of course there is. Especially since our group, there are so many members, all 13 members want to wear nice shoes but when they cannot wear it, they will give it to those who can wear it and garner a bigger reaction. Although I would also like to be a bit more handsome, but compared to what I have to put on, it’s a dead end, I’m the type of person that would take a step back. When having an interview together with the members, I don’t talk much either. There’s always been a big number of members who are good at talking anyways.

ELLE: Do you not feel that you are too handsome and unable to come outside?

Donghae: Ah, it’s not like this. It’s because members take care of each other. That’s why SJ has been able to last until now. If there is a member speaking, we will all listen. If there is something sad, it is better for them to say it out loud rather than to hide it, there really are very little quarrels, and when there is, they will always nicely reconcile. All the members have been together since our teen years, loving and hating together, everything has already been seen and heard. We really are like brothers.

ELLE: I heard through “Grandpas Over Flowers” that you became very close with Park Geun-hyung. It’s surprisingly that you’ve been able to become so close with such a senior actor.

Donghae: I’m the youngest one back home, I always make the elders spoil me. Because we have filmed together before, Park Geun-hyung is really like my grandpa. We met up not long ago (takes phone out and shows a picture of them together), we will go out and eat together once or twice a month, always chatting together.

ELLE: But many people do not abide by “let’s eat together”, those kind of arrangements?

Donghae: We do not have those compulsory kind of arrangements. But sometimes I will suddenly realise: “Ah, last time I said we could eat together but I never contacted you, I’m just like those kinds of people who give empty talks”, at this time I will immediately send messages to the other person. When these situations happen with people I’m not particularly close with, it really isn’t a joking matter. But I have become older, and often go overseas, I don’t think this way anymore. When overseas, males and females speaking together is not really that natural, when you meet for the first time in an elevator, they will say “that t-shirt is very nice, where did you get it?” Previously I would feel like it would be a misunderstanding if I said it like this, that’s why it’s better to just not say anything. It is better to grow closer together first.

ELLE: How do you become close?

Donghae: When I see new groups on music shows and such, I will first say (to them): “I saw your performance, let’s go and eat together”, when I was younger I thought about this, in case I was to also become a popular idol in the future, that I was to be someone who would greet others first, to call out their names first. That’s why when I see the company’s trainees, I will call them to line up one by one and ask their names. Although I cannot directly teach them how to sing, how to play the guitar, I will just ask “What do you want to do?”, and then invite them to go out and eat. Although these are just small things, it’s easier to become closer with your seniors. I know it because I have also gone through this.

ELLE: You’ve became an idol with a generous heart

Donghae: There was a lot of pressure in my early 20s, when I was very young and fit, when I did something wrong I would even hit the bed (laughs). But after enduring it once or twice, I started to smile and apologise first, and so I have the temperament of someone who will reconcile quickly. The death of my father also had a great impact on me. Father really wanted to support us 5 as a family, and he died as a result of too much pressure. Regardless of wealth or not, it is a thing of the past and I do not really want to think much about it. There will still be a lot of pressure during filming, and I will feel very unhappy when I did not do well. In my heart I will cheerfully think “If I do well next time, it will be fine!”, and so it has become a lot simpler.

ELLE: What do you do in your spare time then? You don’t drink, nor go to the bar.

Donghae: Making music, exercising, watching arts and design, and I also like photography. Last year’s winter just because of taking photos, I travelled to New York by myself. New York’s Christmas is very romantic.

ELLE: Taking photos? Compared to taking photos, you seem more adept to have photos taken.

Donghae: Playing around with the camera, I want to take photos which contain my emotions inside. The biggest reason is because I don’t have a lot of photos with Hyukjae’s father (*). I have a lot of photos with mother, in the future when I have a family, I want to become the kind of father that does a lot for his family. Compared to the usual of buying presents, I prefer things which have sincere emotions put into them. It is more romantic that way.

ELLE: This spring, the sub-unit “Donghae & Eunhyuk” was formed and had an individual Japan tour

Donghae: There was a total of 22 concerts, on the last concert, I even cried when I was reading out a letter that I had written for the fans. We wrote the song for our solo stages during concerts, and it was after then that we formed a sub-unit and released a Japanese album. In fact Eunhyuk and I aren’t really counted as the members who sing the best in the group, and so we were joking around with the fans, saying that they didn’t come to watch us sing, but rather to watch us talk, and to just watch us be together. Really thank you all so much.

ELLE: SJ’s popularity overseas is really unimaginable

Donghae: There are a lot of “original” kinds of records, and we have also won a lot of awards. Because no matter where we go, the venues are always packed with fans. Even if we are tired, we will still be full of energy onstage. We receive energy from the audiences! A lot of things I am able to experience with my eyes, no matter how much you try to describe it, if you do not see if first hand you will be unable to fully understand it. I’ve never once thought that I want to be born again. Things like being short, I do not care about (laughs)

ELLE: Talk about the recent events, about the comeback of the first generation of idols

Donghae: Ah, I almost want to cry! I was in Japan when I heard news about GOD’s comeback, and posted “Thank you for coming back” on SNS. Although FTTS sunbaes are SM’s seniors, I did not know them personally. This time, I got their phone numbers through a friend, and so I sent them a message. I said that I wish they would be able to continue releasing good songs in the future, and also hoped that we would have the opportunity to become closer. I think that regardless of whether or not they are the best at the present day, it is really cool that they are writing their own history.

ELLE: Don’t know if it’s because you’re baby-faced, but you’re already 29 right? What if someone asks you about what you must do in your 20s?

Donghae: It should be “love”? Although you can like someone in your teens, when you are in your 20s, you are truly able to love someone, to be able to feel pain, to love and be loved, because love can also hurt, and so you will be able to learn ways to cure the pain, and through these experiences you are able to become more mature.

ELLE: Such an unexpected answer. For idols, is love one of those forbidden matters?

Donghae: I have not had a lot of experience and so that’s why I have this kind of view. Who would understand how to love? Additionally, I really want to be a good husband, a good father. I want to become a romantic husband to my wife, to be a good friend to my children. Although I do not know when this time will come, I have already started to look forward to it.

Translator notes:
(*) I’m not sure if 掌心witheunhae translated wrongly or I just don’t understand LOL but not sure if it meant pictures of hyukjae’s father, or his father and hyukjae, or hyukjae and his father……… also not too sure whose mother (his own or hyukjae’s) donghae is talking about sorry!

ELLE: Right now, are you satisfied with the image of yourself?

Donghae: Although it feels like I’m being conceited, I feel that so far I maturing well in regards to my age. For people like me, the type of person we will become as we reach 30 or 40, I am really looking forward to it. It’s not that I feel I am the best right now, but I am very content, and very thankful to the present. When I am tired, I will think about the people who are still working hard in order to get these kinds of opportunities. Along the way there are too many moments when you cannot sleep, when you feel very emotional and sensitive, and during these times I will go to the bathroom, look in the mirror and say to myself: “Is this the best that you can do, if you fall down now, you will be nothing” and then I will have a change of heart.

ELLE: Do you still remember what you said when we met a few years ago?

Donghae: I said that I wanted to become a singer, to do acting, and they have all been achieved. First I worked hard to get close, just like when you like someone, you get close to them, as if to make their heart waver, and you do not care about the failures and humiliations along this journey. Whilst I was still in the practice rooms, Director Kang Jaekyu came to the company, and there was an opportunity to greet him, so I prepared a few lines and went to meet him. Although I was not that good at acting, I thought maybe there will be a time where I can meet the director, and I so I will show him the things that I have prepared. The result is not important, I will feel very proud if I am just able to have the courage when the time comes.

ELLE: So you’re dream now is..

Donghae: I would like to act more, and there is another, although it is just only an “idea” for the moment, I would like to live the life of a wanderer. In my favourite lm “Titanic”, Leonardo’s character wandered the whole world with his sketchbook, I also want to live this kind of life.

ELLE: It looks handsome because it’s in a movie, and actors always look like they are enjoying it.

Donghae: Is that so? I only have the performing arts in my life. Although I do not regret it, there are times where I feel that it is unfortunate. That’s why in the future, I wish to experience more kinds of different things. The more things to bind me, the more hardships to experience, the better. My family used to be quite poor, and so I can definitely understand those who have the same situation I had. Thus, in the future, I wish to be able to resonate better with people, and to be able to listen to more stories.

ESQUIRE JULY 2014


Q: Super Junior changed the whole world

Donghae: Since autumn last year, I’ve been thinking “Ah, it’s already been so long, I’m really thankful that even until now, there are still so many people who like us”, but there are also many regretful times

Q: Regrets?

Donghae: When I was younger my parents always said: “There are many opportunities to learn.” Recently, after becoming a hyung, I often say these kinds of things to EXO and SHINee. When you are young, you must learn and understand what kinds of things that you like. But in my case, even though I think this way, there are too many schedules and so I cannot put this into practice. Recently I really like photography, and even about this, I thought, if I had started earlier, then it might’ve been better

Q: Even if you yourself don’t have much time, you have still obtained many achievements as being a part of SJ. Think about all the achievements in the past 10 years since debut, they really have been amazing.

Donghae: The goal at that time was just about being able to debut, being able to attain high popularity in Korea, and that would’ve been just fine. There was only just that one small wish. But then afterwards, all of a sudden, the Internet and SNS started becoming popular, and it wasn’t just us, but a lot of domestic singers started to become popular overseas, and so everything changed a lot. Just not long ago we went to South America, and there really was a lot of people on the other side of the world who came to watch our concerts. I really think that I have been born in a really good era.

Q: So the areas you regret is not becoming SJ, but rather within yourself, Donghae?

Donghae: Ah yes, within the group, the other members will help fill up whatever I am lacking, and just this is enough. Just being able to always be together is enough.

Q: You said that you have recently become engrossed with photography, can you talk a bit more about this?

Donghae: It’s because I like romantic things. Right now, I take a lot of landscape photos. That’s why, whenever I have the time, I will take a lot of photos. Just to take photos, I went to New York by myself during winter last year. New York’s Christmas is so beautiful. That was the reason I wanted to go.

Q: People around me say and your friends all say that you are very kind-hearted.

Donghae: Ah, me?

Q: Your kind-hearted image rating was given by very powerful people in the fashion circles, and so it seems to be the best kind of praise…

Donghae: Everyone has different styles and personalities. I’m the type of the person who wishes for a problem to be solved in an orderly fashion. Thank you for saying that I am kind-hearted. For example, say I have 500, I will say: “unnie, here, have some milk.” I like to do these small things. I like to make presents to give to people. I’m the type of person that likes to be in contact with people often.

Q: Acting is not something to be abandoned. Watching you act in the TV series “God’s Quiz”, I felt that this was someone who made very serious preparations before acting.

Donghae: I became very interested in acting early on. When I was about 21-22, sometimes I would think, would it have been better to be a singer or an actor. But the fortunate thing is, I have been able to experience both. If my schedules are organised nicely, I can do acting at the same time as going on variety shows. But I am really afraid of variety shows. If manager-hyung tells me to go on a variety show, I say that I would rather just be on for 5 seconds, it would be better for me to go acting.

Q: Your character in “God’s Quiz” is the new forensic detective who follows Ryu Deok-hwan. Other medias have all said that your acting is just as natural as putting your own clothes on.

Donghae: If there is something I want to do, and you give me the opportunity, so long it is within my ability to do it, I will give my utmost to do the best that I can. Anyone can do this, isn’t it?

Q: In the micro-film “Rumours” you also play the role of a student.

Donghae: I specifically went to find a micro-film. I just wanted to act, not because of any other reason. “Rumours” is the work of the director of the recently released film “The Apostle”, Director Kim Jinmoo. I met him through a hyung who went to the same church. I was just in the middle of preparing when we just began shooting for 4 days straight, I was really happy.

Q: Are there any other roles you wish to act in?

Donghae: I want to act in romance films, ah, and there is another one, I don’t know if it suits my appearance, but I want to film a war film.

Q: Since you debuted in your teens, 10 years have already passed. In this period of time, have your values changed?

Donghae: I am just with a grateful heart that I am living like this, that I am healthy and able to look after the people around me. This is everything. When I was young, my family was poor, and we only thought about making money. But then my father passed away, and I thought, money is not everything. As long as I am alive and healthy, it does not matter whether I have money or not. I had a lot of thoughts when I was younger. But they are all nothing in comparison to being healthy. What I can do and what I can become and what I can work hard to get, these things cannot be coveted blindly, they need to be considered calmly.

Q: You overcame the loneliness of childhood

Donghae: I don’t like those dark kind of things. I like brightness. My childhood was too dim. But now I have become more cheerful, whatever it is, I will laugh. From the artist point of view, when you meet new people, it cannot be taken as being irrelevant as both sides will experience hardships, and so you should get to know each other first, to joke around and such.

Q: Has the way you see women also changed?

Donghae: It’s changed.

Q: Recently, what do you like in the opposite sex?

Donghae: When I was younger I liked pretty girls, girls who wore tight clothing. Now I’m almost 30, I don’t really see the face anymore. I like women with pretty fingers. I will feel it when we interlock our fingers. I have types of hands that I like. But of course, if they are able to like children, then it is enough.

Q: After you pass mid-30s, even if they have multiple illnesses, you won’t mind it anymore (laughs)](*)

Q: What will SJ be like in their 30s?

Donghae: We want to release more albums, and hold more concerts. If everyone’s individual life becomes very busy, then we’ll just release one album per year, or go somewhere, and have a get together. You take photos when you release albums, right? I think we see these things every year, and we mature in pace with our age, and then we share around topics like “becoming a man”.

Q: What about you in your 30s?

Donghae: I have 2 goals. Firstly I want to let fans and the general public to be able to see my hobbies. Because I really like photography, I want to release a photo album or video. I want to have interests other than being an artist. Sometimes when you are repeatedly doing just a single thing, it will become annoying, and so I found an interest in photography and design. Another goal is acting. I really want this.

Q: I haven’t seen your photos, so I don’t know, but you should be able to act a lot

Donghae: It will be great if it could be like this, I will just do it, I will work hard until that day (laughs).

Translator notes:
(*) I still included this because I think the interviewer just says it even though it’s not really a question to Donghae so….

OP Notes: I bolded the parts I thought were interesting
UNFFF donghae needs to stop with all this gorgeousness tho
he seems to have put a lot of thought into his life as an idol and this was an interesting read!


Images: sup3rjunior@wordpress, onehallyu forum, shirade.tumblr, risatiara.tumblr
Video:Mi heexp
GIF: missingteuk
fyukjae elle korea

Elle translations taken from (rurouneko)
korean to chinese cr. 掌心witheunhae
chinese to english cr. @mish_shellx
please do not repost without credits

Esquire translations taken from (rurouneko)
korean to chinese cr. 掌心witheunhae
chinese to english cr. @mish_shellx
please do not repost without credits

Comments

[luvey.livejournal.com]

i lub him. i really really really lub him.
my admiration for him has gone way up with these interviews. he has grown so much over the years. so many put him as the dumb one in SJ (he isn't a rocket scientist) but he tends to be the most introspective of the group.

and his love for photography....i weep with joy. i've been waiting for him to share pictures he took during his NYC trip. and nada. but i will keep waiting. the photos that Stylist SungJin have been posting on his IG that Hae took with his new pricey Lecia are really good. he needs to do a photobook. (i wait for him to discover Hasselblads.)

now i understand his love for Titanic. i couldn't understand it before...but it is the idea of Jack being a wanderer, a nomad, an adventure that draws him in. i still dislike that movie, but i get his obsession.

[cher-ex3.livejournal.com]

It makes me happy that you're the first comment on this post lol.

[luvey.livejournal.com]

awww thank you luv! i've been waiting for this post. i knew it was coming from my timeline peeps. =)
my infatuation for Lee Donghae runs deep. (and i'm not the only one) lmao.

(http://tinypic.com?ref=2ni7dxx)

[cher-ex3.livejournal.com]

Haha I can always count on you to stan Donghae.

I'm not sure if I wanna be Siwon or Eunhyuk more in that gif. *o*

[luvey.livejournal.com]

(http://tinypic.com?ref=wlvuao)

[haesica.livejournal.com]

he's so perfect

[mad-nux.livejournal.com]

his photoshoots are the best dayuum

[jazzy4heard.livejournal.com]

I really cannot move on from this man.. I just can't..
Be it his thoughts, his baka-ness, his body, his melancholy eyes, his voice.. just his everythingggg *purrrrrrrrr*
The interview really shows that he is maturing, albeit still keep his sincere-self.

one thing though, he said "Father really wanted to support us 5 as a family".. so, does he have another sibling beside Donghwa?

[luvey.livejournal.com]

i had the same thought.....who is the fifth person? maybe it was a grandparent?

[jazzy4heard.livejournal.com]

aaah.. you're right, that's possible !

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

hes just the definition of so fine

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

+1

[kjc48.livejournal.com]

He looks soooo good! He's aging really well (there's been a few moments I worried he would pull a "Siwon's chin").
I am happy he's my Suju bias (kinda by elimination, but whateva he's still cute). I want to watch his new show, but it doesn't look like my cup of tea.

I liked his interview, I'm still waiting for the day that I'll be that self-ware/reasonable.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

Donghae, I love you. :) He's never really been a fave of mine, but he's always been too cute and presh to ignore.

And yeah, I totally get the "alive and healthy is everything" mentality. When I was younger, I'd pray that parents make more and more money so we'd be happy as a family, but now I just pray that they stay healthy. Working in a hospital and being around sick patients everyday changed my way of thinking.

[muzikiz4evaluv.livejournal.com]

omg he is pure perfection!!! He looks soooo good and he's ageing wonderfully! (lets hope it stays that way)
Seriously he's the only reason i give a darn about SuJu.

[hellociara.livejournal.com]

I always thought that Donghae was cute, but I never really paid attention b/c I don't follow SUJU. However, after this interview, I will definitely be following Donghae. He seems like one of the rare gems that SM / the idol industry has. I would consider buying his photobook too, lol.

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

If you didn't really know Donghae before, have you heard any of his compositions? I love his songs like Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYBz49eOQ7g) and Still You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFh353a-koU).

[vforvera.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Y and Still you are so pretty.

Personally, I still think his composition with Chance for "This is Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlocDmccylc)" is still his best. But Beautiful, Still You and Y are all a close second.

[luvey.livejournal.com]

Y, Haru, Still You and I Wanna Love You are my Donghae favorites.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

Damn boy, stop looking great
If TOP is taken can I have him?

[vforvera.livejournal.com]

LOL my thoughts exactly.

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

He's so gorgeous and is ageing better and better.

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

Aw my little hipster. Donghae the man who was able to knock justin timberlake from my number one biase spot. It was a good choice indeed.

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

TBH I didn't even look at the photos, I just scrolled to the interview here. It's humbling and fascinating and interesting and flawless and Donghae is kind of an amazing person. I always like hearing their thoughts about the industry and where they want to go in life/what they want to do, and it's lovely to be able to hear the kind of thought he's put into his life. It's also really, really refreshing and great to hear that he's been able to pursue his individual interests while still keeping up with the group he loves. Be happy, Lee Donghae.

i'm not even a donghae stan what is this

[luvey.livejournal.com]

(http://tinypic.com?ref=x1doac)

[stoppedclock321.livejournal.com]

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

Thank god he is hot because the interviews bored me to no end.

[vforvera.livejournal.com]

LMAO I love that gif, episode, and narcissistic Donghae.

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

Ah donghae! I'm glad he gets to do the things he wants to do. He also seems pretty content with his career. I hope he stays kindhearted. I like that he tales care of the juniors in the company. Looking forward to hks future projects (although surprisingly no mention of making new music here).

Flawless Post OP and Flawless Namja

[vforvera.livejournal.com]

This namja.


Thanks for this flawless mega Donghae post, OP!
I'm mesmerized by that first image. Can't stop staring at his PHOTOGENIC AS FCUK face. I love all his Black/White photoshoots. That ELLE photoshoot is solid.

The camera loves him and he loves the camera.
Flawless bias is flawless.
I like that he's appreciating the good in his life and taking care of his family. And I'm glad he's come to terms with his height lol Of his acting projects, I'm probably looking forward to Rumors more than God's Quiz 4. I want to see angry, hothead Donghae again.

I have to say though, I miss seeing him on variety shows. He used to be a lot of fun on variety shows. Especially around 2009-2011 when he was purposefully "acting" narcissistic. Narcissistic bratty Donghae was a hoot. Now, he's just content fading into the background letting others talk. And it's always the other SJ members that shouldn't talk.

Re: Flawless Post OP and Flawless Namja

[luvey.livejournal.com]

i miss narcissistic bratty variety show Hae too! he was a hoot! there is just something about him when he does express that confidence, but at the same time it is endearing when he realizes he doesn't need to fight for the spotlight. and he hasn't, people adore him because he is who he is.


(http://tinypic.com?ref=8xlveb)

[rennehollic.livejournal.com]

does this guy even age?

[sutorng-baiby.livejournal.com]

Oh Fishy... my first KPOP crush :3 He's simply lovely.

[caramelorchoco.livejournal.com]

edited with new photo! :)

thank you luv.

[luvey.livejournal.com]

(http://tinypic.com?ref=123kqxg)

[syimato.livejournal.com]

I dare say that he is one of the best-looking man in the entertainment industry. like Kyuhyun said, his features is like from a manga/manhwa. but he doesnt has a lot of fans among the female idols isn't it?? i rarely hear his name mentioned in their ideal type..

[caramelorchoco.livejournal.com]

apparently donghae's well known for his good looks amongst koreans, but he's also very popular for being short lol

lol he's so good looking tho, who cares. i say this cause i don't care about height tho, lots of people do

[syimato.livejournal.com]

Well he is on the average height, not that short. oh well. he is still handsome <3