NAM JOO HYUK – THIS BOY’S EYES – INTERVIEW FOR ALLURE

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

Have you watched the movie “Kill your darlings”?

I was supposed to watch it until the end, but I just fell asleep in the middle. However, Dane Deehan is very charismatic. His portraying of the villain in “Amazing Spiderman” left a big impression on me.

What did you think the first time you heard about the photo shoot concept?

I’ve always wanted to play a character that looks decadent and wicked. People see me as someone gentle and cute. If I get the opportunity to show them the opposite image, it’d be nice if it’d make people think “so Nam Joo Hyuk can have this image too!”.

So do you think it was a success?

I think I failed in terms of showing the right acting through my gaze. I think I’m just being me [for this photo shoot].

Are you truly gentle and cute in real life? Have you ever committed a bad action?

I’ve already cut in line. At the school cafeteria.

What you call a bad action is really not that much.

I also got into fights sometimes. It was for my basketball team until middle school. When I was in high school, we moved from Busan to Suwon. I had people fighting me because I was tall and my way of speech was different. I didn’t understand why, but it seemed that the way I spoke or my voice intonation created misunderstandings.

And so did you reconcile with these people like we see in teen dramas?

No. It ended things. However, I noticed they’ve been trying to contact me lately.

Because you’re becoming famous? Did you reply to them?

I didn’t. I really didn’t want to talk to them.

You know what you like and what you don’t.

Because I must live by protecting what needs to be protected. Fortunately, I only met nice people in my career. I think I’m the one who creates the way people look at me.

Variety program “Going Back To School” is what brought you the most popularity. How did you get to join the program?

I’ve always enjoyed going to school. The offer came because it seems this time of my life went way too fast. Filming overlapped with the drama “Surplus Princess”, so it was hard for me to film, but I pestered my agency and begged them to put me on the show.

So you must be proud because the program is doing well.

To be honest, I have no confidence about being in a variety program. I shot “Running Man” not long ago. Although it was a lot of fun, I guess I was too focused on the race, but I said almost nothing. However, I think “Going To School” show my natural image from when I was going to school. Even more when I’m with Kangnam-hyung.

Kangnam is quite popular among high school girls.

But the shouts for him and for me are a bit different. When he walks by, people go “wow” because they have the feeling they’re seeing someone fun passing by. When I’m the one walking by, it’s a little bit more like interjections? I hear stuff like “he’s so freaking good-looking”.

Haha, you also classify the shouts you get. You’re particularly popular with female students, so what reaction do you remember?

When I hear only nice things about me, if someone goes “ah, for me, Nam Joo Hyuk is nothing special”, I kind of tend to lose my temper. It’s like I didn’t tell you anything so why do you judge me? I’m probably this way because I’m used to hear only nice things about me.

How do you feel about high school girls using your pictures for their Kakaotalk profile as if you were their boyfriend?

I’m thankful and it’s cute! Being every girl’s boyfriend. First time it was brought up in an interview, the corner of my mouth twitched. They use my picture, so they trick other men into not approaching them. It’s like they’re saying I’m dating this kind of guy. However, my face is getting more known these days, so fans must be upset because no one get fooled anymore.

You made your acting debut in Akdong Musician’s “200%” music video. Then you shot “Surplus Princess”. Were you confident that you’d do well?

I wasn’t. When I debuted, it’s probably because my goal was to be a model, but I didn’t dream of being an actor. I prepared with the mindset “let’s just not make any trouble”. When I actually started acting, I realized it wouldn’t work out if I didn’t have selft-confidence. I really worked hard during filming.

What’s the hardest thing about acting?

Emotional scenes are hard because I’ve never had one where I cry or laugh. I also have a complex about my awkward pronounciation because of my braces and my Busan saturi. I was supposed to be done with braces by now, but my first dentist didn’t do a good job, so another dentist told me I’d have to wear them two more years. It’s awful.

What gives you motivation when you’re acting?

I think it’s only natural not to be good at acting at first. However, I wonder what it feels like to monitor yourself and see that you did a good job. It’s something I must check right now, so I get embarrassed every time I see myself, but I can’t avoid it. That’s what makes me want to be better.

Were you a basketball player? You’re still exercising earnestly. Sports are about building up skills by practicing every day. Did this experience influence you a lot?

Of course because sports are about achieving a goal one step at a time. If you exercise constantly, you’ll go up one day, whether it’s just a little or a lot. And it also means you can go down. I got to experience this through sports, so I think that’s why I’m able to be the actor I am now. Just like for today’s photo shoot, I’ve been watching movies with characters that are the opposite of the standard image I have. I’m awkward and I’m lacking, but I will be able to show this kind of acting one day.

You believe in yourself.

Yes. Believing in what I’m able to do is my strong point. I have no thought of going fast. I should just take my time to reach my goal.

Will we be able to see the evil expression of Nam Joo Hyuk one day?

Maybe. More than that, can’t you write the name of my first dentist? Saying he/she failed.
Source: Allure
Translation: @onesunnylady – thesunnytown.wordpress.com

the photoshoot was already posted here :)

Comments

[agoongprincess.livejournal.com]

omg this is the cutest random-est interview. he's legit all over the place from talking about his saturi/pronunciation, to his fighting days in school, also mentioning his ego a bit and then his braces.

he's a year older than me but he seems like such a child. i hope he gets another ensemble family x comedy role like surplus princess. he really excelled in that. he should get in a weekend drama.

[zeysech.livejournal.com]

lol I love how honest he was about Kill Your Darlings.

[jjang-intae.livejournal.com]

This was really precious lol. His answer to question about girls using his picture as their katalk picture is cute. Lol what's up with the Kill Your Darlings question (but I share the same sentiments)

[tsuyoi-hikari.livejournal.com]

What is the connection between Kill your darlings and him? But seriously, Dane Deehan has a truly mesmerizing eyes and voice. *__*

[girlknees.livejournal.com]

the styling/set seems to be slightly inspired by the sets from the movie so that might be why?