Continuation of TVXQ's interview from El Sol photobook. I've become a sunflower

[gardenintheair.livejournal.com]

Debuted for 8 years. Tohoshinki with their explosive popularity in Korea and the gradual reveal of their true abilities since the debut in Japan. Changmin used to be reserved in interviews but now he starts to express himself of his fight as an artiste, advancing towards this reliable direction.

Changmin: The dream from now on is still the same. Advancing one more step would be the Dome tour. Perhaps due to my difference in character with Yunho, I would not set such a high target from the start, but am the kind who would fulfill each target a step at a time. Since the debut in Japan, it started with Budokan, then arena tour and then Tokyo Dome. When asked about what is next after fulfilling these dreams... I guess it has to be the five major dome tour in Japan. This is a really huge target yet I really wish to attain it... unwilling to give it up. We are foreigners in Japan but after being in Japan for so long with all the individual targets fulfilled and happy for it, I start to think about working hard for the next step. Dome tour is one of it and if record sales reaches one million, I shall just commemoratively buy a Lamborghini to reward myself. (laughs) I used to not think too much in rewarding myself... probably just a good meal etc. Recently that I’ve matured, I starts to be interested in cars... or dreams such as a month's holiday. I have always been a workaholic till now. Though there's time for a rest, it's pretty scary to see myself still saying "Let's clear the work!". (laughs)

On the other hand, Yunho who has been seeking performing inspirations in Spain, has to acquire his far-sighted views in order for Tohoshinki to reach higher grounds.

Yunho: To me, Tohoshinki is my only home. During the solo activities last year, although I accumulated a lot of experiences, the moment I return to the stage of Tohoshinki I felt "This is what I live for." It is such a significant presence. It is really exhausting on stage, but the stage is the proof of my life's presence. Without Tohoshinki, there would not be any stage. This would be the same as though there's no meaning for life. To me, Tohoshinki is everything and I want it to success. Bringing happiness to the world through this basis. If I was not able to complete it during this generation, I would take on this mission during the next generation. If were to continue like this, wouldn’t Tohoshinki's presence be preserved? For this, I would want to be like Michael Jackson whom I respected, and dance even when I'm 40 or 50 years old. My target is to always have a challenging spirit. Since debut, the challenge of a cappella singing and dancing, which in turn became Tohoshinki's "weapon" (for success) but (I) cannot be satisfied with this and has to present new facets of Tohoshinki to everyone. After the challenge of solo activities and musical, (I) reflect all the newly learnt aspects on Tohoshinki. In this way, we are able to present our new style and in the meantime anticipating the next. I wish Tohoshinki would be as such. There's a couple of new ideas right now. It can be troublesome if there are too many things wanting to be accomplished. (laughs)

They have a lot of words that they wanted to say in this pictorial book. Words for fans, that is. During the photo shooting in Spain at the sunflower field, the two of them did not tell each other of what their first impression was but they unanimously thought the same.

Yunho: Sunflower has been a flower that I like and I even impromptu composed a "Sunflower" song at the (sunflower) field. Feels good singing it. (laughs) At that point of time, I thought of fans. Sunflower has a flower language of "Awaiting at its original place" and to us, that's fans. (T/N: Not sure if there’s mistranslation, but the flower language for Sunflower are commonly love and purity. Though I find one with "loyalty". Or probably it is Yunho's way of interpreting it.) This is what I believed, the energy that exploded together with the audience is the best. It meant to me that fans are the final member of Tohoshinki. On hiatus for a year and a half, I thought that it can't be helped if fans became other artistes' fans. (I) tried to think it as "that's good in a way too". Even if that happened, we would still want to apologize to the fans. However when our activities restarted, looking from the stage at the fans who have been waiting and believing in us... that joy experienced was unable to be expressed with words. I did thought of expressing my gratitude to fans but just a "thank you" is not enough, I want to relay it with my heart. Thus, whenever I’m on the stage singing and dancing, my exchange of glances (with audiences) and expressions were twice or thrice of usual vitality... feels that I'm exceeding my own limits every time. (laughs) I hoped this feeling of mine can be relayed to the audiences. Relaying the livening up of the atmosphere too when I'm in a bad shape. During the hiatus, I watched a lot of performances and learnt a lot. At that point as an onlooker, I indeed received the drive from the performers. Therefore it concreted my feeling that we should be like this on stage too. After doing this, then we'll continue with the next. Advancing through such, repaying our debts of gratitudes. Fans' expressions are our expressions. Fans are like (our) mirrors, thus enjoying the stage is important. I would like this to be said (by others): Tohoshinki and Tohoshinki's fans enjoyed themselves. It is indeed tough during the hiatus, but it's good that we return back to our grounds. When shall I sing "Sunflower" song to everyone!

Not sure when was it that a staff, who is close to the duo, came up with a metaphor, "Yunho is the sun and Changmin is the moon." The sunflower topic by Changmin emphasized their characteristics.

Changmin: Sunflower blooms while facing the sun. Then, it grows while receiving the nutrients from sun... I think we are akin to sunflowers. The theory is the same as towards fans, but at times it's the other way round. Probably, fans and our positions are interchangeable. But one point to be emphasized, if we are the sun, we do not want to be that critical presence as alike to sunflower. I admit that we exists due to the support by fans. However artistes in fans' lives are not real-life partners. Through the stage and works, we reply fans' anticipation but we did not bear the responsibility of fans' lives and future. We made you sad and in low spirits. This is agonizing for us. "Therefore, we can only sing with all our might." Although we can only do this and just like sunflower recovering spirits and receiving nutrients upon seeing the sun, treating us as a nutrient boost and then continued to work hard. I hope to see you all like this. Me, as well as Yunho and every fans... everyone has their one and only lifetime. There are a lot of interactions between human beings and attachments (to each other) resulted might be beautiful but such attachments, to forcefully support each other for few years... I don't want to create such a environment. The relationship between me and Yunho are the same. Forcefully with "It should be like this", I don't wish it to become such a relationship. Why did I say this? Tough materials are vulnerable to impact. On the contrary, things like rubber such a soft material is flexible and would not be spoilt easily. This will be best for the relationships that I cherished.

***

In the pictorial book, their new looks through growth into manhood were shown and yet their personal talks in private still surrounds the same old topics of games and One Piece that it felt amusing. However, the most sought-after curiosities still remain as the unknown love theories that randomly flashes through their faces.

Changmin: As a man, I wish to get married to an adorable lady, become a responsible and trustworthy father and a husband who is always reliable. I have such a dream but it's still too early for it right now, I guess. The most important in life is to have values that suit oneself. That is, if were to based on general theorem, there would be differences. It has to be accumulated through self-experiences. (T/N: I think he meant that issues should not be treated with generalized theorem but to be someone with own's thinking.) To me, it has to be strongly viewed as the most important foundation. To others, it may not seems to be the ideal choice but not matter when, I have the self-confidence that it is not a 100% wrong choice. As I have followed through my own minimal foundation, therefore no matter how bad it is, it is not the worst. That consists another side of my stubbornness. I would usually step back and look at the happenings. Controlling the anger that wants to be vented, unable to be persuaded and then keeping all the pressure to myself. Having such a character of suppressing feelings to my limits, it can be exhausting at times. (laughs) Say, I am the kind who gives in to girls. On the contrary, I felt victory through losing to her. (laughs) Speaking of which, recently I remembered a quote on One Piece, "Lies of women... you still have to listen to it though you knew it's a lie." (T/N: Any One Piece's lovers can feel free to enlighten or correct me for this quote if I mistranslated.) I felt the same way too. I wouldn't start dating with girls whom I think would not work out with. If I'm able to date a girl who I can completely trust, there wouldn't be such problems. In the past, I would innocently love a girl and allowed love life to affect my work. Especially in these few years, my thinking and behavior towards others changed. Before a new love begins, I would calmly consider. In fact, I like very pretty girls. But the most important factor for a love interest is still the inner being. Not lured by the outlook. Whether she is considerate towards surrounding happenings, proper etiquettes, able to do her basic necessities… although all these are natural abilities, it’s still difficult to find someone like that. I have never said out such words before, but I am good with ladies. For example, observing 10 girls and then remembering who was wearing what and drawing out their portraits. In fact, I always observes when I'm on stage. I actually meticulously observed more than what audiences imagined. (laughs)

Concealing such a "skill", Changmin continued to say that "I found a lot of beautiful girls in Spain but I still prefer Asian girls." As for Yunho, he was hit on by local ladies that he is a "pretty boy" while sightseeing with staffs during the free time before they returned to Korea.

Yunho: As I was not usually being approached, thus I was very surprised. Though I was with everyone, I shouldn't be enticed in the first place! (laughs) Though saying this, I am not such an obstinate person. Correct, my way is "action more than words". It's not easy to live up to this and the ability to pull it through would be interpreted as "too serious". Besides, the real me is an unrestricted (free) person. Due to my father's influence, I have been keeping my promise and working hard for whatever I had said. (I'm) Probably alike to Luffy in One Piece. But as the leader of Tohoshinki, I have a different side of me and I actually like the antagonistic. The staffs and Changmin knew the two sides of mine well. How should I express this when changing it as my love views? I'm basically a "free" man and when there's a person that I wanted to protect, I would not do it half-heartedly. Facing sorrowful matters, I'd rather give her a hug than encouragement. Whatever she wish to do, I would try to fulfill it for her. She will be my priority and on the contrary if I have any troubles, I would probably delay in telling her and this might cause misunderstandings, I guess. (laughs) However a man has to think like this. As the eldest son in the family, I always have the leader characteristic and this transformed naturally. But I myself would wish to be led by her and hope that she can give me suggestions. Surprised much? Telling more about my thinking, I am usually cheerful but I have my lone side too. As the leader, I have to look strong on the outside but when I return to my room alone, I will be very vexing. When there's no work, I will become uneasy and would want to do some exercise or lay down some plans to while the time away. Because I knew of my such weaknesses thus I wish to become stronger. I really felt like this. Of course as a man, there are times I have to give in. Spending time as a couple, we have to trust and rely on each other and walk down the same route together. Such a mutual-respect relationship is the best. I wish to become a good husband. Surprisingly I like tidiness. When I was living with the members during Tohoshinki, in order to accommodate the surroundings, I did not tidy up much. But when I go out on a trip with my friends, I will tidy up my room very well and it's on a level that it surprised everyone. (laughs) After marriage, I will do the housework. If she asked me, I will do it. Washing dishes etc. But it has to be an exchange by cooking for me. (laughs)

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Comments

[shunluv.livejournal.com]

thanks^^
such great interview<3
im so happy Changmin is coming out from his shell and expressing himself more nowadays<3
he really have becoming so mature and talk a lot now^^

[devilstay.livejournal.com]

lol, every interview, I just have the same thing to say i.e. flawless men, are flawless. I don't even get tired of it, reading what they think, and how they think is just really interesting, and admirable.

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

lovely interview by two lovely men.

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

also lol at the gif. love how changmin is slightly shaking his head, like oh god this is embarrassing.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

and as usual yunho is looking at him adoringly.

yunho just stop, everyone can see your feelings

[beatification.livejournal.com]

you can see the love pouring out from his eyes

[harisukaori.livejournal.com]

Yunho don't you dare stop looking at Changmin like that :P Keep making the fangirls happy ^^

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

I bet birds put on Yunho's clothes in the morning and squirrels put on Changmin's shoes. These boys are adorable.

[mimic.livejournal.com]

changmin is so well spoken. I always love reading his interviews and love how he thinks so much about love and life. For the past year or so minnie has continued to emphasize that he really wants and needs a girl in his life. I hope he finds her cause it seems like he's banking his dream relationship to be the source of happiness in his life. He has a lot of barriers though but i'm glad he's opening up and being honest with himself instead of suppressing his feeling.

[soft-daisy.livejournal.com]

i love yunho, but i've read so many one piece books that i really can never see yunho as luffy. on the surface, they may be similar--they're the leader and they're both dorky and have good hearts. but looking deeper, they're completely different.

[hibohabu.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the irony of Changmin finding some women while other women found Yunho. Changmin probably went back to Yunho's side because he was sharp enough to notice this straight away and never lifts a finger more than he has to.

Also, they seem to take their relationships very seriously yet differently… My impression of Changmin is he tends to be calmly appreciative of his fans while being awfully invested in and devoted to his romantic relationships. I think he'd be attentive and sensitive and enjoy it. Conversely, I see Yunho as always unconditionally ready with pocketfuls of sunshine for virtually everyone yet unfailing in selecting qualities his ideal wife should have that would cancel out his own shortcomings and complement himself. On one hand, it feels a little calculating, as if he doesn't really want to be in love but is looking for a capable and reliable partner to do business with. Plus he's always been family- and friends-first. On the other, it kind of suggests he's insecure and afraid of breaking up, which is pretty sad too.

Regardless, they're both good job for understanding relationships involve give-and-take and can get messy. Their own relationship is probably relatively stress-free, boiled, stretched, and reinforced into transparent elasticity by eight years of living together. It'd be nice to have them as TVXQ for many more years, fulfilling and living their dreams.

[pekojan.livejournal.com]

"it feels a little calculating, as if he doesn't really want to be in love but is looking for a capable and reliable partner to do business with."

maybe he really is. yunho used to say in another interview that right now he is not ready for love and doesn't want to involve in a relationship, and in this he sounded like a man who stood up from a painful break up and had never wanted to fall in love naturally and easily again.

[hibohabu.livejournal.com]

Hi, and sorry for replying so late. Yeah, Yunho sounded quite disheartened about love on TAXI too, but I think he was even less ready for it then than he is now. I might be way off about this but have always felt he was missing the love of his family and friends back home while busy in Seoul and subconsciously looking for a substitute for their affection, which is really no reason to date someone.

I wish some or maybe even all of his past relationships had ended better for him, but personally, he needs to know how chronically romantic he can be relative to others and adapt accordingly. He still seems naive about romance and human nature somehow even though people who start working early and living on their own usually become more street-smart and independent. He also seems to love both deeply and broadly, and while that isn't wrong at all, it might be frustrating for a partner who's solely attentive to him to have to share his time with others.

[pekojan.livejournal.com]

"He still seems naive about romance and human nature somehow even though people who start working early and living on their own usually become more street-smart and independent."

Being street-smart, independent, mature and strong is the outside impression which Yunho gives to almost everyone, especially after being the leader for such a long time. And in a way, he is really like that. But there is always a child-like side in him (which Heechul called "pure" and Changmin called "too nice") that has never dispappeared no matter how much things he got through in life. Such a strange man, I must say.

[walnuuut.livejournal.com]

Sob I wish I had your grasp and eloquence, really. Your comments are always a+ :)
Not to mention being able to keep a calm disposition despite those who like to belittle haha, I remember getting into an OT argument about Homin in that Oricon post.

[simplynonsense.livejournal.com]

your comment = A+++++

I always love reading your comments. Ok now I feel like a stalker lol

[hibohabu.livejournal.com]

Ha ha, I don't usually reply unless I have something to add to the entry discussion, but can I just quote this:

'I've been waiting for you, Obi-wan. We meet again at last.'

[enchantark.livejournal.com]

Changmin is so honest. I wish he would stop sounding so lonely. =(

[pekojan.livejournal.com]

have never gotten enough of Yunho's gentle, understanding, forgiving smile

not even to mention his eyes

[yunchunnified.livejournal.com]

Eloquent flawfree men. And i have become a SUNFLOWER TOO!!!! :)

[changod.livejournal.com]

"Changmin: As a man, I wish to get married to an adorable lady, become a responsible and trustworthy father and a husband who is always reliable."


"I found a lot of beautiful girls in Spain but I still prefer Asian girls."


Come to Barcelona now!!!!

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

I've always loved how articulate Yunho and Changmin are, even from way back then.

[hoyah.livejournal.com]

Changmin sounds so harsh in comparison to Yunho. It's really amusing to read their interviews. Even when they agree, they still seem to be coming from such different directions.

[mimic.livejournal.com]

changmin always sounds so sexually frustrated lol. He always talks about love and how he wants and really needs a girlfriend right now. He once said everything would be better if he had a GF but now all I hear him talk about is marriage like he's over dating and having fun. He sounds like a true deep romantic on the inside although he's kinda robotic and calculated when he talks about it.

makes me want him even more ugh! He wants to be loved so bad.

[simplynonsense.livejournal.com]

I really like El Sol interview! Thank you OP, this was lovely to read and your choice of gif is ♥

[episkia.livejournal.com]

this is a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous interview

tysfm