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omonatheydid
Nichkhun - A Superstar You Can't Help but Fall in Love With
"I want to be skilled at life more than being skilled at performance or singing. I want to face and learn about life by myself and find my individuality. Because in the future, knowing how to sing and dance will not help much. To be a good person you have to learn from people around you and I have gained knowledge from people I’ve met. My parents always say we must be able to change crisis into opportunities. Because a life full of obstacles is more entertaining than one without any challenges. My father always reminds me of that. Even though we might be hurt, discouraged, or feel tired, we can turn those challenges into a positive force."
~~~
In the midst of KPOP/KDrama that has taken over Asia by a storm, the Korean fever phenomenon has begun in Thailand.
Just like wild mushrooms, Korean restaurants started popping up everywhere. We now have an area called the Korean Town in the heart of Bangkok, Korean cosmetics became popular with the younger generation, and plastic surgery has become a norm. We haven’t even started mentioning about the boom in ‘Following Korean series’ tourism.
Korean fever uniformly made its way into each household through music. We cannot deny the influence Korean fever has in revolutionising Thai music industry. KPOP style has become the blueprint of most popular choreography as well.
One of the most well known boy bands is 2PM. They stand out for their animated singing style, well formulated thrilling acrobatic dances as well as their 6 beastly bodies.
One of the members of the band is none other than our very own Nichkhun Horvejkul.
Even if you are not into the Korean fever, there are reasons why you can’t say you don’t know who he is.
The reason is that Nichkhun is the model for many products in Thailand, and seem to be getting such offers continuously.
His popularity has landed him as the presenter of Thai Tourism commercials targeting Koreans especially.
Nichkhun even has a wax figure in Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum Bangkok.
For this latest short trip to Thailand, Nichkhun is scheduled a photo shoot and interview with ‘Dichan’. We asked Nichkhun about his lifestyle in Korea and he answered: *side note - out of respect Thais often use their names instead of saying ‘I’, which Nichkhun did here. But it is omitted from the translation for ease of reading*
NK: “Life in Korea is busy and bewildering (laughs). My schedule is very tight but where there’s nothing to do I will either workout or practice.
NK: …each day is different…our schedule may end early or late it depends. Sometimes if we finish before midnight or by 1am I will go to the gym.”
That explains why he has such strong and healthy looking bodies. You can’t even tell that Nichkhun did not have much rest…even without make-up on, he still has flawless skin. Nichkhun has thick eyebrows and handsome eyes, now we can see why so many have used pictures of his eyes for their own plastic surgery. Nichkhun believes that his ‘eyes’ are his best features.
‘Khun’ looks so much like a Korean that you don’t think that he is Thai. He even speaks fluent Korean too.
NK: “Korean language was very hard to learn when you do not know anything or anyone from the beginning. At first, they sent me to learn Korean at a tutoring institute. I personally did not like going because it was boring. So I requested one on one tutoring at the company instead. When I started working, I learned a lot more by chatting with friends. The surrounding requires me to speak in Korean too.
NK: …at the beginning there’s a friend (Taec) that spoke English too. We wouldn’t speak Korean and spoke only English to each other and got into trouble (laughs). For each English word spoken I would be fined 100 Won. I ended up paying a lot (laughs).
NK: …I’m very easy going when it comes to living. Each Asian culture is quite similar.”
NK: “…I spent time abroad by myself since when I was young. At first I couldn’t speak English at all. I studied and just got used to it. I had to learn to do things myself. Because of that experience, I was able to cope and adjust in Korea without many problems.”
Khun was born in America and returned there in the 9th grade.
It was in LA where the opportunity of meeting JYP, a major record company, presented itself. During G.O.D. concert, a band contracted under JYP, Khun was invited by their scouts to try an audition.
NK: “The meeting took place at a Starbucks near my house. I told them I did not prepare anything and just wanted to talk.
NK: …I was tricked (laughs). The staff set up a camera in front of Starbucks and asked me to introduce myself, dance and sing. I did not know how I managed it because I was shy and embarrassed but I went along with it anyway.
NK: …after making the cut, it took about 2-3 months to decide about going to Korea. The contract was sent home to be signed by my parents because at the time I was not 18 yet. It took 2-3 months to make adjustments to the contract before I was signed on to the company.”
NK: …the company told my Mom that they saw something special in me, but until this day I’m still not sure what that ‘something special’ is (laughs).”
The agency probably saw the potential of his charm. It is not easy for Korean people open up to foreign idols.
A particular person was a motivation behind his decision to go to Korea, his grandmother.
NK: “At that time I did not know much about K-pop but my grandma was Rain’s fan (laughs). She bought Full House and watched it many time at home. I told her Rain’s agency is auditioning me and they want me to go to Korea. She said to just go for it (smiles).
NK: ...Rain was extremely popular then from Full House that aired in Thailand and China, and K-pop’s popularity was at the highest. It was considered a good opportunity because I do not have to work so hard to just be known. When we debuted, the mainstream was already interested in K-pop.
NK: ...I think K-fever started from drama before music.
NK: ...Those who watch the dramas would say the leading male is good at emotional scenes, and women like that kind of gentle image. Korean dramas portray that side well so they become popular. Afterwards Thai people started to take interest in the music.
NK: ...In the music industry, the training, the album concepts, the clothes and looks, are all done professionally. Everything has to be precise. Before releasing an album we will need to train for 2-3 years. They will not let you flop. Well-trained groups will definitely become popular. It’s because they have invested so much, if a group is not successful then it is a waste of money.
NK: ...Our group started off with 15 trainees. We were matched to see if we are compatible with each other; let’s see if this person goes well with this person, let’s see if this concept goes well. The process continued until we finally became 2PM and 2AM.
NK: ...I’m not the vocalist of the group. Actually I’m more like the group’s mascot; not the one who stands out in performances, but present the image of the group.
NK: ...Of course I have to practice singing and dancing but I focus on building an image for the group. Stage performances are one thing, but when we are on varieties or CFs, they are under different concepts. Some members focus on acting.
NK: ...We all help each other. Between the 6 of us, some are better dancers, some are better singers. It is impossible that we are equally good at everything. We have the duty to perform our part to the best of our abilities”
Nichkhun admits that shortly after debut, 2PM became very popular, you might say on the verge of becoming superstars. Nichkhun was surprised and amazed.
NK: “I was surprised and wondered why I’m in such position when that kind of chance could have belonged to anyone.
NK: ...Before I cannot imagine performing in front of the public. I’m a shy person; I become frightened by just speaking in front of the classroom. I never thought that I’d be singing and dancing in front of thousands of people.
NK: ...The most impressive experience is when we received the award for best artist two years ago. It is a meaningful award for every artist and we were chosen that year. It was a joy to know that we can do it too.”
The award Nichkhun is referring to is the Artist of the Year and Best Male group awards from a very important stage, the MAMA Awards (Mnet Asian Music Award) towards the end of 2009.
Those particular awards were the best thing that happened to him since embarking on this career, but many challenges still await in the future.
NK: “I’d like to continue further education, but I don’t even have enough time to sleep (laughs). So studying will have to be put aside, I can go back to education any time.
NK: ...I’d like to appear more in films, and to do something artistic such as photography. I liked drawing since I was little, but I did not practice so I’m losing the feel of it.
NK: ...I want to improve my piano skills. I studied it for a couple of years but I was stubborn then. My parents told me to practice but I wouldn’t (laughs), just like any other child. So I dropped it, but considering what I know now, what my parents urged me to learn when I was younger was very important.
NK: ...During childhood I did not have a holiday. I attended a drawing classes, take extra classes, practiced piano, and played badminton in the evenings. It was a full day, just like now (laughs)
NK: ...In the future I want to continue what I am currently doing and try some more acting.
NK: ...I’m working hard now to build a good fundamental for my future, to support my family in the future.
NK: ...I really want to come back and make music in Thailand. I’m still Thai at the end of the day, so I want to appear in films and dramas, and sing for the Thai fans too. Because right now everyone thinks of me as Korean (laughs).
After saying how people think he represents Korea...
NK: “...Which is true because the entertainment company I’m working for is in Korea, but I am still Thai. I want to come back home often, I’m waiting to do that. When I come back, I usually stay in hotels. My family has to follow me (laugh) and waited for me. We have to meet each other this way but my grandma is still up for it, she would smile, hug and kiss me every time we meet.”
Today is a very good proof of this because the studio is not only filled with staff but also with various members Nichkhun’s family. His grandmother is also here, even with her old age she’s still willing to meet her beloved grandson because it is the only chance for them to closely meet.
Present also, are 6 of Nichkhun’s followers including his hair and make-up stylists.
NK: “I have some fans here. It is unfortunate that this year my schedules are mostly in Korea and Japan. I can only come to Thailand only for about one or two days a month. The fans here complain and said they missed me, but I don’t know what to do.”
About the fans, Mrs. Yenjit, Nichkhun’s mother, told us that sometimes she has to check Nichkhun’s news from fan sites. “I don’t even know what flight Khun will be coming. I have to check it from his fan site (laughs).” And she always reminds her son that the reason he’s standing here is because of the support from his fans, therefore they are important people.
In the next schedule Khun and his band are performing a concert at Budogun, Japan. There are quite a number of fans in Japan and after that there’s still another project waiting for him.
NK: “It’ll be a movie; the filming would be in Thailand. It should start around next year, so I think I’ll be able to come home more often.
NK: “...I’m a newbie when it comes to acting, I need to learn much more. It is very different compare to when I’m on stage because for performance on stage we practiced for many hours and perform countless of times. But acting is just something that’s… not in my comfort zone yet. I’m not comfortable with standing in front of the camera and act out. But I’ll have a try, it should be fun.”
NK: “… There were some offers from Korea, but I didn’t have the time. I also told them that I wanted my first movie to be in Thailand because it’s easier to work here, and I can also learn more from it.”
NK: “… I think I’m successful to an extent. But if you think of those on another level, like Justin Timberlake, who I’ve just seen a clip from his concert from HBO. He cried after he finished performing because the fans cheered so much for him. I want that feeling. Ten of thousands people were at his concert. For me it’s usually seven to eight thousand, ten thousand at most but his were fourty, fifty thousands; Madison Square Garden was full. So compare to him, I’m not that successful yet. “
NK: “… In terms of talent, I can’t compete with him. Determination is what allow me to take a step further, it’s the challenge.”
NK: “… Many people say that the American market is impossible to break into. So I’d like to give it a try, no matter if it’s singing or acting in Hollywood. I want to challenge myself before I ‘cool down’ and have a family. I still have a lot of time to prove myself (smiles)”
No matter what, this Korean-looking man who loves rice with chicken basil and fried egg still has a Thai heart. At time of the flooding disaster, he also lend us a hand.
NK: “My mum actually came up with the idea, she convinced me. She rang and said she wanted to set up an auction for 2PM items to help with flooding.”
NK: “… I was okay with it, so I asked my friends for her and said no problem. They gave me a shirt each and also signed them. Each shirt auctioned for several ten thousands.”
NK: “… Mine was auctioned for one hundred and ninety thousand bahy ($6058). I was very surprised. At the time I was filming a CF in Thailand and the fans followed. The auction lasted throughout the night. When I finished a scene I’d came out to have a look and they said, now it’s thirty-thousand, fifty-thousand, they always gave me an update.”
NK: “… I’m happy that I was able to help but I think that won’t be enough. So with the help from JYP entertainment and donated a large sum of money (4 million baht, $127,530.57). The company understood that I’m Thai and that I love Thailand. The members have all been to Thailand before, and they loved it and wanted to come again. When they saw that Thailand had a flood disaster, they felt sorry too even though it wasn’t in their own country. They hoped the situation recover quickly so they wanted to help.”
With no gap in his schedule, Khun has a very simple way of retrieving stress, which is simply to think about something close to him.
NK: “I think about my family, my fans in Thailand and around the world who are supporting me. They expect to see something good from me, so I need to be positive both physically and mentally in order to give happiness to others. If inside you are sad or stress or have a bad mood, your expression will seem not genuine”
“…and I must think positively. Who would be as lucky to have a chance to be here, to meet and take pictures with a person I admire since the start of my career (Rain). It’s unbelievable.”
“…I like the writher Paolo Coelho. At first I followed him on Twitter without thinking much. But then he followed me back. I always retweet what he writes.”
“…One of the days I wrote about how I need to learn much more in my life. He replied that he needs to do so too, we have so many things we can learn. I was surprised; both glad and surprised.”
“I like the writher’s point of view. He regularly writes that we must live our lives differently from our daily norm. When we walk in a straight line, we are assured of the safety, but there is nothing unique about that. Let’s try walking in a zigzag, changing how we see things a little. May be we will learn something new, and who knows we might even like this path. If we keep going straight, we will never know what’s on the side of the road.”
“…He always writes something of this sort, about how we must learn. That is what I really like.”
“…I want to be skilled at life more than being skilled at performance or singing. I mean I want to face and learn about life by myself and finding my individuality. Because in the future, knowing how to sing and dance will not help much. To be a good person you have to learn from people around you and I have gained knowledge from people I’ve met. My parents always say we must be able to change crisis into opportunities. Because a life full of obstacles is more entertaining than one without any challenges. My father always reminds me of that. Even though we might be hurt, discouraged, or feel tired, we can turn those challenges into a positive force.”
Picture: 2PMAlways.com
Article: attitood@2ONEDAY.COM (1, 2, 3, 4)
Why must oppa be so perfect.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2012-01-27 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 03:02 am (UTC)do they mean jay?
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Date: 2012-01-27 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 05:20 am (UTC)nvm~
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Date: 2012-01-27 04:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 05:24 am (UTC)i know he used to get jype pocket money for reading through khun's contract and letting him know what was on it during pre-debut days lol.
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Date: 2012-01-27 03:08 am (UTC)HOLY FUCK, DOG!!
...WANT!!
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Date: 2012-01-27 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 03:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 06:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-28 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 03:35 am (UTC)but from what i've read so far, he truly seems like a nice guy who loves his family dearly. and he seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
that (beautiful) dog is having an awkward moment with him, though. :op
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Date: 2012-01-27 06:07 am (UTC)I'm a little loopy from lack of sleep but nunchuks is making me laugh way too hard.
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Date: 2012-01-27 03:40 am (UTC)and now idg how anyone could hate him he's such a positive, corny, good-natured qtpoop. also his face brings me so much happiness i luv him
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Date: 2012-01-27 04:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 05:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 05:59 am (UTC)But yeah I used to be the same way towards 2pm, UGH ALL THEY DO IS TAKE OFF THEIR SHIRTS THEY DON'T EVEN DO ANYTHING OTHER THAT STRIP.
I printed this picture out and taped it on the wall by my desk.
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Date: 2012-01-27 07:56 am (UTC)really tho unnir this pic is definitely my fave atm. i mean just look at my #1 oppa i'm obv very fond of men who have several chins & fatty neck folds mmm
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Date: 2012-01-27 07:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 09:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 06:51 pm (UTC)me too, but then I discovered that we are long lost twins 8D
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Date: 2012-01-27 03:51 am (UTC)also, khun/coelho 4evah tbh! the other day he retweeted deepak chopra & i was like :0
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Date: 2012-01-27 05:57 am (UTC)He really does have a great presence, when I saw them live in Chicago he'd be fun with the crowd, make up these silly antics during 10/10, it was a joy to watch him.
brb writing fanfic
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Date: 2012-01-27 08:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-28 12:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 03:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 04:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 05:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 04:34 am (UTC)it was ur hotness tbh
i love him sooooooo much, not even in a "he's hot" way but a "he's a good person" way
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Date: 2012-01-27 04:44 am (UTC)but he is just a nice guy though
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Date: 2012-01-27 05:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 06:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 07:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 06:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-27 09:25 am (UTC)And that gif!! So cute.
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Date: 2012-01-27 06:26 pm (UTC)