BEAST's Hyunseung for Elle Girl Korea (scans + interview)

[kei-enigma.livejournal.com]

*** CLICK ON THE PICS FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION ***

EG: Do you remember filming for your first <Elle Girl> photoshoot after BEAST's debut?
Ah, you came during that time too right? I was going to ask you anyways a while ago. I remember it, that day.

EG: It was the February 2010 edition. You guys were rookies back then, but now you guys are one of the top groups.
You had no idea that we were going to turn out like this right? (laughs)

EG: To be honest, I had no idea you guys will be at the top this quick. From then to now, what is the greatest change for you? Not something on the outside, but inside.
Before debut, I thought it was okay if we weren't popular. It's because I thought nothing else mattered as long as I was doing what I wanted to do and whatever that looked good. But as I went through different promotions, I realized why we need the love from many people. I learned that I could only do what I want to do with the love from the fans.

EG: Your popularity overseas is amazing. What do you think is the reason that fans love BEAST?
I really have no idea. Looking at fellow artists that debuted around the same time as we did, I think that they have more potential than us to be popular. In addition, when I look at our stage I question myself thinking, "Is this all that we could do." (laughs) We really have no idea what about BEAST catches the interest of others.

EG: Isn't the name 'Jang Hyunseung' too hard to pronounce for fans overseas? Isn't that the reason why you decided to go by 'JS' when you promoting 'Trouble Maker'?
I used the name JS when I was promoting Trouble Maker, but wherever I went I was still called 'Hyunseung'. Even on the door to the waiting room during broadcasts, it read 'Jang Hyunseung'. I was a little disappointed. Since before debut, I wanted to use a stage name. Personally I think cool artists should have a cool stage name. I think I have to talk to my management again.

EG: I think you got your sexy image through 'Trouble Maker' promotions.
Well if a man and a woman are doing a performance one on one, it can't be all pure and innocent right? (laughs) It was a lot harder than performing with the guys. You also need to learn being patient for your partner. I was touching because it was in the choreography, but that was really hard too.

EG: But you still felt good because you received a lot of love from the public right?
Of course. I did it thinking, "Should I give this a try?" But I was so surprised by the response. Even the director approved of it. He had no idea it was going to be this big too. (laughs)

EG: Will the musical 'Mozart!' you are participating in be the same? This is your first musical right?
To be honest, I didn't even know about the musical before. I thought the role was too much for an idol singer like me to digest so I didn't even think about it. But luckily, I was able to participate in such a big project as the main character so I have been putting all my efforts into it.

EG: Have you seen sunbae Kim Junsu's performance who had been praised for his role in 'Mozart!' before?
A while ago, I got to watch 'Elizabeth' which was the musical that sunbaenim had participated in, but I only watched 'Mozart!' through a video. I also watched Park Euntae hyung's video clip as well. I have been studying from their stages.

EG: I heard that you have been putting all your energy into practicing. How is it actually practicing?
Before anything else, I think it's really physically demanding. The whole show it about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but I had never pulled a stage for that long from start to finish. In a group, all the six members share a song together. Plus, I'm on the skinnier side so I don't really do endurance workouts, but these days I have been running for an hour each day to increase my strength.

EG: In musical, acting is as important as singing. Wasn't acting for the first time difficult?
Thankfully, Mozart's character is a lot like mine so I don't think it was as hard. Of course not the "prodigy" part, but the part being a rebel. I have a very playful personality.Unlike my calm image, I don't listen to others well. I'm really stubborn and I have my specific personal preferences. What I don't like, I don't like no matter how much someone tries to persuade me. Mozart in the musical and I resemble each other in the fact that he doesn't listen to his father or sister and does whatever he wants.

EG: Do you think you are a prodigy like Mozart?
No. I was really born with nothing. But at the same time, I can't say that effort has made me into someone who is really skilled. I pulled myself to the place I'm at right now through effort and effort itself. It was really hard learning dance and singing and this musical challenge has been the same.

EG: How is it working with the musical sunbaes who you recently met?
In the beginning I was really embarrassed to sing and act in front of them. These days idols can easily move into genres like movies, dramas, and musicals. To be honest, if I wasn't a BEAST member, how else could I have gotten a role in this musical? Many musical actors/actresses must have really worked hard for their roles, but the fact that I had gained a role like that so easily made me feel embarrassed and overwhelmed.

EG: During your first performance on July 10th, who do you want to invite?
On the first performance, I don't want to invite anyone. In addition, I don't want to invite anyone on the last performance because I'm worried that I might crack my voice because I'll be tired. I think about the 3rd or 4th performance will be the best. I want to invite my members, friends, dance teacher, and fellow sunbaes and hoobaes. But to be honest, I'm not that type to invite anyone first. If they want to come and watch, I will probably be like "Okay, come here at this time. You don't need to buy a ticket."

EG: Earlier this year all of the BEAST members and BEAST's fathers came on 'Win Win' and danced to 'Fiction'. How was it watching your father dance?
It wasn't all fun watching him. All of them must have been busy with their work, but just thinking about how hard it must have been for them to learn the choreography on top of that. I felt even worse because they were in their older years too. I heard that my expression has not been good since my father's appearance then.

EG: What kind of son is Jang Hyunseung at home?
Quiet son. After starting my trainee days in high school, I really didn't talk much. If you look at the other members, they talk about all bunch of things with their parents, but not me. My parents know that I'm like that so they don't ask me. I can't do aegyo (can't act cute), I'm really shy, and I don't like being the instigator. I'm really a quiet guy.

EG: But how can a person like that be a singer?
I think because I am a person like that I'm a singer.Because I change on stage.

EG: Offstage when you are hanging out with the members what's your role?
The quiet one. (laughs) I usually stay quiet. I would stay like that until the mood starts turning the other way. Then I would start talking.

EG: Then what do you do when you are alone or on break?
There isn't much to it. When I'm in the dorm I'm on the computer or practicing. I don't really like going around places to play. I go back a forth from the house, dorm, practice room, and broadcasting studios. I don't really go out unless I'm meeting a friend in between here and there. I don't like going to the club because I don't like places with a lot of people.

EG: Then it's true that you are a practice bug. Other than singer or dancing skills, what other skills do you want?
The ability to compose. To be honest, I thought I didn't need to compose one or two years ago. Since I was a singer and dancer, I thought all I had to do was digest the songs that the composer made me. Now my thinking has changed. I want to try composing too.

EG: Looking back at yourself during debut, how does it feel?
I was a total baby. When I think back to myself who used to think, "I'm good." I wonder why I thought like that. Back then I didn't know what looked good on stage and what I was supposed to and not supposed to do. At least now, I know what timing is about.

EG: As you move higher, you tend to get more wants. What do you want currently?
I want to show many different sides of me. I have been working really hard for this musical as well as BEAST's comeback stage. I tried out a photoshoot on my own today and I want to try out more photoshoots like this. I usually check out the photoshoots of different stars on magazines. I want to be in more photoshoots. Hit me up often!

EG: What does "that is BEAST like" mean?
What does that mean? It's really hard. I personally don't like synchronized choreography. I want to show off a dance that displays the different characteristics of all the members, but at the same time tie everything together.

EG: Then what you want "that is Jang Hyunseung" like to mean?
I don't want to hear that I'm just an okay guy in a team that keeps on trying to research new things. I want to be remembered as "a very skilled singer."

scans from PICTURE PERFECT LOVE
translation by YONGISM at B2STRISING

Comments

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

look what the layout did to your fabulous formatting on the main page! tsk tsk tsk.

CLAPS FOR YOUR EFFORT!

[kei-enigma.livejournal.com]

;A;

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

Hmm I've never cared much about Hyunseung but his interviews are really interesting. He seems really critical of himself. This is probably the first time I've read something like this: "We really have no idea what about BEAST catches the interest of others" Most idols usually pull nonsense out of their ass like "We have many colours and charms that are different from other groups."

Who is he close to in the group anyway? I don't pay much attention to Beast but he normally looks like he's all alone.

[samfrack.livejournal.com]

From recent things he seems to be closest to Doojoon. Supposedly they share a room in the dorm as well. It's likely only because they're the oldest though that they're close, he's a pretty solitary person as expressed by himself and the other members.

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

Ah I see, thanks ^^

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

He's known to be very critical of himself. MBC's done two documentaries on BEAST for the United Cube and Beautiful Show tours and both times he's explicitly stated he was born with nothing (despite others stating otherwise) and most footage is of him practicing like crazy.

He even uses the car windows as mirrors when they don't have a waiting room. I've never ever seen an idol member like him. His workmanship is very admirable.

As for who he's close to, when the group debuted, Junhyung and him used to go out after work but now, it's probably Dujun? After Trouble Maker though, he's been far more clingy to his members than before. Dongwoon is another person he openly shows affection for.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

There was a docu for United Cube? Where have I been? I need to visit Always Beast more often

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when they went to London!

i just need to share something that scared me for life:

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

Re: i just need to share something that scared me for life:

[uledy.livejournal.com]

it took me a moment to figure what was wrong. it looks so...natural...like i can totally see him with that body irl...

Re: i just need to share something that scared me for life:

[tsuyoi-hikari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it looks so natural. Good PS there.

I thought UEE (it's supposed to be her, right?) did a surgery to her nose or something. :O

Re: i just need to share something that scared me for life:

[xxmannequin.livejournal.com]

I remember when I first noticed the EXTREME resemblance.
It creeped me out lol

[kiwilovekiwi.livejournal.com]

Oppa so sexy!!*______*

[justhyuu.livejournal.com]

what is "JS" even supposed to mean?

[kei-enigma.livejournal.com]

He tweeted once that it stood for "Jay Stomp," but that only arises more questions. lol

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

is he even back on twitter by the way?

[kei-enigma.livejournal.com]

No. :( I don't think any members have even mentioned it in passing either. I miss his fanboy tweets to Omarion.

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

Oh I see. I don't keep up with Beast anymore, but I kind of assumed that he accidently deleted his twitter and would come back soon enough. That's too bad though. I wonder if he was hacked?

& haha yeah i agree his stanning for Omarion was cute. Didn't he get Omarion (?) to follow him back or something and he was freaking out on his twitter over it?

[kei-enigma.livejournal.com]

We can only wonder.

But yes, he totally did that for both Omarion and Chris Brown—and in English, no less!

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

:( Well let's hope he didn't all together delete because he was harassed...I honestly don't understand the level of anti-fans this guy has?

& well this is new to me...I wasn't aware he fawned over Chris Brown :/ But A+ for his english skills. Thanks for linking this though..I hadn't seen this before nor did I know too much about it.

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

Haha, if it makes things any better with his Chris Brown stanning, Junhyung and Dujun asked him who he would collaborate with if he could only choose one between CB and Hyuna and he still chose Hyunah.

Junhyung said he was being unrealistic lolol

[engraved-16.livejournal.com]

omg i laughed so hard.

[lasthenia.livejournal.com]

what great pictures

[streetliights.livejournal.com]

this interview was really refreshing and honest but I didn't expect anything less especially from hyunseung tbqh. :(

Anyways, when is Beast having their comeback? If they are currently preparing for it...I can't even begin to imagine the level of exhaustion they must feel on the daily.

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

latest word out is maybe at the end of the month but cube's been stalling since May so i don't trust a word from their mouths anymore tbh

[pivotandsway.livejournal.com]

wow he's really self-aware. I really don't like his group, but he's ok.

[kiwilovekiwi.livejournal.com]

Rancho's a better stage name than JS ... should of use that instead. JS is just meh!!!

[shiddex.livejournal.com]

didnt rili like his photoshoot, just liked his close up shot. love his answers though.

[10135.livejournal.com]

I love his curly/wavy hair, I'm so glad it's back :3

[nujagurl.livejournal.com]

his answers are great tbh

[windygables.livejournal.com]

lmao at elle girl for indulging him and titling the interview JS~

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

Realest bitch on the block tbh. That's why I stan you.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

Basically

[shikinluv.livejournal.com]

His "no aegyo" thing is killing me, man. why u lie to the masses, child

[purring-feline.livejournal.com]

He's such an interesting dude, I need them to come back so I can flail properly!

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

You remain my bias Seungie....how I wish you weren't still so hard on yourself.

[http://users.livejournal.com/___varying/]

His interview answers always make me like him more - he's so driven/honest (and I've always had a soft spot for the loner type), though IA that he is his own worst critic.

And aww his fixation on having a stage name. :)

[adropofcitrus.livejournal.com]

perfect human being. He tugs at my heart strings so much. I just want to love him forever ;~;

[http://users.livejournal.com/___sasuka/]

Good interview. Love it when people can be honest. And Hyunseung is a qt.

[consequences.livejournal.com]

lol what is he wearing in that last photo

thanks for the trans and scans <3

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

Hyunseung is such a fascinating person. I'd love to be able to sit down and talk about stuff with him for a whole day, I get the impression it would be a mix between deep thoughts and honest critiques and absolute randomness :) I do love his openness in interviews like this. And when I think about it I remember so many times catching him practising performances during different videos, he works so hard...if his ability is really only due to practice then it's definitely paid off and I can't even imagine how hard he must have worked cos the boy is good.

[steelsigns.livejournal.com]

MAH BB HYUNSEUNG ;_;

[unparalleledxvi.livejournal.com]

Great interview. I love how humble and hardworking he is. And he's so honest. It would suck to feel like you only got a role because of your group. It happens all the time, but I think this is the first time I've read of someone admitting it. But it's alright BB, even if that's how you got the role, prove that you deserve it with your performance. He just needs to give up the whole JS thing. It's not gonna happen. And, please, come back already. I'm getting really tired of waiting.