#sorry for mostly posting jonghyeon stuff

[kim-jonghyeon]

Kim Jonghyeon, News1 N-Interview (220722) "NU'EST are still close friends...cheer each other on in their activities" + "Standing alone 10 years after debut, third turning point"

sources: [1] [2]

Singer and actor Kim Jonghyeon has come to stand alone for the first time in the 10 years since his debut. After debuting in the boy group NU'EST in 2012 and finishing ten years of team activities, he left his company and is now starting anew, not as "NU'EST JR," but as "solo artist" Kim Jonghyeon opening his second act.

With his official solo activities ahead of him, his training is at its peak form. While learning things to further develop himself, from singing and acting to playing the piano, he continues to cultivate his capabilities. His desire to show good sides of himself as an actor and a singer reflects the strength of his drive. "I want to develop myself as I learn about the things I lack," he says, revealing his strong ambition. "I want to show many sides as I grow as a singer and actor."

This was, of course, no easy feat. There is fear when faced with standing alone. But as he wanted to show various aspects of himself as an artist, at the end of all the worries, he began again as Kim Jonghyeon. Having changed companies, he is now working with the staff at his new company and preparing for many things ahead. Sharing that he expects to be active in the latter half of the year, he asked for anticipation and support for his next move.

We met up with Kim Jonghyeon recently and talked about various things.

It's nice to meet you. Since you have a lot of things going on, can you give us an update about what you're up to lately?

I've been really busy learning a lot of things. Since I want to do as much as I can with my company, I'm taking vocal, acting, and piano lessons as well as practicing. I also want to start producing a little. It's been a happy time.

You were in the rap position of your team, so it's surprising that you're doing singing and piano lessons.

I thought that it might be a bit of a shame to fill an album only with rap. And I want to try different kinds of music so I'm trying hard to transform into a singer. I'm working hard since I also want to try fully singing ballad songs. I want to actively participate in the production of my music so I'm learning piano too.

We're curious about the direction of Kim Jonghyeon as an artist.

Nothing's been decided yet, but there's a lot of emotional aspects that I want to be able to express whether through music or acting. Actually, I only wanted to be an actor at first. Then I met with Evermore, and as we talked it over, I thought it would be a shame to give music up, since the people who like me like it when I perform on stage. So I want to grow and show different sides of myself as a singer and actor.

You changed companies recently, didn't you? It must not have been easy to leave a place where you've built a career for 10 years.

It wasn't an easy decision. Still, I had a huge desire to experience more things and show more of "Kim Jonghyeon." To be honest, when I left my company, I was scared, and I felt sorry to the fans who were waiting for me. I met my current company during that troubled time. I thought I could grow a lot in this place, so I ended up joining them. Although it was my first time working with everyone, we worked well together and I'm getting a lot of support, so I feel secure.

It seems as though you discussed many things with the other NU'EST members before you parted ways.

We've always been the same. Whatever each of us does, whatever decision each one of us makes, we say we'll cheer them on. These days, the members are busy doing their activities. I feel proud whenever I see it and cheer them on.

The first event you did after moving to a new company was your fan meeting. You must have really wanted to meet your fans.

I wanted to see the fans from up close. I wanted to do everything I could, so my company prepared different segments to respond to the fans' needs. I gave them advice for their worries and even did a cover stage. (smiles) The fans also said that they like the sound of the band, and I'm proud of that. I think this time I was able to show them a little more of what I wanted to do.

You also showed some tears when you were with your fans in the venue.

I didn't cry - I almost cried. (laughs) That moment was just really overwhelming. Since it was my first time doing a fan meeting on my own, I thought, "Will a lot of people to come see me?" Then it sold out. Isn't that not an easy thing? When I met the fans at the venue, I thought, "I was worrying for nothing." So many people came to cheer me on. I was so thankful to be able to see that sight again. So I got choked up without realizing it.

The hi touch event you did at the fan meeting got a lot of attention. We could see the effort you put into communicating with the fans from up close, but wasn't it hard? When it was over, didn't you feel overwhelmed by a sense of emptiness? [t/n: What an interesting question this is...]

It was great to look each of the fans in the eye and greet them. People were worried and asked, "Didn't your arms hurt?" but I felt how great the fans' love was that I could forget all of that and it wasn't hard at all. I was so thankful and it was a happy time. Even when it was over, rather than emptiness, I remembered how much the fans liked and supported me. I felt proud because I pulled off what I worked so hard to prepare for, and I'm already thinking of what I can do next time.

It was heartwarming to see the NU'EST members come to the fan meeting, too.

I was happy that the members came. I didn't want to pressure them so I never said, "Come if you want," or called. I didn't know when they'd come so their seats were always set aside, then they came together. Dongho couldn't come because of his schedule, but he sent me a text cheering me on before the fan meeting so I'm thankful for that. I've been with the members for almost 13 years now. We know each other so well. We're still good friends.

[end of Part 1 / start of Part 2]

You're not the type to share a lot of things about your life on SNS. Are you making a distinction between "celebrity Kim Jonghyeon" and "human Kim Jonghyeon"?

I'm just bad at taking pictures. (laughs) I want to post perfect photos on my Instagram, but there isn't a lot of those. If a picture turns out well, I should post it right away, but it's not that easy. I think pictures with a lot of blank space are pretty, but apparently, they're not. Haha. So the @/issue_jonghyeon account is more active. It's getting a lot of reactions from fans. So whatever I do, I want to show even more.

What are you interested in lately?

I'm using acrylic paint to paint on a canvas. I've lost interest in just playing games, so I wanted to get a new hobby. I wanted to do something that could leave something behind. I watched YouTube videos about the basics of acrylic painting so I wanted to try it. I ordered some of the necessary materials and I try to paint in my free time. I've been into brunch for a while. I like putting salmon and cream cheese on a bagel and eating it with soup. I'll probably get sick of it since I keep eating it, but for now I'm still bearing with it. I like hobbies that I can do at home.

If there was a turning point during your time in the industry, what would it be?

First, when we came on "Produce 101 Season 2." The second one is after that, when NU'EST became complete again with five members. I think this present moment is the third one. Looking back on it, those were all times when I was able to grow so much.

Is there someone or something that's like a mentor to you?

I used to not like depending on others, so even when I was working, I would worry and do things on my own. These days, I'm trying to depend on my members and my fans. I also talk a lot with the CEO of my company and my staff.

What has pulled you forward all this time?

For this one, I truly can't say anything other than the fans. I work hard because these people are here.

What are Kim Jonghyeon's goals and intentions?

Isn't it just to work like how I am now? Rather than setting a huge goal, I think I want to always learn and improve myself in the process. Though a lot of people compliment me, I know what I lack, so I want to keep growing while working to fill those parts where I could do better.

You seem like the type to crack the whip when it comes to improving yourself.

I'm strict when working, but when I'm at home, I'm just like "I don't care~" (laughs) My MBTI is ISFP. If it's a rest day, I just let it pass and I just like to lie around. On the other hand, I try to be strict when it's time to work.

What are your future plans?

Right now, I'm learning a lot of things and preparing. I hope to show a lot of things within the year. I expect to be active in the latter half of the year, so I hope for your anticipation and support.

[this is a fan translation by a non-native korean speaker and may contain inaccuracies. it has not yet been proofread or edited.]