2 Years after his debut, idol group A-JAX's Jaehyung has certainly sharpened his sword (T/N: korean proverb for "honing one's abilities"). From displaying his powerful dancing on stage, he is now attempting to become an actor. The better-than-expected acting abilities that he displayed in web drama "Vampire's Flower" is now bringing him much attention. Fans are hotly excitedly over the idol group member challenging the role of a vampire.
Qns: How is Jaehyung when we meet him in person?
Ans: The cold and curt vampire image Jaehyung showed in "Vampire's Flower" shatters once you meet him in real-life. His affable smile and knowledgeable conversational skills lead the atmosphere. "Many people really misunderstood me. But actually, I am pretty silly, and I like to get along well with others. I hope that people don't misunderstand", he said laughingly.
As his first acting challenge ever, this production held a special meaning for him. For his first foray into the acting world that he had dreamed of since his childhood, he had put in much effort. "Thanks to A-JAX, I had the chance to challenge acting too. This time, it was not just acting skills that decided it, but also the chance to compose, lyric-writing etc - I hope that I had improved my abilities in various fields", he said.
▶The following is the Q &A.
Qns: How are your feelings about debuting as an actor?
Ans: There's of course some stress from being cast in the lead role right from my first production. I was worried over whether I can swallow such a large role. However, because of that worry, I prepared for it really thoroughly. I faithfully followed the orders of the director, and my meticulous preparations seemed to have matched his vision. So fortunately, the shooting was completed without any major problems.
Qns: You matched well with your co-lead Kim Gaeun. From kiss scene to bed scene, you guys showed various sides.
Ans: Actually, Gaeun-nuuna has had much acting experience, so I was looking forward to her to taking the lead. But reality turned out different. I had to solve the issue, and I had to take the lead. First bed scene, first kiss scene, it was all not easy. It seemed that the parts which I had acted out cautiously went over well.
Qns: Within 1 week of its release, viewership clicks went over 1 million and it drew much popularity. What is the response from those surrounding you?
Ans: Many commented that I was too cheesy/greasy (laughs). Actually the drama is targeted at young teenagers, so that portion can't be helped. Feels like I've lost my arms and legs a little. (laughs)
Qns; Many don't look kindly upon idol members foraying into the acting world..
Ans: Criticism of my acting is something that I had expected. So as an idol, and with this being my debut acting stint, I was determined to faithfully act out the role that I had been given. Luckily, it went well and I also got approval from the people around me, so I'm satisfied. One can't expect to be perfect right from the beginning. However, this being my first, had a special meaning to me.
Qns: What was the hardest part?
Ans: Indeed, it's the cheesy scenes. Beforehand, I had thought that it would happen, but at the shooting set itself, it was worse than expected. "Be my slave." "I've found the flower that belongs only to me" - spewing out lines like these, I thought that I was gonna lose feeling in all my limbs. Even though I had practised beforehand, it really wasn't easy.
Qns: How did you end up foraying into acting?
Ans: Ever since young, I have dreamt of being an actor. Because of this, I have been steadily receiving acting lessons. But what's important is really on-the-set experience. Through this stint, I have learnt a lot. I want to continue learning more and apply it on-set in the future.
Qns: What did you learnt the most?
Ans: I learnt a lot about how to express feelings that are deepset. And also the profoundness of acting skills that is required to gain the audience's empathy. Of course, I don't mean that I can do it perfectly, I just mean that I've now learnt about its existence, that in itself is important too.
Qns: It seems that many fans are interested in an idol member like you challenging acting.
Ans: The response is indeed hotter than expected. There's many fans who call me by my character's name, "Rui" rather than my actual name "Jaehyung". When we A-JAX had a performance, there was someone who screamed "RUI OPPA!" It feels kinda strange, but it means that in some ways the results (of my acting) turned out well, so it felt good. (laughs)
Qns: Recently you're involved in various other activities, like MC-ing too.
Ans: Recently, I'm getting more individual schedules, but A-JAX is still a really important team to me. I hope that through my individual activities, the public's recognization of A-JAX can be increased too. I think everyone can look forward to A-JAX's new album within the year too.
Qns: Please tell us your future resolution henceforth as an actor, not as a idol singer.
Ans: I want to be capable of acting that can resonate with the audience. Having learnt some of that on-set, I think that I can grow and develop further in the future. If there's a good script, I'll welcome it anytime.
Photos: Reporter Kim Byeong Kwan
Article: Lee Jin Ho zhenhao@enews24.net
ORIGINAL VERSION:
[enews24 이진호 기자]
데뷔 2년차 아이돌 그룹 에이젝스의 재형(서재형)이 칼을 제대로 갈았다. 무대 위에서 강렬한 댄스를 선보이던 그가 연기자로 변신을 시도했다. 웹 드라마 '뱀파이어의 꽃'에서 기대 이상의 연기력을 발휘해 주목받고 있다. 아이돌 그룹 멤버의 뱀파이어 연기 도전이란 점에서 팬들의 관심은 더욱 뜨거웠다.
▶직접 만난 재형은?
재형이 '뱀파이어의 꽃'에서 선보였던 차갑고 무뚝뚝한 뱀파이어 이미지는 만남과 동시에 깨졌다. 그는 서글서글한 웃음과 재치 넘치는 입담으로 분위기를 주도했다. 재형은 "많은 분들이 오해를 많이 하신다. 하지만 허당기도 많고 사람들과 잘 지내는 걸 좋아한다. 오해하지 않았으면 좋겠다"고 웃었다.
-연기자로 데뷔한 소감은?
"첫 작품에서 주인공으로 캐스팅 돼 부담스러운 면이 있었다. 분량을 다 소화할 수 있을까 하는 걱정도 들었다. 하지만 걱정이 된 만큼 준비를 철저하게 했다. 감독님의 지시에 잘 따랐고, 꼼꼼하게 준비한 것들이 맞아 떨어졌다. 다행히 큰 문제없이 작품을 마무리 지었다."
-상대역인 김가은과 호흡이 잘 맞았다. 키스신부터 베드신까지 다양하게 선보였다.
"사실 (김)가은이 누나가 그간 작품을 많이 했기 때문에 리드해 줄거라 기대했다. 하지만 현실에선 달랐다. 내가 해결해야 했고, 내가 신을 이끌어야 했다. 첫 베드신이고, 첫 키스신이라 모든 게 쉽지 않았다. 조심스럽게 연기한 부분이 잘 들어맞은 것 같다."
-공개 첫주만에 100만 클릭을 넘어서는 등 큰 인기를 끌었다. 주위의 반응은?
"오글거린다는 평가가 특히 많았다(웃음). 사실 10대를 타깃으로 한 청소년물이기 때문에 그런 부분에서 자유로울 수는 없었다. 손발이 조금은 없어진 것 같다(웃음)."
-아이돌 멤버의 연기도전에 대해 시선이 곱지만은 않았다.
"연기력 논란에서 자유로울 거란 생각은 안했다. 아이돌이기도 하고 데뷔작이다 보니 마음을 단단히 먹었다. 일단 주어진 배역에 충실하려고 노력했다. 다행히 잘 마무리지었고, 주위에서도 인정을 해주시는 부분이 있어 만족스럽다. 처음부터 완벽할 순 없다. 다만 첫 도전이었기 때문에 의미가 남다른 것 같다."
-가장 힘들었던 부분은?
"역시 오글거리는 신들이었다. 예상은 했지만, 현장에서는 또 달랐다. '날 노예로 받아줘' '나는 나만의 꽃을 찾았다' 등의 대사를 소화할 때는 정말 손발이 다 없어지는 줄 알았다. 미리 준비를 해도 쉽지 않았다."
-어떻게 연기에 도전하게 됐나?
"어릴 때부터 연기자에 대한 꿈이 있었다. 관심이 많았기 때문에 연기 트레이닝을 꾸준히 받았다. 하지만 중요한 건 역시 현장이었다. 이번 작품을 거치면서 배우는 것이 많았다. 앞으로 더 많이 배우고 현장에서 부딪히고 싶다."
-어떤 점을 가장 많이 배웠나?
"깊이감과 전달력 부분에서 많이 배웠다. 또한 대중이 공감할 수 있는 연기의 깊이를 알게 됐다. 물론 내가 완벽하게 선보일 수 있다는 의미는 아니다. 그 점을 알게 됐다는 것만으로도 의미가 있다."
-아이돌 멤버에서 연기도전에 대해 팬들의 관심이 클 것 같다.
"생각보다 관심이 뜨거웠다. 재형이란 이름보다는 극중 배역인 루이로 불러주는 팬들도 많았다. 행사에 가도 '루이 오빠'라고 외치는 분들도 있었다. 기분이 묘했다. 여러 가지로 잘돼서 기분이 좋다(웃음)."
-최근 MC까지 맡는 등 다방면에서 활동하고 있다.
"최근 개인 활동이 많아졌지만 에이젝스는 내게 정말 중요한 팀이다. 개인 활동을 통해 팀의 인지도를 조금이라도 더 끌어올릴 수 있다면 좋겠다. 올해 안에는 에이젝스의 앨범을 기대해도 좋을 것 같다."
-아이돌 가수가 아닌 배우로서 앞으로의 각오를 듣고 싶다.
"대중이 같이 공감할 수 있는 연기를 하고 싶다. 실제 현장을 통해 배웠으니 앞으로 더 성장하고 발전할 수 있을거라 생각한다. 좋은 작품이 있다면 언제든 찾아뵙겠다."
사진=김병관 기자
이진호 기자 zhenhao@enews24.net
[Taken From: http://media.daum.net/entertain/star/newsview?newsid=20140729151406462. Translations by Falling Angel. DO NOT TAKE OUT WITHOUT PERMISSION!]
