SHINee is an idol group leading the Korean Wave and from the group, Minho began a new challenge as an actor. We met him on a autumn day at the drama filming set. The SBS Wed-Thur drama “For You In Full Blossom” is Minho’s first mini-series and received a lot of interest before its broadcast because of the idol cast.
Unfortunately, “FYIFB” did not record an increase in viewership ratings. Without raising the ratings to two digits, the drama is coming to an end.
“The low viewership ratings are definitely disappointing. I think about if I should have worked harder. But the satisfaction I felt while working on “FYIFB” is 100%. I was happy to meet the character Kang Taejun. I can accept the poor aspects modestly and work even harder and return through a good project. I can’t be full after my first drink. I want to show an improved side of me in my next project.”
The drama showed lots of potential with its idol actors. Minho is definitely one of the jewels that “FYIFB” discovered.
“It’s my first leading role in a drama. I’m starting to act, which I’ve wanted to do since I was little, so I worked hard to prepare. Rather than anticipating the evaluations, I went in with the determination to develop and mature. I still feel that I lack a lot so I want to leave a good image of Kang Taejun. I want to return again through a good project and role.”
Due to the pain of losing his mother, Taejun hid his feelings and became a cold and blunt character. Minho talked about his differing personality compared to the chic and “cold city man” Taejun.
In reality, I’m the type to be as courteous as I can to females. Even I see Kang Taejun as a rough, ill-mannered, and cold character. I played a character whose personality contradicts mine and without realizing it, I slightly integrated it. But it was interesting and enjoyable to express a personality that’s unlike mine. Just like how I played a high jump athlete in the drama, it’s fun to play another character.
Kang Taejun isn’t an average high school student but a national high jump representative whose athletic abilities had a great influence in the drama. Minho’s exceptional athletic skills were known well through shows and we wonder if he felt burdened.
“I tried something called the Forsbury flop and it was tiring at first so I had a hard time. I was confident but it was harder than I thought so it was bothersome. Although I wasn’t 100% satisfied, I was able to make it look like one an athlete would do which was a relief. I think I could have done it if I had a little more time. But all actors have limited time and the problem was how to prepare apply that into the jump.”
A sweet and cute romance unfolded in the drama. Since the two know each other well personally, they said being immersed in the romance wasn’t all that easy.
“We’ve known each other since we were young so I was worried. I was worried since we’re pretty close and thought it might be awkward. We worked together one step at a time and we gradually adjusted well together. Since we’re normally close, we’d ask each other “How would this emotion be?” and “Wouldn’t it be good to express it this way?” which had a synergy effect. Wasn’t it quite passionate? Since it was Sulli, I was able to express myself more naturally.”
We asked Minho “Was the high jump or romance with your close dongsaeng Sulli harder?” As expected, he confessed that the high jump was more burdensome where he had to use his body a lot.
The high jump was a bit harder since I had to use my body. When we filmed all day, I became exhausted. I think using my body was more difficult than emotional acting. When I filmed emotion scenes with Sulli, it took about 2 hours. It took around 6 hours to film the high jump and get the picture we wanted.
How are the members’ reactions? We’re curious about their thoughts on the romance between the two people whom they know well.
“The SHINee members told me “I can’t watch it.” On days when there were skinship scenes, they’ll joke around and say “I had fun watching yesterday.” But still, they make sure to watch and also follow the lines. They even asked me to teach them how to high jump (laugh). Jonghyun hyung memorizes lines that even I forget about and recites them so I get surprised.”
Minho felt a different kind of pleasure through “FYIFB” than on stage. He revealed his desire to show various sides of himself as an actor.
Well when I stand on stage, there’s an immediate response from the people watching so there’s pleasure and enjoyment that not everyone can feel. I don’t get direct and immediate responses when I act compared to when I’m on stage. But when I worked on the drama and see the finished product on TV, I remember the hard times and feel pleased. It’s a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s now my first step into acting so I have to learn a lot as I go and I know there are aspects that I am poor at. It has its various charms and it’s fun.
Minho displayed his high jumping skills through this project. What kind of image will be show in his next project?
I haven’t thought about it in detail yet but since I played a high school student this time, I want to play a new role that’s fit for my age. As I was learning how to high jump, the director told me “You’ll earn a talent that nobody else has. It’ll be good to be confident when you film,” which were nice words. In the future, I want to learn various things through many experiences and work on projects that will help me. I want to be acknowledged as a good actor.
Translated by: kimchi hana @ shineee.net
Source : dkpopnews[dot]net
