A short interview and 50 Q&As with Jinhwan, dating back to 1TYM’s first album promotion in 1999. The original material was gathered from various fansites and translated to Japanese by Jinhye, then to English by yours truly (Josh).
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Generous words of praise for Jinhwan
From Danny: He solves a lot of my problems, doesn’t treat me as his junior, and is always with me. (In any event, I wanted to say that he helps me out a lot and so on.)
From Teddy: His diligent side is nice.
From Baek Kyoung: My senior who always thinks carefully. I think that’s how he differs from the others.
Something you want to take this opportunity to tell Jinhwan
From Danny: You sleep too much.
From Teddy: Cut back on sleep!
From Baek Kyoung: Once in a while you lose your temper and I don’t know why. It’s sad.
Three things Jinhwan really likes
My family, my friends, puppies
Three things Jinhwan really hates
Nothing in particular
Stress relief technique
I sleep in an empty place. I can sleep for as much as two days, three if I’m sleeping soundly.
I have an extraordinary ability to sleep.
The best way you ever spent money you earned
When I was in junior high, I gave all the money I earned from working as a paper boy to my mother.
If you had all the money you could spend, what would you do with it?
First of all, I’d save it. (And then…?)
The biggest lie you’ve ever told
I told my mother I’d gone to school even though I hadn’t.
Something that made you cry recently
Nothing
Jinhwan’s complex
My eyes
Fans who made Jinhwan sad
There aren’t any who made me sad, but it seems like I make them sad. Sorry!
Among the entertainers you’ve met since becoming a singer, which ones made a strong impression and why?
When I got acquainted with entertainers, they seemed like really nice and interesting people.
If you went on “TV Broadcasts Love”, who would you look for? [TV Broadcasts Love is a famous KBS program that helps people locate their old friends, relatives, etc.]
My friends from middle school. I couldn’t do them any good at all.
Something you can confidently be proud of
Dancing, sleeping
Entertainers you’re close to, other than Yang Hyun Suk and Jinusean
First, Hong Rok Gi, Nam Hee Suk
Park Soo Hong, Lee Hee Jae, and other comedian friends
And then Ryu Shi Won, Lee Hye Jung (Up)
Lee Jee Hoon, Lim Chang Jung, etc. etc.
Childhood dream
Doctor
The source of Jinhwan’s greatest worry
I worry about not being able to do a lot of dance practice.
Favorite food, food you dislike
I like everything.
My likes and dislikes are a little similar to Teddy’s, but I dislike weird things
The ideal woman Jinhwan is looking for
A woman with a good heart who only loves me.
Jinhwan’s 50 Q&As
1) The part of your body you’re most self-confident about?
The beauty spot below my eye
2) Your mother’s conception dream? [Conception dreams, in Korea and other East Asian countries, are dreams that are said to foretell a baby's birth.]
My mother didn’t tell me.
Mother! What was it?
3) Your favorite meal?
Western food
4) Your favorite song to sing at karaoke?
Saranghagi Ttaemoone by Yoo Jae Ha
5) Nicknames?
Kkandoli (깐돌이) and Penguin are my nicknames, because I resemble both!
[Kkandoli translates to "flagstone", but I have the feeling there's a colloquial meaning I'm not aware of. Drop me a line if you know the right meaning in this context.]
6) Most important album?
1TYM’s albums!
7) The time when you hate yourself the most?
When I see pictures of myself in magazines where my face looks weird
8) When do you think you look your best?
When I’m asleep!
By the way, have you ever seen your own sleeping face?
9) Favorite animal?
Puppies!
10) What do you think you were in a past life?
A puppy!
11) Favorite color?
White and indigo
12) Food you hate?
Meongmeongtang!
[Dog meat soup - the real name is "boshingtang", but Jinhwan is using a euphemism that translates literally to "woof woof soup".]
13) What do you do first thing after waking up?
Shower!
14) How many hours per night do you sleep?
Five hours per night when we have practice or a performance.
15) If there’s a fan that left a lasting memory, please tell us
A woman in her 30s who liked us sent a letter to us.
She listened [to our music] while cleaning, I think?
I remember her very well!
16) Recently, who did you talk to on the phone?
My mother!
17) What do you mainly do in your free time?
I eat
18) Food you can cook properly?
Ramyeon
19) Favorite TV program?
I watch the movie channel on cable TV!
20) Instruments you can play?
Drums and flute
21) Among the books you’ve read, which one made a deep impression on you?
Books about ethics
22) When did you cry the most?
I don’t remember if that was really the most I’ve ever cried, but when my father got angry at me.
23) Who do you want to meet the most right now?
My mother
24) Make one wish.
To become number one, of course!
We have to do our best!
25) What’s your IQ?
135?
26) The three things you’d bring with you to a deserted island?
CDs, CD player, puppy
27) What do you often drink?
Cola, lemon soda
28) How much money do you spend in a month?
50 000 won
29) Any special superstitions?
I always blow my nose before going on stage.
30) What will you do when the world ends?
I’ll sleep a whole lot, probably
31) Your most treasured possession?
My collection of hip-hop media and MDs
32) Something your parents nagged you about?
Eat a lot of rice!
33) Which stage do you most want to try and be on?
As long as I’m singing, anywhere is good!
34) What kind of sports do you like?
Skiing and swimming
35) The celebrity who’s closest to your ideal woman?
Kim Hee Sun
36) Your favorite perfume?
Polo, Extreme
37) What country do you most want to visit?
Africa
38) How many phone numbers do you know by heart right now?
About five
39) Your favorite fashion style?
I like all kinds of clothes! I wear Polo clothes especially often.
40) Where do you hide out with your friends?
We go eat in cafeterias.
41) Any sports you do to especially to keep healthy?
Dance!
That’s super-intense exercise!
42) If you were a teacher, what subject would you teach?
How about physical education teacher?
43) What’s the movie that most impressed you?
Good-bye My Friend
44) If you became a movie star, what kind of part would you want to play?
I’d want to try tough roles like Choi Min Soo’s.
45) What present do you want to receive the most?
I want to get hip-hop CDs.
46) Your quirk?
I sleep with the covers tangled around my legs.
47) When were you most seriously injured?
I broke my arm in my senior year of high school!
48) What do you dislike the most about appearing on television or other media?
Nothing right now.
49) What’s your image of an ideal man?
Someone who does his thing with all his might.
50) At what age do you want to get married?
About 25 years old?
