via Rain _ 비 _ Bi , Official Thread
Credit : Asia Pacific Arts Press Conference: Day 2, February 3rd
Translation courtesy of Leena Chang
Transcription by Meina Banh
Surprisingly, the hit producer and founder of JYP (Jin Young Park) Entertainment, Park was not able to attend the second press conference but Bi held his own as JYP's representative. Showing up in his signature sunglasses, he handled the questions with ease and proved himself to be a confident and effective speaker. Bi (Rain), whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, first gained notoriety from his title song "Nah Ppeun Namja (Bad Man)" from his debut album n001 released in May of 2002. He released his second album Rain 2 in October 2003. He has won numerous awards including the recent New Generation Singer prize at the September 2003 Korean Entertainment Awards and the award for Best New Artist at the Golden Disk Awards. However, his talents are not confined to singing alone. He recently played the lead role alongside Kong Hyo-jin in the KBS television series Sang Doo, Let's Go to School! which aired in December 2003. This role catapulted him to heart-throb status both onscreen and onstage. Other artists under the JYP label include Park Jin Young himself, Park Ji Yoon, Noel, Star and OneTwo.
APA: What does your name mean?
Bi: It means "rain." I use it because I like what it means.
APA: How did you get recruited by Park Jin Young?
Bi: I just got cast. I met him and I liked his work, so I started talking to him. He was holding auditions, so I tried out. For four hours straight - without even talking - I danced at the audition. Then two days later, he notified me that I made it but I thought that I didn't.
APA: What did you do to prepare for the auditions?
Bi: I just mindlessly practiced until I was completely drenched with sweat.
APA: How would you describe your music?
Bi: My music is a combination of different styles. I don't stick to any particular style or genre. My music is for everyone - people of all ages from children to adults to even the elderly. If it's possible, I would like to create music that older people can enjoy - not just the younger people.
APA: Who inspires your work?
Bi: From America, I really admire the works of Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Bobby Brown and Craig David. I listen to them a lot and get a lot of dance ideas from them, especially Michael Jackson who I grew up watching. From Korea, I love listening to Seo Taiji. He is a great source of inspiration.
APA: How did you get into acting? Do you like acting or singing better?
Bi: I like both. The reason why I started to act was because I had always wanted to act in high school. I read this [sang Doo, Let's Go to School!] script and I really liked the character description so I decided to try it. I have a couple of movies in the works and it's all great but doing both drama and music is very difficult and draining.
APA: Are you going to continue to act and sing at the same time?
Bi: The last time I was acting, I was also preparing for my second album. During those three months, I probably averaged an hour of sleep a night. At the moment, I'm just focused on what's ahead of me.
APA: Is this your first time in America? If not, what do you like about America?
Bi: This is actually my seventh time in America. I like the freedom here. I also love the variety of clothing because in Korea, the sizes are too limited and the clothing is too small for me. Here, there are many styles and sizes to choose from.
APA: What's it like to tour in the U.S.?
Bi: The promotion wasn't that great, but we still did our best. The way we're perceived here is pretty much the same way we're perceived in Korea. When it comes down to it, it's how much the artist puts in his work, and I want to put in my very best.
APA: How was the concert experience in Chicago?
Bi: It was really cold but I had a lot of fun performing there. It was a really meaningful performance. It was different because it was obviously in America and not Korea, but basically it was the same in all other respects. We still attracted the same type of fans. But my ambitions aren't really aimed for America - more Asia than anywhere else. Also because I don't speak English very well, yet.
APA: What are you expecting from the Los Angeles concert?
Bi: Of course I hope that it turns out well and that the audience members will enjoy the concert. I hope that there will be a good vibe there. I want people to acknowledge that I am good at what I do. That's all.
APA: What do you hope to achieve by doing this concert?
Bi: I want to represent Korea as a performer and I want to let the audience know that I'm as good as American musicians.
APA: What kind of message do you want to send to your audience?
Bi: I want people to know that I am a hard working person who gives 120% every time.
APA: What was it like to work with such a diverse group of talent on this concert tour?
Bi: These are all great performers in Korea. I am truly honored to be working with them. I want to show my best to the American audience.
APA: What do you want to do while you're in America?
Bi: Shop. I want to find some clothes that will match the personality of my third album (for photo shoots). I wanted to be a fashion designer in the beginning, but since I'm a singer now, I'll put that goal on hold. Once I accomplish everything I want as a singer, I think I'll go back to designing.
APA: Why don't you cross over and become an American icon?
Bi: If I was an Asian singer here, I think I'd encounter some cultural problems because the people will look and judge me differently.
APA: What do you see for the future of Korean music?
Bi: Right now, the Korean music industry is suffering a lot. The manufacturers aren't able to sell our CDs because of illegal downloading from the internet. I hope that one of the people in our group [the concert performers] will be able to break through this wall and get people to start buying CDs again.
APA: What are your goals for the next ten years?
Bi: I think that I have pretty much achieved everything that I've planned. I know that in the future, I will come across obstacles but I am prepared to handle those. My first goal was to become a singer and I have achieved that. My second goal was to win an award for Best New Singer and I have also achieved that. My third goal is to receive the Best Artist Award, and I am working towards that right now. In ten years, if I have gained everything I've wanted, I think that I will become a fashion designer.
APA: Who do you thank the most for your success?
Bi: The first person I would like to give thanks to is my mentor, Jin Woo, because he helped me make it to the top. Secondly, I would like to thank my mother who always encouraged me. Finally, I would like to thank my entire supportive family.
Nincsenek megjegyzések:
Megjegyzés küldése