Jang Keun Suk Delays Japan Press Conference, 'Nothing To Do with Dokdo Crisis'

Jang Keun Suk's management stated that his delay is due to his ill-preparedness and has nothing to do with the anti-Hallyu crisis that is going on due to the Dokdo crisis.

His agency also commented that he wanted to be more prepared and show his fans and the public a more presentable image.

Another official commented, "Jang Keun Suk postponing or canceling his events has been a common thing with him. It is nothing to take seriously."

With the recent appearance of Korean president Lee Myung Bak visiting Dokdo, the tension between Korea and Japan has risen.

credits: kpopstarz

[Q&A] Numero TOKYO October 2012

A close-up Q & A of the real face of Jang Keun Suk

 Q1: As an artist, what are you planning next?

A1: I’ve come to think that doing as soon as possible is not always the best. Detouring is sometimes better, I think. I’ve achieved my current success much earlier than I expected. That’s why there was days when I had fear about this early success and was thinking every day about what I should do. Now, I’m enjoying every single moment and searching for what I want to do. It means what I’m preparing for now is what I personally want to do, not as an artist. I have another dream to be a businessman. To realize the dream, my next plan is to open up a collaborative shop with brand names as a designer. While doing a lot of research desperately, I’m sometimes mixed up if I’m an artist or a business man. Lol.

Q2: Actor, Singer and businessman…, in which area will you plan to conquer the world?

A2: All of them. I want to conquer the world in all the areas. I started my career as a child actor, but I’ve never thought of the day comes when I retire from showbiz. To pursue my new dream as an actor and a singer, I will continue to work in showbiz and at the same time I want to try in my new fields. This is my stance and principles.

Q3: What was 25-year-old Jang Keun Suk like you imagined when you were a kid?

A3: When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a boss of car repair shop just because I loved cars. After that, I wanted to be a boss of carubi restaurant and a doctor. Lol. I think I never thought to be an artist before I debuted as a child star.

Q4: How do you describe in your 30′s and 40′s?

A4: Surely a success in showbiz is important, but more important for me is to have my own family. I’ve had wishes to get married and have lots of children for some time. If I had a family, I would be more responsible and refrain from drinking too much. If I looked at my family’s pictures when I was tired from work, it would encourage me to work much harder to protect my family. Now my family consists of my parents and a dog Suni, so I’m thinking of them when I feel tired. I don’t have enough time to love someone, a potential partner…… that’s all. Lol.

Q5: As an artist, what kind of experience do you want to accumulate?

A5: For me, every moment is experience. Appearing on various TV shows is experience, but I think seeing all the scenery on my way to TV stations is also one of experiences. Finding meaning in everything and being more mature, I want to go to the next step.

Q6: Looking back over the past 20 years, when do you think is a turning point?

A6: After all, when I was 20 years old. I’ve set my goal to be a free man since I found “I’m the main character in my life”. As I just started to take the first step in becoming a free man, I’m not sure yet where it’s going to lead in the future.

Q7: So, you don’t know your life is going?

A7: I don’t know. But I think it’s OK. Because I can’t see what will happen, I enjoy my life at every moment.

Q8: Do you get depressed?

A8: Of course, I get depressed. I also experienced a slump. When I watched the DVD of SMAP concert at Tokyo Dome in my junior high school days, I vaguely thought I wanted to hold my concert in a big venue someday. Last year one of my big dreams to hold my concert at Tokyo Dome came true. But just after it finished, I wondered where to go from now. I prefer doing what I want to do rather than doing what my company asks me to do. I couldn’t find my next step soon after the concert, and everything stopped. I mean my idea of managing my company, acting and making album all stopped. But there were a lot of things I had to do. At that time, I realized again that it was really hard for me to be forced to do something. Thinking back now, what I had to do at that time was what I wanted to do. I’m afraid I alone didn’t notice that… I wonder why I forgot everything I chose because I wanted to do. I think I fell in a terrible slump.

Q9: In your previous interview, you said “I don’t know who I am”. How about now?

A9: I think my real identity is myself. Today I answer like this, but there may be times that I can’t see or understand myself in a moment. But searching for real self and going forward is my homework.

[END]



Source: Numero TOKYO via Jang Keun Suk Forever
Photographed by Leslie Kee
English translation: tenshi_akuma

Numero TOKYO October 2012

– deep emotional range –
Even an adult can’t help but fall in love again…
Jang Keun Suk’s attraction; mysteriousness and beauty.

You’ll see his crazy world never before shown to anyone. Jang Kuen Suk, who released his first album “Just Crazy” at the end of May in Japan, got a No.1 ranking on Oricon daily and weekly chart. It means he became the first solo foreigner artist in the history of music in Japan. He has a clear and beautiful voice we can’t help but get lost in. Listening to songs into which he puts a lot of emotion, we tremble all over with the rhythm. It’s a moment when his new creative talent sublimes. Who on earth is this 25-year-old young superstar? A close-up of the real face of Jang Keun Suk, the most mysterious and attractive guy who is gifted with remarkable talents inside.

He is only 25 years old, but this year is his 20th anniversary since his debut. Jang Keun Suk has succeeded to become the most popular Hallyu star, with superb acting skill he has gained from his experience as an actor and born artistic sense. Now, he’s taking the first step in becoming a singer. His free spirit helps this new challenge.

Looking back over the past 20 years, Jang Keun Suk started his career as a model when he was 5 years old. Then, he debuted as a child star on TV when he was 10 years old. Whenever he went for shooting, he brought a big bag and used expressway bus from his home in a rural area to Seoul, all by himself. As his parents daringly had his son do anything by himself, it encouraged his self-reliance. He had wanted to study abroad since elementary school and went to New Zealand for studying English when he was at the first year of high school. He planned to attend the school until graduation, but he went back to Korea to accept an offer for appearing on TV. Since then, he’s pushed forward with his work as an actor.

A while later, the trial which every child stars would experience also came to Jang Keun Suk. There is a jinx that says “Actors who have career as a child star never succeed”, which means it’s hard for them to break away from the fixed image. For him, especially he has a long career as a child star was not exceptional. He experienced hard times in his late teens. When he was 20 years old, he appeared in the drama “Hwang Jin Yi” and it became his turning point. He was selected as the first love of the lead actress. Contrary to viewers’ expectation that young Keun Suk can’t play the role, he did quite well. The success helped him to become more mentally mature. And he gradually succeeded a transition from a child star to an adult actor and expanded his range of acting. Movie “The Happy Life” in 2007 and Drama “Beethoven Virus” proved his acting skill and he won the Newcomer Awards for each work. He eventually got rid of the image as a child actor.

In 2009, he had a chance to act his perfect role in Drama “You Are Beautiful”. He played Hwang Tae Kyung, a leader of a popular pop band, who is a very sensitive and very difficult person to get along with. He perfectly performed this bossy character and after YAB, he’s become increasingly popular. Without exception, as soon as it was broadcast in Japan, he’s became a big hit and getting a ticket of his tour is very difficult to obtain now.

 espite of the success of his tour, a dilemma occurred to his inside. Most of the songs he sings at the tour are those of which his characters on dramas sing. Since then, he gradually began to think that he wanted to sing his original songs. Then, he debuted as a singer in Japan, with a single CD “Let me cry” released in April last year. He set a new record for the first solo foreign male artist who topped on Oricon chart with his debut single. Furthermore, he released his first album “Just Crazy” this May. It contains various songs from rock music to ballad. It’s really a high-level of completion which shows his many talents.

He talked about the album as follows. “I first thought I wanted to make my own album when I was 23 years old. Honestly I had a dream to be a singer when I was a kid, but in Korea I was satisfied to be appreciated as an actor. However, while I was singing songs of my characters, I gradually came to think that I want my own! My dream to release my album came true this time. I’m more than happy to be on stage as a singer who has own songs from this tour”.

He describes that the title “Just Crazy” reflects “his real self” perfectly.

“When I wonder what is happiness for everyone, it might be thought that everyone feels happy every day. Every day is a new day. As for me, when I wake up in the morning, I feel very happy thinking about what will happen or who I will meet today. Our life is so short that I put a message in the title saying ‘Let’s do whatever you want to try, not you have to do. Let’s enjoy your life like living in CRAZY WORLD.’”

Then, we asked him what inspires him most to be crazy. He replied immediately, “It’s my album. It’s my first album in my life and all songs were selected by me and I love them all. And to keep trying to achieve my goal to conquer the world also inspires me”. Then, we asked him about the moment when he becomes crazy in his private life. He answered shyly, “Well, I’m crazy every day. Lol. While working, if I think it’s ‘work’, it’s absolutely ‘work’. On the other hand, if I try to enjoy it, I feel happy at that moment and I think it has a different meaning. Work and play is totally opposite like black and white, but by just changing our view or way of thinking a bit, we can enjoy working as well as playing. And this thought encourages me to be crazy”.

It’s because he approached the work with a feeling that he tries to enjoy everything, he has confidence in the album. He said, “Every song reflects my life”. Interestingly enough, there are similarities in songs “Let me cry”, “Abracadabra” “Tomorrow” and “In my life” which he wrote the lyrics and music. All the songs include a word, “fly”. This word implies his view of life?

“I want to become ‘a free man’ more than an artist or a singer. I don’t think it necessary to restrict what we should speak in interview to keep the image of an artist. As long as it isn’t impolite to others, I want to show all my view of life. That’s why ‘fly’ might have a meaning of ‘freedom’. My goal to conquer the world doesn’t mean to gain more money or expand my business to the world. Rather it means I want to meet, talk and drink with various people living all over the world. If there were Doraemon, I would ask him to give me wings with I can fly to the world freely. Lol”.

His saying that he wants to be treat people in the world frankly reflects his belief “I’m a human before I’m an artist”.

“People consider me as an artist, but I’d rather want to be considered as an individual, ordinary person like everyone. It might be my view of the world is different from yours, but I eat the same food as you. I also enjoy eating. Of course, I feel lonely, too. I’m living with such various feelings like everyone. That’s why I use Twitter and my apps on smart phones to share ‘the world I see’ with you. In this way, as I open my heart to my fans first, I believe they also open their heart and we can feel an intimate connection with each other”.

It’s Jang Keun Suk who follows the path he believes in. To our surprise, he had never thought what he wanted to do until he turned 20 years old.

“As I started to work in showbiz when I was 5 years old, I have more memories of staying at TV stations than those at school. I always cared about what seniors around me thought. That’s why I had not had my own idea in those days. However, when I turned into 20 years old, I began to think if there was my own will in my life so far. I want to be a good actor. But at the same time, I want to care about my own life. Since then, I’ve started to think ‘fly’ and ‘free man’. It might be a bit slow, but now I can search for my new life by myself and finally enjoy my own life”.

When it comes to the story he got No.1 ratings both as a single and an album on Oricon chart, he told us an interesting episode. “When I knew the news I got a No.1 ranking on Oricon single chart, I was in Hong Kong. At first, I thought it must be a fraud. Lol. Someone must have posted a fake news on the Internet as a joke. I can’t still believe I also got the No.1 with my album. I’m sure I got the No. 1 ratings not because of my effort only. I made it because a lot of fans and staff united together and supported me. For me, this achievement means more than No.1 ratings. As I want everyone to listen to my good songs, I bought 50 copies of my album at TOWER RECORDS in Shibuya (I paid for them out of my own pocket), autographed on them, and gave out them to passers-by while walking around. Lol”.

He’s been active in various areas such as Actor, Singer, MC, DJ and Director of movies. He’s quite versatile. He said, “I want to be an artist, not just a celebrity. The important thing is I have something to express inside me. I don’t want to act like a robot. Whoever has something to speak or tell can become an artist. For example, when I write lyrics as long as I use my own words, it becomes my song. No matter what genre it is, the most important thing is what I want to express myself. I think there’s no longer a big difference”.

Talking with him, we felt his solid vision as an artist.

He always keeps his antenna fully spread out to catch immediately what he wants to do. Then, he expresses them freely. He stands firm in his own convictions even if he faces new challenges. “I just do what I want to do. So, I never feel pressure. If I feared pressure, I wouldn’t try to do anything”. Hearing his reliable saying, we can’t help but feel his unlimited potential that he will surely accomplish his goal to conquer the world.
[END]



Credits: Numero TOKYO, via Jang Keun Suk Forever
Photographed by Leslie Kee
English translation: tenshi_akuma

Yahoo! Jang Keun Suk Crazy Mission Diary! [Eng Sub]

Mission 1: Distribute 50 of his albums to people.




Mission 2: Dance "Gangnam Style" at Shibuya






Mission 3: Taking picture with high school girls and kids. 






Video credit: Yahoo!
Translation: sa_sha26

Jang Keun Suk @ Numero TOKYO October 2012

Credits: http://nikkan-spa.jp/278914, modelpress via Jang Keun Suk Forever

Jang Keun Suk and Baby Moon Mason Reunite for First Time in 5 Years

jang Keun Suk has reunited with his movie co-star, Moon Mason.

After starring in the movie Baby and I together in 2008 as father and son, the two hadn’t seen each other in five years.

But the two were reunited, according to photos uploaded on Moon Mason’s homepage on August 26. 

Titled, ‘‘Father and son’, Mason & Jang Keun Suk finally reunited after 5 years’, the pictures showed a series of the two stars striking various poses together.

Turns out the two recently made separate reservations for the same restaurant on the same day. 

After finding out, Jang Keun Suk went and sought out Moon Mason and his family where they held a mini-reunion of sorts as they shared a meal and stories in a happy time together. 

Jang Keun Suk was said to even refer to Moon Mason as his son as the two reunited with Jang Keun Suk even saying to Moon Mason, “When did our son grow up this much?”



source: http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=13370
Photo Credit: Moon Mason’s homepage

Jang Keun Suk meets Moon Mason for the first time in five years

Hello Pretty EELs

Jang Keun Suk met child actor Moon Mason for the first time in five years after they met in the film Baby and I.

On August 26, Moon uploaded a few pictures of himself with Jang on his personal website with the comment, “Mason & Keun Suk, the son meets his father for the first time in five years. Jang Keun Suk with The Moon Brothers. We ate delicious food at S Plus in Haeundae and had a nice party with Keun Suk!!!! We were so excited to see him!!! Jang Keun Suk loves his son so much.”

Jang and Moon met each other for the first time in five years after they worked together for the film Baby and I in 2008. Jang was having dinner with his friends after finishing an autograph event in Busan, and Moon was on a trip to Busan with his family. At S+ in Haeundae, they met by chance.

A spokesperson for S+ reported that Jang was on the sixth floor and Moon was on the fifth floor at first. Jang got to know that he and Moon were in the same building and came to see the Mason family. They spent some time together, having dinner and chatting.

According to reports, Jang expressed his affection for Moon, saying, “My son has grown up a lot!”

Source: TV Report
Credit:en.korea.com

[Charity Event] EELs PH Donation Project to Southwest Monsoon Victims

Last Aug 25, 2012 EELs Philippines members gathered for another charity work.  EELs PH in cooperation with Eels Club International (ECI) launched this Donation Project for the victims of Southwest Monsoon.

Canned goods, noodles and sacks of rice were bought from the total donation proceeds and were handed to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.  Some EELs PH members opted to bring their own set of canned goods and old clothes. Here are photos of EELs PH in action.

Here are the stickers we put in the boxes of goods.

Notice the big smiles while everyone are busy preparing the donation boxes for turnover.  We don’t mind the heat of the afternoon and dust from the boxes.  As always we are all in high energy when it comes to activities like this, with Asia Prince in our hearts. J

Here’s the EELs PH family after the hard work. 

Nothing beats charity work mixed with fun.  Captured some behind the scenes photos where each has his own story to tell.  Candid and camera ready.

Truly, it was a fulfilling Saturday afternoon for EELs Philippines family.  A big thank you to all who made this thing possible: to the members, admin and to ECI of course.

Till our next charity and gathering. J

Photo credits to Jean Eel, Jenill Pajarillaga, Digi Arlene, Park Min Yo and yours truly.
Video credits to Jean Eel.