uno/cover
Koreans have a knack for creating idols. Just JYP Entertainment alone can produce two
different groups, 2AM and 2PM, which have their own distinctive style. For those who
prefer the good boys can choose the ballad group 2AM. For those who prefer the beastly
bad boys, it’s 2PM. While 2PM was in Hong Kong for their first ever concert, we took the
chance to interview them, identifying the “beastly group”. This is also their first
fashion magazine cover shoot in Hong Kong. Among the many K-pop idol groups who went by
the cutesy and innocent image, 2PM stood out with their bad-boy image. As the saying
goes, “All women loves bad boys”, 2PM captured the hearts of women and even the gay
population with their well toned and muscular bodies. Taecyeon’s abs and Nichkhun’s
smile has surpassed cultural differences and captured Asia with their most natural qualities.
Visting Hong Kong again
This is 2PM’s first visit to Hong Kong, as their interpreter and nanny, I mentally prepared
myself to face and be swarmed by the many fans. From the airport, there were fans that
travelled with them from Korea and for the many days after, it were as if we were in the
movie “Initial D”**. After the concert, the members went clubbing at Central Hong Kong
with dozens of fans waiting for them at the entrance. Fans arrived hours before the Hi
Touch event at the mall, filling up all six levels and chanted “2PM I love you” in Korean,
heating up the atmosphere. Their endless energy left a deep impression on me after the four
days of interaction. Despite performing for hours, the members continued to club till 5AM
after the concert, managing only 2-3hours of sleep before ending their Hong Kong trip.
Nichkhun said, “We were really excited to come to Hong Kong. During the short stay,
we managed to taste authentic Hong Kong cuisine such as Milk Tea and Dim Sum. It’s a
regret that our schedules are too packed and we didn’t have the time to walk around.
We’re looking forward to visiting Hong Kong again during our break, enjoying the city
with a slow and relaxed mood.”
Challenging themselves
To an idol group, being busy is a good thing and they understand and are grateful for
the blessing. With an average age below 25, their presence on stage is the result of
their hard work. Off stage, they are surprisingly mature. They wish to extend to other
fields in the industry and not just being confined as an idol. Taecyeon, “Besides singing
and dancing, we also compose songs, such as Junsu who has been composing. The other members
and I have acted in dramas and movies too. Since we are young, we should try out the different
fields, constantly challenging ourselves. Satisfaction comes from overcoming difficulties.”
As singing and dancing are not hard to 2PM, I asked what is the hardest, Taecyeon replied
without a doubt it is acting. “I am after all too young. I haven’t been through many things
in life, so I’m lacking in life experience. Life as an actor, to me this contains a certain
level of difficulty, I can only improve through experience.”
The Korean music industry is currently flooded with newcomers; 2PM has evolved from the shy
boys from years back to the confident group who holds their own today. When asked about
their way of success, they displayed their true emotions. Chansung said with a smile,
“I believe it’s our performance and charisma on stage, as compared to other groups we
are slightly better. We also have a unique image. The beastly image should be our advantage.”
Body-building is a form of mental building
Speaking of advantage, what gives them a head start are their bodies, which are likely to be
more built than a fitness trainer. No matter how packed their schedules are in Hong Kong, the
six guys always have exercising in their mind. They enquired about the location of the gym the
moment we got to the hotel, and before the cover shoot for men’s uno, they were up as early as
7.30AM to train to show their best form in front of the camera. “No matter how busy, we spend
half an hour exercising every day. Many asked us how we obtained our figures. The answer is
simple, sustained daily training and regulation of diet. To us, exercising is not only training
our bodies, it’s a form of mental training. When we are stressed or feeling down, we exercise.
Our mood will be more relaxed after exercising and we are able to face the problems with a more
open mind.” Junho said.
When asked about how they felt being labeled as “beasts”, the six members of 2PM generally think
“beasts” stands for the raw characteristics of man. “I look like a good boy but I am someone who
likes competing. Healthy competition brings about positive energy.” Nichkhun said. “Passion and
persistent enthusiasm.” Wooyoung and Junsu added. To Chansung, a beastly side stands for desire
and ambition. Looking at their determined and confident look, behind the eyes of the beasts,
I see men who know what they want in their lives. Just as their name 2PM goes, aim for the
highest and brightest**, that’s the target of these beastly guys.
**T/N: “Initial D” is a Hong Kong movie about car racing.
** T/N: The original article used a Chinese phrase that describes this and it’s in reference
to midday that’s why the first line is “Just at their name 2PM goes”.
About the writer:
The writer of this article is Patrick Suen (宣柏建). He is fluent in Korean and is the
interpreter for 2PM when they went to Hong Kong. He has been in the media industry for
ten years and is part of the executive committee of the "Korea Hong Kong Friendship
Association" organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong.
He is also in the advisory committee of Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO), Hong Kong Office.
To know more about the writer, visit his website Bibimbab.
About men's uno:
men's uno is the leading global Chinese male fashion magazine. The Hong Kong edition focuses
on fashion and lifestyle for males. Content includes Fashion, Wine, Watches, Accessories, Cars,
Technology, Sports, Fitness, Beauty, Travel, Movies, Music and Celebrity Interviews. Info from men's
uno website.
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