Interview with global.mnet

Why six days? Is there any special meaning in performing for six days?

Taecyeon: Each of the six members will perform with their own concepts for each day. Every member has been given a day, and on that day that member will be performing his solo performance. It’s special in that there are specific days for each member. I think we’ve started to feel more responsible for the concerts since we’re preparing solo performances. That’s what makes this concert different from our others.

How is Taecyeon’s arm? Will it prove difficult for him to perform?

His arm was fractured while arm wrestling. We had some time in between our schedules so we decided to arm wrestle each other, but his bone ended up breaking.

The doctor said that his biceps and triceps had expanded, pressed on the bone and broke it. The doctor added that people with a lot of muscle shouldn’t be arm wrestling. (Laugh) He can’t dance because he’s had surgery and he has metal pins in his arm. He does, however, plan to entertain in different ways other than dance to show the hard work he’s put in the concert.

You debuted in Japan in 2010; how do you think you became so popular in such a short time?

Taecyeon: It’s embarrassing to be saying this myself, but we were the first ‘beast-dols’ in Korea. A lot of people believed our strong performances and our manliness were our concept. 

I think in Japan since we’ve come out with a beastly concept, more people are starting to show interest. I think they’re interested because we have a concept originally not found in Japan, and I think they love us because we work hard.

Any difficulties going back and forth between Korea and Japan?

Junsu: We’ve become neglectful of promotions in Korea since we’ve concentrated more on Japan promotions, but we’re preparing for a comeback this year. We’re working hard for the album to come, so please look forward to it. We’ll be a 2PM that is very active in Korea.

How did you feel after seeing the members’ solo performances?

Wooyoung: First, everyone tried many different things. Chansung prepared a lot of different types of performances to show something other than song or dance. 

We practiced songs in Japanese for our Japanese fans, and I think we learned a lot in the process. It wasn’t easy, but since we learned a lot the fans cheered for us and showed their support. We’re always thankful. I’m looking forward to the two remaining concerts.

When were all six of you moved the most during the concert?

The Budokan has lights on the ceiling that come on during the encore performance, and it has a special meaning. The lights are called ‘cool rays’, and they’re only turned on when all of the seats are filled. We were touched when we saw the lights come on during our encore performance.

What did Park Jin Young say about the concerts?

Taecyeon: [Park] Jin Young hyung is busy promoting You’re the One. He’s also busy with our company’s rookies JJ Project. He hasn’t seen the Budokan performances yet, but when we hold a concert in Korea I think he’ll scold us a lot. (Laugh)

All K-Pop singers in Japan have their own meaningful record. What do you think 2PM’s meaningful record could be?

Wooyoung: I don’t think we can say we’ve set a record in any standard because there are so many K-Pop singers that are more brilliant than we are. We believe that our performing in the Budokan for six days is a great memory and a record in itself. 

We hope we can perform on bigger stages in the future such as that in the Tokyo Dome. We’ll take it step by step without any rush.

SHINee will be performing in Yoyogi today, while Shinhwa will be performing in Yokohama. It’s rare for Korean singers to perform so close in Tokyo at the same time; how do you think 2PM is different?

Wooyoung: I think it’s important that we revealed our new album Beautiful. It’s an honor to be performing at the Budokan itself, but I think we’re taking on new challenges by showing how we’re using stage effects and the like for our new album. I hope many people start to notice the small details. 

We’re all friendly rivals; we’ll be performing with such great seniors on the same day, and it’s a great chance to have more people know about Korea. We plan to stand onstage with Korean pride and try to have our songs be known to more people.

How do you think 2PM is doing?

Taecyeon: We always work hard for our dreams. When we made our debut, we wanted to be acknowledged for having a specific 2PM brand of music among everyone watching us. The same goes for now. We feel we’re maturing little by little, but there are still so many great people, and we keep thinking we’ll have to work harder to become great singers since Jin Young hyung is right above us.

Photo credit: JYP Entertainment