Eyes of Beasts 2PM
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”.
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