2PM's Taecyeon is featured on Men's Health magazine and had an interview.
Read the interview below.
The Easy Way I Overcome Myself
When considering the bodies of 2PM members, Taecyeon seems to be number one. He has very distinct muscles and abs. Men's Health has been anxious to do a photoshoot with him, because we want to see how to get better bodies. We had fifteen days to make an amazing body. The biggest thing to overcome is yourself. After 15 days, through a competition with himself, Taecyeon took a stride.
Incomplete, but good.
15 days is short. Taecyeon had a busy mind. He had the mindset of making a nice body from January to April. He did extensive training and managed his eating habits. He had less time in February because of his overseas activities. He exercised twice a day. His trainer says "It is well-known that Taecyeon has a nice body, so we tried harder to enforce this idea. It was a pity that he didn't have enough time." By the time of the shoot, his trainer said his goal was to get Taecyeon's body at 80%. He gave Taecyeon 60%. "We tried our hardest but it's a pity. Can we shoot again after he returns from Thailand?" While they left the set, we could see their pity. We could see the effort they had and they left a good impression. His shirt was soaked in sweat.
<Men's Health> Did you want to be on the cover?
Taecyeon: Whenever 2PM & 2AM members were on the cover, I always was jealous. I wanted to do it too, but everytime I gave up due to various reasons. This time I decided to do it for sure and worked hard.
MH: Are you satisfied with the training you underwent for the cover shoot?
TY: I wish I knew earlier so that I could have put more time into training. I ate a lot recently so I regret that. I also had a lot of overseas activities. But of course I did try to control my eating and exercise a lot. While in Korea, I worked out in the morning and after dinner, twice a day.
MH: What was the hardest thing while working out?
TY: It has to be controlling my eating. I like to eat a lot. I had to decrease my eating a lot. During overseas activities, too. It was very difficult to eat less carbs.
Trainer's comment: Taecyeon's has a body that has nothing to look at without his pecs and abs. This time while we trained we focused a lot on his back. We were able to create muscles in places that he didn't have before. He is now able to carry 10~30kg. His muscles are 4 to 5 times stronger than the average person. Since he tries hard, we can see advancements everyday.
He says…
MH: Is there any book that you want to recommend?
TY: Let's read Chohanji together. (T/N: 초한지 is a famous Korean historical fiction series about Chinese history - see here)
MH: Taecyeon's favorite restaurant?
TY: I like eating meat at Saebyuckjib.
MH: What's a song you like to recommend?
TY: K. Will "가슴이 뛴다 (My Heart is Beating)" (listen here)
MH: Is there anything you want to learn?
TY: Cooking
MH: What attracts you about women?
TY: Height and their faces.
MH: What do you listen to while working out?
TY: Jean Roch "Can you Feel it" (listen here)
MH: What were your dreams besides being an artist?
TY: My original dream was to become a doctor. Hahaha.
Jimseungdol (Beast-dol), beast, jjit Taec (rip Taec), so many nicknames for the body jjang icon Ok Taecyeon. Even a couple years ago his body was not anything special. His body was much weaker when he first started to exercise. He started weight training and that is what brought his body that he has today. Now, he wants to continue his image of exercising. "He is a straightforward man. Even when he is sad or in a slump he doesn't rest from working out. He is a cool guy". His trainer Hwang Jinho has told us this.
Why did you start working out?
I started weight training in 2009. I saw 2AM Changmin hyung working out and I noticed his body changing so that I wanted to try too. Also, when we started promoting "Heartbeat" I started working out harder.
What part of your body are you most pleased with?
When I think to myself I think my pecs are the nicest. When I started working out I started with working my pecs and I found the allure of exercising.
Is there anything about your face or your body that you dislike?
Sometimes I dislike that I have small hands compared to my body. My arms got a lot larger from working out so my members say I'm like a dinosaur and tease me. haha.
What does exercise mean to you?
It's my life and health and confidence!
Trainer's Comment: Taecyeon's body type and metabolism are good. He has muscles that his members and other idols cannot catch up to. He can bench press 125kg. He has the body type, though, that would get fat if he didn't work out. If he stops working out for a break, he quickly would gain fat. A good point about Taecyeon is that he is not lazy. Even though he is busy, he always makes time to work out. These qualities are vital in keeping a good body.He never complains and goes into his routine laughing and smiling. I am always surprised with his good attitude.
Take on the leadership of a tiger
Taecyeon is an olympics baby. He was born in the year of 1988. At a young age he went to America and spent his middle school years there, and then returned to Korea. He is a student right now at Dankook University. He is also 2PM's leader. Taecyeon is a leader in a group of 6 similar-aged boys because of his masculinity and responsibility. However, he says that "all members of 2PM are leaders". By all being leaders, he says "All six members have the same responsibility and importance in the group."
What are your thoughts on leadership?
I think leadership is responsibility. Instead of thinking of yourself, a leader thinks more about the group. The group has to be valued more. In 2PM, we all value each other.
You were born in 1988, the year of the dragon. Can you feel this character in you?
I'm not sure if its because I'm born in the year of the dragon, but I think I am very lucky. There is the factor of my own hard work, but I am always thankful when things I work for play out well. I want to try more things this year because it is the year of the dragon. This is a very important time for me and I am a person that uses all of my strengths.
You like reading historical stories, who is your favorite figure?
Guan Yu. I was impressed with how he gave up a lot and became ubiquitous. (info here)
Who was your role model when you were younger?
My father. Even now I can feel this but I think moving to America was a big decision. He helped me with many decisions in my life. He helped me see my roles as a man as well. He started societal life at a young age, so he helps me with the things he learned them.
What is SWOT.
Strength: A manly and strong image, abilities in different languages, being a 2PM member, debuting as an actor.
Weakness: Face, singing, dancing, acting abilities. I need to work harder in my skills. We are far from being the best in Korea.
Opportunity: Korean, English, and Japanese, which I am studying right now. These are really good opportunities for me to learn. I have an interest in Japanese anime so it's fun to study Japanese. Also I can act in Japanese dramas if I can speak in Japanese.
Threat: I am working very hard amongst many actors and singers. There are also a lot of talented new groups debuting. I want to always show an image of me working hard and practicing.
Are there any misunderstandings you want to clear up?
Rather than clearing misunderstandings, I wish people could get to know me by seeing me. Misunderstandings are just misunderstandings and I hope my actions at every moment are what makes "Taecyeon".
A man who looks forward to the future.
5 years have passed since their debut in 2008. 2PM has become Hallyu Stars rather than idols. They are loved in Korea of course, but also in Europe. At the top of the year, they performed in Paris and can't walk around freely in Japan anymore. Starting at 20 years and suddenly he became 25.
Within the group, are there a lot of individual tracks?
I've discussed this with the members a lot. In terms of members Junsu and Junho, they are producing music and performing them at concerts. Their colors are becoming stronger.
We've heard that 2PM are practice bugs. What are you practicing so much?
I think we are not prepared alone on stage. At the beginning and even now we try to fill all the empty spots through practicing. We want to put on amazing performances on staff.
Other than singing, what are you aiming to do?
I get nervous when I try new things. On stage I need to deliver lyrics and feelings in the short time of three minutes, and in dramas I have to do so in 60 minutes through the script. When I first tried acting Moon Geunyoung noona has given me many lessons in acting. I suddenly started to think acting is fun. I want to continue trying acting because enjoy it and I want to take on many roles.
Whats your goal for 2012? and in your life?
I have a lot of greed for acting. I want to try harder in becoming Actor Ok Taecyeon. My life goal is to make a happy family!
How to make muscles in 15 days
- If you want to make a nice body like Taecyeon's in a short time, try this. Twice in one day.
- 1 day: In the morning do intervals of 20 minutes or fast walking for 40 minutes. Chest workouts in the afternoon, back workouts, abs, after working out, do aerobics for 40 minutes.
- 2 day: In the morning do intervals of 20 minutes or fast walking for 40 minutes. Back exercises. In the afternoon, work your shoulders and abs. afterwords, do aerobics for 40 minutes.
- 3 day: In the morning do intervals of 20 minutes or fast walking for 40 minutes. Shoulder workouts. In the afternoon, focus on abs. After working out, do 1 hour of aerobics.
Trainers comment: Repeat 1, 2, and 3 for 15 days, without breaks. To make nice pecs, instead of using exercise machines, use "body weights'. Things like push-ups, dips, bench presses, will help you get Taecyeon's body.
