1. A few days ago, I saw your run-through of Agatha at the practice room and thought of when you started with your first musical Temptation Of Wolves. During these 4 years, you must have developed a lot.
Euheuheu. Nope. Though I feel that compared to last week, I’ve improved a bit more. Euheuheuheu.
2. What do you remember of your feelings when you did your first musical?
Honestly, my character of Jeong Taesung in the movie is tall and a handsome kind man, but I had to portray it as Super Junior’s Ryeowook so it was a difficult image for me to achieve. But it was my first musical, so my mindset was that if I did it well with confidence, my efforts would be felt, although I was unable to practise as much as I wanted and my acting wasn’t good.
Euheuheu. Nope. Though I feel that compared to last week, I’ve improved a bit more. Euheuheuheu.
2. What do you remember of your feelings when you did your first musical?
Honestly, my character of Jeong Taesung in the movie is tall and a handsome kind man, but I had to portray it as Super Junior’s Ryeowook so it was a difficult image for me to achieve. But it was my first musical, so my mindset was that if I did it well with confidence, my efforts would be felt, although I was unable to practise as much as I wanted and my acting wasn’t good.
5. What was your worry when you first started?
How will people look at me. There’s a prejudice regarding idols sharing the stage with actors, like how are we allowed to do so. I wondered how/if staff will look after me/guide me along. I had these concerns. To be honest, I was a bit scared in the beginning.
6. What’s the biggest prejudice against idols?
Umm. Being pretentious? Since ours is a job where we have to manage our images, so wherever we go, there’s a lot of misconceptions. Ah! Yesterday, Agatha’s director Kim Junho said something to me; he said Ryeowook-ssi seems to have a really good heart. I feel very really joyful when I get compared (to the good ones). Very grateful. There’s also prejudice of idols not going for practice much. Although it’s true I really couldn’t in the beginning…. Heuheu. But Super Junior is different from usual idols. “This kid is an idol, but are you really an idol?” this kind of feeling? Haha. Although sometimes it’s forgotten that we are idols, but I don’t want to be without the idol tag either. Honestly, there’s so much more to achieve. I want to be a musical actor Ryeowook that’s recognised like Bada noona and Ock Juhyun noona.
How will people look at me. There’s a prejudice regarding idols sharing the stage with actors, like how are we allowed to do so. I wondered how/if staff will look after me/guide me along. I had these concerns. To be honest, I was a bit scared in the beginning.
6. What’s the biggest prejudice against idols?
Umm. Being pretentious? Since ours is a job where we have to manage our images, so wherever we go, there’s a lot of misconceptions. Ah! Yesterday, Agatha’s director Kim Junho said something to me; he said Ryeowook-ssi seems to have a really good heart. I feel very really joyful when I get compared (to the good ones). Very grateful. There’s also prejudice of idols not going for practice much. Although it’s true I really couldn’t in the beginning…. Heuheu. But Super Junior is different from usual idols. “This kid is an idol, but are you really an idol?” this kind of feeling? Haha. Although sometimes it’s forgotten that we are idols, but I don’t want to be without the idol tag either. Honestly, there’s so much more to achieve. I want to be a musical actor Ryeowook that’s recognised like Bada noona and Ock Juhyun noona.
3. Previously when you were new, you needed a braver mindset.
Yes. Thinking about it now, at that time I didn’t really understand the preparations needed to be musical actor. It was also hard to get very close with musical colleagues and staff. So at that time I just practised, and during performance days just went with the flow. Now, I feel reluctant that days keep passing just like that, because time is so precious. I feel sad that after the musical is over, I can’t meet these people everyday anymore.
4. Although you aren’t an expert in musicals yet, but you’re looking forward to taking on new challenges.
My member of the same age, Kyuhyun, started musicals a year earlier than me. While watching Kyuhyun switching between promoting using his own name (in musicals) and then coming back to promote under Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, I feel that he’s grown a lot. The pride I have over him being my member, makes me want to make members proud by improving like he does, this kind of feeling? I look forward to doing more musicals. Hyungs are really cool about it. They tell me to do even better. These hyungs go “Ryeowook-ah, after doing musicals, you’ve become more experienced in calmly/confidently(?) doing promotions”. Yeah, I really hope to gain a lot from doing musicals.
Yes. Thinking about it now, at that time I didn’t really understand the preparations needed to be musical actor. It was also hard to get very close with musical colleagues and staff. So at that time I just practised, and during performance days just went with the flow. Now, I feel reluctant that days keep passing just like that, because time is so precious. I feel sad that after the musical is over, I can’t meet these people everyday anymore.
4. Although you aren’t an expert in musicals yet, but you’re looking forward to taking on new challenges.
My member of the same age, Kyuhyun, started musicals a year earlier than me. While watching Kyuhyun switching between promoting using his own name (in musicals) and then coming back to promote under Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, I feel that he’s grown a lot. The pride I have over him being my member, makes me want to make members proud by improving like he does, this kind of feeling? I look forward to doing more musicals. Hyungs are really cool about it. They tell me to do even better. These hyungs go “Ryeowook-ah, after doing musicals, you’ve become more experienced in calmly/confidently(?) doing promotions”. Yeah, I really hope to gain a lot from doing musicals.
5. What was your worry when you first started?
How will people look at me. There’s a prejudice regarding idols sharing the stage with actors, like how are we allowed to do so. I wondered how/if staff will look after me/guide me along. I had these concerns. To be honest, I was a bit scared in the beginning.
6. What’s the biggest prejudice against idols?
Umm. Being pretentious? Since ours is a job where we have to manage our images, so wherever we go, there’s a lot of misconceptions. Ah! Yesterday, Agatha’s director Kim Junho said something to me; he said Ryeowook-ssi seems to have a really good heart. I feel very really joyful when I get compared (to the good ones). Very grateful. There’s also prejudice of idols not going for practice much. Although it’s true I really couldn’t in the beginning…. Heuheu. But Super Junior is different from usual idols. “This kid is an idol, but are you really an idol?” this kind of feeling? Haha. Although sometimes it’s forgotten that we are idols, but I don’t want to be without the idol tag either. Honestly, there’s so much more to achieve. I want to be a musical actor Ryeowook that’s recognised like Bada noona and Ock Juhyun noona.
How will people look at me. There’s a prejudice regarding idols sharing the stage with actors, like how are we allowed to do so. I wondered how/if staff will look after me/guide me along. I had these concerns. To be honest, I was a bit scared in the beginning.
6. What’s the biggest prejudice against idols?
Umm. Being pretentious? Since ours is a job where we have to manage our images, so wherever we go, there’s a lot of misconceptions. Ah! Yesterday, Agatha’s director Kim Junho said something to me; he said Ryeowook-ssi seems to have a really good heart. I feel very really joyful when I get compared (to the good ones). Very grateful. There’s also prejudice of idols not going for practice much. Although it’s true I really couldn’t in the beginning…. Heuheu. But Super Junior is different from usual idols. “This kid is an idol, but are you really an idol?” this kind of feeling? Haha. Although sometimes it’s forgotten that we are idols, but I don’t want to be without the idol tag either. Honestly, there’s so much more to achieve. I want to be a musical actor Ryeowook that’s recognised like Bada noona and Ock Juhyun noona.
7. While doing musicals, what new things do you steadily pick up?
I think my pronunciation improved. Even during album recordings, many times I have been told that I have good diction. But I don’t really think it is. When I first started musicals, because of my diction I had difficulty often. My actor colleagues guided me a lot. Recently, Archibald Seonghyun-ie hyung-ie said, to improve on diction, it’ll be really good to buy newspapers to read. Mm, I go “Hyung, are you reading?” sometimes. Euhaha. I often think that I need to put in more effort to improve when hyungs and noonas explain in detail where I do wrong.
8. No matter who points it out, isn’t this a fresh kind of excitement? Doing Super Junior activities for so long, it must have been a long time since hearing such words. But when are the instances you don’t feel “I’m not a newbie to this anymore”?
Nope. It’s been a long time since someone strongly criticised my actions. Even managers hardly say to me that I’m lacking. Maybe I’m too sensitive. But doing musicals, I often hear words of me not being satisfactory that are said without restraint, and I’m thankful for that. I want to live with earnest thoughts. I listen to those, as if I’m at a free private learning institute. Therefore, whenever I have time in my schedule, I will go to the practice room. Even if it’s just for a while and only for a short greeting, I feel like I’ve gained. From that, I gain happiness. Really.
I think my pronunciation improved. Even during album recordings, many times I have been told that I have good diction. But I don’t really think it is. When I first started musicals, because of my diction I had difficulty often. My actor colleagues guided me a lot. Recently, Archibald Seonghyun-ie hyung-ie said, to improve on diction, it’ll be really good to buy newspapers to read. Mm, I go “Hyung, are you reading?” sometimes. Euhaha. I often think that I need to put in more effort to improve when hyungs and noonas explain in detail where I do wrong.
8. No matter who points it out, isn’t this a fresh kind of excitement? Doing Super Junior activities for so long, it must have been a long time since hearing such words. But when are the instances you don’t feel “I’m not a newbie to this anymore”?
Nope. It’s been a long time since someone strongly criticised my actions. Even managers hardly say to me that I’m lacking. Maybe I’m too sensitive. But doing musicals, I often hear words of me not being satisfactory that are said without restraint, and I’m thankful for that. I want to live with earnest thoughts. I listen to those, as if I’m at a free private learning institute. Therefore, whenever I have time in my schedule, I will go to the practice room. Even if it’s just for a while and only for a short greeting, I feel like I’ve gained. From that, I gain happiness. Really.
9. Looking at Ryeowook’s choices in his works, you seem to take those roles that are young. You started with Jeong Taesung who fights in Temptation Of Wolves, then basketball captain Troy in High School Musical, young soldier Soonho in Goddess Is Watching and now Raymond in Agatha. All are cute teenagers right? When you look at all the roles together, they give off the same feel of your image.
No matter what, I take those roles that are to my advantage. It’s my self-esteem as a musical actor. During High School Musical, Kim Kyujong Director “Ryeowook-ah, it’s good that you take on big glamorous works, but I think you suit the small theatre ones (more intimate) better. I listened and took on Goddess Is Watching next. I think Soonho is a really good character, and I learnt and realised the great importance of such productions.
10. When you look at it, don’t you think you’re doing less promising (as in guaranteed success) as compared to when you started off? Besides, you’re now doing works of smaller scale. It kinda seems like there’s a smaller burden now.
Comparing to when I first started it a bit… Haha. But for my first work, I did it with Super Junior’s name value, and now that I receive work under the name Ryeowook I feel good. Although it’s nice doing big productions since they pay more, but I feel that my priority now is to improve and grow as an actor. Also, honestly, when you look at it as a whole, isn’t it important to work as a team? I’m also liable to other actors this way, and I’m apologetic. Whenever hyungs and noonas point out my mistakes, I feel sorry and thankful.
11. It’s memorable how as you progress doing radio, you often put effort in promoting and sharing what you on SNS.
Of course. I created Twitter for fun at first, and as time passed I realised how useful it is for promoting. And when my cast guests on my radio, the motive is to promote our work. When it works in getting even just 1 or 2 more people in our sea of audience, the actors and I feel happy…. although despite this, it’s even better if even more people come. So I like promoting, and don’t find it troublesome at all. It’s not even like I have to spend money doing so.
No matter what, I take those roles that are to my advantage. It’s my self-esteem as a musical actor. During High School Musical, Kim Kyujong Director “Ryeowook-ah, it’s good that you take on big glamorous works, but I think you suit the small theatre ones (more intimate) better. I listened and took on Goddess Is Watching next. I think Soonho is a really good character, and I learnt and realised the great importance of such productions.
10. When you look at it, don’t you think you’re doing less promising (as in guaranteed success) as compared to when you started off? Besides, you’re now doing works of smaller scale. It kinda seems like there’s a smaller burden now.
Comparing to when I first started it a bit… Haha. But for my first work, I did it with Super Junior’s name value, and now that I receive work under the name Ryeowook I feel good. Although it’s nice doing big productions since they pay more, but I feel that my priority now is to improve and grow as an actor. Also, honestly, when you look at it as a whole, isn’t it important to work as a team? I’m also liable to other actors this way, and I’m apologetic. Whenever hyungs and noonas point out my mistakes, I feel sorry and thankful.
11. It’s memorable how as you progress doing radio, you often put effort in promoting and sharing what you on SNS.
Of course. I created Twitter for fun at first, and as time passed I realised how useful it is for promoting. And when my cast guests on my radio, the motive is to promote our work. When it works in getting even just 1 or 2 more people in our sea of audience, the actors and I feel happy…. although despite this, it’s even better if even more people come. So I like promoting, and don’t find it troublesome at all. It’s not even like I have to spend money doing so.
12. It’s quite down-to-earth, I didn’t expect it. If we talk about Goddess Is Watching, the staff were also cleaning team at first, Ryeowook included. Cleaning was an issue. But after group chat was created, maknaes became cleaning team.
Correct. That time we even took a cleaning proofshot? But I didn’t upload on twitter. In case I get cursed at. Heuheu. But when I hear praises like “You cleaned up?”, I feel that I’m different from the idols that are prejudiced against. Since it’s something musical actors do. I remember, during Goddess Is Watching practice, the music director told our director that Soonho’s (Ryeowook’s role) singing is exactly whaf she wanted. After hearing it, I believe it myself more. Even though I’m still lacking in acting technique, but I have confidence in improving.
13. You feel a lot of warmth hearing those words when you’re all practising together right?
Yes. I really like it. Those are the moments during musical when I feel the happiest.
14. Can you count the times you felt joy (doing musicals)?
Every single moment of the performance. Because I love it when the audience stay still and are attentive and engrossed in us, laughing and crying along. There’s just a certain feeling that a concert doesn’t give. During curtain call, the actors hug one another, saying we worked hard. I like those moments. I want staff to be able to come on stage and share that moment. I also really like it when colleagues go “Ryeowook-ah, you did well”
Correct. That time we even took a cleaning proofshot? But I didn’t upload on twitter. In case I get cursed at. Heuheu. But when I hear praises like “You cleaned up?”, I feel that I’m different from the idols that are prejudiced against. Since it’s something musical actors do. I remember, during Goddess Is Watching practice, the music director told our director that Soonho’s (Ryeowook’s role) singing is exactly whaf she wanted. After hearing it, I believe it myself more. Even though I’m still lacking in acting technique, but I have confidence in improving.
13. You feel a lot of warmth hearing those words when you’re all practising together right?
Yes. I really like it. Those are the moments during musical when I feel the happiest.
14. Can you count the times you felt joy (doing musicals)?
Every single moment of the performance. Because I love it when the audience stay still and are attentive and engrossed in us, laughing and crying along. There’s just a certain feeling that a concert doesn’t give. During curtain call, the actors hug one another, saying we worked hard. I like those moments. I want staff to be able to come on stage and share that moment. I also really like it when colleagues go “Ryeowook-ah, you did well”
15. On the other hand, when are the hardest times?
When you suddenly cannot think of the lyrics. There was once during Temptation Of Wolves when I couldn’t remember the lyrics until minutes before the chorus. During Goddess Of Watching, there was a time the lyrics refused to come. Ah. Really. That time, Director Park Soyeong said to me nicely “Ok, it’s possible to forget lyrics. You’re not even a robot, you did well. Haha.
16. Seems like one would be dizzy if one forgets the lyrics. Like, what is this, why can’t I do this. These thoughts will come easily.
Yeah. The actors are at a different level from me, it’s easy for them to remember dialogue but not me. When I forget, I think “Your ability is only at this level, why are you the main character”, and I feel that I didn’t practise enough. But yeah, it’s a fact that up till now I’m still lacking a lot.
17. Do you feel “I’m musical actor Ryeowook” while working?
At first I was cursed out a lot on the internet. Euhaha. But when I only read the good comments, I feel “Ah I received many compliments”. For Goddess Is Watching, I worked with Jaegoon and Sungwoo and we drank together. And they said “There’s a lot of cursing towards you on the internet”. So I went to find those. But. Jaegoon received more than me. Hahahaha. Honestly I do care about criticism. And I do reflect on them alone and with friends. But I think it’s much better to be around those who don’t concern themselves with that.
When you suddenly cannot think of the lyrics. There was once during Temptation Of Wolves when I couldn’t remember the lyrics until minutes before the chorus. During Goddess Of Watching, there was a time the lyrics refused to come. Ah. Really. That time, Director Park Soyeong said to me nicely “Ok, it’s possible to forget lyrics. You’re not even a robot, you did well. Haha.
16. Seems like one would be dizzy if one forgets the lyrics. Like, what is this, why can’t I do this. These thoughts will come easily.
Yeah. The actors are at a different level from me, it’s easy for them to remember dialogue but not me. When I forget, I think “Your ability is only at this level, why are you the main character”, and I feel that I didn’t practise enough. But yeah, it’s a fact that up till now I’m still lacking a lot.
17. Do you feel “I’m musical actor Ryeowook” while working?
At first I was cursed out a lot on the internet. Euhaha. But when I only read the good comments, I feel “Ah I received many compliments”. For Goddess Is Watching, I worked with Jaegoon and Sungwoo and we drank together. And they said “There’s a lot of cursing towards you on the internet”. So I went to find those. But. Jaegoon received more than me. Hahahaha. Honestly I do care about criticism. And I do reflect on them alone and with friends. But I think it’s much better to be around those who don’t concern themselves with that.
18. Do you feel depressed when you hear that you’re lacking?
It depends on when I see those. I’m less affected when I see them at night before sleeping. Since sleeping after it heals my mind. But if I see in the morning I’ll feel very annoyed… Haha. I definitely won’t read the internet in the morning!
19. How’s your process of during musicals?
For the first production, I was by myself and felt it was difficult and scary. Now I just think of how to work together to perform. I think it’s the biggest change. And also, initially I told myself to follow the script entirely. Now I think differently. I go with the flow following the other actors. And improvise. I think it’s better in improving my acting. And through this, I gradually see the great fun in musicals.
It depends on when I see those. I’m less affected when I see them at night before sleeping. Since sleeping after it heals my mind. But if I see in the morning I’ll feel very annoyed… Haha. I definitely won’t read the internet in the morning!
19. How’s your process of during musicals?
For the first production, I was by myself and felt it was difficult and scary. Now I just think of how to work together to perform. I think it’s the biggest change. And also, initially I told myself to follow the script entirely. Now I think differently. I go with the flow following the other actors. And improvise. I think it’s better in improving my acting. And through this, I gradually see the great fun in musicals.
20. How do you feel about your 4th musical Agatha? Isn’t your role as Raymond an interesting character to be?
Compared to all, I think my lines for this is the longest. It’s also burdensome because the character is even younger than my previous young roles. I wanted to reject at first because I felt that I couldn’t absorb the role. But I told myself to try again, feeling that if I can’t even do this, how will I take on more roles? I took on this character with such a mindset. Euheuheu. I feel motivated to take on offered roles because I feel honoured that I’m being demanded. Ah, before doing Agatha, how much love did I receive? I received a lot of love. So I can’t say I’m not worthy of this. It’s like an obligation? I hope that those who attend the musical pay attention to me, Raymond.
21. After Agatha ends, how different will Ryeowook be?
To be doing this Raymond role, I really worried a lot. I had to consult a lot, on why it’s like this, what is that etc. I kept having enquiries. I can’t solve my curiosity myself, so to other Raymonds Hangeun-ie hyung and Wonyoung-ie hyung I’ll go “Hyung. Are you sleeping? Can you help take a look at my work?” even in the middle of the night. I didn’t have such worries before Agatha while doing Goddess Is Watching. There’s such a different analysis and method of acting this time. I think that if I go back to Goddess Is Watching after this ends, I’ll be a different improved Soonho.
Compared to all, I think my lines for this is the longest. It’s also burdensome because the character is even younger than my previous young roles. I wanted to reject at first because I felt that I couldn’t absorb the role. But I told myself to try again, feeling that if I can’t even do this, how will I take on more roles? I took on this character with such a mindset. Euheuheu. I feel motivated to take on offered roles because I feel honoured that I’m being demanded. Ah, before doing Agatha, how much love did I receive? I received a lot of love. So I can’t say I’m not worthy of this. It’s like an obligation? I hope that those who attend the musical pay attention to me, Raymond.
21. After Agatha ends, how different will Ryeowook be?
To be doing this Raymond role, I really worried a lot. I had to consult a lot, on why it’s like this, what is that etc. I kept having enquiries. I can’t solve my curiosity myself, so to other Raymonds Hangeun-ie hyung and Wonyoung-ie hyung I’ll go “Hyung. Are you sleeping? Can you help take a look at my work?” even in the middle of the night. I didn’t have such worries before Agatha while doing Goddess Is Watching. There’s such a different analysis and method of acting this time. I think that if I go back to Goddess Is Watching after this ends, I’ll be a different improved Soonho.
22. Will you do Goddess Is Watching again?
Nope, I didn’t receive offer. If I get the chance to do it again, I’ll do it. No matter what! Euhaha.
23. It was fun. What if the production company offers it to you at a lower pay? Will you still do it?
Until May, I will only focus on Agatha’s Raymond. I’ll only think about it after that. Euheuheu.
Nope, I didn’t receive offer. If I get the chance to do it again, I’ll do it. No matter what! Euhaha.
23. It was fun. What if the production company offers it to you at a lower pay? Will you still do it?
Until May, I will only focus on Agatha’s Raymond. I’ll only think about it after that. Euheuheu.
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