Running up the road of a Star, a talented young artist
He first started his band activities in Japan (before in his home country, Korea), Jung Yong Hwa has a unique profile, as a musician, he belongs to a band, and he first debuted as an actor in his home country. And in just two years, he has attracted much attention with his core career as a musician, as an actor and in the field of variety shows at the same time.
It’s Jung Yong Hwa. He is 22 years old and is already called a Star. In the summer of 2011, he graced his “First Time” starring drama in Korea (as the lead actor). And in autumn of the same year, CNBLUE “first” appeared in Japan in the major scene. For Jung Yong Hwa, now is the critical moment.
Selected to star in the second drama
In March 2011, the news reported that Jung Yong Hwa was casted into “Heartstrings” (MBC). Since his debut drama “You’re Beautiful” (SBS 2009), the drama was the second one for him in two years; but he was the main actor this time. Fans had high expectations because it was directed by Pyo Min Soo PD of the famous drama “Full House” and his co-star is Park Shin Hye, his unrequited love, in “You’re Beautiful”.
But this time Jung Yong Hwa, has to juggle his time at home and abroad because of his singing career in a rock band, CNBLUE. We heard voices like “Why is the singer acting?”, but Jung Yong Hwa was serious about acting.
Yonghwa: “I knew people would see it that way, so I prepared really hard this time. I did my best to study a number of times when I acted in “You’re Beautiful “. I talked a lot, not only with director but also with my co-stars and I’m very confident.”
Jung Yong Hwa spoke so at the press conference, and in fact, when I met him on the set of the drama he always clenched his script (in his hands); if he had spare time he would practice the script. Even it was a rehearsal; he was just as serious as he was when it was shooting.
Even Park Shin Hye was surprised, she was also known as a hard worker.
Shinhye: “He would come straight to me when I’m close by, and he won’t go home until I go through the lines with him. I’m surprised with his efforts, I feel that I should stay (and practice with him) …He became the “actor” who motivated me.”
Fortunately, his efforts were paid off. Jung Yong Hwa, adjusted and became better as Lee Shin, a character that combines the warmth and coldness, in each episode. Although the role prepared for him as a “Guitar Genius” was good, we knew that he is good at guitar, the important thing is that Jung Yong Hwa had made one-step-ahead progress as an actor in this drama.
Yonghwa: “Heartstrings” was a meaningful piece so far, for me to learn what’s lacking in me (as an actor). It was nice to build up relationship with seniors, co-stars, director, writer, and each staff. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the viewers who supported me and watching over me with warmth.”
The things that drew attention on the set of the drama were his integrity and politeness. Even though the shooting was followed by all-night shooting day after day, he was positive and was always smiling, he stopped and greeted the staff and behaved cheerfully to soften the mood. One day, we asked him if the shooting was hard, he said with smile, “I’m exhausted as I have not slept for three days, but I’m alright.”
The debut in the popular drama “You’re Beautiful”
In “You’re Beautiful” that was written by popular writers, Hong Sisters and lead by the young star Jang Keun Suk, Jung Yong Hwa was the only unfamiliar face. Therefore, his appearance immediately made headlines. Even more than his refined features, his debut was noted as he was casted as one of the lead role. So how did he get the guitarist Kang Shin Woo role of A.N.JELL?
Yonghwa: “I was told that there was a big opportunity, so I hurriedly went to audition. What did I do in front of director? Sang and played guitar (laughs).”
The view of the public for the newcomer, Jung Yong Hwa, was divided into two ways. The expectation of “What kind of acting will he show”, and the fear of “Do not break the flow of the drama with immature acting,” He might have been aware of such thoughts, so he told reporters at the press conference before the broadcast; “I feel like this is a huge responsibility because this is my first drama”. And he attempted the role and did his best to play the role as Kang Shin Woo, who was a guardian angel of Minam (acted by Park Shin Hye).
Yonghwa: “It was the first act, and honestly it was very difficult. I memorised all the scripts before shooting, and had no rest in between because I wanted to go to the shooting perfectly. I spend like that each day till the drama began its broadcast.”
Jang Keun Suk, Park Shin Hye and Lee Hong Ki, who started acting since their childhood, led him as senior actors and as friends. Park Shin Hye nicknamed him “Porumejon” meaning “Jung Yong Hwa attracts her more and more each time she saw him.”
Yonghwa: “I was very anxious at the beginning. I knew Hong Ki who belongs to the same agency with me, but when I met Keun Suk and Shin Hye for the first time, I thought “They are celebrities!” (Laughs). And they have been acting since they were a child, I was more nervous, but surprisingly they were very friendly with me.”
“Kang Shin Woo sensation” happened faster than we thought. This handsome and gentle character, attracted women quickly, and his nickname “Milk Boy” which means gentle boy, was born. Jung Yong Hwa’s popularity rose, he even won the “Newcomer” award at SBS New Star Award, which started him off as an actor.
At last, he became the musician as he desired, a talented songwriter and composer
However, after “You’re Beautiful” was over, Jung Yong Hwa officially made his debut as a rock band CNBLUE in Korea, despite a storm of offers for dramas and films. He was first known as an actor (in Korea), but his aim was originally as a musician.
In January 2010, the first mini-album “Bluetory” was released. A rock style song titled “I’m a Loner” overwhelmed the music charts. CNBLUE received many Best Newcomer Awards of the year in various music awards. At the first mini-album showcase, he expressed himself with joy of his activities as a singer.
Yonghwa: “I became an actor first, but I had been singing, so I am very excited to be here today and I am happy every day. I promised the band members to continue our band until we get old. I would like to continue growing from now on.”
In CNBLUE, he takes parts of a leader, a rapper and a guitarist, but Jung Yong Hwa is also known as a singer-songwriter. Most of the songs that CNBLUE released in Japan were made by him. For Korean albums his songs include “LOVE Girl” “Love Light” and “Imagine”. He also composed “Because I Miss You” and it is included to the soundtrack of “Heartstrings”.
He also expanded the range of his activities to popular variety show on MBC, acting in the show “We Got Married” (2010). The show was about celebrity couples in virtual married life, Jung Yong Hwa and Seo Hyun from Girls’ Generation appeared as the youngest couple of its series. Scenes from him caring for a young and pure Seo Hyun, made audiences see his cuteness and various aspects, and melted many hearts of women all over.
As CNBLUE, they have released five albums in Korea so far (including Special Edition), and they have also released 7 singles and albums in Japan. Their release in Korea with “I’m A Loner” “LOVE” “Intuition” made consecutive hits as usual, but they are growing as a talented band. Of course, there is still a long way to go, and he knows it. In September 2011, when an American rock band LINKIN PARK performed a concert in Japan, CNBLUE was invited and performed as the opening act for the concert.
In the past, LINKIN PARK was the artist that they saw performing live in a front row of a concert. Not many people knew them at the September 2011 concert, but CNBLUE and their good music appealed to the audiences. The audiences’ reaction was not too bad, but they must have been inspired with the popularity of the senior band, LINKIN PARK that appeared after their opening act.
Got a chance in Japan! Major debut on 19 October
Jung Yong Hwa debuted as an actor but, he originally entered show business as a singer. He loves music from old time and was vaguely longing for show business, so he went for an audition and entered the agency he belongs now. Then, after the training period ends, along with fellow trainees they went to Japan to study music. It was then he started his activities with members of indie band CNBLUE in 2009.
They gained experiences by doing live performance on the streets of a foreign country that they were unfamiliar with and in a small clubs. While doing those, they also released two albums. When the band began selling its names around little by little, he was casted for “You’re Beautiful” and he returned to Korea.
Jung Yong Hwa never forgets his experience in Japan. They had to walk far, while carrying heavy instruments and equipments in order to save their travel expenses. With such bitter experience, it gives confidence to CNBLUE now.
Yonghwa: “When we first went to Japan, we handed out leaflets to passengers and asked them to come and see our live performance. We had a live performance together with other four or five groups; we were not known and only had 4 audiences. While seeing a growing number of audiences gradually, we thought that we’ve gradually grown. Watching Japanese indie bands, we learned diversity and other things.”
CNBLUE continues their music in Japan even after the success in Korea, also boosted by the popularity of the hit drama. They became the ones who sold live tickets at arena class venue right after the public sale.
These changes are also appearing in Oricon chart. In June 2010, the first single CD “The Way” that included “One Time” that was composed by Jung Yong Hwa, hit number #11 in the Oricon daily chart, “I Don’t Know Why” hit number #1 in the Oricon indie cart, and their last indie album “392″ hit number #3 in Oricon album daily chart.
And now, CNBLUE is facing further growth ahead. 19 October 2011, they will have their official major debut in Japan with “In My Head”. Singing, acting, he firmly grasps opportunities that are presented to him, and Jung Yong Hwa got them for sure. In the future, the stage he will be standing would be bigger, and it will be much higher.
