Seeing the 21st Century Hongbyeokseo “Inside Record”

Source: Reporter Kim Ah Yeon’s Blog 12-10-22 14:13:08 [T/N: She is the O2 webzine/Dong-a Ilbo. reporter who interviewed Ah In and wrote a very long article on October 21, 2010.]

Two weeks ago, I met Yoo Ah In. Through the “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” [his] popularity has been growing rapidly (although Ah In himself feels that the phrase of “the rapid growth” is too exaggerated, even a little annoying). It was not easy to see Yoo Ah In. Two other people [T/N: they are probably other reporters] went unconditionally. With my request, time finally compressed and [I] went to the site for archery where I saw Ah In.

Arriving at the location, the shooting was already finished. Ah In already changed into his regular clothes and was waiting over there. The regular clothes were really… Although I wrote this in the article, too, he was wearing a baseball cap slightly pressed down on his head and a puffy down coat. His pants were shorts. His shoes were Ugg boots. As soon as I saw him, I said, “Ah In-ssi, you had absolutely no intention of taking pictures today!” But, the strange thing was that this terrible outfit somehow fit him quite well and suited him too.

In fact, I was a bit afraid of interviewing Ah In. Because among [his] fans, Ah In’s nickname is “writer,” or “poet.” After reading the texts he posted on his mini-hompy, I felt even more timid. The texts are the type that is not easy to understand after reading it once. His tweets on Twitter are called “Twitter Byeokseo” by [his] fans. Although the text appears to be posted as a joke, it really is the same text as the “Byeokseo.”

Just like anyone who already prepared what to say, [I] started writing a bunch of questions slowly on the A4 size paper and ready to start the interview. However, less than five minutes into the interview, those prepared questions became useless. Generally, when interviewing, [one will] prepare questions for about the length of an A4 size paper. In terms of the number of the questions, it is about 35~40. This kind of preparation for an hour interview should have no problem.

But, for Ah In, these obvious questions would not work. When facing these obvious questions, Ah In really showed that he was bored. Ha ha What a cruel actor. So, [we] started chatting. This was the only way to hear answers of Ah In’s style.

[He is] really not a simple man. Even when choosing a word, it was not easy. I asked, “is that a bias?” Ah In said, “instead of ‘bias,’ ‘forcing’ this word is a little bit better” to amend my word.

The news was published sincerely. But in fact, the atmosphere during the interview was full of laughter. “Although there had been time that [I was] non-mainstream and did not know the reality, to some extent, [I was] also looking for a compromise. Taking care of my body and finding ways to communicate. Slowly, it guided me to move forward. I think that was how I got here.” This fox-like [tricky, clever] actor was sincerely answering questions even as he occasionally burst into laughter and showed how relaxed he felt. I also can’t forget the eye-smile aegyo he kept sending. “I reply this way. How will the news be written?” “When will the news come out? Very curious about how it will come out?” Even as he asked these questions, he said everything he wanted to say steadily and well. “How come I have so much to say?” Even as he said this, it seemed like Ah In already knew he had many thoughts he wanted to share, so he couldn’t help but have a lot to say. Although I [do remember] personally thinking that if he spoke a bit more simply, more people would understand him. Ha ha.

Ah In has an entertainment phobia. Even if attending an entertainment program for promoting a film, [he is] the type that does not show up in too many frames. So, the entertainment phobia was created by himself, I think. “Yoo Ah In does not go to entertainment programs.” There are such false rumors. He said it was not like that. “It is not that I can’t do it well. [I] just don’t do it.” “My position is not a top star. If I attend an entertainment program, it will give me a lot of publicity. But, I feel inconvenient [because] there will be an obligation to be funny.” “When I can relax more and be funner when communicate, I will go.” But, Ah In’s last words were particularly interesting. “Entertainment should really be entertainment, but because I’m a bit serious, it would be more like an educational program…hahaha.”

Through Sungkyunkwan Scandal, [he] knew many actors, [and] same age friends. With no friend in entertainment field, through this TV drama, Ah In acted with other entertainers who are the same age [as he is]. Acting with Park Min young, Song Joong Ki, and Park Yoo Chun, [Ah In] got rid of these prejudices. “Although I am an entertainer, those [other] entertainers are really making people tiring.” “Those peers give me a headache.” After finishing the TV drama, [I would] also like to keep in touch. [What he meant here is] Song Joong Ki. “[I] would like to be friend with an entertainer.” There were times that, as an actor, [Song Joong Ki] was on the side giving him applause. [Ah In] also felt that he learned a lot from him.

After communicating with Yoo Chun, [Ah In] found out that he is an interesting person. He was afraid that people would have biases against him because he is an idol and has the identity of a super star. So, he first came close to everyone, [and worked] quite hard. Knowing these, it made me feel even more that he is a lovely person who is worth of the appreciation. “Although there were many aspects that [Yoo Chun] could be at the top position, he shattered his own identity. I am not making myself comfortable, instead, making others comfortable. Being a mature star, [he is] a very good person.” [Ah In] even said, “the Jalgeum Four could feel Yoo Chun’s love.”

This interesting interview was over. Although the interview was very interesting, as news, the flows and transitions were not very easy. This fox-like actor knew this very clearly. When writing the news, I always thought of what Ah In said, “It is not easy to express my words in writing.” Whenever that happened, I thought of what he said, “Next time, we have to meet again.”

The interview was over. When thinking back, his outfit appears in front of me. Sometime is warm. Sometime is cool. During the interview, [the feeling] was really matched with his outfit that was both summer and winter clothes at the same time.

After the interview news was out, I looked at all different fan sites. Many people said [they] like to see the Ah In who was being recording. So, [I will] open a little. Wanting himself to be edited well, when Ah In talked, his fingers were like making cuts with the rhythm of his words. You can imagine it.

[Note: I translated this piece from a Chinese translation done by jijing1985 of Ah In Baidu. Therefore, it is very possible that there are some interpretations might not be exact or might even be lost. So, jaeshinah, InK, and ancientkingdom, please do jump in if you see something that need to be elaborated or corrected. It will be greatly appreciated.  Many thanks!]