(Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Here is a translation of Kim Bum’s interview to Japanese magazine Jyosei Jishin, a Valentine’s Day gift to all of you! Enjoy!)
This time Jyosei Jishin features the young “pretty boy” actor Kim Bum. Through the TV series East of Eden, Kim Bum received a lot of attention from the female reviewers. Later, Kim Bum gained further popularity via the role of So Yi-jung in Boys Over Flowers.
X-Gun (the show host): “Wow~~ that’s him! That’s him”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Kim Bum: “Nice to meet you.”
X-Gun: “wow, you look really handsome!”
Kim Bum:” Thank you.”
X-Gun says to the interpreter :”He understands what I said.” Then he turns to Kim Bum, “you’re so tall.”
Kim Bum:”Thank you.”
How many times have you been to Japan?
Kim Bum: About ten times.
What do you think about Japan?
People in Japan are very friendly and polite. Personally I like Japan a lot and hope can come here more often.
In Japan, flower boys are very popular. You played Nishikado (So Yi-jung). Including the other three roles, which one do you want to play most?
I think Nishikado is a very charismatic role. Even I could go back, I would choose to perform the same character.
We have another version Flower Boys in Japan. What do you think about it?
Since the original version of flower boys has been very popular, I feel some pressure, especially for the viewers who have seen the previous version. I would consider their thoughts upon the new version.
Talking about Kim Bum, apart from TV dramas, we also have this (he’s taking out Kim Bum’s Japanese single from his pocket.)
This is my personal album, which hasn’t been released in Korea. A single only released in Japan.
This album also includes a Korean song?
Yeah. It includes a soundtrack called “now I’m going to meet you” to Boys Over Flowers and my latest Japanese single as well.
What are the difficult parts of singing in Japanese?
No matter what this song is recorded in Japanese, a foreign language for me. So I was worried if I would be able to express my feelings well through the song.
Any plans to expand your career as a singer?
After releasing this album, I feel music has its own appeal, which is different from that of acting. If possible, I’d like to pursue further education in music.
That’s also what the fans are expecting.
What type of girls do you like?
Since my job doesn’t have fixed schedule. Hope she can be considerate and supportive.
Talking about fans, what are the differences between Japanese fans and Korean fans?
Koreans fans are very active and strightforward. Japanese fans seem very gentle and considerate.
If there are any restaurants or places you always go when you come to Japan?
I like Japanese noodles and Harajuku in Tokyo.
If you go to Harajuku, are there fangirls screaming to you” it’s Kim Bum”?
No really.
So it’s going to happen from now on.
I don’t think so.(laughs)
The same thing happens in Korea?
I don’t really have chances to go shopping in Korea?
Can you tell us what are your goals?
I hope there can be more chances for me to meet overseas fans, including Japanese fans.
Also, due to my busy work schedule, I hope I can have more personal time and be more productive. I will try to bring new dramas to the viewers.
You’re 20 years old, right? How do you keep up with your busy schedule?
Try to work out a lot and keep healthy.
Any break afterwards?
A very short break, around one week.
Please give Kim Bum more break time, and let him rest more.(talking to his management.)
Have a nice rest in such a short break.
Then, Kim Bum gives out his autography, including a “thank you” in Japanese.
Credit Kim Bum’s Chinese fansite and the video uploader
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