Sweet star

Joo Won meets his Thai fans.

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of A Chi

It is rare to find an actor who can sing well, but Joo Won is an exception. The 27-year-old South Korean star has developed his singing talents since he kicked off his career in showbiz with roles in stage musicals such as Grease, Sinsangnam and Spring Awakening.

Joo Won has also made his mark as an actor since his debut role playing bad guy in the 2010 TV drama, King of Baking, Kim Takgu. Following this impressive performance, Joo Won played leading roles in several successful TV dramas including Bridal Mark, Good Doctor, and more recently, Tomorrow Cantabile. He has also sung soundtrack songs including “My Love” for King of Baking, Kim Takgu, “Love Medicine” for Good Doctor and “Innocent” for Tomorrow Cantabile.

SWEET MEETING

Joo Won has held fan meetings throughout Asia, and on February 1 he held the Joo Won Fan Meeting Tour in Thailand: Sweet Melody event at Bangkok’s Scala Theatre.

The star appeared in a white suit in the middle of the crowd at the back of the theatre. He sang “Innocent” while walking toward the stage at the front, giving red roses to lucky fans along the way.

For the next two hours, Joo Won answered questions and played games with his fans. He also sang “My Love,” “Love Medicine” and “If I.” Joo Won proved that he could not only sing well live, but also dance marvellously.

FANTASTIC FANS

Before the event ended, Joo Won watched a video made by some of his fans. In it, they told him how much they’d missed him since last year’s fan meeting. The video showed how the fans followed his work closely, and how they understood that he was sometimes tired because he works so hard. The fans also told Joo Won to take care of himself, adding that they would always support him.

Joo Won couldn’t hold back the tears while watching the touching video. He then thanked his fans and explained that he cried because he knew that they understood how he felt. Joo Won added that he felt amazed to have foreign fans who really loved him.

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A day before the fan meeting, Joo Won met with Thai reporters and some fans at his press conference at the Aetas Lumpini. Here are some highlights of the interviews at both the press conference and the fan meeting.

Question: What would you most like to do in Thailand?

Joo Won: I’ve always wanted to let an elephant hold me with its trunk. I haven’t had a chance to do that yet. During this trip, I rode on a boat on the Chao Phraya River, which was really fun!

Question: How do you feel about singing soundtrack songs for TV dramas that you act in?

Joo Won: I think viewers like it because they can hear the voice of the lead actor singing. It’s a good way to communicate and make the viewers feel more emotional.

Question: Did you feel under pressure while playing Cha Yoo Jin in Tomorrow Cantabile, since it was a remake of a Japanese TV series?

Joo Won: Yes, but I thought I could create a new personality for Yoo Jin. I liked the way Yoo Jin gradually became a better person while working as a conductor.

Question: Are you good at cooking and housekeeping like Yoo Jin?

Joo Won: I’m not as good at housekeeping as Yoo Jin, but I try to keep my place clean. I’m pretty good at cooking.

Question: Was playing a surgeon in Good Doctor difficult?

Joo Won: Yes. It was difficult because I had to remember technical terms that doctors use. Also, my character Park Shi On was meant to be autistic. I had to work out how he would speak and act.

Question: What was your favourite romantic scene in Good Doctor?

Joo Won: I like the scene where Shi On hugs Cha Yoon Seo, because autistic people usually have problems with feelings of love. Shi On dares to express himself by hugging Yoon Seo, so it was an important scene.

Question: What do you like to do during your free time?

Joo Won: I like to walk around in Seoul. I enjoy walking a lot. I can walk for hours, but I have to cover my face so that nobody recognises me!

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