Fine fun

 

Yonghwa puts on a solo show

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of 411 Entertainment

Did you know

Yonghwa appears in the upcoming Chinese Internet sitcom, Diors Man.

Frontman and leader of Korean rock band CN Blue, Jung Yonghwa, is renowned as a great entertainer and songwriter. The 25-year-old musician has composed several chart-topping songs for CN Blue, including “Can´t Stop,” “I’m Sorry” and “Still in Love.”

In January this year, Yonghwa released his debut solo album, One Fine Day. The well-written and expertly produced album managed to make it to number one on Billboard’s World Albums chart.

ONE FINE DAY

Arranged by 411 Entertainment, Yonghwa held his Jung Yonghwa Live: One Fine Day in Bangkok solo concert on April 4 at Thunder Dome. The show really was a fine day for both the singer and his fans, since the concert boasted dazzling performances and extravagant production. The song list was also well-selected to make the show run smoothly.

Yonghwa kicked off the show with the touching ballad, “Without You,” complete with beautiful piano playing, and the slow song, “Cruel Memories.” The atmosphere then became more exciting when Yonghwa performed fun songs like “Ryu Can Do It” and “Checkmate.”

HOURS OF FUN

Yonghwa worked hard to entertain his Thai fans. With his impressive singing, fun dance moves and long chats in Thai language, there wasn’t a single dull moment during two hour show.


Before his concert, Yonghwa met up with Thai press at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel on April 3. The CN Blue singer was very lively during the interview, striking plenty of interesting poses for the photographers. Here is some of what the star said during the interview.

Question: What’s it like working without the other members of CN Blue?

Yonghwa: When I work with CN Blue, we can share the fun together. Working on my solo album was more stressful. I’m very glad that fans have welcomed my solo concerts. That made my stress disappear.

Question: How did you feel about working with the Singaporean singer-songwriter and producer JJ Lin?

Yonghwa: I was very happy to work with such a well-known international artist. I’ve respected his work since I was very young.

Question: If you had to pick a favourite song on One Fine Day, which one would it be?

Yonghwa: I can’t choose one song. I’d like my fans listen to every song on the album.

Question: Can you describe what your own fine day is like?

Yonghwa: It was probably be any day when I have a concert. When I hold a concert in Thailand, my fans give me great support. Sometimes I feel a bit worried before a performance, but my worries disappear as soon as I hit the stage.

Question: Were you satisfied with the feedback for your reality TV show, Jung Yonghwa’s Hologram?

Yonghwa: I felt good about the show. Even though I’m a well-known artist, I’m still an ordinary person. When I don’t have to work, I just sleep at home. What was shown in Jung Yonghwa’s Hologram was the real me. That’s why the feedback was great. If there’s another season of the show, I might just let everybody see me sleep all day! [Laughs.]

Question: Apart from frying an egg, do you have any other cooking skills that you’d like to show your viewers?

Yonghwa: Viewers think that I can’t cook well because I just fried an egg, but I wanted to show that I like it very crispy. In the future, I’d like to show more of my cooking skills. I’d like to cook some tom yum goong!

Question: What food do you like to eat when you’re in Thailand?

Yonghwa: My bandmates are jealous that I get to taste food in many different countries during my tour. I’ve gained more than four kilogrammes on this tour, and I plan to put on more weight while I’m in Thailand. Today I want to eat Thai suki. I like it a lot and eat it every time I come here.

Question: How do you feel about winning the Hottest Korean Star and Gaon-Weibo Chart’s Most Influential Korean Star awards at the Hong Kong Weibo Star Awards?

Yonghwa: I’m thankful to my fans for paying attention to me. I use Weibo and other social network sites because I want to communicate and share experiences with my fans.

Question: Can you tell us about your recent charity work giving charcoal to underprivileged people?

Yonghwa: People might think that being a volunteer is exhausting, but it wasn’t for me. I was glad and proud to help people who needed charcoal to burn to keep warm. The experience made me want to help and talk with more people. I learned that human relationships are very important.

Vocabulary

  • boast (v): to have a particular quality, thing, etc.
    extravagant (adj):
    every elaborate and expensive
    touching (adj): making you feel emotional
    dull (adj): boring; not exciting
    hologram (n): a photograph of an interference pattern which produces a three-dimensional image
    influential (adj): having the capacity to have an effect on the character, behaviour or development of somebody or something
    charcoal (n): a light, black residue consisting of carbon and ash obtained by removing water and other elements from animal and vegetation substances
    underprivileged (adj): not enjoying the same rights and standard of living as other people in a society

 

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