Monday, July 5, 2010

ZE:A’s KwangHee Star Diary Part 1: The Cheerleader With Many Talents


With a great energy, ZE:A’s KwangHee begins his interview enthusiastically. The boy who wants to be just like 2AM’s Jokwon on variety shows, has the ability to turn an awkward atmosphere into a peaceful one as he begins speaking.
KwangHee began by revealing his life’s motto, “Living a life smiling gives other people happiness,” said the one who brings life into the group. Even though he’s only sitting down, his talents seems to spill out of him. “You have many talents, right?” SBS’s Star King MC Kang HoDong had once asked him.

Ever since he was a child, KwangHee discovered that he had many hidden talents. “I got rid of it now, but before our debut, I kept in contact with my elementary school friends via minihompy messengers. They would tell me that they knew I would become a celebrity.”

Even in his elementary school KwangHee was known for being the humorous and witty one amongst his group of friends. It was his cheerful personality that made it easy for him to have such a large group of friends. “All throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I would never miss a talent show. I think this is when my vague dream of wanting to become a singer sparkled. I really liked how my friends would cheer me on when I took the stage.”

His official training as a singer began when he was in high school. Even though he had voice and dance practice, he didn’t get lazy with his studies. It was after joining the school’s cheer squad that KwangHee was able to show off his talents to the school. “I clearly remember cheering on the baseball team on the day of a game. While I was flailing my arms around to Wax’s ‘I’ll Give You All My Love’, a lot of people around me would tell me that I should become an idol.”

At this point, KwangHee only had a vague idea that he wanted to become an idol singer. Due to how unsure he was about his decision, he didn’t have the confidence to actually go to any auditions. But it seems like luck was on KwangHee’s side as a rare chance soon came to him. He found out about a school uniform modeling contest and decided to participate. Out of 6,000 participants only 100 were to be chosen. KwangHee made it as far as the second audition. “I was allowed an interview in the second audition, but I met the person that was in first place. That was my first meeting with JunYoung. After more deliberation, only 15 were chosen to continue, among those 15 were JunYoung and I.”

After making it into the top 15, KwangHee gained a surge of confidence. JunYoung and KwangHee became close friends after going to the fashion show together and finding out that they had many common interests. Even though they were under different managements at that time, the two had no idea that they were working towards making their same dream come true.

“[My life] was really hectic. Seeing how I continued attending school after being accepted in Star Empire, and having to constantly train.”

“After getting used to it, I wondered how nice it would be if I could practice together with JunYoung. I honestly wanted to be in the same group with him. So I brought JunYoung. Even when I think about it now, I think I did the right thing. I was a trainee for five years, and JunYoung was a good supporter. Two is better than one.”
Even though at that point his future wasn’t clear, it seems like all the sweat and tears have now paid off. The hardships he had experienced before his debut have allowed KwangHee to grow.

Source: Yoon Tae Hee@asiae.co.kr
Translation: ch0sshi@kpoplive.com

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