Juniel [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

<#10_QMARK#>If you were to choose an idol group to join which group would it be and why?
Juniel: I would like to be in a band. I really love the music by the Peppertones [Korean indie band] and it would be great if they could sing while I play the guitar. I don't know about joining any idol group because I can't dance. (laugh) I have never gotten any dance or acting lessons and I learned how to play the guitar on my own before going to Japan.

<#10_QMARK#>So, did you get calluses on your fingers because you've been playing the guitar for such a long time?
Juniel: I used to have calluses on my fingers and they turned black at one point but now you can hardly see them. (laugh)

<#10_QMARK#>Besides Jung Yong-hwa, who would you like to sing a duet song with?
Juniel: These days, I feel that Younha is an awesome singer. She's so cool. But honestly, I want to do a duet song with everyone.

<#10_QMARK#>Do you have any regrets about starting out in the music business at a young age?
Juniel: I was a trainee ever since I was in middle school. I went to class during the day and went through training sessions in the afternoon. I don't think I have gone to any of the field trips since eighth grade and I hardly had any time to play or hang out because I was always practicing (singing and playing the guitar). I think I forgot how to hang out. (laugh) I have a different way of enjoying my free time like going to coffee shops and just talking with my friends. I don't have any regrets but I am kind of sad that I don't have many memories of my school years and I didn't get to spend much time with my family. I think the reason why I don't have any regrets is because I see many people around me who haven't found their dream. Most of them just go to college and they tell themselves that they will figure it out what job to get or how they will make money. I'm glad that I've chosen this career because I'm doing what I like.

<#10_QMARK#>You wrote most of the songs in the album and it seems like your hobbies include writing songs, do you have any other hobbies besides that?
Juniel: I love hiking and my mom has a huge influence on that. She really enjoys leisure sports and she even made a social hiking club at her work and they went on overnight hiking trips. I like to climb the mountain behind our house and I just started climbing more difficult and rough routes on mountains covered with rocks.

<#10_QMARK#>Have you asked your fellow labelmates at FNC Entertainment -- FTIsland and CNBLUE -- to climb the mountain with you?
Juniel: I did! And the funny thing is that they all just avoided my suggestion.
Juniel's manager: Mountains are for viewing sceneries.
Juniel: I remember going to a mountain where rocks were just rolling on the side and people were swearing while climbing up the mountain which I thought was quite funny. (laugh) I would like to try rock climbing someday.

<#10_QMARK#>You were a DJ in Japan, how did you become a DJ there and do you have any funny episodes while working there?
Juniel: I was chosen by some of the famous Japanese artists hosting a new TV show that features up-and-coming singer-songwriters. I go back and forth between Korea and Japan to DJ and it was a great honor in being chosen for the show. There aren't any special episodes but I had to stay up several nights to read and study the script because I had no experience like that before.

Juniel [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia]

<#10_QMARK#>Besides your music career, what are five things that you can’t live without?
Juniel: Oh wow. That's a hard question. Uhm...I have to say my family, my fans and... other artists who have had a huge influence on me. Wow, I can't think of anything else right now. Can we just make it three things instead of five? (laugh)

<#10_QMARK#>When you are on the road to go to your scheduled activities, what do you do in your car and what are some things that you do to kill time?
Juniel: I sleep all the way in the car. (laugh) Since I don't have my own cell phone, I borrow my stylist's iPad to play games. I love playing games. (laugh)

<#10_QMARK#>What do you do when you are stressed?
Juniel: I'm the kind of person that doesn't get stressed out much. People tell me that I'm a very positive and optimistic person. But when I do get stressed, I usually talk to my family or go on a hike. Usually, I write songs and express my feelings that way.

<#10_QMARK#>If you had three words to describe your music career so far, what would it be?
Juniel: (thinks hard) Interesting, happy and hard-working.

<#10_QMARK#>Many K-pop artists have expanded their careers into Japan and other countries, which country would you like to visit and why?
Juniel: If I get the offer, I would be willing to go anywhere. I want to travel all over the world but if I had to pick one country, it has to be London. I have heard many stories that it is a great place to visit and where band music began. It's just one of the countries I want to visit the most.

<#10_QMARK#>What do you think is next for Juniel?
Juniel: I'm not quite sure about that but I will be promoting "illa illa" a bit more. I guess in the future, I just want to be known as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in Korea. When someone asks, 'who is the greatest singer-songwriter in Korea?,' I want them to say that it's Juniel. I don't care how much time it takes. I want to be referred as one of the greatest singer-songwriters and be a part of the history of Korean music.


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10 아시아 Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
10 아시아 Lee Tae Ho myenclaves@
10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@
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