[Trans] VOGUE JAPAN December 2013

JPN-Eng: dawnjelly | Scans: @emmueray, Via 2pmalways

LET’S CHEER YOU UP! In support of 2PM’s charming coat style. The No.1 Beast Idols who captivate wildly enthusiastic fans all over Asia, 2PM. We filmed the 6 of them, who have powered up more and more through expanding their activities into Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and so on, and have gathered tricks of the trade as they went along from place to place, in Tokyo. For their winter-perfect single “Winter Games,” they’re expressing the fans’ passionate cheering style with their bodies. They also talked to us about their dreams for the future.

“Paris would be nice for a date wearing coats. If it rains, I want to put my coat over her shoulders.”

“I wish for the unity among the members to get even stronger, and to definitely keep supporting each other like family.”

2PM have met their 5th year since debuting in Korea. Their Japan debut was in May of 2011. Approximately 2 years later they were able to hold a successful Tokyo Dome 2 day concert. Lately they have had extremely hectic individual schedules with film, dramas, musicals, and solo artist activities. We asked these 6 men, who despite all of that support each other’s activities as their unity grows even stronger, about their current circumstances.

—The photo on the previous page captured 2PM supporting each other’s individual activities, and on this page we captured 2PM’s reaction to the passionate support of the fans. Although your expressions became a bit bashful, what do you think is the reason so many fans love you? 

Nichkhun: We’re really thankful. Honestly we don’t know why ourselves, and therefore we are all the more thankful. 

Wooyoung: Perhaps it’s because we’re devoted to always doing our best? 

Taecyeon: I think they love us because they see us shown as kindly older brothers in our performances on stage and on variety shows. 

Jun.K: We’ve had some major trials during these 5 years. However, because those things happened our thinking became more mature and our judgement has heightened. Above all the unity among the members has grown and we’ve become like family. I think that is why we’ve been receiving such support. 

The 6 of them talk a lot through SNS.

—Since your individual activities have increased, are there times when you don’t know what the other members are doing? 

Chansung: We’re fine. The 6 of us have a chatroom through SNS and we frequently report about what we’re up to. 

Wooyoung: Junho’s in charge of sending us interesting news! 

Junho: I send them pictures and videos of funny news and popular news from the net (laugh). 

Taecyeon: He’s our “guardian” after all! [t/n: The Japanese title for Junho's movie ("Cold Eyes" in English) literally translates to "The Guardians" but the word "guardian" used here specifically means a person who keeps a look out.] 

Chansung: Soon it will become 1 year since we started the SNS chatroom.

If your womanly heart is weak, prepare for it to be tightly seized.

—Your new song “Winter Games” is a song that perfectly fits the winter season.
Wooyoung: It’s a cool song in which you can sense masculinity and the strength of a man’s insides. We would like you to give attention to the dance using coats, as well.
—For men, what is more important: strength or gentleness?
Chansung: It’s best to have both.
All: Ohh~!
—It’s the season where you feel it getting colder with every day, but have you heard the phrase “A woman’s heart and autumn weather (are both fickle)”?
Taecyeon: I know it! In Korea we say “A woman’s heart is like a reed.” Whether in Japan or in Korea, a woman’s heart sways (laugh).
Junho: The top and bottom might sway, but the middle of the reed should be gripped tight.
Jun.K: The reed should be taken out by the roots. A woman’s heart shouldn’t be snatched away!
Junho: Then plant it in a new hothouse!
Wooyoung: What should I do, I don’t understand at all…….
Taecyeon: It’s impossible for me to seize a woman’s heart…….
—Which member understands a woman’s heart the best?
All: Nichkhun!
Nichkhun: Ehhh!? I don’t understand either!
—Is there a place in Korea you can recommend for a date wearing coats?
Junho: In Korea the temperature doesn’t go any higher than 20 degrees below zero, you know? I don’t recommend going on a date in winter~. However if it’s a coat date then maybe an ice skating rink?
Taecyeon: Since I’ve never been there yet, I want to try going to “Winter Sonata” in Namiseom.
Jun.K: When I went to Namiseom with just guys it was lonely because it was filled with couples and families~. It’s alright to go there for a date but not by yourself!
Nichkhun: Paris would be nice for a date wearing coats. If it rains, I want to put my coat over her shoulders.
All: Leave it up to Nichkhun to know a woman’s heart!
Nichkhun: No way! I just watch too many romantic movies (flustered).

In regards to song writing, the 6 men want to put out more songs with their distinctive flavor.

—As it has been 5 years since your debut, many younger groups have been debuting. It’s the opposite in Japan where it feels like it’s hard for K-POP groups to debut if they don’t have real talent.
Taecyeon: I feel the same way.

—What sort of activities does 2PM want to do after this?
Junho: We want to express ourselves in songs that we make by our own hands. Therefore, we’re making songs little by little.
Wooyoung: All 6 of us want to be involved with writing 2PM’s music.
Chansung: I think it’s necessary for us to mature, besides in relation to changes in our surrounding environment. Therefore, we need to carefully discuss with each other and keep our eyes on each other’s concerns.
Nichkhun: This is where SNS comes in. We often hold serious conversations on SNS.
Chansung: This is a period of time when the members have each brought out their distinctive flavor and talent to the table. From now on, if each of us can make the best of our strong points, I think 2PM’s color will become even deeper. Please keep supporting us from now on.

Another arena tour has been decided for the year 2014.

2 years have passed since 2PM began to recklessly run ahead relying on their youth. The time to survey their surroundings a bit has come, so they can pursue individual activities and such, a time for absorbing much while hesitating. With plans to hold a “high touch event” in commemoration of the release of their 7th Japanese single “Winter Games,” they have also already decided to hold a nationwide arena tour in 2014. There is no precise formula as to how an idol group evolves and matures. However, for the many fans and acquaintances who love you, we would like for you to flexibly and powerfully mature while firmly grasping onto the middle of that swaying reed.