Q6: Kim Kang Woo appeared on Healing Camp and he said, “I was in the same idol group as Jo Hyun Jae.” This was unexpected.
JHJ: This was from long time ago. I was only 18 years old at the time. This happened almost 18 years ago…? This is a group that we prepared for so long but it went down under so nowadays when Kangwoo comes out to talk about the idol group days, it actually seems new and fun.
Q7: When was the time you folded your singing career and moved onto acting?
JHJ: Both Kangwoo and I are originally acting majors. Back then we both didn’t have any particular dream. At the time we had an attitude of gratitude. To us, as long as someone is willing to give us a chance that was all that mattered.
At the time I got recommended to become a singer so I worked hard to prepare myself for it. The company that I was working for had a hard time [financially] then. (Smiles). We prepared a lot but [the company] folded.
There were some regrets but this was a starting point for me to take the path as an actor. This is rather a good thing that happened to me. I still keep in touch with Kangwoo, it is such a gracious thing to be able to have such a colleague.
Q8: I bet it would be a special thing to be able to take similar paths with someone you worked with since you were a young man.
JHJ: It’s a new feeling. He’s a successful actor now. When I see him I feel rather touched.
Q9: Kim Kangwoo is well-known for being good to his wife…
JHJ: He hardly ever goes out for drinks and he usually just stays home. He goes to the same gym as I do and from time to time we run into each other. When I do manage to see him, after working out he goes home and looks after his family since he has kids. I think he takes care of his babies a lot.
Q10: You worked with many big-time actors. Are there any that are memorable to you?
JHJ: I would have to say Soo Ae. She’s the one I met for my first main role. Whenever I see Soo Ae I am reminded of those times because there were some melodramatic elements. Also, Lee Na Young, I did a TV commercial with her. Song Hye Kyo is another one, I worked with her in “Rays of Sunshine”. Whenever I see Song Hye Kyo now on TV it’s a new kind of feeling. With Han Chae Young, I am still close to her till this day. We call each other, meet from time to time and have tea while we have a nice chat.