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It’s not often that these two groups of people get to have an in-depth conversation about their experiences, but that is just what happened on Tuesday. That afternoon, more than a dozen high school students gathered at a noraebang, or singing room, in Apgujeong, southern Seoul operated by Korean management agency SM Entertainment.
The students were there to meet with members of SHINee, one of the hottest boy bands in Korea today. The students were ready with their pens and note pads, but they weren’t there for autographs, nor were they there as members of the band’s fan club. They were there as journalists.
When asked who they are listening to these days, the band members’ replies included names such as the Black Eyed Peas, Michael Bolton and Kesha.
SHINee - pronounced like the word “shiny” - made their debut in May 2008 with the hit “You’re So Beautiful, Girl” and their latest song, “Ring Ding Dong,” has been sweeping the pop music charts since late last year.
Given that the band members - Onew, Taemin, Jonghyun, Minho and Key - and the student reporters are close in age, with some in high school and others in college, the two groups had a lot to talk about. The majority of the questions the students asked revolved around school life, long-term goals and dreams.
When intern reporter Park Chan-jin asked if there was anything the band members would like to try, Key said his wish was for “an evening of study at school,” which elicited a burst of laughter from the intern reporters. Meanwhile, some of the older band members, who were regular students before they joined the band, tried to assure their band mate that the experience was something he could surely do without and the intern reporters chimed in their agreement. But Key continued, undeterred.
“I just want to know what it’s like because I’ve never had a chance to do it,” he said.
Band member Taemin said he wanted to attend a physical education class to play soccer with his friends, an activity that has become impossible for him now because of his busy touring and recording schedule.
Band member Minho said, “I miss the trivial things I used to share with my high school friends - the brief breaks between classes, eating from a lunch box and going to a hagwon [private cram school].”
Intern reporter Paek Jae-ho’s question about what the band members think they will be doing 10 years from now also elicited some smiles. Onew said he will have obtained a pilot’s license, Jonghyun said he might be a vocal trainer and Taemin said he will have reached the pinnacle of his artistic career. The remaining members said they would still be in the music business.
As the interview came to a close, the SHINee members seemed to have enjoyed being interviewed by people in their age group.
“Although we have gone through numerous interviews with professional journalists, we felt more comfortable with all of you,” Minho said. “We hope it was helpful.”
-ommitted some parts-
Source: JoongAng Daily
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