Kangta & Vanness Interviewed by Kpop Kingdom

KANGTA & VANNESS

INTERVIEWED BY KPOP KINGDOM

in prior to their promo tour in september 2006


♣  Why and how did you come up with this idea making a group of 2 people from different nationalities, speaking different languages, and of different culture backgrounds?

K : We first met at the Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan in 2004. At that time, Vanness was planning on working in Korea and SM  suggested him to collaborate with me and we both were willing to do it.

V : Yes, when I got the offer from SM, there is no reason to say "I will thing about it," I just told them "Yes, I will do it" right away. I still think that it was a really clever choice to decide to work with KANGTA. He's just a super nice guy.



♣ There are many differences of background, culture, and nationalities between the two fo you.. What have been the biggest challenges so far that you faced while engaging in this duet production and promo other than the language barriers?

K : Vanness has been in good relationship with Koean people when he lived in the US, and he has been always interested in Korean culture. I also was used to Chinese culture since I have been in many countries such as China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. And, Vanness tries to speak easy English when he talks to me, so there's no big problem on communication. The most difficult part was, for me, Chinese pronunciation when recording songs in Chinese version. However, Venness helped me a lot, and he is always nice and I am very happy to work with him.

V : Scheduling is quite different. I was not used to Korean schedule before and it was a little hard to me to adjust at the first time. For example, in Korea, we have 3-4 schedules in a day, and had to move places to places in a really short time. Now, I got used to it and no problem.



♣ What have you learned by collaborating with each, especially considering that you are two stars from different countries?

K : Vanness is a person who tries his best on everything. I would like to compliment his self management specially when he takes care of his health.

V : KANGTA is a true musician. He writes songs, lyrics, and of course he is a perfect singer. I hope I can learn his musical talents. Also, he has a big enthusiasm when working. While we were in the studio, he checked if everything is going in a right direction all time as well as making sure if everybody is ok. He's just a perfect person to work together.



♣ There is a rumor that the groups S and F4 will collaborate. Is this true? If so, please give more details about it.

K : Since Hyesung and Jihoon are good friends of mine, I introduced them to Vanness and we hang out sometimes. They always talked about this collaboration is really good and they wish they could do in the future too. Then, Vanness and I just thought "What is S and F4 get together make a bigger collaboration?" We both thought it would be a great idea if all of us have time to share. It is just one of brainstorming between Vanness and me, and nothing has been decided yet.

V : Yes, it is such a good idea, but I am afraid of scheduling for 7 artists. It's even hard to make KANGTA and my schedule, and would be really difficult to have 7 people's schedule at once since all of them have their own works this time. We just hope it can be come true in the future.



♣ Do you have any difficulties in communication with each other?

K : We mainly speak English. I speak a little bit of English and Chiese, and Vanness speaks Chinese, English and a little bit of Korean. When I ask something in Chinese, he answers in Korean. Vanness tries to speak easy English when he talks to me. He's very considerate.

V : KANGTA speaks good English and I easily understand most of them. Also, he speaks very easy Korean to me. When we have a complicating discussion, translators help us. There is no difficulty on communicating.



♣ What is the best thing about working with each other?

K : It is really good that we can fill out parts that each of us needs  from others while working together as a group. Also. whenever we go somewhere, not only my fans but Vanness's fans are supporting us and it is a big help us.

V : I could learn what professionalism is, by working with KANGTA, and I am very happy that I can learn more and more in the future.



♣ What was the first impression about your partner and did you know about each other before this project?

K : My first impression about Vanness was that he is such a handsome guy. F4 was already famous in Korea with the Drama, and Vanness was a really handsome guy in along hair in my mind. He is also very attractive and has a big smile on his face. He makes other people happy by his look itself.

V : When I saw him at the Golden Melody Awards, he looked really smart and handsome as I have thought of him before. once I talked to him, he was the nicest guy and very considerate. When I was in high school, I always listened to H.O.T's music and loved Korean music. When I saw on TV, he was just so handsome. Good looking guy. Then I heard his solo album. I thought and still think he has one of the most beautiful voice in Asia.



♣ After working together, what was the funniest or the most impressive experience you have had?

K : In Taiwan, we had autograph sessions in 3 different places, and it's one of the most memorable moment that fans from various countries such Korea, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan followed us to support.

V : For me, I really like that fans keeps calling our names when we have shows on the stages in Korea. Due to the tight schedules, my body is pretty tired, but fans are big supports and they make us want to work even harder.



♣ Be sides being a singer, we have seen you as actors and played each role quite well. Will we be able to see you acting in more dramas or movies in the future? Any collaboration plans in film?

K : I like singing, but also like acting as well if I have a chance. I will be happy if I get an offer a proper character for TV Drama or movie. And of course I would love to work with Vanness for Drama or movie if we have an opportunity.

V : Acting is very fun as well, I hope to become a movie director in the future. If there's any offer from Drama or movie, I will be positive to accept it. However, I would like to more concentrate on this KANGTA & VANNESS project right now. It would be even better if we both an work for the same movie.



♣ Malaysia is a multi-cultural country with mainly 4 languages - Chinese, Malay, Indian and English. K-pop appeals to Chinese and Malay, and there are Japanese and Korean residents here. What can you expect from having a promo tour in such multi-cultral country and what can the audience expect from you?

K : We will go anywhere if there are people who love our music. We will do our best to show our music as much as we can. Music can gather people together regardless of language or cultral differences.

V : Colors of skin and nationality are not important. We could be willing to go anywhere to give pleasure to people who love our music.



♣ TVXQ has successfully opened the K-pop wave in Malaysia this month with their concert. Following this success, your promo tour will surely hit the market and lead the way to make the K-pop wave even bigger in Malaysia. Any comments about this?

K : First of all, I really appreciate your expectation. If we have chances, we would like to visit Malaysia more often. In addition, there are a lot of artists who can lead Asian Culture in Korea and please keep your eyes and ears open for them as well. We will always try our best  to show our music as much as we can.

V : I am happy to hear that. Thank you so much. I think there are so many good artists in Asia and I want them to try more collaboration in the future. It will make Korean Wave and Asia more and more effective.



♣ A lot of fans are waiting for you to be here in Malaysia. Please give a message for the Malaysian fans.

K : I really want  to say thank you for your love and support. I can't show all my thanks by a word here, but will try our best to show more powerful and enthusiastic stage when you come to our show. Thank you very much.

V : Thank you for all the support you have given to us so far. It has been so much fun and this collaboration has a big meaning not just to collaborate Taiwan and Korea. It includes all Asia together. There are more things to come, more things to show. Please keep your eyes and ears open to us. God bless you!