“韩振就是韩振。” When it comes time to define himself, HANJIN avoids any frivolous labels, sticking with just two essential syllables—his name: “HANJIN’s just HANJIN.” And it’s all because 42 gave him the confidence to be true to himself.
You and the group went to Beijing on official business this year. I heard you checked with every single of one of them to see if they liked the food.
HANJIN: When I didn’t know anything about Korean food, the others would always say things like, “You should try this, it tastes great!” So this time, since we were in Beijing, I wanted to make sure they were taken care of. The rest of them aren’t as into super spicy food as I am, and except for YOUNGJAE and me, they all love seafood, so I avoided spicy dishes and mostly ordered seafood. Seeing how much they enjoyed the food made me really happy. (laughs)
You seem really observant and thoughtful towards them at all times, including in the way you choose specific gifts for them on their birthdays.
HANJIN: I’ve always had a habit of paying close attention to those around me, even when I was younger. It led me to become mindful of how the people around me are feeling. I spent something like a month thinking about what gifts to give them for their first birthdays after we debuted. I really wanted my sincerity to come through with those gifts, so I paid close attention to each of them to figure out what they’re into and picked gifts that would work for them.
You also nailed the particular way each of them talks in that “TWS: CLUB” Q&A.
HANJIN: We spend so much time out doing events and things that I have more opportunities to learn from the other members than from lessons. There’s still times where I can’t fully understand something in Korean, but when I ask the others about it, they explain it in simpler terms or with easier grammar. They use a lot of fun expressions when we’re talking or joking around. When they say things like, “Aigo (Oh my)!” or, “Himdeul-guman (Sounds tough)!” those endings like “-guman” and “-ne” capture the feeling really well and are easy to use so I really like them, so I memorize those and try them out to familiarize myself with them. I like how I can make things fun more often now that I’m getting progressively more used to Korean culture and language. I’ve loved making people laugh ever since I was in school. (laughs)
Like when you got a big laugh on “G-Park Radio Show” on KBS CoolFM when you brought up how you share a name with a certain courier company?
HANJIN: (laughs) Actually, I’ve got a funny story about shipping from before I debuted. I’d ordered something when I was a trainee, and when I saw a box with my name, HANJIN, on it, I naturally assumed it was mine. But then I got a call from someone on staff saying I’d taken someone else’s package by mistake. So I checked again, and it wasn’t my name in the “to” field, and the phone number wasn’t mine, either! That’s how I first found out there’s a courier company in Korea called Hanjin and told myself I’d be sure to bring it up in interviews or on variety shows once I debuted. But the rest of the group says it’s way funnier when I casually blurt something out than when I specifically plan to be funny. (laughs)
It was really funny the way you wrote three anonymous letters, all as different characters, on “24/7LOG,” too. I’m curious why you talked about being grateful rather than about being neat and tidy like the others did, especially when you’re known for liking to keep things clean.
HANJIN: To be honest, sometimes they don’t clean up after themselves right away, but it’s understandable. (laughs) I’m the only foreigner in the group, and the others have taken me in like family. They take care of me when I’m not feeling well, too, so I felt both grateful and a little sorry to them. That’s why I wanted to convey my genuine feelings through those video messages. I mean, it’s hard to convey emotions if you don’t talk about them. I always do my best to express my feelings to them, and to 42 and everyone on staff who helps out.
Sometimes we take feelings for granted if we don’t express them. Do you think that’s why you try to keep a record of your emotions through text, photos, and videos?
HANJIN: By keeping a record of things, it feels like a way of holding onto the things I’m feeling at that moment. When I write a letter or a post to 42, I carefully and thoroughly think back on all the time I’ve spent with them and the group while I’m writing. Sometimes, when I look back on something after some time has passed, I discover little details I didn’t notice at the time, and it becomes more special and meaningful to me.
For someone who treasures their memories like that, the track “Now Playing” must be especially meaningful to you, seeing as it’s about spending time with friends.
HANJIN: Whenever I hear “Now Playing,” I think about the times we stayed up late practicing or just chatting together. (laughs) Once, when we were practicing something over and over again, all six of us were panting, trying to catch our breath, but then somebody suddenly cracked a joke, and we all just burst out laughing. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. (laughs) Even though it was really tough to go through, being able to laugh together like that made us feel like family. It’s such an upbeat song, so I thought back on a lot of fun times while recording it. Listening to it now, it fills me with a lot of emotion.
TWS really is like a family now, just like you said. What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to fostering good teamwork?
HANJIN: Well, everyone’s different. We all have different stories and personalities, so I think respecting each other is the most important thing. The six of us have different personalities, too. Some of us are super detail-oriented, others are super responsible, and some are very direct when they talk. During our fireside time, we not only share our own personal concerns but also discuss how we can work with other people better. Even though we’re six very different people, we work through things together for the sake of teamwork. I think that’s what makes TWS so special and like nobody else in the whole world.
Has sharing your concerns with the group led to some positive changes?
HANJIN: I share a room with KYUNGMIN, who’s the youngest, meaning he can be adorable with his antics at times (laughs) but we also share our feelings a lot. When he has a concern, he talks to me about it, and when I’m feeling stuck, I open up to him. When I was working with him and JIHOON on our performance of “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” for our fan meeting event, they were so helpful and I was grateful for that. I started out really worried, but I put everything into learning it thanks to all their help, including about facial expressions, so I was able to put on a pretty good show. Right now I’m focused on showing everyone what I’ve learned, but I’d also like to slowly develop my own dance style.
Teamwork also plays an important part in the choreography for your new lead single, “Countdown!”—for example, when you all jump way up high, or have to all bend at the same angle.
HANJIN: We spent a long time finding a balance together between singing, dancing, and facial expressions. Performing isn’t all about the choreography—you also need to show you’re genuinely into it. When we first debuted, I tried to smile a lot, but now I’ve done enough personal reviewing and understand a song’s emotions enough to figure out what expressions work best.
You were reviewing your photos during today’s photoshoot closely, too. In what ways is your meticulousness reflected in the work you do?
HANJIN: My MBTI has type J [judging] in it, and I need things to be planned out to a tee to be relaxed about them. (laughs) For example, when we’re doing a show, I plan what vitamins to take and the best time to take them, and I make sure the other members take them on time with me. Even when it comes to rehearsals or events, I make sure to think of everything that could possibly come up in advance and prepare for what I’d do in those situations. I’ve been told I don’t need to worry about things quite so much, but it’s just what keeps me feeling comfortable. (laughs)
Have you learned anything about yourself thanks to your very thorough practicing and planning?
HANJIN: For me, I jump head first into new things, even if I think I might fail. I used to feel pressure or scared sometimes, but then I realized that, even though it might not turn out absolutely perfect, when I look back later, I’ll be able to see I did a better job than my fears would’ve led me to believe, so as long as I put in the effort, I can accomplish anything. For instance, they asked me to record my line, “For you, it’s you!” in “GO BACK” as soon as we started recording. I was all worried because it was a new part. But I just went for it, and I felt proud for being able to do it! I was all excited when I realized I could achieve things even on my first try. Then I worked over and over on my pitch and pronunciation so I could do the final take even better.
It sounds like having those kinds of personal wins must push you to set even bigger goals for yourself.
HANJIN: Exactly. When I was in China, my goal was to work hard and make it to Korea. Then, once I got here, I worked hard to be able to debut. Now my goals are to nail the performances we’re given so 42 can see how passionate we are, and to put on even better shows for them by mastering tricky choreography and facial expressions. I accomplish one goal, then I find myself wanting to chase bigger and bigger ones.
The way you’re so determined to keep chasing more and more goals makes me think of the song “Countdown!”
HANJIN: Absolutely! Before I came to Korea, I worried if it would turn out I made the wrong decision, but just like the name of our new album, “TRY WITH US,” says, I chose to take on the challenge head first, even if it could turn out to be the wrong choice. When I’m making birthday videos for the other members and combing through our photos and videos, I always think about how lucky it is that I became a part of a group of people who are as kind and dedicated as they are. Having such dependable and wonderful friends makes me feel like I can deal with anything that comes my way in the future, no matter what it is. In the past, I was focused on doing my best to love myself more, but now, I’m working even harder for the group and for 42.
Do you think you’ve come to love yourself a little more than before?
HANJIN: I was having a tough time a few months before our debut. Everything was all new to me, and my Korean was much worse than it is now. That’s why I wrote in my diary every single day. When I look back at those diary entries now, it feels like all the problems I had back then have melted away, and now I understand why I felt the way I did at the time. That whole process really helped me.
You often tell 42 during Weverse and at fan meetings that they should prioritize loving themselves.
HANJIN: I’m so grateful for the love 42 gives us, and I think it means even more if they give 100% of that love to themselves first and then share whatever’s left with us. When I first became an idol, my goal was to spread positive energy and motivation to people through what I do, but now, it’s the opposite—seeing 42’s smiling faces from the stage gives me the strength to push through any difficulties I’m facing. The love and encouragement 42 gives is incredibly precious to me. That’s why I try and cherish that sparkle in their eyes with all my heart. After all, none of this would be happening today if I’d never boarded that plane to Korea.
It’s clear in every post and comment you leave on Weverse how sincere you are.
HANJIN: When I read 42’s comments or letters, they’re always sharing funny little stories or talking about how they want to spend all these important moments with us. It’s like Paul Kim sings in “Every day, Every Moment,” one of my favorite songs by him: “Be with me every day, every moment.” I try to share even the smallest, everyday things with 42.
Even though you tend to prepare most things in advance, you seem happy just to be yourself with 42 now, like on Weverse LIVE, for example.
HANJIN: At first, I was worried about letting anyone see my imperfections. I was scared, actually. But at some point, I started to feel sure that revealing the real me was the key to getting closer to 42. That’s why I started wearing my glasses for them during LIVEs, taking sweaty mirror selfies after practice, and writing friendly, casual letters to get closer with them. Even when I show those sides of myself, 42 tells me, “HANJIN, just be yourself. We’ll always be here for you.” Seeing that kind of love coming from them, I realized they love me not just for who I am when I’m in the spotlight, but for just the way I am. So now, I’m working on loving me for me. Now that I’m 19, I want to be sure, as I take this journey, I grow into someone people can trust.
In the video “TWS FIRST TIME: 06: HANJIN,” there’s a line that goes, “Is the person you are today stronger than the person you were yesterday?” Do you think you’re stronger now than you were back then?
HANJIN: Yes. (laughs) I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger, but I want to become even stronger still so I can be someone 42 and my group members can rely on.