By Evelyn Mak
Thanks to the growing popularity of Korean dramas and movies, actors like Bae Yong Joon, Lee Byung Hun and Won Bin are no strangers to anyone. Well, add one name to the list – Park Yong-Ha, one of the hottest K-drama and K-pop stars of the moment. He recently breezed into town for the zbNow Zpop concert, a concert to celebrate the 80th birthday of a local Chinese newspaper, and teens were lucky enough to get to meet him!
Who is he?
Park Yong-Ha was born 12 August and just turned 26 this year. He made acting debut in a Korean theme drama at the young age of 17. Since then, he had roles in numerous drama serials, movies and has even hosted music programs.
Of course, his firs unforgettable role on our TV screens was in romantic serial Winter Sonata, as the lovesick Xiang He, where he ends up giving up his girl to another guy.
The most recent serials shown here is Loving You, where Yong-Ha pairs up with Eugene, ex-member of Korean girl group SES. His character, Li He, is another romantic who’s torn between his love forEugene and the guilt that he carries because of his father’s wrong doing.
It’s also because of this drama that Yong-Ha’s been in the hot seat recently – photos of Eugene sitting on his lap at a house party where splashes all over Korean tabloids earlier this year. But he’s denied any relationship between them vehemently at every interview where he’s been asked.
But that’s nota all Yong-ha does. In between acting, hosting and his Arts and Drama studies in KoreanCentralUniversity(he’s graduating two years behind his peers because he’s so busy with acting), he’s also a budding singer. His debut albm I love you so much showcases his smooth vocals on lots of romantic ballads. He also performs on the soundtrack of the hottest Korean drama of the moment All in, named mysteriously as “WHO” on the credits.
What’s he like?
When Yong-ha walks on the room, the first that hits you is how pretty he is. He’s definitely a “macho man”, but more of the sensitive New-age guy type – a fact emphasized by his neatly manicured nails.
But we also see the playful side of him. He never stop fiddling with my MD recorder on the table in front of him, and barks along to the sounds a digital camera makes during photo shoot.
When we ask him about his bellybutton ring, he flips up his t-shirt and shows it off without even asking. Before we can taka a picture, he covers it with his hand and giggles a little bashfully. Just like a kid. I focus very hard on the character and what he’s going through. That’s enough for me to start crying.
Most of your on-screen personas are very romantic… are you really a romantic?
Well, I do have a romantic streak in me. One of the most romantic things I’ve ever done was to personally deliver 300 red roses to the classroom of a girl I liked in university. And all her classmates were there! But that’s just one small example of how romantic I can be. (Smiles bashfully) There is no time to name everything!
We hear you’ve got a bellybutton ring, not to mention three earrings… why’d you do it?
I like to get piercings, and if I don’t do it when I’m young, when can I? So I just indulge myself when I’m younger.
So do you find bellybutton rings sexy on a girl?
Not at all. I just think it’s cool on myself…
You’ve got a reputation of being very nice and easy-going guy, but what gets you really angry?
When I don’t perform up to my own personal expectations in work. Of course, there are outside factors that cab get me riled up as well, but I tend to be more easygoing on others.
My work is very important to me, I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist, but my personal expectations are very high. If I don’t think I’ve performed up to standard, it doesn’t matter what others say, I get angry at myself, and it’s difficult to get over that.
You’ve got a professional racing license in Korea – ever thought of turning that into full-time career in the future?
(Perks up) Definitly! I’ve loved cars ever since I was a kid, and I’ve been driving in a professional car-racing team for last two years. Actually, started out in motorbike racing. A scout approached me at motorbike race, and that’s how I got started racing cars.
I’ve got one car (a Mercedes SLK 320} and a motorbike in my garage right now, I’m not really planning to add to my collection just yet, but I do have a dream car – a Porsche GT2!
But aren’t you afraid of hurting yourself on the racetrack and affecting our acting?
I like the fact that I have the talent and ability to race. If you have the ability to do something, but not go for it because you’re scared of hurting yourself, it’s a real waste. My principle is to be as careful as I can when I’m racing, but to enjoy myself while I’m doing it.
Have you started to work on your next album?
I’ll start recording soon, and I expect my next album to be released inKorea,SingaporeandTaiwanby the end of this year, or early next year.
Can we expect to see you back here to promote the album?
Of course! I’d love to come back!
And we have to ask… What do you think of Singaporean girls?
I’ll have to tell you the next time I come back, because I haven’t had time to look around, I’ve been working since I got off the plane, But from what I’ve seen of Singapore the country is beautiful I’d love to come back here again.
(Grinning) Another reason I have to come back is that there are lots of beautiful motorbikes on the roads!
I love You So Much is now available in stores now.
Fan Frenz
What’s a trip toSingaporewithout meeting the fans? And that’s exactly what Park Yong-Ha did at the autograph session at the Junction 8. Fans came as early as 5am in the morning, just to get a closer look at their idol. And Yong-ha was as obliging as ever, signing almost 1000 autographs in the two-hour session. Of course, he didn’t leave empty handed. Presents from his fans ranged from love letters, drinks to even moon cakes.
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