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130313 - SECHSKIES Lee Jaejin’s interview with Cuvism Webmagazine

*Neither Korean nor English are my first language so feel free to correct me for any mistranslations*

Fresh transformation to entrepreneurship, representing Hongdae School Food, Lee Jaejin

“With high quality ambience and taste, please look forward to my personally handcrafted School Food”

The member of the legendary 1st generation idol group, SECHSKIES Lee Jaejin. This is an interview with him 3 years after he got discharged from the army and returning as an entrepreneur.

Meet Lee Jaejin, the member of 1st generation idol group SECHSKIES who swept Korean music industry in 1990s, the person who faced hardships after the group’s disbandment and after releasing 3 solo albums. He decided to enlist into the army to overcome the hard time, but was it just making things worse? After that, only series of unfortunate news were heard from him, making public worry about his actions. However, just like they said “Happiness would come after misfortune”, the greatest presents came to him along with his discharge from the army. Following the marriage announcement of his one and only sister, a lovely niece was born and immediately become the apple of his eye. And he recently established a new restaurant named Hongdae School Food with the support from YG Entertainment’s CEO Yang Hyun-suk who is now his brother-in-law. Let’s listen to his story of Hongdae School Food, a restaurant with classy ambience and great taste of food added with his personal touch, which he wants people to look forward to.

Starting a fresh challenge, Lee Jaejin

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I am Lee Jaejin who runs Hongdae School Food.

You debuted with SECHSKIES in 1997. How did you become a member?

I come from Busan, and I’ve been a member of a dance team since my 2nd year of middle school. At that time, I wanted to be a dancer instead of a singer, but by chance a friend sent the recording of our team’s dancing to agencies in Seoul. That way, the agency contacted us, and I joined the agency together with Jaeduck-ssi from the same dance team.

So, did you prepare for debut straight after that?

Here’s the interesting part. At the beginning we got calls from 3 different agencies: Lee Juno’s agency, Yang Hyun-suk’s agency, and Shin Chul’s agency (OK Music). Lee Juno told us to come immediately, while Yang Hyun-suk told us to study hard and come during our holiday. Quite similar as current situation right? *laugh* At that time, Lee Juno was like, the best dancer, so I joined his company. Daesung Entertainment (SECHSKIES agency at that time) planned to pick up dancers for the new group. The very first members of the group were 4 people: Jang Suwon, Kang Sunghoon, Eun Jiwon, and Kim Jaeduck, while I was still in Lee Juno’s agency. When the members saw me dancing, they said, “Why don’t we choose him?”, strongly recommended me to join them. Previously I also auditioned with Daesung but the CEO rejected me, and thanks to the members I was able to join the group. It really felt nice.

Back then, as 1st generation idol, H.O.T and SECHSKIES kinda built some rivalries. What’s the distinctive characteristic of SECHSKIES?

I think we did a better job at dancing. We were more on the hip-hop side. Our popping dance were quite popular in Busan. At that time, popping was really a trend.

If we talk about SECHSKIES, what kind of memory do you have in mind?

I remember about our days of preparing for debut. After the era of Deux and Seo Taiji and Boys ended, that’s when H.O.T came out and seized the opportunity. I also remember naming our group which consisted of 6 members. It was either ‘Six’, ‘Yukgaejang’ (literally means ‘Spicy Beef Stew’; it’s a word play because육 ’yuk’ in Korean means ‘Six’ ), or ‘Magma’ to compete against H.O.T *laugh* In the end, Eun Kyungpyo PD-nim named us ‘SECHSKIES’ which means ‘Six Crystals’ in German.

You look so excited when talking about SECHSKIES. Do you occasionally miss the days when SECHSKIES were still active?

When we bring up stories like this, I think I do miss the time. The memory is still fresh. What’s more amazing is, fans have clearer memories than I do. There are some memories I can’t recall, and fans would say, “See, oppa can’t remember”.

The fans who still come and visit, how old are they now?

When fans from SECHSKIES era show up, they say something like, “I was still in 6th grade when I first saw oppa” so somehow I am able to assume their age. At that time I was in my 2nd grade of high school, so now they should be in their early 30s? Some of them are already married. They become even more beautiful.

You can recognize them when you see their face?

I held lots of fan meetings after completing my solo promotion in 2005. For fanservice purpose I made a fancafe and held fan meetings in Seoul, Gwangju, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan, so we became quite close. That’s how I become familiar with the face of my fans during my solo activities.

By any chance, do you watch the recent idol star-themed drama ‘Reply 1997’?

I watch the rebroadcast from time to time.

The drama tried to reflect what it was like in the 90s. Have you ever thought, “Oh, that’s what happened that time” ?

There was this scene in ‘Reply 1997’ reenacting the year-end award ceremony in Jangchung Gymnasium, it really seems like fiction. Actually back then it didn’t rain at all, it was end of year so it was very cold. All fans stayed indoors.

Do you have any more memorable scenes?

I saw the scene where they only played H.O.T’s songs at the school’s broadcasting club, and I remember reading similar stories from fan letter. But when I watched it, there were more love scene and drama scene coming out.

It is more interesting because Eun Jiwon starred in the drama.

It feels like I’m watching ‘Seventeen’ *laugh*

Recently the rumor of SECHSKIES comeback is gaining attention.

When Suwon opened his store, I visited with Sunghoon and we had a talk. The idea of SECHKSIES comeback is nice, but we have our own businesses right now, so it doesn’t feel right if we make a comeback. Jaeduck is working together with Tony An, Jiyong is doing well in his company, Jiwon-hyung is active in TV shows, each of us is doing our own part. So even though we, the once-6-member group no longer sing together, we can still tell a lot of stories of our own.

You released solo albums after SECHSKIES activities ceased. Do you originally have a desire to pursue solo career?

The truth is, solo album was not really my will. That time I was about to go study abroad before enlisting to the army, as recommended by an acquaintance working in animation company. At that time my mother’s condition was not really well, so I started my solo career with the thought of doing my best, but since I was not with any recording agency, things didn’t go that well. That way, my solo album was more like ‘SECHSKIES Lee Jaejin’s stand-alone’, and that’s it.

I am curious about your favorite song from the solo album.

My favorite is the title song of my 3rd album, 충전 (Chung-jeon, literally translated as ‘Recharge’). It is a dance song, and I mostly sing in falsetto. My singing ability slowly improved during my solo activities. I knew that it was my last solo album, so I had a lot of desire.

After wrapping up your solo activities and enlisting in 2007, there were lots of unfortunate news about you. What kind of memories you can recall?

Honestly I can’t remember well. I could remember when acquaintances talked about it, but I tend to forget because it was overshadowed by other big incidents. In 2005 my father was diagnosed with cancer, he passed away in 2006, my mother struggled with her illness in 2007 and she passed away in 2008. There was also a trial for my suspected misconduct behavior. I enlisted in the army right after my mother’s death, and I didn’t return after my given break ended. It was tough days for me back then.

After that incident, how was the reaction of the unit you were assigned to?

I was assigned to Daegu, 50th division. On the trial, I was re-assigned to my original division and rushed joining the reconnaissance squad.

I think it would be harder if you were to change unit.

Back then I was a Private, but the ranking in the army is really complicated. I missed my promotion, my given break, my visit, those who came latter than me already promoted to Corporal, with this and that happening it seems there were only unpleasant memories.

But after discharged from the army there are only pleasant news for you.

My niece was born 5 days before I was discharged from the army. Last year another nephew was born (note: this interview was conducted in 2013). Along with my discharge, Yoojin (his niece) was born along with my sister’s marriage announcement. It was also the time when Big Bang did very well. When I think about it now, there were lots of ups and downs and I got a lot of experiences. After that, the only things that keep happening are good things.

Your younger sister was in a secret relationship with Yang Hyun-suk for 9 years, did you know about it?

I knew about it. I think it was around a week after they met? Then she told me.

How did you feel about that?

The first time I heard from her, I thought it might be uncomfortable when they wanted to meet, so I told her to be careful. In the future, I met them in a more serious occasion, and Yang Hyun-suk gave me pocket money. I was like, “Huh? Why is this person giving me pocket money? What did I do?” It feels somewhat nice to receive pocket money without any particular reason *laugh* It’s good that my sister is meeting a good person.

To you, recently only good things happen one after another, and not long ago you established School Food restaurant in Hongdae. Please do a brief introduction.

Hongdae School Food opened on December 17. The landlord was very helpful because of my brother-in-law’s support. My brother-in-law was also the one who suggested School Food at first. It’s a place where we sell snack after school time, and I prepared a lot for the interior to live up to that concept. Most of all, the ingredients we use are different from the usual snack restaurant, so our food is really delicious.

Is there any unique characteristic of Hongdae School Food?

The restaurant is open until 2AM in the weekend. Because we have good ambience in our store’s terrace, I plan to sell coffee too in the near future. And more than everything else, I put importance in staff’s training. When going to a family restaurant, customers expect best service from the moment they enter the shop until they get seated comfortably. I also pay a lot of attention to payment methods, ambience, and cleanliness. As some fans suggested recently, I also plan to show the clips of old SECHKSIES days using projector or hang some framed pictures. I have plenty ideas up my sleeve.

Are you on good terms with your staffs?

I am in good terms with the chefs. People who makes food usually have this nice “I’ll give you more, so go ahead and eat up more” attitude. It’s perfect for me.

Do you enjoy the foods served in School Food too?

When I check the store I always spare time to eat. Until last month I liked shrimp kimbap, but these days I’m more into egg kimbap. Store manager and staffs saw me eating egg kimbap, and they said, “Boss, now you really got the taste”. Eating egg kimbap with pickles is really delicious. Not to mention the price is also cheap.

As the owner of Hongdae School Food, please promote the store.

For a restaurant, taste is the most important thing. Our taste is just like the original School Food. Different franchise has slightly different taste. Those who is familiar with School Food must be familiar with the taste of Garosugil branch, and you can remember it as it is in our branch. I really can guarantee you about the taste. Come over and try. It’s really delicious!

A person full of learning passion, His various interests

What’s your daily schedule look like?

I wake up at 7AM, clean up, go to my nephew and niece’s house and have a meal. I come to the restaurant at around 2PM, checking this and that, also monitoring the business. Today I watched ‘Monster’ 3D movie with my niece, went to cat café, and took her back home.

Do your nephew and niece call you “samchun”?

Yoojin calls me “samchun”, but my nephew is still a baby so he can’t talk yet.

It seems you have a lot of affection towards your nephew and niece.

Sometimes I think my nephew and niece give me a healing effect. Looking from the perspective of these kids, they should have had uncle, grandmother, and grandfather from their mother’s side, but they don’t. Because I am the only one they have from their mother’s side, every morning I visit them and take the role as their maternal grandparents. As someone who works in music industry, their father leaves for work early in the morning, so they are somewhat grateful for me. When I see them, I feel it’s good for them to be taken care by both their father’s and their mother’s side.

In the past, what happened to your overseas study?

After I finished my military service on August 2010, starting on December I studied animation in Japan and at the same time I picked up Japanese. But in the middle of the term, Japan nuclear accident happened and I went back. Now I am still consistently learning Japanese.

Then I guess you’re pretty good at Japanese.

My Japanese is still lacking. These days I don’t really have enough time to learn. I only have up to 3 hours a week. I can’t learn frequently, but I travel to Japan a lot, and I can maintain basic conversation.

You also have interest in drawing.

Last year, around mid-year, I got in touch with the head of manhwa association, and he helped me to make a manhwa.

I am curious of what kind of drawing you are interested in.

I like well-drawn style like ‘Homunculus’.

Have you worked on a piece personally?

I was involved in Big Bang’s album last year. I saw their photos, and I drew them referring to the photos.

So, how would you spend your free time, drawing or learning Japanese?

When I work out, I do it while watching Japanese series ‘Bonobono’ (lol) and fortunately the Japanese is easy to pick up. I am also learning gymnastics. Things like handstand is the basic movement. My dream was to be like gymnast Yang Hak-seon.

As a sunbae idol, among the currently active idol groups, do you have any group piqued your interest?

I like Infinite. I like their pop songs such as ‘Be Mine’ and ‘The Chaser’. I also like Boyfriend’s ‘I’ll Be There’. There might be prejudices, but these are good songs to listen to.

What do you think about currently active idol groups?

Their fashion.. When I was active as SECHSKIES, their fashion was something unimaginable. It’d be hard to dance in those skinny pants, and I am always curious about the materials of these outfits. If SECHSKIES wore these kinds of outfits, I’m pretty sure our outfits would have ripped here and there. I think current idol groups are way more fashionable than us.

Nowadays there are a lot of people aspiring to be a singer. Would you give an advice as a sunbae?

Whether you pass or not, I think the most important is to go on audition. There are a lot of auditions in our country. You need to be familiar with your own ability. If your ability is still lacking, keep on trying. That’s the only way to obtain lots of experiences.

You have lots of things you’re interested in, I think you still have passion to learn.

I guess it’s because back then I couldn’t do it even if I wanted to. Now that I start to do whatever I want to do, I really have fun. So I am learning things slowly.

To Lee Jaejin, Lee Eunjoo is?

The meaning might change as time goes by, but she’s my remaining, my last family. When I ask my niece, “Who do you like most after your mom?” she would answer, “Samchun!” *laugh*

We wish you will be filled with happiness only from now on. Lastly, please send a greeting to our Cuvism readers.

I really had a pleasant time today. Beware of flu as the weather is very cold lately. From now on, please visit Hongdae School Food often. Thank you!

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