Did you think about the influence you’ve brought as you have been active for a long time?
At first I didn’t realize about it (T/N: influence). I did not know about my influence, and I did not know that I am able to give strength to someone. I feel it gradually as I am working. I feel a sense of responsibility. Back when I was in military, my head was filled with thoughts that I wanted to deliver positive and good energy, but now I want to convey the strength to people who received my energy to gain confidence and do well in their respective fields.
Allure’s April issue is always about eco-friendly special edition. What’s your thoughts on being the April issue’s model for this campaign?
First, it is really an honor. If it’s within the range that we can do then we will do everything. (Laughs) A lot of people are raising their voice about the environment, and it is really a serious matter. My favorite actor, Leonardo DiCaprio made a documentary film about the environment and made shoes. It naturally took my interest while I was watching it. Through this opportunity, I hope the people who like SHINee can be aware of our environment.
Have you ever felt the crisis of our environment?
When I came back to my house after working out outside the inside of my nose became black. That’s when I thought that it is a serious problem. Also, when I was in the military I often did outreach programs. I went to rural areas, farms, and mountains to recover the flooding areas and put the fire out from forest fire.
Did you feel you were closer to the nature than before?
Yes, it was my first time being outside Seoul for a long time. When I was in a mountain, it was the first I saw trash that’s decades olds being buried in the ground.
Is there a habit that you maintain for the environment?
Unless it is urgent, I try not to use plastic bag. I just bring my own bag. I drink coffee a lot, but I’m trying to use a tumbler to drink it. I have a lot of schedules where I have to move around, so it is hard. But I try to think about it more seriously.
Minho always knows his own answers. Where did you get your natural self-confidence?
I am confident about myself, so I think I look confident in front of others as well. (Laughs)
I think that’s a huge asset. “I am confident about myself”. How many people would that be in the world?
I don’t know about others, but I believe myself. I am always thankful to my parents. They make me have good principle, and having good people around me is also a blessing. Even if I lose out, I think it is right to choose the right thing to do.
What’s your thoughts on finishing ‘Don’t Call Me’ promotions successfully? Since you released a regular album since a long time, you might have been nervous and worried.
Before this album came out, there were a lot of twists and turns. We prepared a lot. We went through a lot of twists and turns even from deciding the title track. There were other candidate songs but I strongly pushed for this song.
Then you must be really confident that you strongly pushed for this song? What kind of confidence?
It has been a while since we did not do a fierce concept, so I wanted to show it. I wanted a song that can be performed coolly. I thought that if it isn’t now we wouldn’t be able to do it at all. I strongly pushed for this song, but I was also worried if it didn’t do well. (Laughs) For this album, we did a lot of modifications. Mr. Lee Soo Man also took big portions with the producing until the end. Thankfully, a lot of people liked it. Not only the fans, but staffs, reviewers, directors who have worked with us for a long time said that they were passionate fans when looking at us.
That kind of reaction is a proof that “I did not do it sloppily”
That’s true. I become confident with what I have worked hard for. There are people who think that we became successful easily. But, I always put thoughts and work hard every day until there’s an output. The members and I pushed their body to dance, and sing until they lose their voice. It’s not easy to perform with good results.
It must’ve felt strange when you came back to the practice room after finishing the military.
It felt strange. The day I started to practice again was like my first day as a trainee. It’s been a really long time since I felt the practice room atmosphere. “I just realized I have missed this..” I had mixed feelings.
You tried a bold visual for this album. What was the intentions?
I think that I wouldn’t be able to show things like this when time passes, so for this time I dyed my color to colorful color and showed bold styling. I just thought that I needed to…
For this album, there were a lot of praises that the four members’ vocal harmonization was impressive.
The members have never been separated for a long time like this. As we have been active for a long time, I think we express our attachment to the team very well in this album. We put an effort to do better for all of the songs. I think the members were also like this, I couldn’t sleep on a night before the title song recording day. I tried to be in my best condition on that day, so I ate something good before recording.
So you ate something good. (Laughs) I did not know you put so much effort for recording.
Because I want to do well. (Laughs) I think we were tensed at that time. It made me feel our earnestness. We don’t need to say that, but I think we can feel it already. I have always done my best, but this time because it’s been a long time I just wanted to do a lot better. Because of the current situations, we weren’t able to be together with our fans, and I think that’s the most unfortunate thing.
SHINee has never ended nor stopped, and that’s not an easy thing. What is the driving force that make you not stop and always move forward? The thing that makes you move forward.
The moment when we think of the fans who have waited and believed us make us can’t stop. We always want to move forward and we want to repay them and give them trust. I really want to give them assurance of supporting me.
We want to ask every SHINee members who are in 14th year since debut their favorite SHINee song. What about Minho?
There are a lot that it is hard to choose. I am not going to choose. Did the other members choose? Let me guess. I think Taemin would pick ‘Sherlock’, Key ‘View, Onew-hyung ‘Replay’. Please just leave Minho’s answer blank. I can’t choose.
When we looked back, you have a lot of brilliant achievement. It’s due to your confidence, right?
I don’t think the term ‘peak’ is right for a celebrity. I think a celebrity’s peak can come again any time. I am thankful I am able to do it (T/N: be a celebrity) and to start it was a fortune. From that, having good results is as hard as winning a lottery. It’s really a fortune.
What was your biggest fortune?
My best fortune was when I got to debut. How in the world that they trusted us and chose us? (Laughs) How did they make us debut?
Isn’t it because they have foreseen it?
We were just babies, what did they see in us? At that time we were really young. After our 3-4 years into debut, that was the time when the groups in our age debuted. That’s why the debut is my biggest fortune. Another fortune is traveling around the world and meet the fans. I think that’s a really precious asset. How many people in the world who are 20 years old do that.
Between ‘general public-friendly’ and SHINee style, which one did you choose?
It was a half-half. It’s not so us, but if we do it, it becomes our style. Now that I said it, why it felt like I was bluffing? This won’t do. (Laughs). A person has to be humble. I mean, even if we try something that is ‘general public-friendly’, we are confident to make it ‘SHINee style’.
Did you have any fear of standing in front of public after a long time?
I’m the most nervous when I post something on instagram. (Laughs) I started it because the fans want it. It’s harder than I thought.
After the concert, the members will continue activities in their respective fields right? What about Minho’s plan?
My 2021 goal is to work hard, and I am really working hard now. I did a lot of TV programs, worked hard on the promotions. I think I have done a lot. I have plans in the future as well, so this year my body has to be 6~7 like Hermione to be able to do them all. The fact that I am doing it now also surprises me.
Two days ago you won a special jury award in the Golden Film Award, right?
It was really an honor. It was an award I received in 2021 for a movie that was released in 2019. It was a good movie and there were many people I am grateful with, so being able to express my gratitude through this opportunity was nice. Especially because it’s an award given by the directors, it felt special.
What is acting, movie, and drama to you?
In the past, I had ambitions to do well, but now instead of hitting box-office, I shifted to wanting to show what kind of person I am. An actor’s job is to learn new things and grasp it, so that’s why they are called an actor. (T/N: In Korean, ‘learning’ and ‘actor’ use the same word: 베우). I think that’s a suitable word. As I am trying out new character, I’ve got to learn new things, and I’ve got to develop the parts I have never thought of.
Are you done with your military humor?
I only did one in ten thousands of it… (Laughs). I am trying my best to restrain myself.
Love Should Go On 