THE VARIETY SHOW GENIUS

Variety Shows are one of the best avenues to get noticed in the almost-saturated Korean entertainment industry. Even top actors like Lee Byung Hun have recently opened up to the idea of appearing on such programmes. Keun Suk is no exception. Although he keeps his appearances few and far between, when he does go on a show, you can expect nothing short of entertainment gold from the unpredictable star.

From the Crazy Mission Diary! that he filmed for an online portal – which saw him taking photos with random Japanese schoolgirls, giving out his autographed albums to strangers in the middle of Shibuya, and doing the moonwalk in Gimpo Airport – to his sudden outbursts on Knee-Drop Guru (he even took the host, Kang Hodong, by surprise!), it seems there’s no stopping his antics! Unlike other Hallyu stars who go to great lengths to keep their romance under wraps, the eccentric star even openly admitted that he was in a relationship at the time he was rumored to be dating ice-skater Kim Yuna – even without being asked!

The Real JANG KEUN SUK
Fans are a complex bunch. While they wish for their idols to be upfront and reveal their deepest feelings, they balk at comments that are not pleasing to their ears. However, Keun Suk’s fans have learnt to love him just the way he is – brutally honest and all.

Known for his frankness and offbeat sense of humor, Keun Suk may not be the typical idol who dishes out record label-approved answers or avoid eye-contact with fans when walking past them. Instead, he openly aired his grouses on national television about his abhorrence for company executives who deliberately schedule his promotions on his school days.; he also performed his shuffle dance at Rain’s concert, bravely screaming “I’m the Shuffle King!” in front of the Dancing King himself. The star is also not afraid t get close to his fans. In The Centre of the New Hallyu, I am Jang Keun Suk, after learning that two Japanese fans were waiting for him at the hotel lobby at 2am, he ran and enveloped them in a bear hug, despite being worn out from rehearsals.

Unlike some celebrities who view acting or singing as a job, to Keun Suk, being an entertainer is his calling. He said on an episode of Knee-Drop Guru, “The occupation of an artiste is my life. At that instant [when I went up the stage to dance at Rain’s concert], I was very happy.”

Even after 20 years in the industry, Keun Suk is showing no signs of slowing down. He once said on a television show, “I think that time is precious. If I walk quickly, it feels like time is chasing me.” But that doesn’t mean he tolls through his life for the sake of doing something. To him, pursing his passion at his own pace is more important than blindly following what he is told to do. He said on the same show, “What’s important is that I don’t live too hastily and tiredly. Regardless of the results, I do what I want to do every day.”

TEAM H
Members : Jang Keun Suk, DJ Big Brother

Officially formed in : 2011

Accolades :
Best Selling Album and the Best Korean Album in 2012 IFPI Hong Kong Record Sales Awards

First Tour :
February 23, 24 in Hiroshima, the 2013 Team H Party – I Just Wanna Have Fun

Records :
- The Lounge H Vol. 1 (Regular Edition), released in China in 2011
- Lounge H (The First Impression), released in Japan in 2012
- I Just Wanna Have Fun, released in Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines in 2013