(Following interview②) Singer and actor Choi Min-ho (SHINee Minho) expressed his deep affection for the team.

On the 25th, an interview with Choi Min-ho, who is currently acting in the play "Rendezvous," was held at the Seoul Arts Center Opera House.

"Rendezvous" (written and directed by Yossef K. Junghan) is a two-person play that captures the story of scientists, Tae-seob, who is absorbed in rocket development, and Ji-hee (played by Kim Ha-ri), who confronts their wounds and emotions through an accidental meeting while seeking freedom.

That day, when asked about the members' reactions to the play, Choi Min-ho noted, “Every year, we release albums and tracks and engage in activities, so the same pattern repeats. At first, when I had my solo activities, they would congratulate me, but it gradually turned into ‘Oh, fighting,’ ‘You released something?’ ‘Oh, another one?’ However, in the case of the play, it’s a genre that the members don’t typically pursue, so when I said I was "granted" a role, like last year, they said they wanted to come watch and supported me.”

He has always supported his members whenever they do something, and when asked, “Don’t you feel disappointed if the members don’t come?” he replied, “When I was younger, I did feel that way. I would feel disappointed. But when I expressed my disappointment, they would say, ‘Why would you feel that way?’ And I thought, ‘I guess it’s okay not to feel disappointed,’ and ‘It could just be my own thoughts,’ so now I’m okay with it. I understand if they are busy, and if they want to come watch, they will. I want to go watch, so I go. I have to understand them; otherwise, I can’t just sulk alone.”

Then, when asked what it means to him and how much of a part it takes in his life to be part of the team SHINee, he immediately replied, “It takes up a lot.” He continued, “In the past, I would think, ‘Can I do this for such a long time?’ Many people had prejudices against those who came from idol backgrounds. But as I continue my activities, I find it interesting to break those prejudices one by one. In a way, the members, who are like family to me, are my refuge. Some might envy me for balancing my idol activities and acting and wish to do the same. My wish and goal is to never let go of the two threads and keep pursuing them.”

Moreover, he said, “I didn’t know this, but just by doing what I am doing, I can be a source of strength and a refuge for my fans. When I felt that, I thought to myself as a player, that if I protect it, it will be protected, so I felt a strong desire to do it even better.”

However, when asked, “Do you share such thoughts with the members?” he said, “They don’t like it when I talk about these things. They say, ‘You’re being serious.’ But after a company dinner with drinks, they nod and their eyes may get a bit moist, but I know the members’ tendencies. They don’t want to hear my serious thoughts.”

Meanwhile, the play "Rendezvous" will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center Free Theater until May 11.

[Photo] SM Entertainment

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