EDIT: I forgot to check for the earlier years. So I decided to combine them together in one longg post. Isn't it such a good read? haha.
Year 1 (1998) – The birth of a New Legend
Hyesung: "The first album title song "Hye Gyul Sa" didn’t receive any reception due to the IMF in the Korean economy.
Hyesung: So we changed the song to "Eusha Eusha". It was a song about having fun at the beach and playing with water. But right at the time there was flooding and disasters with water problems... in that situation would a song about having fun with water do?
Hyesung: 1998 was the most difficult time in which Shinhwa struggled in. Everyday, we were busily taking part in all sorts of programs and almost didn’t have time to eat or sleep.
This type of intensity was difficult to even a superior singer, let alone the fact that we were just beginners. There were programs everyday. While we were busy promoting our first album, we were awaiting for a breakthrough in our responses.
However, there was none, so we suffered a huge setback.
SM entertainment : Shinhwa was a late developer, so there wasn’t any special attention paid to them as we were focusing on H.O.T. They suffered a lot during the first album.
Minwoo: We each did a great job on the first album but the result really shocked us. I thought our luck would always stay with us but the albums didn’t sell well.
Hyesung: The company decided to split the group up if the second album couldn’t get the results that they wanted. The Shinhwa members made an agreement, "If the 2nd album doesn't work too, lets cleanly finish it there and study hard at school and be successful through that."
Year 2 (1999) – LEGEND in the Making
Hyesung: The lucky thing was that the second album was a big success and T.O.P managed to fight it’s way to the top on music shows.
Eric: Usually singers will cry when they get no. 1 spot for the first time.. but in our case, we were really calm when we won.. our friends, seniors, families who watched the show asked us ‘you just got the first spot, why are you not happy?’ but at that time, we were too happy that we just stood still.. after the show ended, after we got into the car and left, one by one, our members started to cry in the car.. we took out our cell phones and called our trainers and teachers said ‘we finally got the first spot, thank you for your training.’
One person, 2 persons, 3 persons cried.. Hyesung, Minwoo, and I..
At the end, everyone cried together.. we cried for the difficult times that we had to go through..
Year 3 (2000) – The LEGEND is begun
Eric: I, Eric, promise to love each and every one in Shinhwa Changjo forever. My heart is always with you.
Hyesung: I, Shin Hyesung, promise to sing for each and every one in Shinhwa Changjo. Every song that I sing, I’ll only sing for you.
Dongwan: I, Kim Dongwan, promise to only see Shinhwa members and Shinhwa Changjo. I will only walk on this road forever.
Junjin: I, Junjin, promise to love Shinhwa Changjo forever. In the future, I will only see Shinhwa Changjo.
Minwoo: I, Lee Minwoo, promise to forever love Shinhwa Changjo. Every time I dance, I’ll only dance for you.
Andy: I, Andy, promise to always be the same to Shinhwa Changjo’s heart. I’ll keep this promise until I’m old.
Hyesung: We just said our promise, the engagement ceremony with Shinhwa Changjo.
So in the next concert, we’ll do our marriage ceremony.
Minwoo: Without Shinhwa Changjo, we are nothing.
Shinhwa: 6 is just a number without any special meaning..
but to us, 6 represents SHINHWA.. all the waiting.. all the hardship..
it wasn’t a waste.. we’ve made it..
Year 4 (2001) – 1st Quest for the LEGEND
Eric: During Shinhwa’s 4th album activities, andy left the group because of school problems and his personal situation. That was the worst crisis of shinhwa ever faced.
Minwoo: The guerilla concert was the most cool.
[during the guerilla concert]
Minwoo: Jinnie, Dongwanie, Hyesungie, Eric who are here, and a close friend whom we wish is here with us – our Andy.. really.. I want to spend the rest of my life with you..
I love you, guys..
Junjin: because of hyungs.. Andy and I.. always.. can bear up for 4 years..
but I haven’t said ‘I love you’ to hyungs.. not even once.. to Andy too..
Hyungs.. I sincerely love you..
Dongwan: Although we are not related by blood, we thank God for letting us meet.
This is the greatest fortune of my life. No matter what happens to our lives in the future.. I wish that we will keep this memory of us forever.
Until we die, let’s never forget this friendship of ours.
Minwoo: I honestly couldn't say anything at that time, but we just wanted to hug all our fans as we were hugging each other and crying together.
Jin cried so much then, didn't he? We all cried. You and us...
Andy: As the members were very busy at that time, contacting them was not easy. As time went by.. I thought.. that even without me, Shinhwa with 5 people will do well.. thinking about it brought tears to my eyes.. but even while I was crying.. I didn’t dare to say a word.. I didn’t want to hurt our fans..
Eric: At first I didn't know how to help Andy during that year. But I think it helped when he watched us perform on stage. Why is Andy such an important part of me? Because I love him. He seems to be so cute that way.
When he's singing, he's like a little girl who you just want to kiss. He seems to be working so hard....
Andy: when I became extremely depressed, I was determined to leave the group. However, in the end, standing on the stage of Shinhwa’s fan meeting, the members cried while trying to stop me from leaving.
Eric: If Andy hadn’t come back for our fifth album, there wouldn’t be Shinhwa now.
Year 5 (2002) – 2ND Quest for the LEGEND
Junjin: There was a time when I was really badly injured... I was rushed to the emergency department at the hospital.
Junjin: The doctors managed to stop the blood which was flowing from my head injury.. but it was a very critical situation!
Junjin: All members were really worried.. Dongwan hyung was hysterically shouting "119!!! 119!!!" (emergency contact number in korea)
When I woke up I was already in the hospital.. Eric hyung had already been waiting there for a few hours.. He was sitting in a pose that you do when you do yoga.. Minwoo hyung was walking back and forth.. and Hyesung hyung was over there crying "this is the first time I’ve ever seen Jinnie this hurt.."
Hyesung: I really thought he was not going to make it..
Hyesung: At that time when Junjin was injured, when I went to the emergency room.. the doctor said, "The situation is really dangerous since a lot of blood seems to be flowing from the head." He said "surviving through tonight would be really difficult".. as soon as I heard that, really.. I was so.. I was so shocked..
I went to outside.. the rain was falling down.. I was crying so much.. I felt like a close brother was going to leave me.. really.. I couldn’t express it through words.. Jinnie, you have to be careful.. don’t make me cry again..
Eric: That’s right.. you better be really careful.. every time you’re always like that..
each time.. every time we do a performance.. you always get hurt..
Year 6 (2003) – the Revival of the LEGEND
Dongwan: We’ve moved to a new place.. we’ve been under a different music label and company..
Dongwan: We're united in our loyalty.. until the end we'll be loyal.. And we'll give back as good as what we got.. we've always done that..
With a new album, with new music, with a new style. We'll pay you all back with that..
Hyesung: It was such a hard and important decision that we had to make.
Fortunately we made the right choice and we hit it off. It looks like we’ll get a new start again as Shinhwa.
Year 7 (2004) – We are the 'LEGEND'
Junjin: I didn’t believe it although they called our names two or three times.
Eric: I was really surprised. The group can tell you all about it.
Junjin: The last few years were so hard..
Eric: Just like a movie, those hard times came back to us so suddenly
Hyesung: Our fans’ tears turned into tears of joy today.. that makes us very happy..
Eric: To be honest, every year each of us had been hopeful.. that’s why I thought we would feel indifferent this year.. but after the award, it’s a totally different feeling..
Shinhwa Changjo: Outside, in the dark, without any lights, and with a microphone system that wasn’t meant to be used for these purposes, Shinhwa came out to see us all. With only one bodyguard, Shinhwa left over 20 reporters waiting for interviews to come out and have a moment with us.
Hyesung: Thank you.. as all of you and we had hoped and hoped for 7 years, we finally did it today.. we didn't have this fan meeting planned but we know we got this all because of you,
so we came out just to say how much we thank you..
Jun Jin: Seriously... I don't want to show you any tears... but inside I'm crying my heart out..
we never expected this.. this is all because of you.. after debuting in 1998... it's been seven years.. we've been through a lot but we've made it this far because of you.. thank you..
Minwoo: I love you Shinhwachangjo!!!!!.. Thank you so much... this is all because of you..... WE WON THE AWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[as he screamed this he flung up the daesang in the air and screamed like the happiest child in the world]
Eric: Ah.... truthfully we all didn't have any greed for getting a Daesang.. really.. when others got it, we were seriously so happy for them and their happiness seemed like ours.. but every year when we didnt get the daesang.... and we saw how much you had looked forward to it and then got sad and disappointed... and after seeing it so many times.. it made us want to get the daesang... at least for you... to make you happy... So we are so happy now... to have finally made you not cry...
Dongwan: Ah.... all of the members have said everything there is to say... so.. we're having a concert on the 19th~~ so we hope to see all of you there~~ *^^* Sarang hae~~ Thank you..
Andy: Ahh really.. thank you... we will work really hard in the future..
Shinhwa: URINEUN!!!!???? (We are......!!????)
Shinhwa Changjo: SHINHWA IMNIDA!!!!!!!!
Year 8 (2005) – SHINHWA: Separated yet Together
Hyesung: The first solo activity of all the members of Shinhwa was Junjin. He did a CF and all the members of Shinhwa split the income that Junjin earned on his own, six even ways.
Now we keep all the income to ourselves, but Junjin was too sweet.
He said, 'Even though I shot the CF alone, we're Shinhwa, so let's split it.'
Eric: It gets lonely when there is no one to play and make trouble with. When busying with Shinhwa activities, no matter how busy the schedules are, members will still play around with each other, however during solo activities, you will have to tolerate alone and solve your own problem.
It’s really lonely.
Minwoo: While I was active as a solo singer M, there were so many moments when I was lonely. In particular when I was preparing for the solo concert and my health was at its worst, I missed the members a lot. Although I received many help from the members when doing M activities but when I am on stage, I will be alone. I will then feel pressurized during that time and then hope to have activities with the members.
Dongwan: I will feel really lonely when doing solo activities and I will start to think of the past when we are staying together in the hostel. Although it’s tiring, but there are many interesting memories with the members.
Hyesung: I felt the burden during solo because a stage which is meant for the six is now left only for me. During solo activities, I spend a lot of time alone, so it gets boring. When having activities with the members, we often joke and play when resting. So I often miss those times.. I really appreciate my members’ presences.
Junjin: I will think of the members when I fell sick. It is most tiring to grasp the whole stage, it is also sad when the members aren't around to carry off my part when I am sick. If I am not feeling well when doing activities with the members, members will help to share out my parts, however, when doing solo activities, no one can help you and I felt really lonely.
Andy: When being the MC for SBS Inkigayo, seeing all the hoobaes like BATTLE, SS501, DBSK, Super Junior playing together makes me miss Hyungs a lot.
Minwoo: As soon as I said my thank you speech.. I suddenly remembered the Shinhwa members. 'Sob!' Actually as soon as I arrived at the airport I felt empty but once I got on stage, I missed them even more.
Dongwan: Whenever we have shoots together with the members, if there are awkward moments or whatnot, we all make jokes and help raise the mood. [his facial expression shows his loneliness from realizing that he was lonely for not being with the Shinhwa members]
Besides getting all the money from it, I don't think there's anything else that's good about doing CFs alone. Hey, you members, we agreed to meet tonight, right? If I told you ahead of time about this CF job, then I figured you would have made me pay for tonight. So I didn't tell you on purpose. Today... I hope Eric pays for it!
Hyesung: I felt colorless when I was doing my solo activities without other members around.
Eric: For me, who had always worked together with the Shinhwa members, the emptiness I felt on the days of filming was inexpressible...
Dongwan: When I lived with the members, I never had insomnia. But these days, living by myself, there are days when I cannot sleep. When I cant sleep at night, I miss the days when we lived together and how when we couldn't sleep we'd talk together throughout the night.
Then I just miss the members so much.
Hyesung: These days Dongwan must not be able to sleep every night. Every day he calls me late at night and asks 'Can't you sleep over at my place tonight?'
Junjin: I was very thankful and happy they came, I had a hard time that day and when I saw Hyesung I forgot all my worries and had a good time.
Eric: I rushed over from the "June's Diary" shooting set. I came here (minwoo’s 2nd album showcase) in a rush so I wore slippers and because of this, Minwoo gave me a hard time.
Junjin: Hyesung always comes to the recording room, and when I have faults, he criticizes me and gives me very valuable advice.
Minwoo: Eric gave me the biggest support by sending me the message
'Are you tired?
Minbong Fighting.
I love you.'
Members feel that such messages are very mushy and we do not send it often.
[After saying all these, Minwoo smiled happily]
Eric: I was so thankful that my members came to the premiere to support me. Really, there is no one that can compare to my members. We really don’t compliment each other, but after the VIP premiere, amazingly all members sent me the same text message saying, ‘F***, buy drinks!' and I knew that in that statement they were proud of me.
Minwoo: When I was doing the recording, I received written encouragement from the members but there was this one evil person who sent a really weird message. Very soon, I found out it was Eric who sent me the surprising message 'Go die' (죽어)" so I sent him a reply and wrote, 'Get lost' (꺼져).
Junjin: The band member who were most unhelpful is Eric. Eric had, many times, sent me messages like ‘샤릉훼’ (syareunghwe) this kind of alien language had often disturbed me during practice.
Junjin: I'd rather have one joking message from one of the members than ten other people giving me praises when I am down and need my spirits lifted.
Shinhwa: Although we are a group, we are also each active personally.. doing the work we want to do each day... However when we are united together we are the strongest force there is!
Year 9 (2006) – The LEGEND is Back...
Shinhwa: There were hardly any times when all six of us could record at the same time. But we were able to take a lot of strength from the notes filled with what we wanted to say left for each other.
Hyesung: The notes were full of attacking comments towards me. I don't know if the other members took strength from that but they all attacked me too much.
Dongwan: All the members just love Hyesung too much.
Junjin: I was able to take a lot of strength from making attacking comments.
Minwoo: There was a time while recording one of the albums tracks 'Weak Man' (약한 남자) was recorded wrong so I had to record again but then Hyesung who was with me, looked at me with a satisfied look in his eyes and laughed.
Eric: I really want to meet the members and go on stage together quickly.
Our members who know what to do just by looking at each others eyes.
Hyesung: We only slept for 2 hours that day, and we had been very busy since the morning, thus we were very tired. We can overcome the tiredness though, because it has been a long time since we were gathered together, and we are really happy to see each other again.
Junjin: To be able to work together with the members, this is the best way to de-stress.
Junjin: We are all busy seperately but once we get together its enough to bring a tear to the eye, its heart-rending and great.
Dongwan: Our Shinhwa members all do not want to remove the title of 'Shinhwa'. After busily working separately and then getting all together again and singing is something we love so much. The ecstasy like taste that is given from the stage, it’s so amazing and exhilarating. Not only does it give the synergy effect, it brings you income too. That’s a joke. [laughs]
Year 10 (2007) – the LEGEND lives on…
Andy: what I wish for is that shinhwa goes on healthy and release the 100th album.
Dongwan: I want to have concerts like this for 20 years more.
Hyesung: I want to leave our name in the Korean pop history. What I mean is not that we should be in the first place whenever we release an album, but that we stay together till the end.
Minwoo: I want to stay with our members till we get older and die.
Junjin: we’ll stick together till the end. Every year, our members always get hurt. So I wish in the future no one gets hurt and shinhwa changjo stays healthy.
Dongwan: The thought of going on stage with the Shinhwa members together even past the age of 40 and 50 fills me with excitement. After all the members go to the army, I’m sure everyone will have things to do, but we’ll always do everything together
Junjin: Shinhwa breaking up? I think you should worry about things that really need worrying about. The members have all promised each other to keep going until in the very distant future when we get married and have children so you cannot possibly say the words of 'breaking up' to us. And we also promised each other that with our children we will make another group entitled 'Shinhwa Junior'.
Hyesung: Just because we're busy doing our own things, doesn't mean that we're not friends.
There is still a strong relationship that continues to grow in our group everyday. We've come a long way and we're more than friends-we're mentors and brothers to each other. Don't doubt that.
Junjin: The reason for us being together for so long is trust. Although we've quarreled, fought, and bore grudges against each other, but because we trust each other so much, Shinhwa was able to continue for so long.
Eric: We've overcome all sorts of trouble and made a really special friendship. At certain points we hit, beat, fought each other and even with other members helping, but the most important thing was that whatever the conflict, it would never last a day.
Dongwan: the reason that we can stay together for so long is………the contract!!! ^^
Minwoo: that was a joke. The time where we all lived together brought everyone closer. We are so happy that we have each other, to support and stay with each other all the time.
Dongwan: some people think we’re as close as brother, which is not true.. ^^
Eric: though I may not be old enough to say this, I can say I’ve experienced the best and worst times of my life as with Shinhwa members. That’s why we can keep our relationship going…
even though we have Dongwan. ^^ so even without the contract, and even with Dongwan, Shinhwa will always be together till the end.
Eric: In the future, if there comes a time where no company wants us, we might just form our own company and carry on.
Andy: When all six of us are together it is seriously noisy and chaotic.. Sort of like the feeling of meeting the family members after being apart for a long time. Jinnie hyung who had just returned from filming in the country hadn't slept yet, but being with the Shinhwa members of course~ he forgot about his tiredness and returned to his cheery self. Eric hyung kept being called 'CEO' and was affectionately teased by us, but everyone was so happy his drama is doing so well and congratulated him. And, the hyungs as usual... imitated the Nonstop lines that are so familiar to me, and still got them wrong. Although they're only one or two years older hyungs, everytime they do that, I feel as if I am they're real little brother..
Eric: I monitor the activities of the other Shinhwa members in order to catch funny phrases and actions. It's because the other group members can take one such funny phrase and make fun of me for more than a month.
Andy: The members are very playful. Aside from Dongwan hyung, the rest of the members don't seriously give advice on my acting. Instead, if they find something lacking they tease with it. Every time they see me the first thing they say is "Are you Hye Joo?" (a line from andy’s drama ‘lovers in Prague’) We met up recently in a place where there was a lot of people and they shouted loudly "Are you Hye Joo?" It was so embarassing.
Minwoo: Because we were so comfortable with each other, 2-3 of us usually took showers at a time. Once, Andy came in while I was taking a shower and sprayed ketchup over my head as a joke.
I thought my head was bleeding and was so shocked. I almost fainted!
Eric: Whether it's pushing against people in moving cars, or throwing really hot water on other member's butts when we are bathing are some of the funny things we all do to one another, not just me.
Japanese reporter: I was surprised of the Shinhwa I saw. Their relationship is extremely good,
and they are like children at heart; noisy and mischievous.
Lee Ji Hoon (singer/actor): I envy them because they're always together. They are so funny and close to each other. It seems so good.
GoodEMG: Their relationship is like friends who are so close that they are like family. Even if they had not seen each other for a long time, they can immediately start chatting just like old friends.
Dongwan: During these years, I've had some of the toughest times... And we've shared all the important times with all 6 members together... We've had fun and made each other laugh... Also when we've had serious days, we've drunk together... We've always been together like that..
Junjin: Everytime I went through hard times I would think a lot about the other members.
Hyesung: In the old days, when Jin was hurt, then I could feel it... When one of us is hurt, or something bad happens to one of us... Then we would all feel sad., We'd all be down. But we all knew that it would heal and that we'd be back to work soon..
Junjin: I truly want to say this to Hyesung hyung. We are Shinhwa till we die so I want to be there for him when he needs me and he would definitely be there for me when I need him…
Minwoo: Just staying with each other without saying a word, we could feel each other..
Junjin: I think of the other members first, and even now I still think of them when I am hurting. Or when I'm confused. Sometimes I’m really worried that I would wake up and find myself alone. That this situation was really just a lie... But our members are always there for each other.. even though you may not be able to see it, I could feel the love that all our members really have for each other..
Hyesung: when I was alone I wan't just one-sixth of a group... I wasn't just one of six, nor one of ten, nor one of 12, nor one of 20...
Dongwan: to me, Shinhwa is not a choice, but fate.
Eric: I became an entertainer at the age of 20, and all of my youth was spent with Shinhwa.
I feel so fortunate that I've found the meaning of life, and being able to live such a meaningful life with them.
Hyesung: I feel that Shinhwa exists just like parents. It brings us to meet, let us grow, nurture us into who are now. It is the group called 'Shinhwa'.
Eric: Shinhwa is everything. Without Shinhwa there won't be the present me, and I would not meet precious friends and members who love me.
Dongwan: Like what Eric said, there won't be a present me without Shinhwa.. I will never forget that I come from Shinhwa.. It is the mineral source of my life.
Junjin: to me, Shinhwa is like home. Shinhwa is like a place where I can return to anytime, a place that exists to welcome me back at any moment..
Shinhwa: To us, the number '6' is so unique and so special. It was through all six of us being together that we became the "Shinhwa" we are now, and it is our desire to continue to be together as six and as Shinhwa... That's why the number '6' is so special to us.. When we first practiced together there wasn't six of us, but the day we first went up on stage as "Shinhwa" we became six... it can be seen as destiny...
To us, to be together as "Shinhwa" is only too natural, and we hope people will just continue to accept "Shinhwa" as we all hope to become better within that name..
(If you keep calling us the longest running dance group then we feel old...^^)
And because of all this, now all our members would probably pick the number '6' as their most special number... Its because there are six of us that we become a more brighter "Shinhwa", and because its only too natural to have six of us as "Shinhwa".
PS: None of these quotes is made up. Some quotes are self-translated from either non-subbed videos or chinese-subbed videos. Some quotes are taken directly from english subbed videos. And some quotes are taken from english articles, translations, lyrics, etc.. but they were all said by SHINHWA themselves.. except some quotes which are taken from other parties such as SM entertainment, GoodEMG, reporter, etc..
In dedication to:
- SHINHWA (Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Hyesung, Junjin, Andy)
Credits:
- Translations: Arirang, mommie Alice, crystalis, other translators from shinhwachangjo.net, English subbed videos and Chinese subbed videos, Aheeyah
- Articles: shinhwachangjo.net, soompi.com
- Videos: shinhwachangjo.net, youtube, DVDs
- Pictures: yahoo.co.kr, wonderful posters @ soompi.com
- credit: kriza 09@soompi.com
Special credits:
- FLiPSiDE, labingtatlo, nutzie, shinhwa family @ soompi.com for the comments and supports
- and SHINHWA (Eric, Minwoo, Dongwan, Hyesung, Junjin, Andy) for the quotes
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Shit I almost cried. Did I say I really envy their bond? I do. A lot. A lot.
