[INTERVIEW] TENASIA : 'TIP-TOE BOY' PARK SUNGWOO 'AT THAT MOMENT, I CAN STILL REMEMBER' (PART 1)

If you are watching Mnet ‘Produce 101 Season 2’, there is a trainee known as “tip-toe boy”. Last March, a day was given before the first episode of the program for the 98 trainees to do a stage performing the program’s theme song ‘나야나” on M Countdown. A lot of national producers went to the broadcasting site to see the trainees, and waited in front of the broadcasting station to take photos of the trainees.

‘Tip-toe boy’ was then born. Out of 98 trainees, there was a handsome young man at the back who is standing on his toes. He saw the camera pointing towards him and the young man confidently smiled at it. The video was filled with his smile so that day too, the video spread in an instant on online communities and SNS and were lined up with questions like “Who is that tip-toe boy?”

Tip-toe boy’s main character, Park Sungwoo, vividly remember that moment. Many people are taking photos of the trainees and he thought that the camera is also taking pictures of him. He has no SNS accounts so he knew about the ‘tip-toe boy’ and how much it gathered late, and he added that he got teary-eyed of the interest and affection that was given to him.

10Asia Interview with Park Sungwoo

10. How have you been since you’ve been eliminated of ‘Produce 101 Season 2’

Park Sungwoo: After I was eliminated, I slept a lot since I was very tired. Then, I prepared myself for the things I need to do next. If I’ll keep taking a rest, I’ll be stuck. There a lot of things I need to do from now, I continued to move forward again, exercised, practiced acting, and I’m still doing it these days. I got scolded by my acting teacher a lot (laughs) and I’m trying to make efforts to reach out to everyone who’s looking forward for me.

10. On the 9^th episode of ‘Produce 101 Season 2’, “열어줘” stage was revealed. This is the song that you practiced for concept evaluation before you got eliminated.

Park Sungwoo: I watched the broadcast. It was both cool and sad. First, the kids were very cool. (laughs) I felt very sorry for myself. I worked really hard. It seems like it’s always like that. Once a performance was done, I always remember before the next stage to look at it so that I will know how I looked at the stage and which part should I enhance more so that I would look cool.

10. What did you think you should enhance more to yourself?

Park Sungwoo: First is be relaxed, just be relaxed. Be more relaxed. Because of limited time, you need to learn how to relax quickly. It’s difficult to work hard but I think I should have more time to relax.

10. I am curious about your reason on applying in ‘Produce 101 Season 2’. You weren’t originally trained as an idol, right?

Park Sungwoo: Besides acting, I want to set a large sphere of potential. So ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ is likely to be a good experience. The company also seeks talented individuals who can be all-round entertainers. (laughs) I thought that it would be better to challenge myself then get good results.

10. On the other hand, do you have worries to have the need to compete with trainees who came (to the program) to be idols?

Park Sungwoo: At first, I couldn’t help but to have worries. I wonder if I will do well. However, I tried to make up my mind but I have no more time to do so (because they are now preparing the program). (laughs) I did the best way that my heart wants to fulfill.

10. You sang Rain’s “Love Song” on the first agency evaluation. It was the stage that left a strong impact. (laughs)

Park Sungwoo: To prepare for that song, I took care of my body well and exercised more diligently. Seeing the original singer’s video of it, Rain sunbaenim’s body is better than I thought.

10. One time, rap trainer Cheetah admired your ‘handsomeness’ when you came out the show.

Park Sungwoo: At that time, I didn’t hear (what the trainer said). The situation has extreme tension. (laughs) At that time being, I really did my best. Thank you for those nice words.

10. You’re not talking about the ‘tip-toe boy’ a lot. It was a hot topic since the first episode of ‘Produce 101 Season 2’.

Park Sungwoo: At that time, I didn’t know since I don’t have SNS accounts. It was surprising (to know about it). (‘Tip-toe boy’) spread very fast in a short moment of time. Thank you so much for the interest that you’ve been giving. I want you all to know that I recognize all the love you’re giving and it even made me cry.

10. What were the charms that ‘tip-toe boy’ have that captivated the hearts of the national producers?

Park Sungwoo: Charm? Then at the time is… smile? (laughs) I got a really good video. At first, I thought they were just taking photos. I still remember that time (when the video was taken). (laughs)

10. Are you aware that you’re handsome?

Park Sungwoo: But really, I want to be handsome. (The reporter and the person who was with him sighed at the same time) I have friends who are more handsome than me, uh… I think I was just lucky, at the time (laughs)

10. What was your reaction after the first episode of ‘Produce 101 Season 2’?

Park Sungwoo: Oh, it’s no joke. My friends who were usually difficult to keep in touch with contacted me to cheer me up and gave encouraging words, thank you. 

10. You are the eldest in ‘Produce 101 Season 2’

Park Sungwoo: At first, I wasn’t worried at all. Because of my age-old friends who were also usually difficult to encounter with. I wonder if I can adapt well to it… As a matter of fact, I can’t even afford to worry about it. (laughs) Really in a day, you’ll sleep then straight to a mission, also all of the trainees need to work on a mission together. Although I lived more lives than my friends, there were still a lot of things I need to learn. I think my dongsaengs liked me because I thought to work harder to be an actor.

10. The youngest participant, Lee Woojin (Media Line), is 15 years apart from you. (laughs)

Park Sungwoo: Woojin-ie, uh, is cute. He looks younger than 15 years old. I felt something odd (when I saw Woojin). (laughs)

10. Do you have a trainee who’s particularly close with?

Park Sungwoo: Everyone was friendly and followed me well. ‘Sungwoo hyung-nim’, ‘Chibal hyung’ they called me like this and (laughs) I’m also friends with the members of the team I had been with…So it’s very difficult to tell a one particular person.

10. When watching episodes of ‘Produce 101 Season 2’, do you have moments like ‘I didn’t realize that Park Sungwoo is working very hard’?

Park Sungwoo: That time, it was a bit difficult. (Being an idol) is a new area for me so it was a challenge because I’m slow in learning choreography but I thought I need to (find a way) on how to follow it. Now, you may think that hard moments can just pass by, however, a one-time good stage won’t be happening again. Thus, I try to practice more while reducing my sleep. I am always asleep but when I was in the camp, I slept for 1-2 hours and when I was outside the camp, I had individual lessons. After the individual lessons, I have 30 minutes left before going to work so I wash up and go to work again. (laughs)

10. If you will turn back time, will you appear again in ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ if asked to?

Park Sungwoo: I will work harder! Always. After doing something, I want to do better. Even though it is painful and difficult to do, there will be a worthwhile reward and greater sense of fulfillment at the end. It makes it more rewarding especially because nation producers gave a lot of interests and encouragements (on ‘Produce 101 Season 2’).

10. Are there any memorable moments in ‘Produce 101 Season 2’?

Park Sungwoo: Of course, one is the moment you prepared for the stage, the moment we practiced together, and every single step is memorable and valuable.

10. Particularly what songs that you practiced did remain in your memory?

Park Sungwoo: ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Shape of You’. I also practiced ‘열어줘’ (laughs) but I remember practicing ‘Shape of You’ the most. Of course, ‘Be Mine’ too because I did well due to good team members that I met, and I practiced blindly on ‘Be Mine’ than in ‘Shape of You’ and looking at the results of ‘Be Mine’ stage, my heart just said ‘Oh, I shouldn’t do this’, ‘I need to do more’.

10. By any chance, do you know what your part in ‘Shape of You’ is called?

Park Sungwoo: Song part? When I recorded (the song), I am with many people so I don’t know my exact parts on the song. I just tried to infer (laughs).

10. You were behind the line of the choreography, and you were dancing really hard.

Park Sungwoo: Many considered me as a ‘traffic’. I can’t help but to be sorry about it. I would like to dance more in a place where I can be seen a lot and will be able to see but, overall, I saw the picture (of Park Sungwoo standing behind) and it was good. I think the whole was in harmony and me being inside was right because I think I stood out. I think regardless of where I am, I’d do my best no matter what.

10. What do you want to say to your fellow ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ trainees as the oldest hyung?

Park Sungwoo: Everyone, you must work hard. Of course, the final choice will be upon the decision of the national producers. That’s what I think. There were moments in the program that are extremely enjoyable and thankful to however, there were strenuous and tough moments too. I’ve seen a lot of my friends who had been sick and had physical and mental difficulties. It seems like it is a program where a lot of people are interested in. Nonetheless, I still want to get along with you all until the end. I hope I won’t be frustrated much with the results. I am a participant (in the program), but every time I see my younger brothers struggling, my hearts hurts. 

10. What is ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ to Park Sungwoo? If you could sum it up in one word.

Park Sungwoo: How can we sum up this huge mess in one word? (laughs) ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ for me is… it seems like it can’t be implied. I’m very thankful to this program. I am able to communicate more to people and even though there a lot of tough experiences, it was still rewarding in the end. In limited situations, in some degree, I also got the need to challenge myself more than the ‘suitable level’. ‘Produce 101 Season 2’ doesn’t give equal time and room for everyone. Moreover, if you were inside this competition, you tend to be dreary and hard-hearted but in the meantime (I was there), I was able to observe around and take care of the trainees. I liked this process because I received help from them, and in return, I gave help to them.

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