This week in 'News1's ongoing interview series with various idol group leaders, NU'EST's leader JR sat down for a sincere chat about his role, his group's career so far, and himself as an individual. 

See what JR described as the strong and necessary traits of a valuable leader in an idol group. 

Q: You were charged with being the leader of a group at the age of 17. You must have undergone a lot of trial and error. 

A: "Yes, during our debut days, I made a lot of mistakes. I had the responsibility of leader, but I'm also just an ordinary person so I was often easily irritated back then. It seemed like if we kept practicing a little more, we would have better results, but it wasn't as easy as it sounded so I took my anger out on the member a lot. I tried to force everything to go my way. I wanted them to follow me, since I was leader after all. But then I realized that I was doing it wrong. Since we needed to work together for a long time, I thought that my attitude was wrong for that, and tried to change little by little. It was right after 'Hello' and just before 'Sleep Talking'. After that, I was able to change and gain better insight into leading the team." 

Q: What kind of leader do you think you?

A: "I don't really know what I'm like. The only thing I can confidently say is that I make sure to do everything that I'm capable of. I'm good at stepping up if it's for the good of the team. I confidently tell the company what we want and what we don't. I'm fine with being cursed at if it's just me, but I can't stand anyone cursing my members."

Q: Many people loved your leadership during Mnet's 'Produce 101' season 2. Was that 100% your real personality? 

A: "It was 100% the real me. We had to focus and achieve a goal in a very short amount of time, so I had no choice but to crack down. So I decided that I didn't care how they edited the progress. I decided that showing a perfect stage mattered more. I can be playful with my friends normally, but when it comes to practicing I'm strict." 

Q: What do you think is the most important factor in leading an idol group?

A: "You need to respect the members. If you don't, it might cause awkwardness and poor relationships among the members. This is an area that the members also need to cooperate in. If you respect one another, your team will be able to work together for a long time." 

Q: In what situation does a team need its leader the most?
A: "Probably when the team needs to make requests to the company? The company is good about respecting me in my position as leader, and also in listening to our team's requests."

Q: What struggles do you personally have as the leader?

A: "I don't have any struggles as the team's leader. I do have struggles as the human Kim Jong Hyun, in that I need to personally improve in the areas where I lack. So these days, I'm taken rap, vocal, and acting lessons."

Q: How do you want to be viewed as NU'EST's leader?

A: "I don't want to pay attention to others' views of me. I only want people to take away positive things like comfort and healing when viewing NU'EST."