Eight years into his career as a K-Pop idol, ASTRO's leader JinJin is not resting on his laurels. Fueled by wanting to do more, he's actively taking on challenges, broadening his horizons beyond music with the goal of making a name for himself as he breaks into the world of musical theater.

For the past years, JinJin debuted in a sub-unit along with Rocky with the mini-album ‘Restore,’ released his first solo music project “Wave in my heart” with KozyPop featuring YUNHWAY, made his first appearance in a musical project titled ‘Dream High,’ with ‘Winter Wanderer’ as his latest second project, and has been selected as the new radio DJ of EBS FM's 'Idol Korean.'

Aside from all these endeavors, JinJin notably penned, composed, and produced “Wave in my heart,” proving his commitment to living his words. “I've realized that whether something truly becomes mine or not depends on the determination to learn,” he said.

allkpop had the opportunity to speak with JinJin about his singing and acting journey, exploring a new career which is musical acting, project preparations, and more. Read on below to get to know the multifaceted artist more!

Shout-out video from JinJin to allkpop readers:

allkpop: First of all, tell us how you plan to spend your 2024. Could you share with us your New Year's Resolutions? What are some new things that you want to try and achieve in 2024?

JinJin: My personal goal is to challenge myself with new things. Just like how I took on the challenge of a musical in 2023, I want to continue accumulating many experiences in the future.

allkpop: For you, and of course aside from acting, what's the biggest difference between being a K-pop idol vs. being a musical actor on stage? They both involve music but what was one thing that surprised or shocked you when you first tried musical acting?

JinJin: There are a lot of things to care about musical acting overall. There are many aspects, such as lines and moving lines, where you need to synchronize and memorize with fellow actors. However, I also felt that if I work hard, nothing is impossible.

allkpop: What was special about musical acting, for you personally, that you decided to pursue this career? Does trying acting in movies or dramas pop up in your mind sometimes?

JinJin: Acting has been a field I wanted to challenge myself in for a while. While pursuing my singing career, I had the opportunity to venture into acting through the musical ‘Dream High,’ a production that combines more familiar dance and song elements. Intrigued by the charm of the musical genre, I also took part in ‘Winter Wanderer.’ I may not be well-versed in acting, but what I find is that it is interesting to express inner thoughts through acting during practice. If given the chance, I would like to try my hand at movies and dramas in the future.

allkpop: Your second musical project 'Winter Wanderer' is an adaptation of a 1983 novel. How does it feel to take part in the musical based on this renowned film? I heard that it has returned after 18 years which is another thing that makes it even more special.

JinJin: I haven't had much experience in emotional acting, so the first thought that crossed my mind after reading the script was, “I think I can cry on stage.” I wanted to fill the stage with acting rather than the dance I usually showcase. Particularly, the allure of being able to fully convey emotions to the audience on stage attracted me, and that's why I decided to take on the challenge.

allkpop: You participated in two projects in 2023, with the first one being 'Dream High.' What kind of learnings were you able to apply to your second musical project? The performance combines dancing, singing, acting, and such — what do you believe is the most difficult as well as the most fun part of being a musical actor?

JinJin: I was able to learn a lot through these two productions. In fact, I feel like I learned everything from start to finish. I made an effort to apply what I learned through practice and performances. The most enjoyable aspect of doing musicals, for me, is experiencing happiness. Acting with fellow senior and junior actors and syncing our performances feels great. The challenging part was achieving clean movements when using my body, which didn't come as easily as I thought.

allkpop: How do you usually prepare when you have an upcoming or ongoing musical project? Musicals run for a few weeks/months. What do you do to ensure that you will be able to perform equally well at all shows?

JinJin: I try to memorize the lines as quickly as possible and dedicate a lot of time to singing practice first. Being a rapper in the group, I may not excel at static movements, but I understand that mastering those basics is crucial. So, I'm putting in a lot of effort in that aspect.

allkpop: How do you immerse yourself into the storyline? Do you have your own way of analyzing the script?

JinJin: I put a lot of effort into embodying the character itself. For example, when portraying Hyun Tae in 'Winter Wanderer,' I try to understand the script by thinking, “How would Hyun Tae behave in this situation?”

allkpop: You said in an interview that there were a lot of scenes where you had to dance and sing in these musical projects you were a part of. How were you able to overcome these kinds of challenges? How has your journey of learning from the other professional actors been so far?

JinJin: Currently, I am a rookie musical actor, so I often ask the director and many senior actors, “Is it right to do it this way?” or “I'm thinking of trying it like this, what do you think?” I feel like I learned a lot through these questions and discussions.

allkpop: Your fellow ASTRO member MJ made his musical debut in 2020 while you made your debut in 2023. What are some of the things that you've heard or learned from him?

JinJin: I ask MJ about various aspects, especially the musical aspects, and seek confirmation. Each time, he gives advice and praises me, which boosts my confidence.

allkpop: Lastly, please recommend at least one song that you've been playing on repeat these days. You can also leave a message to allkpop readers and your fans!

JinJin: Lany's “Malibu Nights” is one of the songs I've been listening to lately. It's a favorite of mine, and it's soothing and enjoyable to listen to. Hello, to allkpop readers and Aroha, it's JinJin~ I'm so happy to greet you like this. Recently, I've been going through the busiest period in my life, being a radio DJ, musical performances, and preparing for something else. Despite the hectic schedule, I feel like I'm experiencing a lot. Lately, as I take on various challenges, I've realized that whether something truly becomes mine or not depends on the determination to learn. So, I hope all of you, no matter what you do, work hard enough to have no regrets. This way, you won't doubt your own abilities. Well then, have a prosperous New Year, and be happy!

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