80th floor of World Trade Hotel, loud music at the ATMOSPHERE Bar. Han Geng, who is seriously lacking in sleep, orders a bottle of beer. Begins to abandon his idol image. Just a moment ago, he was in a suite at the 64th floor for a Marie Claire photoshoot, assuming a role of a refined and narcissist lover. Now, this is the real him: mature young person, cautious yet a simple man with a strong enthusiasm.
There are a lot of entertainment companies in Korea, it is so ridiculous to the point that there is a newcomer debuting every other week. Although you are only a trainee, you would assume a very heavy pressure. (You) need to work really hard (in learning) new things such as new songs and new dance steps or else you will be eliminated!

After sitting for a while, Han Geng stood up all of a sudden and headed for the bar. In a small group of people, stood the newlyweds Wang Xiao Fei and Da S (Barbie Hsu). He joined in their conversation, seems like he is always hanging around that small group the whole night. When he sat down and continued (our) conversation, I joked “Will you consider Da S the type of girl you would like? If there was no (Wang) Xiao Fei, would you have gone out with her?” Han Geng laughed. “Da S is pretty but I don’t think there is any hurry in me being in love at this age now.” Could it be that he didn’t know that Wang Xiao Fei is also born in the 80’s? “I am not as good looking as Wang Xiao Fei!” He seems to have avoided the question naturally. If it was some other celebrities who love to be in the headlines, they will definitely seize this subject, resulting in headlines about him (Han Geng) with Wang Xiaofei and Da S the next day. (We) felt sorry for Han Geng who will miss this opportunity (to be in the headlines).However, if there is a genuine opportunity to shine, Han Geng will definitely not miss it, even if it’s an occasional dinner party. (He) had dinner with Jackie Chan once and (Han Geng) had left a good impression on the ‘big brother’ calling Han Geng ‘quite a nice young man’. This resulted in an opportunity to appear in Jackie Chan and Friends’ concert in the Bird’s Nest. Han Geng’s ‘power’ could clearly be seen here. In the dumpling shop opened by Han Geng’s mum using the money he gave her, there are group photos of him with stars from different fields for example He Jiong, Xie Na, Li Xiaolu and others, hanging on the walls. His mum uses these photos to attract the curiosity of the customers and they themselves have noticed that Han Geng understands in how to maintain people relations thus receiving the support and care of those in the same circle.
For people at Han Geng’s age, many artistes are still unsure of how to say the right things, prone to let popularity get into their heads and (they) often display an arrogant attitude which the media finds it offensive. However, he is fairly calm and cautious; even appearing as (someone who is) dull and do not take risks by uttering nonsense. There will be a tiny pause before answering his questions and will quickly decide and organize appropriate and non-jeopardizing replies.
Therefore, it is not hard to understand why, when he held his press conference with a memorized script in hand at Mutianyu section of the Great Wall last year, he had said something ‘interesting’: “The Great Wall is the one of the world’s great wonders; I would like to start all over again from here, to create wonders.” At the conference, there were the media from different fields. There were a few officials present too and moreover at that time of the conference, Han Geng was in a contract termination lawsuit with SM Entertainment. Therefore, he chose the safest statement to make and also one which has no relation (to the situation).
The habit of safeguarding himself in a secure situation turns out to have originated from the more than ten years of developing in Korea. The overbearing high pressure (he experienced) had caused him to realize the start of some kind of danger which had begun to creep in.
Before he announced his contract termination, “Every time after ending an event and before returning to Korea, I will call my good friends who are in China. My first words to them were ‘I am going back again’. (We’re) not sure of what to say next, it was just counting the seconds of silence. My friends could only console me by telling me to take care of myself and I will definitely be able to come back soon.”
Once in a while, he will read entertainment news and noticed there are stories/facts that will horrify people. There is constant news about Korean celebrities who commit suicide due to the extreme pressure, it’s like a curse. There was once, Han Geng, who was unable to hold back the depression in him, had told his close friend Sun Le (who is now his manager): “What if I was the same as the Korean celebrities, what if I had committed suicide?” Sun Le was frightened after hearing those words and understood the pressure his good friend was facing in a foreign land.
In a bar which is filled with a dynamic and happy rhythm, in line with the atmosphere of the approaching festive holidays, all these had nothing in common with the word ‘suicide’. Han Geng himself even smiled and said: “Although I said what I’ve said, how can I possibly think of committing suicide? It was merely because of the depressing mood I was in that time.” However at that time, Han Geng’s appeal for support from his friends in China and help along the way was regarded as a last hope in saving his life and terminating the contract was the necessary step to be taken.
On the day of the interview, the results of the contract termination between Han Geng and SM Entertainment were revealed. After a full year of ‘tug-of-war’, the Korean courts have decided that the exclusive contracts between Han Geng and SM Entertainment were null and void. A year ago today, turns out that Han Geng has filed for a contract termination in a situation with no warning whatsoever, leading to the company being furious and a few of the SJ-M members expressing their dissatisfaction, calling Han Geng ungrateful publicly in his blog. However, all these did not stop him.
During this one year, Han Geng has participated in many tv programs and activities, released an album, had his own concert, catching hold the media’s attention and causing round after round of support from fans. On the day of the shoot, he has just returned from the shooting location of ‘My Kingdom’ in Shanghai. ‘My Kingdom’ is Han Geng’s first genuine and significant movie. It is directed by the gifted Gao Xiaosong and at the same time, collaborating with actors Wu Chun and Da S who are equally popular, brimming with ‘competition’ off and on screen. Han Geng said he simply does not have the time to think how the lawsuit will progress to the next step and how long will it drag on, he leaves it all to his lawyers. He flew back from Shanghai and disembarked the plane, only to hear of this news from his staff member. His undisturbed and unaffected reaction (to the news) has left him surprised on how he felt. “I should have felt excited, (I) did not expect to have a result that soon. I was not ‘calm’. In my mind, all I was thinking about was what the next work is.”
This kind of mood can only be attributed to a fully packed daily schedule. At a late night which is fast becoming the next day, Han Geng, under the influence of alcohol, he begins to recollect all he has experienced in Korea, recalling the past hardships and telling of the present happiness once again. “I signed the contract with SM while having my dad accompanying me. I was only 19 years old at that time, still young. My dad went through all the clauses. After reading it cautiously, he turned around and told me that the contract is very harsh, do you still want to go over there to develop yourself?” Han Geng nodded, “My dad’s feelings at that time were equivalent to selling his own son.”
If he had showed that he was flustered and hesitated at that time, perhaps everything that have happened would have changed. “If I had not gone to Korea and remained in Beijing, I would have led a really common life and become a dance teacher teaching dance.” I asked, “Were you ever unhappy with your dad? Eventhough this was your own decision, he could have stopped you firmly from signing.” Han Geng did not hesitate, “No, even if he had objected to it, I would have signed it. I knew this was an opportunity.” He grabbed hold of it, (with) a plane ticket to Seoul, Korea.
During the time when SJ had just debuted in Korea, Han Geng was denied of having to ‘show his face’ in television programs. He could only remain at the backstage watching television broadcasts of his team members dancing and singing onstage. In the end, he thought of an idea and that was to wear a mask—– On the contrary, he did not expect (the audience) to notice this masked boy, curious if he was good looking. This is as if he had seized another opportunity, how dangerous this was.
“There are a lot of entertainment companies in Korea and there is at least one person debuting every week, it’s that ridiculous. You will need to assume huge pressure eve as a trainee. You need to work hard in all things new whether it’s a song or dance choreography, or else you will be eliminated!” In order not to be eliminated, he had to spend more than 10 hours in practicing his dancing and singing, only allowing himself to go home when he is extremely tired.
There were a lot of entertainment news that portrays Korean entertainment companies’ with harsh demands: The artistes do not only receive a hellish sort of cruel training, not allowed to be in a relationship, not allowed to have personal feelings, all has to be collective and aware of the content (T/N: I think what they are referring here is the things artistes say in the public). So much so that, some artistes are being forced by the company to do stuff outside their profession, for instance escort services and so on.
When I relayed what the content was, Han Geng explained, exaggerated a little: “SM has no such stipulations. I am not aware if other companies have such stuff/mess. Anyway, it does not exist in my company.” Isn’t this something what the company has imprinted on him? The general expression is to not speak randomly, think before you speak.
When was the time you felt you were already famous? “Should be in year 2006, when I debuted not too long. When I first performed in Mainland China as a SJ member, I disembarked the plane and discovered a few hundred fans waiting for me while calling out my name. Our work (album/songs) has not been promoted officially in Mainland China at that time but fans came to know about me by means of internet.” There is already this strong back-up in Han Geng’s confrontation with the company. Some people see his higher levels fans as his think tank who have been playing the role ever since. Due to the ‘love’ and strength given by these people, the once talked about pressure of committing suicide during the former days has faded gradually.
In China, Han Geng admits that the days (in China) are slightly better than those in Korea but he still does not have time to be in a relationship. “The things (I) have to think of includes making sure (I) sing the songs well and acts well. If there is time, will head to the gym to work out and will practice dance steps with his dance team.” However, he is still the Prince Charming in the hearts of many girls. Besides, since there are no restrictions from the Korean company, it’s possible for him now to be holding onto a mug of beer late at night while chatting easily with MC on the topic of Valentine’s Day. When speaking about whether he is concerned about a girl’s “measurements”, he unexpectedly became little embarrassed. He returned the question to me without delay, hoping to use this approach to divert his awkwardness. I became thick-skinned and replied “Of course I’m concerned about it.” He then answered in all seriousness “It’s not like (we) have to rely on it when two people are trying to live their life.”

Marie Claire Talks to Han Geng

MC: When was the time you have spent the most money on for a girl/woman?
HG: 100000. (That’s a lot!). Yeah, gave my mum the money to open a dumpling shop. (Your mum?) Yeah, she is a woman too!!
MC: What would you notice first in a woman?
HG: Her eyes. You can judge a person’s character from their eyes. Secondly, her figure.
MC: What is the most romantic thing you have ever done?
HG: I am not a person who knows how to be romantic….. I once held a girl’s hand and walked with her from one of the subway entrance to another subway station entrance. What I can think of which is very romantic is the two of us lazing on the couch, buy a DVD and watching the TV at home. (Why does it feel like what a husband and wife would do?) I like this kind of feeling, this “at-home” feel. I’m very old-fashioned and homely, never been to a nightclub or bar. I like to stay at home when I am not working. (He can be alone at home, playing games on his cell phone and winning at every level of play.)
MC: Aren’t you bored being alone at home?
HG: There’s someone accompanying me. (Who?) Don’t get excited, it’s (my) two chinchillas. I like to keep pets, I have had 6 dogs previously but I don’t keep them at my home. I gave it away, one to my mum, another to my dad and my friends lend a helping hand in keeping them.
MC: Among your fans, are they mostly girls born after the year 1985?
HG: There are male fans too, among the fans there is one group who called themselves “Knights” and they are made up of male fans. Of course, there are slightly more girls who are born in the 1980’s. (Is it because you are good looking?) Perhaps, the fans see “faith” in me. One’s dream can be achieved by means of hard work. I guess this is the “selling point”?
MC: Have you ever encountered crazed female fans wishing to give you a hug?
HG: Yeah, they wish I will hug them but don’t think otherwise of them, they are very simple/innocent. (Will you go on a date with your female fans?) Not likely.
MC: Where would you take a girl to on a date?
HG: (To) watch movies.
*云.酷 (云ATMOSPHERE酷) is the highest bar in Beijing, located at China World Summit Wing (hotel) in the China World Trade Centre complex.