Exclusive: Kim Jongkook and Haha Talk Body Swap (With Lee Kwangsoo), Joining BIGBANG, and Favorite Running Man Moments
Running Man’s Kim Jongkook and Haha recently visited the United States for a concert tour, making a stop in the Big Apple New York City to greet fans on the East Coast. The two, who displayed their charming wit and brotherly affections, weren’t shy to answer some questions from fans during a pre-show fanmeeting, despite fans’ prodding on the subject of Kim Jongkook’s love life (unsurprisingly, there were quite a few shouts of “Yoon Eunhye!”).
After personally interacting with each and every fan at the fanmeet, Kim Jongkook and Haha sat down at a press conference to share some candid thoughts on their first U.S. tour and Running Man. Soompi had the opportunity to ask the Running Man brothers a few thought-provoking questions on body switching with the other cast members, their first impressions of one another, and their favorite idol groups! Check out their answers below~
Q: What is your set list looking like for the concert? Could you tell us a bit about that?
Haha: Even now, [Jongkook] Hyung and I are still discussing it, and we have yet to decide whether or not to include some songs.
Jongkook: There are so many songs, and we’re afraid it’ll get too long, so we’re still finalizing the set list. We’re going to perform a lot of songs, and since we’re in New York, we’ll be performing songs fit for the city here; we’ve prepared a lot.
Q: When did you laugh the most on Running Man – what is one of your favorite moments?
Jongkook: When we played soccer with Park Jisung. I’m pretty good at soccer, so that’s one of my most impressed moments.
Soompi: If you could switch bodies with one of the cast members of Running Man, who would you pick and why?
Jongkook: Lee Kwangsoo. (laugh) I want to be tall like that.
Haha: Me too.
Jongkook: But just the body though. Not face. (laugh)
Q: How does it feel to be in New York for your U.S. tour?
Jongkook: I’ve been to the U.S. a lot of times, but this is the first time I’m doing a tour. I’m very excited because it’s my first time having a concert here. I’m very happy to see all of our fans. Very happy and excited.
Haha: Me too. Really, I’m so thankful, that we’re receiving so much love.
Q: If you could imagine a Running Man show in the U.S., which American celebrities would you invite?
Jongkook: Will Smith. A long time ago, I met him, but I didn’t speak English [at the time] so I couldn’t say anything to him. I just said. “Hi.” This time, I really want to take the time to catch up.
Haha: There are so many, but Marvel. Iron Man. Superheroes. Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman…
Q: Kim Jongkook, your English is so amazing – how hard was it to learn English, and how did you get your English to such a high level?
Kim Jongkook: Actually, I’m still working on it; I like coming to the States. I go to LA two or three times a year, regularly. I have a lot of Korean-American friends, and yeah, I study by myself really hard.
Q: If you could choose anywhere in the world to do Running Man, which country would you pick and why?
Kim Jongkook: Right here in the States.
Haha: Uhhh
Reporter: Jamaica?
Kim Jongkook: He loves Jamaica but he doesn’t want to go to Jamaica.
Haha: It’s scary over there… Montego Bay. I would like to film there.
Soompi: You two have actually been friends for a long time. Do you still remember your first impressions of one another, and how has that changed over the years?
Haha: I first met Kim Jongkook when I was 19, when he was still in Turbo, when he was super famous, a legend.
Kim Jongkook: I was in Turbo, and he was nothing, so… (laugh)
What’s your impression now?
Haha: Now, he’s just scary.. No, just kidding, we’re really close.
Kim Jongkook: I love him. He is literally like my real brother. Nothing changed about that.
Q: What is the most memorable or fun game for you from Running Man?
Haha: My fear of heights is so intense, that whenever we have to be high up, I get so scared. I’ve never in my life paid to go on a rollercoaster. It’s so scary, but we went to Macau Tower. I remember it because I hated it so much. It was so so scary.
Soompi: If you could pick one idol group to be in, which one would you pick and why?
Haha: For me… BIGBANG. I really like BIGBANG.
Kim Jongkook: I think it’s just cause he wants to go into YG Entertainment.
Haha: I’ve known G-Dragon since he was very young, before he was an idol. G-Dragon is cool. I’m going to raise my son as G-Dragon.
Kim Jongkook: Me too, BIGBANG. Or 2PM.
Soompi: Because of their bodies?
Kim Jongkook: (laugh) Yes, we have similar bodies. I’d fit in.
To see Kim Jongkook’s 2PM-like body (seriously, we have pics), be sure to stay tuned for Soompi’s recap of the event, coming soon! A special thank-you goes out to Tune Entertainment for allowing Soompi to cover the event.
Recap: 8 Best Moments of Kim Jongkook and Haha’s “Running Man Brothers” Concert in NYC
by benightedxflame x | soompi x
Running Man mainstays Spartakook (Kim Jongkook) and Haroro (Haha) recently graced New York City with their brotherly love and combined talents as they embarked on a first U.S. Tour, “Running Man Bros.” The two-hour-long rock fest, held at the Colden Auditorium in Queens, New York, comprised of multiple collaboration stages and fan interactions pioneered by fluent English (Jongkook) and adorably simplistic English (Haha).
Click through the gallery to check out our top 8 moments, in no particular order, of the concert, along with a photo recap!
Moment 1: The Bromance
If you didn’t already know, Kim Jongkook and Haha have been friends for close to two decades, having met when Haha was just 19. What does two decades of friendship mean? Bromance! The two, who refer to each other affectionately as “My Dongsaeng” and “Our Hyung” on “Running Man,” couldn’t wait to show off their close friendship, often man-hugging it out to the delight of the concert crowd.
Moment 2: The Running Man Shoutout
Prior to the beginning of the actual concert, Kim Jongkook and Haha were cheered on by fellow Running Man members, who had sent in a video shoutout to relay their congratulations on the two’s first U.S. tour. The five of them – Yoo Jaesuk, Lee Kwangsoo, Ji Sukjin, Gary, and Song Jihyo – hilariously bantered with one another, showing off the Running Man family spirit.
Moment 3: The English Covers
Mixing in their own renditions of hit English tracks, Kim Jongkook and Haha crafted a show that emphasized relevance to the U.S. audience, and kept the crowd on their toes. Among the best are Kim Jongkook’s cover of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” Haha’s energetic “Beautiful Girls,” “Stand By Me” mashup, and a tribute to New York City – Alicia Keys and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.” A video behind-the-scenes revealed the two’s hesitation in choosing the song (with Kwangsoo also hilariously interjecting his opinions), as Haha worries about the fast English rap. Evidently, they managed to reach a compromise as Haha leaps onto center stage to perform a Korean version of the rap portion. Two thumbs up for Kim Jongkook and Haha’s thoughtful set-list!
Moment 4: The Collaborations
Despite stepping on and off stage to perform their own respective singles, Kim Jongkook and Haha also found the time to collaborate with one another and perform each other’s songs! Haha’s “You’re My Destiny” got a healthy dose of vocals from Kim Jongkook, and Kim Jongkook’s “Lovable” had Haha leading the iconic dance. Bonus: The songs of 90s dance group Turbo also made a comeback at the concert!
Moment 5: The Abs
Enough said.
Moment 6: The Fan Interactions
The “Running Man Bros” concert was very much an extension of a fanmeeting, and Kim Jongkook and Haha made sure to keep the audience involved throughout the show. Fans were brought up on stage three separate times – first, when they took turns serenading a fan onstage with dance moves, second, when they celebrated the fans that came from afar (one even flew in from China to attend the show), and third, when they honored the youngest fans in the crowd. The two easily switched between their musician and variety personalities, allowing the audience to witness first-hand their on-screen wit and humor.
Moment 7: The Giveaways
Have you ever dreamt of having Kim Jongkook’s nametag? For some lucky fans, this dream came true, as they are now the proud owners of the Commander’s prized nametag! Who else wonders if they’ll frame it like Kwangsoo did after winning it in a race?
Moment 8: The English
What’s a good K-Pop concert without hearing some adorably awkward English? One hilarious highlight of the show: Haha cues up the dramatics, only to declare, in English, “Ladies and Gentlemen… Boys and girls. I can’t speak English, but I love you.”
kaz2y5 posted on 14-12-2014 04:10 PM
12/12/2014 Running Man Bros Concert, NY -Video Compilation
to owners, thank you all so much for sha ...
sambung......
Meet&Greet Session (CUT) -cr ann labss
jet lag HAHA
what kind of girl KJK lookin for? (flustered KJK. ramai yang mengoffer diri hikhik... fan: i love you!! KJK: *shocked*)
how much KJK lift? (KJK: u need to do some cardio man *laugh*)
fan: KJK-oppa and HAHA-ssi (HAHA reaction lol, WHY??!)
fav nickname
HAHA's confusion between iron man & spiderman gesture lol
KJK&HAHA Empire State of Mind [ (CUT) LINK -cr Russ D ]
Concert RECAP [ LINK 1 -cr Russ D ] [ LINK 2 -cr Aethiopica ] [ LINK 3 -cr Michelle Luo ]
ps: updating Last edited by kaz2y5 on 15-12-2014 04:42 PM
really love the opening... nice setup... siap guna green screen lol
1st game -kelakar
2nd game -hilarious kejung perut ketawa esp part YJS & JSJ
3rd game -what the....................................
hope bila da ada subtitle kurang sikit rasa kecewa dengan 3rd game. i mean, bila tgk opening (and based on preview) me harapkan final game yang penuh dengan action tapi...... hahhahaahah /sigh/
Author
Post time 14-12-2014 04:07 PM
