[Exclusive]The Pioneer of K-Idol Bands.. Noh Min-woo's Secret to a Harsh 22-Year Run in the Entertainment Industry [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

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Even in an era where there are many so-called "hexagonal all-rounders" among entertainers, is there another star like Noh Min-woo (40) who has mastered such a wide range of fields? His performances as a Hallyu actor in dramas such as "Pasta," "My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho," and "Full House Take 2" while being part of a "handsome boy idol band" were merely a side note. After growing into a full-fledged actor, he conquered the stage beyond media with the musical "Elisabeth." Amidst these achievements, Noh Min-woo has never let go of his passion for music. In 2020, he formed the band The Midnight Romance, leading the team as a singer-songwriter skilled in vocals and instrument playing, while also serving as a music producer. He has also established himself as a DJ.

His recent moves are even more extraordinary. Earlier, on the 15th, he successfully concluded a three-month run of the musical "Eternity," his first in a long time. In particular, Noh Min-woo captivated not only middle-aged and older audiences but also the MZ generation with his unique appearances on KBS 1TV's "Morning Plaza" and "6 o'clock My Hometown." It was also surprising that he served as a DJ at a global luxury brand Chanel event, exuding the aura of a "chaebol daughter-in-law(?)," yet his consistently unpredictable "max-level passion and individuality" has perfectly hit the tastes of the MZ generation. Additionally, his participation in the variety show "Dojang Kkaegi" (Breaking the Dojang) sparked further discussion, as it was revealed that his affection for the "regular bathhouse owner" was hidden within the show.

Ultimately, Noh Min-woo, who has risen as the "trendsetter in variety shows" and even secured a return appearance on MBC's "Radio Star" for the first time in 12 years, recently visited the Seoul Gwanghwamun StarNews building. There, he openly shared his reflections on reaching a turning point after 22 years in the entertainment industry, as well as the driving force behind his active endeavors.

First, Noh Min-woo said, "Until now, I have only done things I wanted to do. As an entertainer, I should not only rely on fans who love me but also provide opportunities for people who see me for the first time to become fans. However, I only did what I wanted, and I began to wonder if I wasn't being too selfish. So, I started to think differently. I felt a desire for older people to know me and for young people to know me as well. As a result, I wanted the owner of a bathhouse who didn't know me to recognize me, I wanted to catch the eye of programs I frequently watch, and I felt a stronger urge to work harder. This naturally led to the thought of appearing on a show. I was the one who first contacted the 'Morning Market' production team," revealing his changed mindset.

Despite the production team's own reaction of "Why is Noh Min-woo even doing this?" Noh Min-woo did not hesitate and jumped in. He stated, "The times have changed. Artists need to step forward and show themselves, which means audiences are necessary. When I wondered where the audiences were, I found them at 'Morning Plaza' and '6 PM My Hometown.' Now, I believe artists must go out and find their audiences," expressing his fervent enthusiasm. He added, "Thanks to this, I also received great healing. I naturally get along well with the elderly, and since I am only eight years older than my younger brother (singer Ail), I am accustomed to taking care of babies. All of this is part of who I am, so I felt very at ease when I went to film '6 PM My Hometown.'"

This steady accumulation of challenging filmography was possible precisely because his approach was different. Noh Min-woo stated, "It seems I have unintentionally been paving the way, but I have no intention of following trends or paying attention to them. All of my activities are simply an approach to 'creating memories' within one frame of my life. By approaching things this way, it seems that my sincerity and enjoyment shine through in whatever I do. I am very happy that people watching me say, 'Noh Min-woo is working so hard, so I should live hard too.' It is truly meaningful to inspire such feelings in others. In the future, I will continue to live hard while 'creating memories' like this. I have been living this way all along, so it is gratifying these days that people are recognizing it. I want to continue to bring laughter and emotion to your lives."

Last December, he also created the groundbreaking collaboration single "Black Goyang," featuring Tanaka (the alter ego of comedian Kim Kyung-wook), which can be seen as part of his effort to "make memories." Noh Min-woo stated, "During the COVID-19 crisis, I found great comfort watching Tanaka. Although I don't know the real person behind the character, his comedy style was excellent. I believe Kim Kyung-wook is the one who created the alter ego culture. As I wondered if there was anything I could do to contribute to the joy and hope he brought, I decided to create the song 'Black Goyang.' Fortunately, the senior artist listened to it and said he liked it very much, so we moved forward with the project immediately. In the future, I want to continue collaborating freely and create memories with many people."

Not only that, Chanel event DJ applications have also poured in, proving that this blessing of extraordinary talent knows no bounds. Noh Min-woo said, "When I started DJing and began thinking about where to perform, I felt I should do it in a venue that suited me. Of course, many talented performers appear in clubs, but when I thought about my existing character, I felt a sense of 'Huh?' I wondered where it would fit, and luxury brands came to mind. So I arranged and created tracks with that kind of vibe, and I actually received contact from relevant parties."

No Min-woo's dream was bound to become reality, given the immense hidden effort he put in. He said, "I had a vague interest in DJing and started self-studying three years ago. I looked up its origins, created original tracks, and traveled around the Netherlands to study by attending DJ performances. However, since I was not yet familiar with it, I practiced for 10 hours at a time out of frustration. I would bring a 1.5-liter bottle of water to my studio, drink only that, and practice standing up, going to the restroom twice. When I checked the clock, 10 hours had already passed. Through such harsh self-discipline, I was eventually invited to a Chanel event, where I played my first track as a DJ, giving me a tremendous sense of accomplishment," revealing the secret to his longevity.

He also managed his own health with greater thoroughness than anyone else, displaying the qualities of a "born entertainer." Noh Min-woo stated, "All things age, so I live without attaching significance to age, but I believe the rate of aging can be slowed. The theory is simple: it is about constantly refining oneself every day. Even when I buy a single item, I tend to use it for over ten years and take good care of it. My body is the same; I try to use it well so that it does not get sick or break." In this way, he has long practiced a life of "slow aging," leaving people in awe.

The fact that he has been wearing outfits designed by the late designer Andre Kim, which he showcased on 'Radio Star', since his 20s, 30s, and even into his 40s, says it all. Noh Min-woo stated, "As artists like David Bowie and Michael Jackson, whom I have loved since I was very young, became thinner, I was influenced by them. I originally loved eating. During my school days, I would eat three bowls of rice at a time. But I have to endure it for self-management. I do cardio exercise every day and start my day with a cold shower. I did that today as well. Doing so gives me the feeling that I can do absolutely anything in the world. Then, I make sure to drink soy milk made from black soybeans, and after finishing all my work, I reward myself with a delicious meal that I want to eat the most. I have been fasting after 8 p.m. and practicing intermittent fasting with a 18-hour fast every day. In today's terms, I have been practicing 'low-speed aging' for 22 years, so I am used to it. Now, when I focus, I don't even feel hungry," shocking everyone with his revelation.

At this, the 185cm tall Noh Min-woo revealed that he has maintained his weight of 65kg for over 20 years. Especially, this attracted attention as it contains not just a philosophy of self-management, but also life philosophies he has learned through his activities over the years.

Noh Min-woo candidly shared, "In my late 20s, I experienced opportunities slipping away right before my eyes and even betrayal. I tried to soothe that sorrow with alcohol, but I couldn't bring myself to give up on the fact that my face just wouldn't improve. I realized, 'I don't think this is the way for me to relieve stress.' Then I asked myself, 'How should I relieve this stress?' and found that drumming like a maniac and running until my heart felt like it would burst made me feel positive. That's when I discovered my current way of life. On the surface, I may look like a swan, but this is the way I survive in this harsh and intense world where humanity appears and disappears several times a day."

He then added, "When stress from those things is relieved through food or alcohol, I receive nasty comments saying, 'You've gained weight.' So I decided to accept and enjoy it as my destiny and mission to manage myself as best as I can."

Noh Min-woo also said, "I have witnessed colleagues and elders passing away, which makes me realize that 'you never know when someone will leave,' and I constantly feel I must live each day as if it were my last. That is why I have been recording moments of happiness from each day for the past three years. At first, I really had nothing to write about. But wanting to fill that void, I started exercising and began seeing my daily life differently. On some days, even when hungry, I would resist snacking and wait until my first meal, and then the first spoonful of hot soup would make me feel 'so happy.' Sometimes, while listening to Cona's 'Our Night Is More Beautiful Than Your Day' as the sun sets, I would become so happy that tears would well up. Feeling and recording each day like this has become a driving force in everything I do. Above all, I believe 'let's live each day joyfully' is the most important thing," displaying a carefree attitude.

Finally, this year promises to be a dazzling period of activity for him as an actor. Already early this year, he made a comeback to the musical stage after about three years, successfully concluding a three-month journey with "Eternity." He played the role of Blue Dot, a legendary glam rock star in the show, delivering a passionate performance. Noh Min-woo said, "Eternity was the second musical I participated in since 'Elisabeth' in 2022. Although I am diligent about self-care, everyone worked so hard that it was a valuable time for me to learn tips from my colleagues. I personally felt how much South Korea's musical theater has developed technically. It was even more special because I was able to portray a character that was not just any role, but a 'glam rock star.' I felt as if I was soaring freely. Since I originally love glam rock and make music, I thought I could confidently showcase this, and indeed, I was able to satisfy that desire," he reminisced.

Media actor Jung Geuk's last drama was "Lawless Lawyer 2" in 2019, seven years ago, leaving fans with a sense of regret during the long hiatus. When asked about the reason, Noh Min-woo conveyed his firm pursuit of acting.

Noh Min-woo said, "My acting role model is Johnny Depp. Because I have a strong preference for fantasy elements such as pirates and wizards, that is the case. Looking at the roles I have taken on so far, most of them have a mysterious quality. In fact, there have been instances where I have taken on roles as office workers or everyday characters, but I could not accept them just to make money. If I cannot immerse myself in a role, wouldn't the viewers feel it as 'fake'? Therefore, as I carefully searched for special characters, gaps in my schedule were inevitable," he said solemnly.

He added that this is the reason he is knocking on doors in various fields, as he cannot afford to let that gap go to waste. Noh Min-woo stated, "I believe that if I have no work, I must create work for myself. This is a point I always emphasize to the younger people around me. I try to work as hard as I can at everything. That is why I plan to seriously start working on YouTube this year."

Finally, he shared the welcome news that he is scheduled to make a comeback with a new work this year, breaking a long hiatus. Noh Min-woo stated, "I cannot say what kind of work it is at the moment, but I plan to visit viewers through a drama this year." He added, "From now on, I will move more diligently and not keep the things I can do only in my mind; I intend to show them to the public. I will become an artist who tries various things," raising expectations.

Finally, Noh Min-woo said, "I find this job enjoyable and very fulfilling. One day, I was asked, 'After 22 years of doing this work, what have you gained?' When I thought about what I had gained, it was 'experience.' That experience, which no one can steal, has accumulated to bring me to where I am today, and I have no regrets."

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*This content was translated by AI.