By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune and other outlets
September 26, 2023
SEOUL, South Korea – It is a stiflingly hot day in Seoul. But when Kim Jin-kwon – known professionally as Jinkwon – arrives for an interview at the Somerset Palace in the heart of the city, he appears cool in every sense of the word. The college student, 22, has a lot on his plate. Besides being the leader of the K-pop group Newkidd, he’s an actor who’s currently filming a new series. Most recently, both his acting and musical abilities were showcased in the HBO Max show “My Magic Closet,” where he played the singer of a fictional band that a teenage girl could interact with … via a portal in her wardrobe.
Fans may stay in touch with Jinkwon via Instagram and follow Newkidd on IG, X and YouTube. This interview was conducted in Korean and translated into English.
Q: “My Magic Closet” was filmed in Brazil with an international cast and crew. What was that like?
A: Sao Paulo is a very attractive city. There are many trendy and cool restaurants and there was even my favorite doughnut place! I spent four months shooting the series in Brazil and while we all worked hard, I did have time to rest after work and explore. We had a cast and crew who were Thai, Brazilian, Korean and American. There were a lot of languages. I ended up memorizing the entire script so when a person was talking, I was able to act without much difficulty. I have a good memory. [Laughs]
Q: Was this your first time in Brazil?
A: No, Newkidd actually went to Brazil a few years ago. I had been the only member who was unable to attend a fan-signing event we did there. So when I was there shooting the series, fans brought their signed albums to show me and have me sign it, too. I was so grateful they waited for me.
Q: Did you have time to explore more of South America after filming?
A: I actually had to travel during filming due to visa issues [that allow Korean nationals to stay in Brazil for 90 days]. I went to Argentina for about four days. I went sightseeing to Iguazu Falls with some of the actors and took lots of pictures. It was really cool.
Q: Where would you suggest tourists visit when they come to South Korea?
A: Busan has a beautiful sea and lots of delicious seafood. [Right now, they are one of three international cities] that hope to host the World EXPO 2030, which is a very meaningful event that South Korea has been looking forward to for a long time. I really support Busan hosting the Expo and I hope people from all over the world will come and visit and explore the city and leave with good memories. Also, I love riding my bike along the Han River in the evening in Seoul. And I would recommend staying at a [traditional] hanok in Jeonju. I loved eating delicious food like bibimbap and soybean sprout soup while there. I also like staying in Yeosu and eating their soy sauce marinated crabs, which the city is famous for.
Q: You’re a foodie!
A: [Laughs] Yes and I enjoy cooking! There’s a Koreatown [in Sao Paulo] where I met a lot of fans. I bought groceries at the Korean mart there and would cook things like kimchi pancakes for all the Koreans working on “My Magic Closet.” It was really nice when we all ate together.
Q: Where would you like to visit that you haven’t been to yet?
A: The United States! I really want to do a concert in the U.S., so I’m working really hard to make it happen. I want to visit Los Angeles and have a vacation there. I also want to see New York and Chicago, where I want to take a walk on the Chicago Riverwalk, go to Millennium Park and take pictures in front of the Cloud Gate. I’ve become more interested in art these days and want to visit the Art Institute. I also want to try Chicago pizza locally!
Q: If you had three months off to hang out, but not work, what would you want to do?
A: But I want to work! [Laughs] I’d want to visit the U.S. and meet fans and maybe shoot a show in America one day.
Q: Having never been to the U.S., are your perceptions of the country based on films and shows that you’ve seen?
A: Some for sure. And we all know that the U.S. is a very big country. But I also base some of my views on what my K-pop seniors have shared from their trips. The artists who I admire [like 2PM, EXO, B1A4, BTS] have taken so many nice photos from their trips and one day I’d like to do that, too. I’d like to get my own perspectives of the skyscrapers from the street and not a postcard or photo. I want to be part of that vibrancy.
© 2023 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
To do an interview w/such a talented Korean entertainer in Seoul (where I was born) & have it run in my (U.S.) hometown newspaper (the Chicago Tribune) feels pretty great. Thank you to my amazing news syndicate (Tribune Content Agency) for placing this in so many outlets.
I didn’t know who Jinkwon was but I greatly enjoyed reading this interview. It felt like I was there in Seoul’s humidty. Thank you for this very fun article!
Newkidd is criminally underrated and I was so happy to read this article. I hope Jinkwon gets to live out his dreams and visit American one day!! Thank you for this amazing article!