Japan Expo 2025, held in Paris (France) brought many artists to the french city. 

Among them, Kang Minsu, a Korean artist who has been active in Japan for more than 10 years, had been invited by Pachi Pachi, a non-profit organization who aims at promotion the Japanese culture in France. 

Kang Minsu debuted in Bee Shuffle, a mixed Korean-Japanese group. When the group ended their activities in 2017, Kang Minsu pursued his career as a solo artist. Branching out from his idol, he also became an actor (including for musical productions), a trot singer (he was a contestant in Mister Trot Season 3), and more. 

At Japan Expo, he became a part of « Idol Town Paradise », a new feature in the convention. This gave him the opportunity to perform throughout the 4 days of the convention and to meet fans up close. 

With his bright energy on stage and songs that make it easy for him to interact with his audience, he won many hearts and fans. KAvenyou met up with him for a joint interview with CKJPOPNEWS and Nautiljon.   

Hello, can you introduce yourself and your career?  
Kang Minsu : Hello, my name is Kang Minsu. I became active in Japan as an artist 14 years ago. And lately, I also became a trot singer (note : a popular music genre in South Korea, born in the 20’s). Before I was an idol but now, I consider myself as a solo artist.

You’ve also worked as an actor before coming back to music activities : is it difficult to deal with various activities ?
Kang Minsu : I indeed have various activities. For example, I also cook, and have many other things. Juggling with them requires to remain very focused. It is not easy, but I try to do it by remaining very focused on each activity.

This year, you are coming back to Japan Expo for the first time after 10 years. Are you happy to be back, and is there any plan for more collaborations with this event ?
Kang Minsu : Yes, I am really happy to be back. I would like to collaborate more with Japan Expo if the opportunity arises. If I receive an invitation to come back, I am ready to accept it. 

You already held several showcases before this meeting. We could witness fans getting more and more involved in your performances. How did you prepare for these stages ? 
Kang Minsu : (*Shows “2” with his hands, surprised that we attended showcases on the 2 first days of the convention*)
It is not easy to prepare for performances. For example, earlier today, I couldn’t hear well in one of my in-ears. But I anticipate a lot and think about how the performance will be, so that I can react easily. For example, I may change a setlist depending on how the audience reacts, so that I can deliver a better performance.
Besides, I also think about how I can turn the audience into fans. I wish people would become fans not just because I am tall or good-looking, but because they like my music.

And how do people react to your performances ?
Kang Minsu : The feedback is really good. The audience dances naturally, it makes me really happy. 

As an actor, did you ever get a role that meant a lot to you ? Otherwise, what would your dream role be ?
Kang Minsu : I have pla Gang-Gyed the role of Gang Gu in the musical My Bucket List. I liked it, even though it wasn’t necessarily a dream role. But it was a challenge I wanted to take up. However, when it comes to my dream role, talking about it would request diving too deep into the topic. It’s a difficult question.

What are your upcoming projects ?  
Kang Minsu : Becoming a Superstar (*laughter*)
I will release a new song. It has been written while thinking about the fans who have been supporting me for 14 years or 10 years throughout the world. The lyrics will be something along the lines of “In which world do you live ?”, or something like that.

Since you already came to Paris 10 years ago, where do you see yourself in 10 years from now ?
Kang Minsu : Superstar (*Laughs again*)  

As a South Korean who is active in Japan, what are the advantages of each side for you ?
Kang Minsu : As an artist, I am active in both countries.
Japanese fans love what comes from Korea : K-Pop, K-dramas, K-Beauty… So it helps my career in Japan.
And in Korea, fans love people who can speak japanese. Which also helps my popularity in Korea.
As a result, I can attract fans in both countries. To sum it up : Superstar (*still laughs at the word*)

Are there any places you enjoyed or you want to visit in Paris / France ?
Kang Minsu : I would love to visit Disneyland Paris.
There is also an other place in France that I’d like to visit… Wait a minute… (*Makes a research on his phone to find the place he’s talking about and show it to us*).
Le Mont-Saint-Michel. (*Repeats the name after us*)
I would love to walk there while eating a baguette… Oui Oui Baguette.

Is there a message you’d like to convey to your french fans ? Kang Minsu : Hello. I am Minsu. You could believe that if I become too popular, it’ll be difficult to see me because I wouldn’t have time anymore. But even if I do become very popular, we’ll still be able to see each others. So keep supporting me! 

We’d like to thank Kang Minsu, Pachi Pachi and Japan Expo for this interview

Photo credits : Lea Lempereur, Celine Choquet