The Reasons Why

who?: 영웅재중 [from 東方神起]
media: Faber Castell pencils (2B, 4B, 7B), Canson 90LB 9x12, knead-able & gum eraser

It's really hard to write anything here that I haven't written before. I thought about how TVXQ inspires me, just like I've had others who entered my contest answer and it's a hard question to answer! Now I know how it feels.

TVXQ is a Korean band that performs mostly in Asia (mainly in Korea and Japan) and I'll admit that I have to look up the translations of their songs to understand them. But that doesn't stop me from noticing how well they perform, how united they are, and how much work they've put into their careers; their hard work inspires me to try my best!

When I listen to their music and I'm doubting myself about something, I feel more confident afterward! No one can stop me, is what I'm thinking. I don't know how to explain that feeling, yo~ Lately, it's been どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう？ (Why Have I Fallen In Love With You?) that has been making me feel better. Haha, I must sound lame, but I think everyone who has a favorite band feels rejuvenated after listening to that music.

While I was drawing this piece, I wanted to try my best on every part of it. I wanted his eyes to look real, I wanted his lips and eyebrows to look soft, I wanted his hair to look wet: I wanted my best. Now I don't know if it's my best, but I know it's another step forward.

So when I think about it, overall, TVXQ has inspired me to keep working on myself as someone who can always improve and there's no reason to be satisfied with how things are.

August 23, 2010 edit: Bought a scanner so I scanned the original drawing and uploaded a better version that more closely resembles what the real drawing looks like! Before I had to use my camera to take a picture and I could never get the light even on the drawing, so it looked like there was a gradient on the drawing... long story made short: this is what the drawing is meant to look like.