BEAST member Jang Hyun-seung, who released his first solo EP “MY” on May 8, spoke about what went on behind the scenes on the set of his steamy music video for “Ma First,” featuring actress Hwang Seung-un of “Let’s Eat 2” fame.

“I was a bit nervous because I don’t have acting experience,” he said at a group interview at Cube Cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, Monday. “I kept talking to (Hwang) to break the ice, and fortunately it all turned out well.”

Stills from Jang Hyun-seung’s music video for “Ma First” (Cube Entertainment)

One of the most talked-about scenes in the music video was one in which Jang is seen writing on Hwang’s chest and thigh with a crayon.

“We didn’t have a rehearsal,” he said with an embarrassed laugh. “We literally said hello, and then started shooting. Within half an hour I was scribbling on her chest.”

He said that he apologized to Hwang after the shoot, to make sure that he hadn’t crossed any lines.

A Cube employee at the interview mentioned that Jang’s mother had been on the set for the music video.

“It wasn’t that awkward for her to watch the ‘Trouble Maker’ music videos because she knows that Hyuna is a part of my agency, but I think it came as a shock for her this time because I was acting with a girl she doesn’t know,” he said.

“I didn‘t let it bother me when we were shooting, and my mom didn’t really say anything. She watched from afar, and laughed a bit and went home. Apparently, it’s just funny to her. I think she knows that I’m all grown up.”

While admitting that the music video had a sexy concept, Jang said that sex appeal was not the core theme of his solo debut.

“I don’t try to be sexy on purpose,” he said. “I don’t really like concepts that are blatantly racy. It‘s much better when the song isn’t sexy, but there are just moments that feel sexy.”

“With ‘Ma First,’ we could have made the performance much more explicit, with female dancers. It was a conscious decision not to do that,” he said.

Still, Jang said he had no complaints about people seeing his sexy side.

“I think that having good character and knowing how to play hard are different things,” he explained. “I think that if you know how to party, it can bring something good to your music. So with this album, I was less careful about how people would see my songs.”

“As long as it’s not something fake or forced, I think it’s good. It’s just one side to me,” he said. “I think part of it comes from the music I like. I don’t really listen to a lot of songs with cute lyrics and pretty melodies. I think as long as I know where to cross the line, it’s fine.”

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)