I'd like to play a hero again

This is an English translation of Jo Hyun Jae's interview with 'Korean TV Drama Magazine' (October 2008 Issue) by misa123 first published in EVERjohyunjae on 2008.12.5

—In Korea of course, and in Japan as well, you have been popular for quite a long time. What is your secret?

**Well, I'm an actor and I'm on TV, so I think that's why people support me. . . (smiles shyly). People are used to seeing me, and even though you appear in a TV drama, people feel close to you, so I think that must be the secret, that familiarity.

—In order to create your character in The Guard Post (GP506; 2008), I hear that you became even more taciturn. You seem quiet in real life as well.

**It's true that I'm not the talkative type. It's easier to say nothing. I'm basically a quiet person. But since I can't talk much to people, sometimes I feel lonely. I talk a lot to people I’m close to though, so I guess I'm shy around strangers. If I get to know someone, I talk a lot.

—The first time you act with someone, I imagine that you must need to have a way to get to know them prior to filming. In those circumstances, is it better when the other person approaches you?

**I'm happy if they approach me. We can break the ice more quickly that way. . . .

—Among the movies you've seen recently, have there been any movies that have impressed you or roles that you’ve thought you’d like to play?

**No matter what movie it is, once I see it, I think I'd like to do that. . . . There isn't any title that comes to mind in particular. If I see a major epic, I want to do a major epic; if I see a love story, that starts to sound good. When I watch a movie, I start imagining how it would be if I played that role. I like the roles I've played so far as well, but if I had a chance, I'd like to try to play more hero roles—the kind of hero roles that appear in Hollywood movies.

—On June 2, 2008, an official Japan fan club opened, and I thought the photo of you listening to music on your iPod was great. What kind of music do you like to listen to?

**I listen to a lot of pop music. It's familiar. I listen to songs that people recommend to me. Even in the car, I ask people to recommend a good song for me to listen to—I listen to anything.

—You had said that you wanted to go mountain climbing before you enter the military. Have you been able to do that? And what hobbies do you enjoy on your days off?

**No, I haven't gone mountain climbing yet. I still have work left to do. Even if I do get to go, it would only be for a day or two. In terms of my hobbies, I tend to go mountain climbing a lot, and I also ride my bike a lot. I do long-distance cycling. I also like to watch movies; sometimes I shut myself up in my house and just keep watching movies. Also, if I feel like getting together with some of my closeolder friends and colleagues, I'll go meet them. There's nothing too unusual perhaps . . . . Is that strange?

—Is there anyone who has helped you in your acting career that you would like to see one last time before you go?

**The first is the fans who have always supported me. It's because the fans have been there for me that, even if my dramas weren't all that popular, I've been able to be so healthy (laughs). And my manager, San Fun Hyon (his older brother). We've been working together for about seven years already and he’s always cleaning up my messes, so I am grateful to him. And my parents, the directors who cast me (laughs). There are a lot of others as well, and I would like to express my gratitude to them all.

—Can you say a final word to the fans who will be waiting for Jo Hyun Jae to return?

**Two years may seem short or it may seem long at times, but I hope you will all be happy during that time. Once I have fulfilled my military duty, I will come back and work hard at my career again, so please keep thinking of me (laughs). When I come back and start working again, I would be very happy if you would support me once again. I’ll see you again (smiles shyly).

(Photo courtesy of EVERjohyunjaeJapan)