NEW JHJ photos and videos

New Jo Hyun-Jae photos and a video were released on the Official JHJ Fan Club website on May 18, another 3 videos on May 19, and the final video on May 20.

We are not allowed to post the photos or videos here.

So we'll do the next best thing and describe them to you.

You may remember that we posted three photos of JHJ from the Official JHJ Fan Club website on May 13 but had to remove them the next day. If you were one of the early birds and managed to catch a glimpse of these photos, good for you! If you missed them, all we can say is: "Sorry, but there's nothing we can do; our hands are tied."

These new photos, like the last three, were taken on JHJ's birthday on May 9 at his camp. Actually, one of the May 18 photos was the same as the second one of the May 13 photos. That's the one that shows JHJ with a DVD in his hands. The official JHJ Fan Club of Japan compiled his Japanese fans' birthday wishes (photos and videos) into two DVDs which they presented to JHJ on his birthday. He was very happy and said he would always cherish them. JHJ is sitting and holding one of the DVDs (wrapped in pale blue gift paper with a white bow and ribbon on the right corner.) He is of course wearing his camouflage military uniform, with a mic clipped to his right lapel, so we already guessed then that he was recording a video for his fans. His hair is very short (shorter than on the day he entered the army on 8/5/08). He is looking very fit and healthy, and he has a broad smile on his face. Perhaps because of the hair or the smile or the angle of his head, it looks like he has put on a little weight. When asked about this, he tells his Korean fans (those who are fortunate enough to see him that day) that he still weighs the same.

The other two new photos show JHJ standing in some kind of open field with trees and grass and flowers. He is holding his two hands in front of him, his right hand over his left hand, so you can see clearly the watch on his left wrist -- black, square, with a dark blue face. His sleeves are rolled up almost to his elbows. The two photos are near-identical, except in one JHJ looks slightly to the left and in the other to the right -- smiling.

In all three photos JHJ is looking very bright and smart, with a smile on his face. The fact that he is so fit and healthy must mean military life suits him, or rather, he has adjusted perfectly in these nine months.

In the first very short video (only 15 seconds), JHJ says: "I have received the fans' DVDs. I can only watch them when I go home. I will always treasure them. Thank you so much!" He is standing in some corner of the camp, with a bush and some kind of rail behind him, and a building in the background. He is holding one of the DVDs with BOTH hands; he looks at it several times while speaking, with a very sweet smile. In his typical taciturn style, JHJ speaks only a few words, but you can feel his sincerity.

In the other 4 videos (which are continuation of the first, ranging from 25 to 35 seconds), JHJ thanks his fans again for all their birthday gifts and mentions the hand-made booklet containing his fans' birthday wishes for him. He is very proud he has been promoted to Private First Class, touching that insignia when he says this. He enjoys the disciplined life of the army with set time for meals and sports and rest, which makes him very healthy. He will be out in a little more than a year (Editor: 393 days from today), but meanwhile he will make the most of his time in the military. He thanks his fans again for their love and concern.

The above is the transliteration of yours truly, so you have to exercise "willing suspension of disbelief." JHJ speaks in Korean and the subtitles are in Japanese (neither of which I understand, but quite a few Japanese words are really Chinese, so I used my intelligence and imagination.) We're getting these translated, and as soon as we get the text, we'll post them here.*

At the end of the 4th video, JHJ waves goodbye, so I suppose that should be the last. But a 5th video was posted on the official JHJ website on May 20, a sort of afterthought or sloppy editing. Whatever it is, we're grateful for more.

OK, there you have it. Even though "a picture is worth a thousand words", without the pictures all you have is our word for it. We are sure smart JHJ fans can all use their imagination. Colour it with your love and beautiful images will surface.

JHJ speaks almost non-stop for 2 minutes 20 seconds altogether, which must be a record. He is more fluent; he is really speaking a little faster; and except for biting his lips once or twice and blinking when he's thinking, his mannerisms are not so much on display. He is definitely more confident and expressive.

Has JHJ gained weight? Every fan has a different opinion. We think if he looks "fatter" (actually just a little fuller in the cheeks), it is only because he was too thin before, especially in the few months before his enlistment. People don't become fat in the army; they just become stronger. Have you ever seen a fat soldier? JHJ has quit smoking, so he now looks very fit and healthy. You don't want him to be like that other Mr. Jo (of "A Frozen Flower"-- who's hospitalized twice within one month of entering the army), do you? Asked in a Q & A if he were to liken himself to an animal, what would it be, he answered: "A chameleon." (Read our earlier post "Everything you want to know about JHJ (and much, much more)." JHJ is really a chameleon: when he plays a priest in "Love Letter", he looks like a priest; when he plays a special forces agent in "Forbidden Love", he looks like a special forces agent"; when he plays an investment manager in "3 Dads/1 Mom", he looks like an investment manager........you get the idea. So when he is a soldier, he looks every inch a soldier. When he emerges from the army on 19 June, 2010, he'll look like a movie star again, no, he does not regard himself as such, but as a "pure actor".

EDITOR: The Japan Official Jo Hyun Jae Fan Club decrees that nothing may be reproduced or transferred from its website.

(The photo at the top of this post is released soon after JHJ entered the army in August 2008.)

* 5/24/09 We've now got the translation which (surprise!) agrees mostly with what I wrote above. The only thing to add is: JHJ says he has received so many letters and a lot of love, and he thanks everyone again and again. A year may seem long but time rolls by and we can meet again. Until then, take care!