Star n Hit says THANKS

Jo Hyun Jae's management company Star n Hit has left THANK YOU messages on the websites of both Korean fan clubs CarpeDiem (CAFE) and EVER on 5/13/09:

On Mr. Jo Hyun-Jae's 30th birthday on 5/9/09, his first since entering the army, we received lots of presents from his fan clubs CAFE and EVER.

Because of his present situation, it is impossible to organize any large-scale celebration activities. Hyun-Jae is a little hesitant, but the fans' love and concern become the greatest birthday present.

Hyun-Jae and his management company again thank all his fans and especially his fan clubs which started planning for his birthday several months ago.

Although the celebration this time is only on a small scale, but because Hyun-Jae is now located on a military base, this presents a lot of problems which we related to the fan clubs so they will be prepared.

About two months ago, the two fan clubs CAFE and EVER came to us and said: "On Hyun-Jae's birthday we would like to prepare a meal for him and his camp-mates." We contacted Hyun-Jae's battalion commander who said: "No outsiders are allowed on army grounds. But meal boxes are allowed." So that was settled.

We arranged with the two fan clubs: CAFE was to prepare the meal and EVER the gifts for Hyun-Jae's camp-mates.

But on the day before Hyun-Jae's birthday, the battalion commander suddenly informed us that his superiors decreed that no outside food or presents were to be allowed on the camp.

Everybody was in a panic. We managed to contact the army and discovered the real reason was they were worried that the food would become bad in the increasingly hot weather and the presents might not pass security inspection, so that was why nothing would be allowed in.

So on the night before Hyun-Jae's birthday, all the 150 meals prepared by CAFE had to be cancelled, resulting in great financial loss.

But the army has an area for meeting guests, which also could serve as a dining hall. So it was finally arranged for Hyun-Jae and some of his fellow soldiers as well as the entrance guards on duty to partake of the meal here, a total of 30 in all.

What EVER prepared were not food but presents, so there was no problem and these were first brought in. What was allowed in was sent in; what was not allowed was returned -- that was how it was decided. But EVERJapan sent cookies and such snacks which were allowed, so these were first distributed to Hyun-Jae's camp-mates.

On Hyun-Jae's birthday, fortunately the army decreed the presents had passed inspection and were allowed in. So the food and the birthday cake and other snacks prepared by the fan clubs were shared by Hyun-Jae and his 15 camp-mates.

In spite of the hiccups, the celebration activities went off quite well. Hyun-Jae and his fellow soldiers all felt the love and caring of his fans and were most grateful.

The army conveyed their regrets that over 100 meals had to be disposed of.

Hyun-Jae was aware of what his fans had gone through for him and was most appreciative.

Hyun-Jae asked us to relay this message: "I feel very blessed. I understand and appreciate all your efforts. I sincerely thank you for your love and concern."

(Editor's note: Photo taken on set of "G.P.506")