Jo Hyun Jae

We've moved!

2009-07-16T18:00:00.000+08:00

For the past two months, our blog has been inaccessible from where we are based. (in fact, all google.blogspot)

We've tried to manage (by all possible means) for as long as we can, but it has become increasingly impossible.

So we've moved, but we're still unpacking (so to speak.)

Please visit us at our new site: http://jo-hyun-jae.com

A happy ending for "Sunshine"?

2009-07-14T15:30:00.017+08:00

I recently saw a Korean movie "My wife got married" which somehow suggests a scenerio for a happy ending in Jo Hyun-Jae's "Sunshine".

The movie title is a paradox in itself. "My wife" is the woman a man is married to. How can his wife "get married"? Well, she does (in the movie.) Son Ye-Jin plays an attractive young woman In-Ah, perfectly normal on the outside, but harbouring abnormal desires in her heart. She is a free spirit and a great football (soccer) fan, and she evaluates her relationships with men in football terms.

The very average-looking actor Kim Joo-Hyuk who plays her boyfriend Deok-Hoon looks familiar, but I'm not able to place him until halfway through the movie. Kim Joo-Hyuk is the lead actor in "Lovers in Prague". Having been spoilt by our Mr. Jo, I find actors with small eyes unappealing. But what I find it hard to stomach is this man (and a policeman at that) crying like a baby to his lover (whom he thinks he is about to lose): "I can't live without you!" (more than once!) Come on, men don't cry. (unless you can cry as beautifully as Andrea.)

To go back to "My wife got maried", the Son Ye-Jin character In-Ah is not ready to settle down, but she agrees to marry Kim after he agrees not to interfere with her "night" life. (She goes out "drinking" every night, sometimes not returning home till the wee hours.) And then her work takes her somewhere else, so that she can only return home on weekends. You can guess what happens next, right? She meets somebody else? Right! She wants a divorce? Wrong! She wants to marry this other man WITHOUT divorcing her husband. She wants to be married to TWO men! She says in some African tribes women have multiple mates. Her husband says in anguish (and I pity Kim here, but not in "Lovers in Prague"): "Why do you have to tell me? Why don't you just have an affair behind my back?" Her answer: "I don't want to lie to you."

She does marry the other man who is played by Joo Sang-Wook (the 5th man, the rich guy, in "3 Dads/1 Mom".) And then she has a baby girl -- who's the father? Echoes of "3 Dads/1 Mom". And the baby has a first birthday party (actually two birthday parties, with each Dad and family) -- nowhere near as moving as that of Ha Seon in "3 Dads/1 Mom". There's a big row, and mother and daughter disappear (again echoes of "3 Dads/1 Mom".) The ending is a fantasy reunion of all four of them -- mother, daughter, and the two fathers -- caught up in football mania in Spain (watching Real Madrid, I think.)

This reminds me of the ending of "Sunshine" -- Yeon Woo, Eun Sup, Min Ho, and Yeon Woo's younger sister frolicking on the beach -- one big happy family. If it works for "My wife got married", why not for "Sunshine"? Threesome seems to be the latest craze in Korean movies. The female protagonist in "The Naked Kitchen" also wants BOTH her husband and her lover. (Please see our 6/19/09 post "Random Thoughts".)

The ending of "Sunshine" casts a shadow over a drama that is otherwise light and airy. Yeon Woo cannot marry Eun Sup because his father kills her father (even though it transpires he's not the real murderer.) She cannot reject Min Ho because she does not want to hurt him. Notice love doesn't enter the equation: she loves Eun Sup but not Min Ho (not the way a woman loves a man anyway.) So "Sunshine" has an open ending -- the drama deliberately avoids solving this problem of the eternal triangle. I have one solution, though: let Eun Sup pair up with Yeon Woo's kid sister who has said when she grows up, she'll marry him. She knows a good man when she sees one. She's quite precocious; she'll be a grown woman in no time.

Korean TV dramas are usually very conservative and demure where relationships between the sexes are concerned. But Korean movies can be pretty avant-garde in both theme (as in these two movies mentioned here) and execution -- there are quite a few steamy sex scenes in "My wife got married."

Son Ye-Jin won several awards for her performance in this movie:

2009 45th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best Leading Actress

2008 29th Blue Dragon Film Awards:

1. Best Leading Actress

2. Most Popular Actress

3. Best On-screen Couple (with Kim Joo-Hyuk)

Her 2003 movie "The Classic" is one of my favourite Korean movies. She is the actress that I would like to star in JHJ's comeback drama in late 2010 (after his discharge from the army.) Even though she is also in "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang), I don't remember JHJ and her in any scene together. I think they will make a great couple and generate good chemistry.

No news is good news?

2009-07-11T06:00:00.004+08:00

There has been a dearth of Jo Hyun-Jae news lately (not that he has ever been much in the news.)

There are rumours that he may be out on leave in July -- this is from a message left on CAFEKorea by a fellow soldier. We are a little skeptical because with the current critical situation in the Korean Peninsula, it is more than likely that the South Korean military will be on high alert. If North Korea fires a few more short-range missiles, we bet all leaves will be cancelled. Of course we wish JHJ will get some time off and maybe even leave his fans a message.

There is another message on the JHJ Official Fan Club website left by a Korean staff member that mentions the Korean drama "After family glory" that is currently winning the ratings war. He/she speculates that if JHJ has time, he could very well be watching this too, like everyone else. And then inexplicably "After family glory" has become JHJ's favourite, according to a popular Chinese JHJ website. This is the kind of "news" we are entertaining ourselves with.

The facts are -- JHJ is in the army. As a general rule, soldiers don't make news -- unless something bad happens (God forbid!) So we'll just quietly, patiently wait out these last 11+ months of JHJ's military service.

Where is JHJ?

2009-07-10T06:00:00.005+08:00

Wanna play hide-and-seek with Jo Hyun-Jae?

Can you find JHJ in this sketch of a fairground? This is created by EVERKorea in 2007 and there are 4 JHJ in the midst of this merry crowd.

Can you find him and identify which drama/occasion it is?

A small prize awaits the winner (the first to correctly identify ALL 4.)

Have fun!

(Source: www.ever.johyunjae.co.kr/Lingo. Credit: johyunjaeChina. Thanks!)

Now you see us; now you don't

2009-07-09T21:01:00.001+08:00

We are having technical problems.

There may only be sporadic posts until we have sorted things out.

Cards for JHJ (3)

2009-07-08T06:00:00.003+08:00

Maybe there's nothing very special about this card that we sent Jo Hyun-Jae a few days ago. It's just that I have a thing about ladybirds -- I just love them! The rounded red shell, the black dots, and the fact that they can actually fly! (Do you know that?) They are just too cute!

And when Jo Hyun-Jae was injured at the end of June, we sent him a "Get Well" card with a single flower that reads:

Healing thoughts are with you,
Caring wishes are near you,
Know that you are loved.

JHJ changed my life

2009-07-06T00:00:00.001+08:00

This is Laura's story.

JHJ changed my life? It sounds incredible to me for I am a person reluctant to change. I've been living in the same city since I was born. I worked for the same company since graduation from university. I married the first man I fell in love with. I don't make a change deliberately, I think. I accept opportunities of change. Thank God, so far everything has been going well for me. As they say, I'm lucky enough to live a contented life.

Then, how can someone I've never met face to face change my life? Did I change at all since I ran into this guy called Jo Hyun Jae on the screen?

It was absolutely by accident that I turned on the TV and tuned to the channel on whcih "Only You" was broadcasting. I seldom watch television. On that night, however, after putting my daughter to bed, I decided to turn on the TV for some news or movies. I didn't expect to watch a Korean drama at all. Till today, I am still puzzled what made me watch on. The only "rational" explanation I can come up with is "yuanfen" (fate or destiny.) It's my belief that some people are destined to meet while others are not. If it had not been for "yuanfen", what made me find him on TV?

Without question, "Only You" is a pleasant drama to watch. JHJ did very well playing a rich heir, arrogant in appearance but sincere at heart. Since then, I felt I was driven by something (curiosity?) to watch JHJ's dramas one after another. The more I watched, the deeper I sank into his world. I found myself surfing the internet for information on JHJ. I started to pay much attention to tensions in the Korean Peninsula because JHJ is in the army. I found myself writing to a stranger sharing my feelings, which I would have never tried if it hadn't been for JHJ. I also found myself registered at a fans' BBS. And unexpectedly, I learned many useful computer skills. For example, I was taught how to cut and splice photos on the computer to make fabulous photo exhibition. I used the technique to reorganize my family photos. My family all marveled at my works. Besides, I even started to learn Korean!

Nothing big here, I know. But I did change, didn't I? The change is by no means radical. It's subtle and in the mind. I'm more open and more tolerant. Now, I'm willing to exchange views with people with whom I share the same interests but have never met in person. It is not as awkward as I thought. I also start to re-consider my attitude toward my shy and quiet boy. Seeing JHJ's growing up, I realized that shyness may not be bad at all. I used to think that shyness will hinder my son's communication with people. However, I notice that JHJ's shyness actually reflects that he thinks more than others do, and his brevity of speech is because he always tries hard to be most sincere and accurate. Shy as he is, he can still be charming and successful. I'm more confident about my positive attitude toward this world too. Looking at JHJ's sparkling eyes and brilliant smile, I made up my mind that I'll try my best to find the beauty of this world, to make life more colorful, and to make people around me feel happier. I believe I can, as JHJ fulfilled his dreams with his firm will.

To me, JHJ cannot be a "real" person. I can't see him in person. I can't talk to him face to face. I can't touch him. What does he mean to me then? An idol? Or a good example? Neither, I think. I would rather regard him as an angel who is sent to me to light up my life (as someone said so before on this blog.)

I've said I accept opportunities of change. This time JHJ brings me the opportunity and I'll take it. Thank you, Jo Hyun Jae!

"Love Letter" makes me fall in love with JHJ

2009-07-05T00:00:00.003+08:00

I haven't done this for a long time -- watching a drama from start to finish throughout the night. Even though my eyes are hurting and my head is aching, I still feel my heart is bursting with love and I am profoundly moved. I can't tell whether it's a dream or reality: what appears in my mind's eye is a pair of eyes -- so full of love, so clear, so pure, so beautifully sad -- that deeply attracts me.

"Love Letter" is about a HE who has been abandoned by his mother and a SHE whose parents are dead. Fate has brought them together. Similar age and similar experiences in life draw these two delicate souls and kindred spirits together. They are not lovers but they are closer than lovers. They are like brother and sister but they are not siblings. The rope of fate binds them tightly together. But they do not break down the last defence, so the unspoken love is buried deep in their hearts. Actually they know that they have been in love with one another for a long, long time.

Influenced by his unfortunate childhood experiences, he has determined to be a priest (who is as warm as the sun) from very young. That is why he cannot accept her. When she finds out his resolve to be a priest, she cannot love him anymore, however much she loves him. Even though they love each other, they can only hide their feelings in their hearts.

But love is innocent, even in the face of God. Finally their love find the light under the warmth of the sun. But who would have thought that DEATH has already silently arrived? Fate sometimes likes to play with poor human beings in this fashion.

The whole drama is filled with forlorn desolation and the characters are tragically beautiful. Jo Hyun-Jae's lead character is the focus and bright spot of the drama. I have not seen an actor with such clear eyes and such an air of nobility for a long time. Jo Hyun-Jae brings me a pleasant surprise. "Love Letter" makes me fall in love with him!

(Written by 崇雨尊 and originally published in Chinese on BAIDU Jo Hyun Jae Bar on 6/27/09.)

"G.P.506" DVD released in Japan

2009-07-04T20:35:00.003+08:00

The DVD of Jo Hyun-Jae's movie "G.P.506" was finally released in Japan on July 3, 2009.

The jacket, which portrays the three main characters, is very different from the Korean version. In the Korean DVD the cover is just a dull grey (no images) which perhaps reflect the sombre nature of the contents.

Those Japanese fans who bought the DVD online would have received their copies already. Now practically all of JHJ's works (dramas and movies) are available in Japan. His fans there can complete their collection.

(Credit: photos courtesy of Param of CarpediemJapan and story from johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

FOOTNOTE: "G.P.506" will be shown on the Korean movie channel OCN on July 5 and July 9 at 10 p.m.

(Source: Mandalaywith of carpediemKorea. Thanks!)

"Seo Dong Yo": Relationship

2009-07-04T06:00:00.003+08:00

This is one of our favourite MVs of "Seo Dong Yo", created by SungJu of everyjohyunjae.co..kr (thanks!) The creator calls it "Relationship"and tells her own version of the love story of Seo Dong and Princess Sunhwa in this brilliantly-edited MV. The word on the last shot is "Love". Enjoy!

If you have already finished this drama, I'm sure you'll want to start on it again. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? This is Jo Hyun-Jae's masterpiece! You are not a full-fledged JHJ fan until you have seen this N times!

JHJ to be promoted

2009-07-03T08:30:00.001+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae will be promoted to "Sangbyeong" (U.S. army rank equivalent -- Corporal) on August 1, 2009, almost a year after his enlistment.

JHJ entered the South Korean army on August 5, 2008 as Private Second Class (after completing basic military training) and was promoted to Private First Class on February 1, 2009.

The Republic of Korean Army -- the sixth largest in the world -- is the largest of the military branches, with 655,000 in the active force and 3,040,000 regular reserve in 2008. South Korea has mandatory military service of 24 -27 months. The duration of service varies from branch to branch of the military. In general, with few exceptions, most of South Korean males serve in the military between the ages of 20 - 30.

JHJ still has almost another year of military service. He is scheduled to be discharged on June 19, 2010.

(Information on ROKA from Wikipedia)

Only JHJ can make "Only you"

2009-07-03T06:00:00.001+08:00

"Only You" is the last Jo Hyun-Jae drama that I watched, and I didn't like what I saw. I didn't like his hair; I didn't like his looks; I didn't like his clothes; and I didn't particularly like his character. But I did like the happy ending -- it's one of the very few in which he gets the girl (and a son too.)

And then I found out on the web that most of JHJ's fans got to know him through "Only You." I was puzzled as to why so many women fell for him (or his character) in this drama. Could everybody be wrong? Or am I the only one who got it (or didn't get it)?

And then I watched "Only You" again, and again, and again...........

Why do so many people fall in love with the Jo Hyun-Jae character Han Yi Joon in "Only You"? These pictures should give you a clue.

Even with a hairstyle that doesn't suit him, he can still look incredibly handsome. Even when he's made to wear all those outrageous shirts, he still looks gorgeous. Who would wear a RED shirt (and no tie) at an important board meeting? I personally think the costume director should be impeached! SBS should have hired the one who was responsible for Jung Eun Sup's wardrobe in "Sunshine". The JHJ character there is a Korean who has spent several years in Paris and he looks totally European. The clothes help, of course, but our JHJ is the only Korean actor who can look continental European without ever having set foot there (not until "OnlyYou".)

Han Yi Joon at the beginning of "Only You" is dressed for the part of the university student when he goes to Vicenza to seek out his mother. But seven years later when he becomes the heir to his father's commercial empire, he wears all these colourful clothes that are out of character and do not suit his status at all. And yet this is when he makes a lot of conquests (of his fans.) I might add that Han Chae Young is worse, much worse, with her vests and halters, doubled and tripled, but at least she has the excuse of being poor.

JHJ should be commended for his performance in "Only You" because he transcends the physical limitations of his appearance (meaning his wardrobe.) Anybody else would have looked absolutely ridiculous in those scarlet, orange, turquoise, yellow, green, purple.......outfits AND those bell-bottom trousers! Out of this colourful mess emerges a man who is obstinate in his love, determined in his objective, brave in his actions, and tender in his unreasonableness. Cha Eun Jae cannot resist Han Yi Joon, and neither can countless JHJ fans who meet him first here.

As for me, I can now overlook the less-than-satisfactory wardrobe and appreciate the essence beneath the surface. But I still think only JHJ can take on such a role in such motley costumes and get away with it. Anybody else would end up looking like a clown.

(Credit for photos: cafe.daum.net.hyunjaelove.jp; carpediemJapan by Param; johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

Killing me softly with his song

2009-07-02T06:00:00.001+08:00

I underwent an eye operation recently.........STOP! If you find this too morbid, just enjoy the assorted photos of Jo Hyun-Jae above and sign off.

I've never had an operation before, but I'm not the squeamish type, and in any case, this is just a minor operation. My first impression was: the OT didn't really look like what I saw on TV. My second impression was: my ophthalmologist looked different in a surgical cap and gown.

Next thing I knew, I was lying on the operation table. My face was covered with a thick cloth, so that even my good eye could not see anything. My bad eye was taped open, so the doctor could work on it.

An oxygen tube was stuffed into my nostrils, in case I suffocate, I suppose.

The doctor said: "I'm going to inject you now and it's going to hurt -- a little." It hurt more than a little, but once the local anaesthetics set in , I didn't feel a thing around my eye.

The doctor kept saying: "Relax! Relax!" but how could I when I could distinctly hear him saying: "Forceps." "Knife." and "Water cornea." (whatever that is) and I had the funny feeling I was the piece of meat on the butcher block.

How did I get through my half-hour operation? First I started praying. After I finished reciting a whole rosary, the doctor was still not done. So I began to think about Jo Hyun-Jae and quickly ran through all his dramas. And came to rest on Andrea.

Thinking about Andrea (or JHJ as Andrea) had a calming effect on me. I saw in my mind's eye his innocent face, his sweet smile, his grace under pressure -- and I felt better.

And then somehow I came to focus on the Crown Prince in "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang). That scene in which he was talking to the wall appeared over and over again in my mind. He looked so forlorn, so helpless, so solitary that it broke my heart. I sniffed a little and the doctor barked: "Don't move!"

Somehow dwelling on the Crown Prince's plight took my mind off my own situation. JHJ has the capacity to help me through physical ordeals. The last time was at the dentist, but that is another story.

JHJ's own life (especially his early life) has not exactly been a bed of roses, but there is not the slightest trace of ravage in his face. JHJ has a serenity about him that is quite extraordinary, considering how hard he had to struggle and how much he had to suffer as a teenager. The Chinese have a saying: "Your looks reflect your heart." JHJ's heart must be pure for him to look so serene. There is an outer-worldly quality about him, an aura of tranquillity, an above-the-fray demeanor, a "far from the madding crowd" attitude, a certain aloofness that could be mistaken for arrogance. The eyes are windows into the soul. His eyes are so clear and so luminous that you feel you can read his heart. He may be a good actor, but he cannot fool all of the people all of the time. So I'm convinced what you see is what you get.

I thought about JHJ all day, because after the anaesthetics wore off, the pain came. I did not want to take any painkillers. JHJ is my painkiller. My eye (that was operated on) was under an eye-patch and I could not wear my glasses, so I could not see anything clearly. I could only see JHJ in my mind's eye, so I spent the whole day (and the next) dreaming of him. At least I could listen to him on my MP3, so I let him kill me softly with his songs.

Because of you

2009-07-01T00:00:00.001+08:00

Song "Eddy" by the late Danny Chan

Life is still -- like the silent waters of the lake
Comes to life because of you
Becomes an eddy because of you
Filled with laughter because of you

Life is quiet-- like running water
Becomes myriads of beauty because of you
Becomes fountains of happiness because of you
And leaves marks of joy

Silence is like a song
That feels like poetry
Sweet is the longing in your eyes
Remembered even in my dreams
These days of unimaginable beauty

(Sung in Cantonese and lyrics translated into English.)
(Credit: kk of johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

CAFE's gifts to JHJ

2009-06-30T00:00:00.002+08:00

CarpediemKorea (CAFE) has been sending Jo Hyun-Jae gifts every month ever since he entered the army on August 5, 2008. This is the 10th time and the emphasis this time is on snacks.

The quantity may be less this time, but the cost is actually higher. Snacks include French candies, Ferrero Rocha (chocolates), brownies, cookies, crackers, cheese sticks, nacho chips, Pringles (potato chips), beef jerky, and lollipops -- all beautifully packaged, complete with multi-coloured ribbons. We think these are meant for JHJ's campmates.

For JHJ there are the usual ginseng, telephone cards, SCREEN magazine, wet tissues, and something special for the summer -- bracelets and pads (made of natural ingredients) to keep off the mosquitoes which could be pestering JHJ when he patrols at night. These CAFE ladies really think of everything!

The weather is very hot in Seoul now and all these supplies will come in handy. And they come with so much love and tender loving care from JHJ's most devoted fans.

(Contents and photos courtesy of CAFEKorea and CAFEJapan. Thanks!)

Thai Fan Meeting transcript

2009-06-29T00:00:00.002+08:00

In the Korea Fan Meeting DVD, the transition from the Korea Fan Meeting to the Thai Fan Meeting is very abrupt, with no introduction whatsoever. And the Thai Fan Meeting portion has no subtitles. Here is our translation of the transcript of the Thai Fan Meeting on July 4, 2008 (courtesy of CarpediemJapan. Japanese translation by Rei and design by ahiru. Thanks!)

Transcript of Thai Fan Meeting (July 4, 2008) segment:

JHJ (Jo Hyun Jae) MC (female Master of Ceremonies) IN (Interpreter)
JHJ is wearing a light grey suit with an open-necked white shirt.

MC: Hello! (in Thai)
JHJ: Hello! (in Thai)
IN: Can you introduce yourself?
JHJ: Hello! I'm Jo Hyun Jae. Very happy to see you all.
IN: Are you always so shy? You speak so softly.
JHJ: I'm having a little problem with my throat, so I can't speak too loudly.
IN: Is this the first time you're visiting Thailand?
JHJ: Yes, the first time. This visit is my first.
IN: You went touring, right? What did you do? How did it feel?
JHJ: I went to Pattaya -- to see the sea and watch sports performance. Ate a lot of good food and slept very well too.
JHJ waves.
From the audience (in Korean): How are you?
IN: How are you?
JHJ: (smiles)
IN: Are you very busy in your work?
JHJ: Yes, but it's all right.
IN: How many days are you staying in Thailand?
JHJ: Two days.
IN: I heard the fan meeting is tomorrow. Did you make any special preparation for this fan meeting?
JHJ: There will be lots of games, and also mention of the environment.(Fans cheer.)JHJ (smiling): I hope a lot of people will participate in the part on the environment. I want to leave a good memory.

MC: Interpreter, everything looks fine. (Gestures with hands to form a smile)
JHJ: Thank you.
IN: Smile
JHJ: Thank you.
IN: Can you say something for the fan meeting tomorrow?
JHJ: I hope to have a wonderful time with the fans at the fan meeting tomorrow. (Smiles shyly.) I hope there will be a lot of people. Thank you!
MC: Say a few parting words.
JHJ: I had a very meaningful time today. Many thanks to all those present.
MC: raipomuyakkon (Thai). Can you say this?
JHJ (smiling): raipomuyakkon.
(Fans cheer wildly.)
JHJ: OK, until tomorrow.....(Looks at IN uncertainly)
MC: Oh, sorry!
JHJ: Thank you! Thank you!

Next day. Different venue. Different MC (male) Same interpreter: IN
JHJ is wearing a white suit with a grey crew neck T-shirt.

IN: Before you came to Thailand, you went to Japan. Please tell us what it was like in Japan.
JHJ: In Japan I had a great reception. The fans were very enthusiastic.
IN: When the fans knew you were coming [to Bangkok], many of them went to the airport very early. What was your first impression when you arrived at the airport? Was the weather very hot?
JHJ: It was hot in Japan too. The temperature is more or less the same. I did not expect so many fans at the airport. It was a great surprise to me.
MC: This morning you planted a tree -- a "love tree". How was it this morning?
JHJ: Because it was morning, I felt very carefree and happy when I was planting the tree.
IN: Well, come again to plant another tree next time. The tree this morning is called "jasmine" (symbolising: blessing, passion, and kindness.) Happy?
JHJ: Yes.
IN: Have you ever had a fan meeting in an opera house?
JHJ: It's the first time I have a fan meeting in such a big opera house.
IN: Can you talk about your last drama? After you finished that, what did you do?
JHJ: My last drama is "3 Dads/1 Mom", a very cheerful TV series, with a unique storyline. After that was completed, I had a rest and went on a trip. And then I prepared for the fan meetings and the recording of the CD.
IN: That drama is finished, although it is not yet shown here.
IN: Are there any memorable times on the shooting of "3 Dads/1 Mom"?
JHJ: Well, the baby proved quite a handful, but even then it was still fun. The 3 actors played 3 distinct roles, and we had a lovely time on set. The baby slept a lot in the daytime and went to bed very early at night. When she cried, we had to wait for 3 hours before shooting could resume. Even though it was hard, we still had a very enjoyable time shooting this drama.

After the Thai Fan Meeting segment, there is the last video shot on the day JHJ entered the army on August 5, 2008:

"I'll never forget all the love you gave me. I will work very hard in the army. Thank you all so much! Please take care!"

The DVD ends with JHJ writing a few words for his fans:

"I shall remember this day forever. I love you."

Breaking news -- JHJ was unwell (but is now OK)

2009-06-28T17:00:00.007+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae's army colleague Nick-onjonglove left this message on CarpediemKorea on June 26,2009:

Jo Hyun-Jae news -- not in good health

Hello, everybody! The cookies are delicious. I thank you all on behalf of my campmates.
We are all very well in the army. Thank you very much!
But Hyun-Jae is not well and is currently in the infirmary.
We will send our good wishes and we will go to see him often.
So please don't worry too much.

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove)
(Translated from the Chinese translation by bpkwon@johyunjae.cn(ING)

We originally published the above post on June 27. Now we have an update from EVERKorea on JHJ's condition:

Rumor has it that Hyunjae is sick and it makes fans anxious about his health.

He pulled a ligament in his foot [while] on patrol.
The best way to treat the pulled ligament is to take a rest, as you know.
So he has stayed for a few days at the medical corps.
Today [June 27], he returned to his unit.
It is not serious. Don't worry.

We are concerned about him at the slightest matter,
This news can make you feel anxious.
But Fans' letter may be better to encourage him than anxiety.
Please send him many letters.

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 6)

2009-06-28T00:01:00.001+08:00

You don't need a running commentary for this final part of the "Seo Dong Yo" Special. You can see the actors
1. being outfitted for costumes
2. entertaining themselves
3. having their meals
4. being made up
5. wearing their wigs

The restrooms receive a special mention -- complaints: too few and too far. It's easier for the horses which just make everywhere their toilets and workers have to clean up after them.

Costumes are also discussed. The King's and Queen's costumes are of course the most elaborate.

Lastly, there is the shooting of the final scene -- of the Queen's death. The director feels the pagoda is out of place, so it is removed, and also a hut. Shooting must be finished before sunset, so the schedule is very tight. Princess Sunhwa has to die several times before the director is satisfied. He keeps telling her: "More emotions." and "No peeping." There is no time for dinner. Shooting continues in the film sets indoors. At 11 p.m. they still have not eaten; they have to wrap up the shooting.

They have been working together for 8 months and they have become like a family. When the work is finished here, they will all take up different projects. They will surely miss one another and even the routine. The director says he feels bad about making the actors stay up late almost every night for more than half a year.

In the TV studio again, in closing JHJ and Lee Bo Young thank the audience for their support of the drama. JHJ says he hopes "Seo Dong Yo" will remain in their hearts.

COMMENTS

Jo Hyun-Jae looks remote and "far from the madding crowd" in this show. Sometimes he looks like he would rather not be there. He has just finished filming "Seo Dong Yo" -- 8 months of hard work, and probably several weeks of preparation before that. You know how he never does TV shows, except that one time for "Only You". Of course this time he has to promote the drama, since he is the title character. His part in the drama is greater than everybody else, but his role in this SDY Special is smaller than most. He hardly opens his mouth except when called on. You can see from his eyes that his mind is somewhere else. He is looking breathtakingly handsome, as always, and his jacket is fabulous, in fact, the whole outfit, but he looks out of sorts. Is it because he feels sad at leaving his "family"? All his best friends are his co-stars from previous dramas. Here he and Rye Jin (Giroo) and Lee Chang Hoon (Moraksu) have become inseparable, but once they go their separate ways, it is not so easy to maintain constant contact. That is the nature of the entertainment world. Sometimes we wonder how JHJ could survive in such a world, being what he is. His personality does not fit in at all, but then his talent and his passion for acting make up for everything.

(THE END)

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 5)

2009-06-27T06:00:00.004+08:00

FAMOUS SCENES and MEMORABLE LINES (Continued)

THREE
Dying words of characters in drama:
1. Old King -- "My only successor is my 4th son, Crown Prince Mu. Tell the people. Sorry, Jang!"
2. Buyusun -- (hallucinating) "Sorry! Spare me!" (to ghosts of Old King and Crown Prince whom he murdered) and then, after being stabbed by his loyal aide-de-camp Heuk Chi Pyeong: "Thank you for putting an end to my suffering."
3. Heuk Chi Pyeong -- after killing his master, he turns the sword on himself: "Where your majesty is going, I'm going."

THIRD question posed to actors present: MC asks who has had a love like Seo Dong and Princess Sunhwa, a love that is "fated". There are 2 beeps (that is, two people press the button.) One of these, surprisingly, is the child actor who plays Bumro as a child who says he had a crush on a girl in Primary 6! When asked why they broke up, he says he likes tomboys but that girl is very gentle and tender and he feels "burdened".

Who is the other person who presses the button? Nobody would own up. Those who are married all say their marriage is "fated" -- meaning they and their spouses are destined for each other. MC teases them that they dare not say anything else because their wives are all watching the show.

The King (Seo Dong's father) says meeting is fate and parting should be natural. He offers a pledge of love: "Living together is a dream. Will love you as if we'll die tomorrow."

Female MC says Lee Chang Hoon seems to have a girlfriend and he says "Yes", but as to whether it is "fated", he says it has to wait till after they are married to be confirmed.

MC then re-phrases question and asks who is currently in a relationship that he/she feels is "fated". There is a single beep, but again not sure from whom. Lee Bo Young says she heard the beep, so it has to be somebody near her. MC calls JHJ's name and he says nothing. So MC presses him: "How about using this opportunity to declare yourself? Be brave and confess." At which JHJ says: "I didn't press the button." MC asks JHJ point-blank if he has a girlfriend and he says NO. MC follows up with: "When did you break up?" but receives no answer.

Then the video leaves the TV studio and a video of behind-the-scenes is shown of extras (who play soldiers) being outfitted for armour.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 4)

2009-06-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

Part 4 carries on where Part 3 left off. The actor who plays Seo Dong's father, the King, says he has been acting for 40 years when he plays father and son for the first time with Jo Hyun-Jae in "Only You" and now for the second time in "Seo Dong Yo". He feels like they are father and son, and even though he feels Seo Dong's pain and suffering, he never has the chance to take care of "his son". If they ever play father and son again, he promises he'll take good care of JHJ (at which our Hyun-Jae smiles very shyly and sweetly and nods in acknowledgement.)

MC says Lee Chang Hoon (who plays Moraksu) looks much older in the drama than in real life. Lee says he's a young man but in SDY he has to look older, so he feels older too. MC says the scene of Moraksu and Mo Jing embracing on the beach is like a grandfather and granddaughter embracing -- to great laughter.

Another actor says he plays a strong man in the drama, but he has his soft side too. He would like to play someone "to be protected" for a change.

FAMOUS SCENES and MEMORABLE LINES in "Seo Dong Yo"
(Watch the faces of the actors when these scenes are shown)

ONE
Love scenes between hero and heroine
Top 5 "goose flesh" scenes:
(That's what they call these scenes, but we call them romantic and moving and beautiful.)

5. Scene of Seo Dong resting on Princess Sunhwa's lap
4. Scene of Princess kissing snowman, then feeding Seo Dong (supposed to be rice but it's congee, since Princess can't cook.)
3. After a long separation, Seo Dong says princess is too thin and she puffs out her cheeks playfully and they embrace. Followed by scene of wedding night: he touching her cheeks and she touching his cheeks.
2. Scene of Princess bathing in the creek [very high rating in viewership for this episode]
1. Princess repeats after Seo Dong his pledge of love, followed by kiss; then he carries her on his back.

TWO
One-sided love, unrequited love, eternal triangle:
1. Princess Sunhwa, Seo Dong, and Princess Woo Young
2. Seo Dong, Princess Sunhwa, Giroo
3. Yun Gamo, Moraksu, Mo Jin
4. Moraksu, Mo Jin, Bumro's father

THREE
Dying words of the characters in the drama:
1. The old King (Seo Dong's father)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 3)

2009-06-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

More NG scenes are shown. That of Seo Dong as a slave being savagely horse-whipped by the guard breaks my heart, until the director screams at him: "Why are you hitting him so hard?"

Then there are other NG scenes involving minor characters. The abduction scene of Princess Sunhwa and her maid is bungled when the maid could not be put into the bag (the other bad guys have already carried off the princess.)

In the scene of the stabbing of the Crown Prince in the cave, the assassin cannot find the dagger. And when he is supposed to escape, he takes his time running out of the cave (complaining the tunnel is too long.)

Even minor characters don't know how to die from being shot. The director himself has to demonstrate.

After all these NG scenes, the actors are asked if anyone has been hurt during filming. Heo Young Ran (who plays Princess Woo Young) says she received 8 stitches from a wound incurred from being dragged by her on-screen brother Buyusun (actor Kim Young Ho) after he discovers her betrayal. The actor says he feels very bad, especially since it happens to a girl and a younger actress. He is so remorseful he takes up smoking again (but has since quit.) The actor who plays his aide-de-camp Heuk Chi Pyeong (Lee Hee Do) says after that scene with Princess Woo Young, Buyusun is going to turn on him. Before the shooting they have come to an understanding and Buyusun is only going to playact. But once shooting commences, Buyusun kicks him in the chin real hard. Good thing he manages to get out of range in time. Princess Woo Young says Buyusun does not realize his own strength. Once he bangs on a table and breaks it in two.

SECOND question -- Who thinks his/her part should be expanded or amended? 7 people press their buttons. Lee Bo Young says she is not very happy with her character in the later part of the drama. Princess Sunhwa is at first very vivacious but becomes a rather pitiable figure towards the end. She wants to play her in a more spirited way.

Another actress who plays a minor member of Taehaksa says she'd rather play an empress.

Then the actor who plays Bumro says he's the only one who can play Bumro, but he really wants to play Giroo, especially the death scene. He re-enacts that death scene as Giroo on the spot.

The actor who plays the King (Seo Dong's father) says he and Jo Hyun Jae twice play father and son, here in SDY and before that in "Only You". He feels like they are father and son, but in SDY he is not able to take care of his on-screen son. If they ever have the chance to play father and son again, he promises to take good care of his "son".

(TO BE CONTINUED)

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 2)

2009-06-24T06:00:00.008+08:00

NG scenes continue. Giroo (Rye Jin) is still trying to carry the unconscious Princess Sunhwa (Lee Bo Young) but keeps falling over. Never realized he's that weak. In the end, he has to carry her on his shoulder. Lee Bo Young keeps hitting him and muttering: "Am I that heavy?" JHJ as Seo Dong, who is supposed to have passed out too, can't help rolling with laughter on the ground.

And then it's NG time for Lee Chang Hoon (who plays Moraksu) who is the butt of the jokes. He has difficulties moaning and declaring his love, and he has such problems reciting his formal speech at the swearing in ceremony. He receives several NGs.

Then it is Bumro and his father's turn, the latter hitting the former -- hard! The father himself (actor Im Hyun Sik) gets several NGs on his own -- when he's "singing" (more like gasping) and kissing Mo Jin and losing his balance (but this time it is Moraksu who can't resist laughing.)

NGs of the two princesses follow -- first Sunhwa and then Woo Young -- both very cute. In one scene, Woo Young even uses an English word "check"!

Then other NG scenes are shown -- the funniest are those of the battlefield and the horses that have a mind of their own (in one scene the horse walks backwards! It just won't follow the script!)

The scariest is that of Seo Dong and Princess Sunhwa falling off a horse. You can hear Lee Bo Young screaming from a mile!

(TO BE CONTINUED)

"Seo Dong Yo" Special (Part 1)

2009-06-23T06:00:00.005+08:00

"Seo Dong Yo" was shown on Korean TV from September 5, 2005 to March 21, 2006. This SDY Special was televised live on March 26. Twenty four actors, including most of the principal cast, were present.

The video is in Korean, so if you don't understand Korean, just watch it like a silent movie (with some tips we'll give you here.) But you should have no problems reading the body language and watching the action.

You may, however, have difficulty associating the actors in contemporary clothes with their characters in period costume. We suggest you hit PAUSE at the beginning of the video and identify the characters first. To start you off, first row, left to right: Moraksu (Lee Chang Hoon), Princess Sunhwa (Lee Bo Young), Seo Dong/King Mu (Jo Hyun Jae), Princess Woo Young (Heo Young Ran), Buyusun (Kim Young Ho).

The two MCs begin by asking those present how they feel about the end of the drama. Lee Bo Young (who plays Princess Sunhwa) says she still doesn't feel it's over and it will take her some time to adjust. Lee Chang Hoon (who plays Moraksu) says he's the elder statesman on set, and he has to arrive early every day to set a good example to the others. He won't miss that role.

Then they play a game. Each actor has a button that he/she can press in answer to a question. The FIRST question is: Shooting a historical drama is hard work. How many of you never want to do it again? Answer: 12 (out of 24.)

Jo Hyun Jae says the most difficult part is the script always arrives very late, usually in the morning of the shooting. There are usually one to two books to memorise, so that's why they get so many NGs (no good -- re-take.)

Lee Bo Young says sometimes she has to sleep in her makeup, as there is no time to remove it and put it on again when shooting resumes in the morning.

The actress who plays her maid is worried about her wig, and another actress finds it hard to play dying, since she "has never died before" (in her own words, which elicits a lot of laughter.)

Who gets the most NGs? The actor who plays the Crown Prince. He says the dialogue just before he dies is so long and the intonation so difficult that NGs are unavoidable.

JHJ's part is the heaviest, so he gets a lot of NGs too. Asked how he recites the script, he says paragraph by paragraph, because often the speeches are too long. Sometimes he also has to resort to using cue cards.

NG scenes of the child actors are shown, with a graphic scene of the child Seo Dong being beaten by Moraksu for misbehaviour that would today be construed as child abuse.

NG scenes of the male actors are shown, and Rye Jin (who plays Giroo) tops the list. The funniest NG scene is that of Giroo trying to carry Princess Sunhwa (twice without success, with Lee Bo Young muttering under her breath: "Am I that heavy?") In the end, Giroo has to carry the Princess on his shoulder. Notice JHJ rolling with laughter on the ground -- his Seo Dong is supposed to have passed out.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

JHJ's early career (2)

2009-06-22T06:00:00.017+08:00

JHJ in "Great Ambition"

2003: Jo Hyun-Jae got the opportunity to act in "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang) and began playing the minor role of the Crown Prince. For the first time he used his own name JO Hyun-Jae.

JHJ saw this as a chance in a lifetime and gave his best under the director's guidance, creating the memorable Crown Prince. He received such praise as: a newcomer who does not look like a newcomer. In the cast, the Crown Prince is not an important role. When the drama started, there were lots of enquiries about him. For the first time, people were paying attention to him. Because of this, his role was expanded. Instead of being killed off early, he became the companion of the lead character and ended up coming into his own as the king.

After the failure of KAIST, JHJ tried harder and finally succeeded in making an unimportant role more important. His Crown Prince gained him many fans, even in Japan. That was when he first broke into the Japanese market. He also got the chance to act in other dramas.

The director and scriptwriter of "Love Letter" decided to use JHJ. He became the lead actor three years after his first appearance in a TV drama. Later he was handpicked by the director of "Seo Dong Yo" to star in the 55-episode historical drama, the first time such a young actor was elevated to such a role.

"Great Ambition" is the turning point for JHJ as an actor and the first time he used his own name. In an interview in Japan, he also said "Great Ambition" was the turning point in his career.

JHJ is quiet by temperament, but he wants to be an actor, so he follows his dream and gives his all. He is not a very emotional person, so it is difficult for him to cry, but his beautiful tears and angelic smile light up every drama. He is improving under the camera all the time. He can move people with his clear, luminous eyes. He is born to be an actor: he refuses to succumb to frustrations and does not falter under difficult circumstances. He performs each and every role with sincerity and verve.

JHJ is now serving in the army; his fellow soldiers see him as one of the boys. He is very low key; he has not released a single photo, and is quietly undergoing training and faithfully performing his military duties. He is the same beautiful actor who moves people in his dramas.

His straightforward character is revealed in an interview at the premiere of "Untold Scandal" (2003):

"I only got the script a few days before shooting of "KAIST", [that's why I didn't do too well.] I took a year off and learnt to act, to grow up. How do I act by myself? It's a secret. When I'm acting, I don't think about anything outside of my role. Compared to the name of Jo Hyun-Jae, I'd rather my fans remember me through my characters' names."

JHJ is not content to be confined to his roles; he always gives his best to every role. His future is something to look forward to.

(THE END)

(Translated and adapted from CarpediemJapan)

JHJ's early career (1)

2009-06-21T00:00:00.002+08:00

JHJ in "Golden Pond"

1998 First appeared on CATV as a member of 'Guardian'
2000 Drinks commercial
2000 Chewing gum commercial
2000 SBS "KAIST": Episodes 75-77 as Dong (2000.8.13 - 8.27)
2001 SBS Weekend drama "Father and Sons" as Zondu (2001.7.21 - 10.28)
2001 SBS "That's Good": Episodes 1-66 as Ihyonje(2001.11.19 - 2002.3.15)

Let us review Jo Hyun Jae's first baby steps into the Korean entertainment world.

1998: JHJ first emerged on the Korean entertainment scene as a member of the boy band Guardian and appeared three times on CATV. Due to problems with the production company, the group disbanded soon after they released their first album. (Please see our 6/16/09 post "JHJ in Guardian".)

2000: JHJ was discovered by talent scouts while practising in a boxing arena. He first appeared in a drinks commercial and then in a chewing gum commercial. After that commercial aired, his looks and deportment became the talk of the town. This resulted in his landing the role in Episode 75 of "KAIST". (Please see our 6/17/09 post "JHJ's early works (1)".)

Unfortunately the reviews were unfavourable, so JHJ was relegated to a supporting role and disappeared altogether after two episodes. He was not adequately prepared, acting for the first time and with no experience, and the script was receieved only a few days before shooting.

JHJ admitted his own inadequacy but refused to give up. In the following year, he practised acting and tried to learn from other actors. He passed the qualifying exam and enrolled in the Drama Department of Myonji University the following year and became a pupil of Professor Jan Mihie.

Summer of 2001: JHJ played the youngest son Zondu in "Father and Sons". For the first time he was mentioned as a newcomer under the name LEE Hyun Jae. After this drama aired, he gained his first fans and his first fan website was established in Korea. (http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove)

2001: JHJ played the part of Ihyonje in "That's Good", the drama that was considered the stepping stone for young actors. It was a considerable role, played for laughs. JHJ felt uncomfortable, like wearing someone else's clothes. He decided to seriously learn acting skills. He was in the first 66 episodes of "That's Good" (out of 74.)

2002: Then JHJ appeared for a few seconds in an unimportant role as an art teacher in the SBS Mid-Autumn special "Golden Pond."

This was followed by a blank period of eight months.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

(Translated and adapted from CarpediemJapan)

It takes all sorts to make JHJ's world (3)

2009-06-20T00:00:00.003+08:00

Since the feedback has been quite positive, I'll continue with my rundown of JHJ fans -- those I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) of knowing.

"E" is the very first JHJ fan that I came into contact with, but I've never met her. In early 2008 I saw her design of the 2008 calendar in a Chinese JHJ website. The photo that she chose for the cover (JHJ's Crencia photo) took my breath away. (See our 6/10/09 post "JHJ"s Crencia days" -- first photo on left (black-and-white.) I e-mailed her and asked to buy the calendar. This is the first time I wrote to a stranger. She wrote back and attached a file (of the calendar) -- free. I could not open the file and had to ask 4 different people on 3 continents before I could download it to a USB so I could make prints.

This is the start of a friendship that is as real as any in the flesh. Even though we are apart geographically, mentally and emotionally we are one -- in our shared love of JHJ (who has the capacity to draw people together.) "E" is a woman of character -- sensible and sensitive, warm-hearted and generous, creative and perceptive, a very talented artist with an eye for beauty (and young and beautiful too!) She also writes beautifully. She can see the essence of JHJ that even some enthusiastic fans miss, and she can express herself poetically but without any BS (Pardon my French!)

"E" has given me the most wonderful JHJ memento. On a boring day late last year, the doorbell rang and a courier delivered a package. I wasn't expecting anything, so I opened the tightly packaged box with no expectations -- and then I screamed in delight! I was staring at two big framed photos of JHJ and ME! Honest to God, yes, JHJ and me! If you've read my accounts of the Japan Fan Meetings in Osaka and Tokyo in June 2008, you'll know I had the good fortune to sit next to JHJ in BOTH group photos. (See our 2/28/09 and 3/3/09 posts "Diary of a star-chaser, Parts 2 and 3.") I had e-mailed the photos to "E" and she had cut out all the other fans and blown up JHJ and me, sitting side by side. These two photos are now among my most treasured possessions, so precious that I don't even display them. I take them out every now and then and pore over them, reliving those few heavenly moments of close proximity to JHJ.

When I started this blog, I asked "E" to design the header. The result is what you see here. She also designed our "wulijohyunjae" name cards -- another artistic creation. A pity we don't have many occasions to distribute them (since we don't socialize.) Not a day goes by that I'm not grateful to "E" for what she has done for us.

"F" is an enigma -- she is many identities on many JHJ websites. How do I know they are the same person? Because of her "footprint". She is obviously a very loyal JHJ fan. She takes the time and trouble to leave comments on several websites. She writes quite sensibly, most of the time. She talks very slowly and deliberately, and she has very definite ideas about everything JHJ. For example, she wonders if JHJ will get time off for good behaviour. I am a polite person, but at that I retort brusquely that JHJ is in the army, NOT in prison, and in the armed forces you serve your full term, unless you're dishonourably discharged. She looks shocked, and then she comes up with something equally inane. "JHJ should learn Chinese in his spare time in the army." I'm just beginning to feel a little sorry for being rude, but at that I blow up again: "If I were JHJ, the first foreign language I'd learn would be Japanese!" Anybody with any sense knows JHJ's most loyal and devoted fans (outside of Korea) are the Japanese. They buy everything JHJ -- all legal versions. Have you any idea how much "Seo Dong Yo" cost in Japan? Over US$800 for the full set! How many fans in other countries can afford to buy that? And of those who can afford, how many will actually buy the real thing?

I chide myself afterwards for being too harsh on "F". Anyone who loves JHJ deserves my respect and tolerance. In her unique way, "F" is actually a great admirer of JHJ. She really exhibits a lot of love for the actor by the way she leaves her footprints all over the place. Maybe she is the greatest JHJ fan of us all, in any case, the most unlikely.

"G" is my favourite Japanese JHJ fan. I first met her a year ago at the Japan Fan Meeting, actually at Osaka's Kansai Airport where she came to meet me and "A". I felt she was really going out of her way to be nice to us, strangers she's never met before, just because we're JHJ fans. For the next four days she acted as our translator, for which I was most grateful. We kept in touch and we have become friends. She too has her own website dedicated to JHJ and she works tirelessly to keep it going. She uploads lots of photos and videos (her own creations) to her site. She and her good friend "H" make a great team, rather like M and me. "H" doesn't speak much English (out of shyness, I guess), but she understands everything we say. "G" is more vivacious and outgoing, and "H" is more reserved and subdued. They are both bright and brainy (like so many JHJ fans), but "H" can come up with some brilliant ideas. "G" was teaching Japanese to foreigners last June and she had to find the perfect excuse to go to the fan meetings. "H" suggested she should say she had to attend a wedding as the "go-between". In Japanese society, as in many Asian societies, the person who introduces the bride and groom is much revered and is accorded a place of honour at the wedding. When I heard this, I roared with laughter. Only ingenious JHJ fans could dream up such an excuse for an important cause -- attending the fan meetings. "G" and "H" are also "fun" people -- we had a very enjoyable time together at the JHJ photo exhibition in Osaka in February. (See our first posts in February "We spent Valentine's Day with JHJ".) "G" and "H" are embodiments of modern Japanese women -- well-educated, well-travelled, cosmopolitan, intelligent, knowledgeable, efficient, sociable, but still retaining the traditional qualities of being ever so polite, gracious, elegant, and considerate. It is really a pleasure to know them.

I think it is wonderful that people of different nationalities can come together because of a common interest. JHJ is the most effective "ice-breaker" -- once we start gabbling about him, all inhibitions disappear, all divisions break down, all differences melt away. Don't you think our JHJ will make a great goodwill ambassador?

As my title says, it takes all sorts to make JHJ's world. Somehow he attracts all kinds of fans -- from the not-so-young to the not-so-old, from the smartest to the dumbest, from the sophisticated to the naive, from the intellectual to the mentally-challenged, from the witty to the humourless, from the selfless to the self-centred, from the extrovert to the introvert, from the visionary to the dreamer, from the sublime to the ridiculous (which just about sums it up.) He has this universal appeal and he inspires deep-seated affection and undying devotion in one and all.

(MAY BE CONTINUED)

Another year to go

2009-06-19T00:01:00.005+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae's message to his fans on August 4, 2008

Gone for a while and I'll be back

Finally tomorrow I'll be joining the army.

Just thinking of parting from my family and friends, as well as my fans, makes me feel lingering reluctance and regret.

But then when I return, looking back, it would seem the time is very short, right?

All this time, many thanks indeed for all your generous encouragement and support.

I'll return from the army in good health and good spirits.

On my return, if I see a lot of your letters welcoming me back, I'll be so happy.

Hope you'll all keep well and take care!

Exactly a year from today, on June 19, 2010, Jo Hyun-Jae will have finished his military duties in the Korean armed forces. He has already served 10 1/2 months since he joined the army on August 5, 2008. Private First Class Jo Hyun-Jae is currently serving as a regular soldier, having decided to forego the chance of being an "entertainment soldier", the career path of choice of so many actors and singers.

We wish JHJ well in his final year in the military. We pray that North Korea will behave, or at least not be allowed to misbehave. May there be peace on earth!

Let the countdown begin!

Random thoughts

2009-06-19T00:00:00.005+08:00

Competition

On the flight from the West to the East recently, I saw a Korean movie "The Naked Kitchen". It's very contemporary, very avant-garde, about a bold topic I've not seen explored in Asian cinema -- a woman caught between two men, well, nothing unusual there, but this young woman wants BOTH men. One is her husband of a year and the other a stranger who turns out to be her husband's partner in a new business venture. On their first anniversary, she meets this stranger in an art venue and sort of "makes out" with him. (They kiss and I'm not sure what happens afterwards, but the film synopsis says they make love!) I've not seen the actress before (Sin Min-Ah), but she's very pretty and cute in an impish sort of way, great legs too. But what I really want to write about are the two actors who play the husband (Kim Tae-Woo) and the lover (Joo Ji-Hoon*). I thought I didn't know them, even though the lover looks familiar, but as it turns out, he's the one who plays the Crown Prince in "Princess Hours". He looks much better in this movie than in the drama. These two actors are not my type at all, even though they are both tall and lean. But I could see a lot of fans being attracted to them, and other Korean actors like them. My point is -- Jo Hyun-Jae has competition! Every day so many new faces appear on the Korean entertainment scene -- all gorgeous hunks! Fans are fickle. JHJ has been in the army for almost a year. If after his discharge in June 2010, he does not make a great drama, he could easily be forgotten. So please, Mr. Manager, you need to get a good script and a good role for your superstar. *** JHJ's comeback must make a big splash! We are all waiting with bated breath.

(* Joo Ji-Hoon is currently being prosecuted for drug posssession, so his career may be over.)

H1N1

The world is under the grip of the H1N1 virus right now, but the response to this flu pandemic is radically different in the west and in the east. On my way to Los Angeles last month, I stopped over in Hong Kong for a few days. Every newspaper headline screamed: "Swine flu". (That's before pigs were vindicated.) All TV news were dominated by the dreary topic. When I got to the U.S.A., supposed to be one of the worst hit countries, there was hardly any mention of H1N1 at all. So I enjoyed three weeks of peace and quiet. But once I was back in Hong Kong, it's H1N1 all over again, every moment of every day. I see so many people wearing face masks. Why go out at all if you're so scared? Do these people know every year tens of thousands of people all over the world die from the flu -- the old kinds? It's just that this one is new. And it's highly curable, if caught early. If you want to be safe, stay home and watch JHJ dramas.

North Korea

The U.N. has imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea to curb its nuclear ambitions, and N. Korea has declared that any aggressive act like "stop and search" of its ships would be construed as an act of war. This is really worrying. Even if Jo Hyun-Jae is not serving in the S. Korean military, it would still be worrying. Technically speaking, N. and S. Korea are still in a state of war. They only signed an armistice, a temporary truce, on 7/27/1953. (N. Korea has since unilaterally withdrawn from this armistice on 5/27/09.) I'm not really worried that war will break out. (Heaven forbid!) Kim Jong Il is playing a dangerous game, but all this sabre rattling is just to get President Obama's attention. But I'm afraid Kim could accidentally go over the edge. After all, I live pretty close to Pyongyang. I pray for peace every night. I pray to God to keep JHJ safe. God bless us all! (This is Elena's line!)

*** Let's take a poll here on what kind of drama/film you would like to see JHJ in when he resumes his acting career after June 19, 2010:

1. Romantic drama (like "Only you")
2. Romantic comedy (like "3 Dads/1 Mom")
3. Action/romance/mystery (like "Forbidden Love")
4. Historical drama (like "Seo Dong Yo")
5. Thriller (like "G.P.506")
6. Tragedy
7. Any other suggestions?

JHJ's early works (2)

2009-06-18T06:00:00.029+08:00

"Father and Sons" (2001)

This "Father and Sons" MV is created by cafe.daum.net/nowguswo and edited by kk who set it to the Cantonese song "Every step of the way" by the Hong Kong singer Lui Fong. We have translated the lyrics which seem to mirror Jo Hyun-Jae's early life.

Every step of the way

Forget about yesterday's loss and troubles
Go right on, every step of the way
Forget not the lessons of failure
Never give up, keep on dreaming

Today I'm racing time and speeding up
Cheers by my side lead the way
Dashing in the wind, under the over-arching sky
How high is the sky! I can touch it with both hands
If I fall, I'll rise up and challenge it again
How fierce is the wind! I'd rather be the grass
That grows faraway, every step of the way

How deep is the sea, but it cannot submerge this lonely isle
Mountain beyond mountain, all built with two hands
How many more days in this life, but I'd rather get up early
And finish every step of the way in my life.

(Thank you, Carpediem and kk!)

JHJ's early works (1)

2009-06-17T06:00:00.041+08:00

KAIST - Episode 75: "145 km love"

In his first ever appearance in KAIST (1999), in the story "145 km. Love" Jo Hyun-Jae plays a university student who is carrying on a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend who lives 145 km. away. The setting for KAIST* is a university in Dae Jeon. His girlfriend is in Seoul, and for love he has to commute between Dae Jeon and Seoul on a motorcycle. JHJ plays this role of the young man who is caught between his studies and love with such charm that he impresses and attracts the general audience and wins his first fans. The rest, as they say, is history.

The video (18:32 minutes, in two parts) is in Korean and there are no subtitles. But we manage to get the drift of the story, as we're sure you can too, smart JHJ fans that we are! JHJ's acting skills may be a little green, but just watching him makes your heart ache. His features are so fine and his expressions are so sincere and innocent. And the 19-year-old JHJ on a motorcycle cuts such a dashing figure! Only complaint -- the actress who plays his love interest is so much older and is no match for him in looks (problem with casting.) There is another girl, though, his fellow university student, younger, prettier -- if this were a full-length drama, we know exactly how the plot will develop. Anyway, enjoy the video!

Editor's note: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a research university located in Daedeok Science Town, Daejeon, in South Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 as the nation's leading science and technology institution and is considered the MIT of South Korea.

(Credit for video: http://cafe.daum.net/kkkjin0202)

Meditations in still time

2009-06-17T05:58:00.000+08:00

Here I am, sitting in a plane that has been sitting on the tarmac for the last four hours. The captain has just announced that we've been given the take-off time of 5:20 p.m. -- 5 1/2 hours after the scheduled departure time of 11:50 a.m. This delay is due to weather conditions at our destination -- thunder and heavy rain. And our flight is only three hours.

So what have I been doing all this time? I read an English newspaper and two Chinese newspapers, the latest issues of TIME and NEWSWEEK (cover to cover), and FORTUNE and FORBES. I had my lunch. I wrote an article for our blog. And now I'm brainstorming.

What am I going to do when I return to my base and I can't access our blog? I've already lingered in the U.S.A. and Hong Kong for as long as I could. My husband might divorce me for desertion if I still don't return.

I've been praying for the last month, ever since google.blogspot was first blocked on May 15. I've been hoping that after June 4, the ban would be lifted. But June 4 has come and gone, and the ban is still in force. They say maybe after October 1. God! That's the end of our blog!

I've been working very hard for the past couple of weeks, saving enough drafts to last till my blog partner M returns from Alaska in early July. Good thing we can keep in touch by e-mail and, hopefully, SKYPE.

Why are we doing this? Why are we stressed out when M is on vacation and I'm supposed to have retired. Why do we have self-imposed deadlines and writer's block? Why am I writing this when most of my fellow passengers are sleeping?

A flight attendant just asks me if I'm a writer. Silly girl! A professional writer would be using a laptop and not be scribbling longhand. My answer? "Eh, freelance, sort of." Ha! Ha!

Yes, why are we keeping our blog going in the face of such difficulties? Not for fame or fortune. Maybe you can become famous hanging on the coattails of a star, but just as JHJ is so low-key, we prefer to remain anonymous. There are expenses but no income.

We hope we are providing a service to JHJ fans. We hope we are one step ahead of them with his news. We hope when they miss him, they can come to our blog and commune with like-minded people. We hope to keep his fans for him, or maybe even gain some new fans. Out of sight, out of mind. We want to keep him in sight of everybody.

And we love JHJ. He deserves our support. He's an "endangered species" in the entertainment industry. You don't find actors like him anymore -- professional, talented, conscientious, dedicated, hardworking, unassuming, modest, not to mention incredibly handsome (but not self-consciously so.) You don't find people like him anymore -- filial son, good brother, loyal friend, and great role model for the young. Someone like JHJ who gives us so much joy and inspiration is worthy of our respect and affection.

He's worth it.

P.S. The caucasian man sitting next to me has just disembarked. (I didn't know you could do that.) He's taking tomorrow's flight, since he's already missed his meeting. More people are getting off. I've called my husband six times -- every time the captain makes an announcement -- another delay. The burly man sitting in front of me is giving a pretty, young flight attendant a hard time. If he doesn't stop within ten seconds, I'm going to kick his a__ (the back of his seat, I mean.)

Our aircraft is being towed. Finally we'll be taking off! -- almost six hours after we first embarked and twice the flight time.

P.P.S. I left for the airport at 8:30 a.m. this morning. I arrived at my destination at 8:30 p.m. -- on a 3-hour flight. This is called 21st century travel. Marco Polo could have done better.

And we're not allowed to disembark till 9 p.m. because health officials came on board and checked everyone's temperature (thanks to H1N1.) If you display any flu symptons, you'll be quarrantined.

P.P.P.S. If M can post this, that means White Horse, Yukon has wifi. Thank God!

JHJ in Guardian

2009-06-16T06:00:00.047+08:00

You do know Jo Hyun-Jae was a singer before he was an actor, don't you? Rather, he was a member of a boy band called "Guardian" when he was 18. The group obviously didn't do very well because it soon disbanded. We think their manager chose the wrong lead singer! But then if "Guardian" had made it big, we would not have the actor Jo Hyun-Jae.

This 1998 video is a great discovery and shows a very young, very sweet JHJ who sings pretty well, to our biased ears. He looks even better (definitely shouldn't be dancing at the back!) It's fun watching the boys going through their motions.

This is the "white" video; there's another "black" version (the boys dressed in black.) We'll see if we can locate that.

(Photos courtesy of Param of carpediemJapan. Thanks!)

Korea Fan Meeting DVD Highlights

2009-06-15T06:00:00.022+08:00

The first hour is devoted to the Korea Fan Meeting which was held in Seoul on July 19, 2008. This DVD brings back all the happy memories of the occasion. The English subtitles are not at all bad, although there are a few typos (which we edited). Below are extracts:

First Jo Hyun-Jae read a letter to his fans:

"Hello, I'm Jo Hyun Jae. How are you all doing? First of all, I'm really happy to meet you by writing this letter in person, and I hope you know that I always want to meet you. Most of all, I couldn't leave out you, my precious fans, who always [stay by] my side. I really appreciated that you always cheer me up and give me great feedback after monitoring the programs I appear in. Thanks to all of you, I am now here as an actor, Jo Hyun-Jae, and I will likely become a more developed actor in the future. I feel I cannot thank you enough. It is now summer, the season of passion, so I hope a lot of good things and fortunate things will happen with a great joy just like this beautiful summer. I will continously do my best in order to show you my effort and goodness. Thank you so much."

After singing one of the songs from his forthcoming CD "Next to you like the wind", JHJ opened some gifts from fans. He then answered 5 questions submitted by fans:

5.Q. You were immersed in a character of a drama. Have you ever lived like this really?
A. In the drama "Three Dads One Mom" , I didn't know it at first, but I was immersed in a unique character, then my way of talking was changed like this, and my speaking becomes much faster than normal.

4.Q.What about acting...?(characters that you wanted and so on....)
A. I love all my characters, but I want to be a hero in a drama, like a superhero in a Hollywood film.
Q.Is there any film that brought you to think like that?
A.Several....I watched "Hancock" before. It was really an attractive character, so someday I want to get such a role.
(Editor's note: "Hancock" is a 2008 American comedy-drama starring Will Smith as a vigilante superhero.)

3. Q. What is your behavior normally?Do you sleep much?
A. I used to sleep[for] quite a long time. Probably 11 to 12 hours.
Q. How about drinking capacity?
A. Depends on the situation. Sometimes I drink a bottle and half of Soju, but I drink more when I stay longer. When I feel relaxed, I drink more. My favorite drink is Soju.
Q. What is your particular habits on drinking?
A. Hum...For me, it's a little bit different from others. Normally people are changed after drinking....but not for me. It's not an absolute rule, is it? When I drink, my [tongue] just trips...that's all.

2. Q.How do you frankly feel about being recruited? You are joining the army as a general soldier, not as an entertainment soldier. Why?
A. Because I belong to the service on active duty, 2nd class because I'm under the standard weight.
Q. Is there anything you want to do before joining the army?
A. I want to spend more time with my family, friends and so on, including having a trip.
Q. Trips to where?
A. I would like to go to local places as much as possible......I would like to go there alone.
Q. Where is your most memorable place?
A. I like to go hiking, so I want to go to where Seodongyo was shot where I used to hike at that time.
Q. It is typical for men to drink with friends. How about you?
A. Yes...I want to do that too.
Q. Don't you want to go on an overseas trip?
A. I'd like to do much, but I can't do that because of unfinished army service. So I said I wanted to travel around the country.

1. Q. Who is your most memorable fan?
A. I can remember each person. Japanese Fan Meeting is also the same...especially all of them with bright smile on their faces come to my mind. Above all, I thank my fans who directly came to the film shooting site. I couldn't even say hello because of too busy shooting schedule. I was really thankful for their visits when I realized their existence at the site after the location was completed. I miss them too much.
Q. Do you have any different feelings between overseas fan meeting and Korean fan meeting?
A. Korean fans have been with me for a long time and always encouraged me [and are] behind me with cheers. Korean fans are like my family....Some fans take care of me just like they are my mom....Comparatively Korean fans are [usually] quieter. But overseas fans are much more wildly excited at me, probably because they have not enough chances to meet me.
MC: Korean fans, be more wild!

There are some more questions and JHJ sings three more songs, during one of which, "Lucky", he forgets some of the lyrics and smiles in embarrassment, And when he sings "Like the wind by your side" again, he chokes with emotions while his fans scream encouragement. I remember this touching scene so well -- this DVD is worth collecting just for this alone.

If you want to share in the rest of the DVD, including the Thai Fan Meeting in August, we still have a very limited quantity. E-mail us at jhjfans@gmail.com.

All good things come with you, JHJ!

2009-06-14T06:00:00.001+08:00

Hyun-Jae, I happen to know you through a Korean drama, so I looked for all your TV dramas that I could get hold of. I am not a TV fan; it's all because of you. When I watch the characters you play, I often forget it's only TV. I feel that's the real you.

There are many teary scenes in "Love Letter", but I did not shed tears, except once. That's when the mother you never know asks to meet you. You who grow up in a Catholic orphanage put on with great care the sweater given to you by someone you call "Auntie" and stand waiting outside the door in the cold. Those little gestures of yours touching the sweater and looking at your watch gives me a lump in my throat. Actually to you she is a stranger you've only met once. What are you looking for? That moment wrings my heart. Sitting in front of my computer in the office, tears run uncontrollably down my face. When you discover that sleepless night that she is your mother, you squat on the street with another orphan Eun-Ha and you embrace in the cold, like two little lonely creatures, abandoned by this world.

I've been to your fan sites. I know you had a hard time growing up. But you're like Andrea. All that suffering, all that pain did not affect your inner qualities, could not change your positive attitude to life. How can you possess such an angelic face and smile? I cannot see the ravages of time on your face. Is it because you possess an equally noble heart?

And then I saw your historical drama "Seo Dong Yo". I was very surprised that someone as young as you could play so convincingly the title character from a child to a king, all his transformation through different phases of life. Only seasoned actors are capable of that. But you did it. Is it because of your unusual personal experiences?

In the drama, during the ten years after your friend died, you're saddled with guilt, but you persevere in trying to gain acceptance by members of Taehaksa in spite of repeated rejection, repudiation, being framed, and constant beatings and scoldings.

You meet the Princess again whom you haven't seen in ten years, and in a half-coma you take her to be your deceased mother. You say: "Mother, it's my fault. I'm tired. Take me with you." Such a painful, lonely confession! Is it inspired by your own suffering and loneliness? After you recover from your illness, you see the Princess and I see you smile for the first time in ten years. How can I describe how that smile touches me? So radiant as if this world never had any pain or darkness! Do you hide all your sufferings and present a brave face to those who love you?

We come to this world alone. We spend our lives searching -- for our emotions, for meaning in life, for our companions. But Heaven does not grant this blessing to everyone. That's why I feel we are all loners in this world. We try to find deliverance. In "Love Letter", your favourite book is a fairy tale. God finally lets down a rope for those who have suffered a great deal and bring them to heaven. We're all searching for that rope. When at first you feel helpless and hopeless, I don't know if you believe in the existence of this rope.

But you have brought a character to life and let me believe in the existence of this rope, that we are not actually solitary units. Heaven will tell you everything exists, if only in an imaginary world on the screen. And you, you exist in the flesh, don't you? What does it matter what methods are used? All the good things that come with you are presents from Heaven. Thank you, Jo Hyun-Jae!

(Credit: www.myblog.yahoo.com by daisy, posted on johyunjaechina.com by mcc. Original in Chinese.)

Who's the star?

2009-06-13T06:00:00.012+08:00

You may not believe it, but these are all Korean actors and singers currently serving in the military. The Korean armed forces now has so many entertainers in its midst that it can produce several dramas and musicals. I don't know how many of these you recognize. I can only identify a couple, apart from our Jo Hyun-Jae.

Somehow a lot of them look different without their hair, or rather, with their hair cut short in the military style, and without their star gear (designer wear and what-not.) Not our JHJ, though, who stands out anywhere, anytime, in any kind of wear. He simply shines, and easily outshines all the others.

(Photos from: Morning Today Star News 2009.6.8)
(Credit: http://yahoo.co.kr; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

JHJ in "Ice Lady"

2009-06-12T06:00:00.023+08:00

In Part 2, set to See Ya's song "Ice Lady" (which is about love and parting), the story continues with the eloping lovers. Actually the See Ya songs have nothing to do with the dramatic story. The director is really ingenious in coming up with such a storyline that transcends time.

In Part 1 (See Ya's "Love's Greeting") the JHJ character, the archaeologist, discovers a book clutched in the mummy's grasp. He reads her story and asks the Lee Yo Won character, the forensic sculptor, to restore her likeness. As she works, it becomes increasingly clear that the face that will emerge in the end is hers (in her past self.) No wonder she faints when she first sees the mummy. Lee and JHJ keep having flashbacks in their minds of their past lives long ago.

The lovers in the past come to a tragic end, or rather, the JHJ character is killed by his pursuers. The lady is forcibly taken back to her folks, and she spends her days writing her "diary". That is the book that is unearthed with the mummy and which tells their love story.

When the JHJ character, the archaeologist, sees the finished head, he understands at once. Lee leaves and he runs after her. His final words are: "The past must not be repeated. I'll never let you go again. Never!" At least in this life they may have a happy ending. (But I'm not sure, because Lee is wearing a wedding ring. I don't understand why this little detail is included.)

The two MVs together tell a beautiful and moving story. I like JHJ's acting here, however brief, only 11 minutes altogether, but it's like a mini-drama. And the See Ya songs are pretty catchy and melodious. The MVs are supposed to dramatise the songs, but the songs are just background music. It's the love story (past and present) that is so absorbing and attractive.

(Credit: johyunjae.cn for the Chinese subtitles.)

JHJ in "Love's Greeting"

2009-06-11T06:00:00.013+08:00

In 2007 when Jo Hyun-Jae was filming "G.P.506" and production was halted halfway, he made two rather surprising career moves: one was to model for Andre Kim in his Fashion Extravaganza in Wuxi (China) in July; the other was to star in two music videos for See Ya's second album.

See Ya is a very popular Korean female group comprising of three members (one of whom has left the group in April 2009 due to a contractual dispute.) Their second album "Lovely Sweet Heart" was released in May 2007, and it became the fifth best-selling album in Korea of that year, according to the Music Industry Association of Korea.

The first single "Love's Greeting" won awards at the 2007 Golden Disk Awards and the MKMF Awards. "Ice Lady" is the follow-up single which also did very well.

Jo Hyun-Jae's female co-star in both MVs is Lee Yo Won (who is one of two female leads in "Great Ambition".) The lyrics of "Love's Greeting" is about love and promise, but the MV portrays a very interesting and intriguing story. It opens with Lee, a forensic sculptor, driving to an archaeological site which is supervised by the JHJ character, an archaeological expert. Their team has just discovered a well-preserved female mummy in a grave. As it turns out, the story is about their past lives and present lives. Lee and JHJ are lovers in their past lives in ancient times, but they meet with a tragic fate.

The MV weaves between past and present. The scenes in ancient times rather resemble "Seo Dong Yo" in some respects. The two children who are the best of friends grow up to become lovers, but their love is doomed to tragedy because of their different status. JHJ is involved in some action scenes in which he shows his physical prowess, including a leap in the air with a fiery torch. This MV ends on a cliffhanger, with the JHJ character wounded by an arrow in the back. You have to go to Part 2 "Ice Lady" to find out what happens to Lee and JHJ in the past and in the present. Watch out for our post tomorrow.

(Credit: johyunjae.cn for the Chinese subtitles)

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

2009-06-11T00:09:00.007+08:00

If you visit our blog regularly and one day (or maybe even several days) you find no new posts, it's not because we're lazy or exhausted. It is because we cannot access our blog! Reasons:

1. One of our editors is based in a country where our blog (in fact, all google.blogspot) is currently experiencing technical difficulties. It's been a month already and there seems no end in sight.

2. The other editor is going into the wilderness of Alaska in mid-June -- for a two-week vacation (more like a retreat!) There may be no wifi.

These problems are beyond our control. It has been suggested that we change our server. But we love google.blogspot and want to tough it out. (If anyone has any brilliant ideas, please write to us at jhjfans@gmail.com)

We can work on our blog everywhere we travel (except maybe in remote parts of Alaska?) but not where we live (hopefully, only temporarily.) (Sigh!)

Please don't give up on us. We'll never give up on Jo Hyun-Jae.

More Crencia photos

2009-06-10T12:00:00.001+08:00

(Photos courtesy of Param of carpediemJapan.)

JHJ's Crencia days

2009-06-10T06:00:00.031+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae modelled for the Korean fashion brand Crencia in 2003. We find it hard to associate the fresh-faced kid here with that other model in the Andre Kim Fashion Extravaganza. (See our 5/19/09 post.) But then in his various dramas, JHJ plays radically different roles and each time he comes across as a totally different personality. That's what a good actor is all about.

The first video is the creation of our Japanese friend mizutamari. Many thanks indeed! (Credit: http://club.brokore.com/sodongyo). The song is called 어느새 (It) and is by the Korean singer Alex, now very "hot" in Japan too.

The second video is made from advertisements of Crencia's 2003 fashion line, set to the Gareth Gates' song "Too soon to say goodbye". (Credit: Carpediem.) It shows a side of JHJ that some of you may not be aware of. He's only 23 then, in his "Love Letter" days (as you can tell by the hair), but this young model in the very contemporary clothes is so different from Andrea. Just shows you how talented and versatile JHJ is. And he looks so full of sunshine and spirit! (We apologise for the less-than-stellar quality of the video, but somehow this gives JHJ a rather dreamy look.)

(Photos courtesy of Param of carpediemJapan. Thanks!)

JHJ DVD is out!

2009-06-09T23:28:00.009+08:00

The Korea Fan Meeting DVD has just been released ( a little behind schedule, but good things are worth waiting for.) It is on its way to overseas fans, so we should be getting it in less than a week.

I attended the Korea Fan Meeting in Seoul on July 19 last year. This is the last of JHJ's fan meetings before he entered the army. He became emotional when he was singing "Like the wind by your side" -- just for this one scene alone it is worth buying the DVD!

For a description of the DVD, please see our 4/29/09 post "Korea Fan Meeting DVD coming soon".

We have a few spare copies of this DVD, and also JHJ's CD. If you would like to have them, please e-mail us at jhjfans@gmail.com.

(photos courtesy of CarpediemKorea)

Our favouriteTaurus

2009-06-09T06:00:00.020+08:00

TAURUS

21st April to 21st May

Symbol: The Bull
Ruling Planet: Venus
Quality: Fixed
Element: Earth
Basic Trait: I Have
Closest Metal: Copper
Lucky Day: Friday
Lucky Colors: Pastel Shades
Lucky Gems: Lapis Lazuli and Sapphires
Lucky Flowers: Daffodils and Daisies

Strengths	Weaknesses
Compassionate	Stubborn
Dependable	Sensitive
Loyal and reliable	Aggressive
Strong - physically as well as emotionally	Dislikes change

Taurus zodiac sign is represented by the symbol of 'The Bull' and just like a bull, a Taurus person is strong and silent. In the first instance, a Taurus comes across as extremely quiet and reserved person. Only after you get close to him will you have a proper conversation, rather than simple monologues. He moves deliberately and is as steady as the 'Rock of Gibraltar'. Once a Taurus has made up his mind, it is impossible to move him even slightly. If you leave him alone, a Taurus will come across as a very easygoing person.

You push him somewhat and he becomes stubborn. Still trying to make him budge, beware of the violent temper. A Taurus person is hardly impulsive and never gets angry without a reason. In fact, he has perfect control over his emotions. However, when a Taurus does get angry, it is better not to get in the way or you are bound to get trampled. The anger also takes time to come down. He is quite attracted to the opposite sex, but attracting people to himself seems more preferable to him.

One of the typical personality traits of a Taurus is passivity. You can count on him to be there when you need him, but he will never be the one to call on you. At the same time, he will know 'what to do' and 'how to do it'. Worrying, fretting or getting nervous is definitely not one of Taurus characteristics. It is in his nature to be stable and stoic. He takes his decisions slowly, after careful considerations. Taurus people love their home and change upsets them. Don't tell a Taurus that he's stubborn; he'll never believe it. He thinks himself to be patient, not obstinate.

A Taurus has this amazing quality of bearing emotional and physical pain, even for years, without grieving or complaining. The more the troubles come pouring in, the stronger he will come out to be. A Taurus is nothing if not loyal and dedicated to his family and friends. He has a good appetite and loves food and drinks. He has a funny bone too; it's just that he prefers broad and slapstick comedy to subtle humor. Taurus are hardly cruel. At the same time, they are seldom broke. Sooner or later, the money will come to them.

A Taurus is not stingy and his pockets, along with his heart, are always open to friends and family. He loves grandeur and he is deeply interested in the various forms of art. Music usually has a very special place in his life. The ideas of a Taurus are always sensible as well as practical. He is not the one to build castles out of air. Synonymous with lasting love, Taurus people are not prone to wandering. They love luxury, but detest waste and extravagance. Last but not least, they are dependable, strong, patient and trustworthy.

(Source: http://www.iloveindia.com/astrology/sun-signs/taurus/index.html)

Well, do you see Jo Hyun-Jae in the above description? Is he a typical Taurus? Or maybe the characters he plays? What do you say?

(Credit: photo by Param of carpediemJapan. Thanks!)

How can anyone say NO to such a proposal?

2009-06-08T06:00:00.037+08:00

The proposal letter of the King of Baekjae (Seo Dong) for the hand of the Princess Sunhwa in Episode 53 of "Seo Dong Yo" is really a masterpiece. Before this formal proposal, the King of Baekjae and the King of Shilla (the Princess's father) have tried to negotiate peace face to face, but this is sabotaged by the nobles of Baekjae who engineer a border skirmish. This results in a military standoff between the two countries.

When the King of Baekjae realizes the true situation, he decides to cement peace between the two countries by proposing formally to the Princess Sunhwa. He sends Moraksu as his envoy to the King of Shilla with a formal proposal letter which is at the same time a very personal love letter to the Princess. Below are the contents:

Long ago in Shilla there was a popular folksong called "The Song of Seo Dong". I am the character in that song, Buyo-Jang, the King of Baekjae.

Due to our different backgrounds and social positions as well as our belonging to different countries, we have to experience a lot of separations and undergo a lot of sufferings. But all the pain has only taught me to understand more clearly how precious my princess is to me. Shilla and Baekjae may be two different countries, but there cannot be a dividing line between our two yearning hearts.

Even as the King of Baekjae, I have never had any second thoughts about our fate of coming together: our sufferings must find fulfilment in love. I love my princess not as a king but as a man. I protect my princess not as a Baekjae man but as her man. I respect my princess not only as her man but as her lifelong comrade. My proposal now is to request that you allow the Princess Sunhwa to be my one and only spouse in my life and to be the Queen of Baekjae. Princess Sunhwa is my beginning and my end. Please grant approval of our marriage. Let the two of us be the symbols of peace and friendship between our two countries.

Buyo-Jang
King of Baekjae

P.S.
This is the King of Baekjae's personal message to the Princess in a letter delivered by Moraksu:

What should I send to represent me to welcome you to Baekjae? I thought about this for a long time and finally hit upon this idea. Remember the little guy who becomes very angry when he finally discovers the Princess's identity? the little guy who becomes very sorrowful after he realizes he can never be with the Princess? the little guy who writes a folksong out of anger and sorrow? Even though that song is written out of spite, but to me, it's the song of hope -- hope of being together with my princess. It's the song of desire -- desire to be together with my princess. Let this song go in my stead. Let all the people of Shilla know. Let the people, and also the Heavens, grant our wishes. I will pray, and pray. I send this song to you. Miss you.

I've watched this drama a number of times and I've heard/read this proposal numerous times, but each time I still get misty-eyed. I am so glad Seo Dong and the Princess have a happy ending (of sorts.) They deserve to be happy together. Such a pity that happiness only lasts 13 years!

"Only You" for only you

2009-06-07T06:00:00.006+08:00

Have you ever wondered how we could come up with our posts everyday? We wonder too. During these lean times when Jo Hyun-Jae is in the army and there is scant news of him and on a day like this when our brains are in hibernation, we can only offer you this gem we found on CarpediemJapan.

Watch this beautiful MV, get hynotized by the music, salivate over Han Yi Joon, and then start on "Only You" AGAIN.

Here are the lyrics to the Crystal Gayle song "When I dream":

I could have a mansion that is higher than the trees
I could have all the gifts I want and never ask please
I could fly to Paris, it's at my beck and call
Why do I live my life alone with nothing at all?

But when I dream, I dream of you
Maybe someday you will come true
When I dream, I dream of you
Maybe someday you will come true

I can be the singer or the clown in every room
I can even call someone to take me to the moon
I can put on my makeup and drive the men insane
I can go to bed alone and never know his name

But when I dream, I dream of you
Maybe someday you will come true
When I dream, I dream of you
Maybe someday you will come true

Don't we ALL dream of JHJ! Maybe someday he will come true?

(Credit: http://blog.naver.com/hyunjae8740; CarpediemJapan. Thanks!)

"Great Ambition" is just great

2009-06-06T06:00:00.009+08:00

I must confess "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang, SBS 2002) is one of two Jo Hyun-Jae dramas that I have not watched from beginning to end. (Can you guess what the other is?) I did plough through the first episode, though. I made the mistake of watching it in bed and had difficulty keeping my eyes open by the end of the episode. I only remember it was very dark and I could not tell who was who. I was already very disappointed when I did not see JHJ's name among the actors just before the start of the drama.

The next day I learnt to use the FF function on my remote. The first time JHJ appears (in Episode 12?) he brightens up the scene immediately. He's wearing a sort of pink garment which would look sissy on any man except JHJ. He later appears in yellow and bright red (in the imperial robes of the Crown Prince.) I read somewhere that:
1. When JHJ went for his screen test, the director asked him to put on the costume of the Crown Prince. One look and the director said: "You've got the role." Nobody could look more regal than our JHJ.
2. JHJ's role is originally very small and his character is supposed to die very soon. But his initial appearance aroused so much interest that the director/scriptwriter had to expand his role, which is why his Crown Prince is still there at the end of the drama -- to take possession of his kingdom.
3. The director of "Seo Dong Yo" saw JHJ in "Great Ambition" and it made an impression on him. When he was casting for the role of Seo Dong, he insisted on using JHJ, even though no actor so young has ever had such an important role in a historical drama of such length.
4. Some Korean fans remarked (tongue-in-cheek) that if the Crown Prince really looked like JHJ, Korea would still have the royal family today!

JHJ's role in "Great Ambition" is very small, but every time he appears, he sucks the oxygen out of the room (in a manner of speaking.) All the other actors and actresses pale in comparison. And JHJ was only 22 then. Enjoy these photos. Next time I'll tell you more about my favourite scenes in this drama.

The Crown Prince in his imperial robes

The first appearance of the Crown Prince in the drama

The innocent look

The Crown Prince in disgrace (that's why he lets down his hair)

The Crown Prince in yellow

Near tears (remembering his deceased mother)

Every inch a prince

(Credit for photos: CarpediemJapan. Thanks!)

JHJ's poem recitation in "Father and Son"

2009-06-05T06:00:00.013+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae was only 21 when he filmed "Father and Son" for SBS in 2001. Here he is reciting a poem in one of the episodes. Even if you don't understand Korean, enjoy his magnetic voice, the beautiful scenery, the lovely music, or just the feel, and of course, that exquisite face, so young, so tender. We have translated the meaning of the words:

Someone I love

I do not love someone who comes forth from the dark
I only love someone who emerges from the heart of the woods
In the lonely darkness, suddenly it's bright, eye-piercing, heart-warming
Sitting in the gloomy forest
Watching golden rays from the sky piercing through the leaves

In this world of dust, how beautiful this is!

I do not love someone who has no tears
I do not love someone whose tears have no love
I only love someone who dissolves into drops of tears
To be happy without tears -- that is not joy
Where love is, shouldn't tears be there too?
Sitting in the tranquil forest
Someone with tears running down her cheeks slowly walks out of the woods

See how beautiful that is!

(Credit: blog.naver.com; cafe.daum.net; club.brokore.com; youtube.com; johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

More from JHJ magazine

2009-06-04T06:00:00.023+08:00

The top half of the top page is about the Jo Hyun-Jae photo exhibition which was held in Osaka from February 5-17, 2009. The photos show (from left to right) the entrance, the DVD showing corner, and the notice board (where fans left messages for JHJ.) (Please see our earliest posts in February: "We spent Valentine's Day with JHJ ".) The bottom half reports on the get-together of fans in various parts of Japan in October 2008, January and March 2009.

As for the bottom page, the top half is about something all JHJ fans are very familiar with -- the proposal letter from the King of Baekjae for the hand of Princess Sunhwa in Episode 53 of "Seo Dong Yo" -- a masterpiece in itself. The bottom half is the message that JHJ left for his fans on June 4, 2008. The Official JHJ Fan Club has just been launched in Japan and JHJ writes this message to celebrate the event. He says this is the first time he is writing this Diary and he is very excited. It has been raining intermittently for three days and the temperature is cool and it does not feel like early summer in Seoul. It's been a while since he stopped working [on "3 Dads/1Mom] and he misses having fun and meeting people. For actors it is a luxury* to have a proper rest so the body and mind can recharge. (*Actually he says rest is like "herbal medicine".) He looks forward to writing more in this Diary on the official website, even though he normally does not write open letters. He wishes his fans a good night so tomorrow will be a refreshing start to the day. Fighting!

**FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE OR TRANSFER ANYTHING**

It takes all sorts to make JHJ's world (2)

2009-06-03T06:00:00.043+08:00

I'll continue with my rundown of JHJ fans. I'm sure all those I've met are quaking in their high heels, fearing it will be their turn next. It will take me some time to run through the alphabets.

"C" is a take-charge, hands-on person. She too has her own website. All these "Masters" like to be masters, or rather, mistresses (but it doesn't sound the same.) I have a mind of my own, and I do not like to be ordered around. But in the JHJ world, your credentials, your education, your experience do not count. The only thing that matters is your length of "fanship" (I think I just coined a word.) Compared to "C", I'm a kindergartner. She has very definite ideas about how the presents should be wrapped. She'd brought all the wrapping paper, ribbons, labels, cards, etc. These are for JHJ; those are for the fan clubs. She is a perfectionist in her own way (and so am I.) We spent all night wrapping presents before the fan meeting. I thought to myself: "What the heck am I doing?" "C" is a strong personality and the others defer to her, so what can I do? She's not really a bad sort; she is genuinely devoted to JHJ. She would always stand in the front; she likes to be the centre of attention. I hide at the back (even then I once saw myself on YOUTUBE in a JHJ video and I almost fainted!) So there is no conflict between Big Sister "C" and me. The only thing I don't like about "C" is: she keeps sending JHJ chocolates. If he becomes "fat", you know who is to blame!

"D" is somebody I met last year in Korea, another "Master". She gave me her business card and I wrote to her several months later because I needed her help. I wasn't sure if she would respond but she did. Since then I've met her a couple of times in Seoul. Like all JHJ fans I've had the privilege of knowing, "D" is super-efficient and very helpful. The only problem is: we have difficulty in communicating in spoken English (her written English is fine.) Sometimes I cannot understand her and she cannot understand me (even though I speak in simple phrases.) For example, when I use the word "army", as in "JHJ is now in the army", she has no clue what I'm talking about. I discover that she uses the word "military", so "JHJ is now in the military" works. But guess what? We manage to have a very pleasant two-hour lunch and we finally find a way to communicate -- in written Chinese! Her Chinese is surprisingly good, so we scribble back and forth, and she gives me some inside information about JHJ.

Korean fans are very respectful and thoughtful; they would never do anything to embarrass or inconvenience their idol. I ask her something about JHJ and "D" says JHJ never mentions this and they would never dream of intruding on his privacy. In my latest meeting with "D", she reveals some things about Korean fans that really surprise me. Korean fans are very shy, so shy that they do not even let their families know they like JHJ. They have to hide their JHJ souvenirs and only admire them in secret in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Only unmarried fans can take part in events like celebration of JHJ's birthday because the others have to be with their families. (This year May 9 falls on a Saturday.) I think it's a good thing they have their priorities right. Family should of course come first. JHJ's family is the most important thing to him; he has reiterated this several times in the course of interviews.

I have always been most impressed by the way the Korean fans treat their star -- with great respect and infinite consideration. JHJ once says that his fans are as shy and low-key as he is, so much so that when they visit him on set, he has no idea they are his fans until someone tells him. They just stand quietly at the back; they do not ask for autographs or to pose for photographs with him. They seem content simply to be in his presence. And of course they send him presents for his birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and every festival and occasion under the sun. Now that he is in the army, they take extra care of him by sending things like skin-care products, toiletries (all brand names), phone cards (so he can call his family and friends), the latest magazines, a basketball (because JHJ says in a message he plays basketball with his camp-mates on weekends), even insect repellent! (among a host of other things.) They really think of everything. I do not need to mention all the snacks and other goodies that are always included for JHJ's camp-mates. I understand that when a Korean man enters the army, it is a custom for his family to send food and other presents to his fellow soldiers on special occasions. Since JHJ is a star, it is expected that his camp-mates will benefit from the largesse of his fans. A Chinese fan once said to me she could not understand why the Korean fans are doing this; she thinks this is not the function or duty of fans. This is a cultural difference between Chinese and Korean fans, I guess. For my part, I feel very moved whenever I see what the Korean fans have done for JHJ. And I am sure JHJ would be moved too.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

It's all about you

2009-06-02T05:00:00.001+08:00

Here are more of our favourite cards that we sent to Jo Hyun-Jae:

Card 1

This lazy, lovable dog (shar pei 沙皮?) is lying flat on the ground looking lost and forlorn, with these words below: "Do you miss me as much as I miss you?" Inside is just one word: "Impossible!" and a single paw print (its signature, we guess!) (Now you know what a "hangdog look" is.)

Card 2

This very sophisticated, cool-looking lady (with half her face covered) looks as if she's thinking about someone. The words say: "It's all about you" and inside "as it should be." We just like the look of this card. We want JHJ to know everything we do is about him.

We hope these cards bring a smile to Hyun-Jae's face.

It takes all sorts to make JHJ's world

2009-06-01T06:00:00.003+08:00

In the one and a half years that I have been an "active" Jo Hyun-Jae fan, I have come across a number of interesting "comrades", of different nationalities and from different parts of the world. I'll list them here in alphabetical order.

"A" is the very first super JHJ fan that I met. She is very well-known in the JHJ world. She has her own JHJ website and she has uploaded countless JHJ videos on the internet. I had arranged to meet her to deliver my application form for membership (to another fan club. Strange?) We were supposed to meet in front of Mrs.Field's Cookies in a MTR station. I'd never been in that part of town, so I set off early to make sure I wasn't late. As it was, I was 15 minutes early and she was 45 minutes late. So there I was, pacing back and forth, scrutinising every cookie with extra care, until I could memorise their price and shape and texture. We'd exchanged 3 or 4 calls and she still hadn't shown. If it hadn't been for JHJ, I wouldn't have suffered this. I'm an on-time freak -- I hate people for being late, and especially for blaming it on the traffic. It shows a lack of respect: I'm just not important enough for them to come at the agreed time. I was about to decide I'd been stood up when along came flying this BIG bulk which, before I had time to react, gave me a bear hug and screamed my name. I forgave her at once when she said she went home to get the JHJ magazines to show to me. She did come armed with a whole cache of JHJ goodies. For the next three hours we sat at a restaurant talking about JHJ. The people at the next table must think we're two crazy women, chatting non-stop and occasionally "screaming" (beneath our breath) whenever we came across a specially handsome picture of him in the magazines "A" brought.

"A" is a really dedicated JHJ super fan. She spends most of her waking moments scouring the internet for news of JHJ. She never sleeps (I know because I shared a hotel room with her in Japan for three nights.) She is tireless in networking in the daytime and posting articles on her website at night. She has a certain childlike quality about her that is very endearing. Her love for JHJ is so overwhelming that she neglects her own health in pursuit of his information. I have to tell her that JHJ cares about his fans and he wouldn't want her to suffer on his behalf. She is generous to a fault, but she is also sometimes generous with facts and figures. She tells me she is many things that she is not, but she does not know I know. We all live in our dream world, and I do not have the heart to rouse her from her sweet slumber. As long as she is happy, she has a right to indulge herself.

"B" is the one who introduces me to "A", but now, sadly, they are no longer talking to one another. I don't know what really happened between them, or their two websites, because I heard two different versions. "B" is very smart, very sharp, very witty, a sensible, no-nonsense person whom I liked before I even saw her. We met at a Korean restaurant (what else?) in another city. I was a little early, and as soon as she sat down, we started blabbing (for three hours.) It is very strange: JHJ fans need no introduction; we recognize each other as soon as we see each other, even without the "red rose". (You know how strangers in novels rendezvous? They carry a red rose as the emblem.)

"B" is a fast talker; her mind works very rapidly. Good thing I could keep up. It's fun hearing her talk about JHJ whom she met the year before. Even though I'd read this on her website before, listening to her tell it in person is much more vivid. I envy her so much for having the good fortune to be up close and personal with JHJ. "B" is a warm-hearted person and she is generous with her help where JHJ is concerned. I find that JHJ fans give a lot of their time and energy and even money unstintingly on his behalf. I have never been a fan of anyone's before, so I don't know how these things work. But I am quite convinced JHJ fans are more generous and giving than most.

In their different ways, both "A" and "B" love JHJ. In their own way, they are both serving JHJ. I think if they join forces, they can do a lot more for JHJ. I offer to be the bridge, so they can be reconciled, but I am told by "B" that their prejudices are too deep and their views are too divergent. It is a pity that they have gone their separate ways. They choose to be rivals instead of allies. Why is it that JHJ who is so low-profile and placid should inspire such competition and conflict in his fans? I suspect they want to monopolise him for themselves. Not me, though. My motto is: "Sharing is caring."

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Leading ladies in JHJ's dramas

2009-05-31T06:00:00.028+08:00

Here are Jo Hyun-Jae's female co-stars in his dramas (in reverse chronological order of the date the dramas were first shown on Korean TV.) Who is your favourite? We'll tell you ours if you tell us yours.

Eugene in "3 Dads/1 Mom" (2008)

Lee Bo Young in "Seo Dong Yo" (2005)

Han Chao Young in "Only You" (2005)

Kim Tai Hee in "Forbidden Love" (2004)

Song Hye Kyo in "Sunshine" (2004)

Jo An in "First Love" (2003)

Soo Ae in "Love Letter" (2003)

I know we left out Nakagoshi Noriko in "Star's Echo" (2004) and Lee So Yun in "Untold Scandal" (2003) and "Joy of Love" (2004). Why? Ask M.

(Credit for photos -- names on photos. Thanks!)

JHJ's life in the army

2009-05-30T06:00:00.034+08:00

We have received permission from the Official JHJ Fan Club to relay news from their May Vol.1 magazine to our readers here, provided that we "change the words." Since we have changed the language, we reckon we are obeying instructions. We have not translated the words, just the general meaning, and we have added information from Wikipedia (to fill our readers in on some background.)

The Republic of Korea army is by far the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces, with 522,000 members as of 2008. (One of these is our own JHJ!) The size is maintained through conscription. South Korean men must complete 24* months of military service between high school graduation and the age of 35, provided they pass a stringent medical check. (*Only 22 months for JHJ -- date of discharge from army: 6/19/10.) This is in response to the heavy North Korean presence, with its 1 million strong army, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ (demilitarized zone.)

These two pages show the life of Jo Hyun-Jae in the army. The map shows the location where JHJ is serving -- Pocheon military base. After 5 weeks of basic military training, JHJ was assigned to the Ammunition Depot (under Army Logistics Command) as a "dog soldier", working with military dogs. (Please see our May 27 post: "JHJ's army dog".) The two photos of JHJ in uniform on the top page are released soon after JHJ joined the army and show him with his fellow trainees. The small photo at bottom right is taken on the day he enlisted -- August 5, 2008, as are the three photos on the bottom page.

A day in the life of a Korean soldier
06:00 Get up, toilet, change into uniform
06:30 Roll call on field, morning exercise
07:30 Breakfast, clean up dishes
09:00 Military exercises before lunch begin
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Military exercises after lunch begin
17:00 End of exercises
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Free time (for bath,etc.)
20:00 Clean up, briefing by superior officers
20:30 Free time
21:30 Roll call
22:00 Bedtime
(Winter: get up 30 minutes later.)

The boots on the bottom right of the bottom page have an interesting "legend". (Please see our April 16 posting: "Farewell to JHJ: Seeing him off to join the army (Part 2)") We were told by a Chinese-Korean that Korean women often leave their men when they join the army. Perhaps a two-year separation is too much for some relationships. The army boots are a reminder that their men are serving their country, and the women have to wait for their return.

**FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE OR TRANSFER ANYTHING**

"Sunshine" is light and bright

2009-05-29T06:00:00.005+08:00

Maria's answer to Shirley

I love all of Jo Hyun-Jae's dramas, especially "Sunshine" -- it is light and bright: "light" as the opposite of "heavy" and "bright" as the opposite of "dark". I know, I know, it has the standard fare of the sins of the fathers visited upon the children. But in spite of everything, the overall mood is joyous and "sunshiny", thanks in no small part to the JHJ character Jung Eun Sup.

Eun Sup is not perfect (apart from his looks.) He has many weaknesses (but lasciviousness is NOT one of them):
- he's immature -- In Paris he's involved in a relationship with an older woman who treats him like a spoilt child.
- he's impulsive -- He flies from Paris to Seoul to try to stop his girlfriend from marrying someone else.
- he's selfish -- At the beginning he only cares about himself and his own happiness.
- he's self-indulgent -- He does whatever pleases him, regardless of consequences for other people.

I do not believe Eun Sup means to take advantage of Yeon Woo (played by Song Hye Kyo.) There is no need to. If he makes a move, she will not resist. JHJ in a pastry chef uniform is so drop-dead gorgeous that no woman can resist him.

Yes, Eun Sup has just been jilted by his former girlfriend, and for Yeon Woo to catch him on the rebound is not unusual. And don't forget Yeon Woo is younger and prettier than the other woman. Eun Sup thinks he loves his former girlfriend, but it soon becomes obvious that the attraction is superficial and physical. So it's not as if he sees one, loves one, see another, loves another.

The most moving performance in the whole of "Sunshine" occurs in Episode 9, when Yeon Woo declares her love for Eun Sup to Min Ho (overheard by Eun Sup, as it is.) Min Ho says: "What do you know about love?" And Yeon Woo replies: "No? Then what do you call this heartache whenever I think about him? For the first time since I was born, in all my 26 years, I feel something stuffed in my heart. I feel I'm about to explode. I cannot breathe. However unhappy I am, just looking at his face makes me feel blessed. What do you call this? Is this not love?" and "Why can't I feel this way? Is it because I'm an orphan? Is it because I have no education, no money, no ability? I can feel. I know what heartache is."

I am thoroughly convinced Yeon Woo loves Eun Sup. The fact that she has only known him for a few weeks is beside the point. That's how love is! Yeon Woo has known Min Ho all her life and she does not love him the way she loves Eun Sup. What she feels for Min Ho is affection but not love. If she really loves Min Ho, there would be no way Eun Sup could squeeze himself in. Something that Han Yi Joon says in "Only You" applies here. Remember that scene when the four of them are having a night snack at his restaurant? Actually Han and Eun Jae are having an intimate soiree and Soo Yeon (#2 female) and Hyun Sung (#2 male) crash the party. Han says to Hyun Sung: "If you've known someone for 16 years and are still just friends, you're going to remain friends forever, that's all." Han is very arrogant but he is right. Eun Jae and Hyun Sung can never develop beyond the "good friends" stage. Same with Yeon Woo and Min Ho in "Sunshine". He may love her, but if she has not fallen in love with him in all these years, it is highly unlikely she will after she meets Eun Sup.

The sweetest part of "Sunshine" is when Eun Sup and Yeon Woo are in the first flush of love, when neither is sure it is love. The scene when he buys her the hair clip and when he puts it on for her, and a scene on a bus when Eun Sup wipes away some lipstick for Yeon Woo who has put on some make-up for him and he tells her she looks more beautiful without, and another scene on the bus home (after Yeon Woo's declaration of love), when the driver hits the brakes and they both (sitting at the back of the bus) jerk forward, Eun Sup protectively puts out his arm and halts Yeon Woo's forward motion -- would all these be regarded as "touchy-feely"? I do not see this as an "invasion of personal space" at all. After all, Eun Sup has lived in Europe for a number of years, so he probably doesn't pay much heed to protocol, unlike a traditional Korean male. Holding Yeon Woo's hand from behind to teach her how to whip cream is perfectly natural. He has to show her exactly how to use "force". Before that he teaches her how to wear her uniform and rolls up her sleeve. I do not sense any resentment in Yeon Woo at all.

Shirley, you really should finish the drama. If you had persisted, you would have come across (in Episode 9), Eun Sup telling Yeon Woo that he's not a good person, that he does not deserve her love, and that Min Ho is the right man for her. This is the scene when they are sitting back to back at the glass door of her room, with Yeon Woo saying "It's all right" every time Eun Sup makes a point and tears running down her face. Eun Sup is doing what he thinks is best for her. Before this Eun Sup has commented on the relationship between Yeon Woo and Min Ho. I do not understand why Shirley takes offense at this. All Eun Sup says is: "You two are like husband and wife. You scold one another when you are together, but you miss one another when you are apart." I think this is a very perceptive comment and certainly not offensive.

The second half of "Sunshine" falls into the standard pattern of Korean drama. Yeon Woo discovers Eun Sup's father is the one who "kills" her father. (As it turns out, he is not the real murderer.) Love goes out the window and ambivalent feelings set in. She cannot hate him because it is not really his fault, but she cannot love him anymore. But instead of telling him the reason, she suffers in silence and makes him suffer too. Then she goes flip-flopping. She wavers between Eun Sup and Min Ho, driving both crazy. I think her conduct here is unforgivable. I can accept that she can no longer accept Eun Sup, but to give Min Ho hope when she knows she can never love him is callous. There is nothing in love that says the one who comes first has priority. In "Sunshine", the problem lies with the previous generation -- the crimes of the father visited upon the children. So if the premise is reconciliation is impossible (at least that is Yeon Woo's attitude), then the second half is just running rings around the actors. I find the second half tedious.

The real weakness of "Sunshine" lies in the ending. All accounts point to JHJ's role is originally the supporting one (the other guy who plays Kim Min Ho is the lead.) But when the drama starts on TV, Korean viewers swamp the SBS website with praise of JHJ. Ever responsive to the audience, SBS expands JHJ's role. But I guess they cannot possibly relegate the #1 male Rye Seong Beom to a subsidiary role. (Rumour has it Rye's brother is a director, maybe even a friend of the director of "Sunshine".) Hence the director/scriptwriter in their unfathomable wisdom conceive of this perfect way to end the drama -- a threesome. They cannot let Eun Sup and Yeon Woo come together. They cannot very well make Yeon Woo and Min Ho a couple. So they devise this "everybody lives together happily ever after" ending which pleases no one, least of all JHJ fans.

A cloud in "Sunshine"

2009-05-28T06:00:00.004+08:00

Shirley has a pet peeve.

I love almost all of Jo Hyun Jae's TV dramas and movies, except for one. And that is "Sunshine". Well, I enjoyed the beginning part of the drama, up to Episode 6. And I think Hyun Jae looked just like a prince in the drama. Plenty of praises have been devoted to this topic. But I had to stop watching in the middle of Episode 7 and haven't picked it up ever since. I was put off by some rather "touchy feely" things done by Eun Sup (the Jo Hyun Jae character). Let me be more specific.

If my memory serves me right, in Episode 6, Eun Sup had only known Yeon Woo for about 10 days. And what a 10-days it was! In those 10 days, Eun Sup was ruthlessly dumped by his former lover and had to stay with some total strangers just to hide from his own estranged father. He also lost his passport and could not go back home. It was rather amazing that he was not in a state of "mental wreckage", having gone through all these in such short period. A mere 10 days would be too short for one to recover from the pain of loss after a long-term relationship, let alone start to pursue a new one. At least that is my humble opinion.

But to my surprise, in the middle of Episode 6, Eun Sup started to comment on the relationship between Yeon Woo and Min Ho, which I took as a sign of showing interest in the leading lady. Eun Sup was then a half stranger to Yeon Woo's family which kindly took him in. And along the way, Yeon Woo had secretly developed some feelings for him . But he didn't know anything about it. He was expected to leave soon, after gathering all the necessary travel documents. He was also aware of Min Ho's love for Yeon Woo and sensed the reluctance on Yeon Woo's part. I think he should not have made such a comment. By all means, one's personal feelings is something, just like it is called, quite personal. That means now he had set his eyes on Yeon Woo? In that case, how should I label a charactor who can so easily forget and then quickly fall in love again (even if the girl was quite unusual and had remarkable qualities)? I know I would not use the word "solid" here. (By the day, he reminded me of Jung Woo Jin in "Love Letter", who knowingly wedged himself between Andrea and Eun Ha. I don't blame him for loving Eun Ha, but I detest what he did to the relationship between her and Andrea.)

Then a few minutes later, Eun Sup made an excuse and tried to get so close to Yeon Woo that eventually he forced her to stand up and leave the table. Eun Sup sensed her uneasiness but asked her why she couldn't bear to be so close to him, but would allow Min Ho to do that. OK, this time he found himself an excuse, that he was seeking friendship. Even if I could accept it at face value, I found it a bit bogus. Aren't we all yearning for true, trustworthy, long-lasting friendship? But we don't really go asking to have a 10-day acquaintance substitute for a twenty-year long friendship. It is not possible. And "Thou ought not invade other people's personal space" would be Social Etiquette 101. I don't really expect a well-bred Korean-born Frenchman to do such a thing.

In Episode 7, both Eun Sup and Yeon Woo started to work for Soo Ah, who was Eun Sup's ex-girlfriend. One day, Soo Ah told them that the cake made by Eun Sup was highly praised by the financial backer she was seeking for, and encouraged them to make an even better one that could meet the financier's specific needs. Of course they congratulated themselves for the achievement. Eun Sup was so happy that he put his hand on top of the girl's and would not let go of it. I was still puzzled with this when the final blow came.

Actually, there was a very sweet and sad moment in that part of the drama. Watching Eun Sup sifting the powdery ingredient for the cake reminded Yeon Woo of her father. She had flashbacks of her father working and smiling at her in her mind. She was too lost in her memory to notice that Eun Sup was waving at her all this time. Coming back to real life, Yeon Woo found out that Eun Sup was asking her about how she was doing on the cream. Then Eun Sup tried to show her how to correctly use the whisker. OK, to all the girls out there, if a man wants to show you how to properly make whipping cream, in which way would you expect him to do it？Normally, one would expect that person just to pick up the whisker and whisk away. Or maybe hold your hand if you know each other very well. To have someone wrap you in his arms and show you how to do it? Mm, you tell me who that person could be. But that was exactly what Eun Sup did to "show" Yeon Woo the correct way of making whipping cream. To me, that was the bottom line.

Playwrights can portray the unspoken attraction between two characters in very beautiful ways. When the affection is secretly broiling under the placid surface, the emotions are very delicate and beautiful. It is better to let actors' eyes and expressions do the work. Witty and interesting conversation definitely helps. The characters should adhere to the "hands-off" policy (if there is such a policy, but you know what I mean) until later when the time is right, in my opinion. In this drama, the lead male character was never touchy-feely to the leading lady. That means the scriptwriter knows how to make a character respectful. So to have Eun Sup behave in this Casanova fashion, the purpose was to instill some kind of imperfection in the second leading male character, I would have guessed. I was not sure which direction this character of Eun Sup was heading towards. To avoid more of such scenes or other "evil" traits that the second leading man normally must possess in order to make the first leading man more attractive, I did all a viewer could do when facing unwanted scenes -- stopped watching. I did just that.

(Since then, I learnt from other viewers that our prince had gracefully bowed out of the tangled relationship and there was no more "evil" spirit other than what I have felt dumped on his character. But I still don't have the heart to pick up from where I have left. Maybe some other time.)

Official JHJ Fan Club Magazine

2009-05-27T06:01:00.001+08:00

The Cover

We have just received the May 2009 Vol.1 copy of the Jo Hyun Jae Fan Club magazine. We have written to ask permission to publish the contents. While waiting for their reply, we have posted the cover here. We have never seen this photo of Jo Hyun-Jae before, have you? JHJ is showing a little flesh, but don't scream! (Oh, come on! He's just taken a shower! But his hair is not wet!)

If our heads get bitten off again, well, it won't be the first time. But it would mean we'll not be able to share the contents of the magazine with you. Actually they are pretty harmless, just rehashing old news. But of course we have to obey the regulations.

It is good to see the Japan Official JHJ Fan Club finally doing something. This is the first ever written communication we have received since becoming members in February 2009. If they allow the contents of the magazine to be made public, it would mean they have learnt a thing or two about public relations. The more people know about JHJ, the more popular he will be.

(Photo courtesy of the Official JHJ Fan Club.)

*(FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE OR TRANSFER PHOTO.)*

JHJ's army dog

2009-05-27T06:00:00.001+08:00

You all know Jo Hyun-Jae is now a "dog soldier" in the Korean army, that is, he trains and works with an army dog (or dogs). This is what his comrade-in-arms looks like. Rather scary, right? But then it is also a soldier. It is very different from JHJ's own pet dog "ssing-yi" (Ah Sing) which is a spaniel, but he must have been good with dogs to be chosen for this position.

(Credit: http//blog.daum/net and www.johyunjae.hk)

In the name of JHJ

2009-05-26T06:00:00.007+08:00

JohyunjaeHongKong launched their first charitable activity on May 23. A group of JHJHK members visited seniors who lived alone and distributed to them Chinese dumplings. (May 28 is the Dragon Boat Festival.*) Here in their own words (translated from Chinese):

We only visited 6 seniors since the rest (assigned to us by a charity organization) opted to collect the dumplings themselves. The funny thing was -- the addresses were a little confusing, so even after taking the elevator, we often had to run up and down the stairs.

In case the seniors could not hear the doorbell or were slow in opening the door or were wary of strangers, we rang the bell and knocked on the door and loudly announced the purpose of our visit.

The seniors were all very happy to see us and talked about their daily lives or complained about their old mates or told us about their ill health, like a broken leg that took months to heal. They all appeared very friendly if a little lonely.

These seniors are all over 80 years old. Their health and responses are remarkably good. Old people in Hong Kong are better off than those in other parts of the world. All they need are some attention and care.

Even though today is a stormy and rainy day and we got all wet (normally on a day like this we would have stayed home), we all feel very happy to have participated in such a meaningful activity. We hope to convey our concern and caring of our community in the name of Jo Hyun Jae.

Today is the first time JohyunjaeHongKong embarked on a charitable activity which we found most meaningful and memorable. This is the first step. We will carry on. Fighting!

* EDITOR'S NOTE: The 5th day of the 5th month in the Chinese (lunar) calendar is the Dragon Boat Festival -- in memory of Qu Yuan (c.340 BC-278 BC) of the Warring States Period. A high-ranking official of the state of Chu, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in a river in disgust over court corruption because he could not get the king to listen to him. He was much respected by the local people who threw dumplings into the river so the fish would not eat his body. They also used their long narrow paddle boats (see photo) to try to scare the fish away with the thunder of drums and the fierce-looking carved dragon head on the boats' prows (hence they are known as Dragon Boats.)

(Thank you, JohyunjaeHongKong, for the report.)

Miss you

2009-05-25T06:00:00.000+08:00

Sometimes you're allowed to "cheat" a little. When you've written several letters to Jo Hyun-Jae, you can send him a card. Letters are more personal and sincere (at least you take the trouble to write.) Cards are more visual and direct and sometimes speak louder than words (literally, as we will illustrate here.)

The two photos above depict a card we sent Hyun-Jae recently. On the cover is this stick figure (crudely drawn as if by a child) jumping for joy amidst flowers under the bright sun, with the words: "Me when you're here" -- a happy person. The red lines against a yellow background enhance the jovial mood.

When you open the card, you hear the sound of pouring rain (yes, it's a "sound" card) and you see everything has turned into blue. You see the figure transformed into a sad person crying buckets, crying as loud as the rain (Is that the sound of rain or his crying?) and these words: "Me when you're not." and then lower down "Miss you". Speaks volumes, doesn't it?

We think it's fun. Hope Hyun-Jae is amused.

An open letter to Star N Hit

2009-05-24T07:00:00.025+08:00

Dear Sirs,

We are loyal fans of Mr. Jo Hyun Jae and we are writing to you to appeal for more news and photos of him.

Ever since Mr. Jo entered the army in August 2008, there has been very little news and only a few messages from him. Except for a couple of photos released while he was in training, there has been nothing.

We cannot read Korean or Japanese, so our source of news is even more scant. We know the Korean fan clubs CAFE and EVER are doing a good job. What we don't understand is this: Why is the Official Jo Hyun Jae Fan Club in Japan? Do you know how difficult it is to join this official fan club if you are not Japanese? Almost impossible! Don't you want more people to join this official fan club?

You must realize Mr. Jo is no longer just a Korean actor -- he has transcended Korea. He has become an international star. Do you know how popular he is in South-East Asia (not to mention China)? (in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) Do you know how frustrating it is for fans there not to be able to understand what's going on? Mr. Jo has also conquered North America and even parts of Europe and Central Asia. These fans can only read English, but there is hardly any website that caters for them.

And when we try to fill that void, we find our hands are tied. We cannot share what we read on the Official JHJ Fan Club website with our readers. Why don't you release the photos taken on his birthday to the Korean fan clubs? Why don't you allow the photos to be made public? What is the harm of letting fans see the latest photos? Everybody is dying for a glimpse of Mr. Jo. Do you think you are protecting him? We are sure you know the English saying: "Out of sight, out of mind." Fans are very fickle and handsome young actors emerge on the Korean entertainment scene every day. Fans switch loyalties if they are not satisfied. There are still more than 390 days to go. How do you expect to keep the fans?

Apparently only members of the Official JHJ Fan Club who have paid the membership fee are allowed to see the photos. Then what about the MANY, MANY MORE fans all over the world who care about Mr. Jo but who are not, cannot be, or do not want to be members? Are you in effect saying to them they do not count? This is not fair: Mr. Jo belongs to all of us, not just to a few thousand fan club members.

Apart from the photos, there are the CDs, DVDs, calendars, photo albums, etc. -- Mr. Jo's souvenirs. They can only be obtained through the Korean or Japanese fan clubs. If you have no connections, too bad. Doesn't it make more business sense to sell these publicly, say, on the internet? In that case, even overseas fans can buy them online. Don't you think they will sell better this way? We have heard complaints from fans who find the hurdles too much. As Mr. Jo's management company, shouldn't you make it easier for his fans?

We are sure you are planning something special for Mr. Jo when he finishes his military duties. How he returns to the Korean entertainment scene is very important: whether he can make a career breakthrough after a two-year hiatus. He needs a good role, a good script. So many of his fans are waiting; so many people will be watching. We are counting on you to ensure that Mr. Jo's future will be even more splendid than his past or present.

Meanwhile, we appeal to you to bear in mind our interests. Everything is global now, including your superstar. For the sake of all Mr. Jo's fans, in any part of the world, please feed us as much information and news as possible in these lean times, so we won't starve to death while waiting for him to return from the army. Thank you!

Yours sincerely,
M & M
(representing the silent majority)

P.S. Our editor is in Los Angeles at the moment and she has just reported that "Seo Dong Yo" is showing on a Vietnamese TV channel, dubbed in Vietnamese with Chinese subtitles. Isn't that great? Doesn't that prove to you just how far-reaching Jo Hyun Jae's popularity is among different peoples all over the world?

News reports on JHJ's birthday

2009-05-23T06:10:00.003+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae cutting the birthday cake

Even two weeks after Jo Hyun-Jae's birthday on May 9, there are still several news reports in various Korean media, including http://star.mt.co.kr, SPN Daily, and sportschosun.com. We will just translate the general meaning which is more or less the same.

Jo Hyun Jae fans give presents to all his camp-mates on his birthday

Jo Hyun-Jae, who is serving in the Korean military, is still a superstar.

On his 30th birthday on May 9, his fans in Korea and from Japan, Hong Kong*, and other overseas places celebrated with him at the guest reception area of his camp.

The Korean fans prepared the birthday cake and all kinds of food, and the Japanese fans brought over 200 beautifully-packaged presents from Japan for JHJ's camp-mates who were very surprised and really appreciated the gesture.

A Star n Hit official (JHJ's management company) said: "JHJ is very moved by his fans' ardour and sincerity. He pledges to fulfil his military duties to the best of his ability and return in good spirits and great health."

* Hong Kong? We asked around and still couldn't find out who was so lucky to be there. His most ardent supporters celebrated JHJ's birthday at a get-together in Hong Kong, so all the likely suspects can be ruled out. Who could it be?

(Photo courtesy of CarpeDiemKorea. Thanks!)

P.S. EVERKorea also has a ph0to of Jo Hyun-Jae cutting their birthday cake outdoors in the open air, but they do not allow it to be transferred. You can see the cake in our post of May 11 "More birthday presents from JHJ fans" (first one). It's a different cake, equally coloured with the fans' love, and JHJ cuts it with as much concentration and appreciation as he does the other one (shown above.)

More JHJ photos (that you can see)

2009-05-23T06:00:00.012+08:00

These photos may have been taken during the first weeks of basic military training in August 2008 and show a very happy and relaxed Jo Hyun-Jae with his camp-mates.

We apologise for the quality of the photos, but anything is better than nothing. The photos may not be of the highest quality, but it is clear JHJ is very much at home with his camp-mates, just one of the boys.

(Photos courtesy of dearjohyunjae.com)

NEW JHJ photos and videos

2009-05-22T06:00:00.003+08:00

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!

MANIFESTO

2009-05-21T06:00:00.005+08:00

If you're a daily visitor to our blog, you might be wondering why there was no new post yesterday (5/20/09).

Could it be:

1. We've run out of ideas, so nothing more to write about.

2. Our blog has run into some problems.

3. Editor is in the air (incommunicado).

4. We're on strike (in protest).

Answer: ALL of the above

(not really 1. -- we still have plenty to write about JHJ, but we're suffering from temporary mental fatigue.)

Recently something happened that made us very unhappy. And disclosing it here might make us disappear from the world of JHJ, as someone put it. Now we're not afraid because: 1. we don't buckle under pressure, and 2. JHJ is in our hearts, so there's no way we can lose one another.

Our blog has been in existence for exactly 100 days. If you've watched a lot of Korean dramas, you'll know young lovers like to celebrate their 100 days together. (I suppose 100 days is a long time in a relationship nowadays.) We're celebrating our first 100 days in a special way (no cakes or flowers, sorry!) by declaring our Manifesto -- why and how we manage our blog -- our raison d'etre (reason for existence).

My blog partner M and I are ordinary JHJ fans. We have no fan club as our base. We are just a two-women team. In the normal course of things, we would have gone to our separate graves never crossing paths (since we live in different parts of the world.) But because of JHJ we've met. Our shared love for JHJ makes us want to do something for him, for those fans of his who can read only English, so more people will get to know him -- because he deserves it. Now I'm a shy person (and so is M) who would always stand at the back in a group photo (unlike JHJ who says in a Q & A that he usually stands in the centre) [See our earlier post "Everything you want to know about JHJ (and much, much more)"]. Sometimes you don't see me at all because everybody is taller than me; other times I get pushed to the front. What I'm trying to say is: If it hadn't been for JHJ, wild horses could not have dragged me out of my "retirement". It's all M's fault, she said: "Why don't we start our own fan club?" (since we don't quite fit in the others.) "M & M?" I replied, "No, thanks! I don't like crowds. Solitaire is my favourite game."

We then considered starting a blog. With a blog we don't have to see anybody, or deal with anybody (we thought.) A strange phenomenon in today's world is -- every other person has his/her own blog, even though sometimes even they themselves don't know what they're blabbing about. Just as some people love the sound of their own voice, others love to see themselves in print (especially if they are unpublished writers who think they deserve better.) We knew nothing about how to start a blog. In January when I was in the U.S., I asked my brother who is an amateur photographer and who has a website. He said it's easy; all you have to do is pay for one. I was busy with other things, so this was relegated to the back of my mind.

The day before I left the U.S., my brother called to ask if I had a Google account, and then, almost as an afterthought, "What's the name of that Korean actor?" Half an hour later he called again when I was vacuuming (almost didn't hear the call) and said: "OK, I've registered a blog for you. Free and very user-friendly. Just go in and play around with it.........and oh! BTW, found a good-looking photo of the chap and posted it on your blog." It wasn't until late afternoon that I had time to access my blog for the first time. One look and I almost had a heart attack! I found myself staring at a photo of Jo Hyun-Jae in military uniform (from the press conference of "G.P.506") and underneath it, the caption: "South Korea promotes JHJ to Lieutenant-General". I felt like murdering my brother! He was a naughty little boy and now he's a mischievous middle-aged man. I called his home at once; his wife said he's out walking the dog. I called his cell phone but there was no answer. (He'd left his phone at home.) I was in a panic. I was scared this could get JHJ in trouble. I am near-computer-illiterate. I had never even been in a blog. I clicked everything in sight, and after what seemed an eternity, the caption disappeared (and so did the photo.) I wasn't sure if my blog was still there. Then my brother called. I gave him a piece of my mind in no uncertain terms. (He's my younger brother.) He said: "What's the big deal? Who believes anything on the internet?" I said: "Some people might. You don't joke about military business. JHJ is only Private Second Class and you've promoted him to Lieutenant-General!"

I am actually very grateful to my brother for registering this blog for me. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't be writing this now. If you've ever wondered why our blog is called "Jo-Hyun-Jae", that's because "Jo Hyun Jae" was already taken. My brother has lived in the west for the greater part of his life, and he has no idea Korean surnames come first (like Chinese surnames.) He does not know which is which, whether JO or JAE is the last name, so to be safe he just hyphens everything. Only recently did I learn who owns "Jo Hyun Jae", and she's not even using it. I suppose "What's mine is mine, so nobody else can have it." I don't understand such mentality.

The blog remained empty for a few weeks until, on a lark, M and I decided to go to JHJ's photo exhibition in Osaka in February. We garnered plenty of first-hand material, so we decided to launch our blog with "We spent Valentine's Day with JHJ". Writing comes easily to me; I just write what is in my heart. What you see is what you get. My partner M is a near-computer-genius (compared to me.) She is also a good writer (though she doesn't know it.) We make a perfect team. So there we were scribbling away, working hard to build up our blog, learning something new every day, immersed in the world of JHJ (but we do have a life of our own; we're experts at multi-tasking.) We would be on cloud nine whenever we discover a new Follower, read a new comment, or receive a new e-mail. Someone suggests we add a new feature to register the number of hits on our blog each day. What for? Even if we are the only two people reading our blog, we would still carry on (for as long as we can.) Now M and I are both people of high esteem but no ego. We're not doing this for fame or fortune -- we don't need the first and we have enough of the second (we lead very simple lives; we're very low-maintenance.)

We're very happy every day locating news of JHJ, translating them into English, choosing the pictures to go with them, and writing on our own favourite topics. Even before JHJ's birthday on May 9, anticipation was in the air -- everybody was expecting his new photos. Except for one photo of JHJ and his camp-mates, released during his first weeks of training, there has been nothing for nine months. On one of his rare days out, JHJ gave us a photo of his military uniform. What a wry sense of humour! He must know that Chinese saying: "Seeing his things makes you think of that person." When he was on leave in late April, JHJ did not leave a message for his fans, so expectation was really boiling over.

Then on the evening of May 13, our Japanese "spy" (she's a darling!) sent me an URGENT e-mail: "Go to JHJ FC RIGHT NOW! Pics out!" There he was! Three gorgeous photos of JHJ in his military uniform. I frantically SKYPE(d) M and we immediately got to work. Now I'd like to state categorically that we're not in the habit of lifting anything from the Official JHJ Fan Club website (which is not exactly a treasure trove.) But this is special! Everybody has been so looking forward to these photos. Every JHJ fan wants to know what he looks like now. M and I discussed it for ten minutes and decided to stick our necks out. The photos and report were posted on the official website at 6:30 p.m., and we posted ours at 8 p.m.

Almost immediately the responses poured in. JHJ fans were all so happy to see him looking so fit and healthy -- "every inch a soldier", as one put it. We were very gratified we made the day (or night) of so many JHJ fans. I must confess to one oversight, however -- in our excitement and eagerness, we forgot to add: "For copyright reasons, please do not reproduce or transfer photos." (which we did first thing the next morning.)

Our elation was short-lived -- the next morning we were taken to task! We were told we should not have posted the photos, that anything on the official website was for members only. I immediately wrote to the Official Fan Club for clarification, twice, in fact. I asked if we're allowed to post their photos and news on our blog.* I don't remember signing anything when we enrolled, but then we didn't register online (like other members.) We did it in person at the JHJ photo exhibition in Osaka in February. (Read about this in our first post "We spent Valentine's Day with JHJ (Part 1)".) All we had to do was give our personal particulars, and the fan club staff on site took care of the paperwork (or rather, computer work.) We immediately checked the small print of the Official Fan Club website, and sure enough, there's a clause that says (in standard legalese) reports and photos may not be reproduced without permission. (Of course it's in Japanese, and we can't even read Japanese! Thank God for translation gadgets!) Then why is it that we see these so-called "exclusive" photos occasionally appearing in various JHJ websites in the last several months?

Now we are law-abiding citizens -- we respect intellectual property; we do not infringe copyright. One of our readers suggested we upload the OST of JHJ's dramas and we replied we could not do that. I know you can find songs from JHJ's CD on the web, but don't ask me how they got there. I was worried. I wanted to consult our in-house counsel (my son, Ha!Ha!) who's unfortunately in another time zone and it's the middle of the night where he is. I checked the official website again and (shock!) found the photos GONE! (Later, the report was also deleted.) Gosh! What have we done? I immediately removed our post on the latest JHJ photos (just to be on the safe side.) Our post was on for only about 16 hours, but (Oh! the power of the internet!) those JHJ photos have already been transferred all over the place. The reaction from JHJ fans everywhere was the same -- everybody was happy to see him looking so well.

It's been seven days since our blog removed those JHJ photos, but they are still on display on several JHJ websites, some openly, some restricted (to their fan club members.) The reason given for not publishing those photos was JHJ's interest must be protected. (We have no quarrel with that.) Unscrupulous people could use his image for illegal purposes, that is, producing souvenirs without paying JHJ royalties. Now I wonder whether the manufacturers of those JHJ souvenirs we bought in Seoul on our recent visit paid royalties to JHJ or his management company Star n Hit. That singing cup with the tune of "Like the wind by your side", the posters, the mouse pads, the calendars, the mugs, etc. etc., even the umbrella -- everything that uses his image -- Is JHJ being ripped off?

Apparently it all boils down to one thing -- If you want to see JHJ, pay. Become a member of the Official JHJ Fan Club and you can get the latest news (extremely scant) and photos (first new ones in several months.) Quite a few people I know wanted to join but could not get past the hurdles. Why do they make it so difficult for non-Japanese? Don't they want more people to join? If we had not been so persistent in Osaka, we would not have made it either. From the number on our membership cards, we know roughly how many members they have, but we're not telling. Has anyone ever wondered why the official fan club of a Korean actor is in Japan? We have our theory, but we're not sharing.

Now regarding other websites' practice of "saving" these photos for their own paying members, what can I say? We paid a fee to join the Japan Official JHJ Fan Club. We found these photos. (Yes, we had a scoop; we were the first!) We shared them with JHJ fans all over the world. And we have become persona non grata. We commit the "crime"; they enjoy the spoils. Other people take "our" photos and made them their own and are raking in the profits. You take a photo from the internet, crop off the original name and put your own label, and it becomes yours? These photos belong to the Official JHJ Fan Club, but the photos I took at the JHJ photo exhibition in Osaka received the same treatment. We found them circulating on the internet with some other websites' name stamped on them. We may be new kids on the block but we're not born yesterday. Such things are just not kosher, if you know this expression.

We're thoroughly disillusioned (Read: seething mad! but we have to maintain our dignity), just not enough to throw in the towel. What keep us going are the e-mails and messages we receive from JHJ fans from Canada, U.S.A., England, Austria, Germany, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia.......and counting. We may be just a new blog on a Korean actor, but we take the high road. We create most of our material, instead of just recycling. Our articles are original, not translations from the Korean fan clubs. We write from the heart; we don't just churn out mediocre stuff. We don't allow anybody to post anything. We exercise editorial control and we maintain high standards. We welcome contributions, but we have a strict screening process -- we accept only the best. You don't have to be able to write flawless English (we can fix that), but your heart has to be in the right place. We only issue one or two posts a day (except when there is breaking news); we believe in quality, not quantity. We operate by professional journalistic standards: we double-check (even triple-check) our sources before we put out any news. Some websites are copying our themes and topics (without any acknowledgement.) Since "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", we must be doing something right.

We are on good terms with the various fan clubs (actually we don't know that many; we don't socialize.) We don't get involved in fan club politics. All of the JHJ fans we've met are really nice people, all working tirelessly on his behalf. If they cannot get along (turf war? personality conflict?) it's none of our business. We don't ally ourselves with anybody; we are free agents. We just do our own thing. We work independently; we are beholden to no one (except JHJ.)

JHJ has given us so much joy in our otherwise boring lives that we just want to share the joy, to spread his dream in the sky (as he puts it in his song.) At the end of "A Frozen Flower" (Did you read my review on May 14?) when they are both mortally wounded, the King asks Hong Lim: "Tell me: Have you ever loved me? if only for one day, one moment?" I ask you now: "Did you miss us? (yesterday when we're off), if only for one instant?"

* We received a reply from the Official JHJ Fan Club on May 18, confirming photos and such may not be posted anywhere else.

P.S. New JHJ photos and a video were posted on the Official JHJ Fan Club website on May 18, and another 3 videos on May 19 and the last video on May 20. Are we sharing this time? Nah! Once bitten, twice shy.

JHJ read my birthday wishes!

2009-05-19T09:00:00.006+08:00

A month before Jo Hyun-Jae's birthday on May 9, EVERKorea asked overseas fans who wished to send birthday wishes to him to do so, following a certain format.

Fans from johyunjaeChina and johyunjaeTaiwan sent over a hundred birthday wishes which EVER compiled into a hand-made booklet (Photo 1), covering six pages in total. (Photo 2 shows one of the pages.) (There are two booklets altogether, one containing birthday wishes from Korean fans and the other from overseas fans, I guess.)

On May 18, johyunjaeChina received a letter from EVERKorea describing what happened when they brought JHJ the birthday gifts:

On Hyun-Jae's birthday, as office-bearers of the official website EVERjohyunjae, we met him at the guest reception area [of the camp.] We gave him the birthday presents. Have you seen the Master's post on this?

Hyun-Jae looks very healthy. I feel he is a real man.....^^

He speaks a little faster than he used to. Seems like everyone who enters the military undergoes some minor changes.

The way Hyun-Jae looks and speaks has changed somewhat because of military life. He's more manly ^^

But his eyes and the way he treats his fans are exactly the same as before. We could feel his love and gratitude to his fans.

When we gave him the "Happy Birthday" hand-made booklet, he looked through it very slowly, very closely, leafing over every page, saying "Thank You" all the time.

He said: "I will carry your hearts, all your hearts, in my heart and cherish them."

When he was saying this, he put his hand over his heart, several times.

I was thinking: He is a man of few words, so he uses this gesture to express his feelings.

Thank you all!

Thank you for telling him that fans from China and Taiwan care about him.

We feel we can prepare the best present for Hyun-Jae because of all the warm wishes of so many fans from all over the world.

The hand-made booklet is all the more wonderful because of your participation.

P.S. Above is the letter from EVERKorea to johyunjaeChina. I saw my birthday wishes in the booklet! (Photo 2 - right page, top left) Mine reads simply (in Korean and Chinese):

"Happy birthday! May you be blessed!"

JHJ read my birthday wishes!!!!!

(Credit: Thank you, johyunjaeChina, for the photos and the news!)

Andre Kim Fashion Extravaganza

2009-05-19T06:00:00.001+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae was the lead male model in the Andre Kim Fashion Extravaganza which was held in Wuxi, China on July 12, 2007. His female partner was Park Sol Mi ("Winter Sonata", "All In".) We don't know what you think of Andre Kim's garments, but after watching his shows before and after this one, we can confirm that the only model who can wear his clothes is our JHJ.

(Credit: names on photos. Thanks!)

"Joy of Love" is a joy to watch

2009-05-18T07:00:00.012+08:00

The first time I saw "Joy of love" (2004), I was awe-struck! This internet short film is so sophisticated, so polished, so slick (in the best sense) that I could not believe it is the work of a relatively young Korean director E J-Yong (of "Untold Scandal" fame.) I've since watched it many times, and every time I marvel at what a flawless little gem it is!

It starts traditionally enough in a darkened cinema, where the male and female protagonists "meet" without contact. They both happen to be watching a French movie, separately. If you pay attention to the French dialogue, you'll see it is about the break-up of a relationship. The woman is leaving the man; she says she doesn't love him and she is now very happy with another man. The man's parting words to her are: "You're making a mistake!"

Scene 2 finds the man accessing some kind of online dating service. Everything is very high-tech. He types in MEMBER and the computer does a biometric verification of his iris (which is unique in every individual) and his ID is displayed on the computer -- TRAVIS 1984 (year of birth?). He then makes his selection --PREVIOUS SELECTION (so they've met before), and chooses the meeting time and place -- 2010.10.15 9 p.m. Cafe #5. Suddenly you realize this is set in the future! Viola! He then downloads an 8-pronged gadget that he sticks to the nape of his neck. The computer announces he has three more times left (out of ten), so he's a regular customer.

Scene 3 shows the man arriving at the cafe. He is now dressed in a black suit and white shirt (no tie.) He sits at the bar to wait for his date. He touches NOTHING in front of him and a MENU appears in the air. He selects his coffee which also seems to appear out of the blue. He looks at his watch which is invisible until he touches his wrist -- it shows 9:01 p.m. A woman in a black pant suit appears and almost walks past the man when the gadgets on the respective napes of their necks "recognize" one another. The man and the woman greet each other like lovers. She drinks his coffee without asking and tells him she thinks of him a lot. Then they leave to go to dinner and she puts her arm in his in the most familiar manner.

A few shots of night scenes follow and in scene 4 they are in bed (presumably they spend the night together in a hotel room.) The man is just waking up from a nightmare. He presses a button and the scene at the window changes from darkness to light. The woman wakes and yawns, and the man tells her he dreams last night that she's leaving him. The woman laughs and says: "That's why you have to be good to me while I'm around. It starts with "I love you", but one "Goodbye" and it's over." And then: "Know what I like best? Spending a Sunday afternoon like this -- lazing in bed with my lover." Then they embrace and kiss -- just like any lovers.

Scene 5 is again set at the cafe. They are talking about love and death. The man says he would like to die in his lover's arms, to which the woman replies it's not fair to die and leave your lover behind. But how to die at the same time? The woman says the best thing is to die on the same day in their 60s. The man says he wants to meet the woman who would die with him and the woman pretends to be offended. Just the usual lovers' banter. Suddenly the gadgets at the nape of their necks flash red. The expression on their faces changes radically, suddenly becoming cold and uncaring. They don't even look at each other. They are like two complete strangers. The man just gets up and leaves (without a goodbye) and the woman doesn't care at all. The last lingering shot of the woman's face depicts utter boredom and indifference.

That's the end as far as the story is concerned. This short film closes with a return to the online dating service whose logo is a red heart flanked by a triangle on the left and a square on the right, with the words:

The service for those who have suffered the pain of love

Experience only the joy of love

Would you like to enter?

Then the very beautiful music comes on and the credits start rolling. The actors are on stage barely 9 minutes (superb editing!) and the whole short film is 11:10 minutes, including the music and credits at the end.

My reaction after watching "Joy of love":

1. Gosh! What a cleverly devised and deftly executed little film!

2. Wow! JHJ is so breathtakingly handsome (with or without clothes)! He is "prettier" than the actress Lee So Yun.

3. He has such fine skin -- the face, the neck, the upper body.

4. What an ironic statement on human relationship!

5. Is this the "brave new world" of the future?

The title is of course ironic. The "joy" is unreal -- bought and manufactured, a temporary respite from the pain of life. "Love" is non-existent. The relationship between the man and the woman is physical, sexual, and temporary. Is this what the future holds for men and women? For those who have been hurt in love, the solution is NOT to enter into a serious relationship again. Instead there is no harm in make-believe. You get a night and a day of erotic ecstasy. If you're satisfied, you can try it again (with the same partner) next time. If you're not satisfied, you can always pick a different type. It's all just a commercial transaction. And then I'm suddenly seized with a horrible thought -- what's the difference between this and a call girl service?

If this is a conventional dating service (as in our world today), the man and the woman might find they have some things in common. For one thing, they both like French films. For another, they have similar tastes in clothes -- both dressed in black suits.

The most disturbing thing in this little film is the abrupt end to the relationship. Two people engaged in such an intimate conversation suddenly breaks off and behave as if the other is transparent. They become cold and stiff and indifferent -- the man just leaves and the woman doesn't even cast him a glance. Everything that happens the night before means nothing -- just a pastime. Where is the love? Where is the joy?

Jo Hyun-Jae was barely 24 when this internet short film was made. He plays Travis to perfection here. Every move, every word, every look speaks volumes. I've seen a behind-the-scenes short film on the making of "Joy of love", and I'm very impressed by the meticulous way they rehearse for each and every scene (though only a couple of minutes in the finished format.)

I love "Joy of love" (if only because it shows a half-naked JHJ! Just kidding!) I enjoy watching it, and it makes me think afterwards. How many Korean dramas, and, for that matter, any movie in any language, can do that?

He wants to be close to his fans

2009-05-17T07:00:00.018+08:00

(From Korean magazine DVD MAGAZINE Vol.3, April 2009 -- Part 2 (Edited)

Before Jo Hyun-Jae entered the army on August 5, 2008, he has been trying to get close to his fans. His reputation has expanded beyond Korea and spread all over Asia. In 2005 he had his first fan meeting in Tokyo, Japan. In 2006 from November he met his fans in succession in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo. In 2007 there was the Korea Expo (Face in Japan) event. And again in June 2008 fan meetings were held in Osaka and Tokyo and a dinner show in Nagoya. Finally in August there was a fan meeting and charity activities in Thailand. Jo Hyun-Jae went all over Asia to get close to his fans.

On July 19, 2008, a month before his enlistment, Jo Hyun-Jae held his last fan meeting in Seoul for his Korean fans. Fans from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand also attended.

Jo Hyun-Jae prepared special presents for his fans, so they will have something to remember him by while he is in the army -- a CD and a photo album.

During his last fan meeting in Seoul, he sang the songs from his as yet unreleased CD. While singing, he kept thinking of the way his fans have treated him and could not continue. Seeing him choke made his fans cry too. The auditorium became a sea of tears.

The CD is full of Jo Hyun-Jae's love for his fans. There is a song in it - "Words you said to me" - that is composed of words that Jo Hyun-Jae wrote down in a long letter which the songwriter then set to music.

This CD is not available from the usual outlets but can only be purchased through the official fan clubs. The response has been so overwhelming that in Korea and Japan it could now be downloaded as a digital single on the web.

Even after he entered the army, Jo Hyun-Jae was still thinking of his fans. Whenever he was out on leave, he would always leave a message for his fans on the fan club websites: www.everjohyunjae.co.kr and cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove.

The message that Jo Hyun-Jae left one day before his enlistment says: "I'll miss my family, friends, and fans. I'll be a good soldier. And I'll be back sooner than you think."

In November 2008 when he was out briefly, he wrote: "I am now a dog soldier: I train and patrol with a military dog every day, so I'm very healthy. Fans' letters and presents give me a lot of strength."

Jo Hyun-Jae's other messages for his fans:

Dec.24, 2008
Hello everybody! Have a happy Christmas! You have sent me a lot of encouraging letters and presents. My storage box is not big enough to hold them. I don't know how to thank you.

Mar.3, 2009
I've been promoted to PFC (Private First Class) and I have more and more soldiers under me. Severe winter training has been completed. During my free time I play basketball with my seniors and juniors. Also many thanks for the letters and chocolates for White Valentine. I had a shock when I saw all the presents; I was very touched by your sincere concern. I couldn't eat them all myself, so I shared them with my camp-mates.

Last summer Jo Hyun-Jae was seen off by over 200 fans from Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand and entered Camp 306 for five weeks of basic military training. After that he was assigned to one of the military bases at Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province.

It has now been eight months and he has been promoted to PFC. He looks back to the early days in the army when he was worried how he would get along with his fellow soldiers because he was older than the average recruit. I would very much like to ask Jo Hyun-Jae himself how he was getting on with his younger colleagues, but since it was impossible, I called his management office and asked about his latest news. This is what I was told: "He's the oldest in his unit, but this has not proved to be a problem; in fact, everyone is very good to him." And in Jo Hyun-Jae's own words: "This is the first time I'm experiencing life in a unit, so it's a little hard at first. But everyone has been very kind to me, so I adjusted very quickly. Now on every weekend I play sports with my camp-mates and am leading a very healthy life."

That business about his getting the autographs of the Korean girl group "Wonder Girls" has become famous. The special things that Jo Hyun-Jae would do for his camp-mates have become a hot topic.

The first time off for a soldier has special meaning. Asked how he spent his first leave, Jo Hyun-Jae said: "I spent a leisurely holiday with my much-loved family." He also told me that apart from the set military meals, he also wanted to try other food. Normally he is not very fond of Chinese food, but when his family or management company staff visit him, they would bring Chinese food.

I have heard Jo Hyun-Jae goes to church every Sunday, and on weekends he plays basketball or football with his camp-mates. He is indeed leading a very healthy and vigorous life in the military.

As to whether he has lost any weight under the rigid military training, he said: "No, I haven't lost any weight. I've become fitter and healthier because of military service."

He quit smoking in early 2009, so he has not been smoking for three months now. (Editor: this was an April issue, so to date actually JHJ has quit smoking for 5 months.)

Before his enlistment, Jo Hyun-Jae had planned to serve one year as a regular soldier and then apply to be an entertainment soldier in his second year, but now he wants to continue as a regular soldier.

(THE END)

His heartache makes our hearts ache

2009-05-16T06:00:00.001+08:00

(From Korean magazine DVD MAGAZINE Vol.3, April 2009 -- edited for length and sequence.)

Remember that first love? Let us recall the young Jo Hyun-Jae, so gentle and sweet, so shy and pure. His face looks absolutely unsullied by this world. It does not seem he has had a rebellious phase; he is always so amiable.

I first met him in the summer of 2000. The silent and deep look in his eyes made you feel you're being absorbed into them. He was among the cast of the 1999 SBS TV series KAIST which depicts friendship and love among young people. I remember being shocked when I realized this was his first acting role in a TV series. His appearance is more attractive than the lead actor, and his performance is deeply touching.

In his first ever appearance in KAIST, in the story "145 km. Love" he plays a university student in the biology department who is carrying on a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend who lives 145 km. away. The setting for KAIST* is a university in Dae Jeon. His girlfriend is in Seoul, and for love he has to commute between Dae Jeon and Seoul on a motorcycle -- I feel sorry for him. When I saw the very charming and always smiling Jo Hyun-Jae playing his role of the young man who is caught between his studies and love, I was most impressed and deeply attracted, and so was the general audience.

Since his debut in KAIST, Jo Hyun-Jae has participated in the weekend series "Father and Son" (SBS 2001) and the situation comedy "That's Good" (SBS 2001) which witnessed an improvement in his acting skills. And since his vivid portrayal of the Crown Prince in the 2002 SBS drama "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang), his pure and dazzling appearance, his serene and deep eyes, and his unique baritone voice have prepared him for his brilliant collaboration with Soo Ae and Ji Jun Hee in the 2003 MBC drama "Love Letter".

As Andrea in "Love Letter", Jo Hyun-Jae plays the novice priest torn between his love for God and his love for a woman. This touching love story affects even the actor himself. No wonder the audience all cry with him. The famous setting for the drama, the very elegant Junglin-gong Yakhyun Catholic Church, has become even better known because of "Love Letter".

Following the very moving story of Andrea, Jo Hyun-Jae portrays the agonizing experience of Young Woo in SBS' "First Love" (2003) who has to accept that the girl he loves is in love with someone else. His heartache makes our hearts ache too.

And then in 2004 Jo Hyun-Jae portrays a songwriter in the MBC/Fuji TV Korean-Japanese joint production "Star's Echo", a pastry chef in SBS' "Sunshine", a special forces agent in KBS' "Forbidden Love"; in 2005 an heir to a commercial empire in SBS' "Only You" and the King of Baekjae in "Seo Dong Yo", also by SBS; in 2008 an investment manager in KBS' "3 Dads/1 Mom"; and as a young scholar in the movie "Untold Scandal"(2003) and Lieutenant Yoo in his latest movie "G.P.506" (2008) -- over the years the very versatile Jo Hyun-Jae has been playing a variety of roles.

Jo Hyun-Jae has proved he is a many-sided actor, and through his various works, now expressing tender love, now manifesting macho toughness, he has established his popularity in these eight years. As a result, he has won a number of prestigious awards:
2003 SBS Best New Actor
2005 SBS Best Loved Actor (voted by under 20s)
2006 42nd Baeksang Arts Award- Most Popular Actor
2007 Andre Kim Best Star

(TO BE CONTINIED)

* Editor's note: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a research university located in Daedeok Science Town, Daejeon, in South Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 as the nation's leading science and technology institution and is considered the MIT of South Korea.

I saw JHJ on his birthday!

2009-05-15T11:00:00.003+08:00

This is one of several messages left on CAFE and EVER after Jo Hyun-Jae's birthday on 5/9/09 by those fans who were lucky enough to go to his camp to celebrate his birthday with him. This is by a CAFE fan (the original is very long, so we have abridged it but retained the essence.)

This Korean fan took two days off to go to Seoul and stayed with a friend. The first part of the message detailed how they made seaweed soup for Hyun-Jae. (It is a Korean tradition to have seaweed soup on one's birthday. See our earlier post "Birthday presents from JHJ fans".) Let her tell the rest in her own words:

Because we were going to a military base, we could not use GPS (global positioning system). We brought a lot of food for Hyun-Jae and his camp-mates. On the road to Pocheon (Editor: where JHJ's camp is located), we kept thinking: "Wherever Hyun-Jae is, that's like home to us."

We wondered what Hyun-Jae looked like now: Is he healthy? Is he tanned? But when we finally saw him face to face, he looked just like before -- his skin was as fine as ever. He looked very fit and healthy; life in the army obviously suited him.

Hyun-Jae was very happy to see all the food spread out before him. "I don't know where to begin eating," he said, obviously very pleased. We asked if he had seaweed soup yet and he said No. (If he had not been in the army, his mother would have made it for him.)

These are Hyun-Jae's own words: "Many, many thanks! I really appreciate what you send me every month -- all the supplies of daily necessities and snacks. Life in the army makes me very strong and healthy." (He was very sincere when he said this, as I'm sure you can imagine.)

I asked if he had put on some weight, and he replied: "Strangely enough, I still weigh the same."

I looked at the name tag on his right breast, and I wish you could imagine how smart our Private First Class Jo Hyun-Jae of the Korean army looked.

His management company promised to send us photos taken on his birthday. Everybody is waiting for Jo Hyun-Jae's latest photos -- very, very handsome! His fans cherish his birthday more than their own.

Thank you very much, all Jo Hyun-Jae fans!
Thank you too, Japanese and overseas fans!

EDITOR: Since you can't see his "very, very handsome" latest photos (we had to remove the post), we can only give you this narration/description. Use your imagination, as the writer keeps saying. But "a picture is worth a thousand words" (Sigh!) We can assure you, however, that Jo Hyun-Jae really looks very healthy and bright in his army uniform. He "seems" to have gained a little weight (his cheeks are fuller), probably a result of his quitting smoking in early 2009. He looks every inch the soldier but also the same JHJ who said farewell to his fans on 8/5/08.

(Thanks for the translation into Chinese, bpkwon of ING)

Isn't he sexy?

2009-05-15T06:00:00.003+08:00

The photos are posted by my blog partner M and the title is also hers. This is sort of her reply to my post yesterday on "A Frozen Flower." She thinks "sexy" does not mean taking off one's clothes, and she submits these photos of Jo Hyun-Jae as proof. Well, what do you think?

(Photos courtesy of dearjohyunjae.com)

JHJ in "A Frozen Flower"?

2009-05-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

I finally saw that Korean movie "A Frozen Flower" ("Ssanghwajeom") which caused a furore when it was released at the end of 2008. It made waves because:
1. it's about a touchy topic -- homosexuality and bisexuality
2. it has many explicit sex scenes -- between man and man, and between man and woman
3. it broke box-office records in Korea (maybe because of 1 and 2)

For the uninitiated, here's a brief synopsis of the plot of the movie:
"A Frozen Flower" is a historical drama set in the late Goryeo Dynasty and takes its title from a song of that era which describes the sexual relationships between men and women. At that time the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea is under the virtual rule of the Yuan Dynasty of China. Goryeo's King (played by Ju Jin-Mo) is under pressure to produce an heir to the throne. But he cannot have sexual relations with a woman. He has been carrying on a romantic liaison with his chief bodyguard Hong Lim (Jo In-Sung). To stave off his political opponents who are clamouring to appoint a Crown Prince (since the King is childless), the King asks Hong Lim to sleep with the Queen (Song Ji-Hyo) so as to produce a royal heir. What follows is of course the inevitable eternal triangle, with Hong Lim and the Queen falling in love after making love on the King's orders, and the King getting increasingly angry and jealous. The ending is predictably tragic, with the King and Hong Lim killing each other in a kind of duel.

You may be wondering by now -- "Why am I reading this on a Jo Hyun-Jae blog? What has this got to do with JHJ?" Nothing, except that as I was watching the movie, I kept wondering what it would be like if JHJ were playing either role. JHJ once said in an interview that he watched a lot of movies, both Korean and foreign, and he often projected himself onto the roles -- "How would I play this?" So I was thinking: Which role would JHJ play best -- the King or the bodyguard? And in my opinion? Both! JHJ could play both roles.

First, the King. Everybody who has seen JHJ in "Seo Dong Yo" and as the Crown Prince in "Great Ambition" (Dae Mang) knows he looks every inch the king in regal robes. In "A Frozen Flower", Ju Jin-Mo handles his role superbly, for which he won the Best Leading Actor award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Award (2008). His role is not as sympathetic as that of Jo In-Sung's, but it is more complex and subtle, and Ju produced a nuanced performance. JHJ may be a little young for this role, but he has the depth and discipline to deliver.

JHJ is perhaps more suited to play Hong Lim. This young man is the commander of Kunryongwe -- personal bodyguards of the King, young boys whom the king personally selects and grooms and keeps close to him in the palace. Hong is devoted to the King, until the Queen comes between them. He is a reluctant participant in the sex scheme; he is only doing the King's bidding. But once he discovers the pleasures of heterosexual love, he betrays the King and finally kills him. Of course it's not as simple as this, but that's the impression I get the way Jo In-Sung portrays Hong Lim. Jo was contracted to play Hong Lim in early 2007 and began training for his role, learning martial arts, fencing, and horse-riding. He is pretty good in all these, but he should have been given some training in acting. He fails to express the conflict in the character who must have been torn between his loyalty/love for the King and his desire/love for the Queen. Now JHJ, I'm convinced, (and I am of course prejudiced) can convey the internal struggle, the emotional turmoil, the passion boiling beneath the surface. If he can portray the conflict in Andrea who is torn between his love for God and his love for a woman in his first starring role in "Love Letter", he will have no problem handling the role of Hong Lim. And because JHJ is so much handsomer than Jo In-Sung (and Jo isn't at all bad-looking), the King's attachment to him would be so much more convincing.

I read that the director Yoo Ha wanted to do something different from his previous works, so he opted for a historical melodrama which was a new challenge for him. He also stated that the film was "a love story between men." In case we don't get the message, Yoo inserted a very graphic sex scene between the two male actors -- the two naked men kissing eagerly and greedily on a bed -- for a very long time! Now I'm a film buff and I've seen such scenes before, so I'm not shocked, but I'm embarrassed -- because the lovers look like two hungry dogs fighting over a bone to me. In fact, this scene is not necessary at all. Just showing the two in bed together already speaks volumes. When I was watching that scene, other movies about homosexual love came to mind -- "Brokeback Mountain", "Lan Yu" (Chinese movie), and especially that Merchant/Ivory masterpiece "Maurice". In order not to revolt the general audience, love-making between two men must be emotional and touching. I'm sorry to say while watching Ju and Jo wrestling, I kept wishing it would end soon.

This is at least an isolated scene, but the love-making between Hong Lim and the Queen is depicted in great detail and at full length every single time. I'm not prudish (well, maybe I am) but after the first time, is it really necessary to make us play voyeurs to their extensive and excessive love-making? Does the entire sex act have to be played out on the screen every single time? I'm sorry to say I find that rather boring. Hong Lim and the Queen say they love one another, but they have not spoken ten words between them. Every time they see each other, they have sex. Are they confusing love with love-making? Since this movie did so well at the box office, obviously I'm the only one who has problems with this issue. But just compare this aspect of "A Frozen Flower" with Ang Lee's "Lust/Caution", in which the controversial sex scenes are fewer and farther apart (and shorter) but each one is an integral part of the plot. Quantity is not quality. More is not better.

Having written all that, I've come to the conclusion JHJ MUST NOT PLAY EITHER ROLE! Simple reason -- I don't want him to be exposed to the whole world! Jo In-Sung especially leaves nothing to the imagination. He is naked half of the time, not half of the scenes, but time-wise the whole of him is exposed for several minutes at a time. I respect these Korean actors for the sacrifice they make for art. I remember Bae Yoon Jong in "Untold Scandal" also bares all in several scenes. No, JHJ cannot play either role in "A Frozen Flower", not because he does not have the acting ability, but because the director's conception of the roles demand that the actors get too physical for my liking. Love between men and between a man and a woman can be portrayed without scenes in bed, or in a library. (Several of the sexual encounters between Hong Lim and the Queen take place in the palace library.) What is it about libraries that directors find so "sexy"? I'm thinking of "Atonement" in which the 13-year-old narrator stumbling onto her older sister and the son of a servant making love in their library sets in motion the tragedy that ruins all their lives.

Has anyone seen "A Frozen Flower"? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Or am I just raving by myself?

P.S. News reports of Jo In-Sung in Korean newspapers on 5/12/09:
Jo entered the Korean military on April 6 and, like all other new recruits, underwent five weeks of military training. Within one month he was hospitalized twice: first for stomach ulcer a few days after his enlistment, and second, on April 29 for an injury to his right shoulder. On May 18 he will be assigned to the Air Force band. We wish Jo In-Sung a speedy recovery and two uneventful years in the military.

Star n Hit says THANKS

2009-05-14T07:00:00.003+08:00

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")

Sleeping Beauty

2009-05-13T06:00:00.000+08:00

When an actor is asleep, or rather, plays being asleep, there is no way he can express his acting ability. His facial features are laid bare for the whole world to see. Jo Hyun-Jae in his sleep exudes beauty, peace, and serenity. See for yourself.

(Credit: names on photos. Thanks!)

Two "love" letters to JHJ

2009-05-12T07:00:00.005+08:00

Ever since Jo Hyun-Jae entered the army, I have been writing to him every week (sometimes more.) I write in English. I don't know if he understands what I write, but it doesn't matter. Anyone who has ever been in boarding school abroad or who has lived in a hall of residence (called dormitory in the U.S.) in a university away from home will remember fondly how he/she loves to receive letters (at least I did.) This is of course in the days before e-mails and when long-distance telephone calls are prohibitively expensive. We are sustained by letters from family and friends, especially boyfriends/girlfriends.

I remember my then boyfriend (now husband) promised to write every day when I went to university in England, and he was as good as his word. Strange thing, though, more often than not his letters would arrive 3, 4, or even 5 at a time. I put it down to the irregularity of the British postal system. It wasn't until several years later that I learnt he composed his "daily" letters at one sitting, but dating them separately.

And now I do the same. Whenever I feel like it, I write Hyun-Jae a couple of letters and mail them at the same time. I write to him as I would write to a friend. The title of this posting is deliberately misleading. I never use the word "love" in my letters to JHJ (except in: "I love all your works.") Some people say they don't know what to write. Well, just write what is in your heart. You're doing this as much for yourself as for him.

It doesn't matter whether Hyun-Jae understands what I write. (I am not proficient in Korean, but I always include a couple of standard Korean phrases/clauses like: "Good luck and good health", "Wish you every happiness", "God bless you!" -- these recur so often he must think I'm a parrot!) The important thing is he knows there are people who have not forgotten him, that there are fans who care. I want him to know we'll always be there for him, that we're right here waiting for him. I remember how I would sometimes feel very homesick in England, even depressed. I don't know if Hyun-Jae ever falls into these dark moods, but a caring gesture (even from a stranger) could make a difference. A letter or card can cheer one up and brighten one's day.

Below are two letters I wrote to Hyun-Jae before I started this blog (maybe not word for word because I didn't keep copies.) Sorry! nothing mushy here -- I leave that to the young girls.

Letter 1

Dear Hyun-Jae,

You must have received loads of letters from fans ever since you entered the army, but I am sure you have never received one as funny as mine -- and it's a true story too!

When I was in the U.S. recently, I bought a lot of cards (to mail to you) -- everything with "Missing you", "Thinking of you" on it. When the cashier at the check-out saw what I was buying, she asked: "You have a loved one who is away?" I answered: "Yes, in the army." She asked: "Iraq or Afghanistan?" My response: "Korea." I left her looking absolutely puzzled! (Ha!Ha!)

Please take good care of yourself. You are very important to us.

Letter 2

Dear Hyun-Jae,

You are my favourite actor in the whole world! I know your admire Al Pacino whom I have never been enthusiastic about. But since he is your favourite American actor, I recently watched all his movies again. I am sorry to say I have not been able to change my perception of him.

I have always found Al Pacino's acting exaggerated and over-indulgent. The only movie of his that I like is "Scent of a Woman". He's still a tough guy here, as always, but at least it's a tough guy with a heart. Perhaps he is an "actor's actor", but I prefer the kind of actor that you are -- the kind that touches my heart. You are more versatile than Al Pacino who cannot play romantic or comic roles.

Be happy. Keep smiling.

Well, those are sample letters (just kidding!) Now it's your turn.

P.S. Ever since the start of this blog, we've been sending selected articles to JHJ every two weeks, so he knows his fans are thinking about him. (The articles look really good from the colour printer.) We have mailed all those "A Different Corner" articles (among others), together with your comments. JHJ says he reads all his fan mail, so there's a chance he's reading yours now!

CAFE's birthday presents for JHJ

2009-05-12T07:00:00.004+08:00

What you see above are the birthday presents from CAFE(Korea and Japan) to Jo Hyun-Jae. Because he's now a soldier, they have to prepare something appropriate, including:
1. gloves (for special use)
2. shampoo and bath gel (3 months' supply)
3. phone card
4. magazine
5. CAFE's special birthday edition magazine Vol.7
6. ginseng
7. the military looking box to hold all of the above

On JHJ's birthday when they visited him at his camp, originally they prepared food for 80 people but at the last minute had to increase to 150. They brought barbecued meat and smoked fish, as well as rice, vegetables, and soup, also cakes and fruits and coffee. The birthday cake with the soldier and his dog was made by a fan. (Please see photo on previous posting "More birthday presents from JHJ fans".)

They also brought monthly supplies for fellow soldiers of JHJ -- snacks and chocolates and, because summer is approaching, mini-fans and skin-care products -- 180 portions in all. These ladies not only take care of JHJ's every need but also his camp-mates'.

(Source: CAFEKorea&Japan -- thanks!)

JHJ thanks CAFE and EVER

2009-05-11T21:00:00.000+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae has written a THANK YOU note to CarpeDiemKOREA (CAFE) (Photo 1):

TO: CarpeDiem

Many thanks for the best wishes on my 30th birthday!

Jo Hyun-Jae (signature)
09.5.9

He sent a similar THANK YOU message to EVER (Photo 2):

TO: EVER

Thank you very much for your lovely birthday greetings!

Jo Hyun-Jae (signature)
09.5.9

(Credit: CAFEKorea and EVERKorea. Thanks!)

Two undelivered love letters

2009-05-11T06:00:00.006+08:00

In Korean dramas, the characters love to write letters. Two such love letters are never delivered, one in "Love Letter" and the other in "Seo Dong Yo".

In "Love Letter", Andrea leaves a letter for Eun-Ha before he departs for Italy. He tells her he will return if she wants him to. But this letter is intercepted by Woo-Jing and this changes the course of the drama.

From "Love Letter"

Eun-Ha, if we are destined to part like this........I cannot just leave this room that no longer holds your presence, because I really don't want to leave you. You said I found you, but it was actually you who found me. Eun-Ha, long long ago, from the moment we first saw each other, I have felt you are the one I want. There is no one else in this world that I want. I have to leave now; I have to spend a year at the seminary. If you want me to return, I will come back to your side, and I will never leave you again.

Andrea

The second half of "Love Letter" dramatizes the disastrous consequences of the non-delivery of this love letter. I've always felt the second half of the drama is weaker than the first half, in terms of the development of the plot and the relationship among the three main characters. Maybe I'm too rational and not emotionally involved enough, but is there anyone out there who also wants to scream: "Andrea, why don't you tell Eun-Ha your feelings when you're living with her under one roof all this time?" and "Aren't you aware of something called a long-distance telephone call?" Couldn't Andrea have called Eun-Ha? and for that matter, couldn't she have called him? How could two people purportedly to be so in love remain silent for a whole year? They may be Koreans, but they are human first and foremost.

But of course if Andrea and Eun-Ha had been as rational as me, "Love Letter" would have been a very different drama -- perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse.

In "Seo Dong Yo", Seo Dong writes the Princess a letter after they have been separated for a while and leaves it tucked at a sliding window. Unfortunately it never reaches the Princess because Gi-Ru gets hold of it.

From "Seo Dong Yo"

I have been worrying since I left. You said you're afraid your love for me might change, but I now feel at ease. On the road I felt more and more certain of my heart, so I now feel at ease. I feel more certain than ever that my Princess feels the same way in her heart, so I'm now at ease. This certainty, is it love? This longing for you, is it love? When you summon me, I'll come. I feel this day is longer than the two months I was away.

Unlike Andrea's letter, this one has no salutation and no signature. The receiver will know whom it is from, and the writer will know she knows. Strangely enough, even the person who intercepts it knows who writes it and whom it's meant for.

There is one word in this letter that stands out -- "certain" and its variation "certainty". Seo Dong is so confident of his love for the Princess and her love for him. It will not change; it can withstand all difficulties and obstacles. This is so different from the diffident, tentative relationship between Andrea and Eun-Ha who are both damaged souls. Seo Dong and the Princess know they are destined for one another even when they first met, in spite of the social chasm between them. The drama is so inspiring because of this unwavering certainty.

There is another phrase that recurs in this letter -- "at ease". Seo Dong feels at ease in his relationship with the Princess. Even before he knows his birthright, he already feels on equal footing with the Princess. That is why it feels good watching the two of them together, as children and as adults, through all their trials and tribulations. In spite of everything, you feel their love will conquer all.

That is why the non-delivery of this love letter does not affect the relationship between Seo Dong and the Princess. The only person to suffer from this is Gi-Ru. The moral of the story is clear -- never steal and read another's love letter because it could hurt you (and you deserve that!)

In this computer age, nobody writes love letters anymore. E-mails are just not the same. A handwritten letter is something you can hold and cherish for years to come. I'd like to take this opportunity to call on all Jo Hyun-Jae fans to write to him as often as possible while he is in the army. It doesn't matter whether he can read what you write. The important thing is to let him know he is not alone and there are people who care. We'll always be there for him and we're right here waiting for him to return.

More birthday presents from JHJ fans

2009-05-11T06:00:00.004+08:00

EVERKorea and CAFEKorea both sent lots of presents to Jo Hyun-Jae on his birthday -- food like sushi and fruits and skin care products like moisturizers, among other things. They also included gifts of food and snacks for his camp-mates, all beautifully packaged and complete with paper plates, cups, and napkins. They really think of everything! And CAFE members also held a celebration party on 5/9/09.

What you see here are the respective birthday cakes from EVER (photo 1) and CAFE (photo 2.)

JHJ birthday news

2009-05-10T12:00:00.005+08:00

From the Master of EVERKorea (5/10/09):

On Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's birthday (5/9/09), we brought him presents as well as for his fellow soldiers. Due to military restrictions, we are not at liberty to disclose too much. We can only report on news of Mr. Jo Hyun Jae.

Mr. Jo Hyun Jae is looking very healthy and doing very well in the military. He received a lot of birthday presents and letters from fans in Korea and abroad. He is very grateful for all your concern and love.

As reported last time, Mr. Jo Hyun Jae has quit smoking. He has managed to keep to his resolve in spite of temptations. His self-discipline is a great inspiration. He is doing a lot of sports, and he is as healthy and good-looking as ever.

We have brought a hand-made booklet full of hand-written messages from Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's fans. (See photos above.) In addition, messages from EVERJapan have also been delivered to Mr. Jo Hyun Jae.

We thank his battalion officers for receiving us. We hear Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's fellow soldiers are very happy to celebrate his birthday with him. We hope Mr. Jo Hyun Jae and his mates will have a very happy time.

Best wishes from all members of EVER. Once again, happy birthday, Mr. Jo Hyun Jae.

Birthday presents from JHJ fans

2009-05-10T07:00:00.018+08:00

Seaweed soup is known as the "birthday soup" since Koreans traditionally drink this on their birthdays. Do you think Jo Hyun-Jae's mother made this for his 30th birthday?

Here are some of the many birthday presents from Jo Hyun-Jae fans around the world:

From JHJ China

From JHJ Taiwan

From JHJ Hong Kong

(Credit: names on photos. Thanks!)

Happy Birthday, Hyun-Jae!

2009-05-09T06:00:00.019+08:00

Happy birthday to you, Hyun-Jae!
Another year older, and wiser!
Never grow out of your innocence.
Wishing you a happy and healthy life,
a successful career,
a lovely wife,
beautiful children,
a perfect family --
all the very best life has to offer!

Yes, that's the birthday card we sent him. The cover shows three pictures of a dog chasing a red balloon with the words: "Your birthday is a day to shake things up." And when you open the card, there's this very loud voice singing "Shake it up baby now........" Yes, it's a music card! And inside it says: "Celebrate like you mean it! Happy Birthday!" It's fun! Hope it livens up his day.

(Photos taken with our idiot-proof camera. That's the best we can do.)

Message from JHJ's manager

2009-05-08T08:00:00.003+08:00

09.05.07 19:00

Hello, everybody! I am Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's manager Bae Gi Yun from Star n Hit.

First of all, I would like to thank all those fans who have been faithfully supporting Mr. Jo Hyun Jae all this time.

When I returned to the office today, I found lots of birthday presents from Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's fans.

All of your presents have been sent to Mr. Jo Hyun Jae's home. His mother asked me to convey their sincere thanks.

You have been sending Mr. Jo Hyun Jae gifts for every festival and special day, for which he is most grateful.

Not only that, you have also been taking care of the people around him (like manager, assistant, photographer, etc.) -- we really appreciate that.

Many thanks indeed for all your love and support for Mr. Jo Hyun Jae. Please continue to support and like him.

JHJ Birthday MVs

2009-05-08T06:00:00.008+08:00

Best wishes for JHJ's birthday tomorrow!

JHJ was born on 5/9/1980, so he will be 29 tomorrow, but in Korea he is considered 30 (according to Korean calculation.)

Credit: kk of johyunjae.hk

credit: 삼.일(3.1) Carpediem Fancafe

JHJ's previous birthdays

2009-05-08T06:00:00.004+08:00

These photos recapture Jo Hyun-Jae's previous birthdays (from 2003) that he celebrated with his Korean fans. (Credit: names on photos. Thanks!) The MV is shot on his 2004 birthday party.

The dog is a gift from his fans. What happened to it? (Does anyone know?)
And he had to do push-ups to get his presents? (Just kidding!)

2003 Birthday

Recognize the JHJ characters from his dramas?

2004 Birthday

2006 Birthday

2007 Birthday (Gifts from EVER)

2008 Birthday

Jo Hyun Jae celebrates his birthday (2006)

2009-05-07T06:00:00.002+08:00

(Photos by MoneyToday Star News, Reporter Lee Kyu Chang)

Saturday, May 13, 2006 JHJ meets his fans~For his birthday - weblink, 5 stars

JO HYUN JAE meets his fans~During His Birthday Party!!!

(first published by Priscilla on Prisi4U at Xanga, edited for length here.)

I decided to write a report on JHJ's Birthday Party/Fan Meeting..... After all, news reporters already wrote aplenty about this today! ~I usually complain the reporters don't write much about him or is it JHJ's fault for 'avoiding the spot-light'?

So after reading enough of News Articles (and there are sooooo many of them!), I started reading the fans' reports -- they write more personal stuff and they're more detailed than the objective journalists! SO THE FOLLOWING is my Summary Report, after all that reading. I gathered everything (Fan's reports and News Articles) from JHJ's Fan Cafe 'Carpediem': cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove

When: Sunday, May 7th, 2006, to celebrate Jo Hyun Jae's 26th birthday. (His real birthday is May 9th, and in Korea, he's a year older!) The starting time was set for 11:30 a.m.

It was organized by his largest Fan Cafe, 'Carpediem'. (He doesn't have an official fan club*, so 'Carpediem' can be considered his official fan club.) They met at a college theatre, and 500 fans attended. There were Chinese/Taiwanese and Japanese fans among them. A considerably large group of newscast was there as well.

The MC of the day was Magician Lu. Many fans wrote that this unknown magician did a great job leading this event. He was tall and handsome, and he looked very full of energy, doing so many things at the same time, running everywhere and throwing questions at everyone -- he even did some 'magic' during intermission! Everyone had a great laugh because of him!

He belongs to STAR-J (JHJ's agency**) and they're pretty close. Lu also mentioned that they hang-out together many times, and that JHJ even slept at his house. 'I should put the underwear he wore on sale one of these days!' (Or something like that!) The fans also wrote that he did most of the talking since JHJ didn't say much for the first 10 minutes, all JHJ did was laugh. But Jo's laughter was very real, so everyone was relaxed.

The magician knew how quiet JHJ is, so he made JHJ play some games. The actor confessed he's really bad at games, but he played along a 'pointing fingers' game, making everyone laugh. When he lost, he was told that he must write a letter to his fans before May 10th!

In another game, he had to answer the truth in 5 syllables. They asked him:

1. What's your secret? = That is (he thought for a few seconds) a secret!

2. What's your strength (personality wise)? = I've a good personality.

3. Your weakness? = I think too much.

4. How do you keep yourself fit? = I use a treadmill. (He got lots of cheers for this one because 'Carpediem' sent him a treadmill as a present!)

The fan who wrote the above said that they asked him more questions like this but that she couldn't remember. Another fan wrote that everything worked so much better than expected and that she wouldn't forget this day ever- but that she felt a bit burdened when hearing that he 'thinks too much.' She understands what that means since she tends to think too much also making life more difficult. He was also asked to tell them what he wished while blowing out the birthday candle, and to tell them how he would make up with his girlfriend, etc.

As the pictures already showed, other stars participated on this day. The first one to appear was the 'infamous' Ryujin! ^-^ Many articles reported this incident in detail. According to them, Ryujin was invited to come but he had declined, saying that he was too busy (he's presently working in the drama 'I Really, Really Like You'). His intention was to surprise JHJ at the party. So he came an hour earlier, but they met at the parking lot. When JHJ saw him, he asked 'What are you doing here?' Ryujin just smiled, caught on the spot!

During the meeting, Ryujin said that rumors that they didn't get along were false. He admitted he had a tough time during the shooting of Seodong's Song so that he hardly remembered much else! 'But we were actually pretty close, and we would hang out together whenever we had a chance!' At this, the fans shot back at them: 'Are you saying you aren't close anymore?' On the other hand, JHJ said that although Ryujin played a bad guy in the drama, he was actually really nice and very good at taking care of others. And that the rumors spread only because Ryujin acted very well!

Ryujin brought a T-shirt and a cap for JHJ, saying that the younger actor always wore the same one and it was stinking. Even Ryujin's manager, who happens to be a JHJ's fan, brought a construction toy of some sort. According to the article, Ryujin saw JHJ building something like a dinosaur while shooting the drama. Ryujin felt that it was nice to see JHJ doing other things even under so much pressure (when he had tons of things to memorize), so he too played along.

He also mentioned that they had celebrated the birthdays of so many other staff while shooting the drama, his included, and that Jo had participated in all of them. Ryu was just happy that Carpediem gave him a chance to celebrate the younger actor's birthday also. But then, Ryu had to leave soon, since he had to continue shooting for his present drama, which he had delayed in order to attend this party.

Another guest star was actor/model Lee Chun-Hui, who played JHJ's rival in 'Only You'. According to fans' reports, he stayed at the party the longest, participating in the 'pointing game,' where Lee had to write his name with his butt when he lost. Lee too mentioned that JHJ doesn't talk much, but that he's a really nice guy. They looked like they were really comfortable with each other, whispering things to one other and they even went to the men's room together!

Later, they read a fan's 'Love Letter' which brought up nostalgic memories of JHJ's beginning and that opportunity was taken to introduce another guest star: Soo-Ae, his co-star and love interest in his 2003 drama 'Love Letter'. JHJ was really surprised to see her, saying that it's been almost 2 years since he last saw her.

He also mentioned that this drama was his first leading role, and that she made him very comfortable back then; and that although she might give the first impression of being 'cold,' Soo-Ae was actually warm-hearted. According to Soo-Ae, JHJ makes her feel so comfortable he felt like a good friend at times, and at other times, like an older brother, or like a younger brother, or at other times, he felt like a lover to her! Ha!~ Many fans screamed at this: Oh NO!!!

But then, the MC asked the fans 'Which female star was best matched with JHJ?' The fans screamed at once: "Soo-Ae!" To this, Lu fired back, jokingly?: "They both belong to STAR-J! One of the rules is, no dating within the management!" (On a side note, I remember reading a report several months ago, where JHJ mentioned Soo-Ae, and Ji Jin-Hee from 'Love Letter', and Ryu Sung Bum from 'Sunshine Pours Down' were among the few stars he kept in touch with.)

I also read that his foreign fans sang happy birthday to him in Japanese and in Chinese, and that they were given the chance to hug him but one fan didn't want to let him go, so much that she was rebuked! On JHJ's part, he too sang to his fans: First, he sang 'I Love You' by Position. The fans encored him so he sang 'Sarangtoo' by Yoon Do Hyun. A fan wrote that she worried at first when she realized he'd sing 'I Love You,' one of her favorites, but a tough one to sing! But he did it so well she understood why he was a singer before!

Descriptions of him followed. Everyone agreed that he looks a lot better in person than in front of the camera, and that his face is really small. But some said that while on TV he comes out too angelic, there is a tough side that you can only witness face to face. But others disagreed saying that he still looked 'beautiful' and not 'tough.' One thing I found very interesting is that, according to their description, JHJ's side profile is very different than his front profile. They said they both give different feelings, the front one being softer and the side profile being sharper. In addition, most agreed he looked really happy all throughout the meeting, but that he looked very tired by the time he was greeting everyone. Actually, I read that he caught a severe cold before and that he was in bed for many days. During the meeting, he was coughing many times, and he looked very skinny.

Also, when asked what his next project would be, he said that he had not decided on that yet. And one fan also mentioned that according to Lu, JHJ quit smoking. But she was just hoping this would be confirmed. According to another fan, JHJ smelled a little like cigarette, but he was just coming out of the men's room which was full of smoke. So we shall see!

At the end, he shook hands with all 500 of them, one by one. One fan wrote that he shook hands one person per second. So she thought of a way to make her encounter a bit longer. When she was in front of him, she screamed: 'Get well soon!' So he paused for a second to look at her and to smile. She felt so clever for doing that. So she wrote at the fan cafe: 'Others saw him face to face for only a second. I saw him for 2 seconds. This means I got to see him twice as long as everyone else!!!' Another one said that she was so nervous she looked down while shaking hands; she only got to see his side profile up-close! She regretted this so much she felt like hitting herself! Overall, I think the meeting ended later than expected, but no one was complaining! And the fans continued celebrating even after the Fan Meeting was over!

P.S. I forgot to mention that the club also did some fund raising, I believe... and that they were going to donate that to help cancer research. A few days ago, another article talked about another fund-raising event (a star-clothes selling event) where Carpediem Fan Club caught the media's attention for their serious involvement in social activities.

After His Birthday Party - weblink, 5 stars
JO HYUN JAE wrote to his fans!!!

Translated by Priscilla Title: Nice to meet you! (May 9th, 2006)

It was great to meet everyone who attended the birthday party.

My only regret is that I wasn't feeling well. Had I been healthy, it would have been even better.

I was very happy to see so many people coming to congratulate me.

Thanks to you all, I was able to celebrate my birthday in a joyful and fulfilling way.

People also came from faraway countries.

I hope that, not only them, but everyone who came on that day had a great time like I did.

I always receive so much from you.

I really don't know how I could repay you for all the love you have shown me.

I believe that the person I am right now would not exist without you all.

I will never forget the love and encouragement I received from all of you: the people who attended the birthday party and all the fans who watched me through the years.

I will try my best to come back to you through a better piece of work, showing you a better part of myself.

Take care of your health and be happy always*^^

(* Editor's note: The Jo Hyun-Jae Official Fan Club was established in Japan in June 2008.)
(** Editor's note: Star-J was JHJ's old agency; he is now with Star n Hit.)

The "Seo Dong Yo" alumni reunion

2009-05-06T09:00:00.009+08:00

Jo Hyun-Jae was out on leave at the end of April, and the main cast of "Seo Dong Yo" had a reunion near his house in Gangnam (South of the Han River).

Present were (their roles in SDY in parenthesis) Lee Bo Young (Princess Sunhwa), Ryu Jin (Giroo), Lee Chang Hoon (Moroksu), and Gu Hye Seon (Eun Jin), among others.

They had a very happy get-together reminiscing about old times on the set of SDY, as well as exchanging notes on their recent activities, especially JHJ's experience in the army.

These actors became good friends during the six-months' shooting of SDY. Lee Chang Hoon, Rye Jin, and JHJ were almost like brothers, instead of elder and younger (Editor: Korean society has a very rigid hierachy based on age) -- this has become common knowledge.

From the oldest Lee Chang Hoon to the youngest Gu Hye Seon, they all had a lovely time on the day of the reunion, everybody making a special effort to come to see JHJ, even though they were all busy with their respective shooting schedules.

Source: http://sports.hankooki.com/lpage/entv/200905/sp2009050507152094350.htm

Adventures in JHJ country (4)

2009-05-06T07:00:00.070+08:00

The Baekjae incense burner

JHJ as the homeless Jung Eun Sup in "Sunshine"

We're flying home today (5/5/09), so we'll just leave you with a few notes that I took on this trip. But first I must tell you our great discovery on our last day. In the lobby of our hotel is a replica of the incense burner that the Queen designs for the King and crafted by Moraksu at the end of "Seo Dong Yo". When we saw it, we exclaimed: "We've come to the right place!" This Korean gilt-bronze Pongnae-san incense burner (that was unearthed in 7 A.D.) embraces the profound philosophy of Buddhism and is a great example of the exquisite Baekjae Dynasty craftsmanship. This national treasure portrays through the carvings the world of the hermit God in the legendary Pongnae Mountain.

Some observations during our trip to Seoul:

--We were taken for Japanese everywhere! Everybody spoke to us in Japanese, the hotel staff, the taxi drivers, the shopgirls.......I know this is the Japanese Golden Week and there are many Japanese in town, but to assume that any oriental-looking woman (even when she speaks English) is Japanese hurts my national pride. Seriously, we were just amused.

--Koreans in the service industry mostly speak two foreign languages -- those in high-class hotels and restaurants speak English and those in the little shops and local eating places speak putonghua (Mandarin.) Many waitresses and salesgirls are Chinese of Korean ancestry who come to Seoul from Shantung province in N.E. China. They are usually here on one- or two-year contracts. One day for lunch we wanted to eat that famous Korean dish pig's trotters. You have to recall that scene in "Sunshine" when JHJ's Jung Eun Sup and Song Hye Kyo's Ji Yean Woo are having French pastries and the other guy bursts in with pig's trotters that Song used to like. That's the specialty restaurant we were looking for, and after we sat down, we could not make ourselves understood until the waitress heard us speaking in Cantonese. "You're Chinese! not Japanese." From that moment on, we were served like queens (she even gave us extra soup, but it was also extra hot!) We can speak both English and Chinese, so we have the best of both worlds.

--Most Koreans are very helpful. We managed to take the Seoul Metro most of the time, especially to those far places. We have done some research and we are well prepared, not to mention we are women of the world, so we're not like babes in the woods. But sometimes we're not sure which side of the track we should take. Always there would be some kind soul who offered to help, and surprisingly these were more often than not older people. So we've not been lost even once.

--Speaking of taking the metro (subway), we saw so many soldiers on leave everyday on the train. They're wearing their camouflage uniforms and caps, and would you believe it, even then M could remark how come their hair is longer than JHJ's at the Korea Fan Meeting. Of course that's not the case, but the hair of Korean soldiers is longer than American GIs'. Many of the soldiers wear glasses and two are carrying guitar cases, so we wonder if they're "entertainment soldiers" (but they don't have the looks.) The soldiers are all carrying satchels or knapsacks, so it's obvious they're going home to spend a few days. Quite a few have their girlfriends hanging on their necks; they probably go to the camp to fetch their boyfriends (can't wait and who can blame them?)

--We also observed something else on the subway trains: people selling all kinds of things like umbrellas and flourescent pens on the cars. Remember that's how Song makes her initial appearance in "Sunshine" when she first encounters JHJ without actually making contact. The pedlars of assorted wares that we saw were all middle-aged men, so they had no business (unlike the pretty Song who sells quite a few in the drama.) Also twice on the trains we saw blind men with a music box hanging from their necks and a plate in one hand for people to put donations, and they had better luck than the hawkers.

--In the pedestrain subways that we had to use in crossing the big roads, we saw quite a few homeless men (no women) who started preparing for bed as early as 8 p.m. Seoul in this respect is like other cities like Tokyo, New York, London -- prosperous, bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis which all have this "homeless" problem. Remember how the JHJ character Jung Eun Sup in "Sunshine" had to spend a night among the homeless to avoid his father's henchmen? Never realise "Sunshine" is the most realistic of JHJ's dramas; it actually reflects certain aspects of life in present day Seoul.

--Forgot to mention Myeong Dong JHJ now has a new routine. He used to shout "Jo Hyun Jae! Jo Hyun Jae!" when he escorts us out of his shop. The second time we visited him on this trip, he shouted "Jo Hyun Jae! Fighting!" He's fun! Also would like to report that apart from the umbrella, there are other new JHJ souvenirs -- a "singing" plastic cup (JHJ sings "Like the wind by your side"), battery-operated, price: 80,000KW!!!!! Even we are not that crazy. For that price, we can buy 5 JHJ CDs. Other new souvenirs include a metal piggy bank and kitchen gloves (but they don't have JHJ's.) These merchants really know how to make us part with our money.

On the way to Incheon Airport, we saw lots of little tents (of assorted colours) along the shores of the Han River. May 5 is Children's Day, a public holiday in Korea, and families are out enjoying a picnic, basking in the sun, and having fun. Our Korean friend tells us May 8 is Parents' Day but they don't get a holiday. May 9 is Jo Hyun-Jae's birthday and it's a Saturday. Most of us get a day off, so let's celebrate, wherever you are!

We enjoyed our 5-day stay in Seoul. We love Korea (because of JHJ.) We'll be back!

(Photo 2 -- courtesy of CAFEKorea.)

Adventures in JHJ country (3)

2009-05-05T07:00:00.038+08:00

COEX, Seoul

The pear

This morning (5/4/09) we went on an important mission -- to deliver our birthday present to JHJ. We have already mailed him a birthday present (in mid-April) -- nothing fancy or expensive, just something we thought he'd like. Then we saw this 10,000-piece TIMEWARP model (for assembly) and we remembered Ryu Jin said JHJ spent his (limited) spare time in between shooting of "Seo Dong Yo" working on the model of a dinosaur. We have taken a photo of the box but we do not advertise here, so use your imagination. We can tell you that when completed, the model looks like a very intricate roller-coaster, and you can roll a steel marble and it will race all over the tracks at high speed. Assembly requires brain power, care, concentration, and patience -- all qualities which we believe JHJ possesses. We just want him to have some fun. Since we're coming to Seoul, we would just drop it off at the Star n Hit office which is within walking distance from our hotel. And that's exactly what we did.

Then we went to the COEX Mall (photo 1) which is also very near to our hotel in Gangnam-gu (south of the Han River.) COEX bills itself as the largest shopping centre in Seoul and the largest underground mall in Asia, with an area of 85,000 sq.m. COEX actually stands for "convention" and "exhibition". Apart from shops (and it has all kinds of shops under the sun), it has facilities for conventions, exhibitions, and seminars. The anchor hotels are the COEX Inter-Continental Seoul, the Grand Inter-Continental, and the Oakwood, as well as the World Trade Centre.

We went to the basement shops, first to the very large Bandi and Luni Bookstore which had everything except JHJ magazines, and second to the supposedly very large Evan Record (that's how they call themselves -- singular!) which made us very mad. We asked the man at the cashier where the OST (original sound track) of Korean dramas were and he said: "No Korean drama, only Japanese." We were incredulous! How could that be? So we asked a young man who was busy rushing around the premises, and he tried to look for the CDs that M wanted but without success. I was so afraid he would find the OST of "Forbidden Love" and it turned out to be 15,000KW! They had nothing of JHJ's except (in the DVD section) "Seo Dong Yo" (110,000KW = US$90) and "G.P.506" (25,300KW = US$19), both with English subtitles. But we already have these, in fact, multiple versions of SDY. We wonder why JHJ's DVDs and OSTs are out of stock. There are only two explanations: 1. they sell too well, so they're sold out; or 2. they don't sell well, so they're not replenished. What do you think?

We needed more fruit, so we went to the basement supermarket of Hyundai Department Store (also in COEX) which was as expensive as Lotte. We wanted to get the brown pear which featured so prominently in"3 Dads/1 Mom". Remember that scene when the JHJ character, the stingy Han Soo Hyun, is paring the pear for Na Yong, all the while complaining how expensive it is? Well, we can confirm that pear is really very expensive (about US$10 for a big one.) In the Han Soo Hyun tradition, we decided to forego the pear for some strawberries, a whole box of which cost less than a pear.

For dinner we decided to try another restaurant recommended by my friend. Last year when my husband and I were in Seoul, this friend who's working in Seoul treated us to a "Dae Jaen Geum" type of dinner, you know, with about 15 dishes prepared in the royal palace style in the famous traditional Korean restaurant Gogung. But what I remember best was the coffee shop he took us to after dinner, in a trendy part of Seoul called Samcheong-dong. I wanted to re-visit that area and asked him for the address. M checked it on the map and said let's take a taxi since it's only two metro stops from our hotel. That was the start of our epic journey.

After 15 minutes, I asked M if she was sure it was very near our hotel and she said "Sure!" After another 10 minutes, we suddenly noticed our taxi did not have GPS (global positioning system -- for navigation.) While we were wondering, the driver took it out from his doorside and stuck it above the meter and turned it on. Then he started to key in the address, one stroke at a time, while we watched in concern as traffic was very heavy. But nothing happened even after he hit ENTER about a dozen times. He kept muttering to himself and we could not communicate with him. We showed him the address (in Korean) again and he entered the last four numbers and voila! map appeared! Sigh of relief -- from both the front and back seats! No sooner had that transpired than I screamed: "We're crossing the river!" We're crossing the Han River which meant we're going from South of the river to North of the river. And the restaurant was supposed to be just a few miles from our hotel. Want to know what happened? My friend gave me the address of the resturant in both English and Korean. M chose to read the Korean address, and with her kindergarten Korean, mis-read "Samcheong" as "Samsung"! It took more than an hour to finally reach the restaurant, and I couldn't find it in my heart to tell you how much the fare was. All I'll say is: if the fruits cost as much as a JHJ CD, the taxi fare is the DVD!We were watching the meter with eagle eyes, and every time it jumped, our hearts jumped as well. Now this taxi meter had a horse racing next to the numbers. I wasn't sure whether the horse raced faster or my heart!

By the time the taxi driver dropped us off at 8 Steps (yes, that's the name of the restaurant, interesting, isn't it?) we were a little dizzy. We had to climb the stone steps up to the arty-looking restaurant, and I counted 10, not 8 steps, which already prejudiced me against the place. Then we were given a table outside (because inside all booked.) The wind was starting and the temperature was dropping, and the little boy at the next table was coughing. So we decided we could not survive the cold and the possibility of catching a virus and decided to leave. By that time it was nearly 8 p.m., so we walked around the area to try to find another restaurant, but discovered many only served coffee and cakes. We were afraid by the time we finished dinner, we might not be able to find a taxi (like last night), and this place was more remote. So we hailed a taxi and got back to a part of town that I knew from last time -- to an Italian restaurant called "My Ex-wife's Secret Recipe". My husband has said: "No man would divorce a woman who could cook like this!"

We had prided ourselves that we managed to get around on the metro (subway) most of the time on this trip to Seoul. But this one taxi ride wiped out all our savings for all previous trips. M was feeling very chagrined, but I told her now we have experienced everything, including crossing the Han River by taxi (we'd only done it on metro before.) We crossed the Han River a few times a day (on the metro), and this time we used a different bridge since we were travelling by taxi. We had said that it would be fun to walk along the many bridges than span the Han River. So I threatened M that we had to walk back to our hotel after dinner since we'd wasted so much money, but when I saw her blanch I hastened to add: "Just kidding!" We got back to our hotel (by metro) and started to work on this blog at once. Tomorrow is our last day in Seoul.