Jo Hyun Jae

Jeong Woo-Seong and Cha Seung-Won

2010 Korean dramas

I’ve been paying close attention to 2010 Korean dramas, especially those scheduled for broadcast in the second half of the year.  Of the list I scrutinized, most already have broadcast dates and cast of actors (some are currently showing.)  KBS2’s “Iris 2″ (title: “Athena”) will have Jeong Woo-Seong and Cha Seung-Won heading the cast, with the female lead still to be announced.  It is supposed to be the sequel to “Iris” and it is also about terrorist acts and threats to the Korean peninsula and the world.  But with a whole new cast, it is actually a totally different drama.  Production for “Athena” is scheduled to begin in June in Italy and Switzerland and continue onto six other different countries, including Singapore and New Zealand.  The TV series will be shown during the latter half of this year.

We had hoped JHJ might land one of the lead roles in “Iris 2″, oh, well………Maybe the casting director thinks JHJ is too good-looking, or rather, not tough-looking, not gritty enough.  But if you look like a secret agent, then you are not a good secret agent. (Know what I mean?) 

There is another drama (MBC’s “Dae Mul” [Big Fish]) that we were secretly hoping would sign JHJ as the male lead, since the female lead is Ko Hyun-Jung who plays a woman who is trying to become South Korea’s first female president.  Interesting scenario!  But then we found out the male lead is a gigolo, so we said NO THANKS!  The role went to Kwon Sang-Woo who plays a “male socialite” who is ordered to create a scandal to bring down the woman making the big time in Korean politics.

Then there is all this buzz in chatrooms about the SBS period drama on the legendary doctor which stars Kim Hee-Seon (working title: “Faith”.)  The male lead is supposed to be a toss-up between JHJ and Lee Jun-Ki.  I was sceptical from the first: what role could fit both JHJ and LJK?  I’m not keen on JHJ pairing up with KHS for his first comeback drama.  She can’t act and she is more or less over the hill.  Then it is rumoured that LJK has landed the role.  And next thing KHS says she has not yet decided whether to accept the offer.  Since JHJ will not be in it, then it has nothing to do with us.

Father Andrea

Our new Contributing Editor prissymon sent us an interesting e-mail last week:

“I was doing some research work which is totally unrelated to JHJ when I stumbled upon Father Andrea of St. Lazarus Village (your post August 28, 2009).  He is Andrew Kim Tae-Gon, the first Korean Catholic priest. 
 
In your post you wrote that there is a date under his name 1821 -1846, but that you don’t know if he lived in that place during those years or whether he only lived such a short life.  The answer: he lived a very short life. 
 
During Kim Tae-Gon’s time, Catholics were persecuted, tortured and killed in Korea.  Kim was trained in Macau and ordained in Shanghai.  And in 1846, at the age of 25, the Young Father Andrew was tortured and beheaded near Seoul on the Han River.  On July 5, 1925, he was beatified along with 78 other Korean martyrs. In 1949 the Holy See named him the principal patron of the Roman Catholic clergy in Korea. He was canonized in 1984.  His designation is “Saint Andrew Kim Tae-Gon”, and he has a statue in the yard of Myeong-Dong Cathedral. ”

(Left) JHJ as Fr. Andrea in “Love Letter.  (Right) Fr. Andrea’s house in St. Lazarus Village

So it’s not a coincidence after all!  The scriptwriter really did her homework when she gave the JHJ character the name of Andrea in “Love Letter”.  This really impresses me, but what impresses me more (and amazes me too) is the untiring energy and curiosity of JHJ fans about everything connected to him.  So Fr. Andrea has a statue in the yard of Myeong-Dong Cathedral — I must find it when I go there again in June.  It makes it all the more meaningful and poignant to know there was a real Fr. Andrea.

Potato Boy

A Hong Kong JHJ fan R recently made an interesting discovery.  She was passing by a bakery which was very crowded, and, out of curiosity, she went in to see what goodies there were.  And guess what?  She saw some bread labelled “Potato Boy” (Chinese name: Seo Dong Yo – exactly as in the name of the drama.)  She immediately took a photo with her cell phone (see above left.)  The pastry chef or the owner must be a JHJ fan.  It seems JHJ’s influence permeates everywhere, even in the most unlikely places.

P.S. The above was written before I left L.A. on the evening of March 10 (L.A. time). On the way to H.K., I missed JHJ’s 100-day countdown on March 11 as I was crossing the International Dateline, several articles on various Korean media similar to the one we posted on March 11, and also the Official JHJ Fan Club’s announcement of a special contingent to welcome JHJ out of the army on June 19. And in the course of my journey I went to Seoul. Yes, I was in Seoul yesterday morning, not because I miss JHJ so much (although I do.) I was supposed to fly non-stop from L.A. to H.K., but we had to make an unscheduled stop at Vancouver because of a medical emergency. A passenger who had a stroke had to be taken to hospital. When we took off again, the captain announced we’re going to Seoul. Seoul? Is it June already? Apparently our plane had to dump fuel before landing in Vancouver and could not re-fuel to the full because (in the captain’s words) they’re not ready for us (after all, it was 3 a.m.) In any case, there had to be a change of crew (both cockpit and cabin) because the law does not allow them to work beyond certain hours. My husband quipped: “We’re going to your favourite city. Happy?” Yes, and no. We’re not allowed to disembark at Incheon, so by the time we finally reached H.K. in the afternoon of March 12, we’re been on that plane almost 23 hours (for a 15 1/2-hour flight.)

Before you watch these behind-the-scenes videos, you should refresh your memory and watch those MVs of See Ya’s “Love’s Greeting” and “Ice Lady” again.  (Please see our earlier posts “JHJ in ‘Love’s Greeting’” (June 11, 2009) and “JHJ in ‘Ice Lady’” (June 12, 2009) under Category “JHJ MV”.)

The first video here is an interview of Jo Hyun-Jae and his female co-star Lee Yo-Won during filming of the MVs.  The interview is a little “embarrassing” (original word in Korean, not mine) because throughout the interview JHJ seems to be elsewhere (not focusing) which makes Lee laugh hysterically.  There are lots of funny comments on the video, some of which we’ve tried to translate (words in italics within parenthesis.).

Q: If there is really a former life, what kind of a person do you think you were?
Lee:  I seem to have owed many people a lot of debt, which is why in this life I have to do many things.  This question is very difficult to answer.
JHJ: ………. (seems to be thinking of something else…..Did I remember to turn off the gas before I left home this morning?……..Ha!Ha!Ha!) I think I was a simple man.

Q: Is the performance difficult?
Lee: Very! Shooting an MV is very different from a drama. Even though I try to visualize the protagonist in the music, but I just can’t make the connection. And then there is no music – very difficult.
Q: How about writing some music for you?
Lee: There is already a song………..(keeps laughing)
Q: What is the song?
Lee: 사랑이 좋아 (”Love is great”)

(All this time JHJ is still in his own world………)

Q: The present and the past – which part is more difficult to act?
Lee: Both are difficult, but the part on the past is more beautiful in the acting.
JHJ: This is the first time I’m shooting an MV………(doesn’t know what he is supposed to answer……..) Very different from a drama or movie, very difficult.

Q: This is your first collaboration after “Great Ambition” (DaeMang). How does it feel like after such a long time?
JHJ: I feel we collaborate really well, don’t you? (keeps looking at Lee)
Lee: (pointing to JHJ) He gave a superb performance.

Q: Do you often listen to See Ya’s songs?
Lee: ……….(covering her mouth and laughing……….)
JHJ: “구두” (”Shoes”) this song…….(laugh……), that’s the only one I know………
Lee: ……….(giggling uncontrollably……..)
Q: (repeats question) Do you listen to See Ya’s songs a lot?
Lee: Yes.
Q: Which ones do you like?
Lee:: “구두”(”Shoes”), “여인의 향기”(”Lover’s scent”), “미친사랑의 노래”(”Crazy love song”).

Q: Say something to See Ya who cannot come on set.
JHJ: Filming very seriously……..trying our best to produce the best results……..hope we can do well. (Still can’t focus properly……….)
Lee: ……….(keeps laughing…….) It’s not our answers that are strange; it’s the question that is strange………I really hope we can finish this interview soon.

(Interview seems to be over……….JHJ strolls away nonchalantly……….)

Q: (Addressed to Lee) Where is JHJ?
Lee: Why do you ask me?
Q: You look very tired.
Lee: Yes, interviews are tiring.
Q: The interviewee is tired, and so is the interviewer.
Lee: Yes………thanks.

*             *            *            *             *             *             *            *             *            *           

The two MVs are shot non-stop during a 24-hour period. JHJ is probably seriously sleep-deprived. Throughout the whole interview he seems to be slower by half a beat – very funny and cute!

Why is Lee Yo-Won laughing her head off?  She is obviously a little high (if you ask me), unless after non-stop shooting she has not decompressed properly and is suffering from the “bends” (cramping which makes her laugh uncontrollably – just kidding!)  

As for the second and third videos, they are mostly shooting sequences and some NGs, also repeating parts of the interview in the first video.

A little tidbit on the shooting of these videos — if you pay attention to the third video, you’ll see at 5:30 minutes (lower left corner) there is a brief appearance of JHJ’s birthday party (and the birthday cake.)  Yes, he celebrated his 27th birthday on set on May 9, 2007, and he even “died” on his birthday.

As actor Jo Hyun-Jae is about to be discharged from the military, he is receiving many “love calls” from all over Asia.

Jo Hyun-Jae, who rose to fame with “Love Letter” and “Seo Dong Yo”, was just promoted to Sergeant in March.  The global countdown to his discharge has begun.  Jo Hyun-Jae, who opted to be a regular soldier rather than an entertainment soldier, will be discharged on June 19, 2010.  Love calls from Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries come flooding in.

News on the grapevine indicate active negotiations are ongoing with Korean production companies regarding dramas and movies.   Japan and China are also negotiating large-scale activities, and in Taiwan,Thailand, and other Asian countries negotiations for fan meetings, autograph-signing, and other promotions are also underway.  This is very exciting and encouraging for an actor about to be discharged.

Just before his enlistment [on August 5, 2008] Jo Hyun-Jae held several fan meetings in various Asian countries, solidifying his status among the second generation Korean Wave.  The fan meetings in Japan attracted an astonishing 6,000 fans.  These and fans from other countries have since been waiting single-mindedly during these two years for his discharge. 

Apart from this, Jo Hyun-Jae’s dramas and movies that are shown in overseas countries after his enlistment have all received very good reaction.  During his military service, the army and his management company have received numerous letters and phone calls of enquiries from fans. 

As for his plans after discharge, Jo Hyun-Jae’s management company Star N Hit said: “His comeback work after discharge has not yet been decided, but it will be an excellent project.”

배우 조현재가 전역을 6개월 앞두고 아시아 각국서 러브콜을 받고 있다.

‘러브레터’ ‘서동요’로 사랑받았던 조현재는 3월 병장으로 진급, 전역 초읽기에 들어간다. 입대 후 연예사병이 아닌 의정부 소재 2군지사에서 일반 병사로 소신있게 근무하고 있는 조현재는 오는 6월19일 전역을 앞두고, 한국은 물론 일본과 중국등 아시아에서 러브콜이 물밀듯이 밀려오고 있다.

한국에서는 드라마와 영화 제작사에서 섭외문의가 밀려들고 있다는 측근의 전언이다. 또 일본과 중국에서는 각종 대규모행사에서 초청섭외가 들어오고 있으며, 대만 태국등 아시아의 여러 국가에서는 팬미팅, 각종 싸인회 그리고 프로모션 섭외가 물밀듯이 쏟아져 전역을 앞둔 연기자로서 기쁨의 환호성을 지르고 있다는 후문이다.

조현재는 입대 전부터 꾸준히 아시아 국가들을 돌며 팬미팅과 프로모션을 진행해 온 차세대 한류 스타다. 입대 직전 일본에서 열었던 팬미팅에서는 6,000명의 팬들이 모여 주위를 놀라게 했으며 이후 아시아의 팬들이 군입대부터 제대까지 배우 조현재를 일편단심으로 기다리고 있다.

게다가 입대 후 해외에서 방송된 드라마와 영화가 좋은 반응을 보여 조현재가 근무중인 부대와 소속사에 팬레터와 문의전화가 쇄도하고 있는 상황이다.

군재대 후 행보에 대해 소속사 스타엔히트 측은 “제대 이후 어떤 작품을 할지는 아직 결정되지 않았지만 좋은작 품으로 찾아뵐 것”이라 전했다.

차연 sunshine@newsen.com   2010.03.10

(Credit: www.johyunjae.hk for the Korean source. Thanks!)

(Continuation of interview in “Movieweek”, this post featuring photos from Japanese version of  Summer 2008.  Answers are by Jo Hyun-Jae.)

Korean society is rooted in military culture — this is not an exaggeration.  The mandatory conscription system dissemintes military culture to all levels of society.  There is no doubt that movies about our [Korean] military is widely accepted.

Q.  Jo Hyun-Jae — how does someone like you who have not had military experience play your character?

A.  As a matter of fact…..a killer role does not require someone to have experience of killing. But…..as an actor all I need to do is act.  To understand the role of 1st Lieutenant Yoo I have done a lot of research.  Good thing a film allows me enough time to do preparatory work.  If it had been a TV drama, there would not have been so much time to prepare — the script arrives very late, and sometimes the beginning and end go in different directions.  I can certainly say that a film’s emphasis on details is brilliant.

Q.  Jo Hyun-Jae, you’ve said you wanted to do something on the military.  Has your objective been met?

A.  Of course.  This is dynamic.  The strange thing is: once I wear the military uniform, I feel I’m a real soldier.  One time on set, I put down some food just for a moment, and it disappeared.  I guess military life is also like this. 

Q.  Real guns are used in this movie?

A.  The guns are imported from overseas and then modified, so they are somewhat different from real ones.

Q.  Which is your favourite scene in “G.P.506″?

A.  In the latter part of the movie, the scene in which Cheon Ho-Jin points a gun at me at close range.  Also that mass gunfight near the end — very realistic…..

Q.  What about the special make-up and props?

A.  This movie’s special make-up is classified into 4 stages.  Luckily I only require stage 3 special makeup, but even this is not easy.  Makeup takes up a lot of the time.

Q.  Jo Hyun-Jae, your image is that of a gentle, refined man.  This time you appear in a film with an all-male cast and no actress.

A.  As a matter of fact, I’ve built up a macho image.  I discussed in detail with the director, and the cool and solid image starts to form with the passage of time [in the movie].  The more masculine, the easier it is to express a man’s emotions.  When filming actually began, I could portray a strong soldier with ease.

Q.  This is really a very unusual movie – that fills one with anticipation.

A.  Yes, this movie is in a class of its own.  It took 1 1/2 years from preparation to completion.  Whether the movie is successful or not, I leave it to viewers to decide.  I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this movie.

The world is a stage.  As an actor, the greatest joy is to perfectly portray another individual.  What impression he leaves in the world is also an actor’s concern.

Q.  How did you get on with Cheon Ho-Jin?

A.  When I was 21, we already cooperated in a weekend drama.  At that time I was scared to death.  After taking part in a drama with my seniors, though, I became very interested in the performance arts.  As long as my seniors are present, I feel endless energy.

Q.  Do you have a role model?

A.  No one in particular.  I respect anyone who has his/her own special style.

Q.  This interview has come to a close.  Please tell us what kind of an actor you want to be.

A.  I’d like to be an actor that people can trust, an actor that makes people forget “who I am”, someone who can act brilliantly.  To be mentioned in this respect is something to be happiest about.

(THE END)

(Credit for photos: Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Translation based on Chinese translation in www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!  Edited by wulijohyunjae.)

If you haven’t seen Jo Hyun-Jae’s 2004 short internet film “Joy of love” (directed by E J-Yong), you must watch it NOW!  If you have already watched it before, well, see it again!  I’ve seen it N times and still find it to be one of the best in Korean cinema, a mini-masterpiece!

The photos you see below represent the latest discovery by our inimitable Japanese friends M and U who specialize in finding locations used in JHJ’s dramas.  They then go on a sort of pilgrimage to these various locations and seek out precisely those spots that appear in the dramas.

Guess what the venue used in “Joy of love” really is — a beauty parlour!  So that’s its day job; other times it moonlights as a film set.

(Credit: http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo.  Many thanks!)

“G.P.506″ premiered around this time in 2008.  To celebrate its two-year anniversary, we have translated a magazine article on the movie and Jo Hyun-Jae and his co-star Lee Young-Hun.  The answers are JHJ’s.

Interview in “Movieweek” (Korean version: March 2008)

This interview is about a film “G.P.506″ that depicts mysterious incidents that happen in a guard post on the defence frontline in the demilitarized zone.  Director Kong Soo-Chang, whose last work was “R Point”, decided to cast two young actors, Jo Hyun-Jae and Lee Young-Hun.  The film took a long time to finish and they both felt exhausted, but this was an invaluable experience for them.  The film will be shown in March 2008.  This interview takes place right before the premiere.

Both actors are a little tense.  This is a chance of a lifetime.  For Jo Hyun-Jae, this is the first time he stars in a movie.  For Lee Young-Hun, this is his first commercial film.  How do they project a sense of strong masculinity?

Q.  How did you feel when you first received the script?

A.  Such a script is almost impossible to come across in Korea; it’s so unusual.  I’ve seen other works by Director Kong, and basically I like horror movies.  I’ve always wanted to take part in a military movie that has an all-male cast, so I am very happy to accept the role.

Q.  I feel in the roles in the script and the method of acting, the director’s demand is different from other directors.  How did you meet his demand?  Take the case of Jo Hyun-Jae, your role looks like a very difficult one.

A.  I think I acted according to the director’s instructions, so there was no need to use any other acting method.  In the past I tried to portray the character and did not specifically or deliberately “act”.

In “G.P.506″ Jo Hyun-Jae portrays the pivotal character 1st Lieutenant Yoo who remains silent after the mysterious incidents take place.  Lee Young-Hun plays Corporal Kang, an important character who knows the ins and outs of what happened.  Looks like Jo and Lee have become close during filming.

Q.  A question often asked — What is the most difficult thing during filming?

A.  1st Lieutenant Yoo is someone who has an important function.  In order to be in character, I did not speak much during filming, which made me feel lonely.

Q.  Is it because you’ve become too much in character?

A.  Yes, there is the danger.  That’s why as soon as the film was finished, I tried to forget.  I also started to read other scripts.

Q.  When you parted from your girlfriend, you also tried to find other girls to forget about the past?

A.  (Slight hesitation)  Well, yes…….

Q.  So now you deliberately choose to do a drama full of sunshine?  [Reference is to "3 Dads/1 Mom"]

A.  Since I’ve just made a dark movie, I’d like to have a little sunshine.

Q.  It’s not easy to switch from gloomy to jolly emotions?

A.  That’s why everyday now I go drinking and having fun with my friends — to try to steer my emotions to the bright side.

Q.  Looks like you are very quiet by temperament?

A.  Yes.  I don’t know how to make fun of others.  I’m very shy and reserved in front of strangers.  But it will be different once we get to know one another.  It’s very easy to get along with Lee Young-Hun – he’s very casual and nice.

Q.  As a Korean star, do you have any plans to go overseas to develop your career?

A.  Up to now only my dramas are released abroad.  But if there are chances of cooperation with other Asian countries, I would be glad to participate.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

(Credit for photos: Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Translation based on Chinese translation in www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!  Edited by wulijohyubnjae.)

The first two photos are pictorial tributes to Jo Hyun-Jae from his Japanese fans in CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Korean words on first photo say: “JHJ - Congratulations on your promotion to Sergeant!”  The last photo shows fans at JHJ’s send-off to the army on August 5, 2008.  The Korean words on the yellow banner mean “WAITING!”

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/nowguswo; http://hyunjaelove.jp; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!) 

From the very beginning to “Seo Dong Yo”. What’s missing are of course “G.P.506″ and “3 Dads/1 Mom” (so you can guess the date of this otherwise comprehensive video.)

(Credit: We thank the creator of this video, http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo, and Bigcat of www.johyunjae.hk for uploading it.)

This is another article by our new Contributing Editor prissymom.

When I was growing up, there were very few Filipino-made TV series and movies, which was why I watched a lot of American-made ones.  And I have carried this viewing preference well into adulthood.  I am not saying that Americans are the best actors in the world; I just prefer their acting.  I find that, for the most part, American actors don’t show overt emotion in their acting, meaning they don’t overact.  And I realize that the one thing I like most about JHJ’s acting is that he doesn’t overact.  It is the one quality that he shares with my favorite American actors.
 
Whenever I read an article praising the acting of a particular Korean actor in a particular drama, I make it a point to watch that drama just to find out what it is about the acting that garnered praise.  More often than not I end up wondering what is so great about the acting because most of the time these Korean actors overact or are self-indulgent in their acting.  I find them very tiring and irritating to watch so I end up dropping the drama halfway through (I watch at least half the series to be fair). 
 
My favorite American actor, Robert de Niro, once said (on acting): “It’s important not to indicate. ["indicate" here means show or display.]  People don’t try to show their feelings; they try to hide them.”  Which, come to think of it, is a very realistic view of people’s actions — we don’t go around wearing our hearts on our sleeves.  So I don’t understand why people praise actors who display excessive emotions and call their acting “great”, while those who deliver a realistic performance (those who know how to control their emotions and know when to unleash them) like JHJ, are criticized for their “bland” and “expressless” acting. (critic’s words, not mine; is there such a word?) 
 
MY IDEA OF A GREAT ACTOR

A friend once described her idea of a great actor thus: “When he cries, I cry; when he laughs, I laugh.”  I disagree.

For me a great actor can even be having fun onscreen but still elicit tears from me.  Remember that scene in “Love Letter” when Dr. Yim fails to join Andrea in going to the countryside?  So instead Andrea goes to the countryside with Eun-Ha.  The two are shown playing with kids; Andrea is even playing a catchy tune on his harmonica.  And yet I become a mass of tears everytime I watch that scene.
 
A great actor can be doing the most mundane things and still make me feel emotional.  Remember that scene in “3 Dads/1 Mom” where JHJ’s character is shaving his father’s facial hair?  It is such a mundane task and no emotion is showing on JHJ’s face, and yet I can feel the different emotions – sadness, resignation, frustration, guilt – emanating from JHJ.  It is one of the most subtle and poignant scenes in that drama.
 
A great actor doesn’t have to be cutesy-lovey-dovey with his/her onscreen partner for me to feel the romance.  Remember arrogant Han Yi-Joon? He is such an arrogant jerk for most of “Only You” and yet one can’t help but fall in love with his character.  Remember stingy Han Soo-Hyun?  Especially during that scene in “3 Dads/1 Mom” when he first quarrels with Na-Young because NY complains that the pear mixture that the three dads prepare for her is too sweet.  HSH is such a childish, insensitive jerk in that scene and yet JHJ makes HSH very human and cute to boot.
 
A great actor doesn’t have to make goofy faces to make me laugh.  JHJ in “3 Dads/1 Mom” makes me laugh in many scenes even when he is acting with such a straight face.  And JHJ as Kwon In-Ho in “Untold Scandal” elicits laughter from me instead of pity for his ignorance and naivete.

Lastly, a great actor is one who doesn’t have to cry to make me cry.  In JHJ’s “Love Letter” there are so many scenes where Andrea isn’t crying at all, but still those scenes bring tears to my eyes.  Remember that scene where he is waiting at the foot of a bridge with Eun-Ha while waiting for Dr. Yim?  When Dr. Yim arrives and Eun-Ha leaves to join the doctor, Andrea has this longing look on his face.  It isn’t an overt mushy longing look, just a subtle feeling you will get from the angle of his head, to the droop of his shoulders, even to the pursing of his lips.  Also his first dinner with Dr. Yim, all the events leading up to it – wearing the blue sweater the doctor gave him, the tamped down excitement waiting for her while holding the flowers and constantly checking his wristwatch, his innocent questions about his mom during dinner.  These two series of scenes and many others are forever etched in my mind and never fail to make me cry, no matter how many times I have watched this drama.
 
Only two actors in the world are able to make me cry in scenes where they are not crying themselves – Robert de Niro in “Awakenings” (1990) and Jo Hyun Jae in “Love Letter”.  Robert de Niro was nominated for Best Actor in the Oscars for his superb performance as Leonard Lowe in “Awakenings” but he did not win (the Oscar went to Jeremy Irons for “Reversal of Fortune”).  Our JHJ didn’t even get a nomination for his performance in “Love Letter” (and for some of his other dramas/movies as well), which I consider such a crime – a crime of neglect.
 
JHJ has all the qualities that make a great actor, and yet he has not yet received the recognition that he truly deserves.  But I take heart in knowing that he has never failed yet in attaining the goals he has set out for himself.  His pace may seem slow to some people, but it is steady and sure.  With his determination, and our support, I know that sooner or later he will get the recognition that he so richly deserves.

A brand new Japanese magazine called “All About Korean Historical Dramas” has just been published on March 2 in Japan.  In it director Lee Byung-Hoon tells his own story about 5 popular historical dramas he directed as well as one forthcoming.

Director Lee’s masterpieces include “Jewel in the Palace” (Dae Jang Geum), “Yi San” (Lee San, Wind of the Palace), “Sangdo” (Business Ethics), ”The Legendary Doctor Huh Joon”, and of course “Seo Dong Yo”.  His new drama ”Dong Yi” (Dawn), starring Han Hyo-Joo, Ji Jin-Hee, and Lee So-Yeon, will premiere on MBC on March 22. 

Several pages are devoted to “Seo Dong Yo”, as you can see from the above photos.  Each section on each drama gives the synopsis of the story, the historical background, casting secrets, scriptwriting problems, interesting anecdotes during production, behind-the-scenes conversations between the director and the actors, as well as the director’s take on the “real” actors. 

Magazine is priced at 1980 yen (inclusive of tax) and comes with a special DVD.

(Credit: EVERjohyunjae.co.kr; www.koretame.jp; http://gall.dcinside.com; johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)