Jo Hyun Jae

Our next stop was the Buyeo National Museum where the famous Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje was exhibited. Since the museum was not very far away from the city centre, we decided to go there on foot. On the way to the museum, we passed by the Gungnamji Pond (the Southern Palace Pond). This artificial pond was built by King Mu as his summer resort. The pond has an island with a pavilion, known as Poryongjeong. Around the pond, there are many boards telling the love story between Seo Dong and Princess Seonhwa. Next to the pond, there is a park called Seo Dong Park. The park is quite big but there aren’t many things in it. We wondered whether they were still building the park.

Finally we arrived at the Buyeo National Museum. Well, anyone who goes there will not miss it because a huge replica of the gilt-bronze burner is placed in front of the building. Every year, many visitors come to the museum to see the gilt-bronze incense burner which is a national treasure of South Korea. Despite being locked in an individual glass case, one can still appreciate the beauty of this incense burner from a distance. The burner is quite small which is approximately 62.5cm in height and it can be classified in four parts: the body, lid, the phoenix-shaped knob, and the support plate, just as described by Moraksu in the last episode of the SDY. While I was looking at the burner, the last scene where King Mu was smiling with tears in his eyes came back to my mind again. To understand the beauty of the burner, I also bought a book which explains every single feature of the burner in detail.

Our final visit of the day was Muryangsa Temple at the eastern part of Buyeo. This is one of the biggest temples in South Korea. Based on the information I gathered which was confirmed by staff at the tourist centre, the temple is about 30 minutes ride from the city centre. We thought that we could get a taxi there and be back within one and a half hours. We got on a taxi and after about 30 minutes, we were still at the remote country side with no sign of the temple. We started to worry as it was getting darker and darker, and when the meter reached about KW20,000, the taxi driver talked to someone on a mobile phone. Suddenly, the driver passed the mobile phone to us. Haven’t got a clue what was going on, we took the mobile phone and found out that it was the lady at the tourist centre who was at the other end of the call. It turned out that the taxi driver thought that the temple might be closed when we arrived and it would be very difficult for us to get any transportation back to the city, so he suggested we cancel the trip and go back to the city. Since the driver could not speak Chinese nor English, he asked the staff at the tourist centre to translate for him. The staff at the tourist centre remembered us as we asked them how to go to the temple earlier in the afternoon. Without any choices, we had to follow the taxi driver and head back to the city centre.

While we were on the bus back to Yu Shing, my friend asked: “Why didn’t the driver tell us before we got on the taxi? We wasted KW40,000 going nowhere!” Well, I guess it is a misery but I did learn a lesson from this incident. Never trust what you read from the website completely. The information there may not be 100% correct!

(TO BE CONTINUED)

**Please credit http://jo-hyun-jae.com if you wish to transfer.**

★ ★ ★ Korean Actor Jo Hyun Jae ★ ★ ★

Introduction

Jo Hyun-Jae is the actor that most reporters want to interview but never get their wish. Especially for those female reporters, they even feel proud if they manage to interview him successfully. However, Jo Hyun-Jae is not the kind of person who does not want to co-operate during interviews. OK, let me sum up the 3 main characteristics of Jo Hyun-Jae. Firstly, the moment filming finishes, he’ll have nothing to say anymore. He’s such a quiet person. He’ll sit in a corner reading his script quietly on his own or discussing filming points with other actors. He chats with no one. Secondly, Jo Hyun-Jae is the kind of person that cannot do two things in the same moment. As soon as he starts doing one thing, he’ll become so concentrated and focused on that thing only. He can’t think about or do another thing in such circumstances anymore! Thirdly, as soon as he starts filming, he does not like to accept any form of interviews from reporters. Today, we finally managed to make an appointment to interview him, which makes us so happy and excited.

An honest actor – The heart of Jo Hyun-Jae

Looking at his face, everyone will find that he is a very kind and sincere person. Of course he also looks like the type of person who feels a little bit uncomfortable with and fearful of strangers. I thought that he might say more words on the telephone. It was what I predicted before I came. Nevertheless, that is an absolutely wrong prediction! We find it hard to communicate with him even through eye-contact. He’s too shy. We talk to him slowly and patiently for about an hour; then the circumstances of the interview becomes better. Then, we start to go into the main points. In reality, he doesn’t have many things that he is interested in other than acting. Jo Hyun-Jae is the kind of person who will ‘be’ inside the story as soon as he starts filming. “As soon as I start focusing on doing one thing, I may not be able to do another thing anymore. It seems like I’m cheating, but it’s true about me. So that, as soon as I enter the film studio, I’ll become indifferent to everything else.” He seems uncomfortable to express his feelings in front of those he is not so familiar with. Even when he is answering reporters’ questions, the answers he gives are always so short. He seems a little bewildered by every question that reporters ask him. Every time, when we wish to ask more questions in such a short period, facing the reporters who wish to rush and be faster, he still maintains his own speed. He still remains in his own style, answering each question slowly, always without any adjectives. He also does not wish to hide any of his thoughts.

Feeling best and happiest – Only during acting

One day, I read from a newspaper that Jo Hyun-Jae started in the entertainment field singing, not acting. He was a singer before! I’m quite shocked to know about this. I found that it was him from a not-very-clear picture. After confirming about that picture when I showed it to him, Jo Hyun-Jae started talking about his past. He said he became a singer as one of the members of a group in the past because he wanted to be an actor. He just wanted to make his actor’s dream come true. I really can’t imagine the situation when such a shy guy – Jo Hyun-Jae – will stand on stage to sing once upon a time. So unbelievable! So amazing! After that, his group disbanded. Anyway, the fact that he was a singer before shocked me enough already. Usually, others artists are not willing to mention their past anymore after being popular in this field. But Jo Hyun-Jae is different: his response about that is so natural, without any show of being unhappy at all. He said that he’s the kind of person who will not care about everything so much. He is the one who always cares about his present and his future; he’ll not be influenced by the past, only and always think about the future — that is Jo Hyun-Jae. So Jo Hyun-Jae thinks he is feeling best during acting. However, he’ll never be rash and rush in to do something. On the contrary, he develops his own strengths one by one, patiently. Such an actor is not a born-genius; his success is only achieved after so much hard work.

Want to come nearer to Han Yi-Joon

After acting in the last drama series— “Gumiho” (The Legend of The Nine-Tailed Fox), Jo Hyun-Jae took a rest  of about 7 months. He went traveling, visiting places that he likes, and also doing sports and exercises that he loves. During his rest, Jo Hyun-Jae told his friends: “I wish to come back with a fresh and new character!…..Finally, my dream comes true. The character I’m playing this time is such a different character; Han Yi-Joon in “Only You” is so far from my own self. Han Yi-Joon is an inconsiderate and even rather cold person — he is a loner in the way he speaks and acts. He is also an intolerant guy. He’s the heir of a big conglomerate. Han Yi-Joon goes to Italy to find his mother and he happens to meet his love there.  Han Yi-Joon is the type of person who always makes himself the centre of everything. Han Yi-Joon never cares about the others’ feelings, always making decision on his own, and always does what he likes. However, Han Yi-Joon is not the type of person that we’ll dislike and hate.” We can see the purity and honesty through Jo Hyun-Jae’s eyes when he is talking about Han Yi-Joon. Jo Hyun-Jae said that the reason he chose the character of Han Yi-Joon was because his characteristics are so far and different from his own.

Seo Dong Yo– Going into Baekjek

Now Jo Hyun-Jae is busy filming his new drama series— “Seo Dong Yo”. This drama series will be shown in Korea this coming September (2005). “Just because the director is Lee Byung-Hyun, I agree to act in this drama as soon as I received the invitation over the phone.” Quite different from what I guessed before, such a careful and patient guy – Jo Hyun-Jae – will also be affected by the director! Lee Byung-Hyun is the director that everyone in Korea knows. This director has produced many famous dramas before, such as “The Legend of Doctor Hur-Jun” and also “Jewel In The Palace” (The Legend Of Dae Jang Geum). All of his dramas got  very high audience ratings.  “Seo Dong Yo’s” background is based on Baekjek. Seo Dong married the Princess of Shilla, then he became the king of Baekjek. The lead actor is Jo Hyun-Jae.  “Seo Dong Yo” is expected to have 55 episodes and Jo Hyun-Jae will transcend Korea with this new drama, like “Dae Jang-Geum”, which has become a part of Korean culture.

THE END

Credit:

We are not sure about the source of this article, most probably from Korea.  The Chinese text is taken from a Chinese magazine in 2005.  We’re reprinting it here because it contains some interesting observations about JHJ.

Original Chinese text by: Angel’s Tears (www.johyunjae.cn)
English translation by: pjcheah (www.dearjohyunjae.com)

(Edited by wulijohyunjae)

30 Q & A with JHJ~~2003.6.1

Yes, these are 6 years old, but you’ll see that he was essentially the same Jo Hyun-Jae as he is now.  Our favourite answer is #10.

1. What is your strength?

I am attentive in all things.

2. What is your shortcoming?

Lack of ease in associating with strangers and difficulty in flattering others.

3. Favorite Number (it’s okay if it’s several numbers):

9, 5

4. Favorite Season?

Spring, Summer

5. Who are your close friends?

My elementary school friends,  Ji Jin Hee, and Kim Hyung Jong

6. Your ideal type?

Someone who I feel I can connect with.

7. What sort of a present would you like to receive lately?

There isn’t one thing in particular that I’m wanting at the moment,

but I would be thankful for any kind of present.

8. What do you do when you’re home alone?

Exercise, watch DVDs, or listen to music. I typically try to watch a lot of movies.

9. Are there any games you’re good at (either PC or PS2)?

I don’t like computers, so I don’t play PC games, but I sometimes play Tekken

or soccer games.

10. What kind of present would you want to give to someone you love?

All of myself.

11. If someone you loved cheated on you, what would you do?

I would ask the reason and try my best to understand.

12. What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Meet up with people I am close to, and if I have a girlfriend, I would like to

drive somewhere far with her.

13. What are your most proud moments?

When I gave my mother money that I earned myself, when I didn’t make any mistakes (NG) while filming, and when I celebrated my birthday together with fans.

14.  How fast do you type?

About 1 line per minute? I’m slow.^^

15. What are your top 3 standards when judging another person?

Rather than having strictly 3 things, I look at personality and also compare interests.

16. What’s written on your cellphone LCD screen? Also, what’s your ringtone?

All that’s written is the time, and my ringtone is “I Believe I can Fly.”

17. What movies do you recommend?

“Billy Elliot”, “The Green Mile”

18. What are your sleeping habits?

I sleep clutching my pillow.

19. What is love?

Keeping one person within me. And a mutual wish for wanting to do things together.

20. Favorite sport?

Swimming, basketball, inline skating.

21. When does a woman look her best in your eyes?

When she’s working hard at whatever it is that she is doing.

22. Something you say often?

Ah…. Yes…. That is…..

23. Something you definitely wouldn’t do to others?

Say things that are unpleasant to them, especially hurtful things.

24. What would you do if you were to coincidentally run into someone you had broken up with?

I think I would wish them well.

25. What is the most precious thing in this world?

Family. The person you love. Health.

26.  What if you were born again?

Even if I were reborn, I would still want to be born as who I am now.

27. What do you like the most?

It’s hard to name just one thing.

28. What do you dislike the most?

Being bothered when I’m concentrating.

29. Something you’re better at than other people?

Cleaning? Assembling plastic models.

30. What would you like to say to your fans?

Please always be healthy. I think it’s because of all of you that I

was able to become an actor. Thank you so much for giving me so much love,

and I hope everything (whatever it is) that you are doing or

are hoping for will go well. With all of you present in my mind,

I will work hard in this acting occupation.

Please always watch over me.

(Translated by alexis and originally published on CAFEKorea. Thanks!)

(Photo designed by Yimi and originally published on johyunjaeChina.  Thanks!  Chinese words on photo mean: “still and tranquil world of the heart.”

Day 2

The next day we got up shortly after dawn to go to Buyeo (former name Sabi), the capital of Baekje since A.D. 538 and where most of  “Seo Dong Yo” was shot.

There was no direct transportation from Yu Shing to Buyeo and we needed to transit at Gongju, the capital of Baekje from A.D. 475 – 538. We only spent very little time at Gongju – merely walking from one bus terminal to another which only took us about 15 minutes. My brief impression of Gongju is that it is a very nice historical city with quite a number of tourist interests. I would like to go back to visit this city again.

Just after 9:00 am, we arrived at Buyeo. Buyeo is quite a small city with one main street. In the intersection of the main street, there is giant statue of King Seong, the grandfather of King Mu — the King who was beheaded by a Shilla soldier in the first episode of SDY.

Shortly after arriving at Buyeo, we went to visit the Buso Mountain Fortress. This fortress is a mountain fortress with Sabi, the capital of Baekje, in the centre. It is believed that this fortress was built before 538 when the capital of Baekje was moved to Sabi and its central function was to defend the Palace. The fortress was really big. The first building we saw at the entrance of the fortress was a big gate inscribed “City of Sabi”. I think this must be the gate that Seo Dong entered with his army when he tried to reclaim his throne. Inside the fortress, there were many buildings, mainly temples and pavilions in Chinese style with Chinese characters engraved on the wall.

There is also a very sad story about this fortress. At the back of the fortress, there was a cliff called Nakhwaam which means “the rock of falling beautiful flowers”. In A.D. 660, Baekje was defeated by Shilla-Tang Alliance (King Mu’s son was the last king of the Baekje dynasty ). The legend tells that around 3,000 court ladies and other women plunged into the Baengma River from Nakwhaam to keep their loyalty in the face of the invading troops. Probably because so many lives were lost and blood was shed at this rock, it became red in color.

It took us approximately 2 hours to walk around the fortress. Just at the entrance of the fortress, there was a tourist centre. The tourist centre is very big and provides a lot of information and, most importantly, the staff at tourist centre can speak many languages: Japanese, English and Chinese. After chatting with the staff about the places where we would like to go, we decided to go to the SDY film set. We missed the direct bus from the city to the film set but we were told that the last bus that ran from the film set back to the city centre would leave at 2:30 pm. Hence, we must complete our visit to the film set by 2:30 pm. We immediately jumped into a taxi, and on the way to the film set, we could see signs of the film set every 50 meters. One will not miss the sign as it shows two lovely cartoons of Seodong and Seonhwa. After a journey of about half an hour, we were at the entrance of the film set.

The film set was actually smaller than I expeced. There were many well known places such as the Baekje Palace, the Shilla Palace and Haneulchae which were all located next to each other. The place where Moraksu and his followers live in exile is just within 5 minutes walking distance to the Palace. “It should not take Moraksu 10 years to go back to the Palace,” my friend said.

While we were wandering around the film set with wild eyes and taking as many photos as we could, my friend suddenly screamed: “What are these? What are they doing here?” I looked around and saw some human size “supermen” (the Japanese ones) standing on the ground. We had no idea why someone put these ugly figures there and we sincerely hoped that someone would remove them soon as they really spoiled the scene.

After spending two hours at the film set, we had to leave reluctantly as the last bus back to the city was leaving at 2:30 pm. The bus stop was on the other side of the road with many small restaurants nearby. We went to one of the restaurants to buy some drinks and found that many SDY photos and autographs of the casts were hanging on the wall. There were autographs of JHJ, LBY and many other co-stars of SDY. We could not resist and took a lot of photos. The owner of the restaurant, a very nice lady, was quite happy to see us taking photos. I think she must be very proud that she had served the SDY crew and they must have a very good relationship. The lady knew that we were waiting for the bus and whenever there were any vehicles passing by, she would check for us. Finally she called us: “Ajuma! Ajuma! Your bus is coming”. Well, my friend and I did not like to be called “Ajuma” but we still appreciated the warmth and kindness of this nice lady.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

**Please credit http://jo-hyun-jae.com if you wish to transfer.**

Jo Hyun-Jae’s 2008 movie “G.P.506″ was shown on the Korean satellite TV station OCN on July 25 at 22:00.    JHJ’s fellow soldier Nick-onjonglove left this message on CAFE on July 26:

Hello, everybody!  Last evening I watched “G.P.506″ with members of my unit.

Jo Hyun-Jae’s acting is really superb!

Some who have already seen this movie [before enlistment] were also attracted to watch it again in the military.

The Jo Hyun-Jae in the movie is so different from the Jo Hyun-Jae by our side.

The snacks and cookies are delicious.  I thank you on behalf of our camp-mates.

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove.  Translated from Chinese translation in johyunjae.cn (ING).  Thanks!)

(Credit: This video is created by Param of carpediem (CAFE) Japan.  Thanks!)

Imagine watching “G.P.506″ with JHJ next to you!  His fellow soldiers are so lucky!

(Guess what my first love is.)

I’ve read that some fans don’t like “First Love” very much because of its plot. The Jo Hyun-Jae character, Han Young Woo, is a young man who falls in love with a girl, Oh Hee Soo, who grows up with him. The girl, however, loves their professor, Shin Sung Woo,  who has married a woman he does not love.  Han Young Woo is not a winner in love, though the end of the drama hints that they might be together again, which I find hardly persuasive. The heroine is too blind to see such a good love beside her, and her choice is so incomprehensible. But let’s forget the disappointing plot and appreciate our JHJ’s brilliant performance in “First Love”.

The beginning of the drama is also the first appearance of  the JHJ character Han Young Woo who has just come back from abroad and run into his first love Oh Hee Soo in the subway. The close-up shot of Han Young Woois breathtakingly handsome. The gently wavy hair, fair-skinned face, straight nose, big and deep eyes, and gracefully curved mouth make him like a prince who has just walked out from some European fairy tale. When he accidentally sees his long-lost-contact first love rushing into the subway, his eyes flash with surprise, doubt, and joy. Then, immediately, he jumps into the subway too. Seeing Oh Hee Soo sitting there, Young Woo hesitates for a second, and then decides to go to her. When he reaches her, he does not know how to say hello to her. Fortunately, when the passenger sitting next to Hee Soo stands up to disembark, she looks up and sees Young Woo.

She cries out “Young Woo!” “Yeah!” the young man answers happily. Then they start to chat. It seems to me that Hee Soo does all the talking and Young Woo only answers “yeah” while looking at her all the time with a heart full of love and joy.

Then there is a flashback. Holding a camera in his hands, Young Woo is waiting for Hee Soo on campus. Set against the blurred green background,  what appears on the screen is a handsome boy full of hope for love. This long-distance shot is the favorite of many fans. The beauty of Young Woo is different from that of Andrea in “Love Letter”.  Andrea is like an angel, holy and pure. Young Woo is like spring breeze, fresh and vigorous. Who wouldn’t love to see such a delicate beauty? Then during their conversation, Hee Soo says she has met a handsome man in the classroom. Young Woo blurts out: “Can he be handsomer than me?!” So cute the way he expresses his jealousy!

Though Hee Soo falls in love with someone else, Young Woo’s love affair is not all that miserable. In fact there are a lot of sweet scenes which I enjoy watching very much. Take a few  examples. When Young Woo accompanies Hee Soo back to the dorm, on the way they talk and laugh as if they were sweet lovers. Hee Soo even leans against Young Woo’s shoulder while laughing.  Young Woo’s face looks so joyful, as if he is on top of the world.

In another scene on a sunny day, Hee Soo is sitting on the grass and Young Woo is lying on the grass with his head resting Hee Soo’s thigh. That’s definitely a position only lovers would indulge in. Young Woo seems contented and the two look very harmonious. Who wouldn’t be jealous of their carefree love?

Also I remember the scene when it is raining hard and Young Woo cannot see Hee Soo in the classroom. He looks around, much worried. Then the girl appears. All of a sudden, a radiant smile breaks out on his face, like a flower blossoming. Familiar, isn’t it? Yeah, JHJ’s signature smile. I love it. Very enchanting!

This is something  that our JHJ makes “First Love” special. The loser in love does not seem miserable. On the contrary, he brings pleasure to the audience and makes them recall memories of sweet young love.

Though tacit most of the time, Young Woo’s love is by no means timid. Waiting for Hee Soo at her dorm, Young Hee sees their professor drive Hee Soo home, and is shocked to witness Hee Soo hugging the professor before getting off the car! (Yes, she takes the initiative, not the professor.)  Pain, puzzlement, disappointment, and anger pour out of Young Woo’s eyes. He has to flee to avoid losing control of himself in front of Hee Soo, after answering her question of what he is doing there. ( What a fool she is!  Is Young Woo standing there watching the stars? Of course he is there waiting for HER!) Yet, when Young Woo meets the professor at the traffic light, he purposely refuses to say hello to him and rides his bicycle quickly past him. Without a single word, Young Woo expresses his attitude and position from the beginning. The meanings in those big beautiful eyes are powerful enough to make the man feel guilty. Ever since then, whenever he faces the professor, challenge and dissatisfaction show through his eyes which announce his love and firm will to defend his love.

Here comes one of my favorite scenes. The two young people share a room in a B&B. Gazing at Hee Soo who is asleep, Young Woo’s handsome face gets closer and closer to his lover’s face. Suddenly, she awakes and opens her eyes. After momentarily at a loss, he gives her a quick kiss on the lips. I didn’t expect that! I thought he would stand up and pretend nothing has happened. But he kisses her even though he is caught in the act! Isn’t that brave?

Another thing in “First Love” that impresses me is JHJ or Han Young Woo demonstrating a mischievous and childish side. He would deliberately pretend to be an awkward bicycle rider when he finds that passersby are laughing at him because of  the sign on his bicycle which reads “New driver. Be careful!”  which is actually made for Hee Soo who has only learnt to ride recently. He would also do meaningless things like breaking the professor’s works into pieces and damaging his car by scratching the surface with a knife in order to vent his anger and pain. These make Han Yonug Woo a far cry from  Andrea. However, Young Woo is as attractive as Andrea, just in different ways. JHJ has made both of them convincing and attractive. He has made the No.2 male character the No. 1 glamorous role in the whole drama. No wonder he won the 2003 SBS BEST NEW ACTOR award for his performance in “First Love”.

Starting August 2009, when you write to Jo Hyun-Jae, don’t forget to address letter to:

Corporal Jo Hyun-Jae

P.O. Box 130-17, Mubong-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul 480-799, Korea

Address in Korean:

경기도 포천시 소흘읍 무봉2리 450번지 사서함 130-17호 제56탄약대대 1중대

SEOUL 480-799,  KOREA

상병 조현재

These photos are from the Korean Army website and show soldiers in military training.  As you can see, the training is very rigorous.  Their slogan (from the bottom of each photo) is: Strong warrior, strong force.

Our Jo Hyun-Jae must have gone through this drill.  You can imagine how the Korean army trains its soldiers physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.

Rumour has it that JHJ has been transferred to a desk job (because of his promotion to Corporal?)  No more night patrols (that’s how he was injured recently), no more night exercises.

(Credit for photos: http://cafe.daum.net; http://blog.daum.net; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

CAFEKorea and CAFEJapan have sent their 11th supplies to Jo Hyun-Jae and his campmates (once a month since JHJ entered the army in August 2008), all beautifully packaged (80 in all.)

There are the usual snacks, chips, chocolates, cookies, candies, as well as dried squid, throat lozenges, and ready-to-eat congee.  And of course each month’s presents include the special items for JHJ — ginseng, telephone cards, SCREEN magazine, and wet tissues.

The most unusual gift this time is the chicken soup with ginseng.  These CAFE ladies really leave nothing to chance.  As soon as JHJ mentions in his message that he had chicken soup with ginseng during his recent leave, they are sending him this dish ( boiled for 3 hours together with other ingredients like chestnuts, etc.; black chicken is more expensive than white chicken, and more nourishing.)  The chicken in the photos looks like it is wearing a bathrobe!  What is protruding from its stomach is the ginseng (in the second photo.)  The CAFE ladies are not only caring and considerate; they have a sense of humour too.  That’s the pot to cook the chicken soup in.  They really think of everything where JHJ is concerned!

(Credit: Photos from CAFEJapan.  Thanks!)

This is the very latest photo of Jo Hyun-Jae in the army, just released on EVERKorea.  It looks like JHJ was snapped without realizing he was being photographed.  He looks very concentrated, possibly listening to someone speaking or watching something.  His profile is as handsome as ever.  Has be become darker?  Or is it because this photo is taken without flash?