Jo Hyun Jae

I was at a turning point of my life, living by myself (away from my family) for the first time, maybe for a year or two.  I have always wanted to experience this in life.  But leaving home for the first time made me a little anxious.  Perhaps it is because of this that someone like me who has never been a star-chaser has done something I have never done before.  For the whole of November, sleeping 4 -5 hours each night, I finished watching (almost non-stop) his “Love Letter”, “Only You”, “Seo Dong Yo”, “Sunshine”.  I even read all the news about him, old and new, on the websites.  But I am certain this is not a flash in the pan.  I hope to watch forever how he will travel down that road he has chosen.

When I saw “3Dads/1Mom” for the first time in Suzhou, I was not thunderstruck.  Yea, handsome guy, but a miser, someone who pursues a rich girl for money’s sake is not exactly my cup of tea.  After watching a few more episodes, I began to feel there’s something special behind the role.  The tenderness in his eyes when he sees Na-Young washing his father’s feet, the tears of joy in his eyes when he recovers Ha-Seon in the supermarket — all these make me feel there is another side to him.  Lastly, in that scene when he is gazing at the stars with Na-Young and gives her a little kiss, suddenly I want to know — Who is he?

So I started on “Love Letter”.  I have never seen anyone so pure, so real, so much so that one can’t help but share in his joy and sorrow, laughter and tears.  “Like jade” flashes across my mind.  I feel this is more appropriate than “pure cotton”.  He is warm, clear, smooth as jade.  Even in “Only You” when he is being unreasonable you can still feel his kindness.  But at the same time, in his eyes full of love on his tender face, I feel a kind of strength; I see someone who is true to his own world.

After I read about his experience in his youth, I understand why his handsome face exudes such strength.  The more serene he appears, the more I realize the pain and pressure he has experienced.  At such a young age, how does he manage to falteringly, stubbornly find his own path?  After the worst is over, how does he manage to keep that bright, pure smile?  They say the hardest stones become jade.  In his heart of hearts, he must have the firmness of stone.  Perhaps that is why he can give such a convincing performance as Seo Dong who succeeds after trials and tribulations.   Maybe that is why he says in an interview in Thailand that gratitude is the greatest virtue.  Maybe that is why we often see him so serene, so subdued, submerged in his own world.

When as a movie star he conveys to us his handsomest, tenderest, most charming side, I would rather appreciate him as a man who has the qualities of jade.   Actually I am very worried: he may not be suited to the complex entertainment world.  But I believe that since he has chosen this road, he will silently, steadily walk down it.

Isn’t his name “Jae”?  Very similar to “jade”, right?

(Translated from the Chinese article written by minayellow on BaiduJHJ.com)

(Photo courtesy of johyunjae.cn.  The Chinese words on the right say: “The sky is so blue. The trees are so green.  Life can be so peaceful and beautiful.”  Thanks!)