Jo Hyun Jae

A lot of Han Soo-Hyun in “3 Dads/1 Mom” to brighten your day.  How can anyone look so incredibly handsome?  Enjoy!

(Credit: 3.1 of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

Just want to share these cute pics with you.

Created by Maridna (originally posted on www. johyunjae.hk.)  Thanks!

Please see our 5/13/09 post “Sleeping Beauty”.

If you would like to order the JHJ 2010 desk calendar from the Official JHJ Fan Club, please write to us at jhjfans@gmail.com BEFORE October 26, 2009.  Price: 1,890 yen  (around US$21 at today’s exchange rate), exclusive of postage and handling charge.

Calendar will not be available till end of November.  By the time it reaches you (through us), it should be your Christmas/New Year present.

Please understand that if you place an order, you are committed to pay (in advance.) 

(Photo courtesy of http://jo-hyunjae.com.  Thanks!)

Below is a Korean newspaper article on JHJ’s salary in “Untold Scandal”:

Jo Hyun-Jae: “Reasonable Man”  (2003.3.19)

Jo Hyun-Jae, who shot to fame in the MBC TV Monday and Tuesday drama “Love Letter”, has signed a contract to act in the movie “Untold Scandal” for 8 million Korean won.  [Exchange rate: 1 million KW = US$1,000 approximately]

Jo Hyun-Jae is in the spotlight because he has joined the cast of the movie “Untold Scandal”, to be directed by Lee Jae-Yong and starring Bae Yong-Jun and Lee Mi-Sook.

According to market rate, a supporting actor is usually paid between 20 – 30 million KW for a movie.  With his rising popularity, Jo Hyun-Jae is only paid 8 million KW which is obviously low by any standard.

Our post title is of course tongue-in-cheek.  JHJ (as Kwon In-Ho) is crying in the above photo for his lost love in “Untold Scandal”, not because of his low salary.

What do we mean by calling Jo Hyun-Jae ”reasonable”?   Last autumn when JHJ was auditioning for “Untold Scandal”, he tried wearing the traditional Korean robe for the first time.  His appearance did not seem to be suitable for playing a historical role, and he looked rather incongruous in the traditional costume.  But, as it turned out, actually he looked really good wearing the traditional costume.  Later he auditioned for “Great Ambition” (Dae Mang) and won the role of the Crown Prince.

This means that if he had not auditioned for “Untold Scandal”, he would not have had the opportunity to act in “Great Ambition”.

JHJ is absolutely stunning in traditional costume.  Who says he looks incongruous?!

So JHJ signed up for “Untold Scandal” according to his rate (price) at the time of the audition and not at the later rate after he became popular.   He even laughingly said: “When I first started, I was only paid 5 million KW.  This is 3 million KW more.”

In “Untold Scandal” JHJ plays a young man from a rich family who falls in love with an aristocrat’s concubine.  The movie is adapted from the French writer Cholderlos de Laclos’ novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” which has been made into a Hollywood movie “Dangerous Liaisons”, with Keanu Reeves playing the JHJ part.

(Credit for article: http://gall.dcinside.com;www.johyunjae.hk.  Translated from the Chinese by Scarecrow.  Photos from CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

This concludes our series on “Untold Scandal”.

The following is an article in a Korean magazine (summer  2001), introducing Jo Hyun-Jae in the SBS drama “Father and Sons”.

(Editor’s note: JHJ was then known as “LEE Hyun-Jae”.  He later resumed his real surname JO.)

A brand new actor Lee Hyun-Jae

Not 제, but 재 — Lee Hyun-Jae corrected me.

Many people don’t care about how their names are written, but Lee Hyun-Jae shyly confirmed the proper way to write his name — Lee Hyun-JAE.

There are so many new actors.  There are many who want to become actors and many who want to find new actors.  There are many with good figures and fresh looks, but the age at which appearance determines everything has passed.

In SBS’ weekend drama “Father and Sons”, the actor Lee Hyun-Jae’s sweet smile attracted a lot of viewers.  His radiant smile reminds one of the good, kind young man in the fields of times past.  In this time and age when good looks is a definite advantage, Hyun-Jae’s fine features bring a breath of fresh air.

But why is it that when I actually see him, I do not sense the pastoral feel at all.  His sculptured profile and his sparkling eyes are so dynamic.   Hyun-Jae has the superior appearance of a fine actor: simply handsome and as required by the drama. No matter what the role is, he can dramatise it with many rich facial expressions.

Looking at the fresh-faced Hyun-Jae who plays the youngest son in the new weekend drama “Father and Sons”, I see a sweet young man full of dreams, so fine and fresh, beautiful bright eyes, full of artistic feelings.  They say people with pure souls have particularly clear eyes.  Hyun-Jae must have the soul of an angel.  Such clear eyes, so remarkable on close scrutiny!

Because of a stellar cast, the SBS weekend drama “Father and Sons” attracted a lot of attention lately.  Some parts have been decided beforehand.  Finally, there leaves the role of the youngest son.  Who is to play the youngest son?  Such an important role in a weekend drama — all newcomers want to play this role.  Why did it finally fall to Hyun-Jae?

It is said because of his “potential”.   Hyun-Jae said: “When I was in primary school, I was very shy.  Probably a lot of my classmates won’t remember me.  I was small and said little.”

Most actors have one thing in common — they may look ordinary, but once they are on stage they become someone else; they lose themselves in their performance.  But Hyun-Jae is not like that.

How does such a shy person perform?

“I don’t understand how to do well in talk shows.  Even if I really want to, there is nothing I can do.”  But he has a voice that is clear and pleasant to compensate for his shortcomings.  Like Mozart’s passion, like Beethoven’s tirelessness — he never lets up.

Hyun-Jae was discovered in a gym.  “They saw me exercising in the gym and signed me up.  I was really lucky.”

Recently, the drama division wants to recruit him too.  It is as if fate is leading him onto the entertainment road.  A TV series has a very tight schedule — shooting 5 days a week.  Hyun-Jae feels very thankful to be doing this at the moment.

Hyun-Jae mentions that he has been “scolded” by the director till he cries and despairs.  He is an introvert and is often immersed in his character; he wants to be able to control his emotions as an actor.

From the beginning to the end of this interview, Hyun-Jae often ponders long and hard over an answer.  He has the qualities to be a great actor.  He will become an actor of substance and depth — this is certain.

(Original by Crystal in EVERjohyunjae’s Japanese forum.  This English version is translated from the Chinese version on johyunjaeChina by 苹果芊芊.  Edited by wulijohyunjae.  Photos from CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

Following is a video that gives you certain glimpses of JHJ in “Father and Sons” (from http://cafe.daum.net/nowguswo and edited by kkisok of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Those of you who ordered JHJ souvenirs will be getting them in early November.

Is there anyone else who would like to buy these souvenirs? (Please see our 10/11/09 post “Memories”.)

All orders must reach us at jhjfans@gmail.com BEFORE October 24, 2009.

Jo Hyun-Jae was in Japan in 2004 to promote the release of the Japanese version of the “Untold Scandal” DVD, together with his co-star Lee So-Yeon and the director Lee Jae-Yong (E J-Yong.) 

On stage he speaks first in Japanese and then in Korean.  We can only understand the “Hello”, ”Thank you”, and “Very happy to be here”.  As for the rest, please use your imagination.

(Credit: Nannaya of EVERjohyunjae.  Thanks!)

This is a comparison of all 5 versions of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” ever made.  Jo Hyun-Jae comes second among the five actors who play Danceny (not bad for someone in his first acting role in a movie.)

I’ve just read a review and comparison of all movie versions of the novel “Dangerous Liaisons”, in which one of them is “Untold Scandal”. The review focused on almost all aspects of the movie and it compared 5 versions produced in different countries.

You may read the whole review on this address: http://filmwalrus.blogspot.com/2007/03/iceberg-arena-oft-told-scandal.html, but the part where it compared all actors portraying the role of Danceny in the original novel is this:

“Finally we have Danceny, a role necessary for the plot but certainly the most minor. Essentially the part is a male version of Cecile with less lines and more hurt pride, not really a juicy performance to dig into. Vadim manages to turn it into a fairly brilliant bit-part for the superb Jean-Louis Trintignant (in a young, pre-famous cameo) as a student torn between study and puppy love. “Untold Scandal” casts the handsome Jo Hyun-Jae who gives the part a little of the youthful swagger and recklessness reminiscent of Toshiro Mifune’s samurais. Sean Patrick Thomas gets the job done, and adds some needed racial diversity to “Cruel Intentions.” Meanwhile Keanu Reeves and the kid from E.T. (in the 1988 and 1989 versions respectively) compete to see who can make the most insanely awful catastrophe out of their brief appearances.”

(Posted by rynne_ph on EVERjohyunjae on 2008.2.22.  Many thanks to Bigcat of johyunjae.hk who drew our attention to this article.)

We have posted the entire review here, so those of you who are interested can read it in context.  If you are a film buff (as we are), you will find it fascinating reading, wickedly funny in parts.  We are very gratified that Jo Hyun-Jae’s performance is so well-received, especially since this critic appears to have “cruel intentions”.

If there’s one thing that sells movies consistently it would have to be sex. Runners-up include intrigue, murder, celebrities and explosions (writing comes in at #39 and originality at #81). These completely made-up statistics go a long way to explaining the popularity of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel “Dangerous Liaisons” (although it has no explosions). Given that there have been five major theatrical adaptations released so far it is time someone wrote a definitive comparison. The Film Walrus therefore presents a special Iceberg Arena Battle Royal. A chart at the end of this post keeps track of the rankings for each point of comparison.  (Editor: Chart at beginning of this post.)

The following contest will spoil the plot, but the story isn’t terribly important and besides, if you don’t know it already you’re unlikely to read/see it soon anyway. Set amongst the French aristocracy just before the revolution, Vicomte de Valmont and Marquise de Merteuil are two scheming high-society members who take their pleasure and power from countless cynical sexual escapades. Merteuil discovers that one of her former lovers is engaged to a virginal ingénue, Cecile, and decides to take revenge by asking Valmont to seduce her and make the future husband a laughingstock.

Valmont is reluctant since he has recently set his sights on the married, morally-upstanding Madame de Tourvel, a target more worthy of his skills. Valmont does eventually agree, however, after discovering that Cecile’s mother has warned de Tourvel of his insincerity. While tricking Cecile into sex, he learns that she already has her eyes on a young music teacher, Danceny, and Valmont encourages them to begin an affair.

While Valmont does succeed in seducing de Tourvel, he doesn’t realize in time that he’s found true love and is tricked by the jealous Merteuil into spoiling the relationship. In response, Valmont ruins Merteuil’s recent affair with Danceny, but has the tables turned when Merteuil reveals Valmont’s seduction of Cecile to the hot-tempered Danceny. Danceny challenges Valmont to a duel, fatally wounding the reformed philanderer, but not before providing Danceny with letters that permanently disgrace Merteuil.

If it sounds complicated, it is, but the constant intrigue, power changes and double-crosses are what make the script so much fun. Each of the film adaptations have borrowed the basic skeleton but put their own spin on the story, often with dramatic differences.

The first film adaptation was Roger Vadim’s 1959 French language “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” which updates the story into the 1950’s and sets much of it in the Swiss Alps. British director Stephen Frears followed in 1988 with “Dangerous Liaisons,” a straight-forward adaptation with few changes and an all-star cast. Frears’s version released to critical acclaim, much to the chagrin of former Czech New Wave director Milos Forman, who was already into production on his own American version. His “Valmont” soon appeared in 1989 and is set several decades before the novel’s time period. In 1999, the largely untalented Roger Kumble made a trashy modern teen exploitation version called “Cruel Intentions” which became a guilty-pleasure sleeper hit. The most recent version, “Untold Scandal” (2003) came from the relatively unknown Korean New Wave director Lee Je Yong, who places the story in his own home country whose aristocratic period took place a few decades after the novel’s.

Frears’s version is the most true to the book, keeping the original ending, leaving much of the dialogue intact and making the setting historically accurate.

“Valmont” comes fairly close in terms of accuracy but “Americanizes” (read: dumbs down) some of the dialogue, romance and plot events. Forman inexplicably chooses to excise Valmont’s deathbed revenge in favor of making Valmont’s death into a suspenseful surprise, a dubious choice that deprives Merteuil of her fated comeuppance.

“Untold Scandal” remains surprisingly similar despite the culture shift, perhaps due to the shared period of puritanical trappings that hide a darker underworld. Lee Je Yong’s ending humorously maximizes film’s visual potential by replacing the final letters with explicit artistic rendering, but offers Merteuil a surprisingly redemptive coda that is unique, though cheesy.

“Cruel Intentions” warps surprisingly little of the basic set-up and seems at home amongst its bevy of modern promiscuous teens. The major change is the atmosphere, now dressed up in a hip, trendy veneer rather then a prim and stuffy one. It also puts a timely twist on one subplot to add a fitting homosexual angle. The reputation-wrecking letters being entirely inadequate for a modern adaptation, Kumble has the de Tourvel character hand out Xeroxes of Merteuil’s diary (which includes a diagram of the cocaine-filled crucifix she always wears) during Merteuil’s insincere funeral speech over Valmont’s grave.

Finally, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” takes the most liberties with the script, but does so in a wholly appropriate manner. To make Valmont and Merteuil’s friendship/rivalry all the more bitter and intense, Vadim makes them a long-married couple with an “honest, open relationship” that thinly disguises their secret hatred for each other’s infidelities. Also deeming the original ending too weak for a modern movie, Vadim transfuses the irony factor into de Tourvel’s grief-induced madness. Merteuil gets her comeuppance by somewhat arbitrarily catching on fire, becoming permanently disfigured.

One of the main ways these films distinguish themselves is through their ensemble casts, since the performances are key to the complicated, deceit-filled and emotionally diverse script. The Film Walrus will exam the five lead parts: Valmont (reformed scoundrel), Tourvel (virtuous love interest), Merteuil (villain), Cecile (naïve virgin) and Danceny (Cecile’s boyfriend).

Chief amongst the Valmonts is actually “Untold Scandal”’s neophyte Bae Yong-Jun, in his first cross-over role after a successful career on Korean television. Bae is clever, persuasive and subtle, pulling off the charm and seductiveness of the character at every level. He is so full of his own lies that even he finds it difficult to tell when his feigned love becomes sincere. Vadim’s Gerard Philippe comes close with the right balance and seems believable as the irresistibly confident rogue. “Valmont” displays a young Colin Firth doing a passable job that falters only occasionally on the delivery but isn’t particularly memorable. The much-lauded John Malkovich is truly over-rated in the role, tipping his hand too far toward the smarmy, evil and conceited side, making him unconvincing as a successful seducer or as a romantic reformer. Ryan Philippe in “Cruel Intentions” needs no discussion.

The role of Tourvel is a relatively difficult and thankless part; especially considering how one-dimensional and prudish the character is (everyone else gets to have much more fun). Michelle Pfeiffer (in 1988’s “Dangerous Liaisons”) handily takes first place in terms of performance, but “Cruel Intention”‘s Reese Witherspoon looks the part and feels the most at home channeling the essence of purity and sweetness in a way that makes the one-dimensionality an advantage. Vadim casts his then-wife (unsurprising for the womanizing oft-married director) Annette Vadim in the role and gets from her a workable performance. Both “Untold Scandal” and “Valmont” (with Meg Tilly) are flat and uninspired beyond redemption.

The villainous Merteuil is the part generally played with the most relish and has given many actresses a chance to show their fangs and develop a darker image. Jeanne Moreau easily steals the show in the French original with a keen, jaded performance that is downright chilling. Annette Bening gives the best performance of the “Valmont” cast and manages to the fullest arc from an initially pitiable and sympathetic position to one of malicious spite (sadly, she has a terrible evil laugh). Sarah Michelle Gellar successfully dirtied her role-model/girl-power reputation from TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and comes across convincingly vampy in a rare brunette performance. Frears’s version features Glenn Close who hogs a lot of screen time but totally overplays her part and looks too old and too unpleasant to fit the part, but does convey an intimidating viciousness. “Untold Scandal” comes in as the least memorable, but Lee Mi-Suk does get to have some of the most outrageous hair in screen history.

Cecile, like Tourvel, is a difficult part due to its relative simplicity and limited range. None of the five movies pull it off with any great flourish and Uma Thurman (in the 1988 version) is probably the best simply by virtue of being unobtrusive. “Valmont” puts a young Fairuza Balk to good use, especially her expressions for confusion, nervousness and shock, but she lacks depth. The Cecile in “Untold Scandal” is pretty ridiculous in her doe-eyed naivety but amply sells the fragility and giddiness of the part. Selma Blair in “Cruel Intentions” and the forgettable girl from “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” are both too whiny and petulant, ultimately distracting rather than complimenting the other performances.

Jo Hyun-Jae and Lee So-Yeon – (Left) lovers in “Untold Scandal”, and (Right) colleagues in real life.  (But why does he have to put his arm around her shoulder?)  

Finally we have Danceny, a role necessary for the plot but certainly the most minor. Essentially the part is a male version of Cecile with less lines and more hurt pride, not really a juicy performance to dig into. Vadim manages to turn it into a fairly brilliant bit-part for the superb Jean-Louis Trintignant (in a young, pre-famous cameo) as a student torn between study and puppy love. “Untold Scandal” casts the handsome Jo Hyun-Jae who gives the part a little of the youthful swagger and recklessness reminiscent of Toshiro Mifune’s samurais. Sean Patrick Thomas gets the job done, and adds some needed racial diversity to “Cruel Intentions.” Meanwhile Keanu Reeves and the kid from E.T. (in the 1988 and 1989 versions respectively) compete to see who can make the most insanely awful catastrophe out of their brief appearances.

In terms of the films’ looks, Frear’s and Lee Je Yong both get the most glitter and glam by pouring money into the lavish costumes and decoration, vividly rendering the period detail. “Valmont” trails a little behind, clearly harder-up for cash and sticking to a Czech aesthetic that seems a little dull, particularly in regards to the soft-focus cinematography. “Cruel Intentions” is crisp and clean, but uncaring about its mise-en-scene and without any period splendor to exult in. While Vadim’s French version probably had the smallest budget, it wins hands-down in terms of style, technique and craft. Vadim’s wildly inspired camera angles, mature sense of framing and motion, and formal black and white photography helped to usher in the French New Wave while belying the poor film work on his “And God Created Women” and “Barbarella.” Frears, Foreman and Yong have the talent but not the ambition or creativity to match Vadim. Kumble just phones in his direction.

Perhaps there is some generational bias, but I have to award “Cruel Intentions” with the best and most thematically relevant music, featuring some of the best of the late 90’s indie circuit like Placebo, Blur, The Verve and Fatboy Slim. Vadim also finds somewhat unusual, but well-suited inspiration in a jazz/bebop score by Thelonius Monk. Frears opts for somewhat obvious period orchestrations, a decision matched by “Untold Scandal” with less successful results given the cultural displacement and emotion accenting. “Valmont” comes in last with some classical pieces of its own diluted by several execrable unharmonious choir numbers.

Overall, the original “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” wins in my book, with a solid overall cast and stellar camerawork. Following that, “Untold Scandal” beats out “Dangerous Liaisons” by a hair due to its less overworked cultural setting and strong lead. Frears’s version deserves much credit and is probably the best bet for someone looking for a straight-forward adaptation with no surprises and high credibility. Despite being almost completely artistically bankrupt, “Cruel Intentions” may be the most accurate to the spirit of the novel, delivering attractive faces and shameless fun in a fast, energetic and fully modern package. Its excellent soundtrack and appealing cast have earned it a reputation as one of the best slices of 90’s teen trash. “Valmont” is probably the most disappointing, far too long and too compromising; destined to be viewed as a poor-man’s shadow of Frears’s film.

Winner: Roger Vadim’s 1959 “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”

(Credit: First two photos from CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

The response to our 10/7/09 post “Calling all JHJ fans” has been encouraging, if not exactly overwhelming.

Not surprising. Who writes letters anymore in this age of e-mails? Who wants to write to a stranger? And with no hope of a reply?

Still, we believe there are some things that have to be done, even if the efforts may seem to be futile. To those who say: “What’s the use?” , we say: “How do you know it’s useless unless you try?”

To paraphrase Alfred Lord Tennyson’s famous lines:
“‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all.”, we say: ”It is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.”

In any case, we won’t fail. We’re doing this out of concern for our JHJ. When he suddenly receives so many letters from all over the world, surely Mr. Lee will pay attention.

We’re doing our part as fans. The rest is up to Mr. Lee and his management company.

Write in Korean if you can. Otherwise just write in your own language. We will write one letter in Korean and one in English.

Please write the city/country where you are from and “wuijohyunjae” after your name, like this:

Mary Brown
London, England
for wulijohyunjae

We suggest you write “wulijohyunjae” so Mr. Lee will know we are the same campaign. Unity is strength!

Be very polite (Koreans are a polite people). But get your point across — We ask/demand/plead/beg/expect that his management company secure a good role in a good drama for JHJ in his comeback work.

DON’T mail your letter before November 1.  We want all our letters to arrive more or less around the same time.

Please write to:

Mr. Lee Sang Hoon
STAR N HIT Entertaiment
3/F Dongwon Building
797-1 Yeoksam-dong
Gangnam-gu
Seoul 135-080
Korea

이상훈
STAR N HIT Entertainment
서울  135-080, 강남구, 역삼동 797-1, 동원빌딩 3층
KOREA

WRITE!  You promised!  We’re counting on you!

Here is your reward for doing your part for JHJ — two new photos recently released on the Official JHJ Fan Club website.  If you want to see more of these (beyond 2010), put on your thinking cap and start composing that letter now!

(Photos courtesy of http://jo-hyunjae.com.  Thanks!)

P.S.  There’s an interesting and rather intriguing message left on the Official JHJ Fan Club website by the administrator on Oct.13.  Our interpretation of the Japanese is as follows:

After he is discharged from the army and returns to the entertainment industry, what kind of image should Jo Hyun-Jae take on?  Maybe a tough guy, or perhaps a little nerdy or eccentric roles?  Or “The Thomas Crown Affair” where a billionaire masquerades as an art thief, maybe changed somewhat to make it more attractive for JHJ with his clear-cut features?

Well, what do you think?

P.P.S.  Even if you didn’t answer the call the first time, it’s still not too late to join in.  If you’ve taken the trouble to read up to here, you must be a JHJ fan.

Contains excerpts from the “Defense Daily” video and set to one of the songs Jo Hyun-Jae sang at the Korea Fan Meeting in July 2008.  Audio not of premium quality but the sound of JHJ’s voice is more than enough to compensate for that.

(Credit for video: name at end of video.  Thanks!)