Jo Hyun Jae

End of the year — let this beautiful video set to beautiful music featuring a beautiful person bring 2009 to a close for you.  Tomorrow will be another beautiful day and the start of a beautiful year.

(Credit: Video created by quilt of EVERjohyunjaeJapan.  Thanks!)

Hello, EVERjohyunjae members!

2009 which is an eventful year will soon be over.

2009 is special to Hyun-Jae because he spent the whole year in the military.

Those of us who are outside may feel a year passes very quickly, but to Hyun-Jae in the military it is a very long time.

No matter what, you have not forgotten Hyun-Jae and are waiting for him all this time, for which we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude.

Because of your love, Hyun-Jae can still find strength in the harsh conditions of military life.

In 2010 we will soon be able to see Hyun-Jae again, so please wait for that day with lots of love and support.

Many thanks, everyone!

Happy New Year!

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안녕하세요 에버조현재 식구 여러분~

어느덧 다사 다난 했던 2009년이 저물어 가고 있습니다.

2009년은 현재씨에게도 특별한 한해였던것 같습니다. 2009을 통으로 군대에서 보냈으니 말입니다.

밖에있는 우리들은 벌써일년이 지났네 하겠지만 군생활하는 현재씨는 참 길었을꺼라

생각이 되네요…

아무튼 현재씨가 군대에서 보내는 2009년동안도 현재씨를 잊지않고 기다려주신 팬여러분들께 진심

으로 감사의 뜻을 전합니다.

현재씨도 여러분의 사랑이 있기에 고된 군생활도 힘을 내서 할수 있다고 생각합니다.

돌아오는 2010년에는 현재씨의 모습을 볼수 있으니 그날을 기다리며 많은 사랑과 응원 부탁드립니다.

항상 감사 합니다.

새해 복 많이 받으세요~

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各位 Everjohyunjae 會員大家好!

不知不覺中多災多難的2009年就要結束了.

2009年對顯宰來說也好像是特別的一年, 是指2009一整年在軍隊中渡過.

在外面的我們或許覺得很快的一年要過去了, 但是對軍中的顯宰卻是極為漫長的日子

無論如何, 顯宰在軍中的2009年, 對於顯宰沒有遺忘並一直等待的各位想傳遞真心的感謝.

顯宰也因為各位的愛, 即使在辛苦的軍隊生活中也能產生力量.

在即將歸來的2010年, 因為可以看到顯宰的身姿, 敬請各位以許多的愛及支持等待那天的來臨.

總是感謝各位.

新年快樂~

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Korean version is from EVER; the English and Chinese versions are ours.

(Credit: EVERjohyunjae.co.kr.  Photo from 2010 calendar. Thanks!)

 Should all acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should all acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!*

As part of EVER’s “Friendship Event” involving Jo Hyun-Jae fans from all over the world, WULIJOHYUNJAE hosted a Christmas party for JHJ’s international fans in Hong Kong on December 26, 2009.

On December 12, before EVER announced this event, some JHJ fans from different parts of the world already had a get-together in Hong Kong.  So the timing of this event was somewhat off for us.  We did not think we would be able to muster more than half a dozen people this second round.

Surprisingly everybody who came the first time readily committed.  Some were flying in just for the day!  And many Hong Kong fans wanted to join.  But we did not ask for enough T-shirts, so it became a “By invitation only” event.

Fans from different parts of China, Taiwan, Macau, Philippines, and Hong Kong gathered at a five-star hotel where we took a group photo before the Christmas tree in the lobby.

We took up our positions long before the photographer appeared, and we were goggled at in the busy lobby.  We proudly displayed our bright pink “Jo Hyun Jae – We’ll support you forever” T-shirt.  We looked very smart and presented a united front.

Then we went to a private club for lunch.  We toasted JHJ before and after the meal.  We talked about JHJ for two hours.  Some of the members were meeting each other for the first time, but there was no unfamiliarity, no distance at all.

JHJ has this unique power to draw people together — strangers who would normally never have met are united in their love for JHJ.  People who don’t even speak the same language chat with each other like old friends.  People who are quiet by nature suddenly become magpies (talking non-stop.)  And it is fun!

We are very grateful to EVER for organizing this meaningful event and for giving JHJ’s international fans the opportunity to get together.  We promised to see each other again on June 19, 2010 in Seoul — to welcome JHJ out of the army.

This second photo is taken in the hotel’s Executive Club Lounge — a sort of dress rehearsal.

BEHIND THE SCENES

- The invitation said 11:30 a.m., but fans arrived at different times — those who came from abroad arrived earliest; those who lived in Hong Kong were late!  (That’s why some didn’t get the T-shirt.)

- Everybody from overseas and those who did not get the T-shirt were given an EVER mousepad.

- While we were changing into the T-shirt (and listening to JHJ’s “voice message”) in our hotel suite, we were creating such a ruckus that it was a miracle our photographer (my husband) was not overwhelmed.

- Maybe that was why he did not take the same elevator down to the lobby with us.  There were many people in the hotel that day, so it took him at least another 8 minutes while we were all positioned before the Christmas tree.

- He told me afterwards that a friend of ours saw me in the hotel lobby but was discreet enough not to ask him what his wife was up to.  Good thing this man did not understand Korean!

- The boy in the photo is the nephew of an overseas JHJ fan.  He is half a fan too; he calls JHJ “Potato obba” (Big brother Potato — Seo Dong in “Seo Dong Yo”.)

- I’ve never done this sort of thing in my entire life — wearing a star’s T-shirt and posing for a group photo in a public place.  I bet this applies to most (maybe even all) of the other fans too.  The things we do for JHJ!

- The next day a source told us some Hong Kong fans (whom we don’t know) complained we did not include them — they would have come whether they get the T-shirt or not.  Well, we are shy, low-key people and we don’t socialize at all.  This is a first for us; perhaps not the last?

(*Editor’s Note: “Auld Lang Syne” is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song.  The title “auld lang syne” literally translates from old Scottish dialect meaning “old long ago” or “long long ago” and is about love and friendship in times past.  The lyrics in the song referring to “We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet” relate to a drink shared by men and women to symbolise friendship.  This song is well-known in many English-speaking [and other] countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight.  Happy New Year!)

Saw this on a Chinese website.  Translated here just for fun.  It’s tongue-in-cheek, so don’t take it too seriously.

People who worship idols are happy people
Because they can smile for a whole day at the least news.

People who worship idols are better adjusted mentally and psychologically
Because people who have faith do not lose themselves so easily.

People who worship idols have more blessed lives
Because they know how to love unconditionally.

People who worship idols are more faithful in their love
Because they know how to love only one person.

People who worship idols are very clear-cut in their loves and hates
Because you can’t force them to love someone else.

People who worship idols are more open in their character
Because they are willing to admit they love their idol.

People who worship idols will mature in their intellect
Because one day they will wake up from their idolization.

People who worship idols are more human
Because human beings need to love someone better than themselves.

People who worship idols know how to save their money
Because every cent is saved for buying things for the idol.

People who worship idols — their parents can save some money
Because these people have no time to go out and squander money.

People who worship idols are less inclined to learn to be bad
Because they have no time to meet bad people and do bad things.

People who worship idols are not so big-headed
Because they know they are really insignificant.

People who worship idols are more large-hearted than others
Because they are their idols’ bread and butter when they grow up.

People who worship idols are more willing to learn and improve
Because they have to learn computer and set up FAN PAGE for their idols.

People who worship idols know several languages
Because they want to say “I love you” to their idols in different languages.

People who worship idols have remarkable memories
Because they can even remember their idol’s primary school.

People who worship idols have strong observation and analytical powers
Because they can detect their idol’s first love and all associated details.

People who worship idols have great logical and associative abilities
Because they can create stories from what their idol’s say in various circumstances.

That’s why I say: idol worship is a good thing.

OK, how many of these tenets apply to you?   Look at the photo of our idol above and confess!

(Credit: http://blog.omg.sg/; www.johyunjae.hk.  Photo designed by Coffee of johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

This is the first song from Jo Hyun-Jae’s CD.

Words you said to me

The words you said set my heart a-flutter.
I always take those words to heart so they don’t disperse in the wind.

Time goes by…and we grow to be like each other.
Sorry… I have to say good-bye for the moment.

Don’t leave me; stay with me.
Don’t forget the time when we shared memories.
While I am alive with every breath…
You are only me and I am only you.

It takes a long time to be like one another…
Sorry to say sad good bye… it will be short.

Don’t leave me; stay with me.
Don’t forget the time when we shared memories.
While I am alive with every breath…
You are only me and I am only you.

Don’t leave me; stay with me.
Don’t forget the time when we shared memories.
While I am alive with every breath…
You are only me and I am only you.

(Credit: Video by 3.1.  English lyrics from EVERjohyunjae.co.kr’s 2008.06.24 post, edited by wulijohyunjae.  Thanks!)

From CAFE Japan

Digital photo frame containing Japanese fans’ Christmas greetings, DVD of CAFEJapan’s Christmas gathering on Nov.29, 2009, and Korea fan meeting on July 19, 2008, skin products from Dr.Ci.Labo, and book of messages from Japanese fans.

From CAFE Korea 

Flower basket with CAFE Korea’s and Japan’s ribbons, Christmas wine, healthy Winter fruits and vegetables, also something for Star N Hit as well as Param’s personal gifts for JHJ. 

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove, www.johyunjae.hk )

Someone tells us this Christmas is special because she now belongs to the JHJ family.  Yes, if you can share your love for JHJ with kindred spirits, you will enjoy this holiday season more.  Not only that, but your life hereafter will be happier and fuller.  And next year will be even better because come June 19 JHJ will be discharged from the army!  And we’ll be there for him!

(Credit: All created by Coffee of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Jo Hyun-Jae has another Christmas present for his fans — a voice message!  This is left on the Official JHJ Fan Club website.  We want to share this with all his fans.

Merry Christmas!  Hello, everybody!  This is Jo Hyun-Jae.

I am very happy to be able to communicate with you this way when I am out on leave.

The cold weather has persisted in recent days.  I’d like to know how you all keep warm.

In Korea Christmas is usually spent with loved ones, family, friends, and lovers.  I’m interested to know how you all spend your Christmas.

It is a pity that I cannot spend Christmas with you all.  I hope next year we can spend it together.

2009 is almost over.  Although many good and bad things happened during this year, please only remember the good ones.  And remember to finish properly all unfinished business, and welcome the new  year with a happy and warm heart.

Moreover, next year is a long time coming.  The day of my discharge is drawing near.  I will stay healthy, and I hope to be able to present you with my new work as soon as possible.  Until then, hope everybody will be healthy and blessed.

Wishing you the best of the rest of this year.  Well, that’s it.  Goodbye.

聖誕快樂! 大家好, 我是趙顯宰.

我休假出來能這樣給各位傳達訊息, 非常高興.

最近寒冷的天氣一直持續著, 很想知道各位如何溫暖的渡過的.

在韓國的聖誕節, 通常都和心愛的人, 家人, 朋友及戀人一起渡過, 很想知道各位是如何過聖誕節的.

這次不能和大家一起過聖誕雖然覺得很可惜, 希望明年一定要一起過.

2009年剩下沒多少時間了, 過去的一年雖然有許多快樂和悲傷的各種事發生, 請只記得好的事, 並且希望把沒有完成的事好好完成. 請以快樂溫暖的心迎接新的一年.

而且, 明年等待已久, 我退伍日子靠近了, 一定健康的退伍, 並且希望盡快拍攝好的作品與大家見面. 直到那時, 希望大家都幸福健康.

希望大家這一年好好的完成. 那麼, 就說到這裡了. 再見.

(Credit: http://jo-hyunjae.com)

The Christmas presents are mostly chocolates (there are more chocolates but we think the above are enough to give you some idea.)  Jo Hyun-Jae must have had a very sweet Christmas!

The most meaningful gift is the book of messages from JHJ fans.  That should provide him with plenty of reading material during his break!

(Credit: Photos from EVERjohyunjae.co.kr.  Thanks!)

Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas.  It has nothing to do with the sport of boxing, nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages.

Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes.

Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen.

As time went by, Boxing Day gift-giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them.

Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain and in most areas settled by the English (the U.S. is the major exception), including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Whether you celebrate Boxing Day or not, let us celebrate this day with Jo Hyun-Jae (or rather his video.)

(Credit: Flash created by Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN. Thanks!  Information on Boxing Day from FactMonster.com.)