Jo Hyun Jae

The following is an interview in KBOOM magazine (July 2007), when Jo Hyun-Jae was filming “G.P.506″.

Jo Hyun-Jae will have a complete change of image in the movie he is currently filming.  He will be wearing military uniform and throwing grenades, challenging a macho image.  How does he feel about his role?  The JHJ who appears before us is sporting a crew cut, enhancing the perfect shape of his head, and his beautiful eyes are sparkling.  The only thing that remains unchanged is he is still a quiet and kind man.  He tells us in his modest way his considerations on assuming the image of a mature man.

The only thing I want to do is act

Q. You’re very different from other Korean men.  Your trademark is your eyes which have been described as “like a deer’s”.   The impression you give is: you have a pure and kind heart.  What do you think of this?

A. I’m very grateful you have such a good impression of me, but what I really want to express is the Jo Hyun-Jae apart from this.

Q. Say something about how you feel about the movie you’re now doing.

You’ve always played the part of the handsome young man, but this time you’ve cut your hair and you’re playing a tough guy in “G.P.506″.  When we see the report, we all find it very refreshing.  Your new image is very interesting.  Do you have any feelings of oppression, like a cake being compressed into a biscuit?  Did you take part in the production?

A.  I try to be good to those people around me and to do well in my part.  I am OK with the role I am assigned.  Rather than influence or change others, I’d rather spend more time studying how to play something in different ways.

Q. So it looks like this movie is the right choice.  Recently your fellow actor (千鎬鎮) suffering an injury on set is very much in the news.  We hear that it is very dangerous and violent on location.  This is a macho film –  exactly what kind of film is it?  What attracts you to take part in it?

A. This is a film that makes one tense and uneasy.  That’s why there are no actresses.  (Laugh)

I decide to take it because it’s very different from a love story.  The conflicts among the characters are also very interesting.

Q.  Is that so?  We hear you have many script offers.  What is the decisive factor in choosing this script out of so many?

A.  I first look at the contents of the plot, and then the role.

The storyline is of course important, but the character is the catalyst that drives the whole story.  So I have to consider both the story and the character before I make my decision.

Q.  In “Seo Dong Yo”  which finished airing not so long ago, both the story and the character are absolutely wonderful.  The prince in the drama is very intelligent and capable.   You appear to be a lovely person too.  Actually what kind of a person are you?

A.  I am an ordinary man.  I’m not like the character in the drama.

I’m a straightforward person and I get emotional sometimes, so I’m very different from the character in the drama.

Do I have any resemblance to the character in the drama?  I too would like to be as lovable as him.  (Laugh)

Q. Do you have a girlfriend?  Have you ever been in love?

A.  Falling in love…..the feeling between two people is most important.

Who knows how to communicate with me?

Q.  What do you really want to do?  Is it to find your other half?  (Laugh)

A.   No.  (Laugh)

Every day I try to do better, work faster as an actor.  I try to improve myself in every way every day.

Q. As an actor, when do you feel most blessed?

A. Being praised by the people around you — when your fans and your parents think you’ve done a wonderful job in creating your roles and compliment you — that’s the most blessed.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

(Credit: KBOOM photos courtesy of EVERjohyunjae.co.kr.  Thanks!)