Jo Hyun Jae

Before you watch these behind-the-scenes videos, you should refresh your memory and watch those MVs of See Ya’s “Love’s Greeting” and “Ice Lady” again.  (Please see our earlier posts “JHJ in ‘Love’s Greeting’” (June 11, 2009) and “JHJ in ‘Ice Lady’” (June 12, 2009) under Category “JHJ MV”.)

The first video here is an interview of Jo Hyun-Jae and his female co-star Lee Yo-Won during filming of the MVs.  The interview is a little “embarrassing” (original word in Korean, not mine) because throughout the interview JHJ seems to be elsewhere (not focusing) which makes Lee laugh hysterically.  There are lots of funny comments on the video, some of which we’ve tried to translate (words in italics within parenthesis.).

Q: If there is really a former life, what kind of a person do you think you were?
Lee:  I seem to have owed many people a lot of debt, which is why in this life I have to do many things.  This question is very difficult to answer.
JHJ: ………. (seems to be thinking of something else…..Did I remember to turn off the gas before I left home this morning?……..Ha!Ha!Ha!) I think I was a simple man.

Q: Is the performance difficult?
Lee: Very! Shooting an MV is very different from a drama. Even though I try to visualize the protagonist in the music, but I just can’t make the connection. And then there is no music – very difficult.
Q: How about writing some music for you?
Lee: There is already a song………..(keeps laughing)
Q: What is the song?
Lee: 사랑이 좋아 (”Love is great”)

(All this time JHJ is still in his own world………)

Q: The present and the past – which part is more difficult to act?
Lee: Both are difficult, but the part on the past is more beautiful in the acting.
JHJ: This is the first time I’m shooting an MV………(doesn’t know what he is supposed to answer……..) Very different from a drama or movie, very difficult.

Q: This is your first collaboration after “Great Ambition” (DaeMang). How does it feel like after such a long time?
JHJ: I feel we collaborate really well, don’t you? (keeps looking at Lee)
Lee: (pointing to JHJ) He gave a superb performance.

Q: Do you often listen to See Ya’s songs?
Lee: ……….(covering her mouth and laughing……….)
JHJ: “구두” (”Shoes”) this song…….(laugh……), that’s the only one I know………
Lee: ……….(giggling uncontrollably……..)
Q: (repeats question) Do you listen to See Ya’s songs a lot?
Lee: Yes.
Q: Which ones do you like?
Lee:: “구두”(”Shoes”), “여인의 향기”(”Lover’s scent”), “미친사랑의 노래”(”Crazy love song”).

Q: Say something to See Ya who cannot come on set.
JHJ: Filming very seriously……..trying our best to produce the best results……..hope we can do well. (Still can’t focus properly……….)
Lee: ……….(keeps laughing…….) It’s not our answers that are strange; it’s the question that is strange………I really hope we can finish this interview soon.

(Interview seems to be over……….JHJ strolls away nonchalantly……….)

Q: (Addressed to Lee) Where is JHJ?
Lee: Why do you ask me?
Q: You look very tired.
Lee: Yes, interviews are tiring.
Q: The interviewee is tired, and so is the interviewer.
Lee: Yes………thanks.

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The two MVs are shot non-stop during a 24-hour period. JHJ is probably seriously sleep-deprived. Throughout the whole interview he seems to be slower by half a beat – very funny and cute!

Why is Lee Yo-Won laughing her head off?  She is obviously a little high (if you ask me), unless after non-stop shooting she has not decompressed properly and is suffering from the “bends” (cramping which makes her laugh uncontrollably – just kidding!)  

As for the second and third videos, they are mostly shooting sequences and some NGs, also repeating parts of the interview in the first video.

A little tidbit on the shooting of these videos — if you pay attention to the third video, you’ll see at 5:30 minutes (lower left corner) there is a brief appearance of JHJ’s birthday party (and the birthday cake.)  Yes, he celebrated his 27th birthday on set on May 9, 2007, and he even “died” on his birthday.