Jo Hyun Jae

EVER has very kindly arranged a whole-day tour to Buyeo for JHJ’s foreign fans.  Every JHJ fan is a “Seo Dong Yo” fan, and every SDY fan wants to go to Buyeo.  But it is not easy to go on your own (especially if you are a foreigner) and it is also very expensive.  So we are very lucky to have everything taken care of for us, and we even have two EVER chaperones.

We left Seoul Station at 7:30 a.m. to go to Log Story to pick up those fans who chose to spend the night there.  We spent two hours on the bus to our first destination, through lush green countryside.  More than one foreign fan remarked that they had no idea the Korean countryside could be so lovely and luxuriant, a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Seoul. 

Our first stop was Buyeo Seongheung Mountain Fortress.  Overlooking the lower stretch of the Geumgang River, this stone fortress (built in 501 A.D. by a Baekje nobleman Baek Ga) measures 800m in circumference and the height of the wall ranges from 3 – 4 metres.

(Left) Circle shows original mountain fortress.  (Right) Remains of mountain fortress.

(Left) Board tells story of fortress in Korean and English.  (Right) Seongheungsanseong (Seongheung Mountain Fortress - name in Korean)

(Left) The view from the tree.  (Right) The famous tree – very old and tall.

There is a big tree there –  the place where Seo Dong meets Princess Seonhwa in Haneuljae.  This tree features prominently in the drama, so every fan wanted to sit under it and have her picture taken.

After our half-hour walk (actually climbing some steep steps), we left around noon to go to the set of “Seo Dong Yo” — the highlight of this trip (for me, anyway.)

(Please see separate post later on SDY set.)

(Left) Appetizers   (Right) Main course – rice (We ate the rice and then poured hot tea into the still-steaming pot, after which we ate the rice crispies too, and it’s delicious!)

We sat down for a late lunch at 2:30 p.m. at Gudeuressambap Restaurant and were treated to a sumptuous meal with at least 20 littles dishes and Dolssambapjeongsik ( rice wrapped in vegetables dinner.)

After lunch it was off to Gungnamjo – the Pond of Baekjae detached palace (related to Seo Dong’s birth tale.)  According to Samguksagi (a historical book of the Three Kingdoms), this pond was artificially made in the 35th year of King Mu’s reign (643 A.D.) of the Baekje Kingdom.  It was constructed by digging a well 8km south of Sabi Castle and drawing fresh running water to it through a pipeline from a river flowing 8km away.  This was designed according to the theories of geomancy – to prevent the spiritual energy from Mt. Geunseong from dispersing into the air.  The pond has an island with a pavilion, known as Poryongjeong, surrounded by willow trees on it.  Gungnamji Pond has been designated as Historic Site No.135.

(Left) The lake is filled with waterlillies.  (Right) Korean words mean Gungnamjo Pond.

The man-made lotus pond where the legend of King Mu (Seo Dong) and Princess Seonhwa originated from embraces a beautiful landscape that is popular among tourists.  This place was made for Princess Seonhwa to comfort her homesickness for Silla, and is more widely known as “the Lotus Pond of Love”.

(Left) The pavilion in the middle of the lake.  (Right) It is connected to land by a bridge.

(Left) The Love Story of Seodong and Princess Seonhwa.  (Right) The love story in Korean, English, and Chinese.

(Left) “Seo Dong Yo” (the doggerel) written on a stone tablet.  (Right) A boat hidden in the willows.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Please also see our series “My pilgrimage to Seo Dong Yo country” under Category: JHJ Drama: “Seo Dong Yo”, posted on July 22, 25, 28, 31, and Aug.3, 2009.

(Credit: Photo of remains of Seongheung Mt. Fortress from Official Site of Korea Tourism Guide – Thanks!  Others are ours.)

June 28, 2010

Discharge present and conclusion of discharge activities

Dear EVER members,

Jo Hyun-Jae has been discharged for more than a week, actually 10 days.

How did JHJ and all of you spend this time?

JHJ needs a little time to rest and to prepare for the switch from being a soldier to being an actor.

Rather than make haste, we should allow JHJ to follow his own pace to be well prepared before returning to our side.

Now that the discharge is over, let me explain a few things:

Our discharge present for JHJ is the Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphone.

The Galaxy S debuted on June 25.  JHJ is reputed to be the first customer, courtesy of a general sales agent.

The female staff are all very excited and keep exclaiming: “So handsome!  So cool!  So modest!”  Looks like they have conveyed this message to JHJ.

This phone comes with our sincerest regards…..hope JHJ will keep it with him and use it often…..^^

From the photos on the Korean Official Website, it seems JHJ is using our birthday present — IPOD Touch ^__^

Also on the day of the discharge, we prepared balloons, bouquets, banners, and snacks (for JHJ, reporters, troops.)  You have seen these in many photos — specially prepared for the media, so JHJ could really shine on the day of his discharge…..even if it is just a little contribution from us.

Moreover, EVER prepared gifts for JHJ in the military — every 2 – 3 weeks we sent him simple items for personal use.  Up to the last week of May, a total of 40 small parcels have been sent in the name of EVERjohyunjae, all filled with each member’s love.

When JHJ was in the military, EVERjohyunjae’s slogan was: “Support you forever!” Members who give JHJ strength at all times – for the JHJ who was so honest, solid, and better-than-expected in the military – just so he can return to us in a new image, we hope everyone will be like now…..no, a little calmer…..standing fervently by his side.

(Translated from the Korean by wulijohyunjae.)

(Credit: Photo of phone from the web; the other two from EVERjohyunjae.co.kr.  Thanks!)

Now that South Korea is out of the FIFA World Cup, perhaps it’s a little late to write on this topic.  But my recent trip to Seoul for JHJ’s discharge brought me an unexpected bonus and an interesting experience.  L and I went with three of her Korean friends to a football match — South Korea vs Argentina on June 17.  We went to the Seoul World Cup Stadium (built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup – it can hold more than 68,000 people) and sat there watching the match on the big screen, along with thousands (stadium all full.)  200 such stadiums were opened to the public in Seoul (or was it all over Korea?) for this purpose during the whole World Cup month.

(Left) That’s my Reds T-shirt.  (Right) A family of 4 - the children wearing the little red horns, all lit up!  But the kids were fast asleep by 9:30 p.m.

We had to make preparations beforehand.  I was told I had to wear something red.  The Korean football team is called Red Devils.  I had nothing red, so I bought a 2010 World Cup T-shirt from a street vendor in Myeong-dong.  I almost got horns too but desisted at the last minute because it’s a little daft!  Those two little red horns that you wear like a headband are really cute – they can even light up!

We arrived at the stadium a little after 7:30 p.m.  The stadium was already more than half full.  A stage had been set up on the field and one famous Korean singer/group after another performed to a jubilant crowd, many of whom sat on the grass in front of the stage.  The singers had worked the crowd up to fever pitch when the match began promptly at 8:30 p.m.

(Left) The crowds on the field; it’s like attending a pop concert.  (Right) Pop group performing before match began.

It is not an exaggeration to say the whole country was behind the Korean football team (which, you may remember, reached the semi-finals in the 2002 World Cup.)  The completely full stadium was roaring every few minutes, and soon they reached a natural high.  They have a ritual, a sort of rhythmic chanting and clapping - it’s clap, clap…clap, clap, clap!  followed by a gesture – extending both arms forward with forefingers pointing and thumbs up (like a gun) – twice - shouting “Great country of Korea!”  Everybody got caught up in the fever – soon I was doing the same thing, and it’s a lot of fun!

Another ritual is — going to a football match is like going on a picnic.  The Korean girls brought with them two big shopping bags of fruit and snacks — at least 6 different kinds of fruit, all cleaned and diced (watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, cherries, grapes, pineapple….) and mouth-watering snacks like smoked squid, beef jerkies, chips, some kind of chewy cake…..what else did I eat?

We were so busy chanting and chewing that it was a shock when the first goal (by the Argentinians) went in at the 16th minute and another one at the 33rd minute.  But the mood was still optimistic, especially after Korea scored its first goal near the end of the first half.  The uproar was deafening!  The cheering was endless!  Everybody was so worked up! 

(Left) The cheering crowd.  (Right) The red dots are the little red horns.

They decided to leave at halftime (to avoid the crowds), but all the way to the metro they were watching the match on their cell phone, so we could see and hear everything.  We stopped a little in a park nearby, but when we saw the two more goals that Argentina scored in rapid succession at the 76th and 80th minutes (sealing Korea’s fate : 4-1), we decided to call it a night.  It was sad to see the sudden change in mood in our Korean friends.  They are a proud nation, and the Korean football team is their heroes.

I feel sorry for Korea being eliminated in the round of 16 by Uruguay, but that’s the nature of sports — you win some, you lose some.  I am glad to have had the chance to participate (if only for two short hours) in their time on the world stage.  It was an exciting and enchanting experience.

JHJ said he watched this match during his leave.  Did he watch it at home? or, like me, in one of the stadiums?  Watching it with nearly 70,000 Koreans is a totally different experience.  You share their ecstasy and their agony.  I was rooting for them the whole time, even though Argentina was clearly the stronger team.  If they end up as the eventual winner, then Korea has nothing to be ashamed about.  Korea, fighting!

(Credit: JHJ photo from EVERjohyunjae.co.kr – Thanks! Others are ours.)

youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMoB5kfsiBM

Above video is by Hart and documents Jo Hyun-Jae’s discharge on June 19, 2010, set to the song “The dream continues” by the Japanese singer-songwriter (and actor) Koji Tamaki, who used to be the frontman of the very famous and successful band Anzen Chitai.

Here are some previously unreleasd photos of the handshaking event:

See the presents for JHJ piling up in the photo above?  Here are some of the big ones we mentioned in our June 23 post  “Discharge Diary (3)” – from JHJ’s Japanese fans.

Thousand Origami Cranes is a group of 1000 origami paper cranes held together by strings.  It is believed 1000 origami cranes make a person’s wish come true.  There are 10,000 here for JHJ – from the Japanese Official Fan Club (JOFC) .

Paper cranes painstakingly folded by JHJ’s Japanese fans – to wish him good luck and good health.  Fly!  Spread your dream in the sky!

 Another discharge present from JOFC – a cake – boots (OFF!) on top mean military service is over!

(Credit: Video by Hart of http://cafe.daum.net; handshake photos by Purely of EVERjohyunjaeJAPAN; Net to News; last photo from http://jo-hyunjae.com; www.johyunjae.hk.  Many thanks!)

From CAFEKorea’s Master  

(Original in Korean by 방실이, English translation by ashley127)

The reinterpretation of dear Hyunjae’s interview on 06/19/10 by Bang-shil (방실이). “현재님 전역 인터뷰 재해석”

***FYI: R is for the reporter; HJ is for Hyunjae; ( ) is Bang-shil’s interpretation of the interview.

R: What do you think about all these fans coming here today?

HJ: I’m very grateful that there are more fans here today than the day when I joined the military….

(What~~you were counting all those fans, when you joined the military?? haha What would have happened, if less fans went that day~ haha)

R: What was the most helpful thing during the service?

HJ: The fellow soldiers inside and the military dog, Boo-rhee-ro.

(It’s Boo-rhee-ro’s lucky day~~ haha)

R: What actress would you like to be partnered with?

HJ: I would be grateful for anyone for just working with me. I don’t think it’s time to be choosy.

(Wow~Are they teaching how to make a joke in the military nowadays~~ Dear Hyunjae, who is much more relaxed~~)

R: Who do you want to score a goal in Korea vs Nigeria?

HJ: It would be nice if everyone could score, but personally it would be Park, Joo-young.

(Ah~how warm dear Hyunjae’s heart is…Although dear Hyunjae likes Park, Ji-sung the most and mentioned how splendid his scoring was, he wishes for Park, Joo-young to score a goal in Korea vs Nigeria because dear Hyunjae is really considerate…His heart went out to Park, Joo-young, who previously scored an own goal in Korea vs. Argentina…ah~~this is the reason why I can’t possibly not be his fan~~)

R: What is your prediction regarding the score in Korea vs Nigeria?

HJ: 3:0

(Ah~~During this question Bang-shil (방실이), who was recording, cried out “2:1″ using her inside voice. Found out that dear Hyunjae was rooting for a 3:0 victory..Surprisingly, he is a generous man, who knows how to bet big~~how startled and proud I was underneath after hearing “3:0″~~)

R: As you are the youngest son, have you cried a little calling your parents, while training in the military during difficult times?

HJ: Well…during the training camp…I suppose I thought about my parents the most…

(During the training camp….how difficult it must have been…ㅠㅠ…I’m also tearing up~)

R: I heard that you came out with an album for your fans. Please sing a measure of the song….

HJ: “Enduring it because of love ~ Enduring it because of longing~ before you know it~~”

(Oh..when the reporter asked that question…Bang-shil (방실이) was thinking “enduring it because of love~~”…hoping for him to sing this…dear Hyunjae~~he actually sang that song~~Sure enough, dear Hyunjae and I can read each other’s minds…haha)

R: Wasn’t the military dog sad about your being discharged?

HJ: The military dog doesn’t know….

(Really~~candid dear Hyunjae…you know…even considering that it’s a military dog, how can it shed big drops of tears, knowing that its partner is being discharged tomorrow~then can it be considered a dog??? It might as well be human? haha What a question~~)

R: Your plans ensuing discharge?

HJ: Look how many of you all came here….I will try to do my best to reciprocate….

(Dear Hyunjae who is still trying to do his best in any situation~~ His statement has a sense of sincerity. Dear Hyunjae, who said he was going to do his best, even before his enlistment…Okay~~like that, please present yourself with that kind of attitude in TV shows and movies from now on~)

R: Any word to your girlfriend?

HJ: Don’t have any girlfriend~~

(The statement with not even one second of hesitation~~hahaha Dear Hyunjae~~~can we all be your girlfriends? haha)

R: Heard that one tends to gain weight during military service, but you don’t seem to have gained any…

HJ: Gained a little…hahaha

(Gained a little~~is it to that extent right there?? haha All right~your forearms look a little thicker…haha)

R: One tends to have a deteriorated skin condition during military service, but what is your secret for still maintaining good skin…(The reporter, who felt the skin, while wiping the sweat..-.-+)

HJ: Applied some sunblock. haha

(Haha I normally have good skin…I don’t actually try to maintain it….He should have said these things… haha Candid dear Hyunjae~~said “applied sunblock.” haha Ah~~this is why I like dear Hyunjae more)

HJ:

Salute!

I’m here to report! Sergeant Hyunjae Jo has been ordered to be honorably discharged as of June 19, 2010.

Therefore, I hereby REPORT!!!!

Salute!

Bang-shil:

Salute!!

(Ah~~How many days in advance did he start practicing? haha Why I was so shaky during the discharge declaration…what if he stutters…what if he forgets…haha But, he was quite great at it without stalling in an energetic way…so lovely~~so splendid)

Bang-shil:

And, lastly…..Dear Hyunjae, who started going up to the agency representative, where he had been watching all this from a distance….(Guess he went to finish the rest of the interview)

At that time, the resentative had his hand on dear Hyunjae’s shoulder, appearing to have a happy reunion.

How reassuring it looked…being there for 10 years like a big brother…I once again found myself being grateful for that constant love~~

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; www.johyunjae.hk; names on photos. Thanks!  Time on first photo should be 09:29 – Seoul time.)

Welcome back, Jo Hyun-Jae! 

Jo Hyun-Jae’s fans from all over the world were there in force on June 19 at his discharge.  After they went home, there were numerous outpourings of love and longing.  Today’s are from his Hong Kong fans. 

Click triangle - then click ALL under MORE SHOWS (on left.)  To return to post, click BACK arrow.

Let me share a few tidbits with you:

Three of JHJ’s Hong Kong fans were there only for the day!  They took a red-eye flight that left Hong Kong in the wee hours of the morning and landed in Seoul at dawn.  They then went directly to the camp at Pocheon.  Good thing they got to shake JHJ’s hand.  After lunch they went back to Incheon Airport for the return flight.  (They could not stay because of work or family commitments.)

One Hong Kong fan had a breakthrough on the occasion of JHJ’s discharge — she has never been on a flight before because of her fear of flying and of heights.  But she overcame her fear to fly to Seoul to see JHJ and it’s all worth it!  She wrote that she saw not just his handsome appearance but also the display of his character.  (She observed him on stage at the handshaking event helping the staff move the presents – none of the airs of a star!)

Another fan who is recovering from cancer has managed to make this trip against all odds.  JHJ has sustained her through her illness, and she has been dreaming of this trip for months.  When I saw her face light up at the sight of JHJ (in the hall), I felt so moved.  I said: “Happy?” and she could only nod her head repeatedly.  I could see tears in her eyes, and her heart must be full.  JHJ, do you know what you mean to your fans?  Do you realize your beneficial influence on your fans?

I teased my friend B (Master of JHJHK) that she should be so proud that they’re the best represented – in proportion.  20 out of a population of 7 million trumps any other contingent.  B spent a lot of time and energy organizing this trip (just so JHJ would look better with the presence of so many overseas fans), for which I salute her!

(Credit:  Videos shot by Gloria and edited by KK; the rest by Coffee of www.johyunjae.hk.  Many thanks!)

EVER has made special arrangements for JHJ’s foreign fans on the afternoon of June 19 (after the departure of JHJ.)   We’re going to have a party at Log Story – about an hour’s drive outside of Seoul.  About 40 or so fans from China, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, and Philippines participated, along with EVER staff.

Log story is the location in “3 Dads/1 Mom” where the 3 friends and Na-Young and the baby go on a retreat to spend the night.  You all remember JHJ’s character Han Soo-Hyun playing the guitar and singing with the others around the campfire, right?

Videos 1 & 2 identical: 1. Photobucket, 2. Youtube.  Take your pick.

Wanna hear JHJ sing again?  Here goes – Encore!

We spent a whole afternoon at Log Story — taking photos, walking around, playing games, and having a barbecue.  There was a lot of camaraderie and fun.

Those who chose to spend the night held a workshop and a beer party round the campfire.  Those who preferred to return to Seoul were transported back.  EVER really took care of everything, for which we’re most grateful!

Log Story – exterior (left) and interior (right)

This is the tatami-style bed that JHJ’s character Han Soo-Hyun sleeps on in “3 Dads/1 Mom”.  We took turns fooling around on it.

Following photos are taken at the barbecue and show (1) wuliJHJ and friends; (2) all foreign fans at barbecue, and (3) foreign fans and EVER staff posing for group photo

Chinese fans (from mainland China and Taiwan) in turquoise, Thai fans at top left in BBQ photo and bottom right in group photo.  Can you spot us?

(Credit for photos: Big ones courtesy of EVER – Thanks!  Small ones ours.  A BIG “Thank You” to Bigcat of johyunjae.hk for the first two videos!)

And we thought Jo Hyun-Jae’s Korean fans and those Japanese fans who were not members of the Japanese Official Fan Club didn’t get to shake his hand.  As it turned out, they got to do so before the foreign fans inside the hall did.  He met them outside Uijeongbu Hall (before he went in) and mingled with them.  JHJ really cares about his fans!

His parting words to them were: “I am very grateful to you for coming from so far to see me.  While I was in the army, you really gave me a lot of strength.  Thanks to all of all, I have now successfully completed my military service.  Thank you!”

(Credit: http://blog.naver.com; http://cafe.daum.net/nowsguswo; http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; ojik for 1st video and 1st photo; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Strange phenomena

How is it possible that an actor could be more popular at his discharge than at his enlistment?  And this actor has been a soldier for exactly 22 1/2 months, during which time there has been hardly any news and only a few photos and a video released by the military.  When I first read Star N Hit’s news release (before JHJ’s discharge) that 500 fans would be there to greet him on June 19, I felt a little embarrassed.  I thought they were exaggerating in order to lure more reporters to the scene.  I was there on August 5, 2008, and there were only around 300 fans to see JHJ off to join the army.  During these two years even some loyal fans have disappeared (for one reason or another.)

Then on June 19, 2010, I was pleasantly surprised to find maybe SNH had underestimated the number of fans — there were definitely over 500 fans lining both sides of the road, stretching as far back as 100 m. or more.  There were over 200 fans from Japan, 20 from Hong Kong, around that number from China and Taiwan, 10 from Thailand, and assorted international fans like us from other parts of the world (e.g. Canada and Philippines), not to mention the Koreans.

Even the reporters on site marvelled at this fact.  They have covered so many of these enlistments and discharges.  They’ve never seen an actor who has more fans at his discharge than at his enlistment.  Our JHJ is really something of a phenomenon!

Another phenomenon is the changing/changed character and behaviour of his fans.  We all know JHJ fans are mostly older and more matured.  They don’t go swooning over their idol, unlike those teenyboppers.  Even on August 5, 2008, they all stood quietly and listened attentively when JHJ spoke.  There was no screaming, no shouting, no jostling.  But this time, it’s as if a force has been released.  Perhaps they’re too “hungry” — all the pent-up feelings broke loose like a burst dam.  I was shocked these ladies could go wild at the sight of JHJ.  We have been briefed beforehand that we should behave (not in so many words but the meaning is clear – Koreans speak in a very polite and circuitous way.)  Star N Hit have told EVER and CAFE to convey the message that they want fans to see JHJ so they won’t surround him with bodyguards, but we mustn’t be too aggressive.  Organizers have been told to keep their people in line – “to keep order.”  Well, on June 19 all decorum and restraint were gone with the wind.  The sight of JHJ galvanized these normally prim and proper ladies into action.  Mad rush!  Mad dash!  Pandemonium!  Ajumas behaving like Kpop fans!  Good thing Star N Hit had the foresight to hire a few bodyguards to protect JHJ.

I did not rush after JHJ like everybody else.  I didn’t want to be trampled.  That’s when I saw his boss Mr. K walking after the mob at a distance.  He must be so pleased and proud to see the furore that JHJ has aroused.  (Editor: See photo of fans above — that’s Mr. K behind JHJ and bodyguard in blue – in black, faced blurred, but you can still see the broad smile.) I was also very happy for JHJ — it’s quite an achievement to cause your fans to act out of character (and I’m not being ironic.)  Those fans must be forgiven for the spontaneous outpouring of affection and momentary collective mania.  Many of them were seeing him for the first time, and all our members told me afterwards that he’s “like an angel”, “a vision” — normal reaction.

Not all JHJ fans can be counted in an ordinary survey.  One of our members who could speak Korean struck up a conversation with two women who lived near the camp in Pocheon.  They’re JHJ fans too, even though they don’t belong to any fan clubs, and they’re there to see him out too.  It’s truly amazing how broad JHJ’s fan base is.

THE END

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We’ve had KBS, MBC, and others, so why not SBS?

SBS video (with Chinese substitles — courtesy of mandalaywith@ING http://johyunjae.cn.  Many thanks!)

More or less the same as the others, so please see translation for YKStar video on June 23 in post  “A healthy discharge”.  Just want to add two things:

1.  Talking about how sad he was in parting with his army dogs, JHJ said the dogs did not seem to know they’re about to separate from each other (which elicited great laughter.)

2.  At the end of the video, JHJ said: “As a man in the great country of Korea, I feel proud to have served my country and completed my military service safely.”

(Credit: SBS video uploaded by mandalaywith@ING; photos – Osen and Korean name on 1st photo. Thanks!)

Just click any point on the screen.  To return to post, click BACK arrow.

The whole story from CAFE (16:32 min.)

This is an amateur video but it faithfully documents everything to the very end (when the professional photographers have all left.)  (You can FF to near the end.) After all the interviews, you see JHJ going to the cars parked behind the fence.  There Mr. Lee (Star N Hit CEO) in a white shirt and black trousers walked towards him with open arms.  I thought he was going to embrace JHJ, but he only put his arm around his shoulder and escorted him to the car where the boss Mr. K was waiting.  So JHJ was driven to Uijeongbu Hall for the handshaking event in Mr. K’s Mercedes-Benz.  As I’m watching this, I feel JHJ is in good hands — Mr. K is like a father to him and Mr. Lee an older brother.

You’ll hear some dialogue from fans near the camera whose voices were unintentionally recorded.  They were speaking in Cantonese, so we could understand every word!

(Credit: 1st one by Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN; 2nd one also from CAFE: cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove. Thanks!)