Jo Hyun Jae

When you are reading this, I’m winging my way across to the other side of the world.  Every time I have to fly off somewhere, I have to prepare all the posts in advance.  I know I’m taking a chance because sometimes something unexpected happens, so I won’t be able to report it here.

With Jo Hyun-Jae, the reassuring thing is: nothing much ever happens.  Someone once told me: “Yours is a one-actor blog.  It is a tall order to maintain one post a day.”  That was when JHJ was still in the army.  Still, I managed.  After all the frenzy of his discharge, peace and quiet again.  Japan fan meetings – Wow! – after everything has been milked, what’s left?

Everybody is waiting for the announcement of JHJ’s first drama in more than two years, but so far nothing is forthcoming.  The ongoing strike of the Korea Artist Union for Broadcasting, Film and Performances may have something to do with the delay.  (Please see our September 3 post “Strike” under Category: Miscellaneous.)

It is unsettling to read complaints on certain Korean websites.  (But why would true JHJ fans apply pressure on him?)  “Like a second enlistment”, “Come out soon”, “Who is JHJ? What is JHJ?” “We have to carry on waiting unconditionally…..?”  And they throw JHJ’s own words back at him — “I will see you all soon in a new work – please be patient.” “You have shown so much confidence in waiting for me – I will work hard.”  And comments like: “Only fan meetings overseas!”

Ah! so that’s the crux of the problem!  Everybody, including the Koreans, is jealous of the Japanese.  Those fans from the land of 1.3 billion have been clamouring for JHJ to go to their country.  I have never worked a day in the business world, but even I (who often have my head in the clouds, according to my dear hubby) understand about supply and demand.  In the 2008 Japan fan meetings in Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya, more than 4,000 Japanese fans attended, compared to the Korea fan meeting with only 500 (half of which were Japanese.) 

The 2010 Japan fan meeting in Osaka and Tokyo were again sell-outs, with 4,000 Japanese fans who paid about US$130 for each ticket.  Can any other country guarantee the same reception for JHJ?  Behind JHJ’s other-worldly looks is a business after all.  There is a management office to run.  There is a family to support.  Don’t forget he has been in the army two years on less than US$100 a month.  He would love to work.  Can you offer him work?  

I have always admired the Japanese for their dedication and loyalty.  Someone tells me the average Korean fan has a change of heart every few months.  You can’t blame them since there are so many attractive new artists emerging all the time.  There may not be numerous JHJ fans in Korea, but there is a core group that has always been there for him.

Every time I meet Japanese fans at fan meetings or other functions, I love receiving their name cards (all so colourfully designed with their favourite JHJ photo) and their little gifts (all kinds of fancy things like mini-fan, miniature JHJ, goodluck charm, tiny stuffed toy, folded designs, green teabag, mint, etc.)  This time my favourites are two — chewing gum and wafer.

First, the wafer.  This Japanese fan had it specially made for JHJ’s discharge – that’s what it says on the box : “Jo Hyun Jae – Congratulations on the discharge from army” - with JHJ’s photo in a heart of roses and tied with a beautiful blue ribbon.  When I was going over my JHJ collectibles, I saw this little box, at the back of which says contents are wafers from a very well-known (hence expensive) bakery.  Expiry date is this month, so I thought: “Why waste good stuff?  I can always keep the box.”  I opened the box and found three thin pieces of wafers, individually wrapped.  I opened a heart-shaped one and saw some Japanese writing on it.  It tasted delicious.  I opened another and found more Japanese writing on this round-shaped one with a design.  It also tasted delicious.  I opened the last one and suddenly found JHJ staring up at me!  Under his image are the words: “JHJ – Congratulations!”  OMG!  I’ve eaten two JHJs!  The wafers are custom-made!  How did this Japanese fan get this famous bakery to custom-make wafers for JHJ’s discharge?  Never mind the cost, but how did she manage? 

Then I got to the Lotte chewing gum.  This time I approached it with trepidation and respect.  Nothing out of the ordinary on the box, but, sure enough, when I opened it, I found each and every one of the gum had JHJ’s photo and name on them!  So of course they went back into the Lotte box and into my treasure chest of JHJ collectibles.  My hat goes off to these Japanese fans for their resourcefulness and willingness to expend themselves on JHJ’s behalf.

If you can do better, you have the right to invite JHJ to your country.  It is easy to talk about loving JHJ, but how much are you prepared to do for him?  Of course we can’t all be as rich as the Japanese, and there are ways of expressing our love other than in monetary terms, but until you can best them, don’t be jealous of the Japanese.  Let us each do what we can for JHJ.

(Credit: photos from CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)