Jo Hyun Jae

From the grapevine again — the following tweet posted by someone called won_geun (no idea if he is in any official capacity):

Tuesday, February 1 — “49 Days” (SBS drama following “Sign”) will be filming indie performance scene.  Requires indie [rock] band.  Time and venue and payment to be notified.  Please leave contact here.

This is getting curiouser and curiouser!  First the baby, and now an indie rock band.  What on earth is “49 Days” really about?  Or are these twitter messages from people pulling our leg? 

(Credit: “49 Days” poster designed by prissymom of wulijohyunjae; http://twitter.com/won_geun;  www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

That’s EVER’s 2011 mousepad you see above (Nope! Just the envelope! – the mousepad has JHJ on it.#) manufactured under license from Star N Hit which means they can legitimately sell them.

We’ve ordered a number of the EVER mousepads — for wulijohyunjae members who leave a comment on this post* to tell us how they feel while waiting for JHJ’s new drama “49 Days”.  A sentence or two, maybe even a word or two, will do.  (After you have left your comment, please e-mail us your address at jhjfans@gmail.com.)

If the response is “overwhelming” (which we doubt), we’ll have to give priority to our regular subscribers (i.e. those who have left comments before.)

# We haven’t seen the mousepad yet – it’s mailed to Hong Kong – but EVER mousepads of previous years all have a gorgeous JHJ photo on it, and this year the photo is said to be new.

* E-mailing us will not count.  About time you publicly show your support for JHJ.  Nobody knows who you are anyway.  We’re all JHJ fans under the sun.  

This offer is open until February 15 (or until mousepads run out.)  Mousepads will be mailed from Hong Kong on February 18, so they should reach you before “49 Days” open (unless you live in “snail mail” country – starts with a P!)

(Credit: photo from www.everjohyunjae.co.kr.  Thanks!)

The following actors who play supporting roles in “49 Days” have left messages of greeting on the official cafe (website).

CHOI JUNG WOO – Queen of Reversals, Prosecutor Princess, Brilliant Legacy

YOO JI IN – Queen of Reversals, Brilliant Legacy, Queen of Housewives, Bad Love

GO CHONG SUK – The Case of Itaewon Homicide, InSaDong Scandal, Rough Cut

MOON HEE KYUNG – Dr. Champ, Hot Coffee, Giant

KANG SUNG MIN – Daring Women, Chuno, Hometown Legends

BAE GEU RIN – Smile Mom, You’re Beautiful, Once upon a time in Saengchori 

LEE JONG MIN – Gloria, Family Honour

Also the Director of Photography Yi Jong Yeong – All In, Temptation of Wife, Into the Storm 

(Credit: www.leeyowon.cn; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!) 

Fans want to know what’s being said in this segment of the Japan fan meeting in Tokyo on August 22, 2010, so we’ve done our homework.  The full transcript follows the video.

MC – Japanese MC                                     JHJ – Jo Hyun-Jae

Part 2

MC:  In Part 1, we talked about JHJ’s life in the military.  Now let us talk about JHJ the star, the actor.

Do you still remember what it was like when you first started in the entertainment industry?

JHJ:  Yes, I remember very well.  At that time my acting was not so good.  I even had doubts about whether I had any acting talent.

MC:  But after you first launched your acting career up to 2008, you acted in many works.  Actually before this event, the Official Japan Fan Club conducted a survey called “JHJ Best Best Best”.  Let us now see the Top 5 works that received the most votes.

#5 - ”First Love”  (Kissing scene)

JHJ:  You only selected such clips?

(Scene of JHJ naked from waist up)

Compared to now, I was much skinnier then.

MC:  You’re more satisfied with your physique now?

JHJ:  I don’t think I’ve reached a level to my satisfaction.

MC:  Was that the time when your hair was longest?

JHJ:  Yes, my hair was longest in this drama.

MC:  How do you feel about watching your own dramas?

JHJ:  As I said before, watching one’s own works is an embarrassing thing.  When watching on my own, I would think: “Oh, if I had acted this way or that way, it would have been better.”  Today watching my own dramas with everybody here makes it even more embarrassing.

MC:  Just now when he said that, he was sneaking glances at his fans, so I can see he’s a little shy.

JHJ:   It’s dark out there, so I can’t see clearly, but I did try to look around.

MC:   Now let’s look at #4.

#4 - “3 Dads/1 Mom” (Singing session)

MC:  You’re selected to sing.  Does it mean they knew you could sing?

JHJ:  They didn’t really ask whether I could sing.  They just said you try singing.

MC:  Then did they commend you on your singing later?

JHJ:  No, the director didn’t comment at all.

(Scene of JHJ filming himself — his message to Ha Seon) 

MC:  One fan says these lines are like the words that JHJ left his fans just before he entered the military, so they made a very deep impression.

How do you feel about filming yourself like this and also in the more comic parts of this drama?

JHJ:  This is my first comedy, so it feels especially meaningful to me.  I also learnt a lot in this drama.

MC:  And now let’s go to #3.

#3 -  ”Only You”  (Scene of JHJ dicing vegetables)

MC:  This seems a little nervous, makes one anxious.  Maybe I should say the atmosphere is a little tense/charged.  

JHJ:  That’s right.  Every time it makes me very anxious.

MC:  Are you like the character in the drama?

JHJ:  Not really.

MC:  The scenes with the kid are very heart-warming and endearing – makes one smile while watching.

In Part 1 you said you know how to train any kind of dog.  Do you have the same self-confidence with children?

JHJ:  I wouldn’t know since I don’t have children yet.  But when the time comes, I’ll try my best to learn how to take care of them.

(Scene of kissing after wiping tears)

MC:  The scenes that fans voted on have a lot of tears.

JHJ:  How come it’s this kind of scene again?

MC:  Well, women like this kind of scene.

What do you remember about “Only You”?

JHJ:  The first part was filmed in Italy, so I remember all the beautiful scenery and the delightful atmosphere.  Italian cuisine also left a deep impression on me.  And the lead actress [Han Chae-Young] and I are friends, so it made acting together so much easier. 

#2 -  ”Love Letter”

MC:  We asked fans to use “Love Letter” as the topic and write love letters to JHJ.

Love letter #1 — Why is Andrea’s fate so sad?  I attended your fan meeting two years ago and was attracted by your smile and your looks, so I watched all your works after that.  You are really a fine actor!  Hope you will have lots in store for you.  Love you.

Love letter #2 — To most dearly beloved Hyunjae: I first got to know you in 2003.  Your loving and pure acting immediately attracted me – made me fall in love with Andrea and also you.

MC:  Many fans say they like the serious and pure you.

JHJ:  I was 23/24 then — could be me at my purest.

MC:  Even now you still retain your purity?

JHJ:  Yes, you could say it’s one of my distintive traits.

MC:  So that is #2 “Love Letter”. 

#1 -  “Seo Dong Yo”

MC:  Let me read what fans say about this drama.

Letter #1 — I fell in love with this drama in May 2008, not just me, but also my husband.  This time he encouraged me to attend this fan meeting; in fact, he would have loved to come too.

Letter #2 — You must have had a hard time in the two years of military service.  I am a 71-year-old woman.  I started liking you five years ago.  I like “Seo Dong Yo” very much.  So far I have watched it 38 times. 

(Wedding scene - taking off shoes)

MC:  How do you feel about this scene?

JHJ:  A very cute scene, also displays the character’s pure side.

MC:  All the above works mostly give a pure feeling, but others like “G.P.506″ are more forceful.  Whether pure or forceful, we are all full of anticipation about your new project.  From the clips we have just seen, what are you thinking now?

JHJ:  I now feel a lot more settled, also feel good.  From now on, I’d like to try different kinds of roles — characters of character.  But it looks like you all like the pure and cute side of me, so I’ll also continue in this respect.  Thank you all very much!

Fast-forward to part where JHJ is presented with a book of messages from fans (who drop them in a box before entering the hall.)

JHJ:  Thank you all so much.  I’ll read them carefully after I return home.

MC:  This book is very heavy.  Do you want me to take it from you?

JHJ:  That’s OK.

MC:   To show his appreciation, JHJ is going to sing a song.

JHJ:  I’ve sung this song before.  You should be familiar with it.  It’s called “Like the wind by your side.”

Video ends with JHJ singing song.

(Credit: Video by ivyivy of CarpeDiamJAPAN; English transcript by wulijohyunjae – based on Chinese translation from johyunjaeCHINA. Thanks!)

Smile (and the whole world smiles with you), JHJ!

“49 Days” news occupy us every day, but there’s nothing substantial and there’s no photo.  So let’s go back to some vintage JHJ — to remind ourselves why we love him in the first place.

(Credit: quilt of everjohyunjae.co.kr.; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

This is from the grapevine (January 26)  – there’s no way to verify it, so take it with a grain of salt.

It seems “49 Days” is advertising for a child actor — from newborn to under 2 months old.

We have no idea how this fits into the plot.  We don’t even know if this is accurate.  But we wouldn’t miss anything that even mentions “49 Days”. 

[드라마49일] 아기모델 신생아 2달미만 1명

제   목 : 49일
일   자 : 1월26일
시   간 : 개별연락
장   소 : 개별연락

준비물 : 
인   원 : 아기모델 2달미만

(Credit: http://gall.dcinside.com; carpediemJAPAN; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!) 

We’re flying again today – short flight, though.  So we’ve just posted a couple of new JHJ photos.  Enjoy!

(Credit: cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; www.everjohyunjae.co.kr - photos from JHJ 2011 calendar series; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

The production company of “49 Days” is HB Entertainment Co. Ltd. which is a publicly-listed company on the KOSDAQ (South Korea Stock Exchange.)  The specialize in multimedia (TV, DVD and music record) productions for entertainment, and it also manages artists.  Its BUSINESS PROSPECTS list expanding entertainment business, especially in drama production.

Following are HB’s productions:

They represent the following artists — Ko Soo, Lee Jin-Uk, Yong Jong-Hwa, and Lee Chae-Young:

Currently under production are “49 Days” and So Ji-Sub’s movie “Only You”.

And they have their own building in a prestigious address in Seoul — HB Building, 627-17 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul:

Everything looks set for a blockbuster, right?  Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

(Credit: http://www.hbenter.com; “49 Days” design from sky of thaitv3.com; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

There’s a message from the KOW Administrator on January 26 – the usual subject HI:

안녕하세요^^

안녕하세요 ^^ 추운 날씨가 계속 되고 있습니다. 

다들 건강 조심하세요.  이제 드라마 촬영 준비가 한창입니다. 

오늘은 49일 대본 사진 올려 봅니다. 

정말 재미있는 드라마가 될거 같아요. 팬 여러분들도 많은 기대해 주세요. 

많이 이르지만 본방 사수!!!!!! 

그럼

——————————————————————- 

大家好 ^^ 寒冷的天气还是持续着

大家都请当心身体。 目前电视剧拍摄准备正酣，

今天贴的是<49日>剧本的照片。

应该是非常有意思的剧，粉丝们请多多期待。 

虽然还早但也一定死守首播!!!! 

——————————————————————-

Hi ^^ The weather has been cold.

Take care of yourself. Now, the shooting is in preparation.

Today, I post a photo of the script of 49days.

I think it will be a very interesting drama.  Fans, please have lots of expectations.

Even though it be too early to ask you,본방사수!!!!!!

(본방사수[bonbangsasu] means ‘please be sure to watch the program at the air time’)

(Credit: http://johyunjae.com.  Thanks)

Mr. K is outed!  You may remember we mentioned in our January 23 post “Dear Diary (35)” that there appeared an unusual fan message on TO HYUNJAE in the KOW the day before — from the father of one of JHJ’s army mates.  The father used a pseudonym (which is quite unnecessary since he mentioned his son’s full name, so he must be Mr. K Sr.)  Anyway he wrote his son served in the army with JHJ and mentioned him several times, obviously favourably.  So his parents watched “Seo Dong Yo” and now all members of the family are JHJ fans.  Mr. K Sr. knows about JHJ’s new drama and sends good wishes and blessings.

You will not believe the “media frenzy” this message aroused.  It is carried in its entirety (in English) and translated into Korean and Chinese on all the JHJ websites that I usually frequent.  One fan message has made Mr. K Sr. a celebrity writer!  Not only that — the Korean fans (super sleuths!) even searched and discovered who Mr. K Jr. is.  He is in both pictures above.  Since these were taken during the first five weeks of basic training starting on August 15, 2008, that means Mr. K Jr. met JHJ then.  Whether they later served together in the army we do not know, but they must have kept in touch.  Now which one do you think is Mr. K Jr.?

JHJ has been discharged from the Korean military for 7 months now, but the following two photos have just surfaced (at least we’ve never seen the first one, and many fans may not have seen the second either.)  You see Mr. K Jr. again in the first one.  He and JHJ were obviously army buddies, probably still friends from the way Mr. K Sr. wrote. 

Still guessing?  Stop racking your brains — here’s the answer!  But then you’ve already got it, right?

We have not used Mr. K’s full name because we feel his privacy should be protected.  Those of you who are KOW members have probably read that message on TO HYUNJAE.

(Credit: First two photos released in 2008 by Korean military; last two from everjohyunjae.co.kr.  Thanks!)