Comments on: Dear Diary (51)

By: Marise

Marise — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:55:09 +0000

I wonder too how come JHJ management company SNH did not release any official press statement regarding his new project in China. Whatever the result may be, here’s wishing JHJ all the best of luck and for him to hurry back to his native land and have another grand K drama before the year ends. Stay healthy and happy at all times.

By: m.a.

m.a. — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:17:58 +0000

maybe JHJ is a freelance now..?? (just a question..)

maybe instead of firing SNH he resigned that’s why they are blocking all the press releases from his new drama..?? (sorry reading all your comments..i can only think/say this much)

i already miss him after having watched 49 days..

Good luck JHJ for your Chinese Drama..please stay healthy..

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:24:57 +0000

APOLOGIES TO DC!!!

Sorry I misunderstood the meaning of the sketch. Cultural differences. The artist only means to say Koreans have to dig for JHJ news now that he is away from home, not that he is digging his own grave by this career move.

Digging for JHJ news is no big deal. We’ve been doing that all these years. That’s why I call my friend B the “archaeologist”. And we have to translate everything from Korean to English/Chinese (without understanding Korean!) Since you can read my Diary, you obviously have no problem with English. You can get latest updates of JHJ in China on this blog. It’s easier than scouring the various Chinese websites since we have already filtered the news (some have nothing to do with JHJ at all.)

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:11:21 +0000

Gosh! Seems this diary has aroused a furore on DC. Apparently I misunderstood meaning of sketch. Trying to get hold of our translator who is busy today. But I did understand one sentence in English left on DC – “WE ARE DELIGHTED HE HAS GONE TO CHINA!” Well, I am delighted the Koreans are delighted. We all stand behind JHJ. Now, if the Koreans read this blog, why don’t they leave a comment to correct my misconception? Writing in Korean is OK.

By: MC

MC — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:35:34 +0000

Well, good luck to him. I hope this drama will be released and we can all watch it.

By: Lorac

Lorac — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:37:34 +0000

I do agree with Charlene about this being a strategic move. The money is in China. That’s why so many Hong Kong actors are now making films and dramas in China. I did a Google search using the Chinese title and found many positive comments on the drama and Hyun Jae in particular. It’s good he chooses diverse projects and get world-wide exposure.

I’ve watched a lot of Chinese and Hong Kong dramas, mostly without subtitles, and I can attest they do care about quality. The Chinese only lack in an understanding that good English subtitles provide access for their dramas well beyond China. It’s not only the US, but Europe and some Asian country where Mandarin is not native, but English is a second language. So. let’s hope this drama gets released in some form… heck, I might even watch it without subtitles!

I also want to thank you for providing this forum in English. It is the first and foremost English place to visit for Hyun Jae information.

By: jhcwhite

jhcwhite — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:43:25 +0000

haha… so EFFICIENT…. maybe they are really preparing to close down ah

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:08:21 +0000

I just checked the KOW — SCHEDULE is completely blank! They don’t know JHJ is working in China? They don’t let JHJ fans know JHJ is working in China? Not working in Korea is not working?

By: prissymom

prissymom — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:48:45 +0000

wuliJHJ, thanks for the explanation re: actor’s salary….

“JHJ makes everyone swoon! Becomes superstar in China and makes triumphant return to Korea! And everybody lining up to beg him to be in their drama!” —– This is what I have been hoping and praying will happen since finding out about his Chinese drama!

By: prissymom

prissymom — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:19:24 +0000

@varandhorn “we hope we can watch this drama” – There is this Chinese drama “Bratty Princess” which starred SKorean actress Jang Nara and Taiwanese actor Alec Su which aired on CCTV in 2005. I was able to watch this Chinese drama with English subtitles on mysoju.com.

If JHJ’s Chinese drama gets aired I am sure someone will put it out online and provide English subtitles or English recap. IF it goes straight to DVD, then of course we buy the DVD, then wuliJHJ and other Chinese-speaking JHJ fans will help us understand the whole drama *(^_^)*. If there is a will, there’s a way – if we really want to watch a JHJ drama we will find a way to do so!!! We are JHJ fans, we are resourceful – we have to be out of necessity!

By: michelle

michelle — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:21:16 +0000

Wulijhj:

I totally agree with you. JHJ’s style is very suitable for Chinese drama. If his chinese drama makes a big wave, only the sky is his limit. Koreans want their actors/actress to make big money for their country from Japan market, but they always contempt or scold them for that. Do they know what they want?

By: varandhorn

varandhorn — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:34:47 +0000

Hi! every JHJ’s fans, Thai Fans confused for Chinese production and drama too, we hope we can watch this drama. And you are right Wuli, JHJ is happy, we are happy.

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:26:08 +0000

prissymom, re paying actors on time (or at all), that’s a touchy topic. Actors are usually paid an initial deposit and then paid periodically and finally the last lump sum when production is finished. The brother of a good friend of mine works in films (as an Assistant Director), and he prefers to be paid every month when working in China, e.g. if his total salary is $100,000 for 10 months’ work, he wants to be paid $10,000 per month. That’s because sometimes the last payment never materializes. I hope in JHJ’s case, first, the contract is iron-clad, and second, the Chinese are too proud not to honour their contractual obligations, esp. in this case with a foreign actor. Let’s hope everything stays within budget, weather is good, shooting is smooth, drama gets a TV slot, sells overseas….. JHJ makes everyone swoon! Becomes superstar in China and makes triumphant return to Korea! And everybody lining up to beg him to be in their drama!

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:52:59 +0000

Welcome back, teri&jae! You’re right, JHJ working in China makes it easier for us. We used to have to scour the Korean sites (also Japanese) and news media and translate into English (big hassle!) Now thanks to constant tweets from JHJ’s fellow Chinese workers on RO, we can have access to instant news, and translation from Chinese to English is not a problem. So we’re faster and more comprehensive than the leading Korean and Japanese fansites. 5555 They’re not happy? So? As long as JHJ is happy, we’re happy!

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:46:21 +0000

Well, whether the Korean or Japanese fans like it or not, the Chinese have welcomed JHJ with open arms, not just fans, also his co-workers on set. The one word that everyone uses of JHJ is “handsome”. They obviously haven’t seen anyone so handsome before, and anyone who has seen JHJ in person can testify he looks better up close and personal than on the screen.

By: jhcwhite

jhcwhite — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:16:52 +0000

“constant supply of kimchi and korean cup noodles” written into the contract..hahaha… that’s so hilarious!! surely that’ll make him very happy

the Korean fans should be happy, more happy than us because jhj has made them proud by giving good performance up to now… he shows the china crew how professional can Korean actor be… quick to adapt, great acting performance…etc

By: teri&jae

teri&jae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:47:29 +0000

wuli, I’m back! Like you, I am surprised at this China move. Frankly, I don’t fancy China dramas, I find the acting and spoken Mandarin very ‘daunting’. I read the sypnosis of this drama on another website and find it rather interesting. What’s more, JHJ is the lead. So I’ll most probably be watching this when it’s out – no need to wait for translation

I wanted to comment on the K-fans, being so unsupportive – no news on KOW/SNH and the sketch (maybe it’s just 1 fan or anti-fan based on the sketch above). It seems they really don’t like it when their actor/actress goes overseas (or maybe it’s just China?). They think they know best. I find that really selfish. Whether JHJ makes it or not in China is secondary, but as fans, and also as fellow Koreans, I believe they should still support him, esp when he’s doing such a great job being a Korean in a foreign land.

Anyway, with him being in China, it’s better for us international fans. There’ll be more news coming out, instead of having to rely on KOW.

By: prissymom

prissymom — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:31:15 +0000

wuliJHJ, do Chinese producers pay their actors on time? I remember that some Korean actors have had some problems collecting their fees from their Korean dramas. I hope Chinese producers treat their talents better, especially our JHJ.

By: wulijohyunjae

wulijohyunjae — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:19:27 +0000

I’ve also heard that China pays foreign actors very generously (they can afford it!) Hong Kong actors who normally get 4 figures are paid 5 figures (in RMB) per episode in Chinese productions. I hope JHJ gets paid 6 figures per episode (also that it’s written into the contract that he gets a constant supply of kimchi and Korean cup noodles! 5555) Don’t think it’s “49 Days” that gained the attention of the Chinese, more like “Only You” (the only JHJ drama ever shown on Chinese TV but has enjoyed several re-runs.) Don’t understand why JHJ photos are not released; they’re promised for Aug.12. I hope SNH doesn’t have anything to do with this.

By: jhcwhite

jhcwhite — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:26:45 +0000

No matter how the drama turns out to be, I believe JHJ has already earned a big amount (much more than in Korea) for this drama, as i heard china usually pays the foreign actor/actress very well. So even if things (the art side, and the fame side etc) didn’t turn out as good as expected, at least he gets decent monetary rewards than staying in Korea. This can be important to him as he’s got a family to feed. Many great actors built up their financial with not-so-good films b4 becoming choosey. Good roles can come later. I think since he already made the choice, let’s stay happy and look forward.

I also think along the same as charlene, that it’s not SNH capability that land him in this role, more likely the china production watched his performance in 49days and like him, hence invited him by their own initiation. That SNH….why they haven’t closed down? they can’t perform at all… haha… The good thing is, it seems that in SNH, jhj has more rights, it seemed from his message, that he has the full rights to take or not to take the drama… that perhaps is not big agency can allow…

let’s hope for the best from now:) and i really hope to see jhj in china costume asap…. can the crew of “Rouge Overlord” pls tweet one, pls pls heehee