Jo Hyun Jae

The following is the latest news of Jo Hyun-Jae from the official website (September 7, 2009):

Hi, this is Korean staff.  I am writing this diary after a long absence.

Summer is almost over.  Please take care because it is the turning point of the seasons.

I am here to inform you of the latest condition of Jo Hyun-Jae.

Last week JHJ went on a 3 nights/4 days military training.

I also have experience in the military.  This is the most memorable training during military service.

On this 3 nights/4 days intensive training, you have to go on a 40 km trek carrying a heavy backpack.

It is tough training — you get blisters on your feet, it is so hot you can’t even walk properly, and some even fall by the wayside.

I am happy to report JHJ successfully completed his training.  He is mentally and physically healthy.

However, he now has a tan on his face which makes him look even more manly.

I will write again if there is more news of JHJ

(Editor: Please see our 2/23/09 post “JHJ completes 40km trek” — an earlier military exercise.)

This video featuring army dog soldiers is from the Korean army TV channel.  No, you won’t see Jo Hyun-Jae here, sorry, but you’ll get a good idea of the nature of his job in the army after watching this series.  You don’t need to understand the Korean running commentary to understand the contents of the video.  Follow this military TV series — it gets better and better.

(Credit: Many thanks to Bigcat of johyunjae.hk.)

Since the beginning of 2009 the Korean government has stopped providing duty-free cigarettes for its military.  As a result, the smoking rate among the Korean officers and soldiers has fallen to below 50%.  If they want to smoke now, Korean officers and soldiers have to buy their cigarettes at market price.

According to data provided by the Korean Department of National Defense, last year the smoking rate among soldiers has fallen to 49.7%.  In 2004, it was 63%; 2005 – 59%; 2007 – 50.7% — dropping gradually.  In five years, there has been a significant decrease.  Since the Korean army was established in 1948, this is the first time the smoking rate among its soldiers has fallen below 50%.

However, this rate is still higher than the average smoking rate among Koreans males, which currently stands at 40.9%.  The Health Unit of the Department of National Defense is trying to encourage more soldiers to quit smoking, so as to be on a par with the national average.

You all know Jo Hyun-Jae quit smoking in early 2009.  Just look at those pearly whites and that milky skin in the photo above — the Korean army should make him its spokesman for this Quit Smoking campaign.

(Information source: http://cn.joins.com/big5; http://hyunjaelove.jp; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

You’ve all seen the above photo in our August 20 post “‘Defense Daily’ interview”.  Ever wondered what Jo Hyun-Jae is eating?  And what it’s like before he sits down to dinner (and after)?  Here goes………………(and don’t forget to bring your own “plate”!)

And wash your “plate” before you leave!

That’s a glimpse into army life for you.  I’m sure the Korean army meals are designed by dietitians.  They have to make sure their soldiers are well fed so they will stay in good shape.  And the boys look like they are enjoying their food.  At least our JHJ is — he has almost cleaned out his plate.  But if I have to eat something like this for two years, I’m sure I can be as trim as our JHJ!

Oh! it’s day time!  So this is lunch after all.  Maybe there will be steak for dinner?

(Photos courtesy of http://armynuri.tistory.com.  And thanks to johyunjae.hk too.)

These photos are taken from the video which is why their quality is not as good as the ones in yesterday’s post.  Still, more is better.

(Credit: http://armynuri.tistory.com/; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

(From http://armynuri.tistory.com/.  Photos courtesy of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

TRANSLATION OF TRANSCRIPT OF VIDEO (edited):

Q.  What are your duties now?

A.  I am an army dog soldier in the 2nd battalion, responsible for the health, education, and training of my dog, as well as to keep it in the best condition and to patrol the ammunition depot with it at night.

Q.  Is there a special reason why you did not enlist as an entertainment soldier?

A.  Both my parents and I thought it would be better for me to be on active duty.  I have been busy working and concentrating on my career.  Being a regular soldier will give me an opportunity and time for reflection.   When I look back on my career, I could take pride in having served the Republic of Korea as an ordinary soldier.

Q.  To your fellow artists who have yet to join the military, what do you want to say to them as a “senior”?

A.  I’d like to say to those who have not completed their military service: “Enlist early!”  There is nothing to fear.  There is no problem even for those who come to military life late.

Q.  After you have completed your military service, what would you like to do?

A.  Make great films, of course.  I would like to return to being a professional actor.

Q.  How about a few words to your fans?

A.  I’m doing well in the military.  I’ll repay your loyalty with “great work” after my discharge.  Thank you so much for all your love and letters.  Stay healthy and be happy always.

Q.  What difficulties have you encountered in your military duties with a dog?

A.  We have day and night duty.  The hardest part is the graveyard shift in winter when we have to go out and start patrolling at 4 a.m., a distance of about 5 km. all round the camp.

 (Editor’s note: JHJ was still Private First Class when this interview with “Defense Daily” took place in July.  He was promoted to Corporal on Aug.1, 2009.)

Jo Hyun-Jae entered the Korean army on this day last year — August 5, 2008.  (Please see our  4/15 – 4/17/09 posts “Farewell to JHJ: Seeing him off to join the army (Parts 1-3)”.)  This video and photos bring back fond memories.

A year has passed; 318 more days to go.   JHJ started as Private Second Class and was promoted to Private First Class in February 2009 and recently Corporal on August 1, 2009.  When he completes his military duties on June 19, 2010, what rank will he be in?

(This post is the product of teamwork: Eliza (the newest member of our editorial team) located the video on the internet; Laura created the card; M found the last two photos among our old posts; and I (I had the easy part) just wrote the words.  We are now a team of four, working hard to make sure JHJ stays in the hearts and minds of his fans all over the world.)

Jo Hyun-Jae’s 2008 movie “G.P.506″ was shown on the Korean satellite TV station OCN on July 25 at 22:00.    JHJ’s fellow soldier Nick-onjonglove left this message on CAFE on July 26:

Hello, everybody!  Last evening I watched “G.P.506″ with members of my unit.

Jo Hyun-Jae’s acting is really superb!

Some who have already seen this movie [before enlistment] were also attracted to watch it again in the military.

The Jo Hyun-Jae in the movie is so different from the Jo Hyun-Jae by our side.

The snacks and cookies are delicious.  I thank you on behalf of our camp-mates.

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove.  Translated from Chinese translation in johyunjae.cn (ING).  Thanks!)

(Credit: This video is created by Param of carpediem (CAFE) Japan.  Thanks!)

Imagine watching “G.P.506″ with JHJ next to you!  His fellow soldiers are so lucky!

Starting August 2009, when you write to Jo Hyun-Jae, don’t forget to address letter to:

Corporal Jo Hyun-Jae

P.O. Box 130-17, Mubong-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul 480-799, Korea

Address in Korean:

경기도 포천시 소흘읍 무봉2리 450번지 사서함 130-17호 제56탄약대대 1중대

SEOUL 480-799,  KOREA

상병 조현재

These photos are from the Korean Army website and show soldiers in military training.  As you can see, the training is very rigorous.  Their slogan (from the bottom of each photo) is: Strong warrior, strong force.

Our Jo Hyun-Jae must have gone through this drill.  You can imagine how the Korean army trains its soldiers physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.

Rumour has it that JHJ has been transferred to a desk job (because of his promotion to Corporal?)  No more night patrols (that’s how he was injured recently), no more night exercises.

(Credit for photos: http://cafe.daum.net; http://blog.daum.net; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)