Jo Hyun Jae

CarpediemKorea (CAFE) has been sending Jo Hyun-Jae gifts every month ever since he entered the army on August 5, 2008. This is the 10th time and the emphasis this time is on snacks.

The quantity may be less this time, but the cost is actually higher. Snacks include French candies, Ferrero Rocha (chocolates), brownies, cookies, crackers, cheese sticks, nacho chips, Pringles (potato chips), beef jerky, and lollipops — all beautifully packaged, complete with multi-coloured ribbons. We think these are meant for JHJ’s campmates.

For JHJ there are the usual ginseng, telephone cards, SCREEN magazine, wet tissues, and something special for the summer — bracelets and pads (made of natural ingredients) to keep off the mosquitoes which could be pestering JHJ when he patrols at night. These CAFE ladies really think of everything!

The weather is very hot in Seoul now and all these supplies will come in handy. And they come with so much love and tender loving care from JHJ’s most devoted fans.

(Contents and photos courtesy of CAFEKorea and CAFEJapan. Thanks!)

What you see above are the birthday presents from CAFE(Korea and Japan) to Jo Hyun-Jae. Because he’s now a soldier, they have to prepare something appropriate, including:
1. gloves (for special use)
2. shampoo and bath gel (3 months’ supply)
3. phone card
4. magazine
5. CAFE’s special birthday edition magazine Vol.7
6. ginseng
7. the military looking box to hold all of the above

On JHJ’s birthday when they visited him at his camp, originally they prepared food for 80 people but at the last minute had to increase to 150. They brought barbecued meat and smoked fish, as well as rice, vegetables, and soup, also cakes and fruits and coffee. The birthday cake with the soldier and his dog was made by a fan. (Please see photo on previous posting “More birthday presents from JHJ fans”.)

They also brought monthly supplies for fellow soldiers of JHJ — snacks and chocolates and, because summer is approaching, mini-fans and skin-care products — 180 portions in all. These ladies not only take care of JHJ’s every need but also his camp-mates’.

(Source: CAFEKorea&Japan — thanks!)

Seaweed soup is known as the “birthday soup” since Koreans traditionally drink this on their birthdays. Do you think Jo Hyun-Jae’s mother made this for his 30th birthday?

Here are some of the many birthday presents from Jo Hyun-Jae fans around the world:

From JHJ China

From JHJ Taiwan

From JHJ Hong Kong

(Credit: names on photos. Thanks!)

 

The following is a message left on CAFEKorea by a fellow soldier of Jo Hyun-Jae who met him at an army athletic meeting of the 56th battalion:

Hello, everybody!

Everybody is eager for news of Mr. Jo Hyun-Jae, so I’ve come here to leave a message.

Mr. Jo seems to be enjoying life in the army. He looks very healthy and is in great spirits.

He gets on very well with the younger soldiers. On that day Mr. Jo had a happy time chatting and laughing with his mates.

No lunch was provided, only rice cakes and meat. Mr. Jo ate and drank heartily with his mates, and everybody had a good time.

This was the first time Mr. Jo participated in an athletic meeting and he looked really well.

I would have liked to take a photo of Mr. Jo, but since it was agreed beforehand, I could not do it.

(Sources: CAFEJapan and CAFEKorea.)

On March 14 White Day, CarpeDiem (CAFE) again sent boxfuls of gifts to Jo Hyun-Jae at his military camp, even though custom dictates that on this day it should be men who send gifts to women. (See “White Valentine” article on 3.14.09)

Goodies include the usual candies, chocolates, and cookies, all beautifully gift-wrapped, together with tea bags , hot chocolate and instant coffee packets (cappuccino and latte), snacks (potato chips, etc.) and cup noodles. There is a specially gift-wrapped jar of (I guess) eye cream by a famous brand specializing in products made of natural ingredients.

The most unusual gift is a basketball. This is obviously in response to Hyun-Jae’s message on March 3 that he is playing a lot of basketball with his camp mates. As you can see from the photo above, this basketball comes with a power pump and even wrist bands.

Jo Hyun-Jae’s fans are so caring and considerate. They make sure he knows he is much loved even though he is out of sight (temporarily.)

(Photo courtesy of Korea CAFE)

P.S. Follow-up to above:

A fellow soldier of Jo Hyun-Jae left a message on Korea CAFE on March 15 to thank them for their wonderful gifts for White Day which were most welcome and shared among the rank and file. The most popular item was the basketball, but Hyun-Jae and his mates are still playing with the old one.