Jo Hyun Jae

JHJ’s early career (2)

wulijohyunjae | June 22, 2009 | 6:00 am

JHJ in “Great Ambition”

2003: Jo Hyun-Jae got the opportunity to act in “Great Ambition” (Dae Mang) and began playing the minor role of the Crown Prince. For the first time he used his own name JO Hyun-Jae.

JHJ saw this as a chance in a lifetime and gave his best under the director’s guidance, creating the memorable Crown Prince. He received such praise as: a newcomer who does not look like a newcomer. In the cast, the Crown Prince is not an important role.

When the drama started, there were lots of enquiries about him. For the first time, people were paying attention to him. Because of this, his role was expanded. Instead of being killed off early, he became the companion of the lead character and ended up coming into his own as the king.

After the failure of KAIST, JHJ tried harder and finally succeeded in making an unimportant role more important. His Crown Prince gained him many fans, even in Japan. That was when he first broke into the Japanese market. He also got the chance to act in other dramas.

The director and scriptwriter of “Love Letter” decided to use JHJ. He became the lead actor three years after his first appearance in a TV drama. Later he was handpicked by the director of “Seo Dong Yo” to star in the 55-episode historical drama, the first time such a young actor was elevated to such a role.

“Great Ambition” is the turning point for JHJ as an actor and the first time he used his own name. In an interview in Japan, he also said “Great Ambition” was the turning point in his career.

JHJ is quiet by temperament, but he wants to be an actor, so he follows his dream and gives his all. He is not a very emotional person, so it is difficult for him to cry, but his beautiful tears and angelic smile light up every drama. He is improving under the camera all the time. He can move people with his clear, luminous eyes. He is born to be an actor: he refuses to succumb to frustrations and does not falter under difficult circumstances. He performs each and every role with sincerity and verve.

JHJ is now serving in the army; his fellow soldiers see him as one of the boys. He is very low key; he has not released a single photo, and is quietly undergoing training and faithfully performing his military duties. He is the same beautiful actor who moves people in his dramas.

His straightforward character is revealed in an interview at the premiere of “Untold Scandal” (2003):

“I only got the script a few days before shooting of “KAIST”, [that's why I didn't do too well.] I took a year off and learnt to act, to grow up. How do I act by myself? It’s a secret. When I’m acting, I don’t think about anything outside of my role. Compared to the name of Jo Hyun-Jae, I’d rather my fans remember me through my characters’ names.”

JHJ is not content to be confined to his roles; he always gives his best to every role. His future is something to look forward to.

(THE END)

(Translated and adapted from CarpediemJapan)

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Categories: JHJ drama: "Great Ambition", JHJ early work: "KAIST"
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JHJ’s early works (1)

wulijohyunjae | June 17, 2009 | 6:00 am

KAIST – Episode 75: “145 km love”

In his first ever appearance in KAIST (1999), in the story “145 km. Love” Jo Hyun-Jae plays a university student who is carrying on a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend who lives 145 km. away. The setting for KAIST* is a university in Dae Jeon. His girlfriend is in Seoul, and for love he has to commute between Dae Jeon and Seoul on a motorcycle. JHJ plays this role of the young man who is caught between his studies and love with such charm that he impresses and attracts the general audience and wins his first fans. The rest, as they say, is history.

The video (18:32 minutes, in two parts) is in Korean and there are no subtitles. But we manage to get the drift of the story, as we’re sure you can too, smart JHJ fans that we are! JHJ’s acting skills may be a little green, but just watching him makes your heart ache. His features are so fine and his expressions are so sincere and innocent. And the 19-year-old JHJ on a motorcycle cuts such a dashing figure! Only complaint — the actress who plays his love interest is so much older and is no match for him in looks (problem with casting.) There is another girl, though, his fellow university student, younger, prettier — if this were a full-length drama, we know exactly how the plot will develop. Anyway, enjoy the video!

Editor’s note: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a research university located in Daedeok Science Town, Daejeon, in South Korea. KAIST was established in 1971 as the nation’s leading science and technology institution and is considered the MIT of South Korea.

(Credit for video: http://cafe.daum.net/kkkjin0202)