Jo Hyun Jae

JHJ Japan Fan Meeting

Title:     ”49 Days” Tokyo Fan Meeting (tentative)
Date：   2012.02.03 (Friday)
Venue：Shibuya Public Hall
Doors open:  16:30　Show starts: 18:00　Ends: 21:00
Artists：JHJ, Jung Il Woo, and others (TBA)

**  May be subject to change **

Please see: http://49days.jp/cam.html

Japanese version of “49 Days” DVD (with Japanese subtitles) is now available. Prices on Amazon.com: BOX1 14,629 Japanese yen；BOX2 14,629 yen. 

“49 Days” official site in Japan now open ：http://49days.jp/index.html
 

(Credit: http://49days.jp/index.html;  www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

This video brings back so many happy memories, especially one that only B and I could share — being on the same flight with JHJ from Osaka to Tokyo!  Please see this link:  http://jo-hyun-jae.com/2010/08/21/i-spread-my-dream-in-the-sky-2/

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YOUKU

YOUTUBE:  http://youtu.be/UUKozLD-pDY

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(Credit: http://hyunjaelove.jp; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

As requested, here’s that Mnet video of JHJ’s Japan fan meeting in Tokyo again – with full transcript.  Enjoy!

Opening — Jo Hyun-Jae comes out on stage and sings “Close your eyes”.

MC: fan meeting MC                                    JHJ: Jo Hyun-Jae

This clip has been edited.  The part where they first talk about JHJ’s military uniform is not shown.

MC:  It’s been two years.  JHJ will now say a few words to you first.

JHJ:   I am very grateful to you all for coming here in spite of your busy schedules.  I know it has been difficult waiting for me these two years.  Thank you very much!

MC:  Thank you for coming to Japan.  Are you feeling nervous now?

JHJ:  Yes, very nervous — after all, it’s been two years.  

Big screen shows JHJ in military — Defense Daily photos

MC:  We see here photos of you and your army dog.  Have you always liked dogs?

JHJ:  Yes, ever since I was five years old.  I like dogs very much.

MC:  Did you choose to be an Army Dog Soldier because you like dogs?

JHJ:  You can’t be an Army Dog Soldier just because you like dogs.  When I first joined the army, there happened to be a such a vacancy.  During the interview they found out I liked dogs, so I was chosen.

MC:  From the photo, this dog looks very sharp, and the two of you look very smart together.  Any secrets to how to train dogs?

JHJ:  The secret is you have to genuinely like dogs — take time to communicate with them and play with them.

MC:  Oh, so it’s important to spend time with your dog.

Big screen shows daily schedule of military life

JHJ:  As you can see from the schedule, we have a very full day.

JHJ starts to explain schedule

Oh! It’s in Japanese!  Well, here goes:

6:00 a.m.    Wake-up call

6:30            Roll call

7:20            Tidy up (make up bed, etc.)

7:30            Breakfast

MC interrupts – she’s afraid JHJ would go through the entire schedule!

MC:  What do you like best during the day?

JHJ:   ……thinking……  

MC:  (repeats above question – obviously determined to get an answer)

JHJ:  If I must answer that, I’d say sleep time.  (Laugh) 

MC:  How much time do you have for sleep each day?

JHJ:  Not that much — about 4 to 4 1/2 hours a day.

MC:  Life in the army is really hard.  Meal time must be much anticipated.  What do you like to eat most?

JHJ:  In the army there are set meal times.  You have to eat properly or you’ll be breaking military codes.  There are usually an entree, two side dishes, and soup – different menu everyday – very little meat.  I really look forward to stir-fried pork with special sauce.

MC:  So everyone now has some idea of military life.

JHJ:  Yea, looks like it. 

MC:  What do you do in your free time?

JHJ:  There’s a sort of gym where I can workout.  Exercising there allows me to decompress and keep fit.

MC:  Even though military life is hard, there must also be happy moments, right?

JHJ:  Yes, Sometimes fans send me food, lots of food that I share with my army mates.  I feel very happy and blessed then.  Also, sometimes I’m allowed to make phone calls and of course when I’m granted home leave.

MC:  What do these two years of military service make you realize?

JHJ:  During these two years of military service, I feel more and more the importance of fans.  So I’d like to take this opportunity to again say THANK YOU!

MC:  When you were away, even though there were no official functions, fans organized many small gatherings on their own — to show you are in their hearts even though you are in the army. 

I’d like to ask — Are there anyone down there who attended the fan meetings of two years ago?

Many fans raised their hands

MC:  Many fans attended the 2008 fan meetings.  Do you feel any change in JHJ today?

MC to JHJ:  Do you feel any different between your enlistment and your discharge?

JHJ:  Life in the military is very disciplined, so I became very healthy.  Also because I was responsible for training and taking care of the dogs, I have become very proficient in that.

MC:  So you can now train any kind of dog?

JHJ:  Certainly.

MC:  So it goes without saying you can now deal with any kind of woman?

JHJ:  Ah……(changes subject to avoid answering)

When we first enlisted, we were taught how to fold clothes.  At first I thought it was such a hassle — why must we fold clothes like this?  But this is military discipline, so I had to learn.  Now after my discharge, I am still keeping this habit.  Even I find this very strange, but this is really a good method.

MC:  Then please demonstrate for us.  Today we have prepared underwear. 

JHJ:  These are not mine. (elicit much laughter)

JHJ folds fist the underwear and then the underpants the military way.

JHJ:  This method is really efficient and saves space.  You can easily put ten of these in a row.

Fast-forward to end of clip — JHJ sings “Tsunami”

(Credit: Video by param of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  English transcript by wulijohyunjae – based on Chinese translation on johyunjaeCHINA.com.  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!)

This is Part 2 (2nd video) of Jo Hyun-Jae’s appearance on Japan’s Mnet on January 22 — his 2010 Japan Fan Meetings on the segment ”Director’s Choice” of ENTERTAINMENT NEWS.  This segment features the 5 favourite JHJ dramas (as voted by Japanese fans) — from #5 “First Love” to #1 “Seo Dong Yo”.  JHJ also sings “Like the wind by your side” from his CD.

We have posted Part 1 (1st video) here again.  Each video is 25 minutes.  Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

(Credit: param and ivyivy of CarpeDiemJAPAN; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

As advertised, here is Jo Hyun-Jae on Japan Mnet’s “Entertainment News”.  The segment “Director’s Choice” devoted 25 minutes to JHJ’s 2010 Japan Fan Meetings in its January 15 programme.  The Tokyo fan meeting on August 22, 2010 is featured.  Video shows JHJ singing two songs – “Close your eyes” and “Tsumani”.  In between he talks at length about life in the army.  Never mind if you don’t understand what he says (If you’ve read all our previous posts on the JFM, you should have a good idea.)  When we were at the fan meeting, we were so delirious with happiness just watching JHJ and listening to his voice that nothing else mattered.

Remember, video is 25 minutes (so don’t watch it in the office!) — 1/5 of the Japan Fan Meeting DVD.  Part 2 will come up on January 22 — we’ll keep you posted.

(Credit: Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

There is a programme on Mnet Japan called “Director Presents” in which entertainment news are shown raw, including uncut interviews.  The Mnet director follows the stars around like an entertainment reporter.  Many of the videos are presented as they were shot — uncut!  The director also includes behind-the-scenes and eyewitness accounts to add to the entertainment value of his programme.

Jo Hyun-Jae’s 2010 fan meetings in Japan will be featured in two parts on January 15 and 22 (2:30 – 3:00 p.m.),  to be repeated on January 21 and 28 (4:00 – 4:30 p.m.) respectively. 

(Credit: http://www.mnetjapan.com; http://hyunjaelove.jp; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

Last year a lot of Korean websites closed because a stringent new copyright law came into force.  The JHJ world became much poorer and materials became scarcer — no new photos, no new videos (because no new photos), JHJ posts few and far between.

We don’t know whether it is because everybody is so “hungry”, but this year Korean and Japanese fans broke the taboo and posted extracts from JHJ’s Japan Fan Meeting DVD and the entire 2011 calendar.

We thought long and hard about whether to transfer these because these items are still for sale.  Surely if they are available on the internet, who would want to buy them?  They are very expensive, but of course if you are a genuine JHJ fan, you will spare no expenses.  Nowadays most women won’t think twice about spending US$200 – 300 on a handbag or dress (not brand names), even in this “developing” country where I am living now.  Why wouldn’t they spend US$30 – 60 (not counting postage) on a JHJ souvenir?  This is the most direct and practical way to support JHJ.

Anyway, we didn’t want to post these videos because we felt it’s not fair to those JHJ fans who shelled out a considerable amount of money.  But since every other website has already posted these, we also feel we shouldn’t be depriving our readers of the right to see these videos.  So here they are.  Let’s hope you’ll want to buy the JFM DVD after your appetite has been whetted.  (DVD available on http://amazon.co.jp.)  We decided against posting the 2011 calendar video because that “Making of 2011 calendar” video has already given you a comprehensive idea of the final product.  (You can buy the calendar from the KOW.)

This video shows everybody’s favourite segment – JHJ demonstrating the military way of folding clothes at Osaka fan meeting on August 21, 2010. 

This is JHJ singing “Close your eyes” at Tokyo fan meeting on August 22, 2010.

And this is JHJ singing “Tsunami”, also at Tokyo fan meeting.

(Credit: http://blog.naver.com; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

The following video contains clips from the JHJ 2010 Japan Fan Meeting DVD.  Since it is all over the place already, we see no reason to deprive our readers of the privilege of watching it.  What is shown is JHJ rehearsing in Seoul before embarking for Japan and again just before the Osaka fan meeting on Aug.21.

And the following photos show JHJ singing “Tsunami” at the Tokyo fan meeting on Aug. 22 (again from the DVD.)

(Credit: http://blog.naver.com; www.everjohyunjae.co.kr; http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

JHJ rehearsing in Seoul before embarking for Japan

JHJ rehearsing at the New Otani Hotel in Osaka on Aug.21 

That’s how JHJ looked at the Osaka rehearsal.  He was wearing the same shirt when he took the night flight to Tokyo on August 21 – we happened to be on the same flight!

We were told not to take photos, so that’s why. 

And here is a sneak peek at the Tokyo rehearsal – you can actually hear JHJ practising his singing amidst all the chatter.

FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT TRANSFER OR REPRODUCE FIRST 6 PHOTOS.

(Credit: Rehearsal photos from JFM DVD; MV from CarpeDiemJapan.  Thanks!)