Jo Hyun Jae

2011.06.13      eune@tvsport.co.kr  (English translation by wulijohyunjae)

JHJ: “2011 – striving for both love and work”

Nobody has eyes like JHJ’s — like a young prince’s, their pupils pure and speak volumes.   In JHJ’s comeback work the SBS drama ”49 Days”, he displays the courageous manly side in saving SJH (NGR) and at the same time sounding somewhat childish in calling SYK (LYW) “Song”.

JHJ: “As soon as filming started, my workload was very heavy.  After my discharge I felt very much alive while working.  Actually I felt bad in the military because I could not act as I wanted.  Also for five months after my discharge I could not work so I was in anguish.”

After more than two years craving to act, JHJ in “49 Days” is like “a fish in water”, displaying not just his charisma but also his many sides.  Only now does JHJ feel the drama is over, and he shares with us his innermost thoughts and feelings.

** 49 Days   LYW-NGR?   Senior Son Byun-Ho is the funniest.

JHJ had a hard time during the filming of “49 Days”.  Every day was hectic because it was almost like live broadcast.  In the last month he could not even go home for the night or get any sleep at all.  It was so tough he lost his voice more than once.

JHJ: “Because I had no sleep, so even when the camera started rolling, I still felt like a zombie.  And I had indigestion and constipation*, so the skin on my face became coarse and bloodless.  My mouth was so dry I could not produce a sound; I could not open my eyes; I could not utter even a few simple lines.”

Looking at JHJ thinking back to the situation then, we unconsciously feel “Poor thing!”  Because of the other actors he was working with, a special kind of strength was produced in JHJ’s heart.  LYW was at ease in everything and NGR worked very hard at everything, and the greatest strength came from Son Byun-Ho.

JHJ:  “Senior Son Byun-Ho is the funniest.  When I could not open my eyes, he would pat my back.  During rehearsals he often cracked jokes.  I also have a lot to learn from him about acting.  Thanks to him, I could laugh as I worked.  I hope to work with him again on another interesting project.” (Smiling)

** From “idol group” to night theatre “pure male”

When he was watching dramas as a child, JHJ dreamed of becoming an actor.  From 1998 he spent a whole year as a member of the Idol Group “Guardian”, but it was disbanded after only one performance because of the company’s management problems, so it was like an empty dream.

JHJ: “We only performed once, so I can’t really say I was once a singer.  But we trained for a whole year and everything became useless, so I was very hurt since I was so young.  So I left the entertainment world for a year, after which I tried to return to the world of acting in a calm and orderly way.”

From 2000 on, starting with CF, JHJ spent about ten years on dramas like “Love Letter”, “Forbidden Love”, “3Dads/1Mom”, “So Dong Yo” etc., playing lead.  Sometimes he is like a pure young man from the comics, sometimes like a “pure male” with protective instincts, his scope expanding all the time.

JHJ:  “It’s been ten years already, but there are still many things I would like to do, so I must not be satisfied with the present.  I hope I can encounter a project that will make me feel satisfied.  But before that I hope our country’s drama production can operate in a stable environment, like Hollywood.  I hope to be able to act in a stable situation.”

** Real character?  Role-model, ideal type  – everything ‘open-mind’

Everybody is very curious to know the real character of JHJ who has always played pure, flawless roles.  JHJ: “Female viewers especially regard me as the image of the young prince.  Actually I’m not like that – I rather prefer to play a macho role.”

Not only this, JHJ is open-minded about role-model and ideal type.  JHJ: “An actor must play all kinds of roles, so anyone can be a role-model.  But to have only one role-model and follow him is something stupid for an actor.”

So what is JHJ’s target?  JHJ: “Rather than play a safe role, I’d prefer to play a human role in an empty place/empty corner**.  Most important thing is, as an actor, I’d like to hear praise like good acting.  As for my ideal type, I’m leaving the door open.  This year I want to strive for both work and love.”  (Smiling)

Exhaustion from filming seems not yet to have disappeared, JHJ’s face still looks tired.  But once acting and his next work are mentioned, suddenly his eyes are flashing.  JHJ who has woken up from a long blank period is ready to scale another high mountain.  He is all set to embark on another journey, starting now.

N.B.

* constipation – I should have known this would arouse a lot of concern.  Actually the Korean says: “I could not even go to toilet.”  You know Koreans never call a spade a spade; they would not use an indelicate word like “constipation”.   But I don’t want you to think JHJ has any prostate problems, so I decided to be direct.

** This sentence requires some explanation (our translator consulted with a Korean): Koreans call a perfect person “lacking human traits”, meaning “superhuman” or “above human.”  Empty place/empty corner = imperfect, occasionally makes mistakes.  The sentence “I’d prefer to play a human role in an empty place/empty corner” means JHJ wants to play an imperfect person who occasionally makes mistakes – a “human” person.

How can we ever understand the Koreans (with all these cultural differences)?  But I now feel I understand JHJ more, and respect him more.

2011.06.08    sports.hankooki.com

JHJ’s acting energy stored for 3 years all overflows in avalanche

After the SBS Wed./Thurs.mini series “49 Days” is finished, actor JHJ is full of emotions.  Even though he has this mixed feeling of “happy and nostalgic” at the same time, all the energy he has been accumulating for the last three years all pouring out is not something that he wishes had never happened.

JHJ entered the military in 2008, and after his completed his 2-year military service, he spent another year making his comeback as an actor.  JHJ said: “Every time I thought about it being my comeback work, I became very sensitive, which was why my management company had a hard time recommending anything.”

As time went by, he felt more and more the importance of a prudent choice, so the burden became greater.  At the same time, expectations from fans who had been waiting became greater.

JHJ said: “I didn’t use to understand why actors have so many empty periods.  Now after my discharge I was facing the same situation, so I finally understood.  Precisely because my comeback took 3 years, the burden has increased 2 – 3 times.  Because the pressure was so great, so as soon as the work was completed, I was very relieved.” – JHJ revealing his innermost feelings.

During the 4 months of filming “49 Days”, JHJ only had 2 – 3 hours of sleep a day.  In the last 3 weeks he could hardly lie down to sleep but only rest for about 20 – 30 minutes in the car.  “Well, I managed to survive,” JHJ seemd to be comforting himself.  “It was an extreme physical endurance test.  I slept for two days after the celebration party.  I slept and ate, and slept and ate, like a sick person.  I was full of confidence about the energy I’d stored up these 3 years, but it wasn’t like anything I imagined.” – JHJ chatted on.

Although he did his military service at an “advanced” age, it was an opportunity for an actor to become more mature.  JHJ completed his MS as an army dog soldier.  In spite of offers to be an entertainment soldier, JHJ wanted to serve as an ordinary soldier like everybody else.  He also contemplated being an entertainment soldier, but after he was appointed an army dog soldier, he felt the weight of the responsibility.  “I have always loved dogs, so I was very happy about this appointment.”

JHJ continued: “I was a lot older than some of my seniors, and those soldiers who were 10 years younger than me all expected a lot from me.  I thought then: if I take my military duties seriously, maybe it will be some consolation to them.  And I also wanted to keep my word to my fans – that I would complete my MS satisfactorily.”

“49 Days” is JHJ’s first work after he turned 30, and JHJ has changed.  When he was 20, he dreamed of becoming a “star”.  Now he wanted to be called an “actor” — not to be an entertainer because of earning a living, but to be an artist because of acting.

JHJ said: “At 20-something work seemed to be an obligation to me, but after 3 years I have realized the importance of acting.  Now I observe carefully my fellow actors; I learn from them as we work together.” – JHJ smiled when he said this.

In “49 Days” JHJ plays the role of Han Kang who displays the highest, purest kind of love for a woman.  After the drama ended, JHJ received universal praise for his portrayal.  Once again JHJ captured a lot of women’s hearts with the penetrating look in his eyes and his expression of delicate emotions.  JHJ said: “Many people asked me if I practised acting in the military because I have become more manly, more macho.  Aren’t they saying I’ve become old?” - JHJ consoling himself.

JHJ said: “I’ve received a lot of praise for my acting in ’49 Days’.  To an actor, what can be better than this?  I’m very happy to have made a successful comeback, and I will try harder to improve myself.  As I get older, I’d like to hear people say I’m a good actor – that’s how I’d like to continue.” – JHJ expressing his expectations.

(Credit: Photo and article from http://sports.hankooki.com.  Thanks!  English translation by wulijohyunjae)

2011.06.02         starin.edaily  (English translation by wulijohyunjae)

JHJ : Ending of “49 Days” gives empty feeling

A matured man has returned.  This is the story of Jo Hyun-Jae who recently returned to the TV screen with the hit SBS drama “49 Days”.

In “49 Days” JHJ gives a serious performance as Han Kang who demonstrates the highest and purest form of love.  This is JHJ’s first work since his discharge last year.  As before, he succeeds in capturing women’s hearts with his deep-set eyes.

After “49 Days” finished broadcasting late last month, we met with JHJ.  He expressed his feelings about the ending of “49 Days” in a gentle voice.

JHJ: “This is my first work after my discharge, so I still have very fresh feelings about it.  Also because I have so wanted to do this when I was in the army, so I was very pleased.  Because I was doing something that I like, I was very happy even though there were countless days when I had to go without sleep and I was dead tired.  That’s why it left a very deep impression.”

JHJ also got on very well with the other actors.  He played the character of Han Kang and worked with LYW, NGR, BSB, SJH, JIW, etc.  JHJ’s attitude to LYW and NGR who together play Shin Ji-Hyun was one of pure heart, and at the same time he engaged in an acting contest with BSB.

JHJ: “It is a joy to work with good actors.  LYW and I are the same age and we work very well together.  I have known SBS for a long time, and I have also cooperated with NGR when filming videos of See Ya’s songs.”

The ending of “49 Days” gives audience a big shock.  SJH dies again 6 days after being revived.  HK who has been hoping for SJH to live again cannot fulfil his love with her.

JHJ: “The ending is a little lonely and forlorn, isn’t it?  SJH dies twice in the drama, and there is no connection with LYW, so the relationship is not clear.  There is an empty feeling, but there are other messages that the drama wants to convey.  These messages seem to be the intention of the scriptwriter So Hyun-Kyung.”

JHJ is an actor for whom melo acting fits him like made-to-measure.  Viewers left messages on online bulletin boards requesting JHJ to act in a melodrama.  In his previous dramas “3 Dads/1 Mom” and “Sunshine” he has already demonstrated very substantial melo acting.

JHJ: “I’ve done pretty well in melo acting, right?  My every fibre is engaged every single moment, imagining it to be true love, acting with my heart. In this way, the audience can also feel the same emotions.”

JHJ also revealed his desire and enthusiasm for his next work: “Some projects are in discussion of casting stage.”

JHJ: “I see ’49 Days’ as the stepping stone to the continuation of my acting career.  After my discharge I must be psychologically prepared to make a new start.  I seemed to have successfully taken a first step with ’49 Days’.  Before this I have always played good characters; this time I wanted to try a role that does not have limits but which can satisfy me.”

What if JHJ were to face the fate of SJH?  SJH must receive 3 teardrops from people who are not her blood relatives.  We asked JHJ if he could think of 3 people without hesitation.

JHJ: “I don’t know.  But I wonder if there is any.  It would be wonderful if there were.  Seems like it is best to think there are 3 such people.”

(Credit: http://starin.edaily.co.kr.  Thanks!)

2011.05.30     hjcho@ssportsseoul.com (English translation by wulijohyunjae)

I want to try acting in an intense melodrama*

In his comeback drama after his discharge, handsome actor Jo Hyun-Jae (31) plays the role of Han Kang in the SBS drama “49 Days”, a character who is fastidious but at the same time has deep feelings which captured a lot of female hearts.  After successfully completing this project, JHJ was recently interviewed by Sports Seoul and revealed how he felt about acting in a melo*[drama].  He said:

“I meant to use a brand new work as my comeback project.  Because death, possession. etc. are very special subjects and I was attracted by such fantasy melo*, so I decided to act in the drama.”

“Viewers seem to expect a lot from melo*, but in ’49 Days’ there isn’t much, so I feel a little bad.  In my next project I must find something that allows for melo* acting.”

In the last episode, the lines that Han Kang says: “Everybody knows they will die sooner or later, but they still live like they won’t.  But because of your 49 days, I will live my life like these 49 days.” — these words resonate in JHJ’s heart.  He said calmly:

“I don’t want to just let the days go by; I want to live meaningfully.  I’m thinking I must live seriously and purposefully.”

“Since my discharge from the military, my attitude has changed.  I have changed to be very happy in acting; it’s like acting is my destiny.  I pour my heart and soul into acting.”

Acting in “49 Days” to JHJ is like a “war” with sleep.  He said:

“About a month before the ending, we were basically shooting day and night.  In the last three weeks especially, we practically had no sleep at all.  All we could do was catch a few winks (about 20 minutes) in the car, which was why in subsequent shooting we kept yawning and nodding.”

“In the military there were situations when we could not sleep at all.”  JHJ served as an army dog soldier and was responsible for training two army dogs.

JHJ smilingly said: “Although I trained the dogs together with other soldiers, there were no shifts.  Every morning at 2 or 3 a.m. I had to patrol with the dogs around the ammunition depot for several hours. That’s why I was always sleep-deprived, but at the same time my strength improved, and unconsciously my physique also improved.”

JHJ’s assistant who came with him to the interview said: “When a Private 2nd Class feeds the dogs, he must first salute, otherwise the army dogs will not eat.”

JHJ said jokingly: “I don’t know whether it was like this 6 – 7 years ago, but we’re not like that.  I have always liked dogs, which was why I chose to be an army dog soldier.  I hope that even dogs which do not behave well can turn over a new leaf after I have trained them for two weeks.”

During filming of “49 Days”, JHJ gained a lot of fans between the ages of 10–20.  How did he feel about that?

JHJ smilingly said: “I feel like a idol star late-starter.”  In his 2003 MBC drama “Love Letter”, his role as Andrea the young priest still remains in the heart of many viewers now.  How did he react to that?  JHJ said: ” ‘Love Letter’ seems to be my signature work.  I want to be in a drama like ‘Love Letter’ that will be remembered by everyone.”

In “49 Days” OST JHJ displayed his superior singing skills in his sweet and mellow voice, so what did he have to say about that?  JHJ’s eyes lit up and he said: “I’m only good in acting.  During this period after the end of the drama and before the start of any film, I’ll first take a break.  And then I want to take on the musical.  A musical seems very interesting and attractive.”

In the Baeksang Awards on May 26, how did it feel to present an award with Nam Gyu-Ri and to walk the red carpet?  JHJ: “As a young actor, I felt a little embarrassed to present a Lifetime Achievement Award.  The feeling is totally different from when I received an award [in 2006 for SDY.]“

JHJ wanted to communicate with his fans, but he did not want to be restricted to one particular site, so he did not have any mini homepage or accounts on twitter or facebook.  [There's me2day]

“’49 Days’ is now over.  I haven’t had the chance to travel abroad leisurely in the last few years.  I plan to take a solo trip soon.”

What about his thoughts on finding an ideal partner and marriage now that he is in his 30s? JHJ said: “I like girls who are open and bright and elegant; she has to be someone I can respect.  No two people are alike, but if someone suitable comes along, I will get married anytime.”

ED:  * We’re not really sure what the Koreans mean by “melo”.  This word keeps popping up in many news reports which use a lot of English words, or rather, phonetic translation of English words.  “Melo” is of course “melodrama”, but their concept of melodrama seems to be a little different from the established meaning in the English language.  Our understanding is that “melo” is something positive, something that requires good acting, something that challenges an actor’s abilities.  Again, if we got this wrong, please correct us.  We’re treading on thin ice today.  We’re always very careful where JHJ is concerned.  We want to make sure we don’t misinterpret him or convey the wrong ideas to his fans.

(Credit: http://blog.daum.net; http://news.nate.com; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

2011.05.31    sakang at mydaily.co.kr  (English translation by wulijohyunjae)

“49 Days” JHJ reversal – “life after death”?

With his exceptionally big eyes, Jo Hyun Jae (31) looks exactly like an innocent character from the comics.  He looks gentle, but after two years of mandatory military service, he has become tougher.  The just finished SBS drama “49 Days” marks his return to TV after a hiatus of three years.  He plays Han Kang, a refreshing role that combines both sensitivity and warm emotions which is well received by viewers.

“’49 Days’ is my first comeback work, and there were a lot of expectations, so I worked very hard.  The character that I play is fastidious but full of love.  ’49 Days’ is #1 in ratings and many viewers care about the character of Han Kang.  This is the first step of my comeback.”

“49 Days” is about Shin Ji-Hyun (NGR) who falls into a coma and her soul enters into the body of Song Yi-Kyung (LYW), to be revived only if three people who genuinely love her shed tears for her, just like a fairy tale.  The drama is a tear-jerker, and JHJ plays Han Kang who initially behaves like a jerk to JH to hide his love for her hidden in his heart for ten years but who later works quietly behind the scenes to save her.

“Han Kang is a pure and modest man who has nurtured his unrequited love for JH for ten years. He is fastidious and could be intense and angry; his love is sweet and something undefinable.  I play HK in the drama but that is not the real me.  I am full of compassion and passion.  I am generally almost never angry, but if I get mad, then I’m very mad.”

The biggest difference between Jo Hyun Jae and Han Kan is their concept of the ‘afterlife’ *.  In “49 Days” HK is the first to discover that the soul of JH is wandering the earth and wants to help her.  It’s like in the movie “Love and Spirit’ [ED: 'Ghost'?], the soul and the human cannot love which viewers find very sad and moving.  Jo Hyun Jae does not believe that the afterlife* exists.

“Christians believe in the afterlife.  I just concentrate on acting my role and that’s it.  The drama is not realistic – it is novel and imaginative which is why it is interesting.”

This drama is Jo Hyun Jae’s comeback project after an absence of three years, so he was feeling the burden, but fans gave him a lot of support.  They sent food and supplies to the “49 Days” staff on set several times, and this gave JHJ a lot of strength.

“Fans brought us plenty to eat and drink more than ten times.  So the staff all said they wanted to work with me next time, and also they should really buy me a meal.  Fans’ support is so strong, and I am proud of them.  I do not know much about computers, so I’ll just show my face on me2day.”

“Shooting in the final three weeks was so hectic that I could not get any sleep at all.  I was so tired I could die. After the drama ended, I just wanted to be like a cow – ‘eating and sleeping only’ repeatedly.  I’d like to travel and then settle back into my regular life (workout, etc.) so I can move on to my next work in good condition.”

’49 Days’ is JHJ’s first step to future success.  He has not decided whether to do a drama or movie next.  ”If the feeling comes, I’ll start work at once.  Whether I appear attractive or not is not important, as long as it is a good work.”   You could feel JHJ’s “true heart” from the way his eyes shone when he said this.

“I wish to thank everyone for giving ’49 Days’ so much love. I will work harder to repay my fans with a better work. I enjoyed working on ’49 Days’ with all the good actors and good director. I think I have ”inbok” (Korean word meaning “a way with people”, get on well with people.)  I just want to act well so I can give back to my fans and not just receive their love and support.”

ED: * Afterlife – We’re not exactly sure what it means here — eternal life after death (as in Catholic concept of Heaven)? reincarnation into another life, another form (as in Buddhist beliefs)? or ….. We did the best we could to translate this.  If we’ve somehow got it wrong, please forgive us.  Will amend if necessary.

(Credit: Article and photos from http://mydailu.co.kr; http://news.nate.com; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

JHJ was interviewed on the LATE NIGHT show on SBS, right after Episode 18 of “49 Days”:

Short version:

YOUTUBE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5r2-zzbIzY

Full version: 

YOUTUBE:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh2ph1UFy14

JHJ says:

- If Ji-Hyun could live, that’s best, otherwise…..maybe it could be a complete tragedy.

- I often thought: “Are there really such people (49 Days Travellers)?”

- If Ji-Hyun wakes up, of course Han Kang will be with her, but what about Yi-Kyung?

(Credit: http://gall.dcinside.com; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

Sorry translation took so long, but it was worth it!  And we’re sure you’ll agree it’s worth waiting for.  Just read the key sentence in bold!

2011.05.05               newsen.com  (English translation by wulijohyunjae)

“What is the one thing that I would like to do most after drama ends?  Fall in love!” (Ha!Ha!)

I originally thought that like in his image in his dramas “Love Letter”, “Forbidden Love” (Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox/Gumiho), or ”3 Dads/1 Mom”, Jo Hyun-Jae is pretty naive/immature and only wants to act well in his roles.  But the JHJ I see in front of me is forthright while being laconic, and during the interview he reveals his brilliance and wit.  We met in a coffee shop in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong, where we chatted about everything from his one year ten months in the military (hiatus) to his comeback project the SBS drama “49 Days”.

- “Originally thought Han Kang is someone who doesn’t speak much and just needs to look handsome, but realize after understanding character that this is not so.”  

In the first half of the drama, Han Kang tries to hide his true feelings for Shin Ji-Hyun and acts over-fastidiously which arouses viewers’ complaints.  But he changes later and goes out of his way to help SJH (NGR) whose soul is occupying Song Yi-Kyung’s (LYW) body.  He also unburdens himself and says a lot to her. 

JHJ: “At first I thought Han Kang is a very fastidious man who speaks very little, but during filming I discover he’s not like this at all; in fact, he starts to speak more and more.  Every time he sees SYK, he talks most of the time.  I thought the role only needs to look handsome, but then even if he is not doing anything in particular, he is sort of half-joking and even becomes wordy.”  

JHJ: “Analysing the roles I’ve played before, I haven’t tried a role that is manly, cool, taciturn…..  In ‘Forbidden Love’ (Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox/Gumiho), I am a cop in Special Ops, so I thought I would be very tough.  But every time I get beat up or am near tears, Kim Tae-Hee comes to my rescue.” –  JHJ displaying his witty side.  

Most of JHJ’s roles are those that arouse maternal instincts, so he yearns to play a tough guy.  

It is also because of this reason that the name of Andrea is engraved in our hearts in “Love Letter”. 

JHJ: “I don’t necessarily want to try to play a taciturn character.  I’d like to try unique and refreshing roles in new genres.  I like the challenge; I want to experiment.  I’d also like to play a charismatic villain in a movie.  A macho guy in a large-scale production also looks good.”  — JHJ revealing his passion for acting.  

JHJ: “If it is a good project, I wouldn’t mind even if I am not playing lead.” — JHJ expressing his passionate self-challenge.  

- “I hit Bae Soo-Bin with my fist; guess I have to treat him to a drink……”  

Why chose “49 Days?  “I like it very much because of its unusual subject.   It’s not a traditional drama, and it’s not a superficial subject, so I am attracted by this innovative and interesting fantasy melodrama.  Also because it is written by So Hyun-Kyung, in whom I have faith.” — JHJ’s reasons for choosing “49 Days”.  

The one problem that JHJ encounters in a project that he so carefully chooses is wearing a school uniform.  In the drama JHJ and NGR are classmates, so there are several scenes where they have to wear school uniforms.  Regarding this, JHJ reveals his innermost feelings: “At first I thought isn’t it nice to be all dolled up looking young.  But after two or three scenes I started feeling the burden.  30-year-old me and 27-year-old NGR must look like high school students — so embarrassing!”  

Then JHJ started talking about anecdotes during filming with BSB.  “That scene when I hit BSB with my fist, because we didn’t prep well, I actually hit him.  Good thing the blow wasn’t too heavy, but BSB’s face became all red.  I felt so bad; I should treat him to drinks, but the filming schedule does not allow any breaks so I still haven’t taken him out but will certainly do so after the drama ends.“ — describing what happened on set.  

In JHJ’s comeback drama “49 Days” in which he’s the one who contributes the first drop of tear, there are still three more weeks of broadcast, and they are now shooting almost live.  We ask JHJ who is exhausted physically and mentally what his future plans are.  

“We’re now shooting Episode 15.  Up to the very end, I’d like to use all my energy.  Also, in the hiatus before the start of this drama I felt sort of burdened, but now I’m facing my work cheerfully and having fun.  I will work very hard and seriously until the very end.”

“After the drama ends the one thing that I want to do most is fall in love.  When I was in the military I felt very lonely because I didn’t have a girlfriend.  I hope to go on an ordinary date with a suitable girlfriend.” (Ha! Ha!)

(Credit: 박영주 gogogirl@newsen.com / 이재하 rush@newsen.com; Special thanks to our translator!)

INSPIRE

Slowly, quietly answers, accompanied by strong, measured steps

QUIET BUT STRONG

JHJ answers all questions slowly and quietly, just like driving very carefully within a lane.

A – Audi                            J – JHJ

A: You like photo shoots?

J: Not really.  Not very good at it.  Don’t know whether it’s because I’m not a professional model, so always feel awkward.  But today is very interesting, and I’m very pleased with the photos.

A: So what about interviews?  You haven’t done an interview for a long time.

J: Same with interviews – I’m not very good at them either.  Seems like rumours have spread that I’m not good at interviews.  (Laugh)

A: Sounds awkward coming from yourself.  So how come you went on “Strong Heart”?

J: I hardly ever go on that kind of entertainment shows, not even when I was making dramas before.  I’m not too at ease in that kind of atmosphere.  This time I went on “Strong Heart” to promote “49 Days”.  Seemed many people wanted me to participate, so I gave it a try.  (A: So how was it?)  Very awkward, as expected.  (Laugh)

A: “49 Days” is your comeback drama after a long absence, your first after discharge.  What is it like on set?  Feeling good?

J: After reading the synopsis of the script, I understood the “flow” of the actors.  There’s a reason for everything and for every role, so that gives a solid feeling.  It’s a fantasy melodrama with a unique subject matter, and it draws strength from everyone from 10 to over 50 years of age [ED: this means different actors in different age groups in 49D?]  Even though it’s not too light-hearted, it’s not too heavy either.  The subject matter is fresh and charming.

A: Since this is your comeback drama, have you entertained thoughts like “How should I appear before the audience?”  What are you concerend about lately?

J: Of course I have to do my best, to put my heart and soul into my acting.  I used to have this simple thought that some scenes can be glossed over, but now I read the script over and over again and think long and hard about what to do and how to act. 

A: Do you feel any change in yourself after your military service?

J: Military service to me is the time to review and examine every aspect of myself.  So it gives me this resolution — changes my attitude to filming, also makes it more interesting and refreshing.

A: What did you want to do most in the army?  Want to come out as soon as possible?  Want to make new dramas?

J: Self-examination and introspection.  (A: What about?)  Every aspect of myself — character, work-related issues, acting ….. thought about many, many things.

A: What are you dissatisfied with about your own character? 

J: Not positive enough.  Aren’t there times when you feel fed up with work?  Before after 2 days of continuous filming of 30 hours, I would become physically sapped.  Then I would feel fed up, also very tired, just wanted to sleep.  But now I enjoy this kind of timing very much.

A: You enjoy it even when you’ve very tired? 

J: Yes.  Even after working for 30 hours, I still think: “This is fine.”  Even if I’m in a daze and not reacting well, I still feel good.  I like even situations like this.

A: Your movie on a mysterious military incident “G.P.506″ took more than a year to make.  Which is harder — filming this movie or military life?

A: Of course filming this movie cannot be compared with military life.  Film is my work, so I was very happy and felt very blessed.  In the military I had to give up everything — couldn’t do what I wanted to do, no privacy at all. 

A: Why did you choose to be an actor?

J: I think it’s a kind of destiny for me to be an actor.  Seems like it’s a given to do this kind of work; no other kind of work will do.  Since I’m not that good in studies and I’m inadequte in many things, being an actor is something I like and can do.

A: You started out acting as pure young men, followed by “Only You” and “Seo Dong Yo” in which your roles gradually changed.  Which is the role that you occasionally think about before you go to sleep and is still fresh in your mind? 

J: My role as the Crown Prince in “Great Ambition” (Daemang).  Director Kim Jong Hag gave me a lot of help, so I could completely immerse myself in the role.  As a newbie whose acting skills were obviously inadequate, I could actually feel the loneliness of the Crown Prince; I threw myself heart and soul into my role.  I still think often about this role and the role of Andrea in “Love Letter” — actually feel like acting, really being an actor.

A: “I’ve become an actor” — is this how you felt?

J: It’s rather “I worked so hard and so seriously.”

A: If you can only leave one work, which drama out of the two would you choose? 

J: I hope the present one is the best – I’d choose “49 Days”.

A: Most viewers’ memory of JHJ is so tender and gentle.  Is this a misconception?

J: Andrea in “Love Letter” is so soft and gentle and simple and benign.  There’s no such person in real life.  That image is too strong which is why people think of me like that.  But I’m not really like that.  (Laugh)

A: What do your friends say about JHJ’s personaility?

J: Some say I’m very manly, some say I’m very taciturn, and some say I’m very introverted.  Looks like a combination of all of the above.

A: When you drive, do you turn the music on real loud and drive very fast?

J: Sure, I’ll turn the music on loud but generally I’m not like that.  Once in a while, there will be a day when I step on the accelerator.  Normally of course I obey traffic rules.  When the red light is on, I’ll stop even if no one is around.  And I drive within my lane.

A: Have you ever received any traffic tickets or traffic fines?

J: Almost none, never received any traffic tickets.  When I drive, I like to roll the windows down to breathe in the fresh air, cruising along very freely.

A: Looks like you’ll like a convertible.  If you were to choose any one Audi model, which one would you like to own? 

J: R8.  Isn’t the design very attractive?  Don’t know whether it’s practical, but it’s a good convertible.  This kind of car is not for driving fast; it’s for cruising along on a sunny hillside.

A: Aren’t women all attracted to men who can drive?  What do men think?  Do they prefer women they can talk cars with or those who don’t know cars at all?

J: I don’t think there’s any need to know too much, but a certain understanding of cars seems pretty good. 

A: Sometimes when you are tired, she can help to drive? 

J: It’s not a big deal, but it’s better to be able to drive. 

 Audi R8

A: When do you feel you’re most handsome and manly?

J: When I’m doing sports.  I like sports and I also like hiking.

A: So your leisurely activites are sports and hiking?

J: Yes.  I also like golf; I play a lot.

A: Do you like male genre films?  If you can go back in time to act with a certain actor, what film would you choose?

J: Like “Noir”?  “The Godfather” is pretty good, or maybe 007 series or big budget films like “Mission Impossible” – I also want to try these.

A: If you were to take part in ”The Godfather”, which role would you choose?

J: I like Al Pacino’s role best.

A: In that case you won’t be able to act alongside Al Pacino.

J: Is that so?  Well, then the role under him.

A: Do you monitor your contemporary actors’ works?

J: I used to, but not anymore.  Rather than being influenced by them, I’d rather act in my own style.

A: Do you feel men should pay attention to clothes and grooming?

J: To a certain extent it is better to pay attention to these.  Before I never used to care about my own style.  I’d wear anything that I was given.  Up to my mid-20s I didn’t buy anything special for myself.

A: Mid-20s?  Weren’t you already an actor then?

J: Yes.  That’s why people around me all said I paid too little attention to my appearance.  But now I think differently about this.  I’m a professional actor, so I feel to a certain extent I should dress properly.

A: What would you wear driving an Audi R8?

J: My favourite jeans with a cardigan will feel very comfortable.

A: What kind of results do you hope for “49 Days”?

J: I think it’s not what I want or desire or even good ratings that are paramount.  First, the most important thing is to do my best.  Have I killed the topic?

A: No.  Interviews are not easy.  (Laugh)

J: Really?  Even then, to tell the truth, I’ve said a lot today.  I didn’t use to be able to speak so much before.  But I don’t think I must do well in an interview.

A: Matt Damon lesson!  Matt Damon says actors don’t understand why they have to do interviews.

J: I think so too.  Acting well is enough.  Because acting is more representative than reporting information. I have this thinking I must do it this way.

A: We are curious to know how actors live.  An interview is the best opportunity to understand them.

J: But isn’t this my private life?  Don’t think there’s any need to disclose that.  I’m an actor – how I appear at work is the most important.  I want to be remembered as a good actor.  I’m not required to be a good speaker, but I suppose it’s OK to say things like this in an interview.

A: But haven’t you heard comments like “Great acting!” ?

J: I’d like to hear a lot of such praise.  (Laugh)  Choi Min Sik is the first image that comes to mind.

(ED: Choi Min Sik is one of the few Korean actors who has won fame both as an actor and done well at the box office.)

(Credit: Photos from www.everjohyunjae.co.kr - thanks!  English translation by wulijohyunjae – Many thanks to our translator for doing a superb job and making our job so much easier!) 

The following is an interview of Jo Hyun-Jae in MASK magazine on 2006-10-24.

As Jo Hyun-jae was saying that this interview was after a long interval, he didn’t try to hide his flushed face. But, he turned into a different person from the moment the PLAY button on the recorder was pressed. Low key but serious…..this man’s art of straight talking:

He almost didn’t touch anything of the prepared snack of yellow lemonade and handmade chocolate. However, there was this inevitable sweetness permeating from him. As he broke into laughter at finding out that he became #1 in online surveys as “the man I want to make mine the most despite being unemployed” and “the man I want to marry the most,” the before-mentioned sweet particles seemed to float around.

He has a pure heart, betting all on love by believing that a break-up takes a long time and there is always hope to go back and make it right. Even upon being asked of his ideal type, he didn’t give a typical answer such as “not neccesarily a pretty one, as long as a good person.” 

“I hope that she is a thoughtful and wise person. If I do get a special someone, I want to be a man whom she can depend on as her man.”

He is the type to fall in love wholehearedtly, instead of slowly being filled by love just like his starring role in “Untold Scandal.’” “The first impression is important. It seems that I have a pattern of falling in love quickly, when I can connect with someone while conversing.”  Presently, he is single, having ended the last relationship two years ago.

Here is Jo Hyun-jae who lived as the Baek-jae king, Seo-dong, for 9 months. By talking about his current condition, he anwered the question of whether he was happy living a year as the protagonist of the #1 rated drama.
“For a while I didn’t watch TV, movies or read books. Concentrating on anything itself turned me off.  I couldn’t do anything for two months.”
“The shooting schedule was difficult enough to circulate a joke like ‘Seo-dong-yo’ is actually ‘labor-intensive-yo.’”
He had to perform on animalistic instinct, not having time even to worry about receiving partial scripts right before a shoot or how to play the role.
He gets reinvented as “Actor, Jo Hyun-jae,” spending time in which one was incapable to think of anything but acting.
“Seo-dong-yo” can be a subject of love and hatred.  Director Lee Byung-hoon, who considers basics very important, taught him thoroughly from acting to pronunciation. In return, he trusted the director by giving his everything while performing.  No one doubts that the Seo-dong-yo sensation is the combination of Lee Byung-hoon’s skillful training and his endeavors.

Unlike his appearance of someone who grew up taking piano lessons, his hands covered with calluses spoke of another story.
“When I had to withdraw from high school due to a family matter, I started working part-time jobs.
There wasn’t much I hadn’t done such as physical labor, warehouse organizing, and liquor delivery.”
His nickname was ‘elder’ during his school days. For the man who matured too quickly, would his dating be like a child playing an adult?
“When I meet someone appealing to me, I tend to express myself actively by saying often that I like her. She gets rather tired of hearing it.”

Unlike how other handsome actors usually are, his appearance doesn’t obstruct his talent nor does he live his life in moderation as others might expect. The rascal face seen while playing Seo-dong, popping once in a while behind the symmetrically well-cut face, proves it.  Imagine the righteous and comely face reading lines from a historical play in a comical version. He is like that of an unexpected Christmas present.

“I decided to become a performer in high school, after watching an upperclassman in college on stage during a play.”  The 20-year-old Jo Hyun-jae, vaguely dreaming of becoming a model, began performing relatively smoothly. On one hand, he was cast when discovered by an agent accidently at a health club; on the other hand, he won the role of the protagonist of “Love Letter” a little after his debut in a commercial. There are voices that can be heard, whispering that he might have landed just too smoothly. However, at the time this interview was reaching over 80%, he carefully but firmly spoke about his philosophy of acting.

“I don’t want to follow other people’s styles, as when it comes down to acting there is no objective standards or regulations. It is true that I am lacking in many ways, but I will be satisfied 10 years from now more than today. I will try to acheive 3 or 4, while others might anticipate 1 or 2.”  He doesn’t act according to how others might see him. His path, stepping forward one step at a time in silence, is believable because of it.

His voice spoken in a low key tone lowers calmly the turbulent intensity of illumination in the perimeter. The current digital culture still feels strange to him, who feels closer to a fan letter written on paper than a message posted on the web. Isn’t 27 too young to yearn for the comfort of the old and worn?

He enjoys jogging at a park around his home more than at a health club equipped with the latest technology.
“The scene I miss the most? I miss most the time when I was in elementary school, chasing after frogs.”
His favorite actor is Al Pacino, having both the explosive power and charisma. Domestically, he respects Lee Young-ae and Lee Byung-hun, who have their own vivid colors. He knows that it is more difficult not to lose his purpose, living calmly as an actor, than conquering the Himalayan Mountains.

(Credit: From everjohyunjae.co.kr.- English translation by ashley; photos from Param of CarpeDiemJAPAN; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)