Jo Hyun Jae

There is more to JHJ than just Han Kang.  We’re glad his Korean fans on DC are posting other things like this new video of “G.P.506″.  We really wish JHJ could be in another movie, but current Korean movies that are box office hits and also win accolades are very violent (Lee Byung-Hun’s “I saw the devil” is the perfect example.)  So we’re re-visiting JHJ’s 2007 movie which shows him in a very different light from Han Kang.

YOUTUBE

TODOU

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

Excerpts from “G.P.506″, skilfully edited by Nannaya of EVERKorea. Will there be another JHJ movie in the works soon?

Below is the real soldier Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae at his discharge on June 19:

(Credit: Video from Everjohyunjae.co.kr; photos from http://jo-hyunjae.com. Thanks!)

Here is the complete set of “G.P.506″ posters.  Don’t they make you want to watch the movie again, especially since Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae will be discharged in a little more than a month?

(Credit: Ahiru of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

“G.P.506″ premiered in Korea on April 3, 2008.  This video is set to the song “A real man” by the Hong Kong singer George Lam.

Lyrics translated from Chinese (quite appropriate for this movie and JHJ’s role):

Whether you succeed or fail you have to try hard
If you have the will, nothing is ever too late
Who’s been at it while I’m not aware?
Success depends on true ability
Be a real man — shoulder the pain and disappointment.

To take part I have to be willing 
Do what you have to do with all your heart
Who tries to confuse enmity with sincerity?
Let actions speak for themselves
This love is mesmerizing – who does not have a sorrowful past?

Be a real man, everyone has to die once
No need to reason, a hero may be a madman after all
Be a red-blooded man, venture forth into the world
Create moving stories with my own two hands
No hesitation in the face of failure or success.

With my whole heart and soul, plunge into the ring of competition
Life is special (life is special)
It can change my life (life can be so meaningful)
Enact a moving story (to remember all my life)
Dedicate my life to uphold justice.   

 

(Credit: KK of johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

The press conference to introduce “G.P.506″ took place on March 4, 2008.  These two videos are a feast for the eyes.  Don’t ask us what the Korean says.  Just look at Jo Hyun-Jae for 20 minutes.  (Or watch both videos at the same time, if you don’t understand Korean.)  It will make your day!

I just discovered a requirement for being a movie star (from watching these videos)  — you have to be able to NOT BLINK when flashlights go off before your eyes every other second!  Just the reflection of the flashes hurts my eyes.  I marvel how JHJ could sit there looking so cool.

The following article is from ELLE magazine (early 2008):

Jo-Hyun-Jae used to be a gentle man, but there is no doubt that audiences have adjusted to his new image.  Sporting a new crew cut and wearing a military uniform have brought him a lot of attention.  But there are still many new directions where he can turn, and that would require he draws on his considerable acting skills.

JHJ has changed.  His eyes which make women’s hearts pulsate violently now have a new firmness and steadiness.  When he speaks, he still retains the tone of 1st Lieutenant Yoo of “G.P.506″.  He returns to the screen to meet the keen expectations of the public, in a new image and with superb acting.

This movie has an all-male cast, and the story takes place in the military.  It is about the indomitable will to survive, regardless of anything, and it is this that attracts JHJ in the first place.

Because the expectations were so immense, JHJ experienced some pressure at the start of the shooting.  Work on the film was suspended for four months halfway through.  In the 1 1/2 years that he spent on this film, JHJ retained his short hairstyle with a heavy heart.

“Yes, that was a difficult period.  We were lucky to be able to finish the film at all.  The production team and I spent a lot of time waiting.  That we were able to finally complete the project made me very happy.”

He no longer looks like what he did in “G.P.506″.  Publicity for the movie and shooting of a new drama ["3Dads/1Mom"]  are occurring at the same time.  Exhaustion brought on by pressure of work is written all over JHJ’s handsome face.

Even then, his bright eyes are still sparkling.  ”How do you like the movie?” he asks several times of those reporters who have seen it.

When discussing his role in the movie, he instantly becomes the character of 1st Lieutenant Yoo.  “I don’t think I’ll try to escape or evade,” he said. “If it really comes to that, it is up to human beings to change the present situation.  I’m not a smart and intelligent person.  I don’t hold out much hope in this respect.”

His character in the movie constantly vacillates between his perception of the horror of the situation and his intense will to live.  “I tried my best to portray this character — in order to meet the demands of the character.”

In order to sustain his portrayal of the character, during the shooting JHJ tried to maintain a serious, even sombre, look.  He would sit quietly by himself.  The sets were dark and the lighting was dim, so he passed his time in this lonely manner.

As soon as shooting was over, he immediately started exercising.  He would ride his bicycle from his home to XXX (can’t translate name of place) and while away 3 or 4 hours like this.  With his perspiration exudes the tiredness of mind and body which leaves him refreshed.

This is a new beginning for JHJ.  With smiles and laughter he returns to the TV screen — to meet again the audience that he has left behind.

This will be a totally different JHJ.

(Credit: ELLE; Mandalaywith@CarpeDiem, http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove.  Translated from the Chinese by Bigcat of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

(This article is more than 2 years old, but it has something interesting about Jo Hyun-Jae which might be new to some readers.)

The jacket, which portrays the three main characters, is very different from the Korean version. In the Korean DVD the cover is just a dull grey (no images) which perhaps reflect the sombre nature of the contents.

Those Japanese fans who bought the DVD online would have received their copies already. Now practically all of JHJ’s works (dramas and movies) are available in Japan. His fans there can complete their collection.

(Credit: photos courtesy of Param of CarpediemJapan and story from johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

FOOTNOTE: “G.P.506″ will be shown on the Korean movie channel OCN on July 5 and July 9 at 10 p.m.

(Source: Mandalaywith of carpediemKorea. Thanks!)

“G.P.506″ premiered in March 2008 and was shown in Korean cinemas from April 3. It went straight to No.1, did reasonably well at the box office, and was attended by an audience of nearly a million. I bought the DVD when I went to the Korea Fan Meeting in July. The quality is excellent, needless to say, and the English subtitles are very professional. But…..