Jo Hyun Jae

This is the August 2010 issue of the Japanese magazine “eul” which has a report on Jo Hyun-Jae’s discharge.

(Credit: http://club.brokore.com/sodongyo; www,eul.jp.; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

The following is from Star News 2010.07.22:

Activities beginning for the discharged Jo Hyun-Jae — Japan Fan Meetings in August and new work in latter half of this year. 

Farewell is the beginning of meeting again

After a two-year break, Jo Hyun-Jae, who was recently discharged from the military, will soon begin full-fledged entertainment activities.

JHJ will launch overseas promotion with the Japan fan meetings in Osaka and Tokyo in August.  These are large-scale events expected to be attended by over 3,000 fans.

JHJ’s management office Star N Hit’s Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon said to Star News’ Money Today on July 22 : “During his two-year military service, JHJ was unable to see his fans, so he is now ready to take part in entertainment activities.”

In order to reward his loyal fans in this country who have waited for a long time, prior to that he will embark on a surprise move. 

A reliable source reveals he will first meet his fans in a men’s magazine dedicated to male health and beauty.

JHJ plans to expose a muscular upper torso in these photos, and he is training to perfect his physique.

Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon said: “Ever since his discharge from the military, JHJ has concentrated on building a more mature image.” and “In the photo album to be released in August, JHJ will display his charisma and self-confidence.” 

In the second half of this year JHJ will resume his entertainment activities.

Mr. Lee also revealed: “Many ‘love calls’ are still coming in for his comeback work in the latter half of this year.  Because it will be his comeback drama after discharge and because it will be closely related to his future development, careful consideration has gone into the selection.”

Photos show JHJ returning to civilian life after completing his military service on June19 amidst cheers from his fans.

(Editor’s Note: Strangely enough, Star News used two old photos, one of JHJ’s enlistment on August 5, 2008, so we have substituted two June 19 photos of his discharge here.)

‘이별이 있으면 만남도 있는 법!’

최근 전역한 배우 조현재가 2년간의 공백을 깨고 본격적인 연예활동에 시동을 건다.

조현재는 오는 8월 일본 도쿄와 오사카에서 각각 진행되는 팬미팅을 통해 해외프로모션에 나선다. 3000명 규모의 대형 행사다.

조현재 소속사 스타엔히트 엔터테인먼트 이상훈 대표는 22일 머니투데이 스타뉴스에 “조현재가 군복무기간 동안 만나지 못한 팬들을 만나는 공식 행사로 본격적인 연예계 활동에 임한다”고 밝혔다.

물론 이에 앞서 조현재는 오랜 기간 기다린 국내 팬들을 위한 깜짝 이벤트도 진행한다. 남성미가 돋보이는 남성 잡지 화보 촬영을 통해 팬들을 만날 예정이라고 관계자는 설명했다.

조현재는 이 화보 촬영을 통해 탄탄한 근육질의 상반신을 공개할 계획으로, 현재 몸만들기에 돌입했다.

이상훈 대표는 “군제대후 더욱 성숙한 모습을 보여드리기 위해 조현재가 몸만들기에 심혈을 기울이고 있다”면서 “8월 공개될 잡지 화보를 통해 카리스마 넘치는 조현재를 만날 수 있을 것이다”고 자신감을 보였다.

더불어 조현재는 올 하반기 연기활동도 재개할 예정이다.

이 대표는 “하반기 제작될 작품에서 러브콜을 받고 있다. 제대 후 첫 작품인만큼 발전된 모습을 보여드리기 위해 신중히 검토 중이다”고 밝혔다.

한편 조현재는 6월 19일 2년간의 군복무를 마치고 팬들의 환영을 받으며 제대했다.

우 조현재 ⓒ홍봉진 기자 honggga@

(Credit: http://star.mt.co.kr; photos from Osen and Korean name on first.  Thanks!)

Let’s start with the JHJ photos in the September 2010 issue of KBOOM (interview to follow):

(Credit: Cover photo from CarpeDiemJAPA’N; all others from http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; www.johyunjae.hk. Many thanks!)

News of Jo Hyun-Jae’s discharge on June 19 as published in Thailand’s SINCERE Magazine, Vol.7 (provided by SKY – Many thanks!)

Looks like JHJ is sharing the news with Jae Hee (who was discharged a day earlier on June 18) and Lee Dong-Gun (who enlisted on June 15.)

(Credit: First photo from http://jo-hyunjae.com; http://www.thaitv3.com; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!) 

The fact that there is still scant news of Jo Hyun-Jae even after his discharge forces us all to become investigative reporters.  We are delighted to discover that our Contributing Editor and Designer prissymom is also an “archaeologist”!  She has somehow dug up the following ”old” news of JHJ which we are publishing here since it has never been posted before on this blog (for the simple reason that we’re not yet in existence then.)  prissymom’s archaeological prowess has challenged us to do some digging of our own, which resulted in the original news item (in Korean) following the English. 

Do you know that in January 2008, after he finished filming “G.P. 506″ (in the early part of December 2007) and before starting work on “Three Dads One Mom” (March 2008), our dear JHJ attended a book launching?

The book launching was held at the Conference Room of the Congress Hall.  The literal translation of the book’s title in English is “Light the fire with a true heart”, and the author is Jo Bae-Suk, South Korea’s first female prosecutor and a member of Congress.  The book covers her life story, and her parliamentary and political career.

More than 700 people from different sectors of society attended the event, so it can be assumed that our JHJ was invited to represent the entertainment industry.   But according to a source (a JHJ fan, of course!), the lady author/prosecutor/ congresswoman has a fondness for JHJ as an actor (as wuliJHJ is fond of saying: “Great minds think alike”!!!).

The author says in her book’s Introduction that her intention in writing the book stems from “the desire for a warm fire in an ideal society”.  She hopes to have the opportunity to help poor people build a new future or a better tomorrow based on social justice, together with her political colleagues.

작성시간 : 2008-01-09 소문관 기자

국회 조배숙 의원은 지난 8일 국회의원회관 대회의실에서 자신의 저서 ‘진심에 불을 지펴라’ 출판기념회를 가졌다.

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대한민국 최초의 여성검사에서 국회의원에 이르기까지의 진솔한 인생 이야기와 정치역정을 담은 ‘진심에 불을 지펴라’ 출판기념회에는 700여명의 인사들이 참석해 성황을 이뤘다.

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대통합민주신당 김한길 의원을 비롯해 신국환 염동연 윤원호 이미경 정청래 의원, 김종민 문화관광부 장관, 이갈 카스피 이스라엘 대사, 압둘라 알 알타니 사우디아라비아 대사, 탤런트 조현재씨 등이 참석했다.

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이 자리에서 조 의원은 “우리 주위의 어려운 이웃을 돕고 사회정의를 바로세우는 정치를 하겠다는 초심을 되돌아보고 새로운 미래를 준비하기 위해 책을 쓰게 되었다”며 “따뜻하고 이상적인 사회에 대한 열망에 불을 지필 수 있는 계기가 되길 바란다”고 소감을 밝혔다.

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/익산=전라일보 소문관기자?mk7962@</SCRIPT></IFRAME>

Based on the original Korean news report , we would like to supplement the English version above:

Guests at the book launch ceremony include many congressmen (Please forgive us for not translating their names and titles), the Director of Culture and Tourism, the Israeli Ambassador, the Saudi Arabian Ambassador, and actor Jo Hyun-Jae.

Our JHJ seems a little out of place among all these politicians, but please note that he is seated next-but-one to the star, the Congresswoman, whether it is true that she likes him or not.  (We have not been able to verify this.)

(Credits: Information from http://hjtalk.multiply.com; original Korean news report and photos from: 소문관기자?mk7962@</SCRIPT></IFRAME>; www. johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!

The following chart shows a recent survey on CINE21 (a reputable Korean website).  Online voting results for “Finally discharged!  Which actor’s comeback work are you most looking forward to?” have Jo Hyun-Jae coming third with 8.3% of the votes. 

We’ve been mulling over this survey, undecided whether to post this because we feel the results are not accurate or representative.  First of all, the voting took place between June 21-30, 2010.  JHJ was only discharged on June 19, but at least he made the ranks. 

The #1 guy Yang Dong-Kun with 55.2% of the votes and the #2 guy Gong Yoo with 30.2% of the votes already have films in the works, so fans know exactly what to look forward to.  YDK is partnering Kim Tae in the high-profile film “Grand Prix” (replacing Lee Jun-Ki who enlisted in early May), scheduled for release in the summer.  GY has teamed up with Im Soo-Jung in the film “Finding Kim Jong Wook”, based on the 2006 hit musical.  They were discharged in March and January 2010 respectively.

At his discharge JHJ says he is still weighing his options, so it seems his comeback drama has not been decided on.  It is interesting to note that YDK and GY both chose to start work on a film first.  Will JHJ follow suit?

(Credit: cine21.com; ahiru of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

This is a HD video of Jo Hyun-Jae’s discharge (certainly of better quality than any of the others.)  We’re sure you don’t mind watching highlights of the day again.

And these are the infamous photos of the female reporter getting fresh with JHJ.  She caressed his face on the pretext of wiping off the sweat, and JHJ responded by rubbing his face after she touched him.  Oh, JHJ!  Don’t you know she’s just having a little fun at your expense?   

This is Arirang’s report on JHJ and Jae Hee’s discharge (one day apart.)  We’ve included Arirang here because it is the only English-language TV station in Korea, but what you see on the screen – “dismissed from the military duties” – what kind of English is this?

(Credit: Video and photos from http://cafe.daum.net/nowguswo; last video from Arirang.  Thanks!)

As reported in SPN edaily today:

Jo Hyun-Jae’s first official activity after his discharge will be his fan meetings in Japan in August.

JHJ plans to hold two fan meetings in Japan — August 21 in Osaka and August 22 in Tokyo — as his discharge “report” to his overseas fans.

While his entertainment career was interrupted by his military service for a rather long time, JHJ saw that his Japanese fans were all eagerly waiting for him.  At their invitation he decided to first hold these fan meetings.

JHJ plans to reveal his recent activities in the Q and A session.  He will also display his singing ability which has been put on hold.  And he will use the handshaking part to thank his fans who have remained supportive when he was in the military.

JHJ completed his 22 1/2 months military service at the 56th Ammunition Depot of the Second Battalion in Pocheon on June 19.

Before his enlistment, JHJ’s TV dramas like “Love Letter”, “Seo Dong Yo”, “Only You”, “3 Dads/1 Mom”, etc. were very popular with overseas fans.  He is now trying to decide on his comeback drama.  He plans to start work on that in the second half of this year at the latest. 

(Credit: http://SPN.edaily.co.kr; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMoB5kfsiBM

Above video is by Hart and documents Jo Hyun-Jae’s discharge on June 19, 2010, set to the song “The dream continues” by the Japanese singer-songwriter (and actor) Koji Tamaki, who used to be the frontman of the very famous and successful band Anzen Chitai.

Here are some previously unreleasd photos of the handshaking event:

See the presents for JHJ piling up in the photo above?  Here are some of the big ones we mentioned in our June 23 post  “Discharge Diary (3)” – from JHJ’s Japanese fans.

Thousand Origami Cranes is a group of 1000 origami paper cranes held together by strings.  It is believed 1000 origami cranes make a person’s wish come true.  There are 10,000 here for JHJ – from the Japanese Official Fan Club (JOFC) .

Paper cranes painstakingly folded by JHJ’s Japanese fans – to wish him good luck and good health.  Fly!  Spread your dream in the sky!

 Another discharge present from JOFC – a cake – boots (OFF!) on top mean military service is over!

(Credit: Video by Hart of http://cafe.daum.net; handshake photos by Purely of EVERjohyunjaeJAPAN; Net to News; last photo from http://jo-hyunjae.com; www.johyunjae.hk.  Many thanks!)

From CAFEKorea’s Master  

(Original in Korean by 방실이, English translation by ashley127)

The reinterpretation of dear Hyunjae’s interview on 06/19/10 by Bang-shil (방실이). “현재님 전역 인터뷰 재해석”

***FYI: R is for the reporter; HJ is for Hyunjae; ( ) is Bang-shil’s interpretation of the interview.

R: What do you think about all these fans coming here today?

HJ: I’m very grateful that there are more fans here today than the day when I joined the military….

(What~~you were counting all those fans, when you joined the military?? haha What would have happened, if less fans went that day~ haha)

R: What was the most helpful thing during the service?

HJ: The fellow soldiers inside and the military dog, Boo-rhee-ro.

(It’s Boo-rhee-ro’s lucky day~~ haha)

R: What actress would you like to be partnered with?

HJ: I would be grateful for anyone for just working with me. I don’t think it’s time to be choosy.

(Wow~Are they teaching how to make a joke in the military nowadays~~ Dear Hyunjae, who is much more relaxed~~)

R: Who do you want to score a goal in Korea vs Nigeria?

HJ: It would be nice if everyone could score, but personally it would be Park, Joo-young.

(Ah~how warm dear Hyunjae’s heart is…Although dear Hyunjae likes Park, Ji-sung the most and mentioned how splendid his scoring was, he wishes for Park, Joo-young to score a goal in Korea vs Nigeria because dear Hyunjae is really considerate…His heart went out to Park, Joo-young, who previously scored an own goal in Korea vs. Argentina…ah~~this is the reason why I can’t possibly not be his fan~~)

R: What is your prediction regarding the score in Korea vs Nigeria?

HJ: 3:0

(Ah~~During this question Bang-shil (방실이), who was recording, cried out “2:1″ using her inside voice. Found out that dear Hyunjae was rooting for a 3:0 victory..Surprisingly, he is a generous man, who knows how to bet big~~how startled and proud I was underneath after hearing “3:0″~~)

R: As you are the youngest son, have you cried a little calling your parents, while training in the military during difficult times?

HJ: Well…during the training camp…I suppose I thought about my parents the most…

(During the training camp….how difficult it must have been…ㅠㅠ…I’m also tearing up~)

R: I heard that you came out with an album for your fans. Please sing a measure of the song….

HJ: “Enduring it because of love ~ Enduring it because of longing~ before you know it~~”

(Oh..when the reporter asked that question…Bang-shil (방실이) was thinking “enduring it because of love~~”…hoping for him to sing this…dear Hyunjae~~he actually sang that song~~Sure enough, dear Hyunjae and I can read each other’s minds…haha)

R: Wasn’t the military dog sad about your being discharged?

HJ: The military dog doesn’t know….

(Really~~candid dear Hyunjae…you know…even considering that it’s a military dog, how can it shed big drops of tears, knowing that its partner is being discharged tomorrow~then can it be considered a dog??? It might as well be human? haha What a question~~)

R: Your plans ensuing discharge?

HJ: Look how many of you all came here….I will try to do my best to reciprocate….

(Dear Hyunjae who is still trying to do his best in any situation~~ His statement has a sense of sincerity. Dear Hyunjae, who said he was going to do his best, even before his enlistment…Okay~~like that, please present yourself with that kind of attitude in TV shows and movies from now on~)

R: Any word to your girlfriend?

HJ: Don’t have any girlfriend~~

(The statement with not even one second of hesitation~~hahaha Dear Hyunjae~~~can we all be your girlfriends? haha)

R: Heard that one tends to gain weight during military service, but you don’t seem to have gained any…

HJ: Gained a little…hahaha

(Gained a little~~is it to that extent right there?? haha All right~your forearms look a little thicker…haha)

R: One tends to have a deteriorated skin condition during military service, but what is your secret for still maintaining good skin…(The reporter, who felt the skin, while wiping the sweat..-.-+)

HJ: Applied some sunblock. haha

(Haha I normally have good skin…I don’t actually try to maintain it….He should have said these things… haha Candid dear Hyunjae~~said “applied sunblock.” haha Ah~~this is why I like dear Hyunjae more)

HJ:

Salute!

I’m here to report! Sergeant Hyunjae Jo has been ordered to be honorably discharged as of June 19, 2010.

Therefore, I hereby REPORT!!!!

Salute!

Bang-shil:

Salute!!

(Ah~~How many days in advance did he start practicing? haha Why I was so shaky during the discharge declaration…what if he stutters…what if he forgets…haha But, he was quite great at it without stalling in an energetic way…so lovely~~so splendid)

Bang-shil:

And, lastly…..Dear Hyunjae, who started going up to the agency representative, where he had been watching all this from a distance….(Guess he went to finish the rest of the interview)

At that time, the resentative had his hand on dear Hyunjae’s shoulder, appearing to have a happy reunion.

How reassuring it looked…being there for 10 years like a big brother…I once again found myself being grateful for that constant love~~

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; www.johyunjae.hk; names on photos. Thanks!  Time on first photo should be 09:29 – Seoul time.)