So JHJ stayed on in Tokyo after his fan meeting on August 22.  What was he doing there?  Magazine interviews? Photo shoots? CD?  DVD? Photo album?  Whatever, we are eagerly waiting!  Maybe doing a little shopping and sampling Japanese food (which he loves)?  We hope he gets to have some fun after all the hard work.  He deserves a pat on the back and some well-earned rest.

(Credit: sasumi of http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; akko-san of http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove.  Thanks!)

After his successful Japan fan meetings, Jo Hyun-Jae will embark on another offcial activitiy in a few days’ time.  At the invitation of NOW TV, he is scheduled to go to Hong Kong and Macau to be the first Korean artist to appear on the new show “Korea Stars Now”.  JHJ will also give interviews and conduct an autograph-signing ceremony.

This is the schedule of JHJ’s Hong Kong/Macau trip as announced on EVER:

August 27 (Friday)

10:40 a.m. (local time)  –  arrival at Macau International Airport

August 28 (Saturday) — autograph signing for fans

Venue: MGM Hotel, Macau

Time: 2 p.m.

Before the autograph signing ceremony, there will be activities organized by NOW TV.  Please be there early.

Please show your support for JHJ.  Have a great time!

(Credit: EVERjohyunjae.co.kr.; name on photo.  Thanks!)

10.08.17  from Kwon (ONLY FAN #593)

This is my first message

Today’s weather is really too hot.

Are you all back from your vacation?

Looks like the Korean Official Website (KOW) still has lots of room for improvement.

It is fortunate that you are all generous and understanding.

We will try to fix problems as soon as possible.

I work hard on the KOW everyday, as well as surfing the net to check on fan sites.

I just did not leave messages; actually I supervise everyday.

Please come to the KOW often and leave messages.

And of course please show your love and support for JHJ.

*              *              *              *              *              *             *             *             *             *

(Credit: Korean from http://johyunjae.com; photo from cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!  English translation by wulijohyunjae.)

Jo Hyun-Jae to hold fan meetings in Japan and Hong Kong

Korean actor Jo Hyun-jae [STAR N HIT Entertainment]  2010.08.17

Korean actor Jo Hyun-Jae will be holding fan meetings in several Asian countries this coming August, according to his agency STAR N HIT Entertainment on Tuesday.

STAR N HIT announced in a press release that Jo, who completed his mandatory two-year military service on June 19, will hold his first fan meeting in Osaka on August 21 and in Tokyo the next day. He will also be visiting Hong Kong and Macau the following week.

During his trip to Hong Kong and Macau, taking place as an official event on invitation of the country’s TV service provider NOW TV, Jo will have interviews with the local press, shoot a television show and hold an autograph session.

Jo will be the first Korean star to appear in the show titled “Korea Stars Now,” shot by local cable company OCB, a Hallyu program featuring the daily life of the actor, which will premiere in Hong Kong through NOW TV.

“The fan meetings are a way for Jo to show his appreciation for his fans who have supported him while he was in the military,” explained an official from STAR N HIT, adding that they have future plans for the actor to visit other Asian countries.

Jo, 30, first started out in the entertainment industry through the commercial for sports drink Pocari Sweat in 2000. He became well-known in Asia for his roles in SBS’ “Rays of Sunshine” (2004), “Only You” (2005) and KBS’ “Three Dads and One Mom” (2008).

He also appeared in movies “GP506″ (2008) and “Untold Scandal” (2003) alongside Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon and Cannes best actress award-winner Jeon Do-youn.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

(* Editor’s Note: DELUGE is more accurate — there are so many news reports that we are overwhelmed!  They are more or less the same — from Asia Economics, Daily Economics, JOY News, OSEN, CNEWS, SPN, Star News, etc.  We have elected to translate just one — from Moneyday Star News.)

Jo Hyun Jae preparing to begin official activities, starting with Japan, Hong Kong and Macau

According to Jo Hyun-Jae’s management company Star N Hit Entertainment’s release today (August 17),  JHJ will begin his official Korea Wave activities with the Japan Fan Meetings on August 21 and 22, followed by his visit to Hong Kong and Macau on August 28* and 29*.

(** SNH’s announcement on the official JHJ Korean and Japanese websites originally said “August 27 and 28″.  Now the press release says “August 28 and 29″.  Have the dates been changed?  We are checking.   *** EVER just informed us original dates are correct, i.e. August 27 and 28.  Somebody at SNH messed up with the dates in the press release?!

Aug.18 – The saga continues.  It’s gettting curiouser and curiouser!  CAFE says dates should be August 28 and 29!  What are we to make of it all?  Requested clarification on KOW — so far no response from Administrator.

Aug.19 – Both EVER and CAFE now say dates are August 27 and 28.)

After two blank years, JHJ will resume his entertainment career and expand his activities in the Greater China area through these activities.

The Japan fan meetings in Osaka and Tokyo are the first official functions after his discharge.  Before his discharge, numerous enquiries and “love calls” flooded in from not just Japanese fans but also many fans from other Asian countries.  Over 3,000 fans are expected to participate in these fan meetings.

The Hong Kong/Macau function is at the invitation of NOW TV.  JHJ will be the guest of honour and he will be interviewed by the Hong Kong media, followed by the shooting of a TV show.  JHJ will be the first Korean actor to appear in the new programme “Korea Stars Now” to be televised by NOW TV.  Then on August 28 he will hold an autograph signing ceremony for fans at the MGM Hotel in Macau.

His management company Star N Hit Entertainment indicates: “To repay his fans who have waited for two years, JHJ would like to meet them, not just in Japan and Hong Kong, but also in other Asian countries if the opportunity arises.”

*              *              *              *              *               *             *              *               *

Some additional material – from Asia Economics:

- With the Japan fan meetings on the horizon, JHJ expresses the sentiment that “he feels very agitated and nervous just thinking about the fact that he will be seeing his many fans after his discharge.” and “After two blank years, I am working hard to repay my fans who have been waiting for two years.”

- Cable TV OCB (Korea’s Official Cable Station) indicates: “‘3 Dads/1 Mom’ is currently showing on Hong Kong TV, and its star JHJ has received a lot of attention.” and  “NOW TV’s programme ‘Korea News Now’ will premiere with JHJ’s segment.”

- JHJ is discussing his comeback work, and it is highly likely that he will appear in a drama.

(Credit: http://www.yahoo.com.kr; www.johyunjae.com; photo from ahiru of CarpeDiemJapan.  Thanks!)

1. Jo Hyun-Jae is going to Hong Kong on August 27 & 28 at the invitation of NOW TV (abbreviated from Network Of the World).  NOW is launching a special programme on the Korean Wave actors and JHJ will be the first actor featured.

NOW is a 24-hour pay-TV service provider in Hong Kong, the largest (with approximately a million subscribers), operated by PCCW.  They have 21 free channels and 103 pay channels, including 15 audio channels, with a total number of over 130 channels.

We will be informed of JHJ’s arrival time and other details, so we can plan accordingly.

 This just in (from EVER again) — NOW TV will be filming a documentary of JHJ’s 2-days-1-night visit to Hong Kong and Macau, starting with his arrival in Hong Kong on August 27.  So calling ALL JHJ fans — please show up if you possibly can — to show your support for JHJ in the most immediate, concrete way!

Hi!  Here I come!

2. Remember that men’s health magazine which got us all so excited a little while back?  JHJ is rumoured to be posing with his upper torso bared (presumably to show what two years of military service will do to tone your abs!)  It’s true — the magazine will be published at the end of this month.

3. Final piece of good news — JHJ’s comeback work will be decided soon, and an announcement will be made.

Wow! We’re intoxicated with all these good news! JHJ is making waves indeed! We are so happy and excited!  JHJ, fighting!

Andre Kim’s funeral procession leaves the Seoul National University Hospital on Sunday morning. On the right is Kim Jung-do, the late designer’s adopted son.

The Korea Herald     2010.08.15

Andre Kim, Korea’s iconic fashion designer who died on Aug. 12, was buried at Cheonan Memorial Park in South Chungcheong Province, on Sunday, Aug.15.  Kim chose this site when he was alive because that was where his parents were laid to rest.

The ceremony was held in Buddhist style, following the late designer’s faith. Kim’s adopted son, Kim Joong-do, his wife and their three children led the funeral ceremony. About 200 people attended.

The funeral car, which was prepared in white to commemorate Kim’s favorite color, departed the Seoul National University funeral hall to visit numerous places associated with the designer, including his home in Seoul (where he lived for more than 30 years) and the Andre Kim studio in Giheung, Gyeonggi Province.

Here is another video from yesterday — at Andre Kim’s wake (yes, JHJ is there – at 01:45)

And this is what we will remember Andre Kim for — seen here in rehearsal with JHJ and Park Sol-Mi at July 2007 Fashion Fantasia in Wuxi, China.  May he rest in peace!

The following video is called “Jo Hyun-Jae and Andre Kim” and the second part features photos of JHJ at AK’s wake:

(Credit: News report from the Korea Herald; video by kk of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Announcement from Star N Hit on August 14, 2010:
(English translation by wulijohyunjae)

Hello, this is Star N Hit Entertainment.

We are writing to update you on what Jo Hyun-Jae is currently doing.

He is working hard to present his best form to his fans.

Here is the schedule for his future activities.

After the fan meetings in Osaka on August 21 and Tokyo on August 22, JHJ is scheduled to visit Hong Kong on August 27 – 28.

At the invitation of the Hong Kong broadcaster, JHJ will hold interviews with the media and then conduct an autograph signing ceremony at the MGM Hotel in Macau on August 28.

JHJ will seek more active ways to meet his fans.  Please give him a lot of love.

Have a pleasant summer vacation.

*               *              *              *               *               *               *               *               *

안녕하세요 스타엔히트엔터테인먼트입니다.  
 
안녕하세요.

스타엔히트엔터테인먼트입니다.

먼저 여러분들께서 조현재님의 근황을 많이들 궁금해하시는 것 같습니다. 

좀 더 좋은 모습으로 팬 분들께 찾아 뵙기 위해 최상의 컨디션을 만들기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

향후 스케줄에 대한 공지사항을 알려드리겠습니다. 

8월21일<오사카>, 22일<도쿄>일본 팬미팅 후에 8월27일,28일 홍콩을 방문할 예정입니다.

이번 행사는 홍콩방송사의 초청으로 언론매체와의 인터뷰를 가질 예정이며, 8월28일 마카오 MGM 호텔에서 여러분들과 만날 수 있는 팬싸인회를 진행할 예정입니다. 

앞으로 조현재님은 좀더 활발한 활동으로 팬 여러분들께 찾아갈 예정이오니 항상 힘내시고 앞으로도 많은 사랑 부탁 드립니다.

 
 그럼 즐거운 여름휴가 보내세요^^

(Credit: http://johyunjae.com. Thanks!)

President Lee Myung-bak will bestow a posthumous medal on Andre Kim, in recognition of his contribution to the country’s fashion industry.

The government “has decided to award the medal of Golden Crown Culture to him,” Lee’s office Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung told reporters. “Kim was a fashion designer who blended South Korea’s unique color and beauty with the West’s splendid silhouette, thus publicizing the country’s fashion to the world.” The medal is the highest one given to those who have contributed to the nation’s culture.

Earlier in the day, the president sent a message of condolences to the family of Kim. Lee sent Yim Tae-hee, chief of presidential staff, to an official mourning altar for the designer in Seoul, according to the spokeswoman.

Andre Kim’s death is as glamourous as his life, if you judge by the Korean stars (and other dignitaries and celebrities) who pay their last respects to him at the funeral home.  They have to run the gauntlet of the photographers who outnumber the stars!  Live in the limelight; die in the limelight — that’s the story of Andre Kim.  Don’t blink – or you’ll miss Jo Hyun-Jae. 

Below are photos of some of the stars who were there.  How many can you recognize?  Some of the women are almost unrecognizable!

How unfortunate that it is on such a mournful occasion that JHJ should make a rare public appearance a week before his Japan fan meetings.  But we’re grateful to be able to see him, even though he looks so sad and sombre (as befits the occasion.)

(Credit: http://yahoo.co.kr; http://nate.com; www.johyunjae.hk; mandalaywith@http://johyunjae.com; names on photos. Thanks!)

A steady stream of dignitaries and celebrities has been filing into Seoul National University Hospital to pay their last respects to the late fashion icon Andre Kim who passed away last evening.  Many actors and singers who had previously worked with Andre Kim in his extravagant and fanciful fashion shows were there.

Among them was Jo Hyun-Jae who was the lead model in Andre Kim’s Fashion Fantasia in Wuxi, China, in July 2007 and who won the 2007 Andre Kim Best Star Award.

The following is from today’s Korea Times:

President Lee Myung-bak also sent his best wishes and prayers in a message to the bereaved.

“Through his world-class fashion designs, Andre Kim spread Korean culture and art to the rest of the world,’’Lee’s message said. “He received love and respect from many citizens for his continual donations and volunteer work. I send my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray that Andre Kim will rest in peace.’’

Andre Kim’s cortege will leave the hospital Sunday for a funeral ceremony. The procession will pass by the house he lived in for 30 years in Apgujeong-dong and his atelier in Sinsa-dong. His remains will be buried in the Cheonan Memorial Park in Gyeonggi Province.

(Credit: names on photos.  Thanks!)