Jo Hyun Jae

The first two photos are pictorial tributes to Jo Hyun-Jae from his Japanese fans in CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Korean words on first photo say: “JHJ - Congratulations on your promotion to Sergeant!”  The last photo shows fans at JHJ’s send-off to the army on August 5, 2008.  The Korean words on the yellow banner mean “WAITING!”

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/nowguswo; http://hyunjaelove.jp; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!) 

We salute a Jo Hyun-Jae fan who is our heroine — Coffee from Hong Kong whose works appear here (and not for the first time) — photos 2 – 5.  When she first became a JHJ fan, Coffee was just an ordinary housewife - shy, quiet, modest, not at all computer-savvy.  Somehow JHJ has this ability to inspire people to aspire to the impossible dream.  And now, through her dedication to JHJ, she has taught herself to create these beautiful images to share with us.  And not only that, she has even learnt to put Chinese sub-titles on videos, like the recent Arirang videos — and she does not even understand English (but her timing is perfect!)  Coffee is our JHJ fan of the month!

(Credit: first wallpaper by ahiru of carpediemJAPAN, the rest by Coffee of johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Above is the Chinese New Year card sent to us by our Japanese friend Mizutamari of http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo.   The Japanese, as you know, are very devoted and loyal Jo Hyun-Jae fans and it is our great pleasure to be associated with them. 

Thank you ever so much, Makky!  Happy Chinese New Year to you too!  May you be blessed with happiness, good health, beauty, prosperity, and success in the Year of the Tiger and always!

Not only are Jo Hyun-Jae fans talented.  Their children are also very artistic and creative.  The sketches below are the work of the 17-year-old daughter of Haru, a member of club.brokore.com/sodonyo.  Can she be considered a second generation JHJ fan?  Haru’s daughter is currently studying hard for her university entrance exam.  We wish her all the best.

(Credit: Haru’s daughter; http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo.  Thanks!)

Zoe, who wrote the lyrics of that lovely song “Beautiful Dream” featured on New Year’s day on our blog, can also draw.  See these sketches she made of Jo Hyun-Jae? 

These are dedicated to all fans who have remained constant in their love and support of JHJ.  We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, well, almost…..Hang in there!

You all know Jo Hyun-Jae is an army dog soldier.  Here he is with his army dog Briro after he returned from “Severe Cold” training on January 14.  Photos are taken on the snow-covered grounds of his army camp. 

The master looks much fitter and smarter than his dog which seems a little worn out.   Briro looked very sharp in those Defense Daily photos a few months ago, remember?

(Source: Blog.naver.com)

This MV features photos from the 2009 JHJ calendar.  It’s now 2010 and we’re all moving on with JHJ.  Just 150 days or so more……..

To keep you company while you’re still waiting, here are a couple of cute pics.

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

Babies are great scene-stealers.  But Jo Hyun-Jae can certainly hold his own in any scene with any baby, as the above photos (from “3 Dads/1 Mom” ) show.  The video is cute too (even without the babies.)  Enjoy!

(Credit: Names on photos and video; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Above are the latest photos just released on the Official JHJ Fan Club website.  Actually they are old photos taken at the Hallyu Wood (not “Hollywood”!) Start Festival in Seoul on 2008.5.29.

The news below has nothing to do with JHJ or the photos.

Online websites have reported that Lee Jun-Ki fans are mobilizing to support “Hero” — his MBC drama which started on November 18 and which is currently enjoying a lack-lustre run.  Lee’s fans have mounted their own campaign and have taken out their own advertisements to promote the drama.  In an effort to resuscitate (their word, not mine) “Hero”, the Lee Jun-Ki fan club has turned six public Seoul buses into advertising surfaces for the drama.  The buses have been plastered with Hero’s title and images and are called “Lee Jun-Ki’s bus.”  The ads went up on December 1 and will remain on the buses until the drama wraps on January 13, 2010. The price tag?  In the vicinity of 2 million Korean won (about US$2,000.)

A representative from Lee Jun-Ki’s management company said: “Junki-sshi is incredibly grateful.”  The drama is hoping to raise its 3%-5% ratings now that one Wednesday-Thursday competitor has bowed out (You’re Beautiful), as it heads into its third week of broadcast.  This advertising campaign follows the project put together by overseas fans who folded and sent over 30,000 – 200,000 paper cranes (depending on whom you believe) to Lee Jun-Ki to support the drama’s premiere.

The title of this post is of course the old Ann Murray song “You needed me”, the lyrics of which read like this (in part):

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry
I was confused, you cleared my mind
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me

Who needs whom?  The star or the fans?  Whatever, we are certain JHJ will not find himself in such situation.  Even as a boy, he never gave his parents any cause for concern, instead choosing to shoulder the family responsibilities.  As a man, he will not put any financial burdens on his fans or allow them to indulge in worries and anxieties beyond their control.  He knows how to take care of himself, and he expects us to take care of ourselves.  That’s why we like him.

(Credit: Photos courtesy of http://jo-hyunjae.com.  Video from EVERjohyunjae.  Source of story – dramabeans.com.  Thanks, prissymom!)

Feast your eyes on these Jo Hyun-Jae photos recently released by the Official JHJ Fan Club.  We have asked permission to publish these.

We think these photos belong to the same series as the 2010 JHJ desk calendar which will feature all previously unpublished photos.  That will be something to look forward to.

The photo below is just off the press!

(Credit: http://jo-hyunjae.com.  Thanks!)