Happy Chinese New Year to everyone! 

May the Year of the Dragon bring you good health, good fortune, and good cheer!  And every success and happiness to JHJ!

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Designed by prissymom.  Many thanks!

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JHJ on upcoming dinner show in Japan on February 5, 2012:

Hello everyone.  This is Jo Hyun-Jae.

I’ll be having a fan meeting in early February after a long absence.  This time will be a little different from before.  It will be held in the banquet hall of a hotel, so I’ll be in close proximity of my fans.  I will feel closer to you and the time will be more meaningful.

Please everyone record all the memories.  I too feel very excited, very expectant, because it’s been such a long time.  So until then …. Please don’t catch cold.  And Happy New Year!  See you then!  Please come to support me.  Thank you!

(Credits: www.johyunjaechina.com.  Thanks!)

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CREATIVE WRITING – PURE FICTION

When I saw above photo a few days ago, my fertile imagination started working and the following story was germinated.

How do you get into a photo with the lead actors/actresses at the start-of-shooting ceremony?  You’re the boss, of course, the one who finances the project!

Everyone knows there are a lot of coal mines in Shanxi, and these coal mine owners are fabulously rich.  So there is this coal mine owner’s wife, let’s say, Mrs. NR (for “nouveau riche”) who has everything money can buy.  One day she happens to see a Korean drama called OY and is astonished that there is such a handsome specimen of man on earth.  Ever since then she has become a fan of HJH.  After watching all his dramas over and over again, she impatiently waits for his next project.

One day Mr. NR, who believes there is nothing that money can’t buy, sees his wife languishing and inquires what is ailing her.  When he hears the cause, he immediately says: “Why don’t you invite him to shoot a drama here in China?”  After all, he just bought a vineyard in Bordeaux, France because he likes their red wine. 

“How does ‘Producer’ sound?”

“Can I have my name in lights?”

“Anything you want, my dear.”

With that, RO is conceived.

The most difficult part, it turns out, is persuading HJH to come.  He is not one to be swayed by money, lots of money.  He is an artist; he just wants to be a “pure actor”.  Mr. NR uses everything and everyone in his power (and there’s not much that money can’t buy) to get the project off the ground.  When money is no object, they soon manage to assemble a reputable working crew and cast of international actors.  All they have to do is get the nod from HJH.

Negotiating with his MC turns out to be a hassle.  It’s not the language barrier (there are excellent interpreters available); it’s their unprofessional attitude.  They dilly-dally, neither ”yes” nor “no”.  Mr. NR, however, is not one to take “no” for an answer, especially since his wife is breathing down his neck everyday.  So he uses a little finesse and gets someone to approach HJH’s friend SBS who is a graduate of Beijing Film Academy.  SBS tells his friend that China is the land of opportunities, that if he makes it big in China, he can always make a triumphant return to Korea.

HJH mulls over this offer for several weeks and finally decides to take the leap of faith, against the advice of his MC.  They can’t get him any decent work but they don’t want him to go overseas.  He does not want to sit around anymore.  He wants to embark on a new adventure.  He wants to take up the challenge.  He wants to strike out for himself.  Into the unknown — China, here I come!

The start of the journey is inauspicious.  HJH’s flight is delayed several hours because of a thunderstorm in City B.  Mrs. NR has been on tenterhooks ever since HJH consents to take up the role specially written for him.  Mrs. NR’s sole instruction to the scriptwriter is to create a role that would showcase HJH’s handsome looks.  She has faith in his acting abilities; she just wants him to look his best.  She may be a fan, but she is also a shrewd businesswoman.  She has invested millions in this project, and she wants HJH to break every woman’s heart when the drama is shown on TV.  Mr. NR has already placed a few millions in ads on Mango TV to secure the most-sought-after release date – around Chinese New Year.

Mrs. NR is there early for the start-of-shooting ceremony, but she is devastated that HJH cannot make it.  Never mind – she can get to see him everyday for the next three months.  She has already taken leave of absence from her husband (who is secretly delighted that he will have a 3-month “vacation”.)  Everything goes very smoothly.  Her friends, whom she has invited to the ceremony, are all very excited at the chance to meet the Korean superstar.

He appears the next morning to a collective “Arrrh……!!!!!” (exclamation of surprise) and comments like “OMG! How can anyone be so handsome?”  “Where did you find him, Mrs. NR?”  “Godsend from Heaven!” etc.  Mrs. NR is absolutely delighted!  She is especially pleased that, apart from his looks, HJH is very polite and respectful, even a little shy.  She only wishes he would smile more.  But she understands he is trying to get used to being in a foreign land, amidst an alien people who speak a language he does not understand.  She resolves to take extra good care of him.

Mrs. NR gives orders to her chef to prepare ginseng soup for HJH everyday.  She wants her favourite actor to stay in tiptop shape.  Shooting a drama is hard work.  She must make sure he is well-nourished and well-fed.  She can’t let him survive on the kimchi and instant noodles sent by his fans.  She takes her duties as hostess very seriously.  She wants to show the Koreans the Chinese are hospitable people.

Mrs. NR is very happy HJH is settling in very nicely.  She is at first a little worried since he doesn’t speak much, but when he smiles, it is as if the sun has come out (even though the weather is rather dismal these few days.)  He is thoroughly professional, gets into the act very quickly (in spite of the language barrier), always ready when it’s his turn, and is bowing all the time to everybody – no airs at all.  Even the local cleaning lady becomes his fan in no time.

Mrs. NR has grand plans; she is enjoying being Producer more and more with each day.  When HJH finishes shooting this drama, she has a couple of CFs lined up for him.  Her husband’s business interests are so wide-ranging she’s sure he can use him as spokesman in some of the brands his conglomerate of companies represent.  Then she wants him to make another drama – a love story!  Maybe a movie!  Get Zhang Yimou as director and it may win a prize at next year’s Cannes or Berlin Film Festival or even Best Foreign Film at the Oscars!

Mrs. NR is on cloud nine.  She is basking in the envy of her friends.  For the first time she feels she is doing a real job.  She wants to keep HJH in China.   He’s the best thing that has happened to her since she met her husband – her lifetime meal ticket.  But she knows HJH is too proud of his country.  So she’ll do the next best thing and make him the greatest Korean actor in China.

I have not had much inspiration in writing another diary entry for some time.  When I first read JHJ’s message on August 9 that he’s going to China to start a new project (no details given), I was a little surprised he had to make this announcement himself.  But when to date there has not been an official announcement from SNH or the KOW, I am moved to say something.

First and foremost, SNH should be fired!  Statements on an actor’s movement should be made by his MC (management company) which has the responsibility to keep his fans informed.  SNH should have issued a press release.  Why are there no news reports at all in the Korean media?  Because SNH has been grossly negligent in its duties.  The KOW should fold!  JHJ’s so-called official homepage is a joke!  Is it there for fans to post things like “Good morning, JHJ!”, “Good afternoon, JHJ!”, “Good night, JHJ!” ?  I just checked the KOW.  Some Chinese fan has taken it upon herself to post updates on JHJ’s movements in China.  (Tweets that we’ve been translating for this blog – and our English is better! 5555)  Now this is a ridiculous reversal of roles – instead of the KOW giving us JHJ news, JHJ fans are telling them what JHJ is doing.

I don’t know what you think about this unusual career move of JHJ’s.  Let’s face it – if SNH had been able to get him a decent role in a Korean drama, I’m sure JHJ would much prefer to stay in Korea.  It’s no fun going to work in a foreign country for a few months — the language gap, the culture barrier, the alien cuisine, the different working environment …. are daunting enough.  The loneliness can drive one crazy.  Good thing Beijing and Seoul are only 1 1/2 hours apart by plane.  JHJ can always fly back for a day or two if he gets too homesick (hope that’s written into the contract!)

SNH’s and the KOW’s inaction is inexplicable.  Korean and Japanese fans are obviously not happy about this decision of JHJ’s to work in China.  Why China?  I was asked.  Why not Japan?  “Because China invited him and Japan did not — as simple as that!”  The Japanese fans may be looking forward to fan meetings which did not materialize.  The Korean fans seem to think JHJ is jumping ship or something like that.  Their attitude is somewhat dubious – they don’t want him to leave Korea but they’re doing nothing to keep him there.

The Chinese fans are of course on cloud nine.  The fact that JHJ chooses to go to China is a recognition of their existence/importance.  I personally have mixed feelings about JHJ’s decision (I heard on the grapevine that he mulled over this for some time) – on the one hand, it seems to be a desperate move; on the other hand, it takes guts to take on this challenge.  It’s a calculated risk, I think.  If he doesn’t make waves in China, it probably won’t really damage his status in Korea.  If he makes it big, wow! the sky’s the limit!

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When I saw above sketch on DC a few days ago, I felt very mad (and sad!)  The artist is obviously implying that JHJ is digging his own grave and about to fall into a pit he dug himself.  It’s so mean-spirited!  If his Korean fans feel like this, they do not deserve to be his fans.  Whether I think it’s a smart move on JHJ’s part, I support him wholeheartedly.  It’s a done deal already.  Do his Korean fans really want him to fail?

From the tweets left on Weibo (Chinese Twitter) by JHJ’s Chinese colleagues on “Rouge Overlord” (literal translation of Chinese title 胭脂霸王), JHJ seems to be doing well.  I feel very gratified; I have faith in JHJ’s professionalism.  I’ve only watched two Chinese dramas up to now; I’ll be looking forward to this one.  Even though photos have not been released, I’m sure JHJ will look very dashing in either Chinese or Western costumes of the 1910s.  But his role calls for him to start at age 16 – doesn’t that call for a stretch of the imagination?

Big-name actors always travel with their manager, assistant, stylist, hairdresser, nutritionist, personal trainer, etc.  I doubt if JHJ has such an entourage with him.  Somehow I get the feeling he’s all alone (or feels all alone.)  I want to tell him: JHJ, you are not alone!  Your international fans are all behind you.  When you feel lonely, remember: We are there for you!  We support you 100%!  Whatever you choose to do, we’re cheering you all the way.  Knock ‘em dead! (just an expression)  Conquer the Chinese market!  Show the world what you’re capable of!  You’re not just a Korean actor; you’re an international star!

P.S.  I’ve just had a brainwave – SNH has not been heard from for so long ….. could it be ….. could it be that JHJ has already fired them?!!!!!

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(Credit: Diary banner designed by prissymom; sketch from http://gall.dcinside.com.  Thanks!)

TUDOU

YOUTUBE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7t6j6Z-aLw&feature=related

 My favourite moment in all of JHJ’s fan meetings.  This is of course the 2008 Korea Fan Meeting, just before JHJ’s enlistment.  He was overcome with emotions and I was near tears.  Oh, how my heart aches when watching this again (for the Nth time)!

I did two things yesterday which account for this post:

1. A Paris Baguette recently opened near where I live. I resisted for the longest time going in there because I knew it would bring back memories of “49 Days”. But I finally checked it out. As I sat there sipping a latte and munching on a crabmeat sandwich, I daydreamt about JHJ and even LYW. And then I remembered “Sunshine” and JHJ’s pastry chef – the most drop-dead gorgeous pastry chef in uniform!

2. I dropped an egg (luckily in the kitchen.) The sound it made (and the mess I had to clean up afterwards) suddenly made me realize one thing. We talk about heartbreak – actually the heart does not break, it does not crack like an egg, it “breaks” like a punctured tire, deflating slowly ….. Isn’t there a song called “How can you mend a broken heart?” Well, you can’t!

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Here’s more from JHJ’s 2008 Korea Fan Meeting:

TUDOU

YOUTUBE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7t6j6Z-aLw&feature=related

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But how long can we live in the past?  We’ve re-lived it so many times!  We need something to go on!

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(Credit: Photo by 3.1; videos by ojik; www.johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

I used to be able to write at least an article or two even during a short flight, but now I have no inspiration at all.  I am at my wit’s end.

B told me the candid comments you made on this blog on JHJ’s first public appearance in two months were translated into Korean and posted on DC.  I was horrified because: 1) they are not meant for Korean eyes (since they have such a different culture) and 2) there is such scant JHJ material that even our comments constitute a post!  People scour each other’s websites to see what could be used.  This is pathetic!

Lately I’ve been full of self-pity (and that’s not me at all!)  I pity myself for chasing a star (for the first and last time) who obviously wants to get away.  I see other actors standing and smiling for fans to take pictures and even posing with them, and I remember my “No photo! No photo!” treatment at the hands of JHJ’s handlers at Haneda in Japan last August (when I didn’t even have my camera out – which was why I felt so insulted!)  Other actors can multi-task — leaving long messages for fans even when making a drama, posting several photos and messages on Twitter (sometimes more than once a day), being in a promotion video for their MC, going on TV programmes to promote their drama, etc.

Just the other day a Korean fan left a message on the KOW, addressed to the Administrator, to draw his attention to the complaints of foreign fans on the dearth of JHJ news/info/photos, to which the KOW Admin replied: “Thank you for your advice.”  Almost immediately the Admin of a website that claims to be the premier JHJ rep in the land of 1.3b took her to task for forcing the hand of the KOW Admin (comments on her own website, not on KOW.)  All that about “JHJ must know what he’s doing” and “Even if they don’t tell us what they’re doing, the KOW and JHJ must be doing something.”  This of course elicited the usual echoes of “True JHJ fans wait silently and patiently.” and “We should not give JHJ any pressure.”  I’ve reached the stage when reading such meaningless cliches makes me angry.  If they know what they’re doing, they should be doing something.  Oh yes! they must be doing something (even if we don’t know what.)  I’m doing something everyday — I eat, sleep, get around, work on the computer …. and who cares?  Because I’m not a star!  I don’t have fans!

I’ve just received the Japanese magazine T.O.P. * which features 49D in its July issue — 2 pages on the drama, followed by profiles and interviews of the 3 male actors.  When I see BSB has 5 pages and JIW 6 – and JHJ only 3 – I feel I have wasted money buying it.  But then BSB’s 4 and JIW’s 6 photos are all new! and JHJ’s are just 2 old photos from 49D (and not even his best!)  That’s why MCs make all the difference!  I fume; I sigh; I feel let down!  And JHJ thinks this is fine?  He doesn’t see the danger signs?  (I’m not even going to mention the 24-page spread of gorgeous photos - including a pull-out double-sided poster – of the cover star John Hoon who is recently discharged [ known in Korea as Kim Jung Hoon - younger prince in "Goong".])

My rational side tells me: Well, nobody asks you to like JHJ.  You know what he’s like.  Right!  It’s my fault!  Love is blind.  But then I’ve never believed in unrequited love.  It’s debilitating!  It’s demeaning!  It’s a slow form of killing.  You mean nothing to him; he doesn’t care about you all all; he doesn’t even know you exist!  Someone has said: “He doesn’t need fans.”  I keep defending him and making all sorts of excuses for him, but now….. JHJ doesn’t feel he owes his fans all over the world something?  We make noises because we care.  We are not Koreans; we don’t suffer in silence. We could of course leave in silence.

Every living thing needs nourishment and sustenance.  Even a cactus needs a little water every now and then.  So JHJ is resting (perhaps for the rest of the year) and his MC is as usual sleeping on the job.  Nobody can post a photo or two? or leave a message like “JHJ is golfing/hiking (whatever)?  Starved, dehydrated, how do fans function?  I know I’m expected to toe the line and only report on the positives, not the negatives.  (That news report about SBS being fined for LYW’s attempted suicide scene in 49D is taboo!)  Most JHJ websites are behaving like ostriches – with their heads in the sand.  So they preach patience and tolerance.  (But I know they only talk the talk; they don’t walk the walk.)  Being over-protective, shielding JHJ from the hard facts, pretending there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…. is not doing JHJ any good.  If there are problems, they should be tackled.  If there are obstacles, they must be overcome.  But is this the Korean way?  All those ill feelings generated last August when they tried to sweep everything under the carpet because of that infamous non-event are still boiling under the surface.  Do they know?  Do they care?  Fans come and go, but if they go faster than they come, it spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E! 

I have decided that if JHJ wishes to remain silent, I should respect his silence.  If he wants to be “far from the madding crowd”, I should give him the space he needs.  JHJ may be arguably the best-looking actor in Korea, but if he doesn’t show his face, people will forget what he looks like.  And he’s not exactly a household name in Korea.

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*  Please see our earlier post: http://jo-hyun-jae.com/2011/06/07/49-days-in-t-o-p/

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(Credit: Design by prissymom – many thanks!)

I woke up at 3 a.m. from the lightning and thunder and …. chest pain.  I’ve been having these chest pains on and off for several years.  Once when I was all alone in the middle of the night in our Californian home, it got so bad I almost called 911.  I’ve consulted a cardiologist who, after a battery of tests, pronounced there was nothing wrong with my heart.  So what’s the problem?   His answer: “I’m a cardiologist.  I’ve told you your heart is fine.  Anything else you have to see another doctor.”  Typical HK doctor for you!  These chest pains always come at night.  I used to be able to think of JHJ and feel better.  Last night it actually got worse.  Is this heartache?  

As I lay in bed feeling miserable, I even thought of my ex (ex-partner of this blog, not ex-husband.)  The main reason we parted company was our different concept of this blog — she thought we should only put out a post if there were any JHJ news.  In that case this would become a monthly, maybe even a quarterly!  When is JHJ ever in the news?  Now after all this time, I suddenly realize maybe she is right and I am wrong.  Only B understands what a chore it is to keep a JHJ blog running – with no news, no information, no photos, no videos (except the occasional fan-made MV.) 

B told me I made waves on DC because someone posted the message I left on the KOW on July 1:

Cry wolf!

In his June 13 message, the 관리자 (Administrator) of this official site says there will be good news before the end of June. Do you know how many JHJ fans are waiting for this good news until late last night? How can you promise something and not deliver? How can you not keep your word to fans? Is this the way to treat fans? Such irresponsible action will have consequences. (Do you even read messages here?!)

Reaction to my message resulted in 2 schools of thought on DC — one condemning me for being out of line and daring to criticize authority, the other rejoicing that finally someone is saying something that should be said.  Most of the messages on the KOW in answer to mine say “true” JHJ fans should wait silently and patiently.  I am tired of being silent and patient.  JHJ should not be silent or his fans will no longer be patient.  Yes, I could be silent – this blog could be silent (no posts.)  

JHJ seems to have entered the Bermuda Triangle (B’s phrase.)  He has not been seen or heard from in nearly two months.  He’s resting, OK!  Is his MC sleeping?  Isn’t “keeping our actor in the public eye” in their job description?  How difficult is it to post a photo or two on the KOW?  or leaving a message like “JHJ is travelling (or whatever)”?  At least when JHJ was in the military, I knew what I was waiting for — his discharge. Now I don’t know what I’m waiting for — his next drama? or CF?  All that about the many “love calls” is just smokescreen from SNH, another case of Cry Wolf.  I remember in May 2010 when SNH put out that news (widely carried in the Korean media) about the many “love calls” JHJ had received (even before his discharge), I was so elated.  But, as it turned out, I had to wait till January 2011 before 49D was announced.  

The Official Japan Fan Club (OJFC) is folding; the Korean Official Website (KOW) is in limbo.  Another actor posted 10 (yes, 10!) pictures of him and his cat on Twitter.  I happened to come across these adorable photos while checking out JHJ news (none, of course!) and my immediate reaction was: “JHJ has a dog.  Now why can’t he give us a couple of photos of him and his dog on me2day?”  Does he not know we’re dying of news?  Can’t he give us something, anything?  Maybe I sound very un-Korean.  I’m told Koreans regard anyone who asks “Why don’t you….?” as “not of good breeding”.  No wonder I’ve never heard from SNH in response to my many letters making suggestions and constructive criticisms.  Never mind, I’ll never bother them again.  Looks like another case of “Commonsense is not so common.”

Certain JHJ fans may claim to be waiting silently and patiently, but I know what they’re really doing — climbing the wall (go figure that out!)  Han Kang may end up in 49D hanging on to a tree, but there is a whole forest out there.

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(That song is still playing – it will keep playing until we turn the page, so to speak: “Don’t cry out loud.  Just keep it inside and learn how to hide your feelings…..”  If I hide my feelings any longer, I’ll burst!)

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(Credit: Photo by tomopi of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

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

This started out as an article but became more personal as I wrote on, so I’ve changed it to diary form.

Observations on Korean society

Based on my limited watching of Korean dramas.  I haven’t watched that many Korean dramas.  Frankly, many are not worth my time and effort.  I’m sure many of you know many more Korean dramas, so please feel free to give your input.

The one line of dialogue that stays in my mind after watching “49 Days” is not something that Han Kang said but what Ji-Hyun’s father said to Min-Ho: “Since when does the Chairman have to inform a Manager that he’s coming into the office.”  (I seem to remember he said it in front of the secretary/receptionist too.)  In that scene quite early in the drama, Min-Ho was very surprised when Ji-Hyun’s father suddenly showed up at the office when he was supposed to be at the hospital and he said something like: “Oh, I thought you’re not coming in today.”  This resulted in the put-down I quoted at the beginning of this paragraph.  Min-Ho took it in his stride but I flushed scarlet.  Is this the way to treat a valued member of your staff, someone who’s going to be your son-in-law, someone you’re going to leave the company one day?  Apparently, yes.

Koreans probably won’t give it a second thought, but I feel very troubled by such an attitude.  The more Korean dramas I watch, I more I realize Korean society is very hierachical.   In those dramas set in a big company or organization – “Queen of Reversals”, “Family Honour”, “Baker King”, etc., the characters are defined by their rank/position — Chairman Park, General Manager Lee, Supervisor Cha, Secretary Han …..   They are always addressed as such, even outside the office, as if their position is their identity.  A superior can scold his inferiors at will.  The subordinates bow and bow and accept the demeaning treatment, apparently as a fact of life.

I have often wondered why there is always an exceptionally rich man’s son (from the chaebol) in so many Korean dramas, and one day it struck me: “It’s a dream!  The Korean dream!”  Korean society is such that if you are born into a poor family of the lower class, there is no way for you to climb the social ladder.  Korea is not America.  The Korean Dream is not the American Dream.  People love watching the chaebol because they want to live their life vicariously through them – a fantasy life.  Girls especially dream of marrying Prince Charming – so many Cinderella stories like “Only You”, “Secret Garden”, “How to meet the perfect neighbour” …. (you know more than me) — the poor girl marrying into a very rich and powerful family against all odds.

Now I have no idea if Korean society is really like this, but if art imitates life and if so many popular Korean dramas depict this, they must be realistic to some extent.  I think of JHJ playing a rich man’s son in “Sunshine”, “Only You”, “49 Days”, not to mention a Prince in “Great Ambition” (Daemang) and “Seo Dong Yo.”  His two characters in “Forbidden Love” (special squad agent) and “3 Dads/1 Mom” (investment specialist) are among the few in Korean dramas that have a real job.  And Andrea as a priest is of course unique.

I actually find the motive of Min-Ho and In-Jung in plotting against Ji-Hyun and her family in “49 Days” quite unconvincing — not anything terrible that Ji-Hyun’s father did to their parents long ago (the staple of K-dramas) but their challenge to social inequality (they feel it is unfair that the rich should have everything that they can never aspire to, so they want to reverse positions.)  But viewed in the context of what I wrote earlier, everything falls into place.

In every country in the world, there is disparity between rich and poor.  But in Korea there seems to be an invisible line that cannot be crossed.  You cannot choose your parents, but your birth defines your fate.  In many Korean dramas there is matchmaking — the protagonist is set up by his/her parents to meet someone recommended by the go-between.  The guiding critieria are of course comparable social positions and wealth.  Children of rich families especially have no choice — it’s not a man marrying a woman but two families joining forces, usually two big conglomerates.  One reason I like the Park Si-Hoo character so much in “Family Honour” is his insistence on marrying the girl he loves (although his family is only nouveau riche.)  JHJ in “Only You” also defies his father, although he pretends to submit and even agrees to an engagement.

This is not a treatise on sociology and my remarks are just my observations.  And I don’t feel particularly inspired today because I feel cheated by the KOW (AKA mouthpiece of SNH and JHJ.)  In the hierachical Korean society, is an actor’s management company way above his fans?  Can his MC treat his fans like …. they’re nothing?  Maybe Korean fans can accept this but international fans deserve some respect.  How can the Administrator of the KOW write in black and white that there will be good news before the end of June and not deliver?  Does the KOW and SNH realize what damage they are doing to JHJ’s image? 

I suspect the good news may have been a new project that did not materialize.  Disappointing, yes; devastating, no!  Just be honest — fans will understand.  I have always felt that in the hierachical Korean society, SNH ranks pretty low in the entertainment world (because too small.)  So in the scramble for good roles, SNH (and JHJ) will be at a disadvantage.  Everything being equal, the role will go the actor from a bigger MC with more connections and better background.  This is a fact of life — as long as JHJ is with SNH, this situation will not change.  I remember from watching dramas on the world of TV like “On Air” and “Their world within” how the MC of an actor protect him/her by wrestling as much screentime as possible from the director or scriptwriter, how the Manager would give PD hell if he feels his actor has not been treated properly (e.g. not shot from the best angle.)  From the way JHJ comes across in 49D, it is obvious his MC has not done anything for him.  Maybe a small MC like SNH can’t even gain access to the PD.

In two posts yesterday, I wrote: “I feel like crying.”  I feel like crying for JHJ, and for myself.  Shouldn’t star-chasing be happy?  Why should I have to worry about JHJ?  Why do I work so hard for him and he doesn’t even bother to leave a message for his fans?  Why do I spend all day on the computer and his MC doesn’t even bother to post a photo or two for his fans?  How can I run a website when there is no material?  How can I keep recycling or resurrecting old stuff?  How many diaries can I write and not bore people to death?  People come to a website to see something entertaining.  Nothing – and they’re gone.  Maybe I’ll be gone too next. 

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(Credit: See name on JHJ photo; angry bird from the internet.  Thanks!)

Sorry – just a catchy title.  Actually JHJ’s face is superimposed on current (first photo) and upcoming Korean dramas.  We feel like crying again …..

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

I think I should warn you now — you’ll have to read a lot more of my diary.  We have entered the 7 years of drought again.  During JHJ’s military service, there’s no news, no photos, nothing, except for a couple released by the army.  We have been so spoilt by SBS during the run of “49 Days” that life without Han Kang takes some getting used to.  However, not to worry – I won’t tell you about taking my dog to the grooming parlour every weekend (because no dog) and I won’t write about my weekly facials (because not into this sort of thing.)  I didn’t make these up – these things constituted the contents of the daily diary that appeared on a certain JHJ website during 2009-2010.  Everything I touch on will be JHJ-related; this is not my personal blog (in spite of being branded as such by a certain “official” website.)

Since returning home nearly 10 days ago, I’ve been glued to my TV set watching a DVD of “Family Honour.”  I’ve confessed I’m not a K-drama fan; I’m only a JHJ fan.  I haven’t watched that many Korean dramas.  There are so many that I tried watching but could not finish, recent ones like “Secret Garden”, “Athena”, “Their world within” …. I can’t even remember the titles of the others.  Now why would I watch a 54-episode drama that does not have JHJ in it?   

Actually it has everything to do with JHJ.  When I first learnt in late 2010 that JHJ’s new drama 49D was scripted by So Hyun-Kyung, I tried to find some previous work of hers, so I checked out “Prosecutor Princess” because I like Kim Soo-Hyun.  That’s how I discovered Park Si-Hoo.  I thought then: “If scriptwriter So can create a role for JHJ in 49D like that of PSH in PP, his comeback will be a bang!”  I read somewhere that SHK specifically requested JHJ to play Han Kang.  So I was full of hope and enthusiasm – dampened and finally dashed as 49D dragged to its close.

As I was watching “Family Honour”, I kept thinking: “JHJ can also play PSH’s role.  Now why can’t SNH get him a role like this?”  The more I watch, the more I’m convinced the script is the most important thing in a drama.  I was immediately drawn to the plot and its cast of characters (all skilfully portrayed.)   Every character has its function; every scene has its place; every line has its meaning.  I wish JHJ’s next drama is about family – family is the one thing that everybody can relate to – a ratings guarantee.  That pretty average drama “Baker King” garners a 50+ rating simply because it’s all about family politics and attendant melodrama of adultery, abandonment, betrayal, etc.  If JHJ’s next drama is a weekend drama like “Family Honour”, so much the better – because these are longer (usually run for half a year or so.) 

The difference is not FH is 54 episodes (so more scope for development) and 49D only 20 episodes.  By the 5th episode of FH, I already feel I know everybody.  If I see any one of them walking down the street, I can recognize him/her (and I don’t mean the face.)  I hardly ever cry when watching anything (movie or drama), but when the hero/heroine shed tears in FH, I was surprised to find my vision blurred - because I could feel their heartache.  The lines in their dialogue make my heart ache.  I don’t remember a single memorable line from 49D.  I didn’t cry when Han Kang shed the first tear at Ji-Hyun’s bedside, even though I was moved by JHJ’s acting.  Before 49D started, Han Kang’s character was described as “hiding a lot of pain in his heart”.  Sorry, I didn’t feel his pain at all (and the fault does not lie with JHJ who has made HK out to be more than he really is.)  That misunderstanding that separates Han Kang and Ji-Hyun for 10 long years is downright childish.   If you really love someone so much, would you wait all that time to go back to Korea to look for her – only to find she is your best friend’s fiancee?

Korean actors are all very professional.  Everybody in FH – male or female, old or young, major or minor – is very convincing and very much in character.  The casting director should be commended.  The child actor especially is simply adorable!   Most child actors overplay – you can feel they are acting.  But this one in KH is just being himself, or rather his 8-year-old character.  And I thought, if a child can do such a terrific job, how unfortunate that the only two Korean actors I’ve encountered who can’t act are in 49D, playing bigger roles than our JHJ!

I’ve often wondered if JHJ’s excessively good looks may have proved to be a liability rather than an asset.  If I were casting a role, say, a gritty role, a tough guy, someone capable of violence (like Lee Byung-Hun in “I saw the devil”), would I consider JHJ?  Probably not.  He has what Koreans call the “model student” look.  Given the chance, I’m positive JHJ can be up to the task.  But the problem is: he’s likely to be ruled out because of his looks.  JHJ himself seems to realise this when he says in a recent interview that even if he wants to play a certain role or be in a certain drama, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.

Returning to family-oriented dramas, I suddenly realize JHJ is more or less an orphan in practically all of his dramas.  “Great Ambition” (Daemang) – Crown Prince has no mother, no brothers (all killed), and father who dies.  “First Love” - father abroad? only one contact by telephone.  “Love Letter” – Andrea’s father died when he’s a baby and he is abandoned by his mother.  “Sunshine” – father and mother divorced, goes back to Seoul on his own.  “Only You” – a tyrant father, divorced mother in Italy re-marries.  “Forbidden Love” – a younger sister and no living parents.  “Seo Dong Yo” – mother dies when he’s a boy, doesn’t know his father till very late, and even then father does not want to recognize him.  “3 Dads/1 Mom” – a father suffering from Alzheimer’s, no mother.  “49 Days” – estranged mother dead, father in U.S.  How come in all of his roles JHJ does not have a proper family?  Is it any wonder he never gets the girl – except in OY (buy one get one free – pardon the frivolity) and SDY (but the Queen dies too soon.)  In 49D it’s even worse, he ends up with a tree!  Oops! almost forgot “Father & Sons” – at least here he has a father (but no mother) and 3 brothers (one dies soon.)

My biggest discovery in “Family Honour” is Yoon Jung-Hee who is now my favourite Korean actress.  I wish JHJ’s girlfriend will be like her.  If I were JHJ’s mother, I would like someone like that to be my daughter-in-law.  YJH is not strikingly beautiful, but she has a certain elegance and grace, and it feels very comfortable to be with her.  Perhaps I am really drawn to her character who is a university professor.  YJH and PSH have wonderful chemistry which reinforces once again my conviction that JHJ needs to play against an actress of his calibre to bring out the best in him.  The only one who has managed to do this is Lee Bo-Young in SDY (but she has since lost her brilliance.) 

B and I have an ongoing thing — I would say: “How is it that with his qualities (outstanding looks, acting skills, etc.) JHJ is not more popular and better known than he is now?” and B would say: “The issue is not really why JHJ is not hotter but why he is still around?  With a MC like SNH he should have been forgotten long ago.”  Every now and then we bring this up and our conclusion every single time is: JHJ has defeated the odds against him because he is JHJ!  Why are we still around when his MC has done nothing for his fans?  Why are we watching his 10-year-old drama “Father & Sons” in which he only has a bit part?  (Actually I’m very grateful to the Korean fan who uploaded the videos because they are so precious and to B for discovering them.)  Because we have found him and we can’t let him go.  (Now is this line from FH?)

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(Credit: M’s diary banner created by prissymom.  She has created a series, so just for that I have to keep writing.  Many thanks!)

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the fathers among JHJ fans!  Are there any?  Happy Father’s Day to the fathers of all JHJ fans and to your children’s father!

This is the first Father’s Day without his father for JHJ.  I don’t know whether they celebrate Father’s Day in Korea and I have no idea whether JHJ is a sentimental person.  But this was the day he was discharged last year (June 19, 2010).  I remember thinking then he must have wanted so much to go home at once to his ailing father and his mother.  Instead he spent several hours meeting his fans and the media.  This Chinese saying came to my mind as I was watching JHJ up close and personal : 人在江湖, 身不由己。(meaning: When you’re in the world at large, you cannot always do what you want.)

In the year since his discharge, JHJ has bonded with his Japanese fans again at the Japan fan meetings, experienced a death in the family, endured a blank period of several months before acting in his comeback drama “49 Days” AND recording a song on the OST that is still in the Top 100 (2 months after its release!)  49D may not be JHJ’s best work, but his Han Kang is without doubt one of his most successful characters and he has gained many younger fans with this drama.  His reputation has been enhanced and he should be very much in demand now. 

I’m hoping SNH can strike while the iron is hot and manage to sign up some good jobs for JHJ.  JHJ has said many times that he wants to try different kinds of roles, even playing the villain for a change.  He has also expressed the wish to challenge the musical — I find this very exciting.  JHJ has certainly become more mature and confident – one clear sign of this is he is speaking more at interviews.  Reporters used to dread interviewing him because he speaks in monosyllables (after thinking for several minutes.)  Now he even takes the initiative to disclose his own thoughts and feelings.

B and I used to play a game – writing JHJ’s messages.  He so rarely leaves a message and he writes more or less the same things every time, always starting with the weather in Seoul and ending with “Take care and be healthy and happy.”  We could write 70% of any JHJ message, the rest is just filling in the blanks (depending on the current topic.)  But we can’t do that anymore — he is writing longer and more interesting and substantial messages (minus the weather), and he sounds more unpredictable now.

So unpredictable that his openly declaring he wants to fall in love has fans speculating whether he is preparing us for the inevitable announcement or whether he in fact already has a girlfriend.  How could anyone like him be still unattached?  Especially since Korean girls can be quite aggressive and are not shy about taking the initiative.

So what will next year’s Father’s Day bring JHJ?  Fatherhood?  Not so fast, right?  Well, maybe fathering a CF, a film, another drama?  Surely these are within the ability of ACTOR JHJ.  Remember that Korean fan who quoted from James Dean a couple of weeks back.  This time she is quoting Charlie Chaplin:

I remain just one thing, and one thing alone, and that is a clown.
It places me on a far higher plane than any politician.

Substitute the word “actor” for “clown” and there you have JHJ.  The word ”politician” now has such negative connotations that it may be an insult comparing JHJ to any one of that class, but you get the idea.  Today we celebrate ACTOR JHJ on Father’s Day, now that he has become a Young Head of Household (what Koreans call a son who becomes head of family on his father’s demise.)

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(Credit:  1st photo designed by ahiru of CarpeDiemJAPAN; 2nd from http://johyunjae.com;  http://blog.daum.net/zero 1114/13725533; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

This is in answer to jhcwhite’s question last week as to what other upcoming Korean dramas haven’t cast their lead male yet.

Drama Title: ONJO BIRYU
Broadcast Station: MBC
Genre: Sageuk/Historical
Short Background: Onjo and Biryu are the 2 sons of Jumong (founder of Koguryo) and Soseono.  When their eldest half-brother, Yuri, became heir to the throne of Koguryo, Onjo and Biryu left their father’s kingdom.  Onjo settled in Wiryeseong (present day Hanam), while Biryu settled in Michuhol (present day Incheon).  When Michuhol proved to be difficult to settle, Biryu and his people went to Onjo and demanded that he be made king of Shipje (which means Ten Vassals; Shipje is the kingdom Onjo founded).  When Onjo refused, Biryu made war on his brother. Biryu committed suicide after losing the war; his people then joined Onjo’s kingdom, which was then renamed Paekche (meaning Hundred Vassals).  Note: This background information is not the synopsis provided by the producers but a result of my research on the topic “ONJO BIRYU”.
Cast: none yet

Drama Title: SHOWER
Broadcast Station: KBS
Genre: modern drama
Short Description:  SHOWER is a story of a family and those around them who embrace love and pain.  Scriptwriter is Noh Hee kyung (“Goodbye Solo” and “The World They Live In”).  Note: the drama will focus on the relationship of 3 sisters.
Cast: Han Ji Min and Jung Ryu Won as the 2 female leads

Drama Title: FAITH
Broadcast Station: SBS (but some reports say MBC)
Genre: Fusion Sageuk/fantasy/action
Short Description: “Faith,” set in the Goryeo Period (918-1392), tells the story of medical officer Kang-chan (lead male character). Kang-chan eventually becomes a “신의” – an honored physician due to his exemplary medical practice.  The drama covers Kang-chan’s life from his early physician stage to Kang-chan achieving his “신의” status. While working at the Kwangsewon private medical institution, Kang-chan gives hope to the people and a new life (from Asian Mediawiki).
Cast: Kim Hee Sun (as the female lead), Lee Phillip, Kim Seung So, Lee Min Young
PD: Kim Jong Hak (“DaeMang”, “Legend”, “Sandglass”)
Note:  Lee Jun Ki was originally cast as lead male but he had to drop out because  he had to start his military service.  Kang Ji Hwan was cast to replace LJK but had to drop the project also due to some problems with his former management agency and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association.
Additional Information:  The drama is slated for 16 episodes, will be filmed in 3D and has a budget of 3 Billion won (although I don’t know if they still have the same budget after all the delays).

Drama: TO THE EMPEROR
Broadcast Station: SBS
Genre: just based on the title, I am assuming historical
Short Description: none available
Cast:  none yet

Drama:  JEON WOO CHI
Broadcast Station:  None yet
Genre: Fantasy/Action
Short Description: Jeon Woo Chi (name of the main character) is based on a classical novel of unknown origin dating to the Joseon era that tells the story of a free-wheeling, mischievous Jeon Woo Chi.  JWC swallowed the gumiho’s fox bead, which gave him powers of Taoist magic. He uses those powers to save the poor, oppressed people and becomes a hero.  In 2009, a movie was made based on this character. In the movie, JWC was trapped in a scroll after he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit.  Centuries later he is released from his entrapment to help fight against the mysterious creatures that have been appearing in modern-day Korea.  The glitch: JWC is more interested in chasing after women than those strange creatures.  Note: I don’t know if the drama will follow the original JWC novel or will take off where the movie left off.
Cast: None yet

Drama title: MEDICAL COLLEGE
Broadcast Station: None yet
Genre: Modern drama/medical
Short Description: none available yet
Cast: Choi Ji Woo

So far, these are the dramas that I am aware of that have not cast their lead male yet.  I see some that are interesting like “Onjo Biryu”, “Faith”, and “Jeon Woo Chi”.  I like these 3 as possible projects for our JHJ not only because the lead male is the main character but also because the roles (as described) will give JHJ the chance to show off his versatility as an actor.  Plus, in these dramas, he will be required to do action sequences, which I would love to see since he is really very good in his action sequences in “Seo Dong Yo”, “Forbidden Love”,  and in the SeeYa MVs.

I don’t like the sound of SHOWER, because it will be like another “49 Days” where the story is focused on the female characters.

Of course, we should not confine our speculations to the dramas listed above because there are plenty of dramas that are” not reported way ahead of their airdate.  Some of the dramas listed above have been in the “upcoming” list since 2009 (“Faith”), while some were reported last year (“Onjo Biryu”, “Jeon Woo Chi” ).  The first inkling we had of “49 Days” was in December 2010 but it aired way ahead of the others reported before it.

I firmly believe that JHJ is up for a project (another drama preferably) that will focus on his character.  “49 Days”, for me, is JHJ getting his feet wet again after a 3-year hiatus from acting.  In my opinion, in “49 Days”, his whole being got truly and decidedlydrenched and not just his feet, both literally and figuratively. Literally – he had that shower scene, remember?  Figuratively, he was so immersed in his Han Kang character that he convinced many people of different demographics that a HAN KANG can truly exist in this world.

JHJ has done all the hard work to make a successful comeback.  I only hope and pray that SNH will be up to the task of snagging for our dear JHJ a follow-up project that is truly worthy his talents.

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(Credit: Article and photo by prissymom.  Thanks!)

On our last night in L.A., I was working on our blog in the study and my husband was watching TV in the sitting room.  Suddenly I heard him yell: “Come quick!  Your idol is on!”  I took a few seconds to leave the computer.  I thought it was my tennis idol who lost in the French Open a couple of days ago.  But it was Han Kang on the TV screen!  OMG!  49D is showing here in LA?  It’s a channel called SBS LA18, with English subtitles.  The episode ended with the backhug, quite late in the drama, which meant they’d been showing this for several weeks.  49D and JHJ are all over the world!  I wonder where else they’re showing 49D on TV.

My son came home for the weekend, and one of the first things he told me was he met a Korean business associate recently and asked him if he knew JHJ.  Answer: No!  I said I bet his wife or girlfriend knew; men are not into actors.  He also told me his former H.K. classmate (now also in the U.S.A.) LKY was watching 49D.  I exclaimed involuntarily: “I love LKY!”  “But you never used to like him!”  “I do now!  He’s got great taste!”  My son laughed and rolled his eyes.  Afterwards I marvelled that he not only could say JHJ’s full name but also remember 49D (when I couldn’t remember whether I mentioned it to him or not.)

My mother-in-law is in hospital (incurable illness – old age) and my husband and I had to go see her everyday.  One day I didn’t go (tons of work to do) and next day my sister-in-law asked nonchalantly: “So what are you so busy about?” (as if it’s any of her business.)  I wanted to shout: “JHJ!  That’s what!”  Instead I said: “We had a gas leak at our house.”  It’s not been easy to maintain our other home all these years.  Every time we come back, something has gone wrong.  Appliances break down even if they are not used: our TV, refrigerator, washing machine, water heater, garage door … all took turns to malfunction.  Old houses have a lot of plumbing problems.  Two years ago we had a big leak that took US$5,000 to repair.  I didn’t even sweat because I remembered what my dear late father always said: “Problems that can be solved by money are not problems.”

This time it was a gas leak — took two plumbers half a day to change pipes and valves for another 4-figure sum.  Good thing we were here because the gas technician said it looked like gas was trapped in the wall.  She had a gadget that went CLUCK-CLUCK-CLUCK when it detected gas.  There could have been an explosion and we would be in big trouble.  Reminded me of that time a few years ago when a leaking pipe flooded our bathroom and 1/4 of our bedroom on the day I was due to leave (of course postponed.)  If it had happened a day later, our whole house (and neighbourhood!) would have been flooded and we could be in deep waters.  I feel so lucky; God is looking out for me. 

Which got me thinking: if you feel your cup is always half full instead of half empty, you will feel much happier.  Which got me thinking about JHJ and 49D: even though 49D will never be my favourite JHJ drama because JHJ’s screen time is not as much as I’d like and his role is not as central/pivotal as I’d like, a lot of people like it and Han Kang is one of JHJ’s most likable characters.   JHJ has made a tremendous impact with his portrayal of Han Kang and he has made a successful comeback with 49D, for which I am thankful.

To return to the issue of sisters-in-law, I remember a few years ago at a gathering of JHJ fans in H.K., the question of JHJ’s marrying came up.  I said even though he might be the most desirable guy in the world, no young woman nowadays relished buying one getting 3 free.  By that I meant whoever married him would have to take care of his sick parents and also live with his unmarried older sister.  Only B agreed with me; the others all argued if you loved someone enough, you’d do anything for him.  In theory, yes; in practice?  One to four is a far cry from one to one.  Nothing strains a marriage (especially the beginning) as much as a crowded household, among which you are the new kid on the block.

Have you ever wondered why JHJ does not have a girlfriend?  In an early interview he owned up to three, all before he hit the big time.  They were probably those he mentioned on the “‘Only You’ TV Special”, including the one who’s 167cm and 49kg for whom he bought the lingerie.  His girlfriends were all in Seoul, “from South of the Han River to North of the Han River.”  I have a theory: JHJ is too good-looking, better looking than even some of his female co-stars.  Now in his profession he works everyday with beautiful women whose beauty is more often than not man-made.  If you’ve seen the BEFORE and AFTER photos of NGR, you’d be astonished at the skills of the Korean cosmetic surgeons.  Where can JHJ find a natural beauty like himself?  When Kim Hee-Seon’s daughter was born and she did not at all resemble her, she said the child looked like her father, but she probably looked like the real KHS herself before she went under the knife (many times.)  Being a filial son, the future Mrs. JHJ must be approved by his mother (and accepted by his sister with whom he is very close.)  As fans, we have to “love him love his dog”, Oops! I mean his girlfriend/wife, though some will be alienated and will desert him.  If and when JHJ has a girlfriend, I hope he will announce it and not hide the fact or, worse, lie about it (like some Chinese superstars who lost my respect for not respecting the women in their life.)

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(Credit:  Photo should be from JHJ’s 2008 photo album and not what it says on it.)

So, EVERYBODY is a winner!  EVERYBODY deserves a prize!

Prizes will be mailed from Hong Kong on June 13.

We already have the addresses of some of you.  We need your address — nia, charlene, Ka Ja, jhcwhite, and moongirl.  Please e-mail us at jhjfans@gmail.com BEFORE June 11.  And Jelly, which of your addresses do you want us to send prize?

We thank everybody for participating.  You have made us smile/misty-eyed/laugh/gooey….. Many thanks for sharing!

And to those who haven’t found your “JHJ” yet, you will — when the right man comes along at the right time and the right place.

We’re writing to tell JHJ about this exercise.  We’ve selected parts from each story to be translated into Korean, so JHJ will know his fans from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia/Australia, Canada, U.S.A., Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia all have such wonderful husbands/boyfriends/sons.

PRIZE WINNERS — PLEASE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL.

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COMPETITION CLOSES AT END OF TODAY (JUNE 8).

*  Doesn’t look like there are that many supportive husbands/boyfriends and what not, so we’ll close this earlier, say, June 8?  *

First posted on May29.  Will be carried forward everyday till deadline of June 10.  Keep those heartwarming stories coming!

Apart from JHJ, that is.

My husband reduced me to tears a couple of weeks ago.  I was preparing dinner and he was working on the computer.  When it was my turn to use the computer, I saw on the screen a news report of “49 Days” from a Chinese website on Korean entertainment news – something I already translated the day before.  I didn’t think anything of it and switched to our blog.  Ten minutes later my husband walked into the study and asked: “You saw 49 Days?”  “What?” “You didn’t see what I left for you to see?” “Oh! Was that you?  You checked up on ’49 Days’ for me?”  With that I got misty-eyed.

My husband has only watched two Korean dramas in his life – “Jewel in the Palace” (Dae Jang Geum) and “Seo Dong Yo”, the latter because he wanted to understand what it was about JHJ that could make his wife (who is so snobbish in some ways) a star-chaser – something she utterly despises before.  After finishing the 55 episodes, he made some cryptic remarks like: “Baekje fits the real estate agent’s criteria for the perfect property – location, location, location – everywhere is within walking distance – the palace, the academy, the pier, etc.” and “Now I know the saying ‘The walls have ears’ originated in Baekje – every time some secret is told, someone outside is evesdropping.”  He didn’t say anything about JHJ, but I suspected he became a Lee Bo-Young fan (because he asked me if I had anything else featuring LBY – I gave him a DVD of a movie.)

I’ve always said star-chasing is a family affair.  It’s so time-consuming and emotion-draining that you need the support of your spouse (and son and brothers in my case.)  From time to time my brothers (in different parts of the world) would ask: “How’s your other son?”  During JHJ’s MS my real son enquired more than once: “When is Jo Hyun-Jae coming out?” (He actually got his full name correct!) and he downloaded JHJ’s 49D OST songs from itunes for me (his Mother’s Day gift.)  My husband never complains when I monopolise the computer.  I suspect he’s secretly pleased someone is occuping my attention so I won’t have time to nag him!

I know I am very lucky and I thank God everyday for all these wonderful men in my life.  I am especially thankful when I remember that fan from Taiwan (who translated some of our earlier posts for another website) whose husband almost beat her up when he discovered her passion for JHJ.  She was just doing what all of you are doing – searching for news of JHJ on the web – but he treated her as if she had committed adultery.  He shut down all her contacts with other JHJ fans and forced her to disappear from the JHJ scene.

And then there is the Korean fan who (true story – told to me first-hand) who has to hide the JHJ souvenirs and photos whenever relatives visit, although she is single and lives alone.  Whenever they have any fan activities on weekends (like preparing gifts for JHJ), only those unmarried fans can take part or help out; the ones with families have to be home.  Being a JHJ fan seems to be a guilty secret which is something beyond my comprehension.

When I think of that super JHJ fan from Thailand (my friend S) whose bedroom is divided like N. & S. Korea at the 38th parallel – her side all full of JHJ photos and souvenirs – I do not blame her husband for calling JHJ “bad guy”.  No man likes sharing his wife with another man, even though he is beyond reach in another part of the world.  And my friend B’s husband is totally clueless about what occupies his wife all the time, even when she goes on fan meetings with me.  Such a trusting man!  When B spares a little time for him, he is so grateful.  Such a sweet man!  And I must include that fan from California whose husband helped her choose a birthday present for JHJ, even making a sensible suggestion.  With husbands like these, who needs …..JHJ?

“49  Days” has come to an end.  Feeling a little lost?  Still suffering from Han Kang fever?  “What to do? What to do?” as NGR is always saying.  Well, gals, we have to come back to earth and start focusing on reality again.

Now Father’s Day is next month.  We want to organize another competition.  We’d like to hear from you stories about how the men in your life support (or not) your love for JHJ.  We want to salute our long-suffering husbands (or boyfriends), even fathers, brothers, sons.  We want to show our appreciation for their tolerance, patience, and indulgence.

I don’t know what the prize is yet.  I have to rummage in my treasure chest of JHJ souvenirs (much bigger than Song Yi-Kyung’s!)  I have plenty of goodies; I have to see what I can bear to part with.

Again, don’t worry about your English.  But please be truthful – this is not an exercise in creative writing.  I am very good at detecting sham.  If you have more than one story to tell, please feel free to do so.  DO share with us how the wonderful men in your life assist, abet, support, encourage/discourage, reinforce, participate in ….. your star-chasing.

Deadline is June 10.

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(Credit: Photos from http://gall.dcinside.com.  Thanks!)

A couple of weeks ago I met with the computer guy P in Hong Kong.  I wanted to improve the look and functionality of our blog.  I collected some suggestions beforehand and e-mailed him first to let him know roughly what I wanted done.

What we really need to improve is SEARCH — it’s difficult to find things on our blog, even for me.  I had no experience and I never expected we’d grow so big (in terms of material.)  Our CATEGORIES leave a lot to be desired.  For example, when “49 Days” first started, I put everything in “JHJ drama: 49 Days” which rapidly ballooned to over a hundred posts in no time.  It was then that I realized I should have used sub-categories like “49 Days: Preview and Synopsis” and “49 Days: Ratings”, etc.  I tried going back to re-categorize the old posts, but it was so tedious, especially since my broadband is really “narrowband” (so s-l-o-w!)  I gave up in frustration after a week or so,

First of all P upgraded our version of WordPress to the current one.  From time to time (too often) WordPress would say: “x.y.3 version available – please upgrade.”  I only did this once, much to my regret, because upgrading means everything goes haywire and everybody is locked out, including ADMIN!  Anyway P upgraded without consulting me, so what could I say?  I found I had to cope with new features which I don’t like since I’m a creature of habit.  The worst thing is now spacing is unpredictable: so often I can spend a whole hour just wrestling with the computer over double spacing.  That’s why you now see those dots on the side – my ingenious way of getting round the computer’s over-ruling my double-spacing.  It hurts my sense of perfection, but it’s the lesser of two evils.  (B just taught me a way to hide those unsightly dots — make them white!  So now you don’t see them even though they are still there.  Man, or rather, woman is smarter than computers!

The most noticeable thing is additions on the SIDE BAR (right hand column.)  Now we have RECENT COMMENTS (which works) and MOST POPULAR POSTS (which doesn’t, at least I don’t think so.)  At first P put HIT LIST which I had him changed.   Maybe that’s the way it’s called but I don’t like the implications.  As far as I can tell, the MOST POPULAR POSTS have not changed at all in these two weeks or so!  I may take it off soon since it is a distraction.

P added TAG which I don’t know how to use.  I don’t understand how it is different from SEARCH on top right.  And even that is behaving in a strange way.  I tried it out a few times.  I typed in “49 Days OST” and out came a list of posts, many of which had nothing to do with 49D OST!  Same with TAG.  I tried asking P (by e-mail) and he came back with something that’s too brief to be intelligible, so I didn’t feel like bugging him again.

I asked P to add PAGES and he put 1,2,3,4,…..at the bottom.  You have to scroll down to the bottom of each page to find them.  He also added something called RECENT POSTS at the top, next to ABOUT US.  He said that gives a summary and readers can continue if they are interested.  But why are the posts old ones in May and not the latest?  I may have to contact P again but I’m a little scared of these techies.

P calls JHJ “J9″ because he can never remember his full name – he only remembers his name starts with J and it has 9 letters in it.  He must be very amused ajumas such as B and I are so crazy about J9.  I think he found using my netbook almost an insult, but he’s very patient with this near-computer-illiterate ajuma who had to take notes of everything he said.  B was there and she was trying to help.  She’s teaching me something and suddenly we heard P (whose chin was resting on the back of his hands perched on the window sill of my hotel room looking out at the view outside – he’s so bored) roaring with laughter.  I think B made a mistake and P must have thought we’re the short-sighted leading the blind.  He’s not really laughing at us; he’s actually a good-natured guy.

Afterwards at the hotel lounge (the least I could do was treat him to tea – apart from paying him, of course) we were having a very pleasant conversation, during which his cell phone rang a number of times.  Only later did I know it was his girfriend calling; she hung up in anger the last time because he didn’t go at once when she summoned.  I felt very bad but P said it’s no use calling her now because she would have turned off her cell phone.  Suddenly B and I looked at each other and we burst out laughing.  We were both thinking the same thing — JHJ on “‘Only You’ TV Special” when he talked about how he and his girlfriend quarrelled and she wouldn’t take his calls.  So I asked P if he had to go to see her afterwards to patch things up and he said he’d wait till the morning.  Aren’t you going to wait outside her place all night? I teased P and winked at B (she of course knew I was still in my OYTVS mood – JHJ “sitting” outside his girlfriend’s house all night because “How could anyone stand all night?”  Ha!Ha!Ha!)

Just as computers have a mind of their own, computer guys do things their own way (without telling you.)  I’m grateful to P for making one big improvement to our blog — now you can join as SUBSCRIBER only if you are HUMAN!  P added I-forgot-what-it’s-called, so now to be a SUBSCRIBER, you have to be able to do arithmetic and you have to be approved.  I didn’t know this at first, and when I saw the number of subscribers did not grow by the dozens like before, I was very gratified not to have to keep deleting them.  Then one day I scrolled down the USERS list and found something called UNAPPROVED USER which I promptly deleted.  After doing this for a few days, I suddenly realized maybe I was deleting real JHJ fans.  So I e-mailed P and asked him what UNAPPROVED USER meant, and he said I had to approve them.  Now why didn’t he tell me in the first place?

And now to LOG IN, you have to do some simple arithmetic.  It’s not so simple to me — I’m OK with addition and subtraction, but when I first saw *, I wasn’t  sure if that is “multiply” or “divide”, so I took a chance and got it wrong!  THAT CAPTCHA IS INCORRECT!  I felt so insulted!  But at least now we’re not getting any UNAPPROVED COMMENTS that sell this and that, and we needn’t fear ads from porn sites anymore.

Honestly I’m not sure our improvement is an improvement.  I have to say technically our blog is very unsophisticated.  That’s because I am not at all technical-minded and I can only cope with something simple.  I hope you agree with me that substance is more important than style.  I wish I could say what JHJ is always saying: “I will appear before you in a new image.”  Our new image may look a little better than before, but we’re still the same under our skin.  As long as we’ve got JHJ, we’ll look as good as he does.  5555!

It was Song Il Gook’s mother Kim Eul Dong (SIK of “Jumong” “A man called God”, etc. fame), a famous actress in her own right, who had high praise for JHJ in SDY – “Very handsome, like a pretty boy who has stepped out of the comics”.  Characters in comics always look larger than life, more beautiful than real people – except in the case of JHJ.  These photos are proof!

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

This has not been a good week for me.   I found out my mother’s caretaker has been abusing her (at least verbally); my mother-in-law is hospitalized (again!); I’ve been told our blog is just ….. a blog!  The last of course pales in significance compared to the first two, which is why I’m telling myself it’s not worth getting upset/uptight about.

Four years ago my Japanese friend M already told me that the world of JHJ was very complicated, that one would “disappear” if one did anything not in line with the powers-that-be.  I didn’t think much of it then since I was just an ordinary fan and I was far removed from the upper echelons of the JHJ world.  Now I am still an ordinary fan but circumstances have made it possible for me to rub shoulders with the big girls.

I am on good terms with them – with both of them (or so I thought).  I don’t take sides. They are competing to be #1, and I am content to stay on the sidelines.  I even thought I was friends with one of their Masters.  We have a cordial, civilized relationship.

Then last month I took on one of the big girls.  Actually I just asked a simple question, but I must have touched a nerve.  I now know what I did was very un-Korean, although it is just normal behaviour in the west.  It unleashed a long, on-the-surface very polite (polite form and all that) but actually quite scathing response.  I’ve had it translated and a Korean has read it and confirmed my understanding of its contents.

I won’t go into details.  Suffice to say I was told “wulijohyunjae” is just a blog, and, as such, does not qualify to represent anyone.  When I first started this blog, someone (yes, that same IT professional who told me I was the only person she knew who didn’t know how to send photos by e-mail) said mine was just a “blog” and hers was a “website”.  I asked her the difference between a blog and a website, and she launched into a string of technical jargon that succeeded in thoroughly confusing me.  I have since asked a lot of people who don’t seem to think there is any difference.  Anyway, this big girl from the land of JHJ says “wulijohyunjae” has not made the grade because hit rates don’t mean anything; blogs that do not require LOG IN are inferior to those that do; visitors to blogs such as wulijohyunjae are just “passers-by”.  (Now you have to understand the Korean language never calls a spade a spade; they use a lot of euphemisms but I can read between the lines.)

I wish I had never mentioned Alexa.  I made it very clear that I wasn’t boasting, that I just wanted to let them know that JHJ has fans in many different countries in the world, some places where no one would imagine he could reach.  In my reply (yes, back and forth) I ask if she seriously believes that our “area of influence” (her term) is not as great as those “websites” ranked several million below us. (which she ignored in her next reply.)  I query their ignoring the many international fans on our blog, and she tells me authoritatively that we are not a representative fan site since we are not “official.”   I never claim that wulijohyunjae is a fan site/club, OK, we’re just a blog.  Of course we’re not official, but are they? are the others?  Who made them official?  Yes, they were once official but they have been “de-officialed” when the KOW was established (everybody knows this.)

She said “wulijohyunjae” is just my personal blog, that it represents my personal feelings and thoughts, that’s all.  Yes, I have my own take on things JHJ, but I told her of all the JHJ blogs/websites, “wulijohyunjae” is the least personal in the sense that you don’t even find my name or position on it, unlike the others.  I don’t call myself “Master” because I detest the term.  What makes these Masters think they are above the rest?  Just their own egos!

To me all JHJ fans are equal.  The only difference lies in the quality and degree of their love for JHJ and how much they are willing to give of themselves for him (not just money.)  But to them “All fans are equal, but some are more equal than others”.  (Apologies to George Orwell for paraphrasing his famous line from “Animal Farm”.)   I said they’re just playing the “small circle game” (Chinese saying); they and their subsidiaries are just “cliques” – a small group of people controlling everything.

I told her point-blank that the main difference between wulijohyunjae and them (they and their subsidiaries) is: we are INCLUSIVE and they are EXCLUSIVE.  I deliberately do not require people to LOG IN before they can read our posts because I want as many people as possible to get to know JHJ, so I make it as easy as possible for them.  Visitors to our blog can freely express their opinions/views/thoughts/feelings, and many have made great contributions.  I also told her our “passers-by” pass by every day, some even several times a day.

In her next reply she just repeated everything three times over (complete with 100 polite phrases.)  I told her in my very first e-mail that I’m a straightforward person and I will write directly and simply.  But she still beats around the bush.  Why can’t she just tell me to go to hell?  I would, if circumstances are reversed and I feel she is out of line.  I think I tread on her sore foot (Chinese saying).  I bet nobody has dared to challenge her/them before.  But what the heck!  They have no right to monopolise him — JHJ belongs to all his fans.  He is no longer just a Korean actor — he is an international star!

I may have become a pariah in the JHJ world.  So?  What if they don’t include me in anything?  I can still admire him from a distance.  I can still write to him (and I did).  I can also write to SNH (and I did.)  And I got both letters translated into Korean.  But my translator tells me SNH would most likely throw my letter into the wastepaper basket.  They have probably never been told to shape up (very politely, of course.)  Well, it’s their loss.  If they won’t listen to constructive criticism or accept any suggestions, they are not worthy to take care of our JHJ.  Anybody with commonsense knows an actor without fans is like a fish out of water.  An actor with many fans from outside of Korea can sometimes reinforce his position in Korea (Park Shi-Hoo of “Prosecutor Princess” is a case in point.)

In the midst of my worries over my mother and my mother-in-law, I ask myself: “What am I doing fencing with people like that over something so silly and trivial?  Have I totally lost my sense of perspective?”  But listening to JHJ’s song “Even if I can only live for one day”, my other self tells me: “Even if I can only last for one day, I’ll keep working for JHJ because he’s better and bigger than these people, and if it were left to them, he would just be a frog in the well.” *    (* ED: Reference is to the Chinese parable about a frog which lives in a well and which thinks the whole world is the sky that he can only see from the bottom of the well.)   “Wulijohyunjae” may be just a blog but our “passers-by” are living, breathing human beings who sustain JHJ with their true hearts, and nothing they do can take this away from us.  So there!

(Credit: Calendar design by ahiru of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Many thanks!)

P.S.  jhcwhite, I haven’t forgotten I owe you an answer about JHJ’s management companies (MC), and this seems as good a place as any to say something about this touchy topic.

These things are not documented and Koreans don’t talk about them.  Everything is hush-hush (delicate matter, I suppose.)  I had to do some checking and I also consulted my friend B (walking/talking JHJ encyclopaedia, remember?)

Here are the facts (as far as I know) :  After SDY ended in March 2006, JHJ’s first known public appearance was at his birthday party organized by CAFE in May.  Then he went to Hong Kong in September to attend a Tiffany event (opening of their flagship store or something like that), but mainly to meet Eric Tsang (famous HK actor/productor) who wanted to sign him for a re-make of the 1987 Chow Yun-Fat classic “An Autumn’s Tale”.  Nothing came of this, however, because of financing problems.

Soon after JHJ returned to Korea, news broke in late Sept. that he had broken his contract with his MC Star J (very big company that he’d been with since almost the beginning of his acting career.)  Star J sued JHJ for 800 m. KRW (which is miniscule compared to other similar lawsuits.)  The case went to trial, but the outcome seemed to be that JHJ did not have to pay because evidence was given that Star J did not offer JHJ enough support when he was under contract to them.

In Nov. 2006 JHJ went to Japan for 3 fan meetings.  He was already with his new company (a precursor of Star N Hit – forgot name, sorry! also STAR something.)  This is very strange because this contract must have been signed by JHJ’s old MC Star J.  Why should JHJ honour this contract?  Some arrangement between old and new MCs?

In 2007 JHJ filmed “G.P.506″ under new MC and also “3 Dads/1 Mom” in 2008.  Somewhere along the line (I forgot exact date, sorry!) his MC changed its name to Star N Hit — same people, same set-up, everything’s the same except the name, plus the joining of Mr. Lee from JHJ’s old MC (where he also managed JHJ.)  JHJ has said more than once that Mr. Lee is like a big brother to him.

Nobody knows exactly what happened between JHJ and Star J, and he never talks about it.  But at the Korea Fan Meeting in Seoul in 2008, one of the questions that fans asked JHJ was to list his joys and sorrows.  JHJ said the saddest thing in his life was to be betrayed by someone he trusted.  He did not elaborate, but I suspect it had to be about his break-up with his old MC.

I met with a representative of the Official Japan Fan Club in 2009, and she told me SNH was not a big MC but medium-sized.  JHJ is the biggest star in SNH, so I suppose here he has the freedom to choose his projects (whereas in a big MC actors have to do what they’re told.)  Perhaps if JHJ had stayed with Star J, he could have become a much bigger star than he is now (at a price.)  He has obviously made his choice, and I hope he is happier now.

The last word on “49 Days” *

I was going to leave these comments on the OPEN FORUM, but they got longer and longer as I got more and more worked up.

Let me state categorically that I am first and foremost a JHJ fan, so I am naturally biased in his favour.  I have seen a couple of Lee Yo-Won’s previous dramas, and I have a soft spot for any actress who has worked with JHJ.  I don’t know any of the other actors in “49 Days” (49D).

I am not a K-drama fan (I haven’t watched that many.)  I am a film buff.  I don’t like soap operas.  I don’t watch TV series in general.  The only one I’ve watched in its entirety is “The West Wing”.  I’ve also watched several episodes of “Desperate Housewives” because I can’t decide which one of the four women is my favourite.  (I’ve eliminated one.)

When I first heard that JHJ has chosen “49 Days” and I checked out what it’s about, I was very excited.  I have faith in JHJ’s judgement and 49D does not sound run-of-the-mill at all.  It did cross my mind that perhaps JHJ was influenced by his father’s recent demise to choose this comeback drama with the theme of life and death.  I was a little concerned that the transcendental subject might go over the heads of the Korean ajumas who make up the bulk of the audience.  But ratings aren’t everything, and I’m sure JHJ will carry the day.

I was not happy about all the advance publicity and promotion centering on LYW, NGR, and JIW.  No wonder this prompted doubts about whether JHJ is really the #1 actor, or #2 or even #3.  I know the reality of the entertainment world.  If an actor’s MC (management company) is big and has clout, it can secure plum roles for him/her.  Not only that, they can get written into the contract how many minutes per episode the actor will appear, how much publicity the TV studio will focus on him/her, what other perks like singing OST he/she will get, etc.  So when LYW’s head is biggest on the official posters, well, it’s obvious she’s the star.  And when NGR’s head gets bigger, oh well, she’s a rising star.  JHJ’s MC is ….. the less said the better (Sigh!)  JHJ can only rely on himself.  I was not worried.  I knew once JHJ takes centre stage, he can eclipse everybody, anybody!

BUT JHJ is never given the chance to take centre stage in 49D!  Never mind the story is really focused on NGR; never mind the script is tailor-made for LYW; never mind JIW gets the plum role of the Scheduler; never mind JHJ’s screen time is less than his role warrants.  I can forgive all the demerits of the drama, but I cannot forgive the scriptwriter and the director for WASTING our JHJ!

I ask very little of K-drama – just that it can retain my attention.  If I nitpick on every flaw, every inconsistency, every illogicality, I won’t be able to finish a single drama.  I have no intention of discussing 49D in general here – it’s not worth my time.  In any case, many of you have expressed excellent opinions and insights on the OPEN FORUM.  I just want to say this: all through the run of 49D (10 weeks) and now four days after its close, I am still boiling with indignation, tinged with a large dose of regret, that JHJ’s comeback drama should have ended with a whimper, not a bang.

From Episode 1 I was already nursing the fear that JHJ’s Han Kang might be peripheral.  Well, he’s not; he’s actually very important in the development of the plot.  But the treatment he receives is peripheral – by this I mean not only does JHJ gets less screen time than he deserves, he is not allowed to display his awesome acting ability to the full.  There are numerous examples, but just to cite one glaring instance here: When HK rushes to the hospital on hearing of JH’s death in the final episode, there is one very brief (maybe 3 seconds) close-up shot of JHJ’s face.  Can’t the camera linger for a few more seconds on JHJ’s face?  We all know how he can cry (tugs at our heartstrings) and this is just about the most emotional moment of the drama.  But no, camera cuts away immediately to I-forgot-what (left no impression on me at all.)

Throughout this drama JHJ has not been given full rein to act to his heart’s content.  The second half of Episode 19 is all about SYK and SYS reconciling their differences, scene after scene, shot after shot, lovingly, lingeringly portrayed.  JHJ has not been accorded the same courtesy.  Most of his scenes are short (to the point of abrupt), many of his lines are brief, and he does not get any long, developed segment at all.  Yes, there’s the HUG, the backhug, the piano scene…. and oh! that magnificent tirade against BSB, but none is more than a couple of minutes (even though to us they last an eternity.)  I’m sure JHJ acted his heart out but a lot of the film was left on the floor of the editing room (figuratively – of course now everything is done on the computer.)  I’d like to be the SBS cleaner so I can sweep up and save all these treasures.

A bigger, more efficient MC would have stormed the SBS Production Unit and threatened this and demanded that for their actor.  I’m getting all worked up again when I remember even in a light comedy like “3 Dads/1 Mom” there are scenes like JHJ looking for his “daughter” in the supermarket and talking to her on the videocam, scenes where JHJ can demonstrate to the full his enormous range of expressions, scenes that are one-shot (no editing.)  The emotions that JHJ is able to arouse by the purity, the subtlety, the intensity of his acting is unparalleled in K-drama.

Except for 2 or 3 episodes, JHJ is not given the opportunity to do his job properly in 49D.  He seems to me like a thoroughbred reined in by its rider.  He can easily beat the rest of the pack but is deliberately held back.  Episode 20 is an anti-climax.  I don’t like the ending one bit!  Not because JHJ doesn’t end up with either NGR or LYW.  JHJ never gets the girl anyway in most of his dramas, except for “Only You” and “Seo Dong Yo”.  Not because NGR dies and JHJ is heartbroken – death is not the most tragic thing in life. (The Queen also dies in SDY and I cry buckets every time I see that forlorn look in JHJ’s eyes, but there her death is natural and meaningful whereas NGR’s death in 49D is unnecessary and meaningless.)  What I don’t like are the pretentiousness, the pseudo-philosophy, the holier-than-thou attitude of the scriptwriter So Hyun-Kyung (SHK).

The concept of the 49 days traveller is not new and certainly not something conceived by the scriptwriter SHK.  It’s borrowed from Buddhism and just given a dramatic spin in this drama.  Quite apart from all those soul and body shifts and rolling in and out, the Scheduler with his wild gestures and constant shouting has taken up plenty of precious screen time.  And then at the end to cheat, yes, cheat with the so-called “reversal” smacks of artistic dishonesty to me, or, as one Korean so aptly put it, “emotional terrorism”.  NGR can die (K-dramas specialise in healthy young people inexplicably stricken by an incurable disease) but not like this.  All that banal sermonising about “living every day as if it were 49 days” and “life goes on” is so superficial (and not even novel) that it’s downright laughable.  People watch K-dramas for entertainment, not to be preached at.  We have priests for that!  It’s not whether it’s a happy ending or sad ending or open ending, but it cannot negate everything that happens in the rest of the drama.  As it is, it’s a contrived ending – just to be different, to surprise (maybe “spite” is more appropriate) the audience, to confound all expectations, to puncture all speculations.  I didn’t shed one drop of tear.  No, I cried in my heart for JHJ – for the unforgivable waste of the talents of a splendid actor.

And yet the most ironic thing is this: In spite of not being given his rightful due, JHJ manages to outshine everyone in 49D.  Even though his character is not fully developed, Han Kang fever has swept the world.  49D will never be one of JHJ’s best, but Han Kang may end up as one of his most memorable characters – simply because he makes so many women swoon!

Another unexpected bonus to come out of 49D is JHJ’s song “Even if I can only live for one day”.  No advance publicity, no promotion – and yet, played at the HUG, it has become the most popular track on the 49D OST.  Except for JHJ fans who have heard him sing on his CD and at fan meetings, everybody is pleasantly surprised, maybe even SBS.

I have no desire to watch 49D again, (having watched every episode twice already), except the JHJ parts.  (I’ve watched all JHJ’s other dramas N times.)  You all know about Director’s cut?  I’m going to try to get a Coffee’s cut (you know, those JHJ parts of 49D that Coffee so painstakingly edited for us every week).

* Not really – you can say what you want.

(Credit: Photos from http://tv.sbs.co.kr/49. Thanks!)

A few days ago I was feeling a little down from the reality of fan club politics. On the same day, however, we’ve had a record number of subscribers (that we judge to be genuine) and also many messages (comments and e-mails) that say nice things about our blog.  Well, you win some; you lose some.

I’ve always believed that a certain kind of actor attracts a certain kind of fans.  The few fans that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting are all like JHJ — quiet, modest, principled, a little starry-eyed, somewhat 4D.  That is why it comes as a shock to me that some are not as altruistic as we.  I left the rat race long ago.  I have no intention or interest to jockey for position in the JHJ world.  It is all very childish and silly to me.

When I first started this blog (on a lark) in February 2009 with my ex-partner who has since decamped, I was near-computer-illiterate.  One of the key players of a dominant JHJ website paid me this compliment: “You’re the only person I know who does not know how to send photos by e-mail.” — after I mailed her hard copies of the trip we took together in 2008. (She’s an IT professional.)

People are funny creatures: if you’re inferior to them, they can take pity on you, but if you are superior to them, they are green with envy.  They probably think this blog will fold within a few months, especially since google.blogspot (original webhost) was blocked in May 2009 in this country where I’m currently residing.  I could not access our blog at all; I had to use something called a proxy server.  It was so difficult keeping the blog going; I had to enlist my brother’s help (he lives in the U.S.A.)  But I never thought of giving up.

It was then that I knew who my true friends were.  B introduced me to a computer guy who transferred our blog from google.blogspot to our current webhost WordPress, for which I’m eternally indebted to her.  B and I subscribe to the same philosophy: we believe JHJ news, photos, videos, etc. should be shared, since we want more people to know him.  We work very hard to try to keep JHJ in the public eye.  During those lean months when JHJ was in the army, I literally hung in there by the skin of my teeth.  I could barely keep up with one post a day.

Then in early 2010 (I think – can’t remember exact date) my brother told me our blog was ranked 1 million something on alexa.com.  “What’s Alexa?”  I had no idea, and many of you probably don’t either.  Alexa.com is an internet service that measures how many internet users visit a site on a daily basis.  The top 3 sites, as you can guess, are Google, Facebook, and Youtube.  We’re actually ranked nearer to 2 million than 1.  “Is that good?” I asked my brother.  He was incredulous: “Big Sis, do you realize how many millions of websites there are in the world?  Yours is a one-actor blog, and a Korean actor at that!” And a Korean actor with no news, I might add. 

I honestly don’t care about such things.  I am not competing with anybody.  I am just happy doing something for JHJ.  When our blog was transferred to WordPress, the computer guy asked if I wanted a counter put in to display the number of visitors to our blog each day.  I said no need: even if there were only 10 people reading our blog, I would still carry on for as long as I could.

I believe in the virtue of humility, but I’m gloating now!  Our blog is ranked 629,544 today (May 15.)  Is that good?  You bet!  The next JHJ website is ranked 2.5 million below us.  The website that claims to represent the land of 1.3 billion is 4.3 million places below us.  Others are ranked 16 million, 19 million, nearly 27 million….(Every site’s ranking has risen in the last 3 months because of “49 Days”.)  What is my point? 

1.  JHJ is really something!  He is popular in so many different parts of the world.  It is a minor miracle that he has both Arab and Jewish fans.  Of course JHJ is the attraction.  People come to our blog because of him.

2.  We must be doing something right if we’re reaching more people than any of the other websites – older, bigger, richer, better staffed, with more resources.  Hard work pays!  We work quietly and diligently, and we’re doing good work for JHJ (even if I say so myself.) 

I’m saying this loud and clear to those people who are breathing down my neck — Remember the Beatles’ song ”Can’t buy me love”?  Money can’t buy you everything.  Boasting won’t get you anywhere.  Statistics don’t lie.  The Bible says: “The last shall be the first.”  And Pride and Envy are among the 7 Deadly Sins, and oh! so is Sloth.  Instead of spending your time stabbing people in the back and doing petty things to spite them, why don’t you work on your website and do some good work for JHJ?  ”Oh!  We love JHJ!  We love JHJ!” gets you (or him) nowhere.   

More than once I’ve asked myself: What on earth am I doing getting involved with people like these?  Why do I have to suffer at the hands of such people who are really beneath my notice?  Why don’t I just give up and enjoy life?  Will the JHJ world be poorer without wulijohyunjae?  And who cares?

Well, I do!  I care about JHJ.  I care about his fans who have said kind words about  our blog.  I care about L and D who are fighting shoulder to shoulder with me.  The good guys don’t always win in real life, but they go down fighting.  And we’re not going down!  We’re way up there – head and shoulders above the rest!  5555   (55 is Ha! Ha! in Thai, taught us by varandhorn — See? you learn many things running a blog!)

(Credit: Photo from http://tv.sbs.co.kr/49 – M’s Diary – Many thanks!)

The other day I was walking home from the post office when I passed a small shopping mall.  I heard the music before I saw the dancers.  They were celebrating the “grand” opening of the shops on the 2/F – a dance performance on the pavement!  Normally I would never pay attention to this sort of thing, but I stopped and watched for 15 minutes.  They were doing the fan dance and the 16 ajumas (in colourful costumes) were all older than me (no kidding!) – some with a shockful of white hair!  They were obviously having the time of their lives, and they were all going through their motions very seriously and smoothly.  And the six old men in the “band” were also enjoying themselves.

My casual glance focused on one of the dancers.  Her hair was all white but she had this sweet serene smile on her face all the time she was lithely swaying to the music and gracefully swinging her fans.  She was all concentration but she looked a little dreamy.  They finished their number after about five minutes and took a break while other performers took over.  This old lady did not join the other chatty ajumas; instead she sat on a bench by herself, still with this half-smile on her face.  She just sat there quietly with her bright eyes and pink cheeks (not from make-up).  She must have been quite a beauty in her youth.  And I noticed she was making movements with her fans.  Then it was time for them to perform again and she sprang into action all at once.  All the time the others were gabbling, she was silently rehearsing by herself.

Do you think I’m crazy if I say I actually saw JHJ in this lady?  Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching “49 Days” and am totally tuned in to this transfer of soul and body business.  She really reminded me of JHJ.  What I like most about JHJ is his serenity, his quietness, his soothing presence.  He is always so calm, cool, composed, collected, content with himself and his lot.  He keeps to himself; he keeps his distance (even from fans); he keeps his feelings in his heart.  He takes his art very seriously; he is a perfectionist who always gives his best.  There is an unspeakable sweetness about him that is not in the least effeminate.  I love that faraway look in his eyes, as if he’s out of this world.  When that look is focused on you, you feel you’re the only woman in this world.  Gazing into his big beautiful eyes, you can see his beautiful soul.  (And he’s handsomer in person than on the screen.)  This is the kind of man a woman can spend a lifetime with.  In a flashback in Ep.16 JIW says to LYW: “Just thinking of spending the next few decades (rest of my life) with you makes me suffocate (unable to breathe.)”  I can say the same about him (or his character) - he is so loud, always shouting, treating women like dirt – I get a headache just watching him.

From the Korean dramas I have seen, it would seem men can be rough with women (i.e. if art imitates life.)  The characters that JHJ has played all have a chivalrous attitude to women – very respectful, very protective, and most caring –  what Koreans call “pure-love male”.  Han Kang fever is sweeping the world — every woman wants to be Shin Ji-Hyun, even if she is just a wandering soul.  The real HK AKA JHJ is a very polite, considerate, refined, and gracious young man, a real gentleman who is always bowing and smiling.  When you see him up close and personal (like shaking his hand at fan meetings), you need all earth’s gravity to keep from swooning and collapsing.  I’ve had more than one minor heart attack!  And the most surprising thing about our JHJ is: he doesn’t change — not with age, not with time, not in appearance, not at heart — same tranquill look, same gentle manners, same delicate features, same sonorous voice, same earnest attitude, same bashful modesty, same wide-eyed wonder, same child-like (not childish) innocence, same genuine guilelessness, same artless spontaneity, same steadfast integrity, same single-minded dedication, same idealistic outlook, same pure heart.  You are an endangered species, JHJ!  Don’t ever change!  We love you just the way you are!

As you turn 31 tomorrow, dear JHJ, I wish you all the very best that life has to offer, but most of all, I wish you love.  I pray God will grant you your wish of falling in love — with a good woman who is (as the Chinese saying goes)  動如脫兔, 靜如處子, literally translates as “sprightly as a rabbit on the loose, and quiet as a virgin.” (you get the idea)

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

- to those JHJ fans who are mothers

- and to the mothers of those who are not

- and especially to Mrs. Jo (the most blessed of mothers in this world!)

PLEASE DO NOT TRANSFER OR REPRODUCE PHOTOS.

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