What did HWRL Mean to YJ
before i start, would like to say that this passage is really a personal one. though where i blogged about the charity acts and where wuri yong joon was actually quoted are all factual, quite a fair bit of what i've shared here are my own reading and views about things... so please 'read with caution'...What did HWRL Mean to Yong Joon,
& How did it Influence Him
Yong Joon poured all of his heart and soul into the drama. He had said more than once that Jaeho was the character that left the deepest impression upon him, and that it’s his favourite too. Of course, this was said a few years ago, and after that, he did work on other productions. But I stubbornly believe Jaeho will always have a special place in his heart. Not only because it’s his only drama that didn’t quite make such of an impact in terms of ratings, but that it was a special piece of work. He got to work with an excellent scriptwriter whom he admires, he got to work with a director who managed to draw more from him from the previous works, and he got to work with the award-winning actress Kim Hye Soo. And, that’s not all. It’s also his first role of a not-so-righteous and less-than-perfect man. In my mind, First Love was the drama that Yong Joon understood what acting was all about, and it was HWRL that he truly became a master in the art of acting. He was using not just his facial expressions to act then, he had engaged everything he had, his expression, his body movements, his voice, and most importantly, his heart.
He had also commented some years ago that HWRL was his favourite drama. And it was also through HWRL that his fans did something that touched him the most, because they had transferred their support to touch other people’s lives, people who’re less fortunate. Yes, I’m talking about the formation of the WJS Club, which reaches out to help people like Jaeho.
I suppose in a way, when it comes to Jaeho, no one knows Jaeho better or deeper than Yong Joon himself. I suppose only he truly understands what Jaeho had gone through. In an email interview done by WJS Club, he had said this,
“As you know already, in the drama, Jaeho's mother abandoned him because life became so difficult after his father died earlier. Therefore, for his career and success, Jaeho develops a distorted ambition that the highest goal of life is 'money'.
However, he shows a 'human wandering' when he realizes through a true love that money is not everything. And exactly that aspect, that innocent and sometimes extremely weak human nature seems to be Jaeho's appeal. Another aspect is his fragile sensitivity about feeling love. He decides to hate his mother who abandoned him, but in much deeper longing than his hate, he looks for a woman like his mother that can caress his wound. That woman is Shinhyung. And in Shinhyung, he discovers 'love' of mother's bosom.
Because he reflects us wandering in search of that 'love', he might appear even more beautiful.”WJS evokes tears from the viewers but provides hope at the same time. This drama presents the fact that people go through wandering and conflict much because of the various aspects of love and how they can heal their wounds. 'Love', which is the origin of the world: I believe I became addicted to that love.”
“I think WJS is a drama with many interesting stories. It is not a drama that just wants to be watched but a drama that urges the viewers to feel and think and talk about it. Frankly speaking, it is a drama with more to 'think about' than just to 'watch'. Probably that's why a group that can be called 'maniacs', which pours out their continuous love regardless the general popularity, could be established. “.
During the HWRL days, Yong Joon showed that he truly valued the passionate WJS netizens’ opinions and views. Even though the filming schedule was hectic, he would still try and make time to logon the forum that MBC had created specially for HWRL. [bb: not sure if you know, but the Korean way of filming TV dramas is very taxing. A lot of times, what you see on TV today was only completed the day before, so you can imagine how much pressure the team must be under.]
He would read the discussions and in-depth analyzes of the netizens, and he even left messages six times. The exchange between Yong Joon and his fans was at its maximum during HWRL days, something that’s not been repeated ever since. In his messages, his writing style was sensitive and also filled with love, sincerity and there was also a sense that he treated the viewers as his equal, not speaking as though he knew better.
”I am always paying much attention to your opinions about WJS posted at MBC board. Reading messages from you, who love WJS so sincerely, makes me feel and think about many things...
When I put myself once in Jaeho's situation and there are family or friends I can feel in my heart, then I think those people might be another reason why I should continue on to live in this world...
Many times, I could not find a conclusion because I hesitated and could not decide how I should greet you when I face you. Please bear with my message even though it feels confusing and help me a lot so that I can build up more courage and say hello to you often although I cannot write too well.
I hope WJS will become a drama, which can be sympathized with more and shared together more by the writer Noh Hee-gyeong, the director Park Jong, other staffs, and various actors, who are all trying hard to make a good drama, and by you viewers.
The writer Noh Hee-gyeong, who gave much effort for the drama, the director Park Jong, and many other staffs... Also the performers, who shared life and death, joy and sorrow (?) together for over half a year...And our WJS family... Thank you so much for all your trouble... WJS made me feel a lot and learn a lot as an ordinary man and as an actor.WJS is not just a passing drama. It will take place deep in the hearts of many people, who were with WJS, as a string of heart that will connect us together."
For an actor to have such exchanges and interactions with the viewer, to breathe and grow together with one another… that was an incredibly rare phenomenon in the arena of TV dramas.
As to his performance and portrayal of Jaeho, Yong Joon rated himself like this, “My acting’s 51 out of 100. I don’t have any special experience and to be honest, my acting ability is also lacking. Perhaps I’m too naïve, but I simply cannot do more than one thing at any one thing. So, the reason for not giving myself only 49 points is because [regardless of the outcome] I had worked really really really hard on this, I’d given it my best.”
During the days and nights of those six months of HWRL shooting, Bae Yong Joon transformed totally, completely into a young man called Jaeho. Jaeho’s burdens and responsibilities rested upon Yong Joon’s shoulders, Yong Joon lived Jaeho’s struggles, and felt his pain. To the extent that when Jaeho was experiencing intense headache and felt nauseous and threw up, Yong Joon really went through all of these physically.
A fan once said, “I tried breathing alongside Jaeho, and I felt so much pain. But what about Yong Joon? To totally immerse himself into the mental world of Jaeho, how hard it must have been. Yong Joon must have really loved, and felt for the character. I cannot see how else the drama could have turned out so touching, so very special.”
This Jaeho character… It left its indelible mark on Yong Joon, it was something that would not go away long after the drama had completed. I like to believe this Jaeho experience somehow had something to do with shaping Yong Joon’s value systems and life choices.
Yong Joon is quite an introvert by nature. And he truly blossomed into a matured man after Kang Jaeho. Through this drama, he learnt much about humanity and even life philosophy. And perhaps it’s through this that he started to adopt a bigger and broader picture of life in general. The thinking probably really started then. From that point on, the beauty of wisdom, of clarity of thought, of analytical thinking… slowly but surely started to show from this man.
In HWRL, Jaeho attended university later than his peers due to poverty. And maybe it’s because of Jaeho’s influence, Yong Joon abruptly put a stop to all his showbusiness activities in the middle of 2000 and went back to school. He gained admission into Sung Kyun Kwan University to complete his tertiary education dream. At the same time, he also involved himself actively in WJS Club’s charity activities. Together with the Club, he had reached out to help orphans and also children who were not able to attend school, etc.
During the two years he was studying full-time at Sung Kyun Kwan University, whenever he had the time. he would visit the Hyelim-Won orphanage in Bucheon together with the other WJS volunteers. They brought much happiness and practical assistance to the children. Being the low-profile person he was and still is, he would always don a simple tee-shirt, throw on a cap. Even when they took group pictures, he would always position himself at some inconspicuous corner. This went on for slightly over a year, and the news about his volunteer work only came to light in August 2001 when Yong Joon and the team of volunteers visited a children’s home for the handicapped or physically impaired and he donated his bursary and scholarship. Here are some pictures of Yong Joon taken during those activities and visits.
But as early as before 1999, Yong Joon had already been helping his poorer neighbors secretly for as long as four years. He had provided the living expenses for three children month after month. However, Yong Joon had provided the assistance via third parties and he did not want to let the public know about it. In fact, only a handful of closer friends and relatives knew about this. Even the beneficiaries themselves did not know Yong Joon was the one helping them. The setup of WJS in fact provided him with a better and wider platform to do more good work and spread more love.
Pertinent to his kind deeds, Yong Joon has never said much in the past. In fact, he felt slightly embarrassed as he said, “In the beginning, I had really participated in as many WJS Club’s activities as I could. But subsequently, their activities tended to clash with my work schedule and I feel really apologetic I cannot join them often. I hope that in future when I’ve time, I will come and visit the children and spend happy time with them.”
[bb: His thinking has changed a little these days. Now, he feels that if by publicizing his donation or assistance, more people will reach out to help, then he is okay to help gather more people to reach out.]
Even up till today, Yong Joon is still very concerned and interested in the activities of WJS Club. In June 2002, WJS held a special charity event at KonKuk University to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of HWRL. Other than celebrating HWRL’s 3rd anniversary, its other objective was to raise funds for a 14-year-old boy who had to support his handicapped parents. Despite his busy schedule, Yong Joon arrived at the scene unannounced. The WJS club members were ecstatic by his sudden appearance naturally. There was absolutely no airs about this man as he too participated in the selling of merchandise to help raise funds. He even bought all the unsold items. [bb: I love the way he looked in this event…!]
Later, in August 2004, WJS Club held another gathering. During that time, Yong Joon was busy with his 100-day preparation for The Image, but he did not forget to send flowers and also a congratulatory card. He even sent Manager Yang to attend the event. Such are the close ties of Yong Joon and HWRL and WJS Club.
want to read more about his HWRL days? just click on the links below...
Interview with Scriptwriter Roh Hee Kyeong
BYJ's Interview
BYJ's Messages
p.s. i didn't translate the quotations within this blog post. the verses you saw in green above were all taken from the english translation that were already on the quilt.
p.p.s. just saw joanne's translation of an old article on HWRL, and decided to add the link here for the record. click here to read about how the netizens were so passionate and how they truly felt for the drama. [2006/10/14]
posted by bb @ 5/13/2006 10:04:00 PM
19 Comments:
".....money is not everything..."
in fact most of the time it is a source of conflict and struggle in life.
"people go through wandering and conflict much because of the various aspects of love and how they can heal their wounds. 'Love', which is the origin of the world..."
I must say this is so real in life.
I wish that more people will watch this drama than Winter Sonata. If only they can promote this drama to more broadcast station.
this thought just came out, i hope that whoever is producing the dvd for hwrl will give portion of sales to charity. i'm sure baesisters will be patronizing this cause.
bb, do you happen to know what wjs club did last year?
thanks for your wonderful views about hwrl.
i wonder if there was a point in time in yong joon's life that he really had nothing as in nothing like jaeho. and what made him to be such a good person helping the needy. there must be something out of ordinary that made him to be what he is now.
the story in 1999 wherein he helped 3 children month after month is new to me. he's such a very very good person indeed.
hi joyce,
i guess it's precisely because not many people in real life realise that money is not everything that makes yong joon so special.
fumi wrote something on JOB about a month ago... he shared his own thinking about yong joon's approach and viewpoint towards finances. although fumi was just guessing, i kindda think there's more than just a grain of truth in the speculation.
he said yong joon seems to have an idea of how much money would be enough for him to sustain himself and his family, and anything over and above that... he's willing to invest them in his hobbies or causes that he feels are worth his time. this sort of thinking seems to have seeped through the BOF management as well, coz they're often quoted as saying 'we think this is good for the society' or 'we think this is a worthwhile cause'... seems like profiteering is not their key purpose.
i think we can see this being proven in how he's acquired keyeast to help promote asian entertainment.
maybe i'll translate some of what fumi has shared on the JOB later, when i've time.
hey liezle,
you haven't read that part about how he had helped those poor children? it's an old story already...
i'm thinking... if even you who read his news quite earnestly almost everyday haven't heard that story, then maybe there're more fans out there who haven't read about it either...
anyway, the next section i'll be working on covers the days he's a uni student... should make quite fun reading... hee, so do watch this space, ya?
once again, thanks for popping by and checking in here often :)
liezle,
i went to WJS Club website to have a look... i believe the club is still going on strong. i saw a notice on the homepage about a visit to Hyelim Won orphanage on 27th may 2006, sat. can't be 100% sure though, coz i used a translator :p
bb: Your flying fingers write faster than I can read. Thank you for all those wonderful bloging.
harlow there, byjglobal!
hee... think i'll slow down for a couple of days then... :p
Dear bb,
The YJ support for 3 children story is new to me as well. I would love to know more of this kind of storied.
Hers are the words I like ...
WJS evokes tears from the viewers but provides hope at the same time. ... 'Love', which is the origin of the world: I believe I became addicted to that love.” (Love, which is the origin of the world ... How profound it is that lies in this man's heart. All I need is to hear him said this, from then on I am all for him)
I like to believe this Jaeho experience somehow had something to do with shaping Yong Joon’s value systems and life choices. ( I have the same belief)
Through this drama, he learnt much about humanity and even life philosophy ... (I did too)
From that point on, the beauty of wisdom, of clarity of thought, of analytical thinking… slowly but surely started to show from this man. ( I like to think this way too, but I also believe even before HWRL, in the FirstLove time, he already showed maturity and wisdom that surpassed his age)
Love to read this kind of story time after time :-)
Looking forward to reading more and more, no pressure though, bb.
oh, it was "h", sorry I don't have an ID, or blog, or web page with me.
hi hi there H,
you're back here again... thanks for coming back :)
glad you've enjoyed this piece. and am even gladder to hear i ain't alone in thinking those thoughts about how HWRL has influenced yong joon.
there're some more pieces to go, since there's still the two-year period when he disappeared from showbiz to be a full-time student, and then there's hotelier, WLS, scandal and AS. i will bring them on whilst we wait for him to finish GKFG. haha, maybe by then i can continue the series with GKFG :)
& liezle,
although i was slightly embarrassed by what you'd said on soompi... i'm very very very flattered and delighted you think so. hope i can keep it that way :)
but you know how it's like with blogging.... sometimes you just need that special inspiration to get a good piece of blog post right. hope wuri yong joon will continue to inspire me :p
thanks again for your very strong vote of confidence.
Hi BB
Thanks for sharing and thanks for translating, looking forward to that!
Hi bb,
That story about the 3 kids he supported way back 1999 is also new to me but not surprising.
I know he's views on money is different from the other actors I've come to know. He could always do more movies and tv dramas and take advantage of his popularity but he'd rather choose his projects wisely. The only other korean actor I can think of at this time who does the same is Cha In-Pyo.
I'm looking forward to more beautiful writings from you.
hey, anonymous!
thanks for your kind words... :)
Hi BB,
I enjong reading your wonderful blog.
you write so beautiful. You expressed
the same i feel toward our beloved byj.
I agreed the HWRL is a heavey stuff. I
have stopped a few times to finish it.
I don't like the sad ending because
Jaeho has a hard life since his childhood that he deserved a happen ending.
With love from canada
hee... another 'anonymous' :)
harlow there... glad you've enjoyed this piece. did you read the earlier two pieces on HWRL as well? if you love jaeho, think you will like them too.
yea, me too... it was very hard to finish HWRL. the later half was so tough... i almost didn't want to watch the last part, coz i didn't want to see him in so much pain, and i didn't want to see him fade away...
it's such an unforgettable character, jaeho.
and thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts. do come back soon :)
Hi bb,
You know what, suddenly this thought came to mind. Perhaps you could try writing scripts. Like many others who frequent yr blog, I feel you hv great articulation skills.
Looks like it, HWRL achieved something better than the other series YJ did,in spite of its poor rating which is inspiring people to be aware of those who are less fortunate than us.
I am so proud of WJS club, how each year they would rather spend money to bless these less fortunate ones, than to buy birthday gifts to BYJ on his birthday.
That to me is a very noble act.
haha, jen, you're much too kind... i ain't that creative... :p
but... some fans are. quite a few fan fictions have been written throughout the years, mostly in chinese though. and i've translated four of them... you can check them out if you want.
this very night [hotelier]
first love*
go to page 15
HWRL* The Right to Love
go to page 13
WLS: Claiming Happiness Back from the Heavens
go to page 6
*hee, you probably want to watch the dramas first before reading these...
yea, i agree with you... the WJS club is quite something... then again, the newer clubs are also quite involved in charity acts, so that's quite admirable too.
jen, are you from KL? do you visit yokee's blog? she's from there too :)
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