YJ's 2nd Wave in 2002...
following my posting on WLS Part 2 of the Following YJ's Trail series, next comes a piece that looks at the post-WLS days. and what heydays those were...once again, would like to thank chinese fan Close2yj for her tirless effort in gathering and collating the news and articles and then setting them out into this priceless gem of a series. and as usual, i would input my own thoughts [in pink, as usual], the revelant hyperlinks [in bold green italics, as usual] and also pictures to tease and tantalize your eyes... enjoy...
Original in Chinese: Close2yj / loveyongjoon
Translated into English: Happiebb / bb's blog
The Second Wave
WLS brought Yong Joon a second peak in his career since Chan Woo from First Love. With WLS, he won the 2002 Baeksang Arts Awards for The Most Popular Actor, and he also won Best KBS Actor and Most Popular KBS Actor.
With the enormous success and financial gains brought about by WLS, whatever unhappiness KBS had with Yong Joon was also forgotten. This was evidenced by how KBS had awarded him with the two biggest awards that year, and in March 2002, KBS also introduced a program, Reflecting on BYJ’s Past Works, whereby the Korean TV views saw the repeat telecast of his old works such as First Love and Papa.
Many people had thought that Yong Joon who had left the entertainment scene for a good two years would never bring back the glory of First Love era. But Yong Joon had proven them wrong. Not only did he reclaim his popularity, he in fact scaled even greater heights.
Post-WLS, Yong Joon then went on to command the highest of CF appearance fees. At that time, he even set a record of receiving some 15 CF offers in a single month and eventually netted an income of 5 billion Korean Won [US$5.25m] all in a month’s work.
His healthy and clean image made the perfect spokesperson for brands and products, bringing to mind descriptions such as ‘most trustworthy’ and ‘most reliable’. The companies that had hired him to represent their brands and products all benefited immensely from it.
After airing the unit trust CF with Yong Joon as the model, a Korean financial and investment institute [KITC] attracted as high as 104.4 billion Korean Won [US$110m] in just 20 days! That became the highest ever sales record the industry had seen.
As for LG, in the three months following the credit card CFs featuring Yong Joon, they saw their credit card members’ expenditure reaching 3.79 billion Korean Won [US$4m] , this was higher than their competitors by a good 30-40%. [bb: err, this is slightly off-topic, but there's a rather nice clip of wuri yong joon making a LG credit card CF with LYA in early 2003. just in case you haven't watched it, you can download it here.]
JM water filter system created some sales of 12.5 billion Korean Won [US$13m] in a month with their BYJ water filter campaign. [bb: if you haven't watched the making of the JM water filter CF wuri yong joon did with CJW, you just have to! click here to watch.]
And, CP Company that had sponsored and loaned out their clothes to Yong Joon for the drama reported a year-on-year growth of 74-88% in sales. The white Ford Explorer that he had driven in WLS became the best-selling imported car in Korea…
The BYJ Effect broke and created so many new records that his name became a legend in itself. In fact, his name was synonymous with ‘Money Making Machine’ and ‘the Walking Corporation’.
The usually low profile and somewhat shy Yong Joon also heeded the advice of a fellow worker and tried new things, explored new grounds. On 22nd April 2002, he became one of the models in the Andre Kim fashion show that was held in the Opera House in Sydney to celebrate the World Cup. Together with Choi Jiwoo, the couple showcased Andre Kim’s clothes, whose signature style is that of fantasy and old-style aristocracy.
That was Yong Joon’s first time to step up and model on the runway, he was so nervous his palms were sweating. But still, having worked with Choi Jiwoo for sometime now, the two managed to bring forth an excellent show that was just like a dream, they captivated everyone and captured many hearts on-stage.
At that time, there were lots of rumours floating around regarding Yong Joon and his WLS co-star, Choi Jiwoo. During their trip down under, the media concentrated more on speculating their relationship. With regard to how some media totally ignored the cultural exchange that was taking place between Australia and Korea, and how they were more like paparazzi, Yong Joon was quite upset. On his official board, he did not mince words and said,
“The Andre Kim fashion show held in Sydney’s Opera House on 22nd last month was a meaningful even with much significance… However, the media whose responsibility is to accurately report cultural news and guide the public, did something that was even ‘grander’ than this. They picked up a rumour on one of the models and torch the flame. They even made a world-class fashion designer the so-called eyewitness to the scandal.
When I saw what happened, I felt really bad and I was really sorry to Mr Kim, even till now. The attention of the paparazzi now seems to have moved on to somewhere else, perhaps now is the time for me to visit Mr Kim with a bouquet of flowers.”
About the CJW rumours, he too made an open clarification.
“The quality of a production relies on the working relationship amongst the people who work together, and also how much feelings and emotions the co-stars bring into the story. Every piece of work goes through the same process, and after the work is finished, everything returns to base, to ground zero.
But this time, there’s something a little different. When returning back to ground zero, I retain a certain something. It’s something like worrying about and caring for someone. At the same time, I’m so curious as to why this time, I just refuse to go back to square one. I don’t feel like giving up this feeling.”
[bb: There are several variations to this story, I’m not sure which is which. Yong Joon did leave a message on his official board about how after WLS, he could not retract from the character like before. He was still caring for someone. Most of the Chinese sites I’ve visited interpreted that as he still cared for CJW.
But I also read on a few other sites that what he really meant was that he still could not retract his feelings for the character he played, not towards CJW. Because I was still considerably quite new at that time, I can’t remember for sure the facts. I guess the original Korean version should be the most accurate. But if he had been vague and did not quite say clearly if he meant the role he played or his beautiful co-star, then it is really anyone’s guess.
But whatever the case was, we can’t deny there seemed to be something special between the two. And even outside of the drama, the two were seen to be rather close and getting along very well.
In the PD’s WLS Diary, there was also a clip of them holding hands as they walked with the rest of the crew when they reached Oedo and were heading for the ‘impossible house’ to film the last episode. If they did not feel something for each other, why were they holding hands outside of the drama? But then again, it’s also quite common for actors and actresses to get so caught up in their roles and the stories that they actually really felt like they were in love.
Since they are not an item now, I see no point in speculating whether or not they were indeed together back then. I only wish that Yong Joon had a chance to really love, and also to really love someone, and I hope to see him settle down happily with someone he loves and who loves him.
anyhow, to complete the 'official story, click here for a fan's account of the fashion show, and click here for mr bae's message after the fashion show. also, you can click here to watch a vod from the andre kim fashion show. btw i can't find yong joon's actual message at that time, does anyone have a copy of that?]
Although he did not disguise the attraction he felt, Yong Joon is someone whose values towards love is somewhat old-fashioned and conservative. From initial attraction to love… That road is long, long one, for him anyway. “I’m a careful and conscientious person. At my age, I need to consider long and hard about my life and my future; I also face many responsibilities.”
“When I do meet someone, and if I continue to see her, then the premise is that of marriage.” “It takes a long time to really understand a person. When it comes to real friends, even five years is still too short, let alone developing something like love, that will take even more time, more effort and responsibility.”
[bb: Why am I not surprised? Yong Joon is indeed someone who is serious, too serious sometimes, if you ask me. Maybe one day, when love comes, he won’t even know what has hit him. But he’s sometimes so earnest and serious that I find it terribly endearing!]
Under the overly watchful eyes of the media, this special attraction he felt did not get a chance to fully develop or blossom. And about this ‘relationship’, Yong Joon did not say anything more afterwards. We only know that with the passage of time, that maybe-maybe-not relationship has become a thing of the past, even traceless now.
As fans, there’s really no need to go dig any further or to speculate on anything. What he needs from us are our respect for his privacy and our very best wishes for him. That, should be enough.
In June 2002, Yong Joon accepted the offer of the music CD Sympathy II. Together with Cho In Sung, Kim Jae Won, Jang Hyuk, Cha Seung Won,the five men graced the cover of the CD which is a compilation of songs by various Korean artistes. That was a first in the Korean music industry, to compile songs by some of the hottest singers and use top stars to grace the CD covers to attract music fans. Sympathy I was launched a year ahead of Sympathy II and had engaged the ‘faces’ of Jang Dong Gun, Won Bin, Yu On Seong、Jung Joon ho、Gu Bon Seung earlier.
Sympathy I was a resounding success, and when Sympathy II was brought to the market, it was another runaway success. It saw the sales of over 900,000 copies sold in just two months and the CD posters were also very much sought after by the fans. The music label One Entertainment had no choice but to reprint another 50,000 copies on top of the initial 50,000 copies. And even the reprints were snapped up quickly, and they had to do another round of printing yet again.
There were six CDs in Sympathy II, and the most unique point about the CD project was how each of these five stars represented a certain theme. In particular, the emotion that Yong Joon was supposed to represent was LOVE. Yong Joon had always focused on acting and was never interested to be the cover spokesperson of any music CD, Sympathy II was his first attempt to show his face on a music CD.
In most cases, the actors or actresses who help grace CD covers usually had no idea what songs were included in the CDs they were supposed to represent when they were doing the shooting. But Yong Joon was an exception. He had listened to all 94 songs included in the six CDs, so as to better emote the feeling he was supposed to represent. Again, this showed his professionalism and pursuit for perfection.
[bb: click here for everyone's favourite vod from the making of sympathy II, or click here to download the clip straightaway.]
The photography of Sympathy II covers was undertaken by renowned photographer Kim, and Kim managed to capture the special characteristic of Yong Joon in a very precise manner, his very special combination of tenderness and strength. The series of pictures taken by Kim became a classic series amongst Yong Joon’s many, many pictures.
Photographer Kim also only had good things to say about Yong Joon. This was what he had shared about his impression of Yong Joon:
“He is a real classy prince. In all the people I’ve worked with before, he is the only one who gave me the feeling of a ‘prince’. In Bae Yong Joon, I could see talent, and his self-discipline. And of course, his work attitude was very admirable.
On the other hand, he is broad-minded and generous and he’s full of confidence at atll times. I’d worked with him for the first time on Sympathy II, I feel that he’s a simple man with good manners and no airs.
My only worry was that he’s too perfect. That could make him see less approachable and friendly to the public.”
2002 was the year Bae Yong Joon was closely watched and observed. But his immense popularity and fame also brought him some trouble. All along, Yong Joon had always enjoyed attending his fellow actors’ movie premieres, such as Yesterday, Fighting, Miss Kumsoon, Mon Jung Ki and others.
But sadly, each time he attended these premieres, something unexpected would happen. The media, be it from the papers, magazines or TV stations, would always approach him for interviews when they spotted him at the premieres, and would then in turn neglect the ‘stars for that day’, i.e. the cast and crew of the movie that was premiering that day. Yong Joon had made a couple of exceptions and granted interviews initially, but it just kept on happening.
In order not to make things difficult for his friends by taking attention away from them, he decided not to grant any interview at all during any premiere. And eventually he even stopped going to premieres. But because of this, the media got upset with him and labeled him ‘arrogant’ and acting too ‘big’.
And at the same time, Yong Joon was also quietly working out his next move. Although his career was at a peak [again], although he was always bestowed with ‘love calls’ from movie companies and directors, he was still not satisfied.
In an interview with the May 2002 issue of Vogue, he had said the following.
“If a person feels that he doesn’t lack anything, that he already has everything, then he stops growing. He will be stuck at the same position with no progress… In terms of money, I don’t think I’m lacking. But as a man, I do mean that I’m still inadequate professionally and personally. If one feels so inadequate that one loses confidence, then that’s not a good thing. But a reasonable amount of inadequacy is actually good reason to push for progress and improvement.”
He therefore had set a new goal for himself, to step up to the big silver screen.
When asked, “How else would you like others to described you?”, this actor whose blood burns with thirst for new challenges, answered,
“I haven’t been described as ‘Bae Yong Joon the movie actor’, I quite like that.”
[bb: i thought you might want to read that interview from vogue, so here it is!]
After he had stepped into showbiz eight years, armed with movie dreams, Bae Yong Joon had finally taken a firm step towards his dream.
Without any warning or whatsoever, he dropped a hint about his maiden work on the big silver screen: “There will be an unexpected and unforeseen confusion and surprise….”
posted by bb @ 10/16/2006 12:55:00 AM
12 Comments:
wow - oh - wow! This is a great piece. I love and read it all twice! It was fabulous! I always felt there was a connection between him and CJW but also read that she wasn't interested. Which I found that so hard to believe - who could resist this man? Sorry, but this is an captivating man in everyway! So lethal, he should have a warning sign on him stating - Totally charming and irresistible man approaching!
Although I saw the picture of the 5 men cover for Sympathy, I never knew what it was about? Do they still sell it? Is it good?
Thanks again for the best blogging. :)
You rock Professor bb!
Hi bb,
This is just wonderful! This writing is just about YJ at the time I began to know him, but still full of discoveries. YJ's image has became more concrete to me. I'm most grateful to you and Close2yj.
Actually Sympathy II was my first or second YJ related goods I bought, not knowing what those CDs were about, but only wanted to see him in motion. As a typical Japanese ajumma, I had never thought of buying anything on net.
Oh what a change!
cloud nine
WOW! This is all news to me. I happened to purchase a First Love CD and there was another disc with videos. One of them happened to be the making of the cover for Sympathy, but I didn't know...I just enjoyed watching YJ do his thing. Now I do...lol
Great writing bb!! Thoroughly enjoyed this!!
Thanks again!
hey mrs a,
what?! not only did you read it, you read it twice! oh hear, i don't proofread my stuff, you know... you must have spotted tonnes of typo and grammatical errors if you'd read it twice! oh dear...
really? you'd previously read that cjw wasn't interested? strange... i'd never read that... :p
anyhow, and whatever happened in the past, i just hope both of them would be able to eventually find their own special someones.
p.s. professor?!!!! you're making me not dare to write, mrs a :p
hi hi cloud nine,
mmm... you're 'early' today... usually see you at night :)
ah... so sympathy II was one of your first byj stuff? hehe, yea, i remember lots of people didn't know what on earth that cd set's all about. some even thought it's got his MV or something... :)
harlow vegas,
that making vod was one of the best huh? i really like to watch and rewatch that one. haha, esp love the beginning part where he just strolled in sans glasses, spotted the camera on him, then started to look abit shy and self-conscious... love that look on his face!
bb, really thanks for sharing all of this.
about that rumour, there is a question mark in my mind.
i heared that some fans got upset when that rumour pop out, out of nowhere. i hope they dont get offended but arent most of them Winter Love Song fans? in fact, when i first read about this rumour i thought everybody would be happy. :(
im sad because, because of this rumour, the two of them dont want to do projects together anymore.
hope to see them together in tv or big screen again.
yesterday is yesterday.
do you think Yong Joon already know how to spin in the skating rink by now? ^^
and that shy look on his face, it is just soooo adorable.
and again, thanks!
P.S.
that Fashion Show i thought i was watching one of the barbie movie series!
the days are so fast its Monday again. have a nice Monday!!! --- mymy
Thank you .. thank you for this posting. I am speechless ...
A lot to swallow, I always think CJW and him will make a nice couple in real world. I wish they will make more film/drama in the future.
hi mymy,
yea, that fashion show's quite unreal huh? but i guess that's andre kim's style. year after year, he seems to be churning out an endless stream of such theatrical looking pieces.
harlow again, yee!
am just glad you gals are reading this piece. took me quite a while to put it together, what with the pics and links.
Thanks for this nice information.I know there is something called Sympathy 2 but I didn't know anything about it .But the photos YJ with other actors ave my faves.I like him the most attractive among them and happy to see him enjoy working with other young men.And maybe I prefer his hair short like those days.
I also learned about the backgoround and related story of that bicycle MV in which he appeared with the actress who was a precious sister of him in HWRL.Yeah,I aslo like it coz he looks so relaxed ,free and natural as a young man.
BTW I just found Quilt was down again.But I got much to read in this week.Of course I copied your rambbling for last week.You know Michael J Fox? The guy in " Back to the future" He was my fave actor and yes I know he got sick .That's parkinson's disease.His political ad on TV had been a big topic last week in US.
love Yoko
hi hi yoko!
yea, quilt's down, it's been down for a few days already. we still don't know what's wrong, but i'll update you gals if i hear anything. hope it's nothing serious.
and glad you've found the info on sympathy useful. yea, me too found him to be the most attractive amongst all the men. hehe, even amongst the younger, goodlooking, even taller guys, he's the one who caught my eye :p
and hee... sorry for giving you so much to read this week! take care now!
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