ways to love him: uni prof ahn
i suppose most of you would have read sweet sister's translation of the first two chapters of the book ways to love yonsama, ya?the controversy aside, must say i thoroughly enjoyed reading those first two chapters. sweet sister has been (feverishly?) working at the remaining chapters too! i've already received chapters 3 & 4 from her! our dear sweet sis, do take care and must rest, ya? am extremely grateful for everything you've done and shared.
but i've gotta be honest and say this... can't say i like chapter 3 as much. well, there're tidbits of info that i did enjoy, but somehow the tone of this uni professor who had taught wuri yong joon at sung kyun kwan uni just somehow didn't come out right. some parts were as if he were paying lip service, or trying darn hard to please the fans.
incidentally, he'd mentioned a certain female classmate of wuri yong joon's in this chapter, and this was what sweet sister had written to me: Keep in mind the professor's remarks about the female classmate because she is in the next chapter 4 and she refutes the professor's comments.
original in japanese: Ways to Love Yonsama
translated into english: a sweet sister / bb's blog
Chapter 3 – From Afar, Concern for Each Other
"Teacher-Student Love"
Ahn Sang Hyuj, Professor
Sung Kyun Kwan University
Always Had Gratitude for His Surroundings
When BYJ was a first-year student, I was giving lectures on the Principles of Images, where he always sat toward the front of the room and listened with an extremely open attitude to my lectures. Maybe it was because of the strong feeling that he felt that he had to be an example for the other students.
His academic performance was also good. As a first-year student honor student, he should have also received a scholarship. *bb: click here to read about how shy wuri yong joon feels about receiving scholarships... btw, am sure you know that he has donated all the money from the scholarship awards he's won, right?
Outside of the lectures, we also had other events. He often came to my research office and we often met at parties. BYJ would also attend many student drinking parties.
He seemed to enjoy the noisy, drinking atmosphere.
He seemed to have a strong desire to take the lead in getting the party started.
We hosted the MT (Membership Training = mixers) 2-3 times and BYJ brought his manager who supplied the liquor so that everyone could have a good time. There was also a time where he bought a whole pig for a BBQ. I thought how valuable his relationships with the students must be to him.
He acted after giving much thought as to what would make everyone happy. BYJ is always like that, thinking about the people around him. It was as if the overflowing love within him was like a busy gift being distributed to everyone around him.
I think he did not stop at just being 'the number one star in Korea', but succeeded in becoming the 'international star' that represents Korea, because he did not always think of himself and acted thinking of others around him.
Even after he had been drinking, and I was watching him talking to other people, BYJ’s attitude was pleasant. He had an imposing presence and there was practically nothing he would shy away from, or anyone he would put on airs for, since he presented his true self. He had a strong sense of obligation. He is special from other students.
In the Sung Kyung Kwan Film Department, there were many other celebrities attending at the same time as BYJ. But BYJ did not have the self-importance that the other celebrities possessed. The other celebrities had the arrogance to convey the impression, “I’m doing this university a favor by attending,” but BYJ did not give that type of impression. Clearly, he gave a different impression from other celebrities. He was friendly, warm and modest.
BYJ also always had the position of being thankful for his surroundings. I think, BYJ himself, did not have a favorable impression toward the other celebrities for their arrogant attitude.
Do you think that I am stressing only BYJ’s good points because BYJ has become a big star? It is not that, but because he made such a good impression on me, all I am doing is speaking honestly about him.
Bloodshot Eyes at His Entrance Exam Interview
The truth is when BYJ applied; I was the one that personally interviewed him.
BYJ enrolled in 2000 as a special film major in the Film Department which was established in 1998. That is why his student ID number should have begun with the numbers '00'. The interview was held in January 2000. Even now, I still remember that time quite clearly.
BYJ had his hair cut short like an athlete and his eyes were red and he appeared to be fatigued. When I asked him, “Are you busy with work?” he replied, “I agonized over what to say at the interview that I couldn’t sleep for three days straight.” His words, to my surprise, touched my heart a bit. *bb: click here for an old article on this.
That is because, besides being a famous star, for him to apply for the entrance exam like a high school student who has just graduated, and he had such a modest, unsophisticated appearance. You could sense assertiveness in his use of language also, in his person….in his watery gaze, it is hard to describe in a few words, the amazing atmosphere of that interview.
BYJ has the air of giving vague answers, which I mean in a good way because you can never tire of looking at him. Just when you are caught up in an image of him, and you are gazing at him intently, another different image of him comes to mind…. The pleasant atmosphere that he manages to create is probably due to the results of his efforts but I think it is due to the natural abilities he was born with.
Because of that atmosphere, I was a bit hesitant to ask him questions and thought to myself, what an extremely attractive person he is. Of course, even with that, I did not think that he would become the huge star that he is today.
At that time, BYJ had taken a break from his show business activities. Perhaps he had wanted to take time to recharge himself. When I asked him what his motive was for applying to the university, I felt his desire to learn was considerable. His dream was to become a film director and his ideal director was Stanley Kubrick of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
This interview was my first meeting with BYJ but, of course, I knew about him from watching TV. But there was one professor on campus that did not know who he was. He was in the office next door to me and is an English literature professor who apparently did not watch much TV. There is a slightly amusing episode that occurred between that professor and BYJ.
One day, BYJ went to that professor’s office to inform him that he would not be able to attend the professor’s lecture because of a work commitment. But because the professor did not know who BYJ was, he yelled at BYJ without giving him a chance to explain saying, “How can you do such an inconsiderate thing!”
But when the professor got home and told his family what happened at work, his wife said, “If BYJ came to see you, you need to get his autograph. Instead, you went and yelled at him!!” and it seems the professor got a considerable scolding from his wife. That was the first time the professor became aware of how popular BYJ is.
BYJ, in his heart, must have been amazed, “This professor doesn’t know a thing about me,” (laughs).
Students as Close Friends….
BYJ associated with a wide range of students, but in particular, he was close to returning students (students returning from military duty). Perhaps this was because they were closer to his age and easier to talk to.
Then there was one female student, Lee Jya Eun, who was very concerned with BYJ and always tried to help him. She was a serious student and called BYJ oppa and thought of him as a real older brother.
Maybe it was because she was the eldest daughter, but it looked like she treated BYJ with maternal feelings. Even in his private life, she often gave BYJ advice saying, “You shouldn’t be doing something like that.”
Perhaps BYJ may have felt that advice was a bit of a burden. Lee Jya Eun did not force her one-sided opinion onto BYJ, since it appeared that the two of them exchanged candid opinions, but from BYJ’s view, that type of advice may have been at times welcome and other times unwelcome.
BYJ was aggressive when it came to concerning himself in the affairs of other students, but this was done so that other students would not come into his personal space.
Unless it was for some extraordinary reason, BYJ did not open his personal space to anyone.
BYJ understood this. I thought that it was a bit sad to see him like this.
There are probably many people who are concerned as to whether Lee Jya Eun and BYJ are still in contact with each other even now.
I wonder myself what the truth is (laughs).
Ewha Women’s University Mini Trip
We invited BYJ and some Ewha students to eat pheasant meat. *bb: incidentally ehwa uni is one of my fave areas in seoul.
Ewha students are, for Korean men, a dream match. BYJ also seemed to be enjoying himself.
The exquisite pheasant meat was found in the famous agricultural area of Gyeonggi Dong, in Namyanju City, and I invited some Ewha professors and students along with BYJ. When I asked BYJ, “Would you like to dine with some Ewha students?” he immediately said yes.
There were 5-6 female students. Whether it was a matter of pride or not, but no matter how good looking a celebrity there may have been on that trip, not one student approached him on their own. Seeing what a major star BYJ has now become, those students may be now regretting their lost opportunity.
Joking aside, we all rode in a large auto and noisily took off like it was an excursion. BYJ was dressed casually and had a lively conversation going on in the car with the students. He seemed really relaxed and seemed to be having fun.
Usually, when it came to women, he seemed to have a certain wariness, nervousness around them, but during this one time, that caution was removed and he seemed to be dealing with the students easily. *bb: i somehow have my reservations about how the professor would know much about this, since i doubt he had much opportunity to see wuri yong joon in a social setting... shrugs...
Speaking of women, there was once an executive associated with the university’s endowment foundation, with a second year junior high school daughter that came to the university asking for BYJ’s autograph, saying his daughter was his fan. Since it was his adorable daughter’s request, he couldn’t ignore her wish and end up looking bad in front of her either. After agonizing over what to do, he came to me requesting, “Can you get his autograph?”
I talked this over with BYJ who gave his consent and immediately signed a photo of himself and got me out of a jam. Even in complying with one fan’s request for an autograph, he sent his love. If it was another celebrity, they would have signed just a colored piece of paper, but BYJ was always signing a photo of himself the size of which was at least the size of two business cards.
Since he was signing autographs at that time, I also had autographs signed to give to my relatives (laughs). Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of us taken together.
When I look back now, I regret that I did not take a photo of BYJ and me. My brain wasn’t working then. It is too bad.
Refusing Preferential Treatment
I believe that BYJ was able to enjoy a rich college life but after attending up to the first semester of the second year, he ended up taking a leave of absence from the university.
The first year is generally devoted to general education courses so he was not able to progress to his film major courses. During the first year, he attended the lectures with so much interest that it was unfortunate he had to stop.
But the university could no longer extend his leave of absence and so it could not be helped. Sung Kyung Kwan University also offers classes online, so if he were to attend lectures on the Internet, there was talk that his graduation credits would be applied that way.
But he withdrew from the University. Knowing that his actions would have a big impact on the other students and that there would be publicity, he felt that preferential treatment would be inappropriate. It seems he thought that to have the University change its policy just for him would be damaging for his image and the losses would be greater than just not receiving a college diploma.
Of course, he can still return to school even now. But he is too busy and, it seems that returning to school will be difficult for a long while.
But while he said he was busy, BYJ did visit this research office once. I don’t remember when it was but, saying he went abroad, he bought me a souvenir. It is a Mont Blanc pen. I was really happy. Not that it is a luxury item but that he remembered me.
When one becomes a popular actor like him, there should be many other benefactors and staff members that he should be buying souvenirs for. Instead, he went to the trouble of buying a souvenir for someone like me, whom he only spent about a year together with at college, and then he personally came to deliver it.
I was amazed at the man, BYJ’s extent of his thoughtfulness and his caring.
He also dropped by to visit me before the filming of Untold Scandal began. We talked about various things such as the sword-fighting practice, how he thought he looked strange with the topknot and how it didn’t suit him but the director liked it. I think that was the last time I met him. After that, as everyone knows, he suddenly became very busy, so he had no time to show up at the University.
Lately, he is too busy and probably doesn’t have the opportunity to reunite with a nostalgic person like me. If he were able to have such times to meet, his life would be better, but unfortunately, life does not work out that way.
Creating Precious Bonds
He was unable to graduate college, but it seems that BYJ has a strong love for his alma mater.
In 2005, he made a large donation so that the Film Department could hold its graduation, Fried Screen Festival on a large scale. This is probably due to the fact that he has a wealth of assets but I believe that at heart, he is a kind person. He has a strong sense of obligation and, even now, I have heard that he keeps in contact with several film department classmates. *bb: click here to read more.
To BYJ, I would like to send a message to tell him to please cherish those people he shares memories with. When you are living your life, running at full speed, you will end up losing sight of your own life. On the road to success, even when one walks it, one can lose precious people along the way without being aware of it.
But we need to realize that life is precious – for example, I believe that it is important to cherish forever those rare bonds that we encounter during our college days, with people we were compatible with, and those people that we walk together in life with. I think to live with such bonds in place is more important than being any international major figure.
That is why I am concerned even now whether he has formed any successful bonds with others. If he is negligent about this, the years will advance and unknowingly, life’s unhappiness will spread. This is what worries me.
There was a time when we were drinking together and he looked unexpectedly lonely. I do not know why he looked that way to me but if he had a family, I think he would be able to have peace of mind.
But for BYJ to marry would be considerably difficult and not a simple thing. When you are that successful, it would be difficult to accept someone. To accept everything about a complete stranger, to love and to trust is a very difficult thing to do. *bb: i thought this was a weird statement. if he is to decide to marry someone, surely she would no longer be a stranger no more, right? we're no longer living in the olden days of ancient matchmaking, ya?
Role Model for All
Previously, I said that BYJ has various images so that one does not tire of him, but during his high school days, it seems he got into a few fights and as for acting, he began it as a part-time job in order to become a film director.
In addition to that side of him, he seems to have the makings of an entrepreneur. Previously I saw the news where the stock he invested in skyrocketed, but it wasn’t because of luck; it was probably because he had the foresight as an entrepreneur.
He has the sensitivity of a writer. I hold the strong image that he is a sensitive guy. Sometimes I hear talk that BYJ is difficult, but I think that his sensitivity is prone to misunderstandings.
There is a part of him that feels that he must always be a role model which I think causes him considerable pressure. Now that he is a major star, he must feel this pressure even more so, as his lifestyle depends on his existence and there are many employees in the production office. Still, it must be trying on him.
Obstacles to Success
Why is BYJ popular?
If we were to evaluate him based upon a general psychological analysis, we look at two major parts in our understanding of images, that part which satisfies the inner ideal, and the part which satisfies the exterior ideal.
Other stars will persist in satisfying only the exterior ideal by trying to become momjjang and building up their bodies, photographing to look good, and working hard at such things, but BYJ is striving to satisfy even the inner ideal. As seen in the viewer wishes, “We want him to remain as this kind person,” “We want him to remain a devoted man to the one he loves,” he is endeavoring to become the ideal man that viewers want.
Because of this, viewers are satisfied to be his fans, and can support him with peace of mind.
If an actor has a certain factor which matches what the times dictate he will then become popular. In other words, an actor has to present elements that viewers can empathize with.
For example, in BYJ’s case, he is aggressive in his aid to relief victims, or his praiseworthy appearance of returning to college to study after once being in the workplace. Once enrolled in college, he shows himself to be friendly and sociable mixing with the other students.
From all these pleasant scenes his entire image is created. This is the image the modern viewers have been desiring.
It can be said that for BYJ to present the elements that current viewers can empathize with is a wonderful accomplishment for him as an actor. That type of image is important in obtaining the popularity of viewers, and in BYJ’s case, it may be said that acting is a secondary concern.
BYJ appears to be popular with the Japanese housewives, but the reason he is popular with them is because of the reasons I just gave along with many other elements that he presents which they love.
This is just conjecture, but for example, perhaps a housewife cannot get something from her husband that BYJ is able to supply, or perhaps she keeps a deep secret hidden away in her heart like the image of her first love during school days.
I am extremely proud of the fact that I taught BYJ. Life is something that passes so very quickly like a dream and it has all passed so quickly where I found it incredible and I asked myself, did I really do this with BYJ, did we really do that together?
But I am glad that I met him and that I was able to connect with him even for a brief time, and to be able to converse with him.
BYJ’s greatest achievement is clearing the path for Korea and for widening the road for Koreans to appeal to the world. This is quite an achievement and in England this is called a peerage which is what I think he deserves.
Anything that has occurred after this is like the after-sales service period and you must not expect more of him than what he has already done.
He has risen as far as he can, BYJ has reached the summit, but there are probably those vindictive type persons who also want to see a reverse in his fortune. I am worried about this.
When a person of achievement suffers a financial setback, it is the ways of the world to exaggerate the collection of debts and try to grab the debtor by the back of the neck.
When the danger of such a situation arises, BYJ will need someone to protect him from the discord. Without such protection, his achievements will be considered a temporary event and laid to rest in the darkness.
In order for BYJ to make a major launch out into the world, he needs close friends that will protect him like strong, great trees from the dangers that come sweeping toward you like a tsunami.
It is my wish that there will be people surrounding him and supporting him so that there will not be a reversal of fortune.
*bb: sweet sister also said she's not quite sure of the right way to romanize the female classmate's name. it might be Yi Jae Eun...?
p.s. here's a clip of him in uni...
p.p.s. and, of course, there's plenty more info about the lone wolf in uni
posted by bb @ 8/30/2007 11:22:00 PM
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