Bae Yong Joon 배용준

[Guest chiligoyo]

Click to view bigger pics...

Source: ForeverBYJ Picture Zone

[Guest frances]

Hi frances, I've been wanting to watch this but my cable provider has no KBS though, sob, sob, sob...... Excited to see the link but unfortunately it's not working, I hope somebody will be kind enough to re-upload it again.

hello vignette, the link is working, probably you were caught in the middle of a traffic when u tried to d/load it, you can give it a try again

[Guest frances]

source - Baidu.com

translated & posted by cam in quilt

[Trans] - First glance at the theater to be used for the special premiere of “Outing” in Beijing + news

1.

The theater inside the Beijing exhibition hall was constructed in the famous Russian architectural style. The main hall is big and elegant, with only the finest equipment and facilities. It consists of a 2,700 seat auditorium and its capacity is considered to be the biggest for this kind of specialised performance theater.

2.

In view of the fact that BYJ’s promotional tour of “Outing” caused a warm response in Japan, the movie distributor ‘HuaXia’ has decided to employ special security personnel to maintain order during BYJ’s visit. Manager Wang of HuaXia said that apart from BYJ’s two personal bodyguards, the company also will provide 10 extra bodyguards for him. At the same time, in order to prevent chaos in the public, the company also employed 300 security personnel to help maintain order.

BYJ will arrive on November 11. Attending the press conference in the same afternoon. Followed by the premiere of “Outing” the next day.

3.

Last Friday 500 special admission tickets went on sale for the special premiere of “Outing” through the ‘loveYongJoon’ China Fan club. The tickets were sold out within a day. Hence unable to satisfy the demand for all his fans.

Outside of theater in the Beijing exhibition hall

VIP Guest Hall (1)

VIP Guest Hall (2)

Main Hall (side view)

Main hall

Front Hall

Stage

[Guest liezle]

Hi Frances! I'm sorry wasn't able to help you out this morning. I really got tied up doing the presentation for this afternoon and i've to run now to Makati. I'll see you later tonight, k?

Thanks and i miss the thread and Yong Joon too!

[Guest frances]

Hi Frances! I'm sorry wasn't able to help you out this morning. I really got tied up doing the presentation for this afternoon and i've to run now to Makati. I'll see you later tonight, k?

Thanks and i miss the thread and Yong Joon too!

hello there sis just do your thing out there and dont worry about the thread its still quiet in the Bae front & our man is somewhere out there enjoying his invisibility... & we'll probably lay eyes on his handsome face again by next week, Nov 11 when he goes to Beijing....

what Mr. Fumi wrote in Quilt is quite interesting...this is the 11 th year of BYJ in showbiz, he is going to China on 11.11 (nov 11) & he wrote a host of other facts related to numbers... funny mr fumi !!

[Guest frances]

[ Cont..] Captured photos from the KBS Photo Docu last night

from cafe.daum.net/byjfan by 희진

reposted by flora in byjff

[Guest vignette]

hello vignette, the link is working, probably you were caught in the middle of a traffic when u tried to d/load it, you can give it a try again

Thanks frances, I tried again but it seems they are doing maintenance work with the server. I hope I can still download it later.

I just called Cinemanila and though the festival is extended till Nov. 8, they will no longer show Untold Scandal. I felt sad because I've been wanting to watch the movie on a big screen.

[Guest frances]

from josei jishin & shukan josei mags

posted by rosie in joonsfamily

vignette , any idea if April Snow will be dubbed in tagalog or it will be shown in korean audio with english sub ?

[Guest vignette]

vignette , any idea if April Snow will be dubbed in tagalog or it will be shown in korean audio with english sub ?

It's korean audio with english sub so we can enjoy hearing his voice over and over again....

[Guest frances]

~ not sure if this was already posted.....

i enjoyed the untold scandal review of jwwy and i'm sharing w/ u now her review of April Snow. thanks to jwwy and cam

************************************

Many readers from byjfriendsforever.com discussion forum have been waiting for jwwy’s review of AS. This review was received with many praises & interesting comments. Please take your time to read, it has taken a bit longer to translate than I anticipated ~ ~ cam

************************************

[Trans] - Belated review of ‘April Snow’ – by jwwy of www.byjfriendsforever.com

translated by cam & posted in quilt

The movie…………………….

What sort of movie is ‘AS’? Is it a success? Is it not worth mentioning? Surely we all have our own opinions.

Among BYJ’s work, some fall deep for the romance of ‘Winter Sonata’. Some yearn for the persistent pursuit of love as in ‘Hotelier’. Where others are truly moved by the reality of ‘First Love’ and ‘How we really loved’. Nevertheless, these works have all become our respective favourites. No one can deny their success even if you are not particularly interested.

I remember when I first became infatuated with ‘Winter Sonata’, I could not help to respond when I read an article with the title of “Why should I be moved by ‘Winter Sonata’?”. Would ‘April Snow’, which some critics described as indifferent, tasteless or even ‘old fashioned’, move me in the same fashion as ‘Winter Sonata’?

I could not help myself, but compare ‘AS’ with BYJ’s other work. It’s impossible to expect every single detail to be displayed like a TV drama; after all, this is just a movie. However, one needs to make some appropriate editing in order to present the story with subtle changes of emotions from the characters. The end product highlights the unique style of the director’s skills.

After seeing ‘AS’ for the first time, many viewers expressed their disappointment about eliminating too many cut takes. The director has removed many beautiful scenes, which if they had been included then perhaps the movie would have been better received.

Really? What sort of end product would we have if you were the movie editor? Maybe it will be a truly touching classic movie. Firstly, we would have a few of YJ close ups, clearly highlighting his deep sorrowful expression. Add scenes where the main characters are engaged in ‘love talk’. Getting rid of some unnecessary scenes such as when they are driving. In order to please the fans, why not prolong the ‘concert’ scenes with more close ups. As for the bed scene, let me quote one of the fans (who indulges in fantasy) ‘What a waste!, it only shows for 2 minutes when the filming took 9 hours. Shouldn’t it be a half an hour’?

Oh dear, what the movie could have been?

The characters………………………

Is it difficult to produce a movie about a tragic love story? Just allow the main characters to be more sensational I guess. For example, when InSoo learnt of his wife’s extra marital affair, perhaps he could have displayed his anger more intensely. At my first viewing, I felt that InSoo should have been more emotional and expressive, so that the audience would feel for his plight. How can he be so calm? I did not understand till after a number of viewings. People are all different in character. If it was me, I would have broken down in tears drastically. At the same time, I would only think of the worst. Thinking how could they betray me like this? How pitiful I am?

But InSoo is different, he does not indulge in self pity, and instead attempts to see the light in the darkness that allows him to continue living. He doesn’t crush the glasses with his fist, instead he rolls a snowball in his hands then throws it against a wall. He would not speak badly of his wife to his friends and is trying very hard to suppress his near to exploding mood in order to defend the only dignity he has left. The InSoo in the car did not listen to sad music to fill his heartfelt aching pain, instead he was listening to mighty hip pop music to remind himself that life can be beautiful and that the pain will pass.

InSoo’s character is bright and far richer in comparison to SYJ’s character. Surprisingly, Soyoung’s character is calm and strong for someone so young. Her character has allowed an imaginative audience to ponder the subtle relationships between the main characters, instead of sensationalising effects to put the audience through many tear jerking scenes.

The movie does not deliberately force the audience to accept their love, instead it tries to lead the audience to comprehend their passive love from a third party’s point of view. Perhaps you can believe the love between them is undeserved, given the special circumstances, or you can convince yourself that this may be simply a truly sincere love between the two characters.

The Actors………………………………………..

When I first watched the movie, I truly had some doubts about YJ’s performance. Did he not communicate well with the director? Is he not being able to meet the requirements of his performance? How come he appears to be incapable of expressing his innermost anger?

I began to understand after stepping out of the theatre for the 2nd time. As I am so used to the ‘made up character’ type approach. I was hoping that the character would build up to a climax. What I did not know is that this is the way that the director has chosen to lead the audience into the story.

InSoo is a positive but yet introverted character, similar to YJ himself.. Perhaps YJ is simply portraying a real InSoo.

The innermost pain of InSoo was only subtly exposed via his facial expressions. The vulnerable look in his eyes, like a little injured helpless pet, paints a thousand words. This made me fall hard and deep for the character.

While watching the movie, I was trying not to be attracted to YJ’s handsome face. Unfortunately, YJ is still YJ, and it was difficult I could not move my focus off him. Therefore for this reason, please allow me to apologise to Miss SYJ.

Is it YJ’s fault ? Most definitely not.

Please allow me to add, I could never link InSoo in the movie to YJ in real life. It also did not allow me to associate him with MingHyun of ‘Winter Sonata’. If you must place the blame, let’s point the finger at InSoo for appearing in the snowy season and for Korea for being a country with a very white winter.

I believe no one was disappointed with SYJ’s performance. It is not hard to praise her acting given that she is only in her early 20s. Just like what director Hur has said, ‘apart from her natural acting talent, she is also a very diligent and intelligent girl. Hence she is able to express the innermost feelings of her characters extremely well’.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to director Hur, regardless of the approval of the viewers and the performance of the box office, it is an absolutely beautiful movie. I am sure that YJ has gained much from being as part of the production. My sincere thanks to you Director Hur.

[Guest frances]

[Translation] KBS 1-TV Star Docu-November 1 2005

Vivarijuni posted this on the Talk Box of BYJ’s official home.

translated by joanne & posted in quilt freeboard

Content of Star Docu

(Narration)

His smile is warm. The look in his eyes is sweet. In his eye glasses, there is no power in lenses.

He goes around wrapped by a wall of people. Either the wall of people who protect him or the wall of people who are enthusiastic about him.

The super star who has embraced Asia when he was 33 years old. He is Jo Won, the peerless playboy, is Insoo who lost love, is Yon-sama. The actor who would not be content with (what he accomplished), the actor who is creating turning points by himself , he is BYJ.

Today in 2005, BYJ’s is the public figure(celebrity) in Asia, the lover of all people. Everywhere he goes, there always exist waitings one step ahead (of him).

The three letters of name, Bae Yong Joon, move around with waves of countless people and endless long lines like that. The fact that his every movement of hand & every movement of foot, even his daily routine at the (horse) riding club in early dawn would become a scoop in minute details and without missing. It is exactly because he is Bae Yongjoon.

The reality in which even the territory of overseas stars would be rearranged centering around him. BYJ, who is the nucleus of this unprecedented diastrophism, is becoming a phenomenon the world presses are paying attention to.

Lee Dongjin, reporter: To tell by limiting in Japan at least, the case of Mr. BYJ is such a person who expanded explosively the mighty power of Korean popular culture to the degree that it cannot be compared with previous time. From that aspect, I think that the Korean popular culture is indebted greatly to Mr. BYJ.

(Narration)

After taking out that many decorative words that are automatically accompanies in front of BYJ’s name, like the center of Korean Current hot wind, the actor at the caliber of national treasure, what kind appearance would he be?

Ryu Seungsoo(talent): He likes to cook. Yongjoon..he personally bakes something like ham by himself,

he does not like others to put hands on it, when he cooks..

Thus, I always, all the while, wait like when I would do when I eat what my mother cooks for me.

When I wait, Yongjoon takes care of wine, bakes ham…

Shin Seongwoo(singer): At the group eating events or at the year-end party among friends, there were times he sang (songs) saying “Hyeong, I will sing Hyeong’s song,” when he was in good mood. There were times (I would say) “Don’t sing, please..”

Park Joonghoon(film actor): When I saw his body at (public) bath house several years ago, there was slight extra fat on his waist even though his figure was good.., in some moment, he built the body he wanted by trying very hard..it seems that he thought it was an experiment upon himself…from looking at such side, really his tenacity of purpose is great after all.

(Narration)

Decency and tenderness, are they really BYJ’s essential nature ? In order to find that answer to that question, he challenged lonely and harsh fight against himself.

This man who says that whipping on himself is more comfortable than freedom to fly.

Kim Taehwan(photographer): I rather tried not to show any more details of muscles. I cover up (details) much with lighting. If I make those details vivid, it would be a body builder and actually not the body of an actor. (His muscles) made me feel too creepy. Personally speaking, they were too solid. I felt like I was touching stones.

JP(trainer): Controlled food, one kind of food. He ate one food, chicken breasts and vegetables, continuously for 3 months. You know there is an old story of bear and tiger. Just like those ate garlic and ssook(kind of Korean green leafy vegetable smelling like mint) , he had endured such perseverance.

(Narration) BYJ’s trainer devised 2 kinds of fixed menu for him for the body-building project in 3 months. Five-colored Jabchae mixing paprika and protein-rich lean meat of short ribs of cows and muscle shake made by grinding fat-free chicken breast meat with tomato and carrot, those two became a topic of talks in town as BYJ’s diet menu.

BYJ, who is harsh to himself in front of his goal, favorite desserts a person like that enjoys eating in usual time are all Korean ones like ddeok(Korean rice cake), yakgua(sweet Korean pastry), & omijatea. Things he favors, the speed and power of those rumors is beyond imagination.

Choi Moonyoung(Chef at T Korean dessert shop): There are people who is looking for seat BYJ has sat, there are many people who take photos in front Mr. BYJ’s photos along with food, and they take photos a lot even with serving staff.

(Narration)

In the places he goes, there always happen some events. Thunderous applause, joyous shouts like sun, screaming sounds of enthusiastic fans, those become aura which makes BYJ a fixed(permanent) star which makes light by itself.

The star who goes about by always preparing his photos. The way of making autographing unique to BYJ, writing neatly on those photos, is his heart toward his fans.

Cho Sehyeon(photographer): You know that photos for fans are important. Those are not the things I choose. Although they must have been chosen by himself personally, would it be probably because he thought they matched well with reality of himself?

(Narration)

Stars who are born again daily in the hands of (script) writers. BYJ also remains in our memory as numerous faces like those. In their center, there is Joonsahng, BYJ’s another name, first lover for all people.

Hong Eunkyeong(stylist): There were people asking ‘how much were the scarves?’ By the way, in case of a scarf, it was 2000 won. Because I went to an express bus terminal, bought and created it, it was really a cheap one.

(Narration)

Hands who has been creating images of BYJ from Joonsahng in the Winter Love Song to Yon-sama, the pair of eye glasses become his trade mark by her.

Hong Eunkyeong: At first when (work) begins, I look at up to 200 or 300 (eye glasses), when I see them at first..those in front here are eye glasses chosen among them…in case of this is the one he wore in recent Oe Chool(April Snow), and this pair of eye glasses is the one he wore in the Winter Love Song..

(Narration)

BYJ who always talked with warm look of eyes beyond that pair of eye glasses, person like that took off eye glasses. He handed first written challenge to the (silver) screen.

However, no one expected that he would enter inside of walls of the clay-roofed house in Chosun.

Wearing dopo(traditional Korean men’s outer wear) with wind styled hair, the meeting of BYJ and period drama which was awkward to whomever sees it, was it a good choice? He himself also shed cold sweat.

Kim Byeong(camera director of ‘Scandal..’): As it was the story of orange tribe, of present day playboy so that one has to be wonderful, I worried a little in that part, personally..

(Narration)

However, as if he ridiculed worries by all people, BYJ found out accurately new colors which had been hiding inside of him.

Cheong Kuho(art director of the ‘Scandal..’): The ivory color like this which is considered to be white has feeling of expressing of stylish image of Jo Won in ordinary time, and I think that feeling of navy blue, dark blue close to black, shown in this side are colors which can show image inside of Mr. BYJ.

(Narration)

Entirely different 2 kinds of colors that define BYJ.. The navy blue color, which displays weight, which is not shallow and dignified blue shade, resembles his appearance, BYJ who at times is cold and cool-headed. Wearing dopo cloak in ivory, which emits luxurious color by its material(?) itself, BYJ made a success in transforming perfectly into an unprecedented playboy who conquered women’s hearts in Chosun.

However, he could not become Jo Won only with two kinds of colors which put wings to him. His scenario book he has been keeping in his hand to the extent of memorizing perfectly even the lines of opposite actors. No matter he puts on scarves or he wears dopo, Actor BYJ, his essential nature has not changed.

Kim Jaeyeob(acting instructor): He asked me to give him pronunciation chart. Of course, it was what he had practiced it several years ago. After asking me to give it to him, he did not practice any other things but, on that day, he had only (practiced on) that pronunciation chart for almost 8 hours and finished practicing until dawn, until he perfectly completed the pronunciation.

(Narration)

Jo won holding a camera, this is not acting. It is BYJ’s genuine appearance. He is famous as an actor who picks up camera on the shooting site whenever he has any spare times.

Lee Yujin(PD of ‘Scandal..’): There were many really good photos which capture the very moment when staff were working hard. He seems to have affection, affection toward character, toward people..

(Narration)

Staff sweated to shoot him. BYJ was busy in shooting that drops of sweat flowing on them. For him, the photography is window to watch world, and passage for moving for approaching to people by one step closer.

Cho Sehyeon(photographer): Because Mr. BYJ continued to be interested in portrait photographs, and because he told me that he would continue to do that in the future, you know there is wide range lens which is appropriate for portrait photograph, that is focus lens which is appropriate to portrait, so that I recommended several of them. (Then) I heard a story that surprised me. It was the last year, and at that time BYJ went there on the very next day when he talked me about it and bought all those cameras. While saying my name.

(Narration)

He does not swear. He would not easily make promise. He is such a man who behaves as he says so that he moves people.

Yoo Seungdeok(owner of the camera shop): When his manager came, saying he was a little late…he bought and sent a box of bananas…saying share with other people..being that delicate and considerate, I thought all the aspects (of him) was extra ordinary. For a young man..

(Narration) In 2005, BYJ boarded his body on a boat of strange director called Hur Jinho. The style of the director that just watches actors after putting them in situations for which nothing is prepared, it itself was very much unfamiliar challenge for BYJ.

”Although the tear wells in eyes..my heart does not break..”

Park Jiyoung(film staff): We went for 30 takes. He told that he collapsed as he shot staying up all night. For one scene, he strained his nerves that much, put efforts, and agonized over how to do..

Im sanhyo(actress): Actually I saw it in the make-up van. I saw one or two white hair in Yongjoon Obba’s hair.

(Narration)

Memo scripts given according to situation on each and every day, He tried not to prepare anything in this film. It was a difficult task to the extent that he had to put efforts.

"Life is beautiful..throw away all the sadness…after that shall I shout like Ak~~?"

"After that, next is to stay quiet.."

"I, this is really interesting, I will do this again."

Ryu Seungsoo: As he was becoming a professional, as the status was getting big as a public figure for him, Ah..there is sense of responsibility of having to do like that.

Park Joonghoon: As he is becoming a beloved tree, the tree becomes big and as there are many leaves, it would be shaken by wind and there is much shadow. As he became the international actor, star who is loved in Japan and Asia in the name of Yon-sama, I would like him to become such a tree that would not be shaken by wind.

(Narration)

BYJ, the man who became the star of Asia as he came to us wearing powerless eye glasses and in outer appearance as if the marble is sculptured, actor BYJ who seems have no more place to climb up, but who says he is still evolving.

He told that the question asking why he acts sounds like a question asking why he lives...

[willenette]

Nice to hear that April Snow, which will be shown here in the Phil. will be in Korean audio with English sub. I can understand the movie & hear his voice all throughout the movie. I'm looking forward to the showing of this movie. I heard it's already showing this month but how come there's no promotion yet? I haven't seen the trailer or the teaser yet on cinemas or even on TV. I hope he will be here also to promote his movie just like what he's doing from other countries.

[Guest frances]

Nice to hear that April Snow, which will be shown here in the Phil. will be in Korean audio with English sub. I can understand the movie & hear his voice all throughout the movie. I'm looking forward to the showing of this movie. I heard it's already showing this month but how come there's no promotion yet? I haven't seen the trailer or the teaser yet on cinemas or even on TV. I hope he will be here also to promote his movie just like what he's doing from other countries.

hi willenette, that's great news from vignette about the english sub, we would not want our fellow Filipinos to miss this opportunity of hearing the real voice of yong joon

i dont know the details on the promo gigs of AS ** vignette, help !!* but one thing i'm sure of, he wont be coming to our place, but just the same let us show our full support to byj & april snow.

[Guest vignette]

They started distributing the press kits and photos to various media publications and the PR dept. of ABS only last Wednesday so we can only see the write-ups next week. With regards to the feature article written by another BYJ fan, we are still waiting for the slot to open (Manila Bulletin) a week before November 23. I am hoping that the trailer will be shown within the week, I'll try watching a movie on Saturday just to check.

[ginagan]

This was posted by jas on choi ji woo's thread, dunno if anyone has seen it but i just repost it here...

Winter Sonata 2002

*Reviewed by TKL

2002.1.14 – 2002.3.19

(Endless Love II or Winter Love Song)

Yu Jin is running towards the bus stop. She sees her best friend walking in front of her and calls out joyfully, "Sang Hyuk!" Sang Hyuk turns back and catches her as she runs into him. She chats happily as he buttons up her coat for her, smiling. The bus comes but there are already too many students on the bus. Sang Hyuk pushes her onto the bus while he waits for the next one.

Yu Jin finds a seat at the back of the bus. Feeling tired, she falls asleep. Her head rests on something really comfortable until someone pushes her head away. She wakes up, staring at the boy sitting next to her, who is also staring back at her, showing obvious annoyance. She looks around and realizes that she has missed her stop. She calls out frantically for the driver to let her get off. That boy gets off as well. She glances around, unaware of where she is. She looks at him, and he glances back, uninterested. She realizes that he is wearing the uniform of her school. She asks which year he is in and he replies curtly. Yu Jin is annoyed at his attitude. She walks away but turn back, saying, "Why are you still standing there?" He looks at her, as if not to understand what she means. She continues, "Let's split the taxi fare!" And that is the beginning of one beautiful but heart-breaking love story.

Joon Sang is a new student in Yu Jin’s school. He is aloof, and cold. The reason for why Joon Sang leaves Seoul and ends up in Yu Jin’s school is because he wants to search for his biological father. He thinks that person is Sang Hyuk’s father. Envious of everything Sang Hyuk has, Joon Sang always picks fights with Sang Hyuk, Yu Jin’s best friend, who has been secretly in love with her. He gets close to Yu Jin just because he wants to annoy Sang Hyuk yet unknowingly, he also falls in love with the sweet Yu Jin. What Joon Sang does not know was that his mother was good friends with Sang Hyuk?s father and was in love with Yu Jin’s father. One fateful night, Joon Sang discovers this relationship so he assumes that Yu Jin is his sister. He decides to leave for America with his mother but suddenly remembers that he has asked Yu Jin to meet him. As he runs to their meeting place, a tragic accident happens and everyone thinks that he has passed away.

Ten years later, as Yu Jin is happily arranging her engagement party to Sang Hyuk, she encounters Lee Min Hyung, who looks exactly like Joon Sang. Yet Lee Min Hyung is also different to Joon Sang as he is more outgoing and happy. The appearance of Lee Min Hyung causes problems in Yu Jin and Sang Hyuk’s relationship as Sang Hyuk is always jealous of Yu Jin?s love for Joon Sang. As fate would have it, Lee Min Hyung falls in love with Yu Jin. What if Lee Min Hyung is Joon Sang? What would Yu Jin do if her first love has come back? Did she really bury the memory of Joon Sang and move on with Sang Hyuk?

Bae Yong Joon as Joon Sang/Min Hyung: It was a bit odd to see him as a high school student. However, it was a right decision to cast him in this role instead of finding a younger actor to play the role of Joon Sang, as the viewer needs to have the same feeling as Yu Jin that Min Hyung really looks like Joon Sang. Even though he doesn’t look young, he portrayed that first love feeling very well. He also expressed Joon Sang’s longing to have a father emotionally when he went to Sang Hyuk?s father for tutorial as a way to get close to his father. When Min Hyung appeared, I was like ?Argh, what the??? as his hair was like bright brown. The hairstyle and colour bothered me a bit. He should've just had it highlighted instead of dyeing it full-on. Towards the end of the series, his hair became really messy and long. His choice of clothes was a bit off as well. In some scenes, he was wearing purple or pink tops. He looked really feminine in some scenes. He might want to create a different character from Joon Sang as Min Hyung is much happier with life. However, his acting did bring it out without the aid of his clothes or hair. You realized straight away that Min Hyung is very different from Joon Sang.

Is there such a man like Min Hyung in real life? He is romantic, devoted, caring, charming, suave, and loving. He always puts Yu Jin?s happiness first even if the decision pains him. It was so sad to watch the scene when he brought Yu Jin to the seaside and started telling her to take care of herself or when he met her for the last time, asking her to let Sang Hyuk to go overseas with her. Bae Yong Joon delivered a memorable performance and played the character of Lee Min Hyung to perfection. He handled the emotions of the character very well and did not turn Min Hyung into one crying boy. However, he wasn?t convincing as a blind man. It was emotional to see a blind Joon Sang counting his steps, familiarizing himself with the house and smiling as he touched the wall with love. It was a house built from love. Yet Bae Yong Joon?s eyes were too lively for a blind person and I don?t understand why he still wore glasses.

All right, I admit it. I'm now a big fan of Bae Yong Joon and who won't be? I noticed him in ?Hotelier? but I didn?t really like that series. The most attractive feature is his smile. His smile transforms his face, it could melt hearts and bright up someone?s day. He is handsome and what is even more important is that he is one talented actor who brings out the emotions of the characters so well. He brings them alive and gives them heart and soul. He was a bit stiff in ?Hotelier? as he played a ?too cool? character but in ?Winter Sonata?, you could see that he really lives with the characters and feels their emotions.

Choi Ji Woo as Yu Jin: She is not what I would call pretty but she was so compatible with Bae Yong Joon. The sparkling chemistry between them was undeniable. Choi Ji Woo’s eyes are so beautifully expressive. They portray Yu Jin’s love, longing, and pain very well. One of the heart-breaking scenes was when Yu Jin was on her way to her engagement party and she caught sight of Lee Min Hyung walking in the opposite direction towards her. The expression of shock, disbelief then happiness and longing was evident in Yu Jin's eyes. She ran after him, forgetting all about Sang Hyuk. At that moment, we realize that the only person in Yu Jin's heart was and would always be Joon Sang. Is it too silly and unhealthy to still pine for someone after ten years when that person has died? However, Joon Sang was taken away from Yu Jin’s life too suddenly and cruelly. Yu Jin never really moved on. She was always stuck in their sweet memories.

Park Yong Ha as Sang Hyuk: Sang Hyuk is one confused man. He loves Yu Jin and knows very well that she is still in love with Joon Sang. He wants to ignore that but all the time, the jealousy torments his heart. He knows all the way that he is fighting a losing battle in love. He cannot replace a dead person in Yu Jin's heart. At first, you really feel sorry for Sang Hyuk since he has loved Yu Jin for so long but her heart has never belonged to him. However, towards the end of the series, it was frustrating to watch him as he was too stubborn to realize that they were not meant to be and that Yu Jin did not love him at all. It became obvious towards the end that he and Yu Jin were not compatible. Sang Hyuk always makes the decision without asking Yu Jin and is very jealous. He was easily upset at everything Yu Jin did. For instance, he was even jealous when she dressed up for the party. If she had married him, her life would indeed become an emotional torture chamber as there was no trust and no mutual understanding. Sang Hyuk became too desperate as he tried so hard to hang onto Yu Jin. He nearly committed suicide and even begged Joon Sang to leave Yu Jin. Hasn’t he heard of the saying? All is fair in love and war? Sang Hyuk always did something silly then he apologized. I guess he doesn’t know that?Love means never having to say you’re sorry?

Park Yong Ha delivered a fine performance as Sang Hyuk. However, this character was very inconsistent. For example, Sang Hyuk finally accepted that Yu Jin was much happier with Joon Sang when he regained his memory. He even came to congratulate them yet he jumped at the first chance to break them up and acted stupidly by begging Joon Sang to leave Yu Jin. Park Yong Ha really needs a different hairstyle and a new wardrobe stylist. Throughout the series, he only dressed in black or gray. He nearly blended into the darkness in night scenes.

Park Sol Mi as Oh Chae Lin: Park Sol Mi played the role of Oh Chae Lin very well as she really made me hate this character. Something is seriously wrong with Chae Lin. She shamelessly claimed that Joon Sang was her boyfriend and that Yu Jin stole him from her. She couldn’t blame Lee Min Hyung when he broke up with her after what she did. If she didn’t play all these tricks and say bad things about Yu Jin, Min Hyung would have still stayed with her.

The scenery is breathtaking and picturesque. I had never thought that the chilling, cold, lonely winter could be a setting for a beautiful love story. I love the scene where Joon Sang and Yu Jin play in the snow when they were 18, how Yu Jin tried to step in Joon Sang's footsteps. It reminds me of a particular scene in the movie "Love Story” when Oliver and Jenny were at the football field. It was one of those scenes that really captured the essence of happiness, of the exhilarating feeling of being in love for the first time. With them, you also fall in love for the first time. Their love reminds you of your first love when your heart flutters, when you also feel tingling all over, when you could find no word to explain the feeling inside as you hold each other’s hands for the first time. You would truly wish that time would just freeze there in that happy moment.

The music score was heartrendingly sad even though I did not understand the lyrics at all. It just went so well with the series. The main theme song, From beginning till now, was excellent but I especially like the song played when Joon Sang was throwing away everything that could remind Yu Jin of their love into the ocean so she could forget him. The singer’s voice was so sad while Bae Yong Joon expressed very well the emotional struggle inside. He wanted to hold on to their memory but he had to throw them away for Yu Jin’s sake. I cried as I watched Joon Sang flipping the coin, catching it in his tight fist as if he was squeezing his heart then throwing it into the ocean. Only after watching the series, I found out that the song called “Don’t forget” Not only the music but the lyrics go so well with the scene and Joon Sang’s feelings.

There are plenty of sweet moments and romantic scenes in this series to melt your heart and to please any die-hard fan of romantic dramas. I love all the scenes with Joon Sang and Yu Jin, from their first sweet moment on the bus to when he met her for the last time and made her promise that they would not see each other again to keep their memories beautiful. These are few scenes that really stood out for me,

- When Joon Sang and Yu Jin first met.

- When they playfully asked each other’s interests and Joon Sang promised that he would tell her something important in their next date.

- When Yu Jin sat looking at Min Hyung in his office then she ran out, crying.

- When Min Hyung discovered that he is actually Joon Sang, he went back to his old house, looked at the notes that Yu Jin wrote for him when they were in school and played the tape that he recorded for Yu Jin. He sat there crying because he couldn’t remember that he once loved Yu Jin and that she did not believe him when he told her he was Joon Sang.

- When Min Hyung called Yu Jin asking to meet for one last time, she cried as she told him of the differences between him and Joon Sang.

- When Min Hyung stood waiting for Yu Jin after a day of recalling his memory as Joon Sang by the lake, he suddenly remembered what he wanted to tell her before his accident. He turned around, tears in his eyes as he said to Yu Jin? Yu Jin, I love you.

- When Joon Sang threw the coins, the camera, and the necklace into the ocean as a way to erase their memories.

I’d better stop here before I start to sound really obsessive. However, to some viewers, this series was too depressing. Why must loving someone hurt so much? Why must everyone be so miserable? Is it really worth it? Is it realistic to keep pining for someone for ten years? I think one of the reasons for why this series was so successful was that it provoked deep memory in everyone’s heart. Everyone has their first love and they often recall it as something unforgettable. Everyone cries so well that it was heartbreaking. Yu Jin’s eyes were always teary while one teardrop after another just kept coursing silently down Joon Sang’s cheeks. So before watching the series, you have to ask yourself, do I really want to put myself through this emotional journey? Do I really want to watch a series with a constant ache in my heart?

All the parents in here don’t deserve to be parents at all. First of all, it would be Sang Hyuk’s mother, who kept saying that she did not like Yu Jin without giving a reason and always tried to break them up even though she knew that Sang Hyuk could not live without Yu Jin. Secondly, it would be Yu Jin’s mother. It never once crossed her mind that her daughter would have no happiness in marrying Sang Hyuk If her daughter loved someone else. Yet all she thought about was saving face and how bad it would be for Sang Hyuk. Didn’t she think about her daughter’s happiness at all? Last but probably the worst is Joon Sang’s mother, the woman who created the whole tragedy. She should be admitted to a psychiatric ward for her twisted mind in believing that Joon Sang is the son of Yu Jin’s father. It was bad enough that she created an entire new identity for him after he lost his memory. None of the parents in this series considers their children’s happiness for one second.

Toward the end, the story became dragging. However, the cast alone carried the series. All of them were brilliant in expressing the characters emotions that I just kind of ignored the plot and paid more attention to the acting of the actors and actresses. I really felt for the characters and I think that is one important factor for the success of a series. It needs to engage the viewer, and to make them feel for the character, instead of leaving them sitting aside, feeling detached and disconnected.

The whole series is about miscommunications. People don’t tell the full story or lie or assume too much. For the later half of the series, I was like screaming DNA test! DNA test!? until Sang Hyuk’s father finally did the test. The ending was a pathetic attempt to please ardent fans of Bae Yong Joon. I would prefer it if they change the ending. We could have an ending like Yu Jin left for New York to look for Joon Sang then just leave it there. There is no need to show that he is alive or dead after the operation.

What I hate about Asian series is the fact that when something comes up, people would decide to go overseas. Why overseas? They might as well fly to Mars. It’s quite easy to catch a plane nowadays. Yet most series make it out as though once they go overseas, you will never be able to see or to find them again.

However, there were two crucial details that really bothered me and almost ruined the series for me. Firstly, I don’t understand why no one went to Joon Sang’s funeral. Yu Jin was really in love with him but she just heard about the news through her friends. No one really felt the need to confirm this. Secondly, the way Yu Jin left for Paris at the end was so heartless. Joon Sang went to America to have his operation. He could die or could go blind yet she decided not to look for him as she thought that she had promised him not to see him again and to keep their memories beautiful. He was always there for her but she was never really there for him when he needed her most.

SPOILER * ENDING*: Yu Jin returns to Korea after three years and discovers that a house has been built on an island just like the model that she gave Joon Sang when they parted. She goes there and is surprised to see the house. As she is standing looking out the ocean, a blind Joon Sang is counting his steps in. She bumped into the table and Joon Sang stopped. He asked, Who there? She turned around, shocked and happy to see Joon Sang standing there. He asked again Who there? Tears fell silently down at Yu Jin’s cheek as Yu Jin realized that he could not see her. She stood still. Joon Sang’s voice was hopeful, Yu Jin? She replied, Joon Sang?? A teardrop coursed down his cheek as Joon Sang repeatedly saying Yu Jin?

As I am typing up this review, my eyes are really red from staying up two consecutive nights to finish the series and from crying my eyes out. I have not had a chance to really enjoy a sad romantic series recently since Qiong Yao gave up her trademark for writing tragic stories and only produced romantic comedy. TVB produces a different kind of romantic series often with interjecting humour or action, while Taiwanese series have really declined in plot and casting quality.

Overall, there are some mishaps in the plot but it is well-compensated for by the wonderful cast, beautiful scenery and good music. It is not difficult to understand the soaring popularity of Korean dramas in Asian countries nowadays as so much effort is put into producing one series. I took one star off for this series because of the twisted mind of the director and scriptwriter who are obsessed with the incest relationship between brother and sister, and also because of some inconsistencies in the series. If there is one thing you must keep in mind when watching this series is that Joon Sang and Yu Jin are not related at all. I just wish that they could have made that clear from beginning but without Joon Sang and Yu Jin knowing about it.

TKL's Rating: * * * * (Scale of 5)

[Guest frances]

This was posted by jas on choi ji woo's thread, dunno if anyone has seen it but i just repost it here...

Winter Sonata 2002

*Reviewed by TKL

2002.1.14 – 2002.3.19

hi gina, actually there is another article from koreanfilm.org that has an in depth review of WLS . its title is " why is winter sonata a big hit in asia ?". in case some of u have not yet read this, here's the link..

http://www.koreanfilm.org/tvdramas/wintersonata.html

[Guest liezle]

Hi Frances, vignette, willenette, gina and the rest of the Baegals!

Thanks for all the wonderful captures from the Photodocu and of course the translation. KBS called him the "Star of Asia" and it just made me so happy . Kr media who are up to destroy him must be hating this document so much .

I'm so proud of Yong Joon for having choosen by KBS to be featured first in the pilot telecast of Photodocu. I would have wanted to say this but let me just quote what the narrator of KBS said ~ "It is exactly because he is Bae Yongjoon".

[Guest frances]

gifs from yandy

[Guest liezle]

hello there sis just do your thing out there and dont worry about the thread its still quiet in the Bae front & our man is somewhere out there enjoying his invisibility... & we'll probably lay eyes on his handsome face again by next week, Nov 11 when he goes to Beijing....

what Mr. Fumi wrote in Quilt is quite interesting...this is the 11 th year of BYJ in showbiz, he is going to China on 11.11 (nov 11) & he wrote a host of other facts related to numbers... funny mr fumi !!

Frances, I read Fumi's post and it's cute

Start of countdown has begun and the chinese fans are all excited. The place for the premiere looks so great I'm so excited to see him again on the 11th. But I'm wishing to see him earlier, missing him so much already.

KOB are so active today, I wish i can understand what they are discussing. It looks like that the cinema for the reshowing of AS is already almost full.

Btw, to the SG ladies especially to Joon's Family members goodluck on your next "oe chool"

[Guest frances]

BYJ's warm smile and tenderness......

everything about him has his own flavor