[Transcription] What Day Is It Today?

What day is it today?

Thank you makishi-ssi for the VOD on QUILT!

Four years ago on this day Nov.12.

MC Kotaro Koizumi (who is btw, ex-prime minister Junichiro Koizumi’s son): First of all, please look at this photo.

Main MC Monta Mino: It’s Yon-sama.

(video of WLS, newspaper clippings etc.)

Narrator: Last month, BYJ was awarded Korea’s Order of Cultural Merit, and also appointed promotional ambassador.

YJ: I feel a great responsibility in my new position, but I will do my best to promote the beauty of Korea and its cuisine.

N: More than 500 fans from Japan flew to Korea to get a glimpse of him at the award ceremony. It was 4 years ago that BYJ started an unprecedented boom.

2004.4.3

(video of his arrival at Haneda Airport)

On his first visit to Japan, many as 5000 fans flocked to the airport to see him. That was the greatest number of people ever to gather at the airport to greet one man. Fans called him “Yon-sama” and this boom became a kind of social phenomena.

In the midst of this, a sensational announcement was made. In his first photo collection, he was to reveal himself in a totally different image from what he was known for. It was on this day November 12 2004 that advanced orders for this book were accepted in Korea and Japan simultaneously.

What is it that he captures the hearts of Japanese women so?

BYJ debuted as an actor at the age of 22. He started out in this world after participating in an audition with a friend.

(video of “Love Greetings”)

From his very first drama, he was cast in the leading role. Even here, he can be seen wearing eye glasses which have now become his trademark.

His 1996 drama “First Love” marked the highest viewing rate in Korean drama history of 65.8 percent. BYJ had become a great star in Korea only after 2 years from his debut.

BYJ appeared on Japanese TV in April of 2003, in a drama depicting pure love, “WLS”.

(video of WLS, brief explanation of story.)

In this drama BYJ portrayed a role of an elegant and a gentle man.

The drama was received with unexpected enthusiasm, and many Japanese women came to love him.

Ad copy writer Junko Matsuyama is one of these women who fell for the drama and even wrote a book analyzing BYJ. She comments:

“It was a sensation I had not experienced in a long time. First, my mother had borrowed the DVD, and that was really something. She lost 7 kg, and her complexion was glowing. It may sound strange, but I think she regained her hormone balance – by knowing BYJ she was restored as a woman (flowerbossa: she used a funny phrase “like the tap was opened again.")

The women who fell in love with him started calling him “smiling prince Yon-sama”, and purchased BYJ related merchandise which came out one after another.

Reporter: So this is a Yon-sama cup.

Fan: Yes.

R: Is it alright for you to drink from it?

F: Oh, isn’t it awful of me~?

From their urge to be near to him as possible, many even went over to Korea, and Fuyusona (WLS) tours became the rage.

F: Oh this is so wonderful, it’s like a dream.

And finally on 2004.4.3, Yon-sama planned his first visit to Japan. Women outnumbering fans who would go to greet a Hollywood star flocked to the airport to see him, and waited breathless for his appearance at the gate.

Mr. Takemura, a reporter who covered this event for Nikkan Sports recalls, “There was nothing like it. Some people waited all night in order to see him. It may be alright for a young girl, but an all-nighter for a 60 year old woman can be pretty tough.

BYJ was actually not feeling well that day, but hearing that fans were waiting for him from the day before, with the help of IV, he landed in Japan in spite of his condition.

And THE moment….

(video of chaos…. Fans: “where? where is he?”
Yon-sama, though overwhelmed by the fervor, showed his brightest smile.)


(photos courtesy of Japanese sister tomochang )

For the fan gathering scheduled on the following day, 60,000 people applied for the 2000 tickets which were sold. Despite the pouring rain, fans that were not able to obtain tickets flocked to the site anyway, and even waited at the back entrance.

In his first words towards his fans, he told them (in Japanese), “I really wanted to see you. In this moment, I am filled with happiness.”

This was not the only expression of his sincere feelings towards his fans… Later in the meeting, he called out to the lighting staff,

“Could you turn on the lights in the audience so I can see everyone’s face?”

The fans were moved all the more for his feelings towards them.

In an interview (2004.11) he claimed:

“I enjoy being with my family. Meeting them one by one, shaking hands while looking into their eyes, exchanging greetings… I want to talk about personal things too, but I am really sorry that I don’t have the time for it.”

For Yon-sama, his fans are his family.

Takemura-san: BYJ who calls his fans family, realizes that he owes it to his fans that support him to be in his present position. It is perhaps an attitude that Japanese celebrities have forgotten, and accepted as something fresh by the Japanese people.

His popularity which knew no limits, even led him to appear in commercials where he flashed his signature smile.

(video of CF – Oronamin C)

Yon-sama with his fresh appeal…

But in October, a sensational announcement was made.

In his first collection of photos, he was to reveal his muscular figure.

“Unlike ordinary photo books with photos of me in my usual style, I wanted to take on a challenge in a new genre as an actor creating a new kind of work, creating a new image of myself."

Commemorating his 10th anniversary since his debut, he wanted to show himself in a new image to his fans, freeing himself from the image in WLS.

To achieve this goal, he went through an excruciating training program to change his physique.

The general producer of the project Lee Dong Hoon explains " because we had only 3 months to complete the collection, he worked to build his body through various ways including a strict diet -he restricted his intake of salt, ate fillet and tomato in the evenings. He claimed that without making such efforts, it was meaningless to present a photo book to his fans."

BYJ: Because I didn't take any salt and sugar, I had sleep disorders and experienced nights when I could not sleep at all.

N: Through such efforts, the collection was completed.
The product of a strict diet and a 4 hour daily training program was a fabulous physique with only 3 percent body fat.

And exactly 4 years ago on Nov.12, 2004 from 12 a.m., advance orders on the internet was accepted both in Japan and Korea. Fans tried to access the site immediately after the designated time, and due to an overload of access 40 times more than the usual amount, the server went down temporarily.

The book which cost 14,700 yen per copy was so popular that only after 5 days, the first edition of 50,000 copies were sold out, marking a sales of 735 million yen.

What is it about BYJ that captures that hearts of women so?

Takemura-san: It's about the diversity of his style. This star BYJ possesses many dimensions and his fans accepted this. N: In a Korean restaurant called "Madan" in Shinjuku (Shin Okubo), there is a room where the walls are decorated with photos of BYJ. Women who are enchanted by him visit this room daily.

(photos from the site "Ni-Korea)

76 year old fan: Just when my life attained some peace, BYJ appeared. He gives my life purpose, and I am enjoying it. I would like to live at least 10 more years.
(laughs)

74 year old fan: Obviously he looks wonderful, but now days I support him for his attitude towards life. (applause)

N: BYJ - this man brought excitement to the hearts of Japanese women. He shall continue to make them shine, by always showing himself in new ways.

Natural Yong Joon

TWSSG by TAKARAZUKA REVUE

Kiha, Damdeok, Hogae

Sei Matobi as Damdeok

Ayane Sakurano as Kiha

Yuhi Ozora as Hogae

Takarazuka Revue, a unique company in which all performers are women, was
the first troupe to introduce the revue to Japan. Celebrating its 95th anniversary, they will stage "TWSSG " - Under the Star of Jushin -"

On Oct. 29, they main cast and staff held a press conference:

Asked about the pressures of playing the same part as "Yon-sama", top star Matobi answered:

"It's true that people around me mention to me, 'so you're going to play Yon-sama's role'. I do feel pressure in a good sense, and at the same time, it is an honor. To be given the chance to perform the role the one and only Yon-sama played is truly a rare opportunity. The figure Damdeok is a king, yet he seeks the happiness of the people. I sympathize with him. How should a leader act? (As the top star of my troup) I presently think about the same thing along with Damdeok. "

A New Dong Hyuk

Untitled No.4

Regrets...

Created by saita4
Originally posted on B.S.J. on Oct. 29,2008
translated by flowerbossa

I played the cool guy ...
I played the comical guy ...

I did say to the producer that I wanted to destroy people's preconceived image and show a different side of me...

But gotta confess, I wanted to do a kissing scene ~

From the Asahi Shimbun (newspaper)

BYJ was featured in the daily column "Hito" (Person) of the Asahi Shimbun on Oct. 23 (Thurs).

(Our dear sister cloud nine has provided a translation on QUILT. Thank you cloud nine!)

On Oct. 19 (Sun), there was also an article reporting on the glorious day YJ was decorated.

It introduced the happy comments of family:

"I've come here (Korea) to see him over ten times. He deserved the award years ago." (woman in her 6os)

"I only had a glimpse of him, but he gave me the power to start anew from tomorrow." (woman in her 30s)

Congratulations again Yong Joon-ssi!"!

From the Helicopter

Don't You Wish... いたらいいよねえ・・・・

Does this look familiar? Jaime kindly gave me permission to introduce this cute post from her blog in satovic's site B.S.J. (Some of you may not be able to read the Japanese characters - sorry!)

Original post: Zoom on Bae Yong Joon by jaime
December 21, 2007
Translated into Japanese by flowerbossa

一緒に笑ったり、遊んだり、たまにはケンカしたりして、犬の散歩にもいける、近所の友達がいたらいいよねえ・・・



一緒に学校をサボって、先生のお目玉を食らうこともある、カレくらいイケテル初恋の人がいたらいいよねえ・・・

たとえ健忘症に陥っても忘れられないほど、カレくらいハンサムな初恋の人がいたらいいよねえ・・・

花屋が開けるほどたくさんの花をくれる、カレくらいロマンティックなボーイフレンドがいたらいいよねえ・・・

友達のみんなからうらやまれるほど、カレくらいセクシーな恋人がいたらいいよねえ・・・（さもなくばカノジョたちの「暗殺計画リスト」にのっちゃうほどの＾＾）

カノ方に好きなだけうつつを抜かすことを許してくれちゃう、カレくらい理解ある夫がいたらいいよねえ・・・

自分は一日中脚を投げ出して、テレビを見呆けていられちゃう、カレくらい子煩悩なパパがいたらいいよねえ・・・

ずっと共に手を取り合って、年を重ねていける、カレくらい神々しい魂の伴侶がいたらいいよねえ・・・

さてヨロブン、ひとりだけ選べるとしたら、どのカレをワガモノとするかな？

A Great Day for the Family!

Congratulations Yong Joon-nim!

Maestro Seikyo Kim's Interview with Korean Times

Excerpt from Korea Times English Edition
2008-05-06
Conductor Seikyo Kim Bridges Old, New


Korean-Japanese conductor Seikyo Kim, 38, is one of the most promising artists of his generation. What was most important for him? "Just believing in yourself,'' Kim told The Korea Times. "It's always about believing in yourself, having that confidence. You always have to trust your abilities. There's not one instance when I said maybe (music) is not for me,'' he smiled.
/ Courtesy of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

This is the 10th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED

Given Seikyo Kim's well-established reputation, it is perhaps misleading to include the 38-year-old conductor in this pool of ``next generation'' artists alongside budding teenage violinists.

As Vladimir Jurowski ― another ``young, star conductor'' like Kim ― said during a recent tour here, musicality and age are indeed two different things. But like Jurowski said, music does in fact get ``more interesting as (musicians) become older.''
(omit)

Born in Osaka, Japan, Kim started playing the piano at age three and the violin at seven. When he turned 14, he moved to the United States. After majoring in philosophy in college, he studied conducting at the New England Conservatory and then Musikhochschule in Vienna.

After winning the 1996 International Competition for Young Conductors in Portugal, he made a highly acclaimed conducting debut in Japan. In 1998, Kim grabbed first prize at Denmark's prestigious Nikolai-Malko International Conductor's Competition, which put him on the map of world classical music.
The conductor was recently in town to perform with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. ``Overall they're very young, energetic. Young also means there's a drawback, because it means inexperienced too,'' he said about the ensemble.

``Right now it's time for them to find their own sound and whatnot. What I can tell is that everyone is very enthusiastic and willing to make music. As a group they have a long way to go, but it's good, because they're improving and going in a good direction under maestro Chung (Myung-whun),'' he said.

The April 23 concert marked the finale of the Seoul Arts Center's Orchestra Festival. The group gave zestful and lively yet refined renditions of Sibelius's Violin Concerto and Prokofiev's 5th Symphony. The concerto was particularly engaging, with an electric solo by 21-year-old violinist Shin Hyun-su.

It was Kim's third time in the country. ``I'm Korean, but I'm not Korean, as you know,'' said the third generation Japanese-born Korean. ``I'm quite Japanese but inside, it's very different. I feel close to (Korea) sometimes.

``I feel comfortable. Last time I came (to Korea) I felt uncomfortable being Korean-Japanese, particularly with the older generation who didn't want to relate to us,'' he said, looking relaxed in a red hooded sweater. Stripped of his black and white tuxedo, the conductor was, offstage, down to earth and spoke openly.

Much has changed for both countries. In 2005, Kim performed in a concert featuring hallyu star Bae Yong-joon, affectionately dubbed ``Yonsama'' by his Japanese fans. ``The fact that (Bae) has changed so much about the idea about Koreans in Japan, it's been quite helpful. I guess culture changes a lot of ideas in our stereotypes about each other, in our long, complicated history of Japan and Korea,'' he said.



Kim himself is a huge star and inspired the sensational comic and TV series ``Nodame Cantabile.'' ``It was a huge success (in Japan),'' Japan's premier classical guitarist Kaori Muraji said in a previous Korea Times interview. ``They say that it caused the young to go to orchestra concerts,'' she said. The TV soap version aired in Korea, garnering a considerable fan base.

Attracting Young People to Old Music

Kim chuckled when ``Nodame Cantabile'' came up, though he spoke very fondly of Muraji. ``I always say I'm a backstage guy. I should be upfront, but I'm not so much interested in who I am; I'm interested in what I'm thinking.

``It's very difficult to be a performer onstage but I've got my butt to the audience and I always try to hide my personality. I'm there, but I wouldn't get in the way of the music. Music should come out first and not the performer. The ideal is that the audience and we are immersed in it, and we feel just music and nothing else,'' he said.

``I tried to write music but it's impossible to create something so incredible out of nothing. And I'm just a normal man you see,'' he said. ``The filter (between the music and audience) is me, and naturally many of the audience are interested in what I do and that's very nice and I respect that. But my actual goal is to make those people feel more interested in music and not me,'' he said, pointing out that only 1 percent of the Japanese population is acquainted with classical music.

While it's great that ``Nodame Cantabile'' opened doors to those unfamiliar with the genre, there are problems, he warned. Many concerts related to the comic feature fractured movements from a dozen different pieces, which makes concentration difficult.

``It was more like a trend. But a trend is a trend, though some (of the fans) have stayed with us. It'd be great for them to learn how to read the music, the background and history, and classical music will become so much more enjoyable,'' he said.

Kim also expressed concern with the practicality of music education in Japan. ``They make girls play the piano and they don't become pianists and they don't even listen to classical music. It's a problem in Japan, we don't have quality audiences,'' he said.

``In 30, 40 years time, When I get really old I'd like to change the concept of classical music education,'' he said.

It's all about staying true to the original but what's the significance of reviving antiquated styles in the 21st century? ``That's a good question. I always think about what's the whole point of doing it. The point is the music should sound the way it was produced.

``It's all smart speculation. Of course I'm never going to get the right answer because (the composers) are all dead. But at least I'm looking for it, and I want to share with people and let them realize there's so much beauty in this old music,'' he said.

While he repeatedly expressed concern about whether or not he's doing the ``right'' thing as a conductor, it all stems from his most profound, unwavering
``I love music probably more than anyone else ― that's one thing I guess that makes me special from others. I want to let people know this is the great thing and not me,'' he smiled.

But such unassuming, almost self-sacrificing love for music shines through, making it hard to divert one's attention away from this maestro conductor onstage.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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