(translated from U-weekly: 25/09/2002)
Part
1:
Something about the female lead of <<WLS>>, Choi Ji Woo
Profile:
Alias: Little rabbit (gets frightened easily)
DOB: 11/6/1975
Height: 174cm
Weight: 50kg
Blood Group: A
Speciality: Modern Dance
Hobby: Chitchat
Clothing preference: Feel comfortable
Religion: Christianity
When she started as an artist: 1994 (MBC, 23th Session)
First Work: 1995 <<War and Love>>
Favourite Actors:
Overseas – Gwyneth Paltrow (lovable, talented and sexy)
Korean – Shim EunHa (pretty and successful)
Good friends: Ahn Jae Woon, Liu Zhi Yuan, Bae Yong Jun
Childhood Dreams:
Singer. Singing is a faraway dream that I have given up.
Website: www.sidus.net (Korean)
[One of the kind]
Kim So Yeah (Xu Ying Mei in <<AAE>>) and CJW are tall, in
all smiles and have many poses in front of the camera. In comparison,
CJW has more time to change and appear in different apparels. CJW appeared
in two sets of specially tailored works by Andre Kim. CJW’s first
catwalk was done in Sydney Opera House, April 2002, in Andre Kim’s
designs.Song Seung Hun couldn’t make it to Singapore in September.
This caused much disappointment to his fans. To calm this "Autumn"
wind, Korean drama fans can catch the "Winter", every Saturday,
11pm at Channel U. Falling snow, brilliant soundtracks, competent cast
(BYJ and CJW), longing lines and beautiful tears will accompany you through
the summer weekend nights. Do catch <<WLS>>!
[No pressure]
The storyline of <<WLS>> seems to be similar to the 70s/80s
Taiwan’s production. A pair of star-crossed lovers that was separated
by fate. Joon Sang’s sudden "death" was followed by Yu
Jin’s pains. A decade later, she saw someone who looks like Joon
Sang in the streets just before her engagement. That is the "twin"
of Joon Sang, Lee Man Yeong. Is that a dream? How to choose?
This is a much-repeated and dramatic storyline. However, I do believe
that fate play tricks on people. As Ji Woo/Yu Jin, how does she see this?
[Do you believe in
fate?]
I believe that fate brings people together.
[What makes you take
up the role in <<WLS>>?]
From teenage to lady, this character has spanned across a decade. This
is a challenging role. I discussed with the Director and BYJ before accepting
the role. These are the main reasons I took up the role.
[The viewership rates
of <<Autumn>> is high in Taiwan. Do you feel the pressure
via working with the <<Autumn>> cast?]
There is no pressure as the scripts are different. The basis of <<WLS>>
is established before the actual production. However, the script has been
discussed, amended and evolved during production.
[What is the lowest
temperature experienced in the production of <<WLS>>?]
Up till minus 8 to 15 degrees. I was so cold till my tears fell. (She
is quite calm when she said this.)
[Which scenes touched
you particularly?]
The scenes when the young Yu Jin and Joon Sang played in the first snow
and kissed. I am uncertain if those are more memorable because they are
initial scenes.
[What do you imagine
when you need to act in sad scenes?]
I immersed myself in the character. There are many heart-felt scenes in
<<WLS>>.[BYJ is like a brother]
[Before <<WLS>>,
you have worked with BYJ on <<First Love>> 5 years ago. What
do you think about the cooperation this time round?]
We communicated. BYJ takes care of me like a brother.
[Are you worried about
the jealous reaction from the BYJ’s fans?]
No. BYJ and my fans voiced their comments about our cooperation in harmony.
[The viewership ratings
of <<WLS>> has created a new peak in Korea. Will this cast
pressure on your coming project?]
As an artist, we shouldn’t carry the current success into the next
project. We can’t carry on if we don’t put down these burdens.
We could succeed or fail in any project, thus, we shouldn’t feel
pressurized. I hope to fulfill my artist responsibility and allow viewers
see the growth … this is where the pressure lies. I don’t wish
my performance standard to deteriorate.
[You have cut your
long hair for <<WLS>>. Is there any afterthoughts? How do
you feel?]
This is the first time I cut my hair for a production after becoming an
artist. A short hairdo is easier to manage and also comfortable. I didn’t
insist to keep my long hair. The style could change to suit various productions.
(What are viewers’ comments on your new style?) They welcome the
refreshing change.
[You have become the
new advertisement princess. Which other products do you like to endorse,
e.g. Diamonds?]
(She laughed.) Any product is possible. Actually, I am going to take part
in a movie production. One other artist is from the earlier generation.[Edison
Chan]
[Will you take up
Hong Kong’s productions?]
Maybe. (CJW is scheduled to take part in the <<Fallen Youth Star
Runner>> from September to mid-October. Leslie Cheung is involved.
The payment to CJW is about S$400,000. The male lead will be Edison Chan!
CJW will play a University’s Astronomy lecturer. Her dad is Chinese
while mum is Korean. CJW knew Edison, who is 5 years her junior, in the
University. CJW and Edison fell in love later. Wong Lee Hom is also in
the cast. The director is Lee Yan Kong. In this production, CJW used Korean,
some Cantonese and English. This could be the true experience and language
challenge!)
[Who are your favourite
Asian artists?]
Kungfu actors. There is no particular preference. Maybe Zhang Zi Yi in
<<Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon>>. (Will she be interested
to take part in kungfu productions?) Haha …
[You have visited
Singapore 3 years ago. What are your impressions about Singapore?]
Great food! Example, Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Sharks Fin and Chili
crab!
[Any words for your fans in
Singapore?]
I will continue to work hard to repay your support! Thank you.
After interviewing
CJW …
What do you wish to know about <<WLS>>? I trust many fans
know more than me, the author. I am fortunate to have an closer encounter
and interviewed CJW … Under Channel U’s arrangements, few of
us have flew to Korea in April 2002 and interviewed some celebrities,
including CJW.
Like interviewing other Korean celebrities, translators are usually at
the interview scene. As such, we could focus on the celebrity’s expressions
and body language.
After taking photos for us, CJW was interviewed by some other companies.
CJW looked somewhat distracted when we were asking some additional questions.
(Maybe that’s due to the posing for photos, I guessed.)
Part
2:
Something about the male lead of <<WLS>>, Bae Yong Jun
Profile:
Name: Bae Yong Jun
DOB: 29/8/1972
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
Blood Group: O
Religion: Roman Catholic
Place of Birth: Seoul
Education: Ming Ren Primary/Pei Chai Secondary/Han Rong Junior High/Cheng
Jun Guan University
Hobby: Fishing, bowling, swimming, movies, piano
Speciality: Kendo, Aikido, Snowboard
First love: Secondary 3
First kiss: Under the street lightning, after sending his girlfriend home
(after Junior High)
Ambition: Movie Director
Little body secret: hairy legsHis works:
1994 – KBS <<Ai De Wen Hoe>>
1995 – KBS <<Feng Shou De Liu Ge Bu Zou>>; KBS <<Nian
Qing Ren De Tian Di>>
1996 – KBS <<Papa>>
1997 – KBS <<First Love>>
1998 – KBS <<Barefooted Youth>>
1999 – MBC <<Have We Really Love>> aka <<WJS>>
2001 – MBC <<Hotelier>>
2002 – KBS <<WLS>>
Is Bae Yong Jun handsome?
You may think he is just an ordinary man. However, many females have fallen
head over heels for him, in particular, towards the mature, composed and
faithful "Lee Man Yeong" in <<WLS>>. From his sincere
and serious expressions, you’ll see that special intelligent glow
in him …
Intelligence. Intelligence attracts people’s attention. This sincere
boy radiates this kind of charm. With him around, the ambience is always
good …
[Love & Respect
His Work]
BYJ has 2 roles in <<WLS>>. Kang Joon Sang transferred to
the suburb junior high in order to look for his father. Lee Man Yeong
is a mature and faithful Marician Director (person-in-charge of ski resort).
BYJ needs to adjust his expressions and body language from a junior high
student to a mature man as the episodes’ progress.
He struggled and
hesitated on the young Joon Sang role. He suggested to find a young replacement.
After much persuasion by the Director, he took up the role. He slimmed
down for the Joon Sang role. He hopes to look more correct for the young
role.
Born in 29th Aug,
he has the typical Virgo character – perfectionist. <<WLS>>
was written slowly. However, BYJ still ensure that he read the script
at least 3 times and discussed the scenes before actual filming. This
brought some pressure to the other cast.
<<WLS>> was filmed in a very cold weather. In the filming
course, BYJ fell sick and was admitted to the hospital. The production
crew tried to delay the filming schedule for him. BYJ endured and tried
hard not to delay the schedule. He was on drip while filming. He didn’t
grumble even when he has to work from dawn to late nights. He love and
respect his occupation.
[Perfect "Clothing-hanger"]
Tall and with broad shoulders, BYJ belongs to the group of "perfect
clothing-hanger". In order not get plump, he jogs to maintain his
weight. He is good in snowboard and golf.
He’ll trim off some weight before he starts to work on a new production.
In <<WJS>>, BYJ and his sister’s boyfriend appeared in
a sauna scene. BYJ shown his bare torso while wrapped a towel round his
hips. In <<Hotelier>>, he lifted himself up from the swimming
pool effortlessly and most gracefully. One will notice his fit body from
all angles. His heroic act of saving the heroine from drowning can definitely
go into the instructor’s class!
[Gentle & Faithful]
On screen, BYJ is faithful. Off screen, he is an intelligent person. He
entered University after National Service. His average result is around
90 marks. His popularity soared after <<Hotelier>> and <<WLS>>.
Thus, he has to shelf his studies for his career.
He didn’t give up his studies in the busy working schedules. He did
stop his work for a while to learn English and take TV & filming courses
in US.
BYJ love photography. He likes the artistic imppression that comes from
black & white photographs. He has captured many memorable scenes with
his professional camera. The pictures of Song Yun Ah and Song Hye Gyo
in <<Hotelier>> OST came from his nimble hands.
[King of Commercials]
<<WLS>> has created a sensation in Korea. BYJ’s charming
hairstyle, clothing and accessories became fashionable. The payment for
him to endorse products elevated to 13 billion won and beyond. Currently,
BYJ has a 8.5 billion won worth of commercial contract with a famous electronic
and communications agent. Other products endorsed by him include beverage,
automobile etc.
A recent commercial by BYJ and Lee Young Ah is quite special. Rather than
encouraging public to use their credit cards, the logon of the commercial
is, "Please ensure your affordability before you making credit-card
purchases." This commercial aims to alert Koreans not to abuse their
credit cards. BYJ and Lee Young Ah are the ambassadors for this project.
[Caring and thoughtful]
BYJ is a prudent man. He don’t usually carry more than S$30+ with
him. His father’s ranch business failed in his junior high days.
Thus, he made it a point to be prudent. He spends only when/where it is
needed.
Don’t be mistaken. He is not stingy. He treats his co-workers well.
He treated the cast with supper on late nights. He will try to accommodate
all fans’ requests on photo-taking, signatures, and hand-shaking.
He has ever prepared burgers and drinks for fans! Some Taiwan fans visited
him in the cold <<WLS>> set. He treated him warm coffee. The
fans were intoxicated.
BYJ has exhibited the ultimate chivalrous air and charm. How can you resist
such a man?
Part
3:
Complete Guide to <<WLS>>
[5 Major
Selling Points of <<WLS>>]
Another teary and successful production after <<Autumn’s Tales>>I
thought those depressing but scenic shots; touching dialogues; the handsome
Song Seung Hun and pretty Song Hye Gyo combination in <<Autumn’s
Tales>> have reached the peak performance level of Korean productions.
However, the Director Yin Tie Hu is indeed commendable. <<WLS>>,
which came after <<Autumn’s Tales>>, has reached another
indeed another summit. <<WLS>> created another strong Korean
Drama wave. This wave is sweeping strongly throughout Asia.
While
bidding <<Autumn>>’s teary eyes and sad ending goodbye;
Director Yin Tie Hu injected elements of innocent love and pureness into
the <<WLS>>; which took place in a white and snowy world.
From
cast and location selection, cinematography, script progress to classic
lines, <<WLS>> is in no way inferior to <<Autumn>>.
<<WLS>> is a beautiful but teary production. Music enthusiasts
can enjoy <<WLS>> like a premier romantic MTV. Heartbreaking
tracks, together with scenic snow scenes added to the pale beauty of <<WLS>>.The
Leads: Handsome Male cum Beautiful Female
Yin Tie Hu assembled the lady-killer BYJ and the refreshing beauty CJW
as the main leads. They make a compatible screen pair, in terms of appearance
and style. BYJ acted as Joon Sang, who is a newly transferred student
to a Junior High in Chung Chun. Later, Joon Sang he fell in love with
Yu Jin (by CJW), who is his classmate. That was their innocent first love.
Joon
Sang lost his memory after an accident. His mother requested the doctor
to replace Joon Sang’s illegitimate son’s memory with that of
Lee Man Yeong. Joon Sang’s disappearance was explained by "death
by accident". Thus, Joon Sang and Yu Jin were separated.
Although the performance of BYJ and CJW are commendable, they still look
somewhat strange as high school students (far from their current age and
settings). Luckily, they appear as 28 year-old quickly. The on-screen
charm are radiated throughout the set. In particular, the charm of Architect
Lee Man Yeong is simply irresistible.
[Lines:
Really Classic]
Enxi’s classic line in <<Autumn>> is, "I wish
to be a tree in my next life." <<WLS>> did not lose
out in this area.
Yu Jin told Man Yeong, "To lovers, the best home is each other’s
heart."
Man Yeong told Yu Jin, "Other stella will change their location
with the seasons. However, the position of polaris will never change.
Even if everyone else cannot forgive you; cannot understand and deserted
you; I’ll still be standing here. Then, you’ll not be lost."
Yu Jin told Man Yeong (while recalling Joon Sang), "There is no
change in this world. There is one person less. This is a feeling that
you wouldn’t understand."
Yu Jin decided to return to Sang Hyuk. Before departure, she told Man
Yeong, "I wouldn’t apologize to you as you have owned my
heart …"
Joon Sang told Yu Jin this story, "Someone went to the country
of shadows. No one speaks to him there. Thus, he feels very lonely."
Although cold viewers may not be frozen by these plain classic lines …
one shouldn’t ignore the vast impact when those classic lines came
from the male/female leads. Many viewers can just be moved to tears!
[Rectangular
Relationship]
Like other love stories, this teary <<WLS>> includes complex
love relationships. Looking deeper, there are some similarities between
<<Autumn>> and <<WLS>>. Yu Jin’s fiancé
and Man Yeong’s girlfriend prevent them from being together via various
means and ways; Yu Jin’s fiancé lost his will to live …
in order to make Yu Jin go back to him. This is similar to Youmei’s
suicide attempts/treatment cover-up in order to make Junxi go back to
her.
In <<Autumn>>, Junxi and Enxi aren’t real siblings. However,
they faced family objections as they were raised as siblings. Director
Yin also fabricated this "yes-and-no" sibling relationship in
<<WLS>>. Joon Sang’s mother selfishness led Joon Sang
to believe that Yu Jin is his sister. This much repeated storyline was
revitalized under Director Yin’s hands.
[Significant items]
There are always some significant items in most memorable TV dramas. There
are family cups in <<Autumn>>. Some significant items in <<WLS>>
includes Man Yeong’s gift to Yu Jin (polaris necklace); the puzzle;
that cassette of "the first time" … these items added life
to <<WLS>>.
[Scenic views and
soothing tracks]
No matter how great is the storyline, the cinematography has to be good
enough to add further points to the production. Director Yin shot the
scenes from Jiang Yuan Dao, Yong Pyong Ski Resort, mountain chalet, lakeside,
etc. Accompanied by Ryu’s soothing tracks, few viewers failed to
melt under this Korean fire. Many hope to visit the real sites in Korea.
<<WLS>> created a sensation throughout Asia. It is a production
that shouldn’t be missed. Winter seeped into Korea, along with the
broadcast of <<WLS>> … many fans wouldn’t miss to
visit Yong Pyong Ski Resort this year-end. Just a reminder … it is
better to wear enough winter clothing in the coldness rather than bearing
the risk of being frozen!