(translated from U-weekly: 25/11/2002)
Part
1:
Bae Yong Jun - In a Wicked Role
Original Chinese version by Fu Hui Zhen
Bae
Yong Jun rested more than half a year after <<Winter Sonata>>
aka <<WLS>>. No, he isn't just resting at home. On one hand,
he is getting away from his <<WLS>> characters; on the other
hand, he is cautiously searching for the next production. In preparation
for the next production, he exercises five times daily and quitted smoking.
Portraying a wicked character
After completing <<WLS>> in March, YJ has been resting. People
around him are aware that he is preparing himself for the next role. He
explained that he will spend much time to know his character well before
portrayal. Due to the long time he spent to know his character, he'll
take a long time to withdraw from it.
Walking away from "Man Yeong" and "Joon Sang", he
need to "erase" these characters' characteristics and enter
the world of the next character.
It is not preferred for a performer to be constrained to a certain character.
In order to break the gentleman image and "perfectionist" character,
he is out to create a new path for himself.
"I don't want to constraint, or trap myself in a certain box, or
idol image. I want to proceed towards being a real performer."
He will like to try horror films or wicked characters. He'll be trying
a character that isn't common in daily life. "With a character different
from the role, I need to travel between me and the role. As such, I experience
some internal transformation." He said there is good and evil in
everyone. Even him may not know all the evil in himself. He can express
these "evil" through movies.
BYJ and his manager used several months, went through around 30 scripts,
and chose his debut movie after some serious consideration. His cautiousness
has made some producers nervous. "Of course I panic. However, life
is like reading a book. It is important to turn to a new page. One cannot
camp in the page of sadness, correct?" He is calm. He waited, for
a good production. One can imagine the composure, the confidence YJ radiates,
while relating these lines.
One mind, One task
YJ has been training hard to prepare for his new role during the script
selection. Boxing in the mornings; golf in the afternoons; lifting weights
in the evenings; he exercises five times a day. On top of physical workouts,
he trains his mind too. He decided to quit smoking in September, during
Korea's Thanksgiving period. He wants to see and learn more when young.
To do justice to his performing career, he stopped his University studies.
His professionalism and serious attitude is indeed commendable.
"I don't multi-task. Ever since I started the performing career,
I am seldom involved in two productions simultaneously, as that could
be overly rush. In the screen, I want to be someone who is knowledge about
the script and well equipped. This could also be why I appeared in less
interviews." If he is required to appear on TV, he seldom touch on
personal life. Recently, YJ was surrounded in a movie preview, leading
to the neglect of the main cast. In order to minimize possible interference
to fellow performers, YJ decided to cut down his appearances in movie
previews.
As he likes photography, loves art, many asked if he'll like to be a camera
director. He remained as a performer only, as he doesn't want to multi-task.
Focus on one matter, put in one's best, and do it well.
Considering photography, he considered about having a "black room"
in his place to develop photos. However, this could be too extravagant.
Before he entered this line, he has been a cameraman. Then, life was poor
and hard, even a cup of coffee was a luxury. Although he is fulfilled
in material life now, he is still thrifty. A small compliment is able
to warm his heart. He smiles lightly. This is contentment.
"I am financially stable now, but there seems something missing in
my career ... deep in-satisfaction results in an insecure being; adequate
in-satisfaction can act as the driving force, propelling one to move forward.
I feel myself walking forward, in confidence. Although I have many shortcomings,
I'll put in my best in life."[Eye contact - Romantic gesture]
There is widespread rumour about the romantic connections between YJ and
Choi Ji Woo. Earlier, there were rumours that YJ is married, leading to
many broken hearts. These misunderstandings seem to arise from CJW being
the spokesperson for a bridal gown company and YJ, somehow, has became
the "groom".
Last April, <<Sports Newspaper>> released that YJ and a rich
Ms Shen was ever an item. They were an item for a year. When that piece
of news was released, they have gone separate ways for around half a year.
The media didn't honour their promise. The usually calm YJ was annoyed,
"I can date any girl in open, but I prefer to maintain her privacy.
I have insisted that her name is not being publicised. The reporter didn't
seek my prior consent, and towards this, I am angry."
"Love is beautiful. I am not afraid to tell people if I am in love.
I shall not deliberately publicize though. Over publicity could destroy
that beauty and innocence."
YJ attended a friend's wedding. Immersed in the blissful scene, he has
the urge of settling down. Without an intended, he doesn't resist the
arrival of love. He longed for plain love. In between words, he didn't
reveal the reason(s) of his previous breakup.
"Dating someone in the entertainment scene, we have to struggle in
the eyes of the media and public; dating someone outside the entertainment
scene, misunderstandings can occur due to tight working timings/schedules.
Fate is important; I longed for plain and simple love." Plain, simple
and innocent feel ... like in his primary school days, the friends who
he shared his food with, played games ... that pure sweetness, was reflected
on his face ...
"I am a reactive person. I know neither romantic acts nor sweet lines.
Some eye contacts could be the most romantic exchange/gesture. If I have
an intended, I will take care and protect her forever. This is the most
romantic act."
"I don't know if I could be a good boyfriend. However, I shall be
a good husband." A homely man, looking forward to marriage life;
a dog, a wife, some children and a plain life. This simple and warm scene,
is what he is looking forward to ...
Part
2:
Selected sections on
BYJ
Original Chinese version by Chen Qing
WLS - YJ
How YJ expressed himself in two similar scenes, in different characters:
1) Yu Jin (by CJW) is drunk. Man Yeong (by YJ) carried her back to his
hotel room VERSUS
2) Joon Sang (by YJ) left Yu Jin at the bench house
In 1), Man Yeong misunderstood Yu Jin as a liar. Yu Jin mistook Man Yeong
as her died boyfriend. She cried while hugging him. Man Yeong touched
her face, expressing coolness and much suspicion. Getting near to her,
he held her face with both hands, and was about to kiss her. At that moment,
he suddenly put on an irriated expression and left her.
In 2), Joon Sang was made to believe that Yu Jin was his sister. Knowing
that they cannot be together, he decided to spend a last, beautiful day
with her. That night, he touched her cheeks, held her face with both hands,
almost kissing her, but stopped at that moment. He expressed profound
confusion ... so near, yet so far…
Two similar scenes, by Yong Jun, expressed through Man Yeong and Joon
Sang, with such appropriateness and vast brilliance.
WLS -
Tears
Eye drops needn't required. In one scene, Yong Jun was in his Chun Chung
old home, listening to an old cassette tape. Tears gathered in his eyes,
then fell, drop by drop. After a few trials, the Director was satisfied.
YJ wasn't and was asking for a retake.
According to YJ, while shooting <<Barefooted Youth>>, the
Director scolded him, "Where did you came from?" Since then,
he made up his mind to work hard and present his best. He said, "I
realize that serious hard work can lead to progress. To put in one's best,
in work and life, is my motto."
WLS - One man, two roles
<<WLS>> is almost YJ's love sonata. His cool and intelligence
outlook - as Joon Sang and Man Yeong, who has different characteristics
and personalities.
As Kang Joon Sang - in his pale face, there is pain and coolness, that
arose from being an illegitimate child. As Lee Man Yeong - that confidence
and radiance in a successful architect. While portraying vastly different
characters, he needs to ensure both are actually the same person. YJ has
not disappointed the Director. YJ has performed well.
According
to sources, Korean performers are very professional. Choose scripts cautiously.
Work slowly. Treasures the career.
Quality is not compromised with quantity, in view of vast monetary returns.
YJ is such a person.
Learning
In 1999, YJ left to further his studies after <<Have We Really Loved>>.
In 2001, YJ returned and appeared in <<Hotelier>>. Later,
he was in <<WLS>>. His intelligence, maturity and fine qualities,
are well, exceptional!