"Smile Campaign"

Nov.12, 2009

Bae Yong-joon promotes Korean tourism in "Smile Campaign"

Source: 10Asia
Reporter : Lynn Kim /lynn2878@asiae.co.kr

2009.11.12 13:44

Hallyu star Bae Yong Joon promotes"Visit Korea" Campaign
[Korea Tourism organization]

Official posters of a "Smile Campaign" featuring Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon have been unveiled through the pages of some 40 media outlets, according to his agency on Wednesday.

The actor, who was appointed PR ambassador for the "Visit Korea 2010-2012" campaign last month, will be promoting Korean tourism through the posters released yesterday, BOF Entertainment said in a statement.

In February, a poster featuring the actor smiling in front of traditional Korean palace had been released to Japan's major newspapers including Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun and SPUR magazine.

"We expect this campaign to receive a positive response from Korean people," an official at Korea Tourism Organization was quoted as saying. "Bae Yong-joon has been promoting Korean culture and tradition through his book and a lot of people are relating to that."

Bae recently released photo essay book "Discovering the Beauty of Korea", which contains photographs of various cultural artisans that the actor met during his year-long travels. He authored the book in order to introduce Korean culture such as food, tradition and travel locations.

The 37-year-old actor has been actively promoting Korean culture in Asia since shooting to stardom in the region after starring in 2002 hit TV series "Winter Sonata" alongside actress Choi Ji-woo.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Some remarkable words of BYJ with the FL

Nov. 12, 2009

Joanne posted this on BYJ Quilt
(Thanks Joanne, Dailian, and to Gaeulyeoja)

Photo lifted from cafe.daum.net/byjgallery by Gwonohgyeong

The Dailian reported BYJ's visit to Cheongwadae, Korean President's Office and Home on 11/10/09. The first news was translated to English and is on News section (#1989) [leny:I reposted it already here , see - http://mychikara.blogspot.com/2009/11/vod-byj-meet-fl.html].On the same day, the same reporter at the Dailian reported conversation between BYJ and First Lady in detail, titled

Madam Kim's life in Cheongwadae as confided to Yonsama, BYJ.


Gaeulyeoja posted this on the Talk Box of BYJ's official home. It is a long article. Here are just some of interesting remarks by BYJ.

.....Omit.......

Madam Kim and Mr. Bae talked about traditional Korean homes and Makgeolli(Traditional Korean liquor made of grains) as main themes.

When Mr. Bae said, "While I took photos, I made round on traditional Korean homes, and I really want to live in traditional Korean home," [leny: Hmmm, a nationalistic citizen] ........Omit......

When Madam Kim told about reducing food waste in her family by placing enough among of side dishes on one large plate instead of serving them in individual dishes, Mr. Bae answered that " Although I still live alone, there are too much food waste. I can also save (having less waste) if I do that way." [ leny: a conservative attitude, not bad...]

During the friendly chat with frank Lady Kim, Mr. Bae hinted his inner thought saying that his future dream was to do organic farming.

Nearing the end of friendly chat, when a Korean cuisine restaurant located in Seongbook Dong (One mentioned in BYJ's book) became a topic of talks, and Lady Kim wished to visit there once, Mr. Bae responded warmly saying, "I will personally bring my car and take dear Madam there and return in secret." [ leny: thoughtful and caring, too]

When Madam Kim said, "For us, December 19 is wedding anniversary, date won the Presidential election, as well as (President's) birthday," and "We did that way not to forget but to celebrate both the birthday and wedding anniversary because (President) has been so busy,", Mr. Bae answered, "When I get married, I will fit everything to my wife's birthday, contrary to (you)." [ leny: a very sweet and loving husband to be, I really envy his future wife T-T] Then, Madam Kim joked, "If you do that, you will get more love from your wife."

On that day, the friendly chat between Madam Kim and Mr, Bae lasted about 1 hour and 10 minutes, extending over scheduled time.

Reported by Dong Seonghye

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