BYJ read the Beauty Of Korea

Oct. 31, 2009

Source: 10Asia
2009.10.05 12:24

Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon at the Tokyo Dome event for his book "Discovering the Beauty of Korea" held September 30, 2009 [BOF Korea]

A Korean cloth-wrapper, a samulnori (traditional Korean percussion group) and Mr. Bae Yong-joon went onto stage at the Tokyo Dome. A celebratory event was being held at the dome on September 30 for the publication of “Discovering the Beauty of Korea”, Bae's essay on traditional Korean culture experience published September 23 in Korea. Like the previous day’s event for the premiere of animation “Winter Sonata~ Another Story~”, 45,000 fans filled the seats but the atmosphere was much more serene with traditional Korean music playing in the background.

Photographs of the actor in his photo essay [BOF Korea]

After a video about Korean culture, such as Kyongbok Palace, traditional Korean-style houses and pottery, was shown to the audience, Bae appeared from beneath the stage with a stone pagoda from Miruksa. He greeted the fans saying, “I wrapped up a long, one-year journey. It is a relief to be able to tell you I had a good time.” Of the book “Discovering”, he explained: “The book contains pictures of how I changed while experiencing the beauty of Korea throughout my journey. I was born and raised in Korea but I never really knew the beauty of Korea. By experiencing it, I felt the passions I had forgotten about, come alive within me again.” Then he recited a passage from “Discovering”, a collection of thoughts he wrote down at the Miruksa Temple in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, which drew a big applause from the audience.

Next, lacquer artist Jun Yong-bok, who taught Bae about lacquer in the actor's book, came up on stage and shared an anecdote from their production process. “It was impressive how he tried to learn how to lacquer with no gloves on, at the risk of getting lacquer poison on his hands.” To which Bae replied, “I thought how dare I put on gloves when he doesn’t wear them. And even if I caught lacquer poison, I thought that would be a learning experience too.” Bae went on to share his affection for traditional culture. “I learned how to combine tradition with modern lifestyle while not throwing tradition away. And I think that is going to inspire me on how I live in the future." Bae shared another anecdote regarding his experience making kimchi for the winter season with hanbok designer Hyo-jae Lee. “Preparing kimchi for the wintertime with other people can be fun and festive, so I'm thinking about doing it every year with my close friends. But I felt like a housewife because the smell of pepper powder stayed on my hands til the next day.”

Bae Yong-joon reads a passage from "Discovering" [BOF Korea] On stage, Bae also wrote a postcard in Japanese for the fans he calls “family” and put them in a mailbox. He recited a letter he had written in his book which said: “I came back from a long journey. Every time I saw, heard and ate something good, I thought of my family members first. I want to keep on sharing the same dreams with my families.” To this, the fans responded by taking out the traditional Korean cloth-wrapper they had received when entering Tokyo Dome, tied it into a knot and waved while calling out, “Mr. Yong-joon.” Bae responded to the fans’ cheering by riding in a palanquin which circled the first floor of Tokyo Dome. And appearing on the stage for the last time, Bae promised the fans, “I will do my best to live as a shameless member of your family by living as a true person."

The event focused strictly on traditional Korean culture. Staged in between were performances by various artists, including Korean fiddle player Eun-il Kang, Sookmyung Gayageum Orchetra, Korean Traditional Percussion Institute. The fusion performance of a Korean fan dance, B-boying dance and Korean traditional music received a huge reaction from the fans. A proclamation ceremony for “2010~2012 Years to Visit Korea” was also held at the event, as Bae is the publicity ambassador for the cause. Mr. Cham Lee, chairman of KBS (Korea Broadcasting Station) and Mr. Kwon Chul-hyun, the South Korean ambassador to Japan joined Bae in a fan lottery event and presented the winners with plane tickets to Korea and Korean culture experience tickets. The event’s admission ticket was sold at 8,000 yen per person and seats were randomly assigned. The fourth print of “Discovering” has been sold out in Korea and initial 50,000 copies of the book have been sold out in Japan on advance order.

Reporter : Choi Ji-Eun five@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

Trans Of MC Kim Tei's Blog

Oct. 31, 2009

Original : (Kim Tei Official Blog) /blog.brokore.com/kimtei (26th Oct 2009)
To Chinese : Snow / www.byjfamily.net
To English: cam / www.baeyongjune.com/

Ms Kim Tei was the female MC at the Tokyo Dome on the 29th and 30th Sep 2009.
Snow has translated a number of her diaries from the past events held at Tokyo Dome.

[Snow : MC Kim is based in Korea. MC Mr Miyamoto came to Korea to conduct the interviews as they were delayed due to YJ’s health and his early return to Korea.]

Meet Again

Today I went to see the filming of Mr BYJ’s interview.
Come to think of it, it’s my first time seeing him outside the events.
I had met him previously at the opening ceremony of Gosireh.
However it was because I was the MC.
Apart from work, I think this is my first time actually meeting him.
(ah, Mr BYJ is working ＾＾).

I brought Seokbin (Kim Tei’s son) with me


Is tae wang yummy to chew Seokbin ssi?

After seeing Seokbin
Mr BYJ said “ he’s adorable”, “he’s adorable” several times.
No, he said it several dozen times ＾＾.
At the end even BYJ held him.
(as soon as the female staff outstretched their arms, Seokbin went for them immediately) .
It was a very happy day for Seokbin.

I was concerned about disturbing Mr BYJ at work.
I also didn’t take a photo with him.
Mr MiyaMoto came to the filming of the interviews as well.
Remembering past events at Tokyo Dome once again.
The fan meeting was only like yesterday.
Almost a month has past …..


Kim Tei official blog（15th Oct ）

I can’t say this is the diary of the events held at Tokyo Dome.
But based on my memories, I am hoping to recall a few details with you all

this photo was taken from the original article in the magazine
many things came to mind
firstly this photo
from 30th

when Mr BYJ was reading out the winning numbers of the draw
I was beside him reading out the numbers softly in Japanese
It was not in the script for Mr BYJ is to read out the winning numbers

Naturally happy if winning something from the lucky draw
Hearing your number / name called out was even better
Even for the ones not winning anything, hearing his voice was quite satisfying.
Is it right? Only my guess.
(it’s not a topic ＾＾；)

Followed by the last scene on the 29th
MC actually did say :”Finally from this image …”
However, after that , BYJ and CJW appeared together again
This scene was designed to surprise everyone
When BYJ rose from the circlar stage elevator
He was gazing at the emotionally moved families

Do you remember when the stage elevator started to go down?
Mr BYJ was giving the hand signal “go up”
While looking at the screen and translating at the same time I said “ stage elevator, it looks like he wants it to go up”
Without me having to say that, everyone understood perfectly ＾＾
BYJ had the microphone in his hands
But it is not necessary to speak when holding a mic
Holding a mic is “when one wishes to say something”
But when one wishes to say something without a mic, I will run across with a mic ＾＾

Balloon time
I said to Mr BYJ : “if you wish to say something I will translate”
Perhaps words can’t express his gratitude
We all understood the mood at that moment without expressing them in words.
 
Kim Tei official blog（7th of Oct)– Diary 5

Today, should I continue with the diary of Tokyo Dome?
Let’s talk about what happened on the 29th September
Do you all recall Mr BYJ was joking about when a child actor addressed him as “Ajeossi” (uncle) ?

[cam: the child voice actor who plays Jung Yu-jin’s younger sister said : “dubbing was fun, however this was my first time meeting Ajeossi Yong Joon and Onni Ji Woo (everyone laughed).” Source : http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kz=650294571]

At that moment, Mr BYJ said:
“ these words, were they translated?”
If it was literally translated
Everyone would burst out laughing
Perhaps it was because there was no reaction from the audience
He looked a bit worried
in fact, addressing Ms CJW as Onni (older sister)
and Mr BYJ “Ajeossi” (Uncle)
is a little unfair
given that he had cut his hair shorter
he looked younger
I can’t follow children’s mind
however because of the “Ajeossi” speech
No, because of Mr BYJ’s trying to get to the root of the word “Ajeossi”
The atmosphere was easing up a little
As for his families
Wasn’t the look on his face when he was questioning the word “Ajeossi” really cute?
Ah, what am I trying to say?

Not only this time
Mr BYJ always listens earnestly to others when they speak
completely absorbed in their words
The first time, when there was a fan meeting in Korea
He was doing his final handshakes with the families
I was asked to translate on the spot
At that time, he was also listening and comprehending everyone’s words
His attitude has left a deep impression on me.
However he does not know Japanese
But he listens to each word from each one of them
Perhaps after that fan meeting
Mr BYJ remembers the word 頑張ってください (gambatte kudasai) fighting.

Kim Tei official blog（7th of Oct ) Diary 4

How long can this diary for the Tokyo Dome last?
No special topic to report …
Everyone was waiting, I feel conscience stricken about it
This week I will just continue with what comes to mind…

Today I will mention the meeting on the 30th
Do you recall the moment when Mr. Jun appeared on stage?
Mr BYJ stood up from his seat
and walked across to greet Mr Jun
and then wanting to lead Mr Jun to the middle seat.

How can it be?
The middle seat is for Mr BYJ.

I talked softly to Mr BYJ in Korean
"This seat is for Mr BYJ
Mr Jun's seat is over there".
Mr BYJ appeared not to comprehend and looked apologetic
and did not sit down right away.

Incidentally,
it’s like I could see the light shone peering through from YJ
Ah, I sit on the far side, then Mr BYJ and Mr Jun can just sit in the middle.

At the event
one needs to pay special attention to where to stand and where to sit.