Bae Yong-joon wows them in Japan
A total of 45,000 people filled the stands of the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan at the 2010-2012 “Visit Korea Year” promotional event featuring actor Bae Yong-joon, Korea Tourism Organization President Lee Charm and Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul-hyeon. Provided by the Visit Korea Year Committee
TOKYO - Bae Yong-joon, widely recognized by his Japanese nickname “Yon-sama,” boasted his popularity in Japan at a party celebrating the release of his latest book in the Tokyo Dome last night.
The event was attended by 45,000 people who waited hours in a lengthy queue. The audience included Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of Japan’s new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, as well as leading Japanese political and government figures. Mrs. Hatoyama has dubbed herself an “avid fan” of Korean culture - entertainment in particular - which is represented by the phrase “Korean wave,” or hallyu.
Bae, an actor and entrepreneur, was promoting his latest book, “A Trip in Search of Korea’s Beauty,” a compilation of his essays about traditional Korean culture. Its 50,000-book first edition sold out through advance orders on Monday, the day sales began. According to his promoters, Bae took tours around various parts of Korea and experienced traditional cultural activities and food on his own to author the book.
Along with the book publishing event, the Visit Korea Committee, an agency under the Korean government, announced that 2010 through 2012 will be designated a special period for the Japanese to visit Korea.
Lee Charm, president of the Korea Tourism Organization, pledged to tackle transportation issues in Korea, which tourists have consistently complained about.
Bae, who has been named PR ambassador for “Visit Korea,” told the audience about the attraction of Korean food and mentioned the World Food Culture Festival to be held late next year in North Jeolla Province.
Keiko Kurokawa, 68, said she became a fan of Bae after watching “Winter Sonata.”
“My interested in him has stretched to the Korean culture, food, society and history,” she said. She said she has visited Korea five times so far and plans to visit again to take a look around the regions Bae introduced in his book.
Yon-sama rose to hallyu stardom in 2002, as his Korean TV drama Winter Sonata was a huge hit in Japan. Riding the wave of his popularity, local entertainers, movies and TV dramas increasingly gained fans in the neighboring country, especially among elderly women. They say they have been enchanted by the romantic, charismatic qualities of Korean dramas’ male characters. The local pop culture sensation has lured tens of thousands of Japanese tourists annually to Korea.
By Park So-young, Seo Ji-eun [spring@joongang.co.kr]
Credit : JoongAng Daily
Photos from the launching of "A Journey in Search for Beauty of Korea" event at Tokyo Dome 09.30.09
According to Mariko who was also at Tokyo Dome.At one point in the program Yong Joon wrote in the postcard
a message to his Japanese fans. He wrote...
"I've returned from a long trip. When i've seen good thing,
while listening, eating, the first think that comes
into my mind is the family. I would like to have
the same dream as the family from now on.
BYJ. 2009.9.30"
a message to his Japanese fans. He wrote...
"I've returned from a long trip. When i've seen good thing,
while listening, eating, the first think that comes
into my mind is the family. I would like to have
the same dream as the family from now on.
BYJ. 2009.9.30"
Yong Joon went around Tokyo Dome to greet fans riding in an ancient carrier used by royalties way back
There were many fans who were lucky when Yong Joon
stopped at their seats. YJ was in tears when he saw
the overseas fans including korean fans.
the following text messages was fromhappiebb last night. she's in Tokyo to see BYJ
"d sexiest author on earth just read out a passage from his book.
Hehe, at 1 point, he sat himself down on d steps to read.
Absolutely gorgeous! d cutest part, he had chosen to read
from page 257, where he made a mistake on the pagoda."
Fans waving their hankies greeting Yong Joon.
Bae Yong Joon with Lee Charm, the first foreign-born government official in Korea
***
10-01-2009
Undying Popularity for Yonsama
By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter
Actor Bae Yong-joon, known as "Yonsama'' among Japanese fans, proved that he still has the power to keep the popularity of Korean pop culture alive. He was the star who helped trigger the Korean wave or ``hallyu.'' He also showcased a possibility that hallyu can be broadened to the realm of tourism and food.
In an event to promote his latest book on Korean culture and travelling, ``A Journey in Search of Korean Beauty,'' Yon-sama drew 45,000 fans to the Tokyo Dome Wednesday. Among them was Miyuki Hatoyama, wife of Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Miyuki, known as an enthusiastic fan of Bae, met him for about 10 minutes before the event and talked about Korean culture, according to his promoting agency.
On the stage, Bae read part of his book to the audience and explained how he came to write it.
``While I toured around the various parts of Korea for months, its beautiful scenery, which I had been unaware of before, dawned on me and created the passion in me to write this book,'' he said.
The first edition of 50,000 copies sold out on the first day of sales, Monday, in Japan.
His book is also flying off the shelves in Korea with the publishing firm Seed Paper busy meeting the rush of orders. It topped the list as the bestseller of the essay category at Kyobo Book Center.
Winter Sonata
After the event, Bae talked to reporters with Miyuki at a press conference. ``Mrs. Hatoyama expressed her hope for more active exchanges of culture between Korea and Japan. She also showed a lot of interest in Korean culture,'' he said. ``We greeted each other in Korean and I was surprised as she asked questions in Korean sometimes.''
Bae said he studied for more than one year to write the book and read more than 150 books.
``Writing was not easy. I could not sleep well for about three months before the deadline,'' he said.
Bae said he took over 5,000 pictures for the book, adding that he does not use a digital camera. He said he takes pictures with his heart. ``I think the emotional part is crucial in taking pictures. The heart is the most important.''
He also talked about his plan to farm. ``I'm learning a lot of things. It's been three years since I told reporters that I would do farming. I'm interested in environmental issues. I'm interested in cultivating food that we can eat without worrying.''
Yonsama's visit to Japan was also to promote the animated version of ``Winter Sonata,'' the drama he starred in with actress Choi Ji-woo, and through which he rose to hallyu stardom in 2002 when it was a mega hit in Japan.
Bae's popularity is expected to attract more Japanese tourists to Korea. The state-run Visit Korea Committee designated the period from 2010 to 2012 as a special time for the Japanese to visit Korea.
chojh@koreatimes.co.kr
Credit : Korea Times
***
Few more photos from WLS Anime Event held at Tokyo Dome last 09.29.09
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