In the Japanese Spotlight

Actor Lee Jun-ki in Japanese Spotlight | 2009.07.13

By Ines Min
Contributing Writer

Actor-turned-singer Lee Jun-ki is making a return to center stage in Japan with concerts in Kobe and Yokohama on July 18 and 19. The event will commemorate the re-opening of his fan club, Splendor.

Lee previously recorded and released music in 2006, but his new single in April was his first time back on the music scene. Another EP is due later this year and the undying love of his fans has thrust him back into the public eye.

The 27-year-old gained widespread fame for his role as an androgynous court jester in the film “The King and the Clown.”

Although he has appeared in numerous films, TV dramas and commercials since his surge in popularity, Lee’s subsequent endeavors failed to garner as much acclaim in Korea as his original role.

Lee continues to have large fan bases in other Asian countries, contributing to a wave of cultural exchange called “hallyu,” the term used to describe the welcome of Korean pop culture in Japan, China and others countries. He was the representative for last year’s Seoul Hallyu Festival.

In an interview with HanCinema, an online database for Korean movies and dramas, the actor discussed his motivation to satisfy the fans.

“Being a public figure, there aren’t many ways for me to relieve stress. And, over the years, I’ve lost some of the people in my life,” he said. “In that sense, I just want to have fun with my fans. My fans mean a lot to me.”

Lee has recently held fan appreciation concerts in Shanghai and Hangzhou in China, where there were 10,000 in attendance. Tickets for the Japanese concerts ― where fans will get the only opportunity to buy a special edition DVD of his upcoming EP, J Style ― have already sold out.

The SBS drama “Iljimae” (a mysterious, black-swathed thief who robs from corrupt government officials and gives to the poor) will be broadcast for its third run on Japanese television starting August 25 on Korean entertainment satellite channel Mnet. Beginning Aug. 1, the channel will also air “Time of Dog and Wolf,” a thriller movie, and “Episode 2: The Mask,” which recorded an international fan’s meeting with Lee in Seoul last April.

credits to: Korean Times

Japanese-selected best actors.

Hallyu actors Kwon Sang Woo, Song Seung Heon, and Lee Jun Ki were selected in the top 10 of ‘Asian best actors’ which the research was taken place in Japan. Last week, in the Japanese famous Asahi TV program ‘SmaSTATION’, a recent researched poll showed that three Korean actors placed the upper region which was about ‘Japanese females’ best young Asian actor best 10’.

This recent poll showed the Asian actors’ popularity. Kwon Sang Woo who made a great syndrome in Japan due to the air of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ ranked 2nd, and Song Seung Heon who acted innocent love in ‘Autumn Tale’ and ‘Summer Scent’ placed 4th. Through ‘King and the Clown’, Lee Jun Ki showed his neutral charm and he ranked 6th.

More than 500 Japanese females participated in this poll and the 1st place went to a Taiwanese Star F4 (‘Meteor Garden’). On the other hand, actor/singer Rain placed 10th which indicated that his popularity is reaching in Japan.

Source & credits to: nownews
Korean to English Translations by: nahnus of Lee Jun-ki Crunchyroll Fan Group

Best Actor/Actress: Lee Jun Ki & Nam Sang Mi

With the Seoul Drama Festival 2008’s 14th ceremony ahead, Yahoo! Korea and Yahoo! Japan, together, conducted a survey on who is the best between South Korea and Japan stars, from September 4th to October 5th (about a month).

The survey has gotten a total of 27 million online votes, the most popular TV drama being “Time Between Dog and Wolf” with the total of 59.9 percent with overwhelming support from the fans.

Coming in second place was KBS 2 TV’s “Hong Gil Dong” with the total of 39 percent and coming in third place was MBC’s “Coffee Prince with the total of 1.5 percent.

The best male/female actor/actress was, of course, none other than the main characters in “Time Between Dog and Wolf”, Lee Jun Ki and Nam Sang Mi.

Iljimae will first broadcast in Japan on November 25th

The smash hit drama ‘Iljimae’, in which Lee Jun Ki is, that records the audience rating in more than 30% is in SKYPerfecTV! in November. It will be broadcast first in Japan through Asia Dramatic TV☆So-net.

‘Iljimae’ is a fusion periodic drama played by Lee Jun Ki (Iljimae). A strong personality and an attractive character become complete in the story that is same on it’s famous and original cartoon story, and does a complex human drama Aya. It is a drama that splendidly performed by the leading part and supporting actors and obtained a big drama.

Lee Jun Ki, Park Shi Ho, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Young Ah and Lee Yoeng Seok (director), had an interview in Seoul about the drama Iljimae, and about it to broadcast in Japan.

Speaking about the satisfactions of the drama, Lee Jun Ki, “It was able to be done though I wanted to show of the power of explosion, but I was able to show that…” Director, “A fit person was able to be chosen to be an image, but I was able to chose the good ones..”, he said with satisfaction on his work.]

“Iljimae” will be broadcast every Tuesdays & Sundays starting on November 25th. A special program of the drama “Iljimae” will be shown taking in advance to enjoy the drama more, it will be broadcast on November 15th before it is seen. “Iljimae” drama’s official website in Japan is scheduled to be open on October 10th.

JK Special Film – Fan Meeting In Japan(!)

Lee Jun Ki will be holding a fan meeting called “JK Special Film in Japan!

JK Special Film Premium

Video:

Venue/Date:
- In Osaka (Grand Cube Osaka) on October 06, 2008
- In Tokyo (Nakano Sun Plaza) on October 07, 2008.

Schedule:
18:00 – Opening
19:00 – Raising the curtain
22:00 – End

(credit: Lee Jun Ki Crunchyroll Fan Club, Junki Thai Family, Tellmeclub)

Fees:
- All seat appointments: ¥10,500 (including tax)

Planned by: ジェイジェコップ ENTERTAINMENT (JSQUARE)
Sponsorship: SJ agency
Supported by: Lotte Duty Free, Terumikurabu

Details:
- Approximately screened for 60 minutes
- Includes a greeting from Lee Jun Ki
- Includes a mini-live talk show and game, etc.
- Lee Jun Ki will be giving out presents of original goods to all participants

Note:
1. On that day, please come to the meeting place dressed in casual attire.
2. No photography or sound-recording is allowed or you will be asked to leave.
3. Switch off your phones, by all means during the event.
4. In order to ensure the smoothness of the event, please follow the instructions of the person in charge. (If you do not follow, you will be asked to leave)
5. The sponsors will not hold responsibility for the delay/shortening of the event.
6. The above are subject to modifications.
7. Fill in application form.
8. Ticket reservation for one person for each application.
9. Please fill in desired number of people accompanying you for the event on application form, writing their names in “the accompanying person information” column in order to reserve seats for them.
10. Follow the instructions on the email which will be sent to you, informing you about the payment details. Make your payment by the date mentioned.
11. The application becomes valid after the transfer is verified.

not fair.
Japanese people are so lucky(:
I want go too.