JKS: "What is seen and what is not see, both exist"

Hi cri~

12 July 2011 – Popular Korean star Jang Keun Suk was in Hang-zhou two days ago for the recording of Zhe-jiang TV’s “I love memorizing lyrics”. When asked about the unstated Korean showbiz rules, JKS said tactfully, “What is seen and what is not seen both exist.”

With a planned album release in China in the later half of this year, JKS hopes that he can have a chance to study Chinese in Shanghai. Compared to other Korean artistes entering the Chinese market and participating in the filming of movies and dramas, JKS is different in that he is more cautious. “I feel that language communication is now my greatest obstacle.”

Always having been labelled as a “flower-pretty boy”, JKS expressed his wish to achieve a breakthrough and try different characters. He revealed that he likes Chinese movies and hopes very much to collaborate with renowned directors such as Zhang Yi-mou and John Woo Yu-sen, even if it is a minor character. Of the Chinese actors that he admires, JKS would like to act together with Tony Leung and Andy Lau.

For quite some time, the state of survival in Korean showbiz is worrying, with frequent news of artistes committing suicide. In response to this, JKS said, “This trend actually is not limited to Korean showbiz. As an artiste, one faces a lot of stress, but this stress is not imposed on an artiste by society; it also comes from himself. If an artiste knows how to conquer and solve the problems, the situation will be better.”

Recently, the drama “Greatest Love” making inferences to the reality of Korean showbiz became popular on the internet. The drama showed many scenes of manager slapping the artiste and manipulating artistes by gaining their confidential information. When asked whether this plot reflects the current state of Korean showbiz objectively, JKS said tactfully, “I have not experienced this kind of manager before, and am not sure about these unstated rules. In this world, I feel that what is seen and what is not seen both exist.”

Source: Cheng-du Business Times
English translation: Aphrael77

[News] JKS’ popularity in Japan surpasses Bae Yong-jun

Hi cri~

Japan is now clasping JKS in its hands
(i.e. treating him in a cherished manner)

Reputed Japanese magazine “AERA” has a special report entitled “Whether JKS has surpassed Bae Yong-jun”, which analyzes JKS’ high popularity in Japan at a deeper level.

According to the magazine, not only does JKS have fans in their 40s and above who have experienced the earlier Hallyu wave, he also has young fans in their teens and 20s, and seems to have surpassed Bae Yong-jun (BYJ) who has been at the forefront of the Hallyu wave since 2004.

Based on dramas such as “You are Beautiful” (YAB) and “Marry me Mary” (M3) which aired in Japan, JKS has accumulated extremely high popularity, and YAB even set the record of having been broadcast 3 times on Japan television. Already quite well-known from his earlier roles such as “Hwang Jin-yi”, JKS’ frequent activities have resulted in him becoming the most popular new-generation Hallyu star in Japan.

“AERA” thinks that the difference between JKS and BYJ is that in addition to his dramas that have upped his popularity, JKS has also demonstrated his singing prowess as the lead singer in M3.

In fact, JKS is already officially a singer. His debut single “Let me cry” sold 57,000 copies on its first day of sale and rapidly shot up to the top of the Oricon chart, becoming the second solo male singer in 30 years to reach this position.

The magazine also did an analysis of the similarities and differences between JKS and BYJ. Similarities include a smiling face, an appropriate physique management programme, selection of characters and treating their fans like their family. The difference is, the age range of BYJ’s fans is not as wide as JKS. The magazine states, “Although there is a slight connection to age, it is also related to their drama. JKS has acted the role of a singer in his drama, at a time when K-pop is on the rise, thus winning him even more fans.”

JKS’ popularity in Japan has actually surpassed beyond imagination. To use the words of a Hallyu fan in Japan, “Just the name Jang Keun Suk alone is enough to make the items sold out.” And this has happened before when JKS was on the cover model on “AN AN”. Any product, as long as it is connected to the name “Jang Keun Suk”, will become a popular product. The fan also said, “JKS’ popularity in Japan is alarmingly high. Not only is he very well-known, his fans also have a high degree of loyalty towards him. If one has to choose the most popular Korean star in Japan now, the answer that comes to mind is Jang Keun Suk.”

Having been seen as surpassing BYJ, the pioneer of the Hallyu wave, JKS has been given the name of “Keun-yang” (i.e. Master Keun). Now, Japan is watching the progress of his charm.

Source: China Entertainment Net 中国娱乐网  + Aphrael77