Fan Club Goodies

These are a couple of previous BH/EHAS-related inteviews back in 2004. It's interesting to note how BH is always interested in directing. We all know that he obviously has the knack & good eye for it since directing his first MV for A Bittersweet Life.

As of now, BH is especially busy with his acting projects.. domestic ones as well as advancing his wings but maybe one day, we'll see BH directing his own short movies.. as a start.

Yet.. honestly, I'd love & would clearly prefer seeing BH in front of the camera instead of being behind one.  Maybe his dream to open a special movie theater would be realized soon. A surprise by BH Ent, perhaps.. now that movies are definitely big business in Korea and everywhere.


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A 2004 interview from chosun.com, full translation credits to Shirley; copied from EHAS thread with BH capture courtesy Ching

Everyone Has a Secret :- Lee Byung Hun "Romance comedy is not easy"



Lee Byung Hun is of average height, and his face a bit too tanned. Although he has a handsome appearance, he is a charismatic star who is not intimidating that makes one unapproachable. On the silver screen, he appears more dashing but in reality, he is not eager to desmonstrate the perfect image on the silver screen as this is because he is not good at exhibiting himself.. rather he can only show his true self.

Everyone Has a Secret is one movie which fully demonstrates Lee Byung Hun's charms. In the movie, Lee is in the role of a man who brings joy and love to three sisters. When he becomes shy, you will notice how charismatic he is and below is excerpt of the interview with Lee Byung Hun

Q. In your past movies, you been casted as mainly in the role of teacher, soldier, characters with postive image.. in this new movie Everyone Has a Secret, you play the role of playboy. Is that a new challenge?

A: Intially, I choose this project with ease and relaxing mood, treating it as a warming up exercise. I am not undermining comedy actors. I really thought that being in a comedy project is relaxing, but in actual fact it is not so. To make someone laugh without use of exaggerating (comedy) physical movements, is not an easy task. I felt.. the closer my acting is to reality, the more it obstruct my performance in a comedy which puts me in a dilemma.[/b][/color]

Q. It appears you are an actor who is not satisfied with your acting ability?

A. After the movie premiere, I usually got into the theaters and hid among the audience to watch the movie. I have watched JSA for more then ten times. I like to observe how people would comment about me. [/b][/color]

Q. In this movie, which scenes are you most satisfied with?

A. The storyplot did not place too much emphasis (or adhere to) on the moral standards of our society. In a conservative society like ours, no other movie will be more penalised than this movie. To develop the storyplot with a lighthearted momentum is not an easy task but it is unqiue and women shall learnt their own lessons from this movie..

Q. Ever since Harmonium in My Memory, it seems that you have never suffer any failures. And in the past, the roles you choose were all characters with achievement... never one.. who'd live aimlessly in life.

Normally, I will read the script myself and make the decision whether to accept it or otherwise. Though the decision is based on my instinct, but normally instinct is governed by rationality. I placed emphasis on the realism of the story and the appropriateness of the character's actions. Hence, killer movies and comedy had not been my choice.

Q : Now a question that have been asked for 253 times. ^^ What are the special qualities of the three actresses co-starring with you in the movie?

A. It really had been asked 253 times, LOL! Choi Ji Woo came across as honest and humbly accepting other's advice. And in reality, Kim Hyo Jin is more childish than you see her on the big screen. She is just like a student, so eager to learn everything and perhaps as she is older.. Choo Sang-mi is a friend whom you can talk to.

Q You have achieved success through your movies, and have a passionate love affair and went through heartbreaking separation (with SHK) .. and what is left now?

A. Now, I wanted to learn yoga, or perhaps Buddhist teachings. Ocassionally, there are traces of depression that welled up .. if I don't feel peaceful then it will be hard to feel satisfied. Satisfaction streams from being able to maintain yourself in a state of peace.

Q. It seems you don't look like someone who just fallen out of love.. as if you are not hurt?

A. A lot of people have mentioned the same to me. A lot of fans encouraged me to buck up.. in the eyes of my fans.. I am pitiful. I don't want to give others that feeling and I don't wish to appear hurt or not hurt at all.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. My next project will be Director Kim Ji woon's triad movie and perhaps like Yoo Ji Tae, to direct short feature films or be in a theater performance will also be good opportunities to try out. For the past ten years, being through major portion of my life.. the more your tried to maintain your current status, the more you might feel lost. I wanted to be in a job which will enable to me immerse myself in it wholeheartedly as like in acting and in late autumn I will be releasing a (photo) album collection through Japan's Ponycanyon. I just came back from Hawaii for the photo-shooting.

Note from Shirley => ah .it is a surprise to hear him mention yoo ji tae but he is also one very promising young actor ..he is learning to be a director and also act in theater performance



Full credits to Singapore's I-Weekly (Oct 2004) magazine, translated & summarized by River

There is an interesting scene in EHAS movie. The scene where LBH talked about his father and how it drove JW into tears. Finally, a man who move the heart of a conservative lady who avoids love relationship.

Even though the man looks tough outside, if he is emotionally expressive, he will warm you totally.

It's true. A man’s weakness is like a woman's tears. It is a powerful tool especially if it comes from the same type of strong man like LBH.

Ever since his break-up with SHG, media had sympathised him. Though the decision to part was painful, he wished SHG well in her future. With these words, LBH is seen as a responsible man.

‘I received a lot of fans encouragement. Perhaps I looked pitiful in the eyes of my fans. I don't wish to give anyone this impression nor do I want to look like I am hurt or unaffected by the event.’

When he expressed his intention to stop working in 2006 and pursue overseas studies in directing and editing, the media misunderstood him, thinking he was using this opportunity to recuperate. At 34 years of age with many experiences in showbiz, he understands how dynamic the entertainment world can change. Besides advancing his career, he wanted to learn meditation and discover inner peace in himself.

He dreamt of being a director when he was young. In High School, he formed a movie club with his friends, wrote a love story, wanted to buy a movie camera but could not afford. His dream slowly faded and quite unexpectedly, he entered into showbiz. He found hope to realise his dream again.

"I've been asked if I wanted to be a director, I said I wanted to be an actor. But talking about being director makes me excited. I used to treat it lightly but now I want to explore more options to pursue my dream as a director."

In the Japanese market, Beautiful Days has surpassed the ratings of Winter Sonata, his limited book is sold for over 120000 copies, EHAS movie ticket was heard to have sold over 240 times in the market, LBH's presence is overwhelming in Japan.

LBH said his role is EHAS is not easy. He assumed doing a comedy was easy but he was wrong. It is not easy to express comically and make people laugh. Much tougher for him since he is used to acting naturally in many of his roles. In reality, LBH found it hard to accept the guy in EHAS. The more he acted, the angrier he is, he gets headaches.

LBH is a very thoroughly person who will pursue even the slightest details. Sometimes the director may feel pressurise because of his pursue in answers and logic.

Now filming Bittersweet Life, he is tired everyday because of the physical strength required in the movie. But nothing is more tiring than waiting for the 3 EHAS lady casts to decide their gowns. He claimed to have waited for them till his moustache grew. LOL!