News Article Translation
AERA 2007/04/23 - BYJ Revisted "Hotelier"
credits:
original in japanese: AERA 2007/04/23 p.59-60
translated into english: a sweet sister / bb's blog
The date is April 1 and we are in a dressing room at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. In a corner of the room, in front of the TV monitor, BYJ who had just finished playing the role of “Shin Dong Hyuk,” was peering into the monitor.
“Would it be possible to film a bit more from the side angle?” he whispers to the staff.
He demonstrates the subtle change in camera angle by moving his own hand. (bb: think i'll just die if he whispers into my ear! even if it's saying something as mundane as 'pass the salt please'!!)
“I would like to request a re-take.”
As the camera changes its position according to his directions, the facial lines suddenly appear lovely. He knows very well how to be photographed to appear attractive. (bb: ah.... the perfectionist at work! or hee... is he just a vainpot like us?! don't hit me!!)
This is the filming site of the “Hotelier” drama on TV Asahi which will start on April 19. This is a remake of the Korean drama “Hotelier” (2001) starring BYJ, in which he will play the same Shin Dong Hyuk role as a friendship appearance and, which is gathering attention even before the drama is broadcast. This is the first time in Japanese drama history that a Korean drama is being remade.
The Korean version of “Hotelier” tells the story of personal relationships and romances set against the background of a hotel merger and was highly received in Korea, with the character of Shin Dong Hyuk as the cool and kind M&A specialist being popular with fans.
Ring on Left Ring Finger
“I heard that my drama was going to be remade and I felt a sense of newness. I will again be playing the role of Shin Dong Hyuk and there are some parts where I feel nervousness.”
He said this smiling in between filming. He wore a gray suit and had his hair in a ponytail. There was also a gold ring on his left ring finger. This is “Shin Dong Hyuk’s” appearance six years later in the Korean version of “Hotelier.”
The engagement ring will be left up to viewers’ imaginations as to Dong Hyuk’s outcome in love which was described in the Korean version. The long hair is due to his role of King Damdeok in the new drama TWSSG (scheduled for broadcast starting in May in Korea). Dong Hyuk has the image of being cunning but the impression he gives now shows he has grown milder than six years earlier.
“I have lost weight for the TWSSG role. There are some who say that I look better thinner and others, who worry about me asking, 'Are you alright?’”
The truth is that he agonized considerably before agreeing to appear in the Japanese version of “Hotelier.” After all, he was in the final stage of filming Korea’s largest scale drama TWSSG. BYJ’s schedule was open on this one day only and the co-star, Ueto Aya along with the Japanese staff traveled to Korea.
The Japanese fans raised their voices about the “worries” surrounding the difficult circumstances that such an appearance in a Japanese drama would bring. BYJ has not appeared in two projects concurrently up to now. But he has powerful memories of “Hotelier.”
“Hotelier” was very much loved by everyone in Korea and was for me a very important project. I heard that this will be the first Korean drama to be remade in Japan and I am very happy and honored.”
Manager Yang of BOF also added this.
“The decision to appear in this drama was not an easy one. But the title of the project was the same and this first attempt for a Japanese and Korean drama has great significance. Yong Joon-san’s friendship appearance is not a Korean project. It is also an opportunity for everyone in Japan to see his healthy appearance after a long absence. It is my wish that you please watch over him while sending him your warm thoughts.”
Cheerful in the Dressing Room
He arrived at the Hotel at 11 am and barely took meals or breaks despite the fact that filming continued on until the late evening; still BYJ’s expressions were cheerful returning to the dressing room. When he sees Ueto Aya in a crying scene in the monitor, he shows a playful side of him by offering a handkerchief to the monitor. He created instant “art” when he took out some matches from a box of matches on the table. He is skillful with his hands.
His manager, Fan Yong explained while looking at his watch. “This is certainly better coordinated than filming a Korean drama. If this was Korea, NGs would be continuous, and unscheduled filming would occur one after another which the actors would have to respond to immediately, which makes for difficult circumstances.”
BYJ also said this himself. “(In Korea) the script was most always received on the day of filming at the filming site. Because of this, I was unable to memorize the lines and only acted by capturing the mood of the scene. At the time it was very difficult, but with the passage of time, I was able to act spontaneously, and I feel it was a project where I was able to mature greatly as an actor.”
Half-Filled with Enjoyment and Doubts
It seems that BYJ himself was the one who had the NG from the very start of filming on this day. Director Kinoshita Takao gave the okay at one take but BYJ said, “I would like a re-take.” Usually, a scene was re-shot 2-3 times per his request.
The director said openly and gladly, “The tone of his voice is wonderful and his dialogue is very much alive. His eyes are forceful, and having filmed him and seeing his image on the screen, I can again see the secret to his popularity.”
BYJ used special care in his Japanese dialogue. He tells Ueto Aya, “Only look ahead. You only have to believe. Believe in yourself,” is the Japanese speaking scene he has and for which he repeatedly practiced his pronunciation by whispering to himself in a low voice.
President Sohn, of IMX, responsible for BYJ’s management in Japan, was his interpreter during the filming and also kept him company during the script reading the day before and two days before filming.
“Even this morning he was worried whether ‘I can suddenly change into Dong Hyuk’ and I told him you’ll be alright. The personality of Dong Hyuk is quite similar to Yong Joon so I told him it’s alright for him to be himself. He said, ‘That’s why, it’s definitely difficult.’ I think he performed the role half with enjoyment and half with doubts.”
At midnight when all filming was completed, BYJ personally requested to shake everyone’s hand. Expressing his appreciation, he grasped the hand of each and every Japanese staff member.
“This appearance was an invaluable experience. It will become my precious memory.”
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I can't wait for this to start along with some others 
i'm so excited!!!! i really liked hotelier, despite all the "it's-too-slow" stuff i heard about it. i like hotelier, i like ueto aya, i love bae yoong jun...
i'm looking forward to this. thanks for all the articles!
