The Bae Yong-joon book

I mentioned that Bae Yong-joon (Winter Sonata, Legend) was working on a photo guidebook when I last posted about him (about Yonsama kimchi), and now here’s a little more info about the project, titled tentatively (and I really hope it’s just the working title) I Love Korea.

Recently Bae wrote a New Year’s message on his homepage and explained that he is currently working on a book about Korean culture, to be published sometime early next year. He’s in the research and study phase, so it’s probably likely he hasn’t started writing it yet. He wrote: “This is a new experience for me so it’s not easy, but I’m studying well. You may wonder what kind of book this will be. I think the book, which introduces Korean culture, will be halfway between a travel book and a humanities book. I hope to unearth hidden stories and locations of Korean culture and make it enjoyable to all. I am learning a lot through new places, new people, and new experiences.”

In other Yonsama news, he has apparently joined hands with kpop Svengali JYP (Park Jin-young) for some kind of top-secret “World Project.” They’re supposedly working on an idea to produce “a TV drama starring the Wonder Girls to air on American television.” Gag. (Also: delusional much???)

Via Hankook Ilbo

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31 Comments

  1. hrm… just wondering how does JYP think that working with BYJ is going to help him in AMERICA…?!

    and when I read about how it might be a “tv drama starring the Wonder Girls”- I instantly got an image of the SPICE GIRLS movie… i have no idea why but… gahhh..

  2. ugly glasses.. lose it man….

  3. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! oh man i totally cracked up when i read the last paragraph. wonder girls to air in America? with the help of BYJ?! can they even speak English?? but even if they can, who will watch it?
    but i guess everyone needs to dream big.

  4. Wonder Girls? On MY television screen? Oh lord…shoot me now..

  5. Who are the Wonder Girls? American television is not that easy to break into if you’re a foreigner (ummm…actually, Americans only do adaptations of foreign shows…Ugly Betty, Iron Chef America, Queer as Folk..etc.) but they hardly ever show the actual foreign productions.

  6. ahh i totally read about the wonder girls thing. apparently, they’ve been studying english for awhile now, and they’re supposed to spend at least have of this year in the US. and I fully agree with everyone who commented before me. i also partly think that when he says “American television” he means some reality show. maybe we’ll see them on american idol or something :o

  7. So many news of the Yonsama and he’s making more money..it’s scary..He should take two years break and go live somewhere remote in Papua New Guinea..(but then he’ll come back with even more things to tell and sell..oh well…)

  8. What exactly is BYJ thinking about, teaming up with JYP who is so 90s and flaming that even my mother said something to me! Also, BYJ needs to get a haircut, like RIGHT NOW!

  9. Uber delusional.

  10. Why should he keep his long hair loongg way after finishing the “Legend” ??
    He looks feminine, and it’s not good.
    Never really like him, but his appearance nowadays scares me…

  11. BYJ has been exploring his feminine side for a while now, he must be personally enjoying the look. Lipstick and all. If ever a good looking guy needed to fire his stylists it’s him. LOSE the bangs at least. I hope the book is decent anyway.

  12. Their faith in the Wunderbar Wonder Girls must surely know no bounds. It honestly makes me wonder if they make such announcements to pull a bait and switch later on, as in “now that you’re so interested in this (was never going to see the light of day over there) American project, we decided that it our interests lie here. We’ve wound you up to a fever pitch however, so here, watch it”. Then they reap the rewards of frenzied fans,Cha-ching!

  13. What is with the hair? BYJ needs to get himself to a hair stylist—-fast! All these stars think they can get on American television. With American TV/movies so competitive, the first thing they must do is master the English language. So far, the only star who has accomplished this is Lee Byung Hun, and as a result, he has made the transition to big movies. JYP and BYJ need not waste their time with grand aspirations until their English improves.

  14. no need to be shot, just don’t watch…lol
    I for one am not the hateful type and will gladly encourage anybody working hard towards a goal such as that…maybe more girl power and less cattiness

  15. I absolutely don’t mean to be mean or to make this sound denigrating, but is there any chance that BYJ is transitioning or closeted transgendered? I know that he was married for a while, but many transgendered people take a long time to come around to understand their own gender identification. And it’s not just the hair, but the makeup as well that makes me wonder.

    Either way, he is a great actor and strikes me as a sensitive soul. I like how he works to promote Korea. He takes his role as the unofficial ambassador of Korea very well. All the best to him this coming year.

  16. i liked him in WS but these days I agree his looks is a bit….???? pls The Legend series is over get back to your normal haircut — don’t waste that good looks! he’s looking like …very feminine! Korea really needs to be promoted all over the world as it’s a beautiful & modern country, very clean, technologically speaking is one of the 10 in the world but little is known about the country! the tourism industry needs to get out those words so the world would know how nice & beautiful your culture & country is. Since watching Kdramas for over a year now, i’ve been wanting to go to Korea to visit, i think it’s one of the beautiful countries in the world but they need to put out the word out there so people know you more! good job if BYJ is starting something about his country!

  17. I hear NBC needs help. Maybe the Wonder Girls can pull NBC out of the rating slump like Bill Crosby did back in the 80’s. Ah, I just dreaming here.

  18. Interesting colloboration between BYJ, JYP and the Wondergirls. I wonder what kind of concept they can come up with 5 Asian girls as leading characters?

    I don’t think America will give it the time of day.

  19. A lot of people have commented on BJY’s long hair and feminine look. I am just wondering if he is cultivating this image to cater to his huge Japanese fanbase? It seems that Japanese women really like androgynous and gender-bending males like Gackt and Mana. Japanese shoujo mangas tend to showcase beautiful girly-men with homoerotic undertones.

    Personally, BYJ’s look does not bother me but I’m turned off by guys who spend a lot of time and effort in their looks.

  20. Haha…Tootsie of Korea!! Er! Yuk!

  21. That doesn’t sound like an successful business decision (about the Wondergirls) that he’s usually involved in. He is an expert businessman, and this doesn’t sound logical. Hope it’s not true.

  22. Yay@15 – BYJ was married for a while? Have I been out of it for that long?

  23. BYJ hasnt married anyone.
    He is the most eligible bachelor in Korea.

    Rich, famous and i heard he’s very smart too.
    He’s been generous too giving donations to countless
    charitable institutions.

  24. [...] dramabeans [...]

  25. I don’t like is long hair , too gay , but i have to acknowledge his acting skill , his
    business adventures , his generosity , his kindness .

  26. OK Bae haters….what’s with the hair? So, what’s the problem? He’s single still. So, does it make him gay? If, so, what can you all do about it?? He’s a power house. He’s rich. He’s famous. He’s a great actor…so, what’s all your problem..you don’t like him? DUH!! you all talk as if he needs you!!!

  27. Kate09 is right. this gorgeous baby doesn’t need any of you dissenters. Seems to me he’s doing just fine without your support. Personally, I like the long hair. Of course, I’m part Native American. Our Cherokee men wore their hair long for centuries. Longer the better, for me. Also, with rare exceptions, such as your postings, I have heard very little that is bad about this man. He is a true humanitarian, who truly tries to love everybody; he is kind and generous; he calls his fans his “family” and tells us that he loves us in almost every posting on the official site and the fan forums; He has recently disclosed that he wishes to get married within the next three years, if he can find the right woman; what more do you need to make you see that this man is special? I for one have the utmost respect for him, as a person and a multi-talented celebrity. Get over yourselves. A.L.D.

  28. I was a fan of BYJ after watching him in hotelier…I like him being a cool person but warm inside…still like him now but please….can you have a new haircut?

  29. Aloha!
    I enjoy BYJ’s movies…will he someday come to Honolulu?????

  30. I’ve been to Korea in May 09. Had a lot of fun & wonderful experiences in Korea then. I’ve seen BYJ in a big poster for the Faces Shop.It’s true..tha he looks very feminine..very akward!!…More likely to MJ???But, I still love love & support him. Where can I get the book in Malaysia? Anyone pls help…

  31. moi je pense qu’en tant que star l’on devrait le lasser vivre sa vie et l’encourager au lieu de le dénigrer.et puis qui dit qu’avoir de long cheveux ou se maquiller est synonyme pour un homme d’etre homosexuelle?sans ou avec cheveux long il est sexy .

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