Japan in Feverish Anticipation of Yonsama (Bae Yong Jun) Visit
It seems the Japanese cannot get enough of the Korean star they know as Yonsama, even as relations between the two nations remain chilly on the 60th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War. Nippon Broadcasting’s popular program “Ueyanagi Masahiko’s Surprise!” has prepared a two-week special broadcast to mark Bae Yong-joon’s visit to the island country and the debut of his new film “April Snow”. Part 1 runs Tuesday to Friday, and Part 2 from Aug. 22 to 26.
The first part will feature sound clips of Bae during the filming of his new movie and interviews with people involved in the production. On Tuesday, director Heo Jin-ho gives a detailed account of the nine-hour shoot of a love scene between Bae and actress Son Ye-jin.
The second part offers a sneak preview of the movie, with presenter Masahiko Ueyanagi reading the script of the new film aloud for five days ? the sheer tedium of the exercise, which apparently has the blessing of the Japanese distributor UIP, a measure of the heat Bae is capable of generating in Japan.
Broadcast every morning from 8:30 to 11:00 “Ueyanagi Masahiko’s Surprise!” recorded huge listener ratings for a week in June when it ran another concentrated report on the Korean Wave star.
Japanese pro baseball team Chiba Lotte Marines is also looking forward to Bae’s visit.
When Yonsama descends on Japan on Aug. 30, the team plans to record a live message of support from the actor to use in promotions. It will play on the electronic score board during the team’s series with the Seibu Lions on Sept. 17-18 alongside conversations with Lotte coach Bobby Valentine and Korean slugger Lee Seung-yeop.
With the move and accompanying merchandise, the team hopes to fill seats with the middle-aged and older women who make up most of the fan club of everyone’s favorite son-in-law.
Source: Digital Chosunilbo August 16, 2005
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