Bae Yong Joon's Book - The Story Behind It.


Maybe non BYJ fans are asking....what's the big deal about Bae Yong Joon's book that will be launched this September in Japan ?? well, for his fans, whom he calls his 'family' , it is a very big and important thing ! Why? well, let's read this letter that BYJ posted in his Official Boards about one year ago :

Hello everybody. I hope that you have been doing well.

Even though the weather was unpleasant today, I thought that the cool breeze was refreshing. The cold rain and wind also seemed to suggest a change of seasons. I realized that time had passed very quickly and a sense of urgency began to take over. You see, while resting I had made a mental note of all the things I wanted to do. And so I now write this letter to you.

First, I would like to apologize for causing you to worry about me. My surgery was a
success and there were no complications. After spending a few days in the hospital, I am now recovering from the operation. My recovery has been progressing very quickly and I am now able to sit in front of my computer and write this letter to you.

I promise that I will never
cause you to worry like this again, and I am very grateful for your support. I hope that you will always take care of your health.

Among the things that I would like to do, there is one idea that I would like to share with you now.

I once mentioned that I would like to create a book that introduces Korea to the reader. I admit that part of the reason behind my book idea is my love for taking pictures. However, for a while now I have also wanted to exhibit the beauty of Korea.

I understand that many of you in Asia began to show interest in Korea at the time you began to support me. Some of you even visited Korea. However, I have wished for some time that your travel destinations included more sites which are not related to drama filming locations. I wished that there was some way to say the following to you and other tourists who were able to experience some of the greatness of Korea but who then had no choice but to leave the country due to a lack of relevant information:

“Even for Korean citizens who have lived in Korea their whole lives, exposure to Korea’s natural landscape, culture, and history is a moving experience. Please capture the beauty of Korea with your camera. This is where I was born and where I grew up. This is the beauty of Korea which was shown in the dramas and movies I appeared in.”

This made me think about picking up my camera and starting a journey myself. Then I got the
idea of making a book which would share the beauty of Korea through my photographs of the country.

I started to think about places which I would recommend to tourists. But I could only think
about famous places and the few sites that I have personally visited. And I know that there are many wonderful places which I have either not visited or do not know about. To make matters worse, I could not find any satisfactory and helpful sources of information. Then I realized that I could try asking you for help! I was wondering what you thought about making the book together with me.

What do you think? Please give me your thoughts.


Please tell me about the various places you have visited in Korea. Any information, whether
in the form of a letter or photograph, would be greatly appreciated. Even an old traditional restaurant in the countryside or a sunset you witnessed while stretching outside of your car would be suitable for the book. I would even like to hear about the fun episodes that occurred while you were here in Korea. I would also like to hear from those of you who live in Korea and who have had the opportunity to experience the true value of our country during your journeys.

Perhaps you are curious about Korea and you haven’t actually visited the country. That is
good for the book too. Please tell me which aspects of Korea you would like to know more about, which places you would like to visit, what types of food you would like to eat …


I will use all of my efforts to focus on the creation of this book after listening to all of your ideas. I hope that the book will cause people who are interested in Korea to want to stay in Korea for a long time

My camera, notebook, and pen are now ready to start the project. As soon as I hear from you, I will pack my bags. For now, please send your emails to xxxxxxxxx. Later, I will try to set up another method of receiving your ideas.

It feels good to finally write down what I have been thinking about for the past few weeks. I now will wait with great anticipation for your input. I will carefully study everything you send.

Please remain healthy and happy.

Love,


Bae Yong Joon

August 19, 2008



Now, beside being his fans, this is the main reason why we really are anticipating the publication of the book. He asked his fans for ideas and involved us in the making of his book...I see sincere words of his in this letter...he would really apreciate all the information we send him, and he will incorporate our ideas into his book and fullfill our desires to know his beautiful homeland better.

The reception of this letter...of Yong Joon ssi's plea ...was so great , that within a short time the more than a thousand messages sent to him caused such an e-mail pile up!! And every body had to be patient till BYJ reads all their ideas. BYJ actually received one thousand and five hundred e-mails in all.

Bae Yong Joon's book is the culmination of his love for his country, his love for his hobby [photography] and his love for his fans [family].

PS. If you want to know more about BYJ's book, bb has posted about it here ^^

Photo credit as labeled, thank you dear Style !

Comments

Unknown said…
I suspect he actually got a lot more than 1500 email. I think he received 1500 original ideas. I wonder if mine ended up in his book?
myoce said…
Oh, Tammy...

I hope mine did too...and I think you're right about it being more than 1500...

Y'know Sophiekorea in KOB was shocked once, when she found out BYJ went to the place she suggested !... so there's still some hope for ours also ^^
Hi Myoce,
I am actually getting impatient since I tried to order the book with Nikkan and I had to write in Japanese. Now how am I going to do that? Even BOFi doesn't allocate for overseas buyer..It's frustrating to wait for anymore site which will sell it. I just hope and wish we could get hold of it.
Love,
hyds
myoce said…
Hyds,

I'm ready to order as soon as the English version comes out !!

I want to be able to UNDERSTAND what BYJ says in the book, he's a good writer...from what little I've gleaned from his messages ....

BOF should have thought of English speaking fans too !!!

Love, myoce

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