Private Art Album of Bae Yongjun

Author: Ding Zhike
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: His smile spreads like ripples slowly opening, like deep still water, capable of flowing endlessly and never forgotten. His reputation effortlessly transcends borders, sweeping in with the speed of lightning and unstoppable. "The Gentle and Kind Smile of the Noble Prince," his gentle and kind smile, has captivated countless "Bae fans." If you just look at Bae Yongjun's face, you might think he's just an ordinary person, but many girls have been charmed by him. On his glasses-wearing, honest, and earnest face, you can see a glow of intelligence surrounding him. Intelligence is something that is easily attractive, and this honest boy possesses this trait. Or you may not know just how smart he is, but wherever he is, the atmosphere is always perfect. Moreover, if we compare single-eyed Bae Yongjun to actors like Jang Dong-gun, Ahn Jae-wook, and Won Bin, he may not be outstanding or outstandingly handsome, even, but he possesses first-class elegance, grace, and a subtle nobility. This makes him appear very scholarly, while also exuding the refined and composed demeanor of a well-educated nobleman: full of tenderness yet not "too thick to melt," like a cup of jasmine tea in the summer. Although it may not be fragrant enough, savoring it reveals a unique and enchanting flavor. Especially when he wears glasses and reveals a slightly shy, gentle smile, it feels like being bathed in spring sunshine. Bae Yongjun is already over thirty, but he remains the "dream lover" for many girls and even housewife women. After the Korean TV drama Love in the Hotel aired in Korea, the character played by Bae Yongjun—a Harvard-educated, sincere, considerate, persistent, and romantic "rich young man"—became the role model for "teenage girls" in terms of choosing a partner and won the hearts of countless young women. Among his admirers, there are not only ordinary "fans," but also the shadow of "female celebrities." In the summer of 2002, the girl singer BOA, who had already become a sensation in both South Korea and Japan, openly admitted in an interview with a music channel that she was deeply impressed by Bae Yongjun's charm. At that time, the host asked her, "Have you set an ideal image of a man in your heart?" BOA replied without hesitation, "Yes! Bae Yongjun's smile for 'Woo-jin' in Winter Love Story was very gentle and charming." In a survey about "the man Korean unmarried women want to marry," he ranked higher than Jang Dong-gun. Bae Yongjun's gentlemanly and deep affection, along with his slightly shy, quiet gaze, has made many white-collar women yearn for him. Because indeed, there is something very special in his aura that is captivating. The director who brought him into the entertainment industry and cast him first in the drama Love's Greeting, Kim Gi-jong, recalled his feelings when he first met Bae Yongjun: "When he approached me with a shy smile, I was immediately drawn to his smile. His pure and fresh smile looked very beautiful." In 2002, in a survey conducted by a South Korean online media about "the most physically attractive male entertainers," Bae Yongjun was recognized as the most physically attractive male entertainer in the Korean entertainment industry due to his tall, strong, and well-proportioned physique. Bae Yongjun is a "good man" and "good lover" successfully created by Korean dramas for the public, aligning with many women's ideals and imaginations of men, making it easy for him to "conquer" many modern women with strong opinions. Regardless, he is a "star," and as a star, he has star value. Bae Yongjun is sometimes referred to by some media as a "money-making machine." Statistics show that in the quarter of 2002, Bae Yongjun alone earned nearly 3.2 billion KRW from the drama Winter Love Story. In 2003, he became the darling of advertisers. In April, he was chosen as the regional ambassador for the famous sunglasses brand "Ray-Ban" in Asia, signing a one-year contract worth 500 million KRW. This was undoubtedly a win-win situation for Bae Yongjun, as a world-renowned brand like "Ray-Ban" has immense power in choosing a Korean idol.