(Three of four) Hallyu stars arrive in Japan
by javabeans
Won Bin, Jang Dong-gun, Song Seung-heon
Three of Hallyu’s biggest stars — Song Seung-heon, Jang Dong-gun, and Won Bin — arrived at Japan’s Haneda Airport to an excited crowd of fans on the afternoon of December 16.
They are in the country for an event titled “Hallyu Four of a Kind,” which takes place on the 17th. The fanmeeting will take place at Tokyo Dome in two parts. The fourth participant (Lee Byung-heon) was busily wrapping up filming for his drama, IRIS, and will catch a later flight.
(Remember the previous post that mentioned the possibility of Kwon Sang-woo for the IRIS sequel? Aside from Kwon, the only real viable options for a sequel to be on par with the original is to cast one of these guys. The other actors mentioned in the comments may be able to pull it off in terms of acting ability, but don’t have the heavyweight Hallyu cachet of the old guard. Now, if they wanted to go for next-gen Hallyu, by all means cast a Gong Yoo or a Kang Ji-hwan — both great options! — but that would skew the production into a different direction, in my opinion.)
Via Newsen
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Tags: Jang Dong-gun, Song Seung-heon, Won Bin
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1 ockoala
December 16, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Won Bin - your anaconda scarf is strangulating you, and I miss even your poofy AIMH hair. JDG - beanies do not look good on anyone unless you have no hair and is pretending that is your hair. My beloved SSH - hellooooooo there, looking good, oppa.
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2 luraaa
December 16, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Hey, SSH's looking good. JDG's not bad with the beanie, actually, I think he looks decent (and hot) enough for an ahjusshi. And Won Bin, what's wrong with you? I wanted to say how pretty you are but I can't seem to see your lovely face with your hair and scarf. Well. Whatever. You are all hot ahjusshis to me. (in my case, they're all ahjusshis so pardon the usage).
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3 sonam
December 16, 2009 at 12:59 PM
JDG is too big a star for IRIS sequel.
I love Won Bin. Korean Stars love to dress up, don't they? Somehow I feel these guys are so gorgeous they would actually look better a little more casual. Too many trendy accessories. A little too teen idolish.
SSH's pants are too tight and the belt ...it's a bit too much. Makes him look like a gigolo.
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4 lovin it
December 16, 2009 at 1:00 PM
wonbin and ssh <3
i prefer them with shorter hair though
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5 Grace
December 16, 2009 at 1:05 PM
:DDD!!!
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6 langdon813
December 16, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Look at you JB, with the early Christmas presents! Thank you!!
My eyes don't know where to go first, they're rolling around in my head like marbles! ;-)
No complaints. None. They look GREAT. :-D
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7 samsooki
December 16, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Did he want a later flight because he was busy, or because he wanted a singular spotlight.... like stars in the night sky, you can see hallyu stars better if there are no other ambient light sources nearby...
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8 langdon813
December 16, 2009 at 1:20 PM
@ samsooki
HA! I swear I was thinking the same thing!
I think it's more a case of one more putting us right over the edge, though. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gesture, as I'm sure he's thinking only of our welfare. We ajummas can be so delicate. ;-)
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9 peachys2sleep
December 16, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I just noticed the three of the four hallyu stars for this event (Song Seung-heon, Won-Bin and Lee Byung-Hun) have worked with Song Hye-Gyo. I wonder if Song Hye-Gyo carries as much Hallyu heavyweight power in Japan as these guys because I know she has huge weight in Chinese-speaking countries.
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10 speedometer
December 16, 2009 at 1:40 PM
it's true that beanies do not look good on anyone but JDG is an exception. He always looks great in anything. Anything!!
Wonbin, where is your face???
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11 Excited
December 16, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Yes, finally 4 men who can act and can carry this wave to higher heights! They look amazing even after all of these years.
Yes, interesting point. SHK is the only actress I can think of who has been in a project with 3/4 men!
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12 samsooki
December 16, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Note: I blew up the very last picture to 4x size, and then I scanned the picture for men in the audience shown in the picture (roughly 100 fans in the picture, 3 camera guys either standing next to tripods or carrying tripods in the front).
I found just TWO people who looks like guys out of the entire group! Two! The first is the person with the spaghetti fro in the purple in the top left of the picture (possible), and the guy in the lime green jacket, facing the crowd, middle top, just left of the pillar that bifurcates the picture (very likely).
What does this mean? Does it mean that hallyu is for women, divided equally between young and not quite so young? Why are there no guys in the picture? Were they there, but then ran away right before the picture was taken? Is hallyu just for women?
I say no. I reject that view. If I wanna see what Won Bin is doing with his I've-not-showered-today mop top and monster scarf, and if I wanna see JDG wearing his trademark skullcap, then I should be able to. Not that I do, of course, but just saying.
:D
Seriously though, Won Bin is basically 동갑 (dong gap) to me (same age-ish), and so now, I see I should get extensions for my hair and buy a scarf that is long enough to use as a clothes line in the summer time. I am kidding. About the extensions.
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13 speedometer
December 16, 2009 at 1:57 PM
@12...
of course hallyu is only for women. do men even have time for all these??? men are very practical. Dreaming of someone unattainable like these hallyu stars is just a waste of time for them. I'm a woman but i admit that women 'dream' more than men.
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14 dramalover
December 16, 2009 at 1:59 PM
@12: I see that Samsooki is still young.
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15 ybfan
December 16, 2009 at 2:00 PM
@1 ha! anaconda scarf... so true.
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16
December 16, 2009 at 2:03 PM
geez..Won Bin looked like a girl . Can he be more feminine? what happened to his manliness?
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17 deeta
December 16, 2009 at 2:04 PM
OH! I vouch for Wonbin in the next Iris 2!! That would be awesome.
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18
December 16, 2009 at 2:07 PM
@ 11 - besides SHK, Choi Ji Woo has worked with three out of four (JDG, SSH, and LBH).
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19 Nom_Kitteh
December 16, 2009 at 2:17 PM
@12 Not just Hallyu -- isn't fandom usually women-generated and sustained? I think there are sociological studies of how men and women respond and react to stars (can't remember the uni. that did the study). When boys have crushes, they print out scantily-clad pics of the star and paste them over their bed; when girls have crushes, they find out about the stars' favorite music, color, belief in romance, past relationships, write fan-fic, fantasize about having a relationship (sexual, maybe, but a relationship nonetheless) etc.
So the much more involved component of fandom -- going to an airport to spot your fav artists -- is most definitely a female phenomenon.
I would be curious to see what the composition of crowds are for female Hallyu stars like Choi Ji Woo. I bet overwhelmingly women show up for those, too.
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20 belleza
December 16, 2009 at 2:20 PM
"Now, if they wanted to go for next-gen Hallyu, by all means cast a Gong Yoo or a Kang Ji-hwan — both great options! — but that would skew the production into a different direction, in my opinion.)"
They would be wonderful in support/rival parts.
"I wonder if Song Hye-Gyo carries as much Hallyu heavyweight power in Japan as these guys because I know she has huge weight in Chinese-speaking countries."
Among the Hallyu actresses, her drawing power is enormous. Probably 3rd behind Choi Ji Woo and Yoon Eun Hye. Song Hye Kyo is sort of the Iris wild card to me. Presumably Iris 2 would draw in a top Hallyu male star. But if you bring in Song Hye Kyo (who is obviously on good terms with the director), then you have a true Hallyu Supercouple due to prior association. In other words, if Won Bin or Song Seung Heon or Rain do Iris with Song Hye Kyo, Hallyu would leave a massive crater of swing around the Pacific Rim. :D
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21
December 16, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Wonbin looks soooooo young compared to the other participants!! lol.
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22 giddygirl108
December 16, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Wow it's like the Rat Pack :)
What's up with Won Bin's hair?
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23 momosan
December 16, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Okay then!! Well! That was fun!
Okay, they are still younger than I am, but at least they are close enough in age to make it fun!
@12 Samsooki - It seems, sir, you are but young.
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24 observer
December 16, 2009 at 3:18 PM
samsooki, you sound kinda ghey
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25 roastedchic
December 16, 2009 at 3:25 PM
ooooh......these are what i call real korean hotties!! those younger actors just have nothing like these men have!! i've always been a fan of Jang Dong Gun and Won bin. Jang Dong Gun has pretty smile in that second picture. Now i'm having great mood to start my day, thanx to this thread!
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26 Javabeans
December 16, 2009 at 3:27 PM
If I were a guy, I'd go gay for Jang Dong-gun. Also Won Bin. (Not Song Seung-heon.)
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27 Sere
December 16, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Any of the actors mentioned here would be a great addiction to Iris 2 imho.
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28
December 16, 2009 at 3:38 PM
@19 Nom Kitteh
Choi Ji Woo's fans are predominantly middle aged women/wives/married women. It's interesting because women fans are generally go go ga ga over male actors not female actors. That's why korean male actors generate a LOT more fans than korean female actors. There must be something that CJW possess that draws female fans.
Echoing JB's preference of 4 Hallyu stars, I too would go for JDG and Won Bin, and not SSH and LBH. Nothing wrong with SSH and LBH, they are just not my type.
Agree with a poster who mentioned SSH's tight pants and big buckle..maybe he was trying to shock the old ahjummas with his body ahahaha...maybe their husbands will get lucky tonight. haha
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29 celestialorigin
December 16, 2009 at 3:41 PM
@12 Samsooki
Taking a day off from work? Or it's a slow day at your office? LOL!
I just realized I haven't seen any of those guys works! Which one shall I watch first? Oh, wait, except JDG, I saw 4-5 of his movies... no dramas. Thanks in advance.
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30 olive
December 16, 2009 at 3:44 PM
lol, Javabean =)) why not Song Seung Heon? I did not know SSH is that big star. I remember seeing him in Autumn tale and So Close... he's is just not the manly type, is he?
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31 Javabeans
December 16, 2009 at 3:53 PM
@celestialorigin
JDG: For film, watch Friend or Taegukgi. For drama, I guess All About Eve? He hasn't done one in ages. My personal pick would be the oldie trendy basketball drama Last Match, though!
WB: For film, I'd say Mother. But you can do a twofer and see both him and JDG in Taegukgi. For drama, Autumn in my Heart? It's another twofer with SSH.
SSH: Ah, who are we kidding, we're not watching this guy for the acting. For film, he looks hot in Fate. There's also He Was Cool. For drama, East of Eden?
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32 'cille
December 16, 2009 at 3:54 PM
#26 javabeans - lol. personally if i were a guy and going gay, i'd take on lee byung hun or Jang Dong-gun.
"In other words, if Won Bin or Song Seung Heon or Rain do Iris with Song Hye Kyo, Hallyu would leave a massive crater of swing around the Pacific Rim." TRUE THAT!
actually, anyone of these 3 taking over the LBH role would do with Song Hye Kyo.
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33 classic
December 16, 2009 at 3:57 PM
I prefer younger Hallyu generation such as Lee Dong Wook, Rain, Kang Ji Wan, Hyun Bin not these old chaps. Sometimes I wonder what so special about them till can draw all the ahjummas out of their kitchen in Japan.
Same goes to female hallyu, I prefer younger one, SHK, LDH, YEH-to me younger one are more vibrant.
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34 Alison
December 16, 2009 at 3:57 PM
i love won bin's scarf but not his hair. and @22, you're right, they are just like the rat pack!
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35 gia
December 16, 2009 at 4:00 PM
bad hair and dress day. sorry guy
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36 observer
December 16, 2009 at 4:07 PM
@26
javabeans, you make no sense.
what you're saying is who you like as a girl (that I assume you are), why even say if you were a guy? You are not a guy. If you were a guy, you would look at these men differently and would not just go gay.
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37 Bogoshipda
December 16, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Love the 3 of them plus LBH.. seriously, i have no complains about their dressing and style or age,, or acting ablities.. just want to have a piece of them..:)
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38 joicy
December 16, 2009 at 4:22 PM
JDG said he would not do drama anymore.
Won Bin is so into movies, it seems he would not do a drama soon. Also he's never been in action movie/drama before. This guy is very picky- that's what i thought.
Leave out SSH. He's packed with a movie. But he's a guy with action type. Not sure if he wants to add one more in profile.
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39 speedometer
December 16, 2009 at 4:25 PM
lol @ #36......why are you taking JB's #26 comment so seriously? lol....it's just for fun, doesn't matter how she rephrase it, any idiots will understand what she meant. JB, me too would go gay for JDG, then Won Bin, then Hyun Bin, then Lee Dong wook! oh, Lee Jung Jae too! love his dorky smile :)
Anyway, good luck to JDG,WB,SSH and LBH for their performance tonight! i hope LBH can gather some strength and encouragement from fans there.
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40 observer
December 16, 2009 at 4:32 PM
@39
because it is not funny. it makes no sense. I'm a guy...I wouldn't go around saying "if I were a girl, I'd go lesbian for Song gye hyo".
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41 kasu
December 16, 2009 at 4:51 PM
whoa.. they all look so sleek and bad-ass. they should have done the Power Walk. Haha.
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42 celestialorigin
December 16, 2009 at 4:53 PM
@31 javabeans
Thank you!
Taegukgi is one of the movies I've seen... So they were the brothers.. Devastating and heart wrenchingly memorable... Just thinking about them tears me up....
I guess I'll do Autumn in my Heart... I'm afraid it's a big time tear jerker... For two cute guys, I might be able to endure...
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43 diane
December 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
My God, they look great! Would have been nice to see LBH there too. I know I would have been smiling like a fool had I been there!
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44 Porcelain
December 16, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Ommo... it is a sight to faint to... 3 gorgeous being... seriously some of the best event happens only in Japn >.<
JDG... ur hair is fine... whats with the beanie...
Won Bin... oh cutie... why are you attempting this model strung out look... the hair... the scarf... why...
SSH... hi Mr Hot Bod...
Yeah I agree, I hope LBH gain some strenght and encouragement from this event... Its unfortunate how events in his personal life unfold for him...
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45 deeta
December 16, 2009 at 5:12 PM
@belleza, hmm I didn't know Yoon Eunhye is THAT much of a star. She's big for sure, but as big as Choi Jiwoo and Song Hyekyo?
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46 sucker for Seok
December 16, 2009 at 5:15 PM
wow these guys remind me of my faded teen years T_T
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47
December 16, 2009 at 5:30 PM
The most popular Korean actresses in Japan are Choi Ji-woo and Lee Young-are, Song Hye-gyo (popular in chinese speaking community) and Yoon Eun-hye are nowhere close to them. CJW''s extremely popular in Japan b/c of Winter Sonata which officially started Korean Wave there, some episodes drew more than 20% rating (very high for a foreign language program). Bae Yong-joon remains the biggest K-star there, much larger than CJW. CJW's leading men later gained fame there as well when TV stations such as FujiTV/NHK started to air more melodramas from her - Beautiful Days (Lee Byung-hun & Ryu Shi-won) and Stairway To Heaven (Kwon Sang-woo). Song Seung-hun and Won Bin also had Winter Sonata to thank for b/c other 'four season dramas' Autumn In My Heart & Summer Scent were shown after Winter Sonata craze.
Lee Young-ae's 'Dae Jang Geum' was extremely popular in Japan as well.
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48 Snikki
December 16, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Woo, hot men! *fans self*
Ultimate Hallyu gift for Christmas; lucky Japanese fans! I wouldn't mind if it's just the three of them, I don't really care about LBH (he's the kind of gift I'd regift).
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49 LadyIgraine
December 16, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I love love love Won Bin! I guess his growing his hair out again for his new movie.
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50 cingdoc
December 16, 2009 at 5:46 PM
@Samsooki
I think the reason that you didn't see too many guys in the above pix is that the female fans are not to be messed with when it's time for them to be as close as they can be with their male idols...I mean I would stand back, too, so that I would not get trampled on :)
@ observer
Please remember that we all are guests to JB's site, so please mind your manner and chill....
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