Lee Jin-wook returns to civilian life
by javabeans
With all the hullabaloo concentrated on a certain big-name star heading off to army duty, it’s nice to see one coming back: 29-year-old Lee Jin-wook was discharged on March 7. He completed his two years of active duty after heading off to basic training in May 2009.
Lee’s one of those actors who was just starting to get bigger roles when he headed off for military service, but hadn’t peaked yet. He had some nice supporting roles in dramas like Air City, Rivals, Someday, and Before & After: Plastic Surgery, and by “nice” I don’t mean that the dramas were that great (particularly those first two), but he was able to make an impression on viewers.
He’s perhaps better known, then, as “Choi Ji-woo’s boyfriend,” as the couple made their romance public back in February 2009. They’d met on the set of the 2007 action drama Air City, and while that drama was at times painfully boring, I did enjoy their chemistry. (I adore Lee Jung-jae as an actor, but I was much more into Lee Jin-wook’s devoted character, who was like a cute little puppy dog, full of boyish energy. Their age difference does come through — she’s got six years on him, and is 35 — but I can see him being an adoring boyfriend to his elegant noona.)
The couple had been dating for two years when they went public, and continued dating for the two years he’s been away. Aw. For some reason I just find that super sweet.
But he played coy when he was asked who he most wanted to see post-discharge, laughingly answering that he wanted to see his parents and “all the citizens of Seoul.”
Lee hasn’t yet made plans for his comeback project, and intends to rest up while “taking time to think” about it.
Spot the celebs! Other enlisted stars were there to say goodbye to Lee Jin-wook, including actors Lee Dong-gun, Kim Ji-seok, and Lee Wan, and Shinhwa singer Andy:
Via E Daily
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Tags: army duty, Lee Jin-wook
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1 koreampuff
March 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEE I see the other celebs.
LEE DONG GUN <3
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Yenna
March 6, 2011 at 9:38 PM
Lee Dong Gun <3
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LotusW
March 7, 2011 at 1:43 AM
LEE DONG GUN - shiiiii. MISSSSINGG YOU!!!
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2 ohemgee
March 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM
awww...seeing kim ji seok so suddenly in the photos above just made me miss his goofy self so much! and now i'm tearing at the thought of our favorite track suit star heading off shortly... TWO YEARS?!!! i don't know if we'll make it.
also, props to the lovebirds CJW+LJW for keeping it strong for so long!
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3 snow
March 6, 2011 at 7:06 PM
seems like army has beefed him up a bit. nevertheless, nice to see him back, and it's cute that his fellow celebs said goodbye to him too.
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4 danna
March 6, 2011 at 7:15 PM
it's certainly nice to have him back, I have only seen him in one drama, Alone in Love in which he was very sweet and have been wanting to see Someday for a while now.....And seeing Kim Ji Suka and Lee Don Gun here makes me miss them
P.S....I'm really sad that the big star you mentioned is leaving tomorrow despite the fact that I have been complainig about all the hullabaloo surrounding him
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5 Alvina
March 6, 2011 at 7:22 PM
not to mention that HOT reunion! Yay!!!
I cant say I really know him as an actor but it's nice to see the men return healthy.
I hope he picks a good role! :D
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6 maez
March 6, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Awesome. I'm glad they're still dating. I also rooted for him and CJW in Air City.
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7 maria
March 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM
props to them for keeping it strong! <3 :D
wait, can anyone tell me if jo in sung's out yet? i remember jo in sung enlisted a month prior to this guy, and then lee dong wook really soon after...
anyone have any idea?? I MISS WOOKIE :(
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lenrasoon
March 6, 2011 at 8:29 PM
i think Jo In Sung discharge is in April/May this year but i'm not sure.
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8 gingganggolli
March 6, 2011 at 7:31 PM
......aw so nice, I love those pic with his comrades..the hug and more hug, adorable.
So they are dating for 4 years now, I hope to hear wedding bells soon, coz CJW aint getting any younger.
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Baron
March 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM
HAHA. Yeah. Hope he won't get turn off after he found out that his beloved noona is already aging. LOL.
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gykey
March 6, 2011 at 7:58 PM
It's like vintage wine, more aging more tastier..... Yeah!!!! Don Juan is back... to night..
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 1:22 AM
Not vintage wine please, it is a near expiry bottle of zucchini.
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 1:20 AM
Puppy is now a full blown doggie, I guess hw will soon find out his nonna, no longer a crunchy zucchini, but has turn yellow prickled one, with an expiry date, on huge discount on the dusty shelf!!!
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annie
March 7, 2011 at 12:03 PM
That's kind of mean.
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 12:29 PM
The label of the bottle is called jiwoo hime, not popular on the Korean shelf, but very popular on the Japanese convenient shops.
Agreed it is mean. But, it is best that she comes to realize it now, then regretting her fonder over the doggie in the future!!!!
SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 1:14 PM
For your info and light entertainment
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/12/marrying-younger-man-woman-mortality
YouTube: Tom and Jerry and the downhearted duckling. CJW as Jerry and LJW as the duckling.
http://www.google.com.my/search?q=tom+and+jerry+downhearted+duckling&hl=en&client=safari&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=J0p1TfL4CoHJrQeh693RCg&ved=0CCcQqwQ
gingganggolli
March 7, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Agreed it is mean. But, it is best that she comes to realize it now, then regretting her fonder over the doggie in the future!!!!
...now your acting god that you know whats best for her! crazy! what are you? the evil mother of the doggie? are we having a typical kdrama here....
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 3:47 PM
no Madam!! I am no god. it is just that I have followed her news very closely since the beginning of 2003; have analyze her four pillars of destiny, kept copies of the evolution of her palms, and read the fengshui of her house (based on pictures). No one can change her destiny, if she ultimately decides the road less traveled!!
In other words, I am not addicted to jiwooism, but a person who study "Jiwootology"!! LOL
gingganggolli
March 7, 2011 at 7:23 PM
“…it is just that I have followed her news very closely since the beginning of 2003; have analyze her four pillars of destiny, kept copies of the evolution of her palms, and read the fengshui of her house…”
Goodness that’s the creepiest! And I bet, you have stored voodoo doll in your closet, the exact replica of CJW and making your ugliest treat/wishes morning till night…
SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 8:11 PM
You watch too much Sign!! LOL!!
9 momosa
March 6, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Oh yes! I find him absolutely adorable. He has put on weight though! He is so in love with her, there were shots of him stealing glances at her in public.
So, so sweet.
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10 chajjye
March 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Lee Jin Wook!! Now that is someone I haven't seen on TV for a while. ^^
But Binnie.......T^T you know, I may be late, but now I understand what made Hyun Bin stand out and sizzle with the audience. Teehee.
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11 seattlebound
March 6, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Oh yay!!
I love LJW! i remember being so sad when he left but now he's back!
and javabeans you would be delighted to hear that I fell in love with Lee Jung Jae after watching Air city (LJW was the reason I started watching Air city) and I actually found drama beans when I was searching for something about Air city. So there you go. :)
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seattlebound
March 6, 2011 at 7:43 PM
ps: I loved Lee Dong Gun too.
and seeing LJW back, gives me hope that the same thing will soon happen for Binnie.
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12 ditdut
March 6, 2011 at 7:42 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHH, I see Andyyyyyyy!!
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aPAM
March 6, 2011 at 11:05 PM
I no rite?!?! I miss those We Got Married days...
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13 alyssia
March 6, 2011 at 7:43 PM
LEE dong gun!!!!!!! how i miss you!!!!!!so much!!!!!
I couldn't see Lee Wan though.
Lee Jin Wook is so like able but he has never able to shine. Hopefully he'll have a better career after the army.
Hopefully they'll marry. Most perfect couple!hehe
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14 mary
March 6, 2011 at 7:44 PM
AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! He's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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15 annie
March 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I really liked him in Someday, where he was actually the lead, not a supporting actor. I liked it better than his role in Alone in Love, which I found a little obnoxious. He surprised me in Someday though, a really good heartfelt performance of someone struggling with guilt and pain, and wondering whether it's okay to move on and be happy. I cried for him.
I also enjoyed his chemistry with Bae Doona. Speeaking of which, it's a funny coincidence to see both stars of Someday on Dramabeans right after each other. They're so rarely pasted about.
I'm looking forward to LJW's next project!
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Phyllis
March 6, 2011 at 8:58 PM
Agree with you on his performance in "Someday." It makes me want to see more of him. That particular drama was so refreshing in many ways!
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hanjiyoon
March 6, 2011 at 9:48 PM
Yes! "Someday" was an amazing drama! Him and Bae Doona were so cute. What a compelling story.
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gailT
March 7, 2011 at 7:08 AM
I agree. I loved Someday.
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16 Giselle
March 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM
AH! I remember this guy in Family Outing! LOL. It's so funny because I don't remember his appearance in a drama/movie instead of variety show. He's so hilarious when he deliberately riled Yoo Jae Suk up. XD
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17 Bluefyre
March 6, 2011 at 8:36 PM
JB! You missed Lee Jun Ki! :D
"Ji Woo Hime" must be happy, eh? Haha! "All the citizens of Seoul" indeed. Totally laughed when I read that in the article.
Hope he gets a nice, restful break with his beloved noona. And hope picks an awesome new project. Here's to you, Lee Jin Wook. Nice to have one 'wook back. I'm still waiting for another year for the other one. ^^
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18 anais
March 6, 2011 at 8:37 PM
Lee Jin Wook army 7 and 8 photos also have Shin Dong Wook, the lead from Soulmate.
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JJ
March 7, 2011 at 4:38 PM
i luv shin dong wook too did u mean he's in one of the photos here? i'm sorry i'm afraid i didn't u/stand your msg huhuhu sorry!
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19 djeedjes
March 6, 2011 at 9:15 PM
why i feel jealous to know he's still with Choi Ji Woo? :P
anyhow, look forward to see him in drama again soon!
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20 SpongeBob
March 6, 2011 at 9:46 PM
Yeah!! Puppy dog is back!!!
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21 Nanzspazz
March 6, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Awwww...he's back!! and LDG and KJS are looking mighty fine!!
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22 jj
March 6, 2011 at 10:30 PM
hey javabeans, would you mind covering the recent news about Jang Ja Yeon's case?
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SpongeBob
March 6, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Google her name, you will find a lot of names.
it is the unwritten rule in the entertainment industry. In exchange for money and fame, I guess most A list stars now were once in her shoes, especially those who have no good university degrees or some sort of family background.
it should be interesting to see who else is on the list.
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gykey
March 7, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Are you saying that CJW is one of them in those files during her coffee serving days? Now she has made tons of money, have fresh smell linen, she can raise a young husband inferior to her now . Sorry LJW, you will have to bow to your elderly wife daily like you did to your mother. You have a lot chores to do when you move into her bungalow. First thing .. come.. warm up my feet....
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 1:04 AM
It is within your conservative imagination of cjw, and your wild imagination of her puppy!!!
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gykey
March 7, 2011 at 4:18 AM
Uh? Puppy? Conservative and wild.. sounds confused. Wild imagination on noona and conservative on leashed puppy or the other way round. Yucks! I don't want to eat zucchini anymore.
SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 5:23 AM
the puppy was once coined the "sausage boy" in the army because he wanted an extra sausage, but was first denied, so like his usual styles that wanted publicity, made a big show over this denial, he was then granted an extra sausage.
You may be finding it yuck to eat zucchini, but please remember don't fight with CJW or her doggy over a sausage!!!
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23 grasya
March 6, 2011 at 11:50 PM
as in, you were right when you mentioned him being Choi Ji Woo's boyfriend --- I immediately remembered him, hahaha.
I love seeing Lee Dong Gun ♥♥♥
isn't Hyun Bin supposed to enter the service today too?
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Google Hun bin, you will see him squat down and pay homage to you, while wiping his tears big time....sob!sob! Sob?
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grasya
March 7, 2011 at 2:33 AM
haha, i'm sobbing! : )
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Shin mi rAe
March 7, 2011 at 7:30 AM
Right you are. Binnie's tears made me cry.
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24 chong
March 7, 2011 at 12:50 AM
okay. im really confused abt the whole compulsory army thing. do these men get to go home on weekends/special holidays? Or do they just stay in camp for 2 years, losing all forms of contact with the outside world?
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 12:59 AM
He has 6 to 10 days off per year where he can leave the camp and having time to play doggie to his noona. The rest of the holidays, they accrued it, in order to get early release.
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tjack
March 7, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Oh I didn't know that. Thanks for the information.
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25 sakura
March 7, 2011 at 2:30 AM
andy oppa..!!!!
wah long time no see...^^
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26 Jen
March 7, 2011 at 4:28 AM
I would shave my head and pretend to be a Korean man just to join their platoon. LMAO!
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Linda165
March 7, 2011 at 5:07 AM
LOL
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27 Linda165
March 7, 2011 at 5:06 AM
LOL @ Javabeans' refusal to mention Hyun Bin's name :)
Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin
Hyun Bin
I still haven't seen Lee Jin-wook acting, but Someday is in my to watch list :)
Andyyyyyyyy!! so cute :)
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JJ
March 7, 2011 at 4:30 PM
cld it be that JB is not one of the biggest fans of HB? :) Joke joke coz she didn't mention his name & we all know who she's talking about!
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28 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 5:40 AM
Where's noona? hiding? No where to be found?
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 5:54 AM
Having dinner now inBusan with Japanese fans!!
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29 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 6:30 AM
Damn those inconsiderate fans... poor noona can't be with her puppy...it's been 2 long years ....shouldn't the first impression counts?! What was she thinking!!!
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 6:41 AM
Em...please use a bit of imagination...hehe...he may be now warming her feet in busan!! Well, absence makes the heart grow fonder!!
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30 maryta
March 7, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I SO SAD THAT MY FAVORITE ACTOR TO GO TO THE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE YOU Hyeon Bin
BE CARE OF YOURSELF
WE WAIT FOY YOU
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31 DryedMangoez
March 7, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Thanks to Someday (which is the poeticly beautiful drama Cinderella's Sister should have been), I am a big fan of Lee Jin Wook (and Bae Doona!).
Air City and Rivals/Powerful Opponents were alright. (Rivals had Kim Yoo Jung as the cute, precocious daughter before she became all award winning, fierce and awesome in Gumiho. Hehe).
Before & After was fun and I've only seen a couple of Filipino-dubbed episodes of his City of Glass.
I wonder if his first project though will be with Choi Ji Woo in her new drama. That would be cool.
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 10:31 AM
We have already discussed about this possibility in cjw's new project!
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32 Yoori
March 7, 2011 at 3:31 PM
I think LJW is mediocre as an actor but he was hilarious in Family Outing!
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 4:04 PM
If he is good in his acting, he would have already made it to the top before enlisted into the army. No worries, his nonna will help him.
Have you watched the actresses, GHJ brought along a young chap and introduced him to all the actresses, he would be tagging along like Lee Mari's doggie (the body guard) and being introduced to the right people.
There are only 3 possibilities (1) cjw is using him as a spare tyre and in turn he gets the publicity while in prison/army. (2) cjw is still using him to shelter her true Mr. Right, but he knowingly collaborate with her because he is smitten (3) both of them are really in love!!
Dramabeans thinks is possibility no 3, I think it is possibility 2.
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snooty
March 7, 2011 at 8:52 PM
Drama beans is diplomatic over here to give the nice comments.
What do you mean by shelter?
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Shelter means she wants to protect the identity of the mr.right!!
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snooty
March 8, 2011 at 1:26 AM
Ah! This is called drowned in the puddle.
SpongeBob
March 8, 2011 at 1:41 AM
Hehe..exactly, she very good at putting up smokescreen. Somehow, she is now loosing her purity aura, and beginning to show her fox tail.
Well, in respect of loosing her aura, I am just borrowing the experts wording from the recent survey in Seoul about 10 top A list stars. Most of them failed quite miserably, and I find the experts comments quite constructive and neutral.
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33 JJ
March 7, 2011 at 4:28 PM
i agree it's nice i mean always nice to see someone returning fr their service & he's one of my fave actors in Korea! welcome back! too bad CJW wasn't around to welcome him back coz of her schd i gathered! oh how nice to see the other actors saying g/byes...i missed those guys like Lee dong gun,lee wan etc. Most of all i miss my no. 1 Kim ji hoon! :)
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34 deyaa
March 7, 2011 at 6:42 PM
i just want to say..the moron spongebob is back...lol
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 8:15 PM
When have I offended you?
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35 Pingu
March 7, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Absence makes the heart grow fonder?? Why didn't she do something during those 2 long years?
Spongy is getting smarter these days...Welcome back!
And I beg to differ on "smitten" bitten more like it?
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Do what during those 2 years? bear in mind she started her new firm in April 2009, I believe it is hardly break even. The reasons being simple, her fixed costs is too high and she has many mouths to feed. Unlike BYJ who has many artists to leverage on and spread the cost.
furthermore, I believe her shop which sells shoes are not doing that well. Again wanted to reiterate that it is a bad fengshui to open a shoe shop. She is not Jimmy Choo, a professional shoes designer. Just imagine she is wearing somebody shoes and asking you to buy her shoes. Even if she is good in designing the shoes, every step you take, you step on her good name.
Why welcome me back, I am just changed name. You know in the year of rabbit, In the name of a dog and mouse is no good. So, I abandon Bolt and Mickey and adopted a name which can soak up a lot of water.
This year of rabbit is wood over metal, and you have already seen the turbulence in north africa and the middle
east. It is also a year that short of water, so it is best to soak up water and sit tight with with piles of cash and gold I.e. Do nothing!!
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36 mizweng
March 7, 2011 at 10:03 PM
welcome back lee jin wook... if it's really true that cjw and ljw continued dating throughout the 2 years military service (and even now) then it shows what a strong relationship this 2 has... am so happy and i have all the respects for both of them... may your love flourish more and end in wedding bells? huh wishful thinking....
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SpongeBob
March 7, 2011 at 10:32 PM
putting aside the different level of accumulation of wealth, fame and goodwill, albeit both were college dropout, the biggest different is gene ration gap. CJW belongs to Generatiin X and LJW is a Generation Y.
To make her compatible to him, I guess we are going to see more of ajuhma trying to play cute type of behavior and demeanor from CJW. That will be really GROSS!! CJW should just acts her age and show her maturity through the action and deed, and not through her look. Aging is one way, and she cannot reverse, but she can retain her genuine good nature (I presume she is one), while continue to uphold humility, generosity and show the right amount of maturity.
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37 tqah.y
March 8, 2011 at 2:13 AM
I spot Andy!! Can't wait for his comeback with Shinhwa. :D
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38 Cam
March 9, 2011 at 7:41 PM
LEE WAN!!!!!! I AM GLAD TO SEE LEE WAN WHO TALKED TO LEE JIN WOOK!!!! (my admirable favorite actor Lee Wan is at LAST picture)
YAYAY!!!!!!!
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39 flyfry
March 9, 2011 at 11:18 PM
More of spotted other heart throbs inside pictures than the real Lee Jin Wook. BTW, where is he? Will he do the smooching drama with CJW? CJW has done a lot of smooching dramas with big name actors (and fairly failed). That method won't work this time. Drama should be drama that audience want to follow the genre , not the boyfriend/girlfriend cheap publicity smooching by using screen time on TV to get the ratings swell from bed scenes.
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SpongeBob
March 10, 2011 at 4:07 AM
No more smooching, but lots of tender loving care of her patients, with some flying and frying along the way!!
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blueberrybear
March 11, 2011 at 3:12 AM
Dear popseoul, how could you say mother CJW and son LJW? ha ha ha. Your outspoken remarks can break them apart faster than we expect.
http://popseoul.com/2011/03/10/are-lee-jin-wook-and-choi-ji-woo-in-trouble-like-hyun-kyo/
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40 tb
March 13, 2011 at 3:38 AM
I vote for "SpongeBob" and "ginganggolli" a couple! They give me a good laugh. haha....
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41 snoklingshrimp
March 15, 2011 at 1:06 AM
Choi Ji Woo donated 200 million won for Japan's earthquake victims. I think she makes her bank account fat from Japanese CFs. 200 is too little for A-listers like her. Even rookies, came up with nearly on par with the amount. Anyway Japan is in serious disaster at the moment. She can't rely on Japanese gold cash to sell her projects to show off her boy on stage.
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SpongeBob
April 10, 2011 at 11:17 AM
I think CJW is in a dilemma now!! while all the boys are now resorting to merger of their management company, it is just a matter a time that she either merged with some other bigger management company or completely disappear as a star. I believe, her time is approaching. Her popularity will last under age 38.
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SpongeBob
April 10, 2011 at 11:18 AM
I think CJW is in a dilemma now!! while all the boys are now resorting to merger of their management company, it is just a matter a time that she either merged with some other bigger management company or completely disappear as a star. I believe, her time is approaching. Her popularity will last until age 38.
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42 just saying
May 18, 2011 at 8:49 AM
the romance is over...
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/04/choi-ji-woo-lee-jin-wook-end-their-five-year-relationship
it was a relationship that never was...I think CJW was on the verge of falling for YJT (that sizzling on-screen chemistry was crossing over to reality) in Star's Lover and needed a distraction...after all YJT was taken and she cannot be seen as a boyfriend grabber....that's what I think but that's just me...
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