Jang Hyuk publishes collection of personal essays
by javabeans
Bookish and writerly are hardly the first two words that pop to mind when thinking of Jang Hyuk (IRIS 2, Tree With Deep Roots, Chuno)—and maybe not even the last two words, really, in that they are words I would never think to pair with him at any point of any sort of adjective-naming game. But here we have the brawny quintessential beast-man becoming a soon-to-be-published author as he releases a new book of essays. Who woulda thunk?
Granted, it’s not exactly a hardcore literary tome, and falls more in the realm of celeb pet projects (which is a nicer way to say vanity project, I guess). But the essay collection, titled Jang Hyuk, Hot-Blooded Man, is his frank and honest take on his life and experiences and ought to make fans happy to get a little bit closer. Through the book, we’ll get a glimpse inside his life, told in his personal voice; Korean stars really do get the concept of fanservice in such a broad, complete sense. So while it’s not like I expect his essays to be stunning artistic creations, I do anticipate that the simple, straightforward charm that makes him appealing as an actor will be present in his writings as well.
Jang Hyuk’s essay book will release on August 6, and shortly afterward his new movie, disaster blockbuster The Flu co-starring Su Ae, will open on August 15. Jang Hyuk is also currently appearing in the popular MBC real-variety program Real Men, which has been adding a nice boost to his popularity. Which he already had, of course. But who’d ever argue against more popularity?
Via My Daily
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1 abbusa
August 5, 2013 at 4:24 AM
How I wish I could read Korean smoothly now! :(
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2 ryoko
August 5, 2013 at 4:30 AM
You know, I'm actually not that surprised, based off of what I saw of him when he guested on Family Outing.
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houstontwin
August 5, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Yes, I am not sure how bright he really is, but he certainly has a philosophical inclination.
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cm
August 5, 2013 at 3:18 PM
Yes, I'm not surprised either after hearing him recite poetry on Real Men and sketch. There is something atypically philosophical about him.
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kate
August 11, 2013 at 10:36 AM
I've read before (during Success Story of a Bright Girl) that he has a 155 IQ.
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Thats very nice movie i have get it iris season 2
August 15, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Nice for watching
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3 altair
August 5, 2013 at 4:46 AM
Jang Hyuk will forever be remembered as The Slave Hunter. That role was so powerful and so perfectly delivered that it places him in the top 10 (maybe top 5) of the best drama performances EVER! Having said that, in all the variety shows/interviews I have seen Jang Hyuk, he was boring at best and had very little to say. It was like the hosts were trying to get the words out of him by force. His attitude is always like: "I have bestowed the grace of my presence upon you, do you also want me to speak/be funny/witty/nice?! Blasphemy!" If that is how he is in real life, better not quit your day job!
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Lilian
August 5, 2013 at 6:16 AM
The Running Man episode starring him was not too bad! Maybe just stick to more action and less talk for variety?
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DramaFan
August 5, 2013 at 6:36 AM
When we talks in variety he might come off as awkward but the hosts have fun with that so I personally have never seen a problem with this. And It is surorising to me that anyone would interpret his awkwardness as feeling "superior". He is just serious and shy but when he opens up he is hillarious. Most people comment on how down to earth he is. And even if he wasn't, not everyone has the "right" personality to shine in Variety and that doesnt mean that a person has nothing interesting to say outside of them. Still, I can see why some people might perceive him as "boring".
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Alinka
August 5, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Yep. Second that. His performance in Running Man was not so bad.
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Gumi
August 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Hmm, have you watched Family Outing or Real Man? Or Healing Camp? Or Running Man or Danbi? He talked a loooooooot in those. Actually, in most of his shows, he was super talkative. Also his interviewers always comment that he talks a lot, sometimes even too much. So I'm not sure which show you watched...
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Ann
August 5, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Check out the old Win-Win where he guested for Cha Taehyun. He was hilarious in that. Also, he did a recent Incarnation with one of his buddies (who was in Tree WDR) and encouraged the buddy to make fun of him, so the buddy could get some airtime. He apparently has a hard time coming up with things to say, but when he starts talking about something that he is interested in, he can talk your head off. My husband is exactly like that. Don't ever ask him about cars if you you only have ten minutes to spare.
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mary
August 5, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Actually, he seemed like a very audience-conscious guy in Family Outing. Like practicing jokes beforehand and feeling devastated when they don't work. LOL
In that sense I can see him being into writing. He's probably the kind of guy who goes home and reflects on everything that happened, then figures out a witty comeback or a good line 3 hours AFTER the fact. Haha
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Drama Fan
August 6, 2013 at 11:03 AM
That Family Outing moment was hilarious. Timing is now!!! Did someone order the hwangii? or something like that lol! poor guy! And then I loved his tantrums when nobody laughed! He is "odd" but I like his "weirdness". It makes him "unique" and he seems to be a nice guy after all. People tease him a lot in variety and interviews, specially about the time he takes answering questions and the fact that he talks a lot and looong and the fact that he tries to always say something "meaningful". He just blushes, laughs and takes it like a man! lol
As an actor, I find him brilliant. I can perceive that sometimes he does go "over the top", but I've never felt he was "one note". I do love his intensity, he might go overboard, but he always feels genuine to me. It is after all, a matter of taste :)
I really want to learn more about the book. I saw pictures and a video of the press conference, where people seem to be laughing and having a good time, but I don't know what they are saying. Ahhhhh the frustration of not speaking korean.
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bd
August 6, 2013 at 3:02 AM
Eh, thought that JH (whom I like) overacted a bit in "Chuno" (as he also did in TWDR) and that his performance was a bit one-note.
As for his variety appearances, JH has a pretty odd persona (which can be good for laughs) and he is known to go off on "lectures" to castmates when filming.
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Megan
August 6, 2013 at 8:51 AM
He was pretty hilarious in Happy Together. Yoo Jaesuk had a lot of fun with him and they pretty much created a variety "character" for him.
I really loved him in Chuno. He fit the role so well.
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4 jane
August 5, 2013 at 5:39 AM
Its awesome! He never fail to amaze me.
Hyuk fans, please come to this thread to chat:
http://forums.soompi.com/discussion/13573/jang-hyuk-%EC%9E%A5%ED%98%81/p216
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5 Mystisith
August 5, 2013 at 5:59 AM
Interesting. The career of an actor is short (even shorter for the actresses). Some are lucky enough to keep working in the field once they are 40 but most of them disappear from our radars. I often wonder what they become.
Anyway, having hobbies and other potential income sources seems wise to start a second life. Writer it is...
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6 DramaFan
August 5, 2013 at 6:28 AM
I am actually surprised that some (most?) people have this image of his as a "quintessencial beastman". I have only been watching him for a few months, his past works and his participations in variety and interviews and I already dont have this imahe at all. The "real" Jang Hyuk appears as a quiet almost shy man. Maybe awkward in certain situations but you will have a hard time finding who has interacted with him who will tell you that he is not interesting or not humble. And in interviews, he tends to talk in riddles :p but if you pay attention there are deep thoughts and a deep honest guy behind the riddles. I am very interested in this book. And since he doesnt use social media I like that he is finding a more old fashioned but interesting way to get close to his fans.
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7 Pam
August 5, 2013 at 7:24 AM
Brawn and brain? Cool! He was amazing in Chuno! I guess he accredits pilates for that 6 pack of his....hmmm....
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8 CaroleMcDonnell
August 5, 2013 at 8:03 AM
I am so clueless about who he is but i like any kind of good honest biopic. But i gotta say i'm not exactly intrigued by the title. It definitely feels fan-servicey. Maybe it'll surprise everyone. I really have to work on reading Korean. Just in case Ji Hyun Woo comes out with a book. Thanks for the update.
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owl
August 5, 2013 at 4:42 PM
I liked him in Midas and IRIS 2, Carol. About a month ago, he was on Hwasin (Strong Heart 2) as a guest and had some interesting things to say. I get the impression he is intense and serious, but he seems to have a generous reputation, too. I am going to track down more interviews, as mentioned in the posts. I wish I read (and could translate) Korean!
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9 Gumi
August 5, 2013 at 8:22 AM
If you have read his interviews throughout, you won't be surprised. This man actually thinks deep and writes well, too. Interviewers who had interviewed him before all comment that he's surprisingly eloquent and very well read. He actually reads much, much more than average people do. I mean, when he was serving in the military, he secretly read in bathroom after light outs. The fact that one has hot abs doesn't mean he can't also be bookish. I'm looking forward his book, although I do worry it's not going to be translated well across language.
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10 canxi
August 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
I actually wouldn't mind reading that...
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11 owl
August 5, 2013 at 9:03 AM
He looks thin in the pic. And cerebral.
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12 kyleD
August 5, 2013 at 2:44 PM
oh! i am so going to buy that. just gotta find out where to order korean books... if that had been published, like.... yesterday i couldve just bought it in korea =/
also he looks really neat in that picture *_*
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13 Clumsy
August 5, 2013 at 4:41 PM
I loved him since I first saw him in "Windstruck". He is good in any genre. Best actor indeed.
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bd
August 6, 2013 at 3:04 AM
JH has really "hardened up" his look since "Windstruck" and I'm not talking so much his abs as his face (which was much softer for "Windstruck").
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14 Julia
March 5, 2015 at 2:22 PM
Does any one know where I can get a hold of his book?
Translated version preferably. English or Chinese.
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