What is happening in Indonesia: Hyun Bin's visit, The chronicle

It is like blessing in disguise, recent Hyun Bin's visit on Indonesia. While the rest part of the world is screaming and crying because they won't see Hyun Bin at any showbiz activities for 2 years according to his recent military duty started on March, 2011. On the contrary, I and my fellow Indonesia K drama addicts got the chance to meet him in person, which I doubt that we would have the same opportunity if he was not in his situation like right now.

Due to Indonesia National Army's anniversary on 5th October, and recent agreement between Indonesia and Korea on Indonesia’s import of T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft from Korea and join development of Korea-Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KIF-X) aircraft, Indonesia government had requested Hyun bin's visit to Indonesia to Korea Ministry of National Defense. With Secret Garden is currently airing in Indonesia, the popularity of the already popular Hyun bin has surged up even higher. With Korean Ministry of National Defense's approval, Hyun bin visited Indonesia as Korea defense industry ambassador on October 4 to October 7, 2011.

Hyun bin arrived at Soekarno – Hatta airport, Cengkareng, Indonesia, on October 4, night. The following day, October 5, he attended Indonesia National Army anniversary ceremony at Cilangkap. After, he, together with Korea ambassador for Indonesia Kim Young Sun, visited Indonesia Marine's headquarter at Cilandak. There, he watched sea craft infiltration demo and anti-terrorist invasion by Indonesia Marine personnel. Riding amphibian tank owned by Indonesia Marine, Hyun bin went to shooting area to try to do some shoot.

Planting a tree was one of the activities during his visit in Indonesia

His attendance in Indonesia National Army anniversary ceremony on October 5, successfully captured high enthusiasm from Indonesian journalist and hysterical fans. Even during outdoor lunch after the ceremony, he, looked uncomfortable, tended to avoid camera and tried to hide behind his sunbae and bars supporting the tent (Psst). He seemed not expect the massive crowd, the continual hysterical screaming, and of course the "mas bin" (it is like Hyun bin-ssi but it can be considerate as Hyun bin oppa in Indonesian (we don't have a word for Hyung) and imagine that was shouted by male Indonesian journalist. Pssst). Thankfully, he could go safely into his car, provided by Korea embassy, despite the crowd.

It would be such a waste, if there was Hyun bin, "the cousin of hallyu star", and Indonesia government didn't try to snag an opportunity to seize his fame to live up event and promote Indonesia army image. So, on October 6, Hyun bin presented as special guest in a live concert program at Cilandak hold by Indonesia Marine to celebrate their anniversary at the same day and aired in one of Indonesia television station.

He was wearing his green military uniform and came up to stage accompanied with translator. The first thing that he did was a solute to the audience. He appeared for 10 minutes and went through a short interview. No singing. He looked formal, confused and out of place, meanwhile brilliantly maintained a friendly appearance like he has been trained for years. The hosts of the show seemed know nothing about K entertainment (My K drama addict bias could interfere, no thing look the same after you become an addict). One of the host asked how Secret Garden had been going on like the drama is still in shooting time, in production (Guys, Secret Garden is not Indonesia drama that has no storyline, no character development, no ends, with crappy music, bad  camera angle, and cheap setting.Yes, I'm cruel that way. Actors are moving on, trying new dramas, movies, military service, and New Character. I mean it, New Character, not just a lame name change). He smoothly refused to talk about his drama Secret Garden by saying he came to Indonesia as Korea defense industry ambassador.

Hyun bin was asked about Korean-Indonesia relationship, his view about Indonesia army, and his expectation on two countries' join in military program. On which it was kind of strange to me when the host continued referring to “his” view, “his” expectation when questioning. Should be anything that Hyun bin says refer to Korea as a country? It was not about his but about what Korea expect and want to see in the future because he was represent him self as Korea representative. The funny thing is when he was asked about in the matter of his recent duty, he was answering like he just read the stuff right from the script and his expression changed from confused to.... Flat.

We were scaring you, weren't we?

And why the question about girlfriend had to bring up in this session? I wonder if he has already been sick and tired with this kind of question. Because I am. Because he is "Korean defense industry ambassador", duh! Because I think the question about girlfriend/boyfriend and what type girl/boy that the actor like should be just left behind and let them rest. Because they are just stupid and mostly we are gonna get the same answer, NO, Eopso, Eopseumnida. Sigh and one of the hosts tried to make a guess or a tease (I don't know which one): Is not Han Ji-eun? Come on guys try harder, she has a real name and Hyun bin is not Rain.

I always consider Hyun bin as an actor with a good head over his shoulder. He is not just a pretty face. Supported with good management, his career has been steady up. His acting ability has improved over the year. It is not like Lee Seung-gi’s boy next door image, but no doubt he has this good image (the man whom you want to marry ahem). Scored almost perfect in physical examination (huh like it is not obvious already), he enlisted to military service as a combat soldier in Marine Corps, when many his fellow actors choose to go to PR unit. Many people praised him for it, and here's come a better and better image. So then Hyun bin fans are furious when they find out that Hyun bin got to do many PR jobs, they are not supposed in Hyun Bin’s job list as combat soldier. A participant in Marine marathon competition. A MC for Marine Corps band concert. An ambassador for army industry. A photo book. A Controversy.  

I still don’t get it what Indonesia government thinks requesting Hyun bin’s visit to Indonesia. It is to seal the deal? Yeah, whatever. I still don’t find necessary to have him here for that (not that I complain :P).  Watching him on television brought mixed feeling to me, somewhere between giggle and cringe. I saw an actor playing robot with gun, tank and fancy aircraft. But hey a man got to do what he got to do. It is military. He is Hyun Bin. There’re two years of military service. He did what he can do best. I do wish Hyun bin will come to Indonesia in better occasion, playing himself.

P.S: Can I request Rain for next birthday anniversary :D

Oh such a cutie 

현빈 (Hyun Bin) - 그남자 (Geu namja) That Man
[lyric, romanization]

한 남자가 그대를 사랑합니다
Han namjaga geudaereul saranghamnida
그 남자는 열심히 사랑합니다
Geu namjaneun yeolsimi saranghamnida
매일 그림자처럼 그대를 따라 다니며
Maeil geurimjacheoreom geudaereul ttara danimyeo
그 남자는 웃으며 울고 있어요
Geu namjaneun useumyeo ulgo isseoyo

얼마나 얼마나 더 너를
Eolmana eolmana deo neoreul
이렇게 바라만 보며 혼자
Ireoke baraman bomyeo honja
이 바람같은 사랑 이 거지같은 사랑
I baram gatheun sarang i geojigatheun sarang
계속해야 니가 나를 사랑하겠니
Gyesokhaeya niga nareul saranghagetni

조금만 가까이 와 조금만
Jogeuman gakkai wa jogeuman
한 발 다가가면 두 발 도망가는
Han bal dagagamyeon du bal domangganeun
널 사랑하는 날 지금도 옆에 있어
Neol saranghaneun nal jigeumdo yeophe isseo
그 남잔 웁니다
Geu namja umnida

그 남자는 성격이 소심합니다
Geu namjaneun seonggyeogi sosimhamnida
그래서 웃는 법을 배워봅니다
Geuraeseo uneun beobeul baewobomnida
친한 친구에게도 못하는 얘기가 많은
Chinan chinguegedo mothaneun yaegiga maneun
그 남자의 마음은 상처 투성이
Geu namja-e maeumeun sangcheo thuseongi

그래서 그 남자는 그댈
Geuraeseo geu namjaneun geudael
널 사랑했대요 똑같아서
Neol saranghaetdaeyo ttokgathaseo
또 하나 같은 바보 또 하나 같은 바보
Tto hana gatheun pabo tto hana gatheun pabo
한번 나를 안아주고 가면 안되요
Hanbeon nareul anajugo gamyeon andoeyo

난 사랑받고 싶어 그대여
Nan sarangbatgo sipheo geudaeyeo
매일 속으로만 가슴 속으로만
Maeil sogeuroman gaseum sogeuroman
소리를 지르며 그 남자는
Sorireul jireumyeo geu namjaneun
오늘도 그 옆에 있데요
Oneuldo geu yeophe itdeyo

그 남자가 나라는 건 아나요
Geu namjaga naraneun geon anayo
알면서도 이러는 건 아니죠
Almyeon seodo ireoneun geon anijyo
모를거야 그댄 바보니까
Moreulgeoya geutaen pabonikka

얼마나 얼마나 더 너를
Eolmana eolmana deo neoreul
이렇게 바라만 보며 혼자
Ireoke baraman bomyeo honja
이 바보같은 사랑
I pabogatheun sarang
이 거지같은 사랑
I geojigatheun sarang
계속해야 니가 나를 사랑 하겠니
Gyesokhaeya niga nareul sarang hagetni

조금만 가까이 와 조금만
Jogeuman gakkai wa jogeuman
한발 다가가면 두 발 도망가는
Hanbal dagagamyeon du bal domangganeun
널 사랑하는 난 지금도 옆에 있어
Neol saranghaneun nan jigeumdo yeophe isseo
그 남잔 웁니다
Geu namjan umnida

Trivia:

Can you guess which one Hyun Bin's voice is? :D

Thanks to:
withhyunbin, fuzzy1260 for the videos
soompi, kapanlagi.com for the pictures
the jakarta post, soompi, ANTARA, Republika for the info