From the Past

A. Ho from Hong Kong sent this great photo to me a while ago. My apologies for taking so long to post it.

The text below the photo is by A. Ho
Click image to enlarge.

Hi Ann,
I found the attached picture on the TVB website. It was taken early this year when Oh Ji Ho visited Hong Kong for the Diesel party. He was pictured with the tv host, Sung Chi Ling who interviewed him. She is of Chinese-Korean descent and speaks fluent Korean. She wrote in her blog that she had high opinion of the actor.
Cheers,
A.

Back half on track...one foot over the cliff

Dear viewers,
I have generally gone out of my way to avoid personal situations or data to enter this blog. I am not always so disciplined. I do think it is obvious I have been away for longer than anticipated. To those loyal souls who stuck with it for so long, I say Thank You for your loyalty. My reason for absence is private, but I do apologize for not updating a return date for you. I didn't know when, or even if, I would resume maintaining this site.

At this point it's a matter of personal desire. Any feeling this is obligatory for me turns it into the kiss of death. If I can proceed pressure free, things will probably return to normal...whatever that is.

While I'm chatting along, allow me to introduce Marianne to you. Marianne has become a loyal follower of this blog, and is most welcome. She COOKS. She cooks KOREAN FOOD. You must see her blogs. Chopsticks optional.

Something Nice For Sunday

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Mystery

I have no idea what the story is behind this photo. My first thought was "seasick?" That's improbable. The shot was a vague image in color. Converting it to B&W did help, but the image still has a peculiar resolution. All this jabber explains why I labelled it "Mystery". It is to me.
Click image to enlarge.

Here

Returned conditionally. Say nothing.

I am an individual split by the desire to sleep in my cave, and/or to stretch my hand into the sunlight past the entry way.

Typhoon Fengshen

To my friends and readers from the Philippines,

I am deeply saddened and distressed to learn of Typhoon Fengshen, and of the resulting loss of lives.

It is also true that many are waiting for word of the lost. My dearest wish is that your loved ones will be found alive.

I convey my deepest condolences to the families who have suffered deaths of their loved ones.

There are no correct words for this.

You mean so much to me. My comments here are not hollow. I grieve with you, not only for lives lost, but also, for all the pieces of your lives you may have lost.

Hyacinth

Chocolate melts

...but then it becomes syrup to put on ice cream.

I am aware Oh Ji Ho had a few difficult moments onstage, and in fact left the stage, but returned to sing a song he had flubbed.

I want to say a few words about that.

There are questions and comments regarding his shyness. That shyness is sometimes seen as peculiar; something people don’t understand. They feel, if he can do a drama for TV he should be able to get onstage and perform like a well trained seal.

In fact, there are few performers capable of going onstage without wanting to throw up first. Stage fright is one of the most common bonds among performers anywhere working with an audience a couple of feet away.

Working in front of an audience, singing, dancing, acting, or even being interviewed, is a major tension producer. It’s up close and personal. They can throw tomatoes at you, or boo you off the stage. The audience is like a beast at first. A scary one, with big teeth.

The biggest difference between doing a drama, and live audience work is the screw-up factor. You can’t take the screw-up back in front of an audience; although Oh Ji Ho bravely did just that. Bravo for him!

When was the last time you thought about how long it takes to get an hour’s worth of K- drama in the can? Try 20 hours. Not always, like everything else in the world, some days go like silk. But as we all know, they’re few and far between, and the hassle imps are always sitting there snickering, and coming up with new ways to make you fall flat on your face.

BUT in filming, you have all the opportunity in the world…time allowing, to take the screw-ups back. Over and over, until you get it right.

There is no comparison between shaking in your shoes in front of the beast, and being allowed to fix up your errors among friends.

So if you happen to be in an audience some day, and a performer flubs a line, or sings a flat note, hold your breath, and wish the best to them. They are there working to please you. How many people do you have in your life doing that?

Now I have an odd little present for you. It’s a quote.

“Fresh experience.”

“Trembling.”

That is a comment left by Oh Ji Ho at his Cyworld blog under a photo of him standing alone on a stage with a microphone in his hand.

The show? Chocolate.

It is a beautiful gem of honesty and vulnerability unveiled. A small offering to you from him. It is a gesture of trust in your good hearts. Cherish it.

AFTER WORD 10/27/08
I am very sorry to discover through a message from 'ZioSmile', the clip posted here has been removed from YouTube By Google, which now owns YouTube, and is working on owning the world eventually.

Something else will come along. I guess.

Everyone Loves Chocolate

"Chocolate", is the name of a program which is broadcast in Korea on SBS.

Oh Ji Ho and V.O.S. recently appeared on the show. The web is flooded with photos of the event, but this one is not shown prominently.

I selected it because it amuses me for a number of reasons, one being, an avid fan, a watermelon in the audience, cheering Zio on as any good watermenlon would. Another is the lavender/purple streak down Oh Ji Ho's back, causing him to look as though he's had a rest in a paint pot.
Click image to enlarge.


For those who do not have a sense of the absurd, or a sense of humor, I will point out it is a fluke of the light, and is actually someone's head that only looks like a watermelon. And of course, for those easily offended by any humor regarding Mr. Oh, I do know it's stage lighting. Lighten up...this site is here to inform and amuse.

On the business side with a tad less glamor, Oh Ji Ho's contract with Tremolo has been renewed. It never hurts to make money.

If you go to the Tremolo site, this popup will greet you. First popup I've ever seen that didn't irritate me.


Re my prolonged absence: In May I had a fall, and sustained some injuries. Obviously it didn't kill me, and I'm doing okay. And even though there are some out there who wish I would disolve or disintegrate, I am still here. Or, I was the last time I looked anyway...

You may laugh now.

Foreign News Correspondent A. Ho on the job!

Oh Ji Ho arriving at new Diesel store Grand Opening party in Hong Kong.
Original Source: yahoo.com.hk



Many thanks again A. Do you know this has not hit the Korean online news? Because of your efforts, we are scooping major Korean news sources. You deserve a huge round of applause!

Everybody, clap your hands for A. Ho! Make it loud enough to be heard across the world!

Oh Ji Ho, out and about...

Our diligent Hong Kong reporter, A. Ho sends this:

Oh Ji Ho in Hong Kong for Diesel Store opening

‘This is my fourth visit to Hong Kong. I’ll stay for 3 days to attend the Diesel events…. There may not be time for sightseeing,’ said Oh Ji Ho in English.

The Korean actor of Fantasy Couple, Oh Ji Ho, arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday (27 May) morning. He is in town to attend the star-studded grand opening party of Diesel’s high profile Hong Kong flagship store. Diesel is an Italian casual clothing brand which sets sights on hip baby boomer and ageing fashionistas amid a shrinking youth market. Last month, Diesel unveiled a new store in Tokyo, its biggest in Asia.

Oh came to Hong Kong with his two assistants. Two body guards sent by the sponsoring company and staff of the public relations agency were at the airport to greet him. Oh, in casual clothes, smiled and waved at the reporters though there were just few. He was vibrant and amiable even though his fans were nowhere to be seen.

Oh has gained popularity in Hong Kong after Fantasy Couple was aired last year. He has a huge following since a local paid TV station showed his other project, ‘Get Karl! Oh Soo Jung’, earlier this year. The media dub him ‘Si-lai Killer’ as he is particularly attractive to middle aged married women.

-A. Ho

(Sources: Mingpao Daily, Apple Daily and Singtao Daily, 28th May, 2008)

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Thank you A., for this excellent piece of news, as always, I am in your debt.

Cyworld's Back In Town!

Oh Ji Ho's Cyworld Homepage is back, up and running. It has a new look, but it's the same Zio.

His comments, which are sometimes very funny, are in Korean only. The tabs are now labeled in English, making the site easier to navigate.

There are many photos there to enjoy. Hop to it: http://www.cyworld.com/ohzio

He has moved on to a new management agency, Heavenly Star Entertainment. There is a new address, which is permanantly posted to your right.

This is it for quick reference now.

Mr. Oh Ji Ho
Heavenly Star Entertainemnt
35-7 Nonhyun-dong,
Kangnam-gu,Seoul 135-815,South Korea

The address will always be posted in the sidebar, just above "About Me".

It would be nice of you to send him a note wishing him well with his new management agency.

Changes are always expensive in some way. Starting up again is not easy, so let's make an effort on his behalf, and let him know we're out here, standing by him, and standing for him.

Respectfully

For some time posting here was suspended in respect for Myanmar and China as we joined in the sadness felt by so many.

But as nations rebuild and try to regain normalcy, it is time to resume here also. The sadness still hangs in the air, but you come here for diversion, and I feel the obligation to attempt to provide it.

Here's a bit of romance.
Click images to enlarge.

A Message From A. Ho - Hong Kong

Thank you very much for posting a blog entry on the China quake and thinking of the quake victims.

Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the 7.9-magnitude quake in Sichuan, China. The death toll is rocketing.

Just weeks ago, Myanmar, China’s neighouring country, was hit by a cyclone and a large number of survivors are desperate for relief aid.

In Hong Kong, people from all walks of life have pitched in to help the quake victims in Sichuan. Large amount of donations comes from business tycoons while other people do whatever they can to show their support to their countrymen.

May I appeal to the readers of this blog to lend a helping hand to those who were struck by the natural disasters? Keep the victims and the rescue workers in your prayer. Send donations to the charitable organizations which are organizing relief aid to China and Myanmar.

There is an old Chinese saying that goes like this, “Giving is happier than receiving”.

A. Ho
Hong Kong, China

Earthquake

I wish to tell my Chinese readers I am very sorry for the terrible tragedy that has struck China.

I have the selfish hope you do not have people in the region that was hit. But then, China is your ancestral home. The people are your people, and you will feel pain and sadness no matter where you live.

All I can give you is my heart.

I give it to you completely.

Words feel so hollow.

In sadness shared,
Hyacinth

Myanmar

It is with growing sadness and horror I read the statistics on the loss suffered by the people of Myanmar.

Please donate to an organization of your choice; one you believe is legitimate, and not self-serving, earmarking the money for Myanmar relief.

The devastation there is unbearable, yet the people will try to do the best they can to go on with their lives.

Such is the human spirit.

Please think of these people as you go about the business of your everyday life, and send a heartfelt wish to what ever you believe in, for the wellbeing of the survivors.

Thank you.
Ann