Bae says wrote book to understand Korean people and culture

"Yonsama" has debuted as a writer. His first book "Discovering the Beauty of Korea" which comes 15 years after his debut in 1994 TV series "Love Greeting", suits his nickname as the the 'Hallyu missionary'.

Actor Bae Yong-joon, along with 11 cultural artisans in various areas including pottery, traditional liquor and Hanbok designing, attended an event held to promote the publication of his new book at the National Museum of Korea, a day ahead of its release on Tuesday.

"Discovering" is a book composed of essays and accounts of travels written by Bae while he traveled throughout Korea for the past year meeting artisans who lead on Korea's culture. He wrote about what he experienced, learned and felt from the masters in various areas such as pottery, natural dyeing, varnishing with lacquer and traditional food. The book contains pieces on the actor's regular days, episodes with his acquaintances or photographs of him making Kimchi or pottery. Bae's hobby is taking photos so he took most of the photos in the book himself.

"The book does not contain professional material -- it's about the cultural experience of a beginner interested and studying in Korean culture," explains Bae of the book. But the book will have more than little influence on the actor's fans from overseas who stood in line to attend his promotional event.

Traditional lacquer artist Jun Yong-bok, who currently resides in Japan but was present at Bae's book promotion event, quoted Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's wife as saying her mother started learning Korean at the age of 80 because of Bae and is now relatively fluent. "I worked hard on my lacquer skills in Japan for the past 22 years but I don't go anywhere close to contributing to Korea-Japan relations as much as he did -- I sometimes envy him," Jun said jokingly.

Below is the joint press conference with Bae.

Q: We heard that your health deteriorated so you were admitted to the hospital then discharged. How are you feeling now?
Bae Yong-joon: I apologize deeply to my family [meaning his fans], my parents and everyone else. I regained a lot of strength from seeing my teachers [artisans] today. I had a hard time writing the book so I lost about 10 kilograms. That led to my health to deteriorate and I suddenly had to be hospitalized but I'm recovering now. I usually recover quickly so I'll be healthy again very soon.

Q: Your real job is a movie actor. I'm curious to know why you decided to write the book and how you feel completing it.
Bae: There are many reasons I decided to write the book but I remember being embarrassed at a press conference in Japan where I was not able to make a proper recommendation for a Korean tourist attraction. And it broke my heart to see my family from overseas [fans] come to visit me but return to their home country after staying on the shooting set. So I had originally planned on writing a book introducing tourist attractions and good restaurants with the thought of informing them about good places to tour in Korea. The reason I changed the concept of the book to be about my cultural experience was because I thought an understanding of Korean culture and its people would help (readers) find new meaning in places which they would usually consider trivial. And it was very difficult writing the book but I think it was easier to approach the topics thanks to my great teachers. Now, I am thankful I was able to complete it well.

Q: Were you really the writer of the whole book from beginning to end?(laugh)
Bae: I wrote it myself. (laugh)

Q: You introduce a variety of items such as traditional food, traditional liquor and pottery in your book. What is the process of thinking or reason you chose these items and do you think your finished product matches the original intentions you had for the book?
Bae: I chose subjects which I usually liked or had interest in and I also received recommendations. But the entire process -- of meeting the teachers, travelling and covering the topics -- was never forced but all happened very smoothly. Meeting one person after another through reading a book or newspaper, or by introduction from someone, made me think that this is what fate is about. Regarding the satisfaction level of my book, I honestly don't think people can ever be satisfied. I think that's why people continue to write. The hardest part in writing the book was completing the book by the copy deadline. It was really hard trying to meet it. I don't know why I could only write up against the deadline. (laugh) So I know that the staff which worked on the latter half of the book had a hard time. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to them.

Q: Can we expect for a second book then?
Bae: I think it's time for me to think about my next acting role because I have had a long break as an actor. But there really is a mysterious charm about working on a book. So if I get to write another book, I want to introduce Korea's tourist attractions and give restaurant recommendations but base it around photographs with little writing to make it more fun.

Q: Do you have any plans for a next movie, TV series or maybe becoming a singer?
Bae: I will never become a singer. Because I can't sing. I could sing for you if you come over to see me when I become a farmer later on. (laugh) I don't think I could have earned the title of 'writer' Bae Yong-joon if I didn't have the title of 'actor' Bae Yong-joon.

Q: Out of all the places you've been to during the past year, where is one place you would strongly recommend?
Bae: There are so many great places, it's hard to point out one in particular but the Hwangnyonsa Site in Gyeongju of North Gyeongsang Province was most memorable. There's nothing there anymore but it's a place which makes you think a lot and will also make your heart feel heavy. And when you come back home, its a place which makes you think, "I think there is something I missed. I should go back."

Q: It seems that all the artisans you worked with want to have you as their successor. We heard you set up a potter's wheel and lacquer worktable at home and continue to learn the Korean geomungo instrument. Which of these do you want to continue to pursue?
Bae: Farming. I want to become a farmer. I want to step on and feel the soil and I think it is a great joy being able to plant something, make it bear fruit and then feed that healthy food to someone. Of course, I would want to continue all the various skills I learned from my teachers but one occupation I would like to add on is 'farmer'.

Q: What is something you feel your book lacks in and could you please say a word for your readers?
Bae: I really studied hard but I think I still lack in many ways. I am particularly disappointed that I didn't have time to work properly on the latter half of the book because I wasn't able to meet the copy deadline in time. What it lacks most in is that there is an error on the second-from-bottom line on page 275 which says 'West Pagoda' when it's actually 'East Pagoda'. I am really sorry. And my book lacks in many ways but if there is something someone wants to learn about Korea or Korean culture, I think it would be nice for you to go with me on my journey at least through this book.

Reporter : Choi Ji-Eun
Photographer : Lee Jin-hyuk
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye