We’ve received a nice little message via our website from someone who hasn’t told us their name but lives in Texas. Yes, you read that right – not Korea, but Texas.

Why Texas? We haven’t got a clue.

We thought it might be a message from that blond guy with crazy hair who has just lost his job last week, and become a Kim Hyun Joong fan in some distant corner of his texan ranch, but after reflection we realised that he prefers Twitter so it can’t be him.

We have been “humbly” requested to stop talking about Kim Hyun Joong’s career! Why? And what right does this person have to make such an ask?

People who take it upon themselves to speak for other people and declare themselves “gatekeepers” tend to really wind us up, but more than that they tend to make us want to do the exact opposite of what they summon us to do.

We’ve recently seen quite a few examples of where intolerance on social media leads us to.

We’re not in the habit of censoring words or comments, although there are certainly times when we would like to.

We’re not really into self-censorship either, although some days it’s probably a good idea, right?

Anyway, we don’t like muzzles (although we all have to wear masks at the moment), and we’re in favour of FREEDOM OF SPEECH, a concept that hasn’t got through to everyone it seems.

Unfortunately for the sender, the message we got hasn’t had the desired effect.

In fact, it’s made us want to reveal more about a topic we touched upon only very briefly three days ago.

We were asked – very politely, we should say – to “keep it a secret” that Kim Hyun Joong plays the starring role in an independent film by the director Seewoo Kim and that the INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS (IIFA) awarded him a “DIAMOND AWARD” on 18 September.

Before it’s released, any movie would need to be publicised to people, and the first step for an independent film is to take part in as many festivals as possible around the world.

This is precisely what the film’s director seems to be doing at the moment, because our dear correspondent has informed us in passing (surely a case of do as I say but not as I do?) that the movie is hoping to be selected for next European Film Fest.

The reason for this warning was that we needed to “keep secret, this secret film,  secret secret”, as any information or photos relating to it “might harm Kim Hyun Joong’s career”, and might hurt the director’s chances too because the film mustn’t have any initial publicity if it’s to be selected.

Please go read that festival’s rules for prospective participants, as we have done– nowhere does it say this is a requirement!

That leaves us with two questions:

1/ Do you really believe that the professionals who select movies are so dumb that they aren’t aware which festivals films have already taken part in and which prizes they’ve already won?

 

2/ Do you really believe that festival judging panel members have the time or inclination to check out our fan site or the hundreds of Facebook accounts dedicated to Kim Hyun Joong?

 

We need to be both modest and realistic here – a fan has zero influence in pre-promoting a film. The proof is that this particular film has won prizes without any help from us. Let’s get our heads out of the clouds.

We’ve got a third question too, and every fan will know the answer to it.

Do you think it’s better to let the tabloid press do all the talking (and it certainly has got its sights on Kim Hyun Joong’s private life again, with certain gatekeepers delighting in passing on the news)? Or should we take our place at the table and try to raise the tone of the debate by discussing for once, what Kim Hyun Joong has so brilliantly accomplished and continue to accomplish in his career?

Throwing about ridiculous ideas like “breaking confidentiality clauses” while claiming not to be doing the exact same thing yourself is a very good way of demonstrating your own ignorance and wanting act instead persons whose job is to make judgements (JUDGES).
This sadly reminds us of past situations, doesn’t it ?

So let’s let Kim Hyun Joong and his representatives decide how to protect his interests and we’ll stick to what we know do best.

Let’s give him our support. Let’s keep talking (and talking and talking) about what he’s being up to.

Let’s go with him, listen to his music and watch his films, and let’s not forget that Kim Hyun Joong’s success is thanks first and foremost to HIS hard work and talent.

We’re sorry to have to tell you this but HE DOESN’T BELONG TO US!

 

 

It might disappoint certain ladies to hear this, but we’ll stay true to our beliefs and keep writing about anything and everything we feel won’t harm his integrity or career.

Here’s the (this time complete) trailer for the “secret” film currently entitled Jongnang (or Closet or The Farmer), which director of photography Mr Damien Beebe put online SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

As one of the main people involved in the movie, he doesn’t seem to think that he needs to hide his work, the sole purpose of which is to be seen.

We’re crossing our fingers that the film gets selected for European Film Festivals, and our only hope is that we’re in the front row when it’s shown in Paris or somewhere in Europe next year.

 

 

 

…

Also, stop making us have to write clarifications all the time.

Not only is it exhausting, it’s a waste of time and energy that we could spend feeling elated by and writing odes to Mr Hyun Joong’s stunning good looks

(a lighter subject but one we’re equally passionate about…)