its article varies from politics to entertainment gossips.
They do sometimes bring up the articles related to Korean entertainment but it is more a gossip article I have never bothered to translate it to share it with everyone.
I had read this article when the magazine came out last week, I did not feel comfortable of their wordings but its contents were mostly true, I have no objections to the article.
Since the original article in “Shukan Bunshun” has never mentioned that BYJ is wash-up, let me attach my version of translation of Shukan Bunshun article, the problem with Mainichi could be more clear to you.
I think the trouble lies with the writer / translator with Mainichi.
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source: Japanese weekly magazine ”Shukan Bunshun”
February 8th issue,
on sale: 1 February 2007
Japanese to English translation by tomato99
“Income Balance breakdown” of Yon-sama who plucked 10billion yen from Japanese Aunties
“He is now even called a ‘walking chaebol.’ Amount of tax payment is at top in Korean entertainment, and its amount is about the same as middle class company with good performance.”
(comment by media related person in Korea)
Bae Yong Joon (34) alias Yon-sama’s annual earnings were revealed other day.
Income amount was 4,268million yen.
Tax amount for his earning is 1,260million yen.
Highest exposure in Japan, Mino Monta’s annual earning is 550 million yen, and tax amount is 200million yen. You can easily understand how much BYJ has earned.
(tomato: Mino Monta is a famous TV celebrity in Japan who hosts many TV programs in Japan.)
“This sum of money is taxed to last year’s earnings, which is only for incomes of 2005.
Winter Sonata boom started in 2004 and you can pass out just by considering whole total of his income.” (same media person in Korea)
First of all, what is the breakdown of his 4.2billion yen income?
Answering to our interview, PR person at Yon-sama’s management company say,
“we do not have the details.”
But a reporter with a sports newspaper talked to us instead.
“Since the Hallyu wave, with his performance fee for the hit movie ’April Snow,’ endorsement for CFs, his income as actor totals to 890million yen.
Out of it, 780million yen is income from CFs for Coca-Cola, Sony and other companies.
Based on this calculation, his income purely from acting is about 110million yen.”
So, where does other income for Yon-sama come from?
“Sales of items like mobile phone straps, key holders which characters himself, photo books, DVDs ,and Winter Sonata typing software will lead to royalty earnings of total 3,350million yen.
This accounts for about 80 percent of his whole income.”(says reporter same as before)
Even though Yon-sama did not have any movie or drama appearance, he is making money in 2006.
“He starred in CF for Secom Japan, other incomes include usage of copyrights and portrait rights which add to 10billion won (1,290million yen).
He is also accessing to Pachinko industry, “Pachinko Winter Sonata,” which is based on story of WLS is becoming a great hit, this portrait right has earned him about 800million won (about 100million yen).” (says same media related person in Korea)
And last year, Yon-sama opened a Korean restaurant in Shirokane, Tokyo.
Our reporters have dined at the place, lunch course of 5,500 yen and a glass of soft drink for two persons, adding tax and service fee charge totaled to 14,500yen.
Even at this price, there was a waiting list of about two months and there are women fans still coming to dine there.
“Capitalizing on popularity of Yon-sama, price setting stands out as bullishness.
One of official goods, 10 fresh photos costs for 5500yen but it is selling like hot cakes.
A set of bottle of wine of his born year 1972 with a glass was sold last fall, at about 40,000yen.
In February a figure featuring a scene from WLS will be sold for 39,000yen.” (says same person)
From the beginning of WLS boom in 2004 to end of 2006, entire income estimates to close to 10billion yen (!).
It is more an admiration to know how much he has made, but for husbands who have wife who is Yon-sama fan, there are more stories that may cause you headache….
This year Yon-sama is aggressively working in acting.
At current, he is shooting TWWSG at Jejudo which is a TV drama of a story of King in Goguryeo period. It is scheduled to be aired in Japan and Korea in May.
“His company is planning to make the shooting locations and sights to be tourist spots.
Like boom with WLS, there will be fans flooding in from Japan.
They are expecting sales of about 6.4billion yen and 60 or 70 percent will be income for BYJ.”
(says same person)
And his business in Japan is still expanding.
“There will be new machines for Pachinko, and from January members limited mobile-phone site has started.
Also, the company will cooperate with Sanrio, company famous for popular Kitty character, and expand business with producing character products.” says a sports newspaper reporter.
Anyhow, some of the fans are shifting to “handkerchief prince.”
Dear husbands, a little more patience…..probably.
“handkerchief prince” is a baseball player who took away hearts of aunties last summer.