Writing my last post about In Search of Winter Sonata brought back much memories. I know I’m not the only one missing the drama, Korea and BYJ. ^^ So it’s a very pleasant surprise to find out that both ONE and Animax, channels under Sony Entertainment will be airing Winter Sonata Animation this month.
Now for those who are not aware, Winter Sonata animation was created in 2009 and aired in Japan and Korea almost simultaneously. Consisting of 26 half hour epsiodes, the animation had the 2 original stars of the drama- Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo doing the voice overs. Personally, I think it was created more for the Japanese market with their love for animae, Winter Sonata, Choi Ji Woo and Bae Yong Joon (or Yonsama).
The animation differed slightly in the storyline from the original drama. It started off with Joon Sang/ Min Hyeong going off to New York and Yu Jin going to France.
WLS Animation trailer English subbed
There were many comments from the media, fans and viewers that the cartoon really looked like Joon Sang/ Min Heong (aka Bae Yong Joon) in the drama. What do you think?
How about Yu Jin (Choi Ji Woo?)
There was an event held @ Tokyo Dome to commemorate the airing of Winter Sonata Animation on the 29th September 2009, attracting over 40,000 fans (yup, that many). After 7 years, the fans could see Bae Yong Joon & Choi Ji Woo together on stage again…and they went wild.
The stars themselves kissed and the iconic snowmen kissed too. ^^
Winter Sonata Animation Tokyo Dome event on 29th September 2009
And here’s a clip from Arirang on Tokyo Dome event
Want to see part of the dubbing? Both Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo mentioned that dubbing was much harder than they thought.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIpBwkbtbN8
WLS Animation dubbing
One unusual aspect of this animation was that the last 10 minutes of the final episode featured live acting. That is to say, real actors. So both Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo filmed a different ending (some would say the dream ending) for the Winter Sonata Animation.
Here’s a clip behind the scene for the final episode.
There is a clip of the final 10 minutes out there in the cyberspace, but why spoil your fun and watch it in advance? Watch the whole animation and savour every part of it. But just to keep you going, here’s a photo from the final episode.
As I mentioned, there has been very little news of BYJ for a long time (beyond the fact that he’s still buying furniture for his new house). There’s also very little news of Choi Ji Woo (except that she has broken of with Lee Jin Wook). But surprise, surprise, there’s news of both of them.
Firstly, Choi Ji Woo is doing a romantic comedy drama with Yoon Sang-hyun. Entitled ‘Can’t Loose’, it is on MBC now. Quite funny.
And Bae Yong Joon? He was just in Tokyo a few days ago to attend Dream High concert together with JYP and the rest of the cast from Dream High. Sigh… I wish someone would organise the Dream High concert here. Any concert/ event organiser reading this post?
In the meantime, to get your dosage of Winter Sonata and Bae Yong Joon, remember to check out either Animax or ONE. They will both air the animation simultaneously though at different times. Animax will air the first episode @ 2pm whereas ONE will air it @ 6.50pm. There will be repeats of the drama so if you don’t managed to catch it on the 20th September, just check out the TV schedule and catch the repeats.
I’m looking forward to watching Winter Sonata Animation on TV and hearing my MAN’s voice again on TV.
Both Animax & ONE are on Starhub, so remember to subscribe to the channels if you want to catch it.
tks again tiff for sharing this “winter animation” that some may not know.
But, of course, as a “winter” lover we have been following both casts since day “winter” was shown back in year 2002. I can say this is also another classic collection for us that we cannot miss. It’s nice that we get to see it on SCV but it could have been better if the time slots is being schedule to say after 8 pm or even weekend coz most of us won’t be home by then to catch the animation. Anyway, I think it will be shown in other CH again just like “dream high” was firstly shown on KBS n now going to show on CH825.
Japan is famous for doing good animations, personnally I have viewed some of the scenes n think is a very well done animations n of course with Yong Joon n Ji Woo voices it is definitely a “perfect” production. I like the very last scene, n am excited to see the “real” persons in the final esp. The clip behind the last esp show a bridegroom in deep tots overseeing everything for a perfect wedding ^^ It was also nice for Yong Joon n Ji Woo to thanks their fans that love them so much thru “winter” by appearing at Tokyo Dome to commemorate the airing of Winter Sonata Animation. Again, it could have been better if both can also reach out to other fans overseas. Thou Japan may be the biggest market but “winter” has actually gone internationally, so why not for an “internationally outing too” ?
It’s nice “feel” that lately in Singapore, it seems that the media are missing Yong Joon much^^, recently, we saw “My Paper” featuring “BYJ Dendrobium” 胡姬花 n his “Gorilla in the kitchen” n now we will be seeing both his “winter sonata animation” n “Dream High” soon on SCV. As “winter sonata” is approaching its 10 year anniversary soon, let’s hope there are more talks or even events featuring this classic drama. So now, let’s sit back, enjoy the animation n bring back memories. And I am pretty sure, “winter” will have many more 10 years to go, right? ^^