I'm breathless trying to catch up with all the news, photos and vods. Thank you to all who shared with us... ^^

After reading some of the reviews and articles, I'm a little puzzled so I'm going to put in my 2 cents worth of opinion. Now I have yet to watch the movie, so I can't comment on how the movie is like personally.

But it seems to be that the critics don't really like the movie because they feel it is:

1) It is catering to Japan and Asia market
2) It is too much like WLS

Catering to Japan and Asia market
In today's global market, it is hardly surprising anymore to see mutli nationalities coming together for a movie. Just think of Musa, 7 Swords, The Myth and The P:romise. Are they catering to the different markets? Of course they are. It is the best and easiest way to do so- both for the actors and the movie companies. There is nothing wrong with that. Every actor and movie company would like to go beyond their own country borders.

So it seems to me that if BYJ's aim was to cater to the Japan market, then he should have acted in Japanese movie (of which he had plenty of offers and declined).

And if Dir Hur's aim was also the Japan market, then he wouldn't have chosen such an adult theme (adultry) and there definitely would not be any bed scenes. And of course, he would have put in more heart wrenching/ crying scenes.

I've watched both Christmas in August and One Fine Spring Day and personally I like Christmas in August much more. But neither movies are the types that will evoke extreme emotions... it is a quiet type.. like the hundrum of everyday life. That is his speciality. Some people like it but some people found it boring and thought the movies were no big deal. Movies are subjective and you cannot please everyone.

It is too much like WLS
If I remember correctly, BYJ confirmed the movie before the script was ready and the lead actress confirmed. He knew the rough storyline but not the whole script. He chose the movie because of the director, as he has mentioned in so many of his interviews. After the success of WLS, when he was choosing his movie in 2003, he received many similar WLS genre scripts, of which they were all rejected by him. He wanted a breakthrough in his acting career and did not want to be remembered as the WLS guy.

So if he felt April Snow was in any way similar to WLS, he would never taken on this project.

If the critics felt that it was similar to WLS, then I think it's because they were sub-consciously and perhaps even deliberately looking for signs of it. Because to them, their image of BYJ is still Kang Jun Sang or Lee Ming Hyeon in WLS. This is not the fault of BYJ.

BYJ has become very well known and taken Asia and in particular, Japan by storm. And I've wondered, especially lately, is it good or bad for him? Because anything he does will be srcutinised, analysed and critisied 100 times more so than the other actors. The media watches his every move, thinking, "Does this guy have any real talent or is he popular just because he looks good? He's an idol with a great smile and is able to charm all these ladies. But can he act?"

But as I've said before, BYJ, picks his roles according to his choice and he does the movie not because of a few movie critics. He did it for the masses. So if we, the movie goers think it's good and support the movie resulting in box office results, then the media will have to write a different tune in the end.

It's now 2pm in Korea. All my friends are in the hall now, waiting for BYJ to appear, waiting for the movie.

My heart is there, saying a silent "hello" to him.

In the meantine, I will count down to the days when April Snow premieres in Singapore.

[size=18]April Snow Charity Premiere- 5th October
April Snow Singapore Premiere- 13th October
April Snow Singapore bunggae- 15th October