[News] Bae Yong-joon fuels ‘Dream’ in Japan.

[News] Bae Yong-joon fuels ‘Dream’ in Japan.
Cr. - koreajoongangdaily

Bae Yong-joon, the actor whose popularity in dramas such as 2002’s “Winter Sonata” helped spark the Korean Wave in Japan, made his first public appearance there in nine months at an event on Sunday.

The event, held at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama City, was organized to celebrate the Japanese release of the “Dream High” DVD. It was attended by approximately 12,000 fans who had preordered the DVDs.

“Dream High” aired on KBS in January and February this year and was co-produced by Keyeast, a Korean entertainment agency owned by Bae; JYP Entertainment; and CJ Entertainment. It follows a group of young people at an arts high school aspiring to be stars.

Both Bae and Park Jin-young, a singer and music producer and the CEO of JYP Entertainment, had cameos in the series.

At the event, Bae and Park, who was also in attendance, announced plans to create a prequel to the drama.

Bae, speaking in Japanese, also offered his condolences to victims of the March earthquake.

As a testament to Bae’s enduring popularity in Japan, when Bae rolled down the window of his car upon arriving at the venue, smiled and said hello, many of the fans who were standing nearby burst into tears, Japan’s Sankei Sports daily reported.