Chapter One Hundred Forty: The Course of Life

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Entertainment All Around — No Ads
Story Date: March 2007
Recommended Song: Park Hyo Shin — "Snowflower" (from the "Sorry, I Love You" OST)
Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional; any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental!

During the remaining days in Japan, Jiang Yihan was busy filming commercials. Since he was shooting an advertisement for Sony cameras, the process was somewhat complicated, making it quite challenging to complete the ad within two days. Fortunately, everything was successfully finished in the end.

Upon returning from Japan, the first matter to arrange was Lin Yue. Due to Jiang Yihan’s recent involvement in a rookie audition, the company ONE was conducting further selections to prepare new artists for debut. Therefore, the company was temporarily unable to schedule any new trainees. After lengthy discussions, it was decided that although Lin Yue has reached the level to debut, the company currently lacked the resources to prepare another newcomer. After much deliberation, they decided Lin Yue would continue her training at ONE to stabilize first, and the company would seek an appropriate opportunity to debut her later.

For Lin Yue, Japan was just a place to train, and this was also training—here, the conditions and treatment were even better than in Japan. She no longer had any extravagant desires; her mindset was to work hard and strive to realize her dreams.

Arranging matters for Lin Yue was not something that could be resolved overnight, so Jiang Yihan couldn’t spare much thought for it, especially since his schedule left no room for it.

Now Jiang Yihan was heading to record a visual broadcast. Visual broadcasting is essentially a radio show enhanced with live online video streaming. Today’s broadcast was being recorded in a public venue—a transparent glass room about the size of a classroom, with glass walls on all four sides, allowing clear views inside.

When Jiang Yihan arrived at the site, hundreds of fans were already crowded outside. At the sight of him, screams erupted in waves. Jiang Yihan smiled, greeted everyone, bowed politely, and then entered the glass room.

Today’s hosts were familiar faces: Park Kyung-rim and Haha. After exchanging greetings with them, Jiang Yihan took his seat.

“Oh, welcome our dear young master Jiang Yihan!” Park Kyung-rim said cheerfully. “It’s been a long time since we last saw you. You’re getting more handsome by the day. The more I look, the more I like you.”

Park Kyung-rim’s delighted expression was promptly teased by Haha, “What, you didn’t think Jiang Yihan was handsome before? You just didn’t like him then, huh?”

“Jiang Yihan is truly a long-awaited guest. Seeing him walk in feels like the whole studio lights up,” Haha, a seasoned host, knew exactly how to keep the conversation lively.

Jiang Yihan felt a bit embarrassed at the compliments from his seniors and could only laugh awkwardly.

“There are so many fans waiting outside. Some have been standing since morning, waiting all day,” Park Kyung-rim said, gesturing towards the densely packed crowd outside. “Jiang Yihan, you’re really popular.”

“Hehe, thank you all for coming to watch me record today. Please don’t forget to eat and be careful not to catch a cold!” Jiang Yihan waved to the crowd through the glass, eliciting another round of screams. Many fans felt that waiting all day was worthwhile thanks to his considerate words.

“Well then, let’s begin our first segment,” Park Kyung-rim smoothly transitioned. “Quick Q&A—a rapid-fire question round to find out the artist’s ‘favorites’.”

“Okay, Jiang Yihan, let’s start,” Park Kyung-rim said. “First question: What’s your favorite song from this third album?”

“Intersleep,” Jiang Yihan answered without hesitation.

“Whom do you most want to share this album with?”

“Ah? Brother Jang Dong-gun,” Jiang Yihan paused before answering, as too many names popped into his mind at once.

“What’s the food you crave most when dieting?”

“I’m not dieting; I’m gaining weight,” Jiang Yihan said innocently. “If I lose any more weight, there’ll be nothing left on me.”

“Ah, I envy you!” Park Kyung-rim exclaimed. “Then what do you like to eat most when gaining weight?”

“Chocolate and chicken.” After his answer, both Park Kyung-rim and Haha looked like they were drooling.

“What’s your favorite snack to have with alcohol?”

“I don’t like drinking, so I don’t have much preference for drinking snacks,” Jiang Yihan said. Park Kyung-rim and Haha looked surprised; drinking is a common way to bond both in Korea and China, so it was unusual that Jiang Yihan disliked it. However, their curiosity would have to wait as the segment continued.

“Which artist do you most want to get close to?”

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“Senior Yoo Jae-suk.”

“Oh, a great senior indeed!” Park Kyung-rim and Haha both expressed admiration.

“Who do you call most often among artists?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yihan hesitated but answered honestly, “Sister Lee Hyori and Jaejoong.”

“Oh, Lee Hyori…” Haha’s tone immediately turned playful, “And Jaejoong, whom we all know well. Looks like you have lots of friends.”

“What compliment do you most want to hear?”

“‘The album is great.’” For Jiang Yihan, affirmation of his music meant the most right now.

“What’s your favorite part of your own body?”

“My eyes.”

“Ha, I think your eyes are the most beautiful,” Haha said with a laugh.

“What body part of other artists do you envy most?”

“Ha, Jaejoong’s figure,” Jiang Yihan immediately said. “His physique is really great. I envy it a lot. Haha, I just can’t manage to get like that; I want to train to be like him.”

“What’s your favorite part of a woman’s body?” This question caused a stir outside again, making Jiang Yihan somewhat embarrassed.

“Ah, this question…” Jiang Yihan chuckled nervously before finally answering, “Clean, slender fingers. I really like that.”

“Most memorable line from a TV drama?”

“‘Sorry, I Love You,’” Jiang Yihan answered promptly, clearly holding this drama close to his heart.

“What’s your usual way of approaching girls?”

“Ah? Approaching? I don’t often do that,” Jiang Yihan said shyly and flustered. But Haha and Park Kyung-rim were not about to let him off that easily and forced him to come up with an answer. Jiang Yihan sighed in resignation, “Can I have your phone number?”

The moment he said this, loud shouting erupted outside, and amidst the noise, some fans could be heard calling out numbers, which made Jiang Yihan laugh.

“If you had a lover, which song would you most want them to hear?”

“Can I Love You?” Jiang Yihan answered, causing the hosts to cheer and the crowd outside to roar. Jiang Yihan had to smile awkwardly in response.

“What is the song you most want to listen to right now?”

“BIGBANG’s VIP.”

“Wow, Jiang Yihan revealed so many things we didn’t know in this segment,” Haha marveled. “That’s all for this segment.”

“Why is ‘Intersleep’ your favorite song on this third album, rather than the title track ‘Rainbow’?” Park Kyung-rim asked.

“Actually, this song was created during the toughest days last year. It carries so many emotions. Every time I listen to it, I recall a lot of things. Also, I personally really like this song,” Jiang Yihan said, feeling a bit shy after speaking.

“Earlier, you mentioned several people, including senior actors Jang Dong-gun and Yoo Jae-suk, as well as Jaejoong and BIGBANG. What kind of relationship do you have with them?” Park Kyung-rim asked. Her connections in the entertainment world were impressive.

“Brother Jang Dong-gun is like a big brother to me. Although we don’t meet often, we’re really close. He helped me a lot during tough times,” Jiang Yihan said. “I’ve met Senior Yoo Jae-suk many times and recorded several shows with him, but we haven’t had the chance to get closer yet. I hope to get to know him better.”

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“Yoo Jae-suk is very friendly and easy to befriend. Getting close to him shouldn’t be difficult,” Haha and Park Kyung-rim, both good friends of Yoo Jae-suk, chimed in. Kang Ho-dong is also very familiar with him, so Jiang Yihan’s wish to befriend Yoo Jae-suk shouldn’t be hard.

“Speaking of Jaejoong, we really feel like family. Sometimes he stays at my place and shares whatever’s on his mind. Haha. Plus, we’re almost the same age, just two months apart, so we get along very well,” Jiang Yihan smiled warmly. “I think most of my fans know how close Jaejoong and I are. As for BIGBANG, they’re talented juniors. I’m close with the members—they’re like dear younger brothers. Their music is great, and I really like it.”

Even while doing the show, Jiang Yihan didn’t forget to promote G-Dragon and the others from the group that debuted just over half a year ago.

“Jiang Yihan, you mentioned the song ‘Can I Love You?’ This was the top song of 2006 and really amazing. Could you sing a bit of it live for us?” Park Kyung-rim enthusiastically requested. Such a wonderful live opportunity couldn’t be missed.

Jiang Yihan didn’t decline. He sang softly into the microphone. His voice reached every ear in the venue. No matter how many times people heard his voice, there was a unique charm that drew them in completely.

When the song ended, the hosts reluctantly moved on to the next segment. “Choose the OST of your life—pick the song that leaves the deepest impression on you and share the story behind it.”

“Ah, there are many songs that impress me, but the first one that comes to mind is Park Hyo Shin’s ‘Snowflower,’ the OST from the drama ‘Sorry, I Love You.’ I really like it,” Jiang Yihan wrote his answer on a small board.

“Earlier, you also said the most memorable line from a drama was from ‘Sorry, I Love You.’ It seems you really love this drama. Can you talk about it?” Haha naturally brought up Jiang Yihan’s previous answer.

“Yes, I really like this drama,” Jiang Yihan’s eyes sparkled when talking about something he loved. “First, the line ‘Sorry, I love you’ is so sad—a love that cannot be fulfilled, which is heartbreaking. Every time I hear the theme song, memories of the drama flood back, and it makes me feel very sad. Although love is the main storyline, I am more moved by the family relationships—the unfulfilled motherly love and the tragic inability to reunite at the end really touch the heart deeply.”

“Indeed, this drama moved everyone in Korea,” Park Kyung-rim, who had clearly watched it as well, said. “The theme song ‘Snowflower’ naturally brings images of the drama to mind and evokes sadness. It’s truly a very beautiful and wonderful song.”

“Speaking of love, what is your ideal type?” Haha quickly jumped in with the question.

“Yeah, we checked your profile, and it doesn’t mention your ideal type. How about revealing it here on the show?” Park Kyung-rim encouraged. “But no vague answers like ‘appearance doesn’t matter as long as she’s kind.’ Give us something real.”

“Hahaha.” Jiang Yihan laughed awkwardly and hesitated before answering, “Actually, I really don’t have strict demands about appearance. But one thing is true: she has to understand my work. Because of my job, I have limited time and cannot spend much time with her, so she must be understanding.”

After Jiang Yihan’s words, his devoted fans clearly understood what he meant, and a quiet atmosphere settled.

“But the show must go on.” Park Kyung-rim pressed, “Come on, say something about appearance. Be specific.”

“Haha, appearance… straight hair, and a nice smile—that’s about it,” Jiang Yihan gave two simple traits, which immediately stirred the hosts to tease.

“Oh no, the beauty salons will be busy tomorrow with everyone going to get their hair straightened!” Haha laughed gleefully.

“Besides ‘Sorry, I Love You,’ is there any other Korean drama that left a deep impression on you?” Park Kyung-rim continued.

“Ah, ‘Autumn in My Heart,’ also known as ‘Endless Love.’ I watched it a long time ago, but even now, I think it’s a classic and very good,” Jiang Yihan recalled fondly. “I especially remember the scene where the two leads ride a bike through a tunnel that gradually blurs—it was really beautiful.”

“‘Autumn in My Heart’ is the first installment in director Yoon Seok-ho’s ‘Endless Love’ series. It’s truly a classic drama,” Park Kyung-rim remarked. “It was a pioneer of the Korean Wave, stirring a craze for Korean dramas across Asia back then. Both dramas you like are tragedies—do you prefer tragic stories?”

“Oh no, not really. Whether tragedy or comedy, a drama that leaves a deep impression is a good drama, and I like them all. I also really like and remember ‘Hong Gil-dong’ and ‘Full House’ very well,” Jiang Yihan quickly clarified. “I mentioned those two dramas just because they came to mind. I think tragedies and comedies evoke different feelings and leave different colors in memory. Maybe my mood lately suits tragedy, so that’s why I thought of them, haha.”

“Ah, I see,” Park Kyung-rim sighed. “Unconsciously, our one-hour program has come to an end. Though we’re reluctant, it’s time to say goodbye to Jiang Yihan. Let’s end today’s show with his singing.”

Jiang Yihan stood once more, bowed to the hosts, staff, and fans outside, then went to the adjacent room to take the microphone. He sang the atmospheric “Intersleep.” This song was not only his favorite but also extremely popular among fans. Its special lyrics and melodious tune made it a high-quality song that naturally won wide acclaim.

“Hope you’ll hold me now, hold my frozen heart and kiss me, maybe then you can bring me to your world. I can no longer live alone. Hope you’ll hold me now, hold my frozen heart and dissolve it all. Will I find myself again? I hope so.”

Jiang Yihan’s 2006 life OST moved everyone deeply.