[The Chosun Ilbo, June 9 2008] Fans of 'Yonsama' Flock to Japanese Temple

Thanks to Korean wave star Bae Yong-joon, affectionately known as Yonsama in Japan, Koma Jinja in the Japanese city of Hidaka in Saitama Prefecture, where members of the royal family of an ancient Korean kingdom of Koguryo are enshrined, is booming with tourists.

According to Sunday’s Asahi Shinbum, the Koma Jinja has seen an endless flow of women aged between 30 and 70 since September last year, when Korean TV soap opera "Taewangsasingi (The Four Guardian Gods of the King)”, which stars Bae, began to air in Korea. After being aired on the NHK satellite channel in December last year, “Taewangsasingi”, which deals with the life of King Kwanggaeto the Great, known as the “Great Expander” of ancient Korean history, has been enjoying popularity in Japan, where it is now being shown once a week on regular NHK.