In May 2005, Jung Da-yeon, the woman who kick-started the "momjjang" (hot body) fad in Korea, brought her message to Japan with the publication through Keibunsha of her popular fitness book. Now Jung has released a DVD called "Momjjang Diet" through popular Japanese publisher Kodansha.
The DVD was created in response to numerous requests from fans of the book for a video version of Jung's fitness program. Now "Momjjang Diet" is taking off in Japan, and on Friday it had climbed into the top 20 bestseller list on Amazon.co.jp, the country's biggest Internet bookstore.
Viewers say it's easier to learn the workout program by watching the DVD than reading about it in the book. Jung launched the DVD in January with a press conference at the Okura Hotel in Ginza, Tokyo. Local news outlets including Asahi TV, Nihon TV, Tokyo TV, Nikkan Sports, Mainichi Shimbun, and Sankei Shimbun competed to cover the launch, and a special show about the fitness guru is set to broadcast on Hokkaido TV.
Jung is celebrating the debut of the video with demonstrations of her workout next weekend in Tokyo, Saitama, and Yokohama. She has also opened an official Japanese website (www.jungdayeon.jp) that offers tips on keeping fit and eating right.
Kyodo PR, the largest public relations company in Japan, said, "Jung became Japan's fitness guru when the country didn't have one. Her beautiful body and face make it hard to believe she's over 40, and she's made 'momjjang' a common word in Japan."
