By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
It’s been years since California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on the big screen as the intimidating action anti-hero/hero in the ``Terminator’’ films, but his Hollywood charm does not seem to have faded one bit.
Schwarzenegger kept the mood light while promoting California goods and supporting the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), during a breakfast meeting organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and the FTA Industry Alliance at the Grand Hilton Convention Hall, Seoul, Wednesday.
``I really enjoy being here because of all the compliments I’m getting. I’m the action hero, people love my movies and think I’m terrific... But then I go home, it's quite different. I come home to my house and my wife says: `Do the laundry. Take out the garbage. Take the dog out for a walk.' These are the kinds of things that I get at home. So if you see me take an extra few days, you know why,’’ he said.
A red carpet was even laid out for the former Hollywood action star in the middle of the hall, and it seemed everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of Schwarzenegger.
Even VIPs were not immune to his charm. Korea International Trade Association Vice Chairman Park Young-ju described him as the ``famous action hero of all time in our hearts.’’
``When I left home this morning, my wife had one request: if I shake hands with the Governor, I shouldn’t wash my hands before returning home. You are so popular,’’ Park said, eliciting laughs.
Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon also revealed a little-known fact: his wife calls him ``Arnold’’ whenever he has done a good job.
``At home, every time I’m standing strong and proud of what I have done, my wife says: 'Hey Arnold, you did a good job!’ I don’t think I look like Arnold, but the name Arnold symbolizes power of justice and the fight against evil. That's the way we perceive your name in Korea,’’ Kim said in his speech.
Kim also urged Schwarzenegger to help ``terminate’’ the impasse in KORUS FTA, which has not been ratified by the U.S. Congress nearly three years after it was signed by the two countries. Schwarzenegger is famous for his lead role in the ``Terminator’’ films.
In response, Schwarzenegger thanked Kim for his kind words. ``After this job, you can become a comedian, you're very funny,’’ he said.
It was the California governor’s second time to visit Seoul. He had accompanied his wife Maria Shriver, who was then a commentator for NBC’s coverage of the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
``I spent a week here, going around the city, meeting people, going to restaurants, going shopping and learning about Korean culture. I always knew that one day I will be back, but I had no idea at that time it would be as governor of the state of California... But then again, I didn’t know I was going to turn from an actor to a politician either,’’ Schwarzenegger said.
Self-described as the state’s ``salesman-in-chief,’’ Schwarzenegger is clearly passionate about promoting California and its goods, especially the wine.
``People ask me, why am I so enthusiastic in traveling around the world and promoting California products? First of all, it's always nice to get away from the legislators especially when you're in the middle of budget negotiations,’’ he joked. ``Second, throughout my life, I’ve seen what happens when you think globally, when you're willing to open up your arms to other cultures and see the world as your marketplace and sell your goods worldwide.’’
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