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PHOTOGRAPH OF A BLACKHAIRED BOY WITH A LARGE SCAR OVER HIS EYE SITTING IN CITY PARK. IT’S SNOWING, HE’S WEARING A DARK RED COAT. THERE’S SNOW IN HIS HAIR AND HE LOOKS A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. HE’S HOLDING A NEWSPAPER.
IN A BIG FONT ABOVE HIM, IT READS: The Freedom Fighters and Zuko
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ZUKO KEOHSO LEFT HOME AND JOINED A ROCKBAND!
by Shiro Shinobi, April 6th 1965
Do you remember 11 year old Zuko Keohso from Love amongst the Dragons? He’s now fully grown up and, with a half mutilated face, has joined Ba Sing Se’s rock’n’roll scene! In the Freedom Fighters’ latest album (The Freedom Fighters and Zuko), Zuko has singing credits!
Zuko, in response to some reporters at a press conference he attended with Jet Li, the frontman of the Freedom Fighters, said, “I had no plans [...] in joining the band. I was not sure I would, actually.” Jet interjected, smartly, “He had to be persuaded, that’s all.”
Is Zuko Keohso returning to the public eye? And if so, will we learn what happened to his?
–
ZUKO KEOHSO LETTER TO HIS UNCLE IROH KEOHSO FROM APRIL 10TH 1965. ARCHIVED BY THE KEOHSO ESTATE.
Dear Uncle,
It’s nice to be back in the Fire Nation. It’s very hot, which I like. Jet does not. But he’s been enjoying himself. He likes Caldera, he’s been here before (for work, and play) but he said it was different being here with me. Better because I’m a native and because I’m me. He’s the worst, so corny. You will meet him when we come back. So don’t be weird.
I know I’m writing later than I said but I didn’t mean to! I only lost track of time. We have done so many interviews and press conferences, my head is spinning! I am eating and sleeping so don’t worry about me so much. Your last letter was just nagging!
I hope you liked the album. I think you should come back to Calera one of these days. I like it too, better with Jet than with anyone else. Smellerbee says hi.
From
your nephew, Zuko
–
JET LI, THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE IN ROCK?
by Joo Dee, April 22nd 1965
[...] Jet sprawled himself out with confidence, a cigarette in between in his fingers. He was naturally charismatic, a smile and joke on his lips. He never told much about himself, he said outlandish and absurd things and sometimes cruel ones but it was when Zuko came up, that he became genuine.
“Well, I think Zuko is really one of the most talented people I know. I would’ve killed to make an album with him,” he said. Zuko Keohso is a talented child actor, or was, as far as we knew. But Jet speaks about him like he’s the second coming. “I mean that, in all ways. You know, he might not write on the album but his voice is very entrancing. It.. sort of draws you in, naturally. He does, too, I mean. Without even really trying.”
I ask about how Jet got Zuko into the band, or how that even came about. Jet starts to smile, really smile, with a flash of a childlike gleam in his eyes. “Oh well, I met him at a party. It was Song Kim’s party, the model, and we both were feeling very– very hungry. So we found each other in the kitchen, I guess. I was going through the cabinets and he came in and we committed to it together. A real Bonnie and Clyde, me and him. We climbed out to her fire escape and ate a bag of bread, I think, together. He sang along to the radio– Zuko seems very serious, so I didn’t expect him to do it– to House of the Rising Sun.
“The same night, I asked him to join my band. He said no. So I waited a week and asked again. I asked at his Uncle’s tea shop. He said yes, that time.”
Jet likes the story, it’s plain as day, with how he tells it that he’s told it a million times before. I asked how he felt about how people spoke about Zuko. In the media, many publications have taken to calling Zuko ‘demonic’ or ‘disfigured’ or, occasionally, ‘ugly.’ Zuko’s new face, burnt and pained, is jarring especially in comparison to the handsome child of a few years prior.
Jet scowls harshly. “I think it’s all bullshit. If people don’t dig the music, they don’t dig it. How Zuko looks has nothing to do with the quality of the music and really it’s just a scar. That’s all it is,” he say, “No one would say those things to him in real life. I mean, ‘demonic!’ That’s insane! How could anyone say that?”
I tell him I don’t know.
–
EXCERPT FROM Instincts: An Oral History told by The Freedom Fighters
SMELLERBEE (Lead Guitarist, The Freedom Fighters) : Zuko was huge! I wasn’t a big fan, growing up, of his movies. No one I cared about was either. I didn’t like them because his father unsettled me. Ozai was a politician who had been in favour of the war in the Fire Nation. Children in the Earth Kingdom didn’t watch Fire Nation films, especially not during the war.
But apparently, Zuko was pretty big within the Fire Nation in the 50s. Uhm, and then we came out with him in the 60s and that was a big deal too. Zuko hated it. I remember a new article would come out and Zuko would be so sullen. He started to get so sullen that Jet said we’d do good to just not tell him. They were very mean to him, the magazines and stuff. I didn’t understand why they’d be so cruel to him, it wasn’t his fault he got burnt! Earth Kingdom papers saw him as an enemy, Fire Nation papers saw him as a traitor.
I told Long Shot that once and Long Shot said that people, old people, were very tight about the norms and about keeping them. Zuko was a– a symbol, I guess, of the 50s. And the 50s were with us no longer! We were a new, better people. The young people of the world, we wanted to be unified. Zuko represented how wires started to get crossed.
We almost went on tour but Zuko pulled out at the last minute. The album sold very, very well though. So people liked his mug enough to buy it.
–
[FROM SOKKA AMAROK’S PERSONAL ARCHIVES ]
A POLAROID OF ZUKO SITTING ON A DARK YELLOW COUCH. IT’S NIGHTTIME OUTSIDE. HE’S TILTING HIS HEAD AT THE CAMERA, A MAGAZINE IN HIS LAP AND A CIGARETTE BETWEEN HIS FINGERS. THE FLASH LOOKS TO HAVE STARTLED HIM.
THE POLAROID HAS WRITTEN ON IT : Zuko at Jet’s, taken by me. (May 6th, 1966)
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ARE THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS OVER?
By Joo Dee / May 20th, 1966
Rumor has it that the Freedom Fighters have broken up amid creative differences! After their controversial Zuko and the Freedom Fighters album, Jet Li has started working on his first solo album and The Duke seems to be more interested in acting than music. Some have placed the weight of the breakup on Zuko. One insider says, “It’s Zuko that urged Jet to quit. Jet had been saying– he’d been saying he could leave the Freedom Fighters and be alright. So, I think it’s Zuko’s fault.” Another says it was Jet’s attitude. Their ex manager told me that, “Jet is too big a personality to be in a band. Sure, maybe Zuko said Jet he could go solo but– well, he could! I always thought Jet would be a big star. Band or not.”
The questions are endless, the answers are empty. What do you think, dear readers?
–
ZUKO KEOHSO LETTER TO HIS UNCLE IROH KEOHSO FROM JULY 12TH 1966. ARCHIVED BY THE KEOHSO ESTATE.
Dear Uncle,
Jet and I got into a fight. I think this is our first argument yet. Maybe you could offer me some advice? I don’t know. I’ve never felt like this before. Jet doesn’t like the islands, the Fire Nation islands. I came here all the time as a kid and never really thought too much about it all. Jet says they used to belong to the Earth Kingdom before the War. I said I didn’t think it was a big deal.
Most people who live here are Fire Nation now, anyway, aren’t they? Jet blew a fuse, even after I said sorry. He was irritated with me the entire day. I don’t want him to be angry with me. I just wanted… I don’t know what I wanted. I think I’m being stupid but what else is new? Gah. I shouldn’t be so stressful when he’s dealing with all that band stuff.
Jin and her boyfriend came along as well, to vacation with us. Jin and I have been making the best of our time. She showed me her new photographs and she braided my hair. It’s been a good week besides all the Jet stuff. I ruined all that. We were even talking about moving in together, officially, before the argument.
I’m so stupid.
Jet says hi and that he wants to hear one of your traditional songs when we come back. I think he wants to use it on his album. Could be interesting. Please do. I know you don’t like him but for me, Uncle?
Thank you,
Zuko
–
An excerpt from Iroh Kehoso’s memoir (Share Tea with An Old Man) :
[...]
As I’ve said before, my nephew is one of the most important people in my life. When I see him, I see a small boy who could never do harm though I know it not to be true. I know at times, I coddle him. I must make up for the things I failed to do, failed to save him from.
His ex husband was one of these things though I think Jet is someone he liked being tortured by. Jet was never the type I imagined for my nephew. I did not ever think Zuko would end up with a woman. He was not that type to me. He liked to befriend women but sometimes, you see a child and know that their soul is not entirely straight. There is no problem with it! But, Zuko was a very obvious child.
On Jet’s 1966 album (Ba Sing Se), I sing Girls from Ba Sing Se. It’s an old song but Jet insisted I sing it. It’s the introduction track. A soft, small moment before the album turns to the psychedelic nonsense of the decade. I begrudgingly did it. It is in my opinion that Jet did it too, begrudgingly. He liked me as much as I liked him, not very much.
Jet added my song and vocals as a show of dedication to Zuko. Jet loved Zuko very much, Zuko loved him too very much. Perhaps, I am too harsh on Jet. They were two complicated young men in a complicated time.
The album did very well. I remember that because Zuko, a sweet child, cut out all the critical praise for it and put it on a collage for Jet for his 25th birthday that November.
[...] For Zuko’s 24th birthday in December, Jet asked Zuko to marry him.
–
A WORN OUT WEDDING CARD FROM FEBRUARY 14TH, 1967. IT HAS A PICTURE OF TWO DOVES NUZZLING THEIR HEADS TOGETHER.
INSIDE IT READS:
To the happily wedded couple,
Jet and Zuko! I think you guys only invited me because I’m attached to Katara and Aang and Suki but hey, that’s okay. I’m glad to be here anyway and I hope you enjoyed our performance. Not everyone gets a private Gaang performance, and not for their wedding.
Anyway, I got you both gifts. I got Jet as a pack of cigarettes since.. We’ve all seen how he goes through them. Katara said that was a bad gift but I know you’ll both appreciate them. For Zuko, I got two pocketknives (dual pocketknives even). You know, you never know with that Jet-guy. And also, your uncle told me you used to have a pair of dao swords but they don’t sell those in stores.
Hope this is alright and hip.
Love,
Sokka
–
[FROM JET LI’S PRIVATE JOURNALS]
A PHOTO OF ZUKO STANDING IN FRONT OF AN EASEL. HE HAS PAINT OF HIS PALMS, HIS CHEEK AND ARMS. HE’S TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF A SHAPE, HIS EYEBROWS FURROWED. HE’S STANDING ON THE BALCONY OF A HOTEL ROOM, THE SUN IS HIGH. THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN FROM SOMEONE INSIDE. THE PHOTO HAS BEEN TAPED INSIDE JET’S JOURNAL AND BESIDE IT HE WROTE;
018/02/67 - Zuko took up painting from Suki, who happened to be visiting home. We’re on our honeymoon in Kyoshi Island. I can’t believe we’re married. He’s mine and I’m his. He’s the best, isn’t he? Good day, today.
–
A LOOKBACK ON THE CAVE OF TWO LOVERS WITH KATARA AMAROK
By Korra Sato / March 22nd, 2018
The Cave of Two Lovers has gone down in history as a decade defining album. In many-a list has it been ranked the #1 album of all time. Penned by Aang Gyatso and Katara Amarok in one summer, the album explored the complex relationship between the two songwriters. Not just lovers, not just friends. It is the most romantic I’ve ever heard. Lucky for me, I got the opportunity to sit down with my aunt, Katara, to talk about the album on its 50th anniversary.
[...]
K.S : And before The Cave of Two Lovers came out, what were you doing?
K.A : That would’ve been.. Ah! The summer of love! Tui and La, that was the longest summer of my life. A very good summer, though. That was the summer Jet and Zuko bought a house together. They moved in together– before they’d been sharing an apartment, I think– to a place called Palm Springs. Aang and I and Toph, we helped them move.
Misty Palms was beautiful. A beautiful place. Jet and Zuko would throw these parties. They’d be long, long things but at some point, it would mellow into a hangout. We’d sit around, drinking cactus water. Whatever. Me and Aang, we wrote most of the album there. On Jet and Zuko’s couch. It was just such a lovely place to be. A creative heaven. That was the first year me and Aang were trying to date. It sometimes felt weird, dating Aang when we were such good friends. But we did well. [Laughs]. I think.
The walls, when they moved in, were entirely blank. Jet hated it. So Zuko started painting on them, just shapes and vague notions. Then they started inviting guests to paint on the walls, to write on them. Korra, it was just the most wonderful place. I think on the walls outside, me and Aang wrote– we were all high [laughs], so excuse the corniness– ‘K + A 4EVER’. Then the next time we went back, Jet told us to come into his and Zuko’s room. And on the ceiling above their bed, they had written ‘ZUKO LI AND JET KEOHSO FOREVER AND MORE’ in bright red and green.
They thought they were so cute. We all were, in those days.
–
ZUKO KEOHSO LETTER TO HIS UNCLE IROH KEOHSO FROM AUGUST 8TH, 1967. ARCHIVED BY THE KEOHSO ESTATE.
Dear Uncle,
If you are feeling unwell, we would not be against having you. I know you said you’re fine, but you shouldn’t be alone, Uncle. It’s not honorable.
My summer has been wonderful. Uncle, I never thought I could be so damn happy. Me and Jet, you know, Jet makes me so happy. You would be surprised at how different he makes me. We’ve had many people over in the past few months. Katara came! You love her, and she told me to tell you hello when I had the chance. Her brother has been a ghost of the property. I suspect some things about him. I’ll tell them to you when I see you. You always like gossip.
This summer has been very fruitful. I’ve painted a thousand things and our house. I even have an art exhibit lined up on December 8th. I think it’s only because I’m Zuko Keohso and not because my art’s good.
no, it’s because his art is good - Jet
I hope you’ll come if you’re feeling better, Uncle. I’ll send you a ticket.
I miss you.
I love you,
Your nephew
Zuko Keohso Li
–
Another excerpt from Iroh Kehoso’s memoir (Share Tea with An Old Man) :
[...] I was not wanted by Jet (or Zuko though he will deny it) in the spring of 1968. The couple were young, they had no time for an old sick man. I was not oblivious to the fact. I cannot even blame them, honestly! But I was ill and in need of a nephew’s hand.
The couple did help. But Misty Palms was a young person’s home. I liked it all, all of the art and such but now the couple had to sneak their cactus juice and mary jane. I’m sure that was not appreciated. It was during this time that I learned just how much Jet despised me. Terms I thought cordial were not, at all! It seemed every evening, dinner, Jet took his time to look into my old imperialist ways. I had been a general during the war. He picked and prodded and berated. There is nothing wrong with a young man questioning the ways of an elder and
I cannot complain. I am subject to the punishments of my past. Jet, who was an Earth Kingdom man through and through and a victim of Fire Nation imperialism during the war, despised me. He found me less than the dirt on his shoe. Again, I cannot complain. Jet paid most of the bills in Misty Palms, he was doing me and my nephew a favor by hosting us but– and maybe Jet did not understand– we were family. Family is meant to take care of each other without waving the price tag in our faces whenever our shared bond of Zuko left the room.
Zuko, of course, did not enjoy my treatment. He and Jet argued often. Jet refused to take care of me in any capacity. Zuko thought this was very, intensely selfish and stupid.
It was during this time period, I believe, that Jet had returned to the Freedom Fighters and had started work on their 5th album. He had invited Zuko to work on it but Zuko rejected; he did not want to be put in the world’s spotlight again when his art career was starting to grow. Zuko was doing art exhibits regularly and I was very proud of him.
This was the beginning of the end for Jet and Zuko’s relationship.
–
A SECOND EXCERPT FROM Instincts: An Oral History told by The Freedom Fighters
JET LI (Singer/songwriter, rhythm guitarist, The Freedom Fighters) : When GOING STRAIGHT came out, the world loved it. I think young people loved it because it was radical and new. I think it’s one of the best things I've ever worked on, to be honest. It came out, when? December 1st, 1968. I think the world was edging away from hope, then. We were maturing, as a generation, to a new, more cynical state and our album reflected that.
We started touring the next year in April. I started doing heroin that year too. Me and Zuko’s relationship, it all gets murky then. I made a lot of choices, bad choices. You know we all do it. I regret a lot of the things I did that year. [Laughs]. No point in dwelling.
The tour went well. It was all going great for me until Zuko barged in on me in bed with some guy.
–
ZUKO KEOHSO LETTER TO KATARA AMAROK FROM AUGUST 5TH, 1969. ARCHIVED BY THE KEOHSO ESTATE.
Katara,
You were right. You always are. I’m sorry for yelling at you, how I did. You were right. He was cheating on me. I’m such a fool, I’m so stupid. I’m sorry.
I’m going to stay with him.
I love him. He just isn’t himself right now. What’s one mistake in a thousand years? In forever? I want to be with Jet til I’m dead. So one mistake isn’t a lot.
Sorry again,
Zuko Keohso
–
[FROM JET LI’S PRIVATE JOURNALS]
A PHOTOGRAPH OF AN UNNAMED MONK IN THE GARDENS OF A GAOLING HOUSE. THE MONK IS GRINNING WIDE. IN THE BACK, THERE’S A SHADOW OF ZUKO.
31/07/69 - Life’s been nuts lately. I’m reaching a real interesting place in my life, you know. Today was simple. I’ve been meditating a lot. I’m asking myself the biggest questions; who am I? What do I want? I don’t know the answers to either and I think that means I’m asking the right questions. I quit the Freedom Fighters again. I want to grow. I need to grow.
I’ve done drugs, I’ve meditated. We moved houses, from Misty Palms to here. Some mansion in Gaoling. It’s beautiful, with a huge garden. Zuko doesn’t like it as much as me, but he’s been a bit of a downer these days. He doesn’t even like the parties anymore. He doesn’t even like the monks!
I think he likes Sokka more than me right now. I think I deserve it. I need to be better.
At least Genocidal Iroh doesn’t live with us anymore. Ha-ha. That could rhyme if you twist your ears, man.
I think me and Zuko should get a divorce. I dont want to
–
SOKKA AMAROK LETTER TO ZUKO KEOHSO FROM DECEMBER 23RD, 1969. ARCHIVED BY THE SOKKA AMAROK ESTATE.
Zuko,
I think that’s a lovely portrait. You’re the greatest painter I know (even better than Suki!). You always impress me. Ha-ha.
About what Jet said, if you love him, and you’ve done everything you can. Maybe you should. There’s no harm in giving up. Sometimes, things don’t work. There’s nothing to be done. It’s your life, Zuko. You need to choose what you want from it. Is Jet still in your future?
I̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶ I don’t know. If you go through with it, my couch is always open. Ha-ha.
See ya,
Sokka
–
ON MARCH 21ST, 1971, ZUKO LEFT HIS AND JET’S ESTATE IN GAOLING IN TEARS AFTER FINDING HIS HUSBAND IN BED WITH JIN, A DEAR FRIEND OF HIS. HE LEFT A NOTE INSTEAD OF WAKING THEM UP;
How could you do this to me? For all you preach of love, you don’t seem to leave me any! You sleep with my friend, one of my close friends. To what? To hurt me? Or is it out of lust? What is wrong with you? Jet, I just
I can’t do this with you. Why did you do this to me?
I will stay with my Uncle in Ba Sing Se. I will come collect my things in the afternoon. Please don’t be there. Agni, why? Why did you do this?
Zuko