For TVXQ, Korea’s top idol group, July of 2009 was an unforgettable moment of fate. The 3 members Xiah Junsu, Micky Yoochun, and Hero Jaejoong had suddenly filed for injunctive relief to suspend the contract against their agency SM Entertainment, arguing that the “13 years of exclusive contract is over the line.” The fans, who had been very absorbed into the “boys (who come) before flowers” (T/N: alternatively, “pretty men”), were extremely agitated.
They had thought that [TVXQ] had been trotting along without a problem but in truth it was as if they were festering inside. These 3 in the end chose the road of separation ·independence in the name of JYJ. However, the environment that surrounded them was not very amicable. Sometimes they had to taste disappointment under a cold gaze.
About 2 years after the breakup, I invited JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong (Hero Jaejoong) to “Truth in Drink” as a representative of the rest of the members of JYJ. He had stepped out for a world tour with Thailand at the beginning of this year as its start. He shined in his roles, taking on 2 roles despite having only one body by doing executive directing of the stage. In his face was a relief of having finished grand stage without a problem. His expression was also cheerful. Further, most of all, his skin was so very (beautifully) pale and smooth.
Yoochun.... seriously silly. But Jaejoong.... I'll take the smiling Jaejoong over the sad Jaejoong any time. Haha!
JYJ member Kim Jaejoong. When I met him, he was cheerful, his voice full of energy. He revealed that he “drank a few glasses of alcohol” during the interview just before this, and he plans to go for a “second round” during this interview.
His previous interview ended in a café on Seoul Shinmun Road. We then moved on to a pub located in where he used to live in, Samseong-dong. In the car on the way to the location, in an effort to ease the tension, he started off with the recent concerns he has, which are the misunderstandings and truths behind the Japan earthquake and radiation, even backed up with his knowledge on the matter. “Do you read a lot of news articles and books?” When asked, his reply was, “I learn more from people than from books”.
Parting with TVXQ…
Challenge to be Musical Actor…
According to translated reports out of Japan, the company JYJ once accused of coercion has threatened to "take legal actions" against Yokohama Arena if they allow JYJ to perform a charity event to raise money for the devastated Japanese earthquake victims. I'm not kidding.
Reports are circulating that avex is trying to stop JYJ from raising money through a concert for Japanese victims, and that they pressured a newspaper to pull a story promoting the charity event.
To be so hateful as to not allow JYJ, a Korean group, to help raise money for your people in the midst of a national tragedy seems totally reprehensible. The group members have already donated over half a million ($530,000) U.S. dollars for Japanese victims.
The evident feeling of Spring that was felt was override by the Bangkok concert on 3rd April which was held during the hot summer of exceeding 30 degrees. Fans are seen entering into Impact Arena every now and then without any complains about the hot weather and about more than 10, 000 fans were present at the venue. (site note: other reports put the figure at 22,000)
The star that fans have been waiting for was JYJ. On this day, JYJ was to hold their first kick-off of their “JYJ World Tour Concert in Bangkok, Thailand” was part of their promotion for their “The Beginning” album that was released last October and thus marking the returning of the king.