JYJ Enthralled Fans at San Jose Concert
Last Friday (6/3), JYJ finished the North American leg of their 2011 World Tour at the San Jose Event Center. As promised in their world tour press conference last month, the trio showed off their talent and delivered a show that pleased both visually and musically. And to top it off, concert attendees had the honor of singing “Happy Birthday” to their Korean idol face-to-face during the concert.
Before the show, many fans arrived early to prepare themselves for the concert. To show their support for Jaejoong, Yuchun (also known as Micky), and Junsu, some fans dressed in red, dyed their hair, and wore red glowing “Mickey Mouse” ears. Some of the fans also handed out red finger lights and signs that said “Don’t Go (Gajima in Korean), USA Loves JYJ”. Although red is the color used for TVXQ, many fans express their continued support for JYJ, who were members of the original group, with the same color.
Before the concert, we talked to several fans and tested their knowledge of JYJ. Here’s our video coverage of the pre-show fans gathering in front of the concert hall, featuring guest host Cassandra Farrar. Check it out and see if you know JYJ as well as these fans do:
Inside the concert hall, there were three large screen displays, two on the sides and one right above the stage. There were two levels of the stage. On the lower stage, transparent “glass cages” were located on both sides. Fans of all ages were present to show JYJ their support. Although there are many fans attending the concert, we were disappointed to see that the back of the hall was not filled.
The group kicked off with a fan favorite, “Empty” as their first song of the night. Since this was our first time seeing JYJ performing live, we were amazed by how good their voices are and thought to ourselves: no wonder they have so many fans worldwide!
Each of the trio gave a solo performance: “I Love You” by Yuchun, “I Can Soar” by Junsu, and “Still In Love” by Jaejoong. Throughout these three songs, the female back dancers highlighted the performance with their sensual movements. But perhaps it’s because these dancers are Americans and JYJ are very slim Koreans, there is a definite disparity in their sizes. Although the choreography was excellent, we couldn’t help but wonder if the show would look sexier if the female dancers were slightly smaller or of comparable size to the guys. But will fans be more jealous because of that? We have no idea.
During the performance of “Mission“, JYJ donned black trench coats during their dance routine. On the large screen, fans could see them sweating bullets. JYJ’s superb musical talent was on display as they pulled off complicated dance routines without skipping a breath. The live performance proved once and for all that they are indeed world class artists.
Crowd excitement reached new heights when JYJ performed “Found You“, a Korean song from hit drama “Sungkyunkwan Scandal“, starring Yuchun. The popularity of the song was evident as audience waved their glow sticks and sang along with JYJ.
Of course, since part of the concert going experience is to hear artists speak to attendees directly, JYJ used the opportunity to thank their fans for coming to the show. Unfortunately, since Micky is the only one who spoke English, there were many things Jaejoong and Junsu said that we didn’t understand. However, there was a universally understood cute moment when Jaejoong followed Micky’s English greeting by starting off and saying “Hey guys!” in English. And everyone, including yours truly, were anticipating more English from the handsome Jaejoong after the pause. But instead, the followup was “gomawoyo (thanks in Korean)”, which generated quite a few laughs from the fans. And after a few words in Korean, he finally said “so sorry” to those of us who didn’t understand Korean. And in an awkward and funny manner, Junsu finished up by saying “xie xie (thank you in Chinese)”.
During the remix version of “By My Girl“, JYJ invited the audience to dance along with them. And for those who had practiced the official flash mob dance before or at the beginning of the concert, that was the moment for them to shine. Under the cue of JYJ, the audience also accomplished two concert waves, similar to what was demonstrated in the flash mob video.
Since Yuchun’s birthday was on the day after the concert (6/4), fans prepared a piano cake for him and it was presented to him on stage along with a pair of glowing Mickey Mouse ears. Afterwards, Jeri Slaughter, the concert director, asked the crowd to sing a birthday song for Micky. Everyone had a great time singing together and wished Yuchun a very happy birthday.
The concert resumed after the brief birthday celebration, with “You’re”. During this part of the concert, fans handed Junsu a pair of “Mickey Mouse” ears and he promptly tried to put it on Jaejoong. Unfortunately, the “ears” kept slipping down, and couldn’t stay on his head. After the song ended, JYJ waved to the crowd and exited the stage.
Afraid that the show has already come to an end, fans chanted “J-Y-J” and demanded an encore. Finally, after several minutes of stomping and chanting “JYJ”, the group reappeared on stage with T-shirts and jeans to perform the energetic “Get Out” and “Empty (Remix)“. During the remix of “Empty”, Junsu showed off his dancing skills with a one-handed handstand. After a second encore, JYJ performed their last song, “In Heaven”, while fans held up paper signs saying “Don’t Go”. The trio bowed once again, thanked the fans for their support, waved goodbye and finally exited the stage. Although many fans didn’t want the show to ever end, the bright hall lights were finally turned on and inevitably the concert must end.
More photos of fans from the concert here.
Throughout this concert, what really amazed us was both the support that JYJ fans has shown to their idols and the charm of JYJ’s music and vocal talent to woo their fans worldwide. We wish more Americans will discover JYJ. We also hope the group will speak more English to expand their American and the global English-speaking market. JYJ, fighting!
If you still haven’t checked out JYJ’s music essay: Their Rooms, you are missing out on their latest songs.
jyj fighting!!!!!
This is such an awesome article!!!!!!!! So much fun details about the concert plus the wonderful praise of course! <333
LOL..I love this article…fun and details!!!!!
I think the article is nice in that it praises the boy which is awesome, but I dont like the fact that fans/others in general keep focusing on the size of the dancers. I dont know how many comments I saw (not this site necessarily) about ppl calling the dancers fat and comparing them to Korean dancers even saying they should only dance with Korean women (which is borderline racist btw) and im like wtf? Where is the respect for ppl JYJ work with, like do fans not realize things they say can affect other perceptions of JYJ even though they arent the one saying these things but fans are a reflection of their idols so when you do wrong it reflect poorly on them some may not agree but thats how I see it, if fans are going to continue to treat the American dancers this way mainly the women then perhaps JYJ shouldnt work with American dancers anymore because who wants to go through this crap! I also would like to let ppl know some of these dancers know the things fans say about them I know for a fact Telisha has been on this site. Sorry for the rant its just fans have really shown their true colors since this concert has begun and its not pretty, so much so that ppl outside the fandom have taken notice of fans behaviors especially when it came to the treament of Telisha which im not even going to get into that because that is another rant but yeah fans should be more careful and thoughtful of others feelings. Just saying.
It’s that aspect of this fandom keeps my cortisol levels up esp. when JYJ mingle and deal with America. Walking on eggshells much!
I try to not dwell on it. I know I don’t mind all humans, shapes and colors and culture and JYJ I assume have their preferences but ultimately feel the same so at the end of the day to hell with the ignorant.
I do agree with you about the image of the American dancers have been vastly distorted in comparison to the Korean dancers in the earlier half of the JYJ World Tour. I heard everything from the dancers from American shouldn’t have been used in the Japan charity concert and the final two day Busan concert. That Japanese and Korean dancers should have been used instead, the dancers are fat etc. Which is ridiculous because I have been to JYJ concerts and those dancers weren’t fat at all. There are a few differences between the dancers used in the America half of the tour and the Asian stops on the tour aside from the Busan and Japan stops. The female american dancers are wearing different dancewear then the previous dancers, these costumes were specifically made to show the entire form of the body. While the Korean female dancers wore form fitting dresses. There is also a vast difference in the body types of the two groups of dancers; the female korean dancers have very slim bodies and are probably at most 115 maybe 120 at most. and also lack the muscle definition of the American dancers. The american dancers have more developed muscles as dancers should have, no only that, but they also maintain the physical aesthetic of a woman so yes the American dancers have curves; they have breasts, hips and bums and are proportionally hourglass. They are tiny,strong and curvy most dancers cant even get those kinds of figures. JYJ; Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu while they are very handsome young men; they are very slim and they fit the Korean Aesthetic for men, because they are very tall ranging from 5’9-6’0 and at most weigh 135 which is still underweight in comparison to what there weight should be on a height and weight chart; but keep in mind these men work a lot and maintaining their own weight with the heck schedule is difficult and understandable. It didnt seem like the boys minded dancing with these dancers, actually as they said the American half of the tour was going to be more sexy, they warned us so……What were the fans expecting….JYJ are grown men in their 20s……I dont think have a physically appealing “curvy” woman” touch or dance with them made them want to run for the hills….Fans really need to stop the jealousy I was actually happy they decided to be more open with this tour because it shows there maturing and growing. I really dont understand the anger about this, more people specifically crazy fangirls would prefer if they boys were touching each other rather then the women on stage o_0 and shouting yunjae…..really WTH is going on in your mind, let the boys enjoy their time with the opposite sex. Geesh what if one of the JYJ members marry a foreigner will the world stop, will they stop supporting if so, there not real fans.
I agree with your comment. I was in shock when I saw someone say that Telisha doesnt have a nice body and is fat, to me she is the most toned out of the girls so I ws taken aback by that comment, but all the girls are gorgeous. With all the crap women go through on a daily basis with body image issues I would think we women would be more encouraging and show support and appreciate our differences but noooo apparently being bitter and jealous is of more importance *sighs* it’s really disheartning. Actually now that you have mentioned it some fans did say they should only dance with males I however disagree to me I find it sexy when they interact/dance with women onstage. Oh if they marry a foreigner fans are going to go ballistic they were already pissed at the thought of Telisha being with Junsu even messaging him on Twitter saying only date Korean women so yeahhh dont think may will be accepting. I just want fans to grow up! Buying cd’s going to concerts etc is not a contract to ownership they have their own lives to live and if fans truly love them they would respsect their decisions.
“Buying cd’s going to concerts etc is not a contract to ownership they have their own lives to live and if fans truly love them they would respsect their decisions.”
THIS. Some ppl feel too entitled sometimes.
They’re their own person. I find it sad that someone
would dangle their ‘fanship’ over an artist head on some
“You are too be like this, you must do this, if you don’t I’m not a fan and won’t
support you” sad. I must say reminds me of the mentality they’re trying to run away
from. The mentality of their previous agency.
“Buying cd’s an and going to concerts etc. is not a contract to ownership” Please read this fan girls and then read it again! Thank you for your comments @aj There is love and respect for these artists, but also this weird possessiveness-Let these young men breathe and enjoy their own lives!
@aj…I dont concentrate about this in acticle…i have to agree with you…i dont care other but the dancers they have excellent skill!!!
¡I think the same as you!
Hi sis ^___^
@Anva
Hello my sweet sis. Nice to greet you.
this article does replect a lot of stereotype that Asian people have on American people. I found it to be quite racist as well. Reading a lot of comments here I found that people in jYJ3 fan sit are soo understanding and very mature, i’m so happy to be part of the family ^_^. I think when JYJ finnally gets married, we are the only fansite that will actually throw a party and not moaning events heheh
I know I would, they deserve happiness too just like everyone else 😉
“Reading a lot of comments here I found that people in JYJ3 fan site are so understanding and very mature”
I agree with you…
and aside from understanding and mature, very resourceful (always willing to share) and some are very intelligent which I learned so much from them.
Thanks for bringing this up…hope those fans can read this and reflect, and will try to grow and to think more carefully.
@aj & Ail221 & and everybody else
I’m right behind everything you’ve said and want to look at it from a slightly different angle.
The boys come from a homogeneous culture where these guys in particular would be considered large men. Korean women look small beside them, and that’s what the audience is used to seeing. In North America we are used to a wider range of heights and body types. The difference between the average man and the average woman is smaller and there isn’t the automatic assumption that the man is going to be bigger than the woman.
Add to that, boys are just above average N.A. height, they aren’t particularly tall, and they are on the small side for body type, not just skinny, but also their bone structure is lighter. Again, they are used to being compared to women who not only have a smaller bone structure but are discouraged from gaining any muscle. Comparing them to professional N.A.dancers who tend to be at least average height or taller, and who aren’t afraid to be strong, there is going to be more of a physical power balance. Which I personally find as sexy as hell.
@Eliza
I do agree with you about the image of the N.A dancers in comparison to JYJ. However as we have noticed the physical aesthetic in Korean and even on dozens of medical height and weight charts the boys don’t match up, at 5’9-6’0 there weight range should be at about 140-160 which isn’t that large for men because men are suppose to mainly comprised of lean muscle mass. I am sure we have noticed in comparison to the boys two years ago and now the boys have lost a lot of muscle mass/weight; probably from stress and re-launching themselves on to the music scene as JYJ. Example the number of times fans are telling the boys to eat, and the number of times they are getting sick, a lot more than often. Yoochun may have a smaller frame but Junsu and Jaejoong don’t….actually based off of their height and shoulder span they have medium built frames they themselves even say so..
Its just really getting frustrating seeing comments on youtube and fan pages, just spewing negativity from fans or trolls calling Junsu fat, or going on about Jaejoong’s perm etc its just like there is so much more to JYJ then their appearance, why cant people just appreciate their music.
Cool.
Thanks for this fanaccount and THANK YOU JYJ3 (for everything…)
thank u for these awesome articles n i agree with the others in above about the images of the dancer
¡GOOD! JYJ boys are making the news elsewhere.
we just watched this video and suprise suprise—i saw us in it! hahaha! that is fun to almost get onto tv for a good cause (jyj concert)! we had a lady talking to us and taking pictures too. how fun!