JYJ Kim Jaejoong challenged the ‘Rock’ genre that he ultimately loves. Also, with this latest album, he is holding numerous solo concerts and is receiving great reactions. What is the meaning of ‘Rock’ and ‘solo concert’ to Kim Jaejoong?
On December 17, Kim Jaejoong held a press conference for his Asia Tour ‘Kim Jae Joong 1st album Asia Tour Concert’ at Osaka Jo Hall in Osaka, Japan.
Kim Jaejoong expressed his feelings, “It’s the final stage of Asia Tour. I’m very happy to hold my 2nd concert in Japan in Osaka. I wasn’t really in good condition until yesterday but I think I’m better now. I’ll show my saved-up strength and sing properly.”
“After the concerts in Yokohama, I believed I could hold concert in Japan for the 2nd time thanks to everyone’s support, even though it wasn’t scheduled beforehand. I changed the stage setting and also my outfits, so that even people who already attended Yokohama concert will feel like they’re watching a new concert.”
With fans’ fervent support, SRO tickets were added to today’s concert. Kim Jaejoong’s comment regarding it made the hall burst out laughing, “This is not even a train, SRO tickets were added. How amazing.” He added, “Though it’s an indoor concert, it’s amazing that there are seats for blind people in standing room.”
Kim Jaejoong defined his Asia Tour as a “test for myself”; “How much support will the fans give me for solo concert? How could I draw this many fans into my performances? Especially in Japan, there were 60,000 fans attending my concerts, 1 out of 5 fans was male, which made me shocked.”
In this concert, “except for 1 song, most songs I chose to sing set record for million seller in Japan. The remaining song is a song from about 40 years ago, recommended by my mother who will be 70 next year. She said that it made she think of her youth. The song is called <Makeup>.”
Kim Jaejoong actually tried really hard to differentiate each of his concerts. He directly contributed ideas for outfit design. He worked with professional tattooist to show various form of tattoos in every concert. Not only in the musical aspects, but Jaejoong also cares for the visual. Kim Jaejoong said, “Because it’s my first solo album, I had this ambition to make everything perfect, not only with the music but also with the visual, and having it contain hidden message… Eventually I made a visually strong rock album. What surprised me was that when I gifted this album to my friends and acquaintances, they said, ‘If I only look at the jacket photos, I would think that you can’t sing. But now I got to know that you sing very well.’ Then I realized that the prejudice of ‘the better you look, the worse you sing’ still exists.”
Kim Jaejoong added, “Even so, I still wanted to show my versatile image, not only in music.” However, visual rock led by Japanese singer Gackt has weakened ever since. Usually, Korean idols are specialized in pop or dance, but Kim Jaejoong bravely chose rock. He disclosed the reason, “Personally, the artist I like is Haido (Hyde) of Japanese band L’Arc-en-ciel. I’ve liked him ever since I was little, so I’m strongly influenced by him.” But Haido’s influence doesn’t prepossess the rock born by Jaejoong’s own color. Kim Jaejoong said, “In this album, rock elements are delicately added to Kpop, European and American pop. There are songs that everybody will find familiar, not matter which country they come from. I don’t want to make a music which is so new that people feel repulsed or make banal music.”
“I want to continue to sing rock. What I ultimately wanted to do was rock. However, until now, people who came back as soloist with rock genre didn’t receive good reaction. So I have to be prudent.”
He added, “Whether I should do traditional rock or popularized rock, what kind of image of mine I should show, this was a big worry.” “This album doesn’t contain music for rock fans only. It’s also rock but it’s not filled with strange sounds. It’s an album made of good balance.”
If you’re a rock singer, you need to organize a band. Kim Jaejoong had thought about forming a rock band. “I have been thinking about forming a band since last year. But then I think that I should do it after discharging from military. If I form a rock band, I think I must have positive thought about the fact that everything must be done step by step. I consider the band members I work with in concerts now as a team and I hope that I could take time to carefully choose members to form a band,” Kim Jaejoong disclosed his desire.
“I really want to perform in a rock festival. I think it would be really fun. If I can, I want to stand on stage to perform 10 songs, not just one or two.”
Although a long time has passed, Kim Jaejoong still receives great love in Japan. “Debuted as member of DBSK, I have gained much popularity since I was rookie. At that time I didn’t know but later as JYJ, I could feel it while taking one step at the time. Rather than show dignity as a star, fans will come to you when you approach them with a family-like feeling. As I went through that time, I spent heartwarming times with my fans in a close distance. Every day I think that way. I don’t have regular activities in Japan for 4 years already. Even so, they bought my albums, came to Korea to watch my concerts, watch my movie and dramas. I feel thankful and I think ‘So my activities weren’t in vain. I did well’. There are many hoobaes (junior) making their debut in Japan. Although a star’s dignity is important, since fans are the people who love them, I hope they will approach fans like a family and grow while taking steps slowly,” Kim Jaejoong gave advice basing on his experience.
Kim Jaejoong’s has great explosive power as a soloist but his philosophy about JYJ’s teamwork is also very strong. “In order to keep group’s balance, self-control is needed. If you act/behave beyond each other, it will create bad influence. We’re naturally maintaining our balance.”
Kim Jaejoong who has spent 2013 with his successful solo debut was satisfied but didn’t let it get to his head. “Just to be sure, if there’s anything lacking, when I release my next album, I will come back with a more advanced image.”
In the end, regarding plan for world tour, Kim Jaejoong said, “All singers want to do world tour. But world tour takes very long time. For my next activities, I don’t think I should spend too much time to satisfy that ambition (He wants to do many other activities instead of spend time for world tour). I’m very satisfied with this Asia Tour. Not only me but also my concert team and the staffs, we grew together. It was so nice to work with everyone and find out my own music color. The strength when singing, the sense of direction, etc., I think in my next album, it will be more developed.”
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Sources: [Hankooki] [Sports World] [xportsnews via Naver] [Herald] [Donga] [Chosun] [10Asia]
Translated by: Hannah @ PrinceJJ
Shared by: PrinceJJ & JYJ3
Tagged: Jaejoong, Kim Jaejoong WWW Asia Tour Concert, Press Conference, WWW in Osaka
JYJ3 
Forming a rock band?? eung….
Then I realized that the prejudice of ‘the better you look, the worse you sing’ still exists.”
That’s so unfortunate (for other people), visual distraction, LOL. But for me, playing Jae’s music all day long without visual, just the audio, is a living proof that I follow him primarily because of his voice and that’s what most of my TLine are saying that they become a fan because of is VOICE, the visual shock is just a BONUS.
“I have been thinking about forming a band since last year….”
YES….GO KIM JAEJOONG ROCK BAND, just like Bon Jovi’s 🙂 , I’ll be the happiest fan 😀
A++++++ comment!!
“I have been thinking about forming a band since last year.
YES….so happy^^ hwaiting kim jaejoong!!
OMG…!!!! Forming a KIM JAEJOONG ROCK BAND and perform in rock festivals ??? Am I dreaming ???? OMG…YESSS YESSS YESSS…!!!!
I’m hyperventilating right now. LOL… I’m a rock fan since forever. Growing up listening to 70’s classic rock music. This is the best news I ever received from my beloved JJ. He shines the most when he sings solo with a live band, singing his heart out, the way a rocker does. He’s a perfect personification of a contemporary glam rock icon, the way David Bowie was in his era.
I’m imagining the name of his rock band. Kim Jaejoong band? Kim Jaejoong and the Butterflies (LOL)? Kim Jaejoong and the Star Dust? (He he…, I love Ziggy Stardust), Kim Jaejoong Glamorous Sky Band? (So fans can call themselves Glams), KJJ and the Modem Beats? Kim Jaejoong and the Rotten Loves? (LOL), Kim Jaejoong Luvholic Band? LOL I’m going crazy…
But really, I’m very enthusiastic about this. Now I’m happy to let him go enlist with a promise of a Kim Jaejoong Rock Band when he return. I’m looking forward to see him perform in rock festivals. I’m sure he will compose gazillion of songs during his time in the army.
I’m gonna try to name them too. Kim Jaejoong and the Sexy and Modern band (S&M)? KimJaejoong and the iron men? Kim Jaejoong and the delicious nipples? Kim Jaejoong and the poodles? Actually I love the glamorous sky name, I’d love to be a JJ glam!
Kim Jaejoong and the Iron Men is good to ! Fans can come to concerts wearing iron man masks ^__^. LOL at KJJ and the Pink Nipples.
Jaejoong is so confident with his music。The steps he is taking are well done。
JJ doesn’t need a rock band. His two rock albums and concerts were successful without a band of his own!
Forming a band of his own would mean the fading out of JYJ as a group. I hope JYJ will continue making their albums and doing concerts amidst their solo activities. I want the group to last till they are really old.
JYJ last album In Heaven was released September, 2010 and it’s now December, 2013, within that period there’s no JJ’s rock band so I think it’s unfair to attribute the fading of JYJ as a singing group to a still dream, still on the planning stage rock band. It’s just like YC focusing on his acting career and JS on his musical and solo albums, JYJ is a responsibilty of three persons not only Jaejoong’s, just my thought.
No I didn’t “attribute” the “fading of JYJ as a group” to JJ at all, as the group has NOT started to “fade out” as such; the group still acts as the ‘ambassador’ of the Asian Games 2014 and the three participated in all the roadshows together. It seems to me, Yoochun’s drama activities may have been a bigger reason for your thinking of their ‘fading’ already. But then, I am not blaming anybody for being too busy with their solo activities; whatever opportunities coming in, the three should grab them, as they have to keep up their presence in show business in whatever forms of performing.
Then, there will be their enlistments into the army, which inevitable will hinder their group activities. I just hope they will keep busy in their solo activities while maintaining their group activities at a certain level, like keeping on with group albums/concerts once in every one or two years. (Their brotherhood is too precious, and I don’t want to see SM smile in satisfaction.)
However, when hearing Jaejoong announcing his aspiration of forming his own rock band, I can’t help wondering what kind of consensus has been reached among JYJ. But whatever the three choose to do, I believe they know that will be the best for them under the circumstances. May be JYJ can continue alongside JJ’s rock band even after its materialization. Let’s hope JYJ will keep on making group albums on top of your solo activities!
I think it is like Hyde. Hyde is a solo and has two rock bands L’Arc and VAMPs but they both don’t detract from each other.
Just because JJ forms a rock band doesn’t mean the value or bond between JYJ will decrease ^^
Oh, I so wish for him to form a rock band! Doesn’t mean he quit being a JYJ member. When JYJ has activities as a group, JJ is of course part of JYJ. But when he does his solo music activity, he shall do it as Kim Jaejoong Rock Band. That’s my biggest wish (I’ll send it to Santa as my sole Christmas wish LOL).
JJ having some rock musicians to jam and tour with would be fun for him and us. It’s a chance for him to take musicians under his wing and expose their music to the world. It wouldn’t mean JYJ are disbanding at all. Maybe Yoochun would duet with him and Junsu would sing backup(and DANCE sexily while wearing leather pants please please please, god of dreams please make this happen) and during JYJ concerts the rock band would play live! I really truly think it’s so good for Jaejoong to have dreams like this, it’s healthy for him. He can do this and still be part of JYJ.
“Just to be sure, if there’s anything lacking, when I release my next album, I will come back with a more advanced image.”. . .The strength when singing, the sense of direction, etc., I think in my next album, it will be more developed.”
my regret about your pending enlistment is the fluidity of the next album 😦 WWW is such a good one that even non-rock fan like me loves the songs (and am grateful for considering/infusing your own color) the album gets to play loudly sans irritating noise like other rock songs do. 🙂
i’m a fan of your voice before your looks.it’s just lately you are consistent with your visual skills that listening and watching you at the same time feels like emotional torture. 😛 but never doubt you’re a very good singer Kim Jae Joong, you shines on your own,you’re our best vocalist (don’t you know?) i’m loving your free expression, perf attitude and stage style since YM&M concerts till now. the confidence and sincerity is naturally flowing not found in scripted performances. these days are good while they lasts, thank you for gifting us your best work as solo, a gift for lifetime 🙂
Next album will be welcomed with an open arms. JJ, can you release both solo album and group album next year, both in Japanese and Korean? We’ll miss you. At least we can mend our broken hearts through your music. >.<
I really find his words true to the industry and his fans. What he mentioned about “the better you look, the worse you sing” is how singing is actually viewed in the music industry and I think Jaejoong completely breaks that viewpoint. He’s insanely handsome AND he’s AMAZING at singing! Ever since I received his WWW album in the mail, it has never left my car stereo. I listen to the songs over and over and never get tired of listening to his melodious voice. It’s just different than the others, there’s something really special and gifted about his voice. Bless JJ and his true intentions and thinking.
rock is my thing!!! hihi..don’t worry jaejoong r.. even many many people might choose dance and pop song than rock, but i definitely choose rock and will support you till the end of your life! it’s more important to have loyalt fan than many fan..err did i’m wrong? hihi by the way i really enjoy your rock song!!! your voice just so amazing..keep it up and i will always with you..fighting jaejoong..i want to follow you to military..can i???? i’m gonna miss you.. T.T just imagine i’m talking with jaejoong right now..hwaa so sad i can’t see him to show my support..i’m so so sorry jaejoong..