[TRANS] 120105 Professor of cultural theory writes about the current situation between JYJ and SM, Part 3

JYJ3 note: This is Part 3 of an article written by Professor Lee DongYeon, who teaches cultural theory at Korea National University of Arts. We decided to translate this piece due to its strength of insight and its relevance to understanding how the situation between JYJ and SM is perceived by intellectuals as well as by the general public. DNBN, among other Korean fansites, have posted the professor’s article and we believe it is our duty to share it with international fandom.  Read Part 1 and Part 2 by clicking on the links.

Source of happiness and free will

So are JYJ, the exiles of K-pop, happy? Of course they are, because JYJ fandom’s righteousness makes them happy. JYJ’s source of happiness can seemingly be viewed as a commercial success. Since their official debut in 2010 until now, JYJ have been as successful as they were in TVXQ days. Until now, combining 2 studio albums, members’ solos, OST albums, concert albums, etc., at least 1,200,000 albums were sold. They have appeared in more than 10 ads such as being models for Lotte Duty Free. Not only publishing photobooks, a music essay, and DVDs, the members have also participated in a movie, musicals, and dramas. They had 33 concerts and showcases in total (including Live Concert in Japan, Worldwide showcases in 2010, World Tour concerts in 2011), mobilizing audiences greater than 550,000. Economically, they have gained more benefits than TVXQ of the past and in comparison with TVXQ’s 2 members, they have gained greater fame. 

[TRANS] 120105 Professor of cultural theory writes about the current situation between JYJ and SM, Part 2

JYJ3 note: This is Part 2 of an article written by Professor Lee DongYeon, who teaches cultural theory at Korea National University of Arts. We decided to translate this piece due to its strength of insight and its relevance to understanding how the situation between JYJ and SM is perceived by intellectuals as well as by the general public. DNBN, among other Korean fansites, have posted the professor’s article and we believe it is our duty to share it with international fandom. Part 1 was posted yesterday and can be accessed HERE while Part 3 will be posted tomorrow.

SM’s wrong judgments

There are 2 reasons that SM decided to put the brakes on JYJ’s activities and incapacitate them. First, they believed that SM, the production company of K-pop’s most powerful idol groups, could influence JYJ’s broadcasting activities. Due to the nature of Korean popular music, it’s impossible to succeed without broadcast. The idol groups who are in SM occupy important roles in terrestrial and cable broadcasting. Members of these groups have a greater proportion of appearances on music programs, entertainment programs, radio programs, etc. than any idol of other companies. Even if the broadcasters aren’t under direct pressure, they still have to read SM’s countenance. Without SM’s tacit consent, JYJ’s broadcast appearances can’t go through. In the closing ceremony of ‘IAAF World Championships Daegu’, JYJ were able to appear on KBS because that program was not under the jurisdiction of KBS’s Entertainment Department. The broadcasting stations said that JYJ couldn’t appear because of the lawsuit with SM but as the Court has already judged that the previous exclusive contract between SM and TVXQ was unfair, this claim is not persuasive. In addition, according to reports from media, the FTC (Fair Trade Commission), after receiving many complaints about SM interfering JYJ’s activities, has investigated and found out some clues and is preparing to impose hundreds of millions won of fines [to SM]. 

[NEWS] 120104 Social Networking Sites play a huge role in the success of JYJ’s career

In 2011, most of the world’s news spread quickly across the globe thorough various Social Networking Sites.

Those who could not find an outlet to voice their opinions also utilized SNS to express their thoughts and at times, changed the world. These same social networking sites became a gateway of communication between JYJ and their fans.

The three JYJ members Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu were once members of the greatest idol group, TVXQ under SM Entertainment but publicly revealed their unfair contracts and became independent.

The three members were once part of the wildly popular group, but suddenly became distant from their fans once creating JYJ. There really was no way for them to properly communicate with their fans.

They desperately needed to build a bridge in order to be able to reach their fans, and SNS became the obvious answer. After leaving TVXQ in July of 2009, JYJ publicly released two albums but it was not easy for the public to have access to their music or their performances.

Due to reasons unknown, the boys are unable to publicly perform on television programs or cable channels. Despite this, the boys sold over 320,000 copies of their two albums released in 2010 and 2011, proving that their fame knows no bounds and fans still highly support their career.

[TRANS] 111220 Conflicts between JYJ and SM mentioned in a year-end report article on music industry

In addition, critics mentioned symbolic existences and events that are worthy of attention. Mr. Na Dohwon criticized conflicts between JYJ who were separated from TVXQ and their former agency SM by saying “Dark sides of Korean-style idol management agencies that lead K-pop Hallyu were exposed.” He also criticized, “(measures taken to limit JYJ’s TV appearances) confirmed patterns of alliances between a certain management agency and national broadcasting companies.

(Unrelated parts omitted)

[T/N: Na Dohwon is a pop music critic. This article was written based on multiple music critics’ evaluation of K-pop, 2011.]

Source: 한겨레 via Nate
Translation by: MuggleAjumma of JYJ3
Shared by: JYJ3
Please do not add to, alter, or remove the credits.

[NEWS] JYJ Have No Contact with 2VXQ ; Jaejoong Wishes to Meet to Talk

JYJ “Sometimes Dreams of Yunho and Changmin… Wish to Meet”

JYJ has relayed the wish to meet U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin with whom they have worked together as TVXQ.

JYJ revealed in the Press Conference held for the release of their first Korean-language album In Heaven that was held in a café in Jungdong, Seoul, on the 30^th: “Still, there is no contact with the two.”  Then there were significant words relayed: There may be a possibility that we be able to see them in the near future.”

On this day, in answering the question of whether he has contacted U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin who are members of TVXQ, Yoochun answered: “Still, the two people, I do not contact / there is no contact.” Continuing, Jaejoong hinted that he misses the two, saying: “Please let me contact them. In my dreams the two people often appear. There is one time that all three of us had the dream at once.”

Continuing, he revealed his frank heart:

[INTERVIEW] JYJ From the Peak to the Rock Bottom… Now We’re Masters at Most Hardships

JYJ From the Peak to the Rock Bottom… Now We’re Masters at Most Hardships

Junsu: “We have never clashed in conflict in working on our music. On the contrary, we ask each other because we try to hear the other member’s opinion and we each seek to accommodate them. When doing so, definitely we got good opinions.”

Yoochun: In any case, since the fans waited for a long time and gave us strength and courage we wish it to be a good present. Because we did not purposefully create self-compositions to become singer-songwriters. In the beginning it was difficult. Because we did not have the songs to use in our concerts at that moment. It is that a hardship turned into a blessing. It was a good learning experience. Because we ourselves drew it from the sketch. Now, even with the members, there is a different sort of trust than what before. There is also confidence for the next album.”

Because there were many hardships, they seemed as if they had become masters in most hardships. Overnight, they went from the position of the very top enjoying everything there is to enjoy to experiencing rock bottom—and it was a precious opportunity for growth. They said in unison the following optimistically:

[INTERVIEW] Time Has Passed… But Still “JYJ in TVXQ”

We Are Still TVXQ… Do Not Want the Expression “Former-Member”

JYJ is known to have separated from TVXQ but they are still TVXQ. JYJ has meaning when inside of TVXQ. It’s as if TVXQ is an incomplete group without JYJ.

Jaejoong: “Time has passed and now we are referred to as JYJ and TVXQ, but that we have our group name as the initials of the members means that we work as JYJ in TVXQ. We do not have any intention to get out from the shadow of TVXQ. Because we are still TVXQ, I do not want the expression of TVXQ’s former member either.”

[VIDEO] MBC Kpop Cover Dance Festival in Spain asks “Favorite member?” They reply, “Park Yoochun!”

Caption reads: Various nationalities. Common interest among the youth– Kpop

The interviewer asked the girls “Who is your favorite member” and two of the girls replied “Yoochun.” The interviewer exclaims “Oh wow, really…they are all Yoochun fans.”

Source: JYJ3official + DCgallery
Translated + Shared by: JYJ3

[NEWS] Article Based on No Facts Whatsoever Covers Existence of a Theory of 5VXQ Reunification

The below Korean article deals with a Japanese article that is the quintessential false gossip column based on absolutely nothing more than perhaps the writer’s musings ^^. Read on to see how the article is based on absolute no facts and also attempts to bring in unrelated and incorrect assumptions to insinuate support. An excellent example of how to write an article that ruins the reputation of the publication.

Japan Surprise Report: “A Possibility that TVXQ Revives as 5-Member Group Next Year?”

A report that raises the possibility of the rebirth of the group TVXQ as 5 has come out in Japan. Although this is not an article that bases itself on accurate facts, because TVXQ enjoys explosive popularity in Japan also, the Japanese fans are showing high interest.

The Japanese weekly publication Shukan Post quoted an article in Women Seven which is a medium that specializes in gossip of celebrities and reported: “There is some movement that TVXQ will be reborn as a 5-member group in Korea next year.”

The magazine first relayed that JYJ’s Jaejoong has written on his Twitter on the 26^th of last month that “I am not sure whether I can say this, but I want to meet Yunho and Changmin” and that this adds to the possibility of the revival of the 5-member group. (T/N: This is wrong. Jaejoong wrote that he misses Yunho and Changmin, not that he wishes to meet them or see them.)