JYJ sat down to answer some very difficult questions about their current frame of mind given that they’re still in the midst of the lawsuit against SM Entertainment.
Although these three young men are cutting their own path to their own freedom, its still difficult for them because they obviously miss the two members who decided not to sue SM for unfair treatment. They have even dreamed of the other two members at the same time.
The guys talked about not being able to hold domestic activities. Fans have speculated that JYJ are purposely being kept from performing because broadcasters are scared of getting on SM’s bad side. Despite the broadcasters’ cowardice, reports say that there is still a flood of requests from Korean fans who want to see JYJ be allowed to perform on various programs. (@dongbanger)
Here is the translated interview:
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Micky Yoochun, Xiah Junsu and YoungWoong Jaejoong. Three guys who are now called JYJ, not TVXQ. They are currently healing from the ‘heartbreak’ from their legal dispute and past ordeals. As many can see, they are going at full power on their activities. However, the fans who are watching over them have conflicting feelings. It is more so as U-Know Yunho and Choikang Changmin, who are left in the team, have decided to make a comeback as TVXQ next January.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the chilliest day of the year, we asked the three members, who visited the editorial office hidden in thick coats, questions that fans have been wanting to ask. We picked the three questions that reporters have been most curious about, which may cause them to be the most uncomfortable questions for the three members to answer. Though we worried at first that they might have sensitive reactions to our questions, the members stated that they were finally able to speak of the emotions they had been containing for so long and their words seemed to cry out in relief as they could finally ‘blow off some steam’.
1. Do you stay in contact with the two other members? (No)
-It feels like the communication satellite has been blocked. They’ve probably changed their phone numbers by now
“I tried calling them a couple of times. There were even times when the call went through. But suddenly, it stopped working.” (Jaejoong)
Our question and answer session began immediately with an awkward question. These five guys have been living under the same roof and nurturing their dreams together. But as they each chose the road they wished to take, the situation became tangled. The wall of reality that is blocking is them is as high as it can be. We first asked them if they have been keeping in contact with U-Know Yunho and Choikang Changmin, who have announced their comeback as TVXQ next January. This is something that fans have been most curious about.
“It feels like the communication satellite has been blocked. They’ve probably changed their (phone) numbers by now.” (Jaejoong)
A few words continued back and forth after this. While we were at it, we decided to ask them how they felt when they learned of Yunho and Changmin’s comeback. The members, who had been wearing bitter expressions till then, finally erased this expression from their faces. Our prediction that they would show subtle feelings of disapproval was completely wrong.
“Of course we’re supporting them. We hope that they perform in a manner that is fitting to the name TVXQ.” (Junsu)
The two other members, Micky Yoochun and YoungWoong Jaejoong, began to nod. The three members confessed that Yunho and Changmin frequently appeared in their dreams.
“When we were caught up in the happening (lawsuit), we were at a point where we couldn’t talk about things with other people. Those days were so frustrating. Back then, our two friends frequently appeared in our dreams. There were times when they would appear in the dreams of all three of us at once.” (Jaejoong) “During the afterparty of the showcase, we all hugged each other and cried our eyes out. I think we did that because we felt so frustrated and stuffy.” (Junsu)
At their position on top, they have each chosen their separate roads. But their friendship has not changed. We wondered what effect the recent news of H.O.T’s reunion had on the members. At our cautious question asking if we would be able to see the five members on one stage in the future, they gave us their answer as if it was obvious.
“We’re keeping the possibility open. If it can be done…” (Junsu) “Just because we’re keeping the possibility open, doesn’t mean it will definitely happen, but our support for them will never change. But I feel it will take a long time for such a thing to happen.” (Yoochun)
2. Breaking away, do you regret it? (No)
-Though it wasn’t easy standing alone, we’re thankful that we’re able to stand on stage
“Everything feels more desperate these days. But we don’t regret our decision.” (Junsu)
Last year, JYJ left SM Entertainment, one of Korea’s leading agencies. It is like the New York Yankees of the Major League or Manchester United of the Premier League. SM has an orderly system for its singers and does not hesitate in supporting its singers. It is an agency that any singer would clamor to work under. Therefore, the members admitted that the process of standing alone wasn’t an easy one.
“We are so thankful even to be able to release and album and stand on stage. We were able to reflect on ourselves a lot.” (Jaejoong) “It was something we had taken into consideration and anticipated. We had to start fresh and rebuild everything.” (Junsu) “Even the parts that are supposed to be easy were difficult for us.” (Jaejoong)
When asked to elaborate, this was their answer, “There was a natural disaster. We invested 900 million Won to make the stadium into a dome, and were the first people to do so in the world, but never did we think there would be hail… It’s not that we feel it was a waste of money, we were just disappointed that we wouldn’t be able to perform with such facilities.” (Jaejoong)
The members’ gazes deepened and their expressions became resolute with determination. Junsu opened his mouth to say, “If we had ten choices open to us in the past, now we have 2 or 3. Things have changed as what once only took 1 or 2 tries to open, now take at least 10 times to attain the same things.”
3. Why aren’t you holding domestic activities? (…)
-Broadcasting companies are ignoring us as our lawsuit is not yet over. It’s not that we aren’t, it’s that we can’t.
“Even the fans know very well that it’s not that we’re choosing not to hold activities domestically. It feels weird when people ask us why we’re taking a break for so long when we’re so busy with various activities.” (Yoochun)
JYJ released their worldwide album in October. They also held showcases in seven cities across Asia and North America. They met with around 70,000 fans on November 27th and 28th during their concert. But some have pointed out that JYJ’s activities seem to be leaning towards those held overseas. The disappointment of domestic fans is quite large too. But the members stressed that it isn’t that they choosing not to perform in Korea, it’s that they can’t.
“No matter how popular we are overseas, we are still Korean singers. It feels strange and odd that we can’t perform in Korea with the album that we released. It’s not that we’re staying away from domestic activities. Everything feels like it’s being bottled up. I hope it gets better soon.” (Junsu)
Broadcasting companies have been ignoring them as their legal dispute has not ended yet. The only instance where JYJ have been given a chance to perform is their upcoming performance at the <2010 KBS Drama Acting Awards> on the 31st that pulled through due to Micky Yoochun’s appearance on KBS 2TV’s <SungKyunKwan Scandal>.
Even the fans are feeling a thirst for domestic activities. Threads of various music programs have been and still are being flooded by requests for JYJ’s appearance. The fans’ solidarity has become stronger.
Source: [hankooki+DNBN]
Translation credits: jeeelim5@tohosomnia.net
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