[NEWS] JYJ in Berlin – off the record interview

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

Q. It’s the last tour for this year. What points are you going to appeal?

Junsu: This tour is an extension of the worldwide album, not a new one. There’s nothing much changed for this tour. Instead, we are going to have European dancers on stage with us. A popular star in Spain (Rafa Mendez). He dances passionately, with acrobatic skills. We combined those kind of dances with our performance. That could be the difference.

Q. It’s the first solo concert in Europe, unlike combined concerts of other companies. You mentioned that being able to narrate or do a storytelling is a difference(between JYJ’s concert and other combined concerts). What does that mean?

Junsu: In a project concert by companies, many singers show up, sing their title songs, and that’s all. However, JYJ can show diverse things through talking. The difference starts from there. The dance songs and ballads have a story. On the other hand, when singers just sing their own songs and leave the stage, it could be awkward when moving on to a ballad after a dance music. Those are the different points. In other words, this is a performance in Europe, putting up our team’s name, not a company’s title. It’s meaningful for the fact alone that we made the first step in Spain and Germany, where no one tried before.

Q. Do you realize the K-pop fever, as you’re actually in Europe?

Jaejoong: I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated. In Thailand and China, you can hear K-pop just walking on the streets. You can also commonly see selling (K-pop) CDs. To be honest, in Europe, it’s hard for a star to feel the fever if not around the venue. It’s a step where K-pop market is just initiating. The fire is about to start. People are calling it K-pop fever in Korea, because there are more and more Hallyu manias forming as time goes on. Because there is this fever, they want to know about K-pop. In our case, it’s a small scale performance, as it is an exclusive concert. It’s a concert without profit. To tell the truth, if there’s no profit, usually there are no plans for a next concert. Because we need profit for a next concert. However, we are performing, looking into the future.

Q. How was the response of the Spain audience?

Yoochun: When we see a fan from a country, we see the culture of the country. We could see the culture of Spain. It was powerful, unlike the passion we experienced in Asia. It made us think we would like to have more concerts in this country. If the stage gets bigger, I think that feeling will grow too.

Junsu: The fans drew out that power. When it was over, we felt like we did something more than we could actually do. They drew out a kind of energy, an energy impossible to draw out intentionally.

Q. I think you will feel like promoting the national glory when you perform in Europe like this?

Yoochun: It gives us more paths to go, and we feel responsibility on our shoulders, making us not think it is because we’re good. In a way, it is a concert that makes us not settle (for the current situation.) At performances in Europe, we try to be honest, without bubbles. We try to be not shy at articles saying, ‘we are this popular in Europe.’

Jaejoong: How many artists will there be among Asian artists, able to make a bubbleless, honest performance in a small venue, doing the first concert in Europe? Someone could say it was successful, even though it was not, but we don’t like that.

Q. What do you mean by ‘more paths to go’?

Jaejoong: When we performed in Japan, we had about 200,000 people per concert. We have nearly 1,000,000 people when we have four concerts, two in Osaka and two in Tokyo. When we have concerts in big venues like that, even we start to settle for our position, thinking ‘Where would be bigger than here in the future,’ or ‘Do we have a place to go up,’ and start to be too proud. It’s painful for an artist if there’s no goals to achieve anymore. However when we have smaller concerts in other countries and see the empty seats, it becomes a new goal for us, rather than a hollow feeling.

Junsu: We had to start from the very bottom in Japan too. We felt our popularity becoming more strong and solid, and at last, achieved a grand slam. It is right to start like this in Europe too.

Q. Isn’t it hard, not able to appear on music shows in Korea?

Junsu: It’s sad when we people look down on us, saying we aren’t popular. It feels terrible when they belittle us, like lowering the number of fans to prove they’re right.

Q. How do you think the relationship will be with the seperated members?

Yoochun: I thought ‘is it that hard to reunite?’ when I was young, watching teams breaking up like Seo Taeji and Sechs Kies. It is hard. Because it’s not what we, just the five of us, can do. It’s difficult to give you a definite answer.

Credit: http://1hyuk.tistory.com/5 (YTN journalist’s blog)
Translated by: With Junsu
Source: With_Junsu

Bonus:
[VID+TRANS] 111105 YTN Phone Interview with Junsu

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Anchor: Hello, Junsu-ssi.
Junsu: Hello.
Anchor: It’s about 10pm there, right?
Junsu: Yeah..nice to meet you..it’s morning here.

Q. It’s a day before the Berlin concert. How do you feel? Nervous?
A. Excited, rather than nervous. I think because we have an experience in Barcelona, Spain, the tension and excitement is lasting. We’re preparing well for a better stage.

Q. I’ve heard a lot about the Spain concert. Some says you danced more powerfully, encouraged by the fans’ wild appluase.
(Junsu laughing)

Q. How were the European fans’ response?
A. First, I was amazed that a lot of European fans recognized us when we were walking around. I think the response was so enthusiastic because Spain is the country of passion. We thought, the fans drew out something more than we got, not really because we worked hard.

Q. You answered modestly.
(Junsu laughing)

Q. An oversea concert is not an unfamiliar thing. Is there a paricular reason for choosing Spain and Germany, Europe among all the countries?
A. First, the geographical factor was dominant. We could embrace Western Europan fans in Spain, and gather Eastern, Northern European fans in Germany, so we put these into consideration. On top of that, in many apsects, we thought it would be meaningful to make a first step in a country where Kpop isn’t introduced directly.

Q. As you are the first to have a concert in Europe, it must have been not easy. I’m sure there were some hard parts.
A. First, it was a country that we, JYJ, have never been before even as a trip, and we were also worried about having our exclusive stage and performance in an unfamiliar country. However, we are so thankful that so many fans came, and it made us think we should make more chances to meet Euopean fans in the future.

Q. It was reported that you recieved favorable responses from the local press. Why do you think the Europeans like Kpop?
A. I think it’s probably because the Korean singers’ music improved so much and the music is so nice. A singer is defined by music, and I think there is a good response because the music is great. In addition, what should I say, Korean singers’ closeness? There is a sene of closeness, and through SNS, the effects related to that part amplified.

Q. They like Kpop because the music is great.. it is something natural, but it’s not easy to make the music ‘great’, right? I guess you’re proud about popularizing Korea by music to Europeans.
A. We are of course proud, but as much as proud we are, we feel heavy with responsibility, and it makes us think more about many things. When we take a step forward, we first think if this benefits JYJ, if this might be harmful to our country. Starting from there, we are working hard, thinking that nothing can be better than being able to let the world know about Korean culture, and show our own stage through these opportunities.

Q. You had concerts in Thailand and Japan. Isn’t the taste in music different in each countries?
A. Yes, I think the taste in music must be different in countries, but Kpop is especially recieving love all over the world. In that aspect, I think maybe Korean music has a special power, different from the power that other kinds of music have. Also, the fans who keep loving and listening to the music works as a motivation to make better music, and this circulates.

Q. You are saying the popularity of Kpop is global. Is there a moment you realized it?
A. As I said before, some people recognized us.. I walked around Berlin for a moment yesterday, and I saw JYJ posters hanging, and people recognized us. It was amazing, and pleasant. However, we should work hard and make a great show not to disappoint them.

Q. I’m sure you talked with other members. Have you ever talked about we made it this far?
A. It was rather more like, this is a chance to experience a new culture, and take a new step forward… if we stayed only in Asia, we could have settled for what we had, but taking this opporunity, a passion and desire to accomplish something more formed. And it also became a stimulation to us, to satisfy the fans with our music and JYJ schedules. Of course it’s meaningful to show our music through the Europe tour, but it also became a good stimulation for our music, and made us think we should work harder.

Q. What are you planning for after the concert?
A. This year, I think we’ll be having a short break after the Europe tour. We call it a break, but it could be a preparaion process for next year. Due to the individual schedules or the Europe tour, we didn’t have a chance to write many songs, so we’re also planning to write more songs for our next album, or our next step. We’re going to have a time to refresh ourselves.

Credit: YTN news
Translated by With Junsu

Source: With_Junsu
Source: yabhee0214@YT

enjoy...
Source: With_Junsu ; yabhee0214@YT

Comments

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated.

I wonder if anyone in Korea will finally read this... :/

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

I clapped my hands at this. Someone had to say it.

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

Realistic-dol..

[blu-eyezz.livejournal.com]

It is hard. Because it’s not what we, just the five of us, can do. It’s difficult to give you a definite answer.

:( *sigh*

On another note,I hope they come to the UK one day!
The guys are so modest ^^

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

Q. Do you realize the K-pop fever, as you’re actually in Europe?

Jaejoong: I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated. In Thailand and China, you can hear K-pop just walking on the streets. You can also commonly see selling (K-pop) CDs. To be honest, in Europe, it’s hard for a star to feel the fever if not around the venue.

praise this comment

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated. In Thailand and China, you can hear K-pop just walking on the streets. You can also commonly see selling (K-pop) CDs. To be honest, in Europe, it’s hard for a star to feel the fever if not around the venue

really liked this answer

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

Give to Jaejoong to give an honest answer..

[somethingmoo.livejournal.com]

First of all, I ADORE YOUR ICON. That man is forever sexy.

Secondly, I felt the same at the concert they had here in the States. I was thinking about how it must have felt to them to see the venue in New Jersey barely full when they had performed sold out shows in places like the Tokyo Dome. I was touched by how grateful they seemed at the concert and I really like the way they answered that question in this interview. It's nice to know they don't see empty seats as a downgrade but more as a challenge--because it's true, they are basically rookies again in a way.

[captainmarvel.livejournal.com]

4 for you Joe coco, you go Joe coco.

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

A+ oh God xD

[aneeleniffum.livejournal.com]

A+++++

[fingertrees.livejournal.com]

aww :D

[jcdhwg.livejournal.com]

Exactly one week ago I was enjoying JYJ's concert in Berlin!!! TT TT I want to go back~

[shiz-lestat.livejournal.com]

I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated
Finally someone gives a realistic answer instead of praising the almighty power of the Hallyu.
I love how down to eart these guys are. That's why JYJ will stay forever flawless in my eyes.

[mandyyy.livejournal.com]

However when we have smaller concerts in other countries and see the empty seats, it becomes a new goal for us, rather than a hollow feeling.

How precious.

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

And they give the same energy in each of the stage regardless the number of audiences.
They looks genuinely happy performing on stage..

[summertangerine.livejournal.com]

so realistic and precious. omg, so refreshing~ :3

[fadeintoyou.livejournal.com]

every time i read an interview with them, they strike me as so down to earth and real. goodness knows they can give some pansy ass answer but their responses have always seem well thought out. and its nice to see them stay humble despite the many things they've accomplished.

[mimic.livejournal.com]

The interview made me sad. It seems like they are going through a difficult time. It was sad hearing JJ talk about the millions of fans that would see them in Japan and how he doesn't consider the small intimate concert in Europe are a success. Homin get to enjoy the fruits of the labor all five of them built while they suffer just to even out the playing field. I guess that's the risk they proudly took when leaving SM. I so proud of JYJ. JYJ fighting!!!

This lawsuit bullshit needs to end right now.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

I guess that's the risk they proudly took when leaving SM. I so proud of JYJ.

Yes! And YES! I'm so very proud of the guys too!! ^.^

[boba-holic.livejournal.com]

I really liked this interview. Especially Jae's answer about the Hallyu xp
It's nice to hear how humble they are, and I'm glad they're determined to work from the bottom up in places outside of Asia. Obviously they're not going to be huge or anything, but I think they could build up a good sized fanbase if they worked at it

[shintotchi.livejournal.com]

Jaejoong: I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated. In Thailand and China, you can hear K-pop just walking on the streets. You can also commonly see selling (K-pop) CDs. To be honest, in Europe, it’s hard for a star to feel the fever if not around the venue. It’s a step where K-pop market is just initiating. The fire is about to start. People are calling it K-pop fever in Korea, because there are more and more Hallyu manias forming as time goes on.

Damn can someone give BooJae a nobel peace prize? Finally someone says the truth! This whole quote is beautiful.

gdi, that gif is distracting me.

[summertangerine.livejournal.com]

jae is so cute.

Re: gdi, that gif is distracting me.

[orenji13.livejournal.com]

He know the power of zoom lenses.
He even checked his crotch to see that it's 'proper' LOL

Re: gdi, that gif is distracting me.

[rainbowfactory.livejournal.com]

where is that adorbs gif from though?? O.O

[omen1x2.livejournal.com]

JYJ must be some of the most honest guys in KPop, and I love them for it. (Among other reasons.) ♥

[inori88.livejournal.com]

Finally an honest interview about Kpop in Europe.
I like the way JYJ talk about their concerts, and how the empty seats just give them room to improve . They have a hard situation, but they sound determinate to do their best but also enjoy the road

[ghost-whisper.livejournal.com]

This was such a fantastic and honest interview.

I love that you can feel how willing JYJ are to acknowledge and take the hard path, working in small intimate concerts and stuff, and knowing that it's the path that can actually lead to some success and break new ground - rather than just run overseas to soak up some money and expect that hallyu will magically cause a sensation around the globe. And you can feel, I think that they are enjoying the fact that they have new challenges and goals to actually work towards, for their own sakes.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

They actually understand the way the market and the audience works. The difference is that JYJ has control of themselves, theyre not just doing what ~the company wants, so they can actually make informed decisions about where theyre going as entertainers, idols, artists etc etc

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

jaejoong's comment about kpop's influence is why they get banned at music shows. how dare they hurt the image of hallyu with their truthiness. lol!

[baboboy.livejournal.com]

lol

[baboboy.livejournal.com]

jfc why you make me love you more and more jyj? the fact that they decided they want to start from the very bottom in other countries, just like they did in Japan, makes me respect them even more.

I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated.
finally!

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

Right? ugh theyre sticking to the formula that make them great as 5, they were real raw and hardworking. I love that they dont hide behind the bullshit hallyu wave like everyone else and just jump from country to country for more profit.

[fayoochun.livejournal.com]

these boys are very honest, sincere and real... i can't help but fall in love to jyj each and everyday... god bless your heart jyj :')

[feelthyrhythm.livejournal.com]

I'm not a huge fan of jyj but I've been reading most of their interviews these days and I must say I'm amazed by their answers everytime. Such heartfelt and well thought out answers. Love their attitudes towards life. ^^

[earthequality.livejournal.com]

I approve of you. I was like this in January 2010 and now look at me, but yes. Totally refreshing to see artists that feel like this.

[bolingi-aii.livejournal.com]

Let me love you more JYJ, let me love you more. They're so straight to the point and honest. I like that they want to challenge themselves and not settle for the popularity they have in Asia. They're really growing as artists, its so easy to see. I'm glad they have the freedom to make decisions for themselves, its really been a great benefit to them, the industry in SK knows what its missing out on. Too bad for them JYJ isn't as weak as they thought.

[earthequality.livejournal.com]

All these interviews. I just want to shove this in that newspaper in Spain who were like, JYJ exaggerated or w/e. Yes, because fans count towards their opinions, lol.

If we know anything as Cassiopeia, is how all the boys love challenges and how determined they are. I love how honest and realistic they are, how humble. This is why I continue to love them. They know their limits and their goals, what they need to do to reach them. I love how they just don't expect to be popular because a certain amount of people know who they are, how they are always thankful.

Every time I went to their concerts and events, I felt heartache seeing empty seats because I could only imagine what they musy feel like. Now I know and my heart is happy and relieved. :D

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

How modest and humble can they get? Besides their music, I love JYJ for their personalities! They are so wonderful! *sobbing*

Jaejoong: I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated.

FINALLY somebody said it! Thank you, Jae!! <3

[padmik.livejournal.com]

oh wow some one actually said it and i thank jaejoong for being the one to say it as it is. these boys know how it feels to start at the bottom and re-start at the bottom again.

[suzieeq-luv.livejournal.com]

It was sad to see the negative press that came after they worked so hard for their concerts and gave great shows for the fans. But in the end they still gave well thought out answers and once again reminded people of how they made it this far and aren't going away anytime soon.
Happy fan/stan/JYJ lover/or whatever the latest label is. Just happy for them 3 boys ;)

[saintedmal.livejournal.com]

Always amazing. <3 Bless your hearts, JYJ. Flawless fandom!

[karavanuemura.livejournal.com]

Jaejoong: I think the K-pop fever we imangined is exaggerated.

Jaejoong, has SAID it himself.