Note: The following is a review of Junsu’s concert in LA and contains the author’s reactions and opinions.
Xia Junsu
Hollywood Palladium
09-02-2012
At 25-years-old, “Xia” Kim Junsu has seen more than his share of drama. He ascended to pop royalty in the wildly successful five-member boy band TVXQ (aka DBSK). Following the success of their iconic single “Mirotic” in 2009, he and two other members filed a lawsuit against their label, citing unfair profits margins and an unreasonably long 13-year contract.
They won. Sort of.
In response, the label filed an injunction against the rebellious three; though it was dismissed last year, it led to a hiatus of the legendary K-pop act. Some of the new members formed a new boy band, JYJ, which Kim is still in, despite having his solo gig on the side.
What sets Xia apart from other soloists is that he’s had to label hop (he’s now with C-JeS) so he can get closer to doing whatever he wants; Korean record labels are run like the old Hollywood studio system, and rarely do any stars get autonomy.
Like pop diva Robyn, Kim’s had to snuff out his own bubblegum career in order to emerge as an artist with some semblance of control over his own vision. There’s a reason most proteges don’t strike out on their own: Xia’s own journey has, up until recently, been plagued with constant label changes and suspensions.
In the past three years Kim has played the titular character of Mozart!, released his first solo album Tarantallegra, and has an international tour that recently went through Asia, Europe, South America and is now finishing in the U.S.
[JYJ3 Note: Junsu's World Tour started in the U.S. after finishing his Asia Tour. The writer seems to not be clear on this]
While Kim relied heavily on a translator throughout the night, it did not preclude him from interacting happily and extensively. In fact, there were times when Kim just looked content to be musing out loud to a throng of doe-eyed girls.
His new English single “Uncommitted,” produced by Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer, sounds like it could have been for JT. After performing it live for the first time, Kim remarked that it was really hard to be so intimate with the ladies playing his girlfriends in the video, who had to coach and relax him on set. “Really!” he chirped to the crowd, in English.
Like Michael Jackson, to whom he is often compared, Kim proved to be a commanding performer, carrying a bit of sexuality, but also naiveté. In his bashful interactions with the crowd you almost couldn’t believe this was the guy whose trademark move is the pantomimed doggy style.
Kim has a peculiar allure. He combines the androgyny of a Japanese shock rocker with the masculine prowess of a R&B mack daddy. As the son of a former Miss Korea, he knows a thing or two about pageantry and possesses a feminine mystique. And it drives girls wild.
It’s a shame that most of the night was marred by poor sound quality. Kim’s set design and production quality was impressive, but couched within a traditional rock venue, the hard, militaristic beats didn’t quite work.
What Kim’s solo career has shown is that his creative passions run far, wide and random. He is a disciplined veteran who easily belts out throaty, velvety jams, all while throwing down polished dance moves. But deep down inside, you know he just can’t wait to let loose on his operatic power ballads.
Kim absolutely radiated (and wept) during songs like “I Hate Love” and “Leaves.” He’s not just a theatrical performer. He’s a theater geek trapped in a pop star’s body. Babs, Liza, this is your guy.
Nevertheless, the standout performance of the night was the album’s titular single “Tarantallegra,” a rumbling hybrid of pop-meets-classical. The song’s catchline is, “What music would you listen to?” His raging international fans can easily answer that.
Personal Bias: I still get this guy confused with Big Bang’s G-Dragon. I know, not all blonde, svelte K-poppers look alike.
The Crowd: Tweens on the verge of meltdown.
Random Notebook Dump: A Minnesotan in town for work decided to check out a random local show and ended up here. Verdict? Different. Good.
Credit: Tiffanie Lee via LAWeeklyMusic
Shared By: JYJ3
Reblogged this on ~ blogging my fangirl-ness.
Junsu is never ever like the guy you meant…..
Please really listen to his songs now and before
then you realize that Junsu is totally different from
you think…
I can’t help it. I just hate reading articles (blogs in this case, but it was in the L.A. Weekly) by people who don’t get their facts straight before sitting down to write. I know it was largely a good review, but comparing Junsu to G-Dragon???????? Excuse me for noticing, but G-Dragon is a rapper – he can just about, sort of sing helped along no doubt by a bit of studio wizardry. The minute I read that “two guys with blonde hair” confuse the writer who seemed to want us to take him seriously up till that point, I should probably have stopped reading right there….
I totally agree with you, no comparison to Junsu…..
@lilibaiyu I it was cool review but I could not help from focusing on a couple of things!
At 25-years-old – The age is wrong
Like pop diva Robyn, Kim’s had to snuff out his own bubblegum career in order to emerge as an artist with some semblance of control over his own vision.
– Even though I have not know Junsu very long or maybe I do not understand what bubblegum mean. But I would never describe his career as bubblegum.
Xia’s own journey has, up until recently, been plagued with constant label changes and suspensions. – I thought he has only been with two labels SM and CJES. How can being with two labels be described as constant label changes. Correct me if I am wrong it has only been two labels?
In his bashful interactions with the crowd you almost couldn’t believe this was the guy whose trademark move is the pantomimed doggy style. – What is pantomimed doggy style, LOL!!!!!
As the son of a former Miss Korea, he knows a thing or two about pageantry and possesses a feminine mystique.
- Not sure if this is a compliment or insult. It make it sound like he is a girl or maybe it is just how I am reading it.
It’s a shame that most of the night was marred by poor sound quality. Kim’s set design and production quality was impressive, but couched within a traditional rock venue, the hard, militaristic beats didn’t quite work.
- Do anyone who attended the concert feel the same about the sound?
I still get this guy confused with Big Bang’s G-Dragon. I know, not all blonde, svelte K-poppers look alike.
– I am not really familiar with G-Dragon music but I do not think Junsu and him look alike at all.
The Crowd: Tweens on the verge of meltdown.
– For anyone who attended the concert was there only tweens there? I thought I saw grown up in the audience.
@flower
“ilibaiyu I it was cool review but I could not help from focusing on a couple of things!”
See what I mean? Didn’t get his facts straight before sitting down to write. And also maybe I should mention another personal no-no of mine, indulging in cute metaphors in the midst of the many misstated facts – I don’t like that much either.
All of your observations of the skewed facts were right on, btw. The “constant record company changes” are a mystery to me too – is the writer maybe adding in AVEX too, do you suppose? Considering the FACTS of what actually happened with JYJ, that was kind of a cheap shot… sort of like blaming the victim for the crime.
@lilibaiyu you know you might be right. Maybe she was including Avex.
@flower
In his bashful interactions with the crowd you almost couldn’t believe this was the guy whose trademark move is the pantomimed doggy style. – What is pantomimed doggy style, LOL!!!!!
I was wondering the same thing while reading this & then i realized the writer meant the pose Junsu strikes during Intoxication in front of the crowd when he’s on the ground, sideways, and hip thrusting. Its like how a dog would “pee” i guess … thus the writer called it “pantomimed doggy style”….. -______-” lol
@flower
@angel
“I was wondering the same thing ……”
Well, not exactly. And those young ladies here on JYJ3 under 18 years of age please do not click on this link, but here is the correct definition of doggie style: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=doggie+style
Ah…… I see now…..
@lilibaiyu
My first reaction was what the hell kind of article is this if you can’t be bothered to get your facts right. Even though it may be considered a decent review for something other than mainstream western music, by and large, I found it insulting at times.
@flower’s list.
“Bubblegum career’ – other than “Balloons” earlier in his career
, he was darn serious about his singing and dancing and the hard work, effort and toll it took on his life. I would not consider many of the songs fluff. Especially compared to a lot of k-pop I hear now.
As for constant label changes after the split, I thought it was just C-JeS for overall management and Avex for Japan activities only. I would not call this continuous label changes.
“Doggy Style”…Are you kidding me?! We did not watch the same concert. Does this writer know what that means?
Lol, because his mother was a former Miss Korea, this must mean Junsu knows instinctively about pageantry? He received this knowledge in utero, via osmosis in his mother’s womb? Did the writer not read about him purposefully going for the androgynous look for this album and world tour? Doing a little research before writing would make for a better article. I, too couldn’t decide if this was an insult or not.
I am insulted over the “tweens on verge of a meltdown” reference. Granted, there were many young people in attendance, the audience was terrific and nary a meltdown did I see, and everyone was respectful while having a wonderful time. However, there were quite a few older fans such as myself and not just females, there were men of varying ages too. I met wonderful people of vastly varying ages from all over the world. Everyone was friendly and excited to be there and they all wanted to share in that feeling with the other concert goers.
Seriously, how can you confuse GD and Junsu? They are so different from body type, to voice, to dancing, to looks. Blonde hair, really? That’s what makes them difficult to tell apart?
I did mention in a different post that I wished the sound had either the bass dialed back or the volume turned down a bit. It wasn’t the best quality but it was just okay. I could still hear Junsu’s beautiful and amazing voice clearly and that’s what counted for me.
It’s nice to see something written up in a local paper, I just wish it didn’t have the tone that it does for me.
@eljay I loved your responses to my list. I particularly laughed so hard with your response to Junsu knowing about pageantry!!!!!! I figured Junsu had a mixed crowd of varying ages. He is just that type of artist that does attract young, middle and older people. I know he was very happy to see varying ages of fans. I know that have to feel satisfying that he is reaching alot of ages. I am happy for you despite the sound being a little off, you still was able to enjoy Junsu amazing voice clearly.
@Eljay
Hi eljay – I loved your post, especially because you were there and I trust your eyes and ears. Also, you know a lot about Korean R&B-Pop as opposed to K-pop music only and – BONUS! you can tell the difference between GD and Junsu! lol Maybe because I’m from L.A. and I used to read the L.A. Weekly quite a bit does the review disappoint me. It’s like my homies dissed my Best Guy.
@flower
I loved your list and glad I made you laugh! Our thinking was very similar.
I agree he is the type of artist that can attract all types of fans and does. A phenomenal performance by an incredibly talented man.
@Lilibaiyu
Dear friend, how I wished you could have gone with me! I’ve been able to tell them apart for quite some time
Hmm, I’ve never mistaken them for each other. They are so dissimilar, sheesh, is the writer really interested in this music because this says to me…not.
So the other night my youngest called me from college and then proceeded to put me on speaker phone so her dorm-mate (I’ve known her for 2 yrs.) could talk. Seems she has a Korean friend back in Long Beach as was getting interested in K-pop because of her and was asking my daughter (she’s in to many types of music, sadly not mine!) if she knew any. HA, my daughter immediately called me! Later, I asked my daughter if it was hard for her to ask me, lol.
Anyway, I immediately started her friend on the fancams from Junsu’s L.A. concert along with some youtube links and background info on him and JYJ. She asked me for mixed CD’s of various k-pop artists. Today, I mentioned some other groups to my daughter and that some were a bit above the bubblegum type, I was then informed that her dorm-mate loves bubblegum type of music…*facepalm*
I’m not introducing her to anything by SM, and I’m standing by that!
This is the dear soul who wrote the piece. When I searched her name with the name of the pub, this is what came up…she should know better. Her sense of disconnect is huge.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanielee
I actually find it interesting to read reviews of someone who isn’t a fan of JYJ. The lens is less colored, and not the usual fangirl/fanboy gush. It is like when Yoo Chun is recognised for his budding talent in acting by drama critics. In this sense when the review is positive, like this one is for Junsu, there is even more vindication of his amazing artistry as a singer and performer.
@JT
Yeah, I GUESS you’re right but the erroneous “interchangeability of G-Dragon and Junsu” still royally cheeses me off…
@lilibaiyu I totally understand what you mean. It is clear the writer has just been introduced to Junsu. He acknowledges that in his final few lines. Eventho he missed the mark on many facts, (one wonders where he got the info from …) he was obviously moved enough by Junsu’s AMAZING performance to write about it.
I think that not only was he just introduced to Junsu but kpop in general. When people are not exposed to a certain type of music, ethnicity, race, etc. it takes them a while to see distinctive characteristics of every individual so he probably saw a clip of GD when he was blond and then Junsu (though he is not blond here..) and since he is not familiar with either of them or Korean idols he gets them mixed up. When I was getting into kpop long time ago, I remember having a hard time picking out a certain person from a group. I watched a video and someone caught my attention and wanted to know who he was so I googled and could not see him anywhere on the group pics since they changed their style so much. When I think back to those times sometimes I think that I must have been blind or stupid but the lack of exposure must’ve made it difficult. I was still fairly new to Kpop when I discovered DBSK/JYJ and for some reason I could recognize JJ from a mile even if his hair was blond, red, or black; he has very distinctive characteristics.
BlueScorpio is dead on. I was the same way too. I think that’s just the way the human brain works. When you expose yourself to something often, you start to see intricate details and you noticed not all people ‘look alike’. I too was clueless on ‘who was who’ when it came to kpop. But as I viewed it more and more, I would view baby or younger photos, and can tell who is who in the photo. Even in real life now I can tell if I seen someone again verses getting them confused with someone else. It’s an amazing thing what happens when you adapt to something. Give this writer time. They’re new. You can tell.
agree with you. the reviewer obviously doesn’t know much about kpop, but junsu’s awesome stage doesn’t need kpop fans to recognize. i’m happy with this review.
Junsu does have a strong stage appearance. He may be cute, gullible, and laughing things off most of the time, but when the light dims and music starts, you will see a completely different Junsu – sexy, passionate, and charismatic. It’s not only him, but JYJ as a whole had to break away from SME to pursue what they really want to do at their own merits. I do raise eyebrows at some points in this review and the writer doesn’t seem to know enough about him or JYJ, but overall, it’s not too bad. Good thing is a non-fan takes an interest in him and his show.
I think this guy likes what he saw… He may be new to Junsu, but he kinda like him – not in fangirl kinda like, but he acknowledges the very fact that Junsu is a fine artist who sings like a musical geek that is trapped inside of an idol’s body… and I don’t have any problem with that…
However, I have to agree that his comparison to G-Dragon kinda pisses me off… They look nothing alike… And if you still get confused, just listen to their voice… I think that should clear it up…
I give this reviewer 50 out a 100. Living in the states, reading and watching USA media, I see what he/she tried to do with this piece, but man, the reviewer sure stood true to the style of reporting around here 50% facts 50% shock… Well, I give it to him for trying. Some of things he/she wrote about I take offense with, but maybe that just me…
Nevertheless, we can always make a case that any press is good press, ne? Maybe yes or maybe not. Peace and chocolate.
Poor sound quality? What the….it sounded perfectly fine to me. The girl who wrote this must’ve been the girl in the tight red dress,
that bitch that to make the interview to junsu?
that for his fault junsu do 3 ng?
suck bitch!
sorry for my bad language!
i’d lay off she! x-(
Reblogged this on My Blog.
Yes, this writer should have checked her facts. A lot of stuff in the article is erroneous and maybe even misleading. I wonder if she was issued a press release…
Junsu compared with GD? Wtf? GD is a freaking rapper who can’t even sing properly. As much as I prefer big bang over other kpop groups, this is just wrong!
I know that Junsu is like one of the best in Korea but don’t insult GD pleeease. He can rap and sing, and though his style of singing is different from Junsu’s and his range and vocal strength is not like Junsu’s, he is still a singer with an individual style and a great songwriter and producer as well. Big Bang is my second favorite Korean group. I don’t know why you say that he “can’t even sing properly”, I think he does it well using his own style just like our Junsu has his own individual style and I am not even talking about his voice but the emotions he pours in every song.
I love Big Bang. But comparing Junsu and GD are like comparing apples to oranges, they are so dissimilar. I agree each has their own strength, talent, style, and color to it.
@eljay
“But comparing Junsu and GD are like comparing apples to oranges, they are so dissimilar.”
The writer of the article, Tiffany Lee is, unless I am very much mistaken, Asian. And yet this strikes me as a kind of “they all look alike to me” comment, no? Completely puzzling.
Reblogged this on dreamalexia.
I hope soulbeats , and eat your kimchi can write something responding to this article.
Let’s see Junsu meeting who in Mexico
http://wbxia.com/1881601942/yAqZEeRGt
It’s obvious this person knew nothing about Junsu to start with; that said, I think they liked what they saw in Junsu’s performance and tried to give the article some ‘pop’ *srry*<_< The comparison to GD was unfortunate(maybe the only other Kpop artist this person knew)!?! On the upside this review wasn't totally horrendous and just might pique some interest in Junsu from people stateside who don't know him….Google(Xia Junsu)…Youtube vids(Tarantallegra, Uncommitted) BAM! Gotcha!
I know…I know, it's a stretch but Junsu and JYJ have gotten new fans just on the strength of their videos and songs. I hope reviews such as this will help spread the word of Su's talents 
I think that…Junsu’s voice in two concerts in USA not really good. Maybe his health isn’t good. He’s sick. ^^ I hope next concert is better ^^
he sounds perfectly fine to me in NY concert, I went there and I love it.
I was not lucky to attend either concerts NY or LA. But from what I heard on the fancams I watched his voice was in mint condition to me. He sang every song so strongly, clearly, pationately and with a lot of emotion. I was blown away with his performances.
@kpopspread
Not sure where you’re getting your info about the quality of the performances, but NYC was off the charts. There was nothing lacking in Junsu’s delivery. I’m sorry for the folks at the LA venue having a sound system that wasn’t as suitable. The one at the Hammerstein definitely worked well.
who has write this suck article?
junsu compared to gd! you kidding me?
that insult!
how dare this journalist say this!
junsu is the better! x-(
I laughed so hard while reading this author’s notes. Nice depiction of Junsu’s career and a pretty flattering review here.
this guy that write this article is a idiot!
he don’t know nothing of my junsu!
how dare he talk about junsu in this way?
will must hear better the songs of junsu and know better junsu for judge better he! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!! x-(
Reblogged this on TV5XQ Nation.
” I know, not all blonde, svelte K-poppers look alike.”
Well if you know then…why mention it?
To the untrained eye of course Junsu looks like GD…It’s just the way our brain works.
I know I’m not the only one was introduced to a new shopping center or grocery store, and got lost, confused, but the more I shopped there the more familiar the store became to the point where I got to know everyone, I noticed patterns of the store, I noticed when they moved stuff around etc. It’s the same thing with people of different ethnicity, culture and music imagery and style. Even with animals. I remember having my cat had a litter of kittens (YES I was a cat lady like Junsu lol). I could tell who was who even when they were the same color fur because I was so use to looking at them and their own personal personalities shined. When you become familiar with people, objects things period, you noticed intricate differences.
I have my own story on how kpop has changed how I ‘see’ people and ‘hear’ music it has changed the way my mind works I’m not going to get into all that but I’ll say this, it’s a beautiful thing.
Can I say that Moon JunYoung from Ze:a looks like our Micky Yoochun but I never get them ‘mixed up’ or confused because
my eyes are too trained now that I’m use to the many ways a Korean face can look. If I was just introduced to kpop then yes I would have definitely gotten Micky and YunYoung mixed up, I probably did get Junsu and GD mixed up before too (no just kidding, I knew Junsu too well way before GD but I do remember mentioning how GD reminded me of Junsu when I got into Big Bang but once I got to know GD, they are toooootally different in look and just style everything period I love them both)
Like in every ethnicity, animal species, there are certain trends in features, though the people may look different once you study them but to the person with the untrained eye they may get confused when they come upon these trends. To the trained eye you see the similarities but you can definitely tell them apart and know who is who the instant you see them. For example, I kind of notice there’s always that one person in a kpop group that has the ‘junsu’ thing going on lol. I noticed the trend to the point where whenever I discover a group I go “who’s the junsu in the group?” >”< In Big Bang it's GD, in Ze:a it's Kim DongJun, in B2st it's Yeosob in Exo-m it's Xiumin. These guys all don't look alike, but they all have that something that links them physically. I would say the shape of their face but even that varies so I don't know…I don't know what it is.
Lets play a game, pick out members in different groups who you think look like our boys. I have yet to see a dead on Jaejoong look a like. I must mention when it comes to features, they spread across ethnic lines. There's this guy who's European in my class that sooo look like Key from Shinee. I had a mind fuck when I seen him. He look like a European version I was like what? cool.
Anyway, Stick around Tiffanie Lee, you'll see the difference eventually.
Anyway. I guess it was a okay review. I mean I never expect reviewers to drop their drawers for our boys but
to get facts all discombobulated is a no no. One thing a JYJer HATE is when reporters don't get the facts right because I gives any anti a chance to slander. Wew. It shows also how unaware she truly is of JYJ Junsu and the situation…to get the order of his world tour wrong is a definite sign that she's not paying attention and I think is writing this just to, not cause she truly cares. But who knows anyways I say a better review can be written and it don't have to be all colored up either.