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(LEAD) JYJ's Xia Junsu glows in outdoor 'XIGNATURE' showcase

All News 22:34 May 30, 2016

(ATTN: ADDS concert details, photos)
By Chung Joo-won

SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- Junsu of South Korean pop trio JYJ emerged triumphant in an outdoor showcase for his fourth full-length solo studio album in southeastern Seoul on Monday.

Junsu, also known by his full name Kim Jun-su and stage name Xia Junsu from his former boy band TVXQ, glowed in his solo act, without a glimpse of nervousness. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter hopped onto the stage in the eastern square near the east gate of global exhibition center COEX, flashing blond hair and blue-and-white jacket.

Junsu knew how to communicate with the fans, even without his two JYJ colleagues Jaejoong and Yuchun. He would joke around and entertain them like he would do to his fans at his plays or from the musical stage. The size of the crowd apparently mattered little to the Asian top star.

In the showcase, Junsu performed two songs. He started off with his hit song "Incredible" from his second album of the same name, with a bubble gun in one hand.

"I was worried that not many people would show up for the showcase because it's at an early hour on a weekday," Junsu said.

"I'm glad to see your happy faces and perform in such a warm, sweet atmosphere," Junsu said after finishing his first song, arousing a wild rally among the crowd.

The second song, "Magic Carpet" came from the new album "XIGNATURE." The groovy progressive house music and the lyrics, written by Junsu himself, made a perfect blend with the early summer season.

Fans burst into sighs and complaints as he closed his act in less than 20 minutes after the two songs. But the singer could not rent the space for too long.

"I feel like I've just held a concert of my own. But as you all know, I can't occupy this (public space) for hours," he told the fans.

Unlike concerts, showcases generally consist of two songs. The 20 minutes allowed to Junsu, however, was far shorter than the running time of an average 40-minute showcase event of other K-pop artists.

Overall, the showcase showed more than a peek at "XIGNATURE," flaunting a diverse gamut of musical genres from hip hop to urban R&B.

"His voice is amazing, and I think he is the best singer in Korea," said Anastasia from Russia, asking to be identified only by her first name.

"Honestly, I really like Jaejoong of JYJ, but Junsu's voice is just perfect -- I think Korea needs to be proud of Junsu," the 26-year-old said.

The singer, a K-pop veteran of 13 years, apparently had more than just singing talent, with an acting history that has earned him a strong fan following.

"I think (JYJ members) are super-talented, true artists in singing, songwriting and (acting)," said Loi Butler, a landscape architect from California in her fifties. Butler first became aware of JYJ members from their dramas, such as "Rooftop Prince" starring Yuchun and "Triangle" starring Jaejoong.

She continued, "I think the hardships they go through is just heartbreaking, and (so is) the fact that Koreans don't appreciate them as much as they should. I think it's a shame that (JYJ members) are not allowed to promote (their songs) like everybody else."

The JYJ trio debuted as singers in 2004 as members of then-five-membered TVXQ of S.M. Entertainment. After Junsu, Jaejoong and Yuchun left TVXQ in 2009, citing an unfair contract, the three singers became blacklisted from terrestrial television networks and technically banned from appearing on their music shows, which still are the driving media outlet for K-pop bands to promote their works.

Despite state intervention into the agency-musician fight, the implicit ban has not been lifted, limiting media outlets to promote Junsu's works.

In addition to his engagements with musical performances and plays, Junsu has been active in solo singing activities as well.

Junsu released his first full-length solo album "Tarantallegra" in May 2012. His second album, "Incredible," came in July 2013 and third album, "Flower," in March 2015.

jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)

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