TVXQ needs no introduction. If you are new to K-pop or J-pop, you are bound to bump into the band and their impressive discography on your search for new musical experiences at a very early stage. They are the most prominent of all representatives of the Hallyu Wave and arguably the most successful Korean boyband ever with a dedicated fanbase in countries around the globe. They are also the only Korean band to ever make it (twice) into the Guinness Book Records. The unique voices of the five members, their handsome features and charismatic personalities made them household names in almost every nook and cranny of Asia. The list of their awards and accomplishments seems endless...
Therefore the news of Junsu, Jaejoong and Yuchun filling a lawsuit against SM Entertainment, the company that made them who they are, came as a shock to all fans and reverberated through the media of many countries. The scandal which ensued was not only caused by the fact that no one had seen it coming and TVXQ was the first band to ever do such a thing, but especially because of the revelation of the shocking details of the slave contract that the band had signed upon joining the SM bandwagon many years ago. To cap it all, those were only three of five members who expressed their wish to have the contract changed, hinting at a conflict within a band which by many was seen as having almost family-like relations. Hearts of thousands of fans were breaking seeing their idols splitting apart over what some people believed to be the three members' or SM’s greed. After a few court cases the matter remains unsolved and neither of the sides seems willing to give up what they had been fighting for. And while it is easy to criticise both parties in the dispute, the whole truth and motives governing them will never truly be known to us. Yet the fact remains that the band separated.
For a brief period that followed many agitated and confused fans looked forward to any news, hoping that the matter would be solved and they might see their favourite quintet together once more. The news of Junsu, Jaejoong and Yuchun forming a trio by the name of JYJ came as a surprise. While still in a legal dispute with SM Entertainment, the three members started recording and performing, focusing their attention on the Japanese market. Despite their initial problems with Avex, which dropped promotional activities with JYJ for fear of not being able to recruit any more of SM’s artists, the trio released their first maxi-single The.... The already precarious situation of JYJ was met with heavy criticism from public and private figures not only in Korea, but also in Japan. Yet the fans proved that their support is by no means a wavering matter and celebrated the idols’ comeback at a sold-out Thanksgiving concert in Tokyo Dome in June 2010. Soon afterwards news was spread of a new album from the trio.
The new album was highly anticipated not only because it would be the first international release of JYJ, but also due to the help they would get while working on it. JYJ teamed up with A-list US producers Kanye West and Rodney Jerkins for their debut The Beginning. The Beginning sold very well and was ranked fifth in the category of Best Album of the Year by Billboard charts. The release was followed by promotional activities and a worldwide tour during which JYJ visited Asia and the USA.
The overall success of the trio was partly overshadowed by what was happening in their native Korea. Bearing in mind that the contract problem with SM had not yet been resolved, SM filed an injunction against JYJ which prohibited the sales of their album in Korea. What’s more, SM sent official letters to public broadcasting stations MBC, SBS and KBS as well as various online album distribution websites requesting that they refrain from having JYJ make public appearances on shows. Furthermore, KFPCAI (Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry) approved of such actions, stating that JYJ may have a negative effect on the Hallyu Wave. Yet again it was the fans who helped the band to successfully perform at any of the concerts of their tour with their support which continues unabated.
While the future of JYJ remains precarious, their dedication to music and their fans’ support will surely lead them on. And with their upcoming new releases we can only hope that they remain successful and wish them all the best.
