These Kims...

These Kims are killing me.
Jaejoong released his solo album last week. It's a rock album. And it rocks! Seriously! It was a long time coming. That's how he started singing in the first place... convinced to front a little high school rock band by his friends. I highly doubt he would've ever had the chance to do a rock project while still in SM. YAY FOR FREEDOM! He took that freedom and ran with it. Raaaaaaaaan with it.

Jae's 'rock voice' has always been my favorite voice of his. In TVXQ, he almost exclusively used his smooth, clear voice to help the other four blend. In JYJ, he still does because it perfectly balances Junsu's permanently hoarse/damaged tone. But throughout Jae's career, he would have one-off rock performances at concerts and TV shows. Mostly solo stuff. He'd open up his throat and totally let loose.
That voice, I really love.
I didn't have super high expectations for the album, since it's so new and personal to him, but I'm completely delighted to say that I love it. It's solid and different and covers a range of styles in just five songs.

Then there's the music video for Mine. Basically, he's one-upping Junsu in the budget department. He went ALL OUT. It's very visual-kei. It's over-the-top. It's a bit ridiculous and campy and gorgeous.
It sums up the spazz that is Jaejoong.
And obviously, it's highly symbolic of freeing himself from SM's chains and facing the backlash head on. I'm glad he went there. I don't think anyone could argue that he half-assed it. It's also an amusing response to people saying he looks like a vampire... long before the Twilight craze, mind you.



The rhinoceros beetle hat thing... kills me. XD
That's the most aggressive track on the record. If there is any consensus in the fan community, it's that One Kiss is the strongest track. It preceded the music video as a teaser for the project. And I agree that it's pretty lovely.

I'm generally just really happy for him. Well done, Jae. Dream successfully accomplished! It's charting like crazy, of course. A little solo Asia tour is next. Then it looks like they're working on a JYJ album for the summer. Who knows what that'll be like after these incredible solo efforts. Exciting!

Speaking of dreams. Junsu held the concert that he always wanted to. A series of three shows. Live orchestra and band. Covers of his favorite songs. Musical numbers. Intimate venue. And on the last day he brought his mom out and they sang a duet. A promise he made to her as a child. I bawled.

Here's a rare treat of him playing piano. Looking like a hybrid of his cats, Leo and Tigger, with the hair and the fur. Lol. Cute.
From the Innocent Man OST
Truly


*sigh*

I was promised a zombie apocalypse!

WHERE IS MY ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE?!?!!

Turkish Delight...

His recent games have brought out the obnoxious fangirl in me.

gifspam of doom after the cut...

Independence Day

Sobbing into my cornflakes. It's over.
There will be dozens of articles, but for now...

Contract dispute between SM Entertainment and JYJ finally ends

The contract dispute between SM Entertainment and JYJ (Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu) has finally ended after 3 years and 4 months.

According to several reports on November 28th, SM Entertainment and JYJ have resolved the contract dispute, with both sides deciding to end the files for injunction that were filed on July 31st, 2009.

In addition, both sides withdrew all related litigation, signing a contract that they will not embark in mutual matters again.

A representative from SM Entertainment said through a press release on the 28th, "The three no longer wanted to be part of TVXQ as there is no reason to be under the management of SM Entertainment. And so, it was decided to end the case and negotiation today with the agreement that there will be no mutual connections."

"In order to prevent any further discomfort and unnecessary issues for the current TVXQ members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin, who have continued to proceed with their activities, the judge decided that it was best to end this trial."

C-JeS representative Baek Changju said, "Three years ago when the court accepted our injunction, we thought that this was a fight we had already won. The legal situation isn't what interfered with JYJ's activities, but this was more of a David vs. Goliath situation. We don't see it as a big change in their activities. JYJ is going to continue with their future plans and activities as planned."

"With this final court verdict, we hope that the restriction that was involved in this case will improve. We want to send our sincere thanks to fans who have been continuously giving their support without any changes."

JYJ first made their entrance into the music industry as part of the 5-member group TVXQ, until the trio filed an injunction at the Seoul Central District Court against SM Entertainment on July 31st, 2009, disputing their contract with the agency. Since September 2010, they formed the group JYJ under C-JeS and have been relatively active in the music industry, going on world tours, and achieving high success in the acting scene since then.

Source: Koreaboo

Still waiting for official confirmations and statements all around. Jaejoong is buried in Jackal promotions. Yoochun is filming his drama. Junsu is flying to Germany for his concert. We'll see who brings it up first.

I'm reeling. It's so huge and I'm so flipping happy about it.
Now for the test. Which station will step up to the plate and broadcast them. KBS has made promises multiple times and chickened out. Come on KBS! Give them a chance! Or SBS! Get Jaejoong on Running Man. Epic lulz would be had!

Totally overwhelmed. I can hardly believe it.