Is Kim Hyun Joong's comeback too soon?
"Frankly, people do not harbor much curiosity in my music, that's why I want to show more, wanting to sing songs that are appealing to everyone. I know people's expectations are not so high, so I have selected music that are relatively simple. [...] I have been receiving vocal training so there will be many changes, including my way of singing. Female fans may like the sound, my voice has indeed improved progressively."
Obviously, HJ is not my favorite (though usually my ire comes from crazy KHJ fangirls), but this interview shows why I like him. He's honest to others and to himself, and he's humble enough to admit that the public takes more interest in his image than in his music, but he works hard to improve and show his music artist side anyway. If nothing else, I'm proud of him for that.
And honestly, I do like this album better than the first. Breakdown was mostly for visual appeal, but Lucky focuses on music, his music style (I think he should've debuted with his own musical expression like the others). The songs are good, varied, and show that his singing has gotten better.
Kim Hyun Joong talks about SS501 getting back together?
I guess I'm not surprised that HJ is still in touch with only some members. (We can assume he means YS and KJ, which we see, and that he doesn't keep in touch with HJB and JM?) But it's still a bit disappointing. But of all people, I should know that losing contact doesn't mean losing affection. I'm pretty bad at keeping in touch, especially when busy, so I understand, because they're all busy all over Asia. Still, kinda sad. T_T
I'm glad HJ is honest about how hard it'd be to make an album together because he doesn't want to give false hope. But can't he at least sound like he still wants to get back together and is trying to make it work like the others? Instead, we only hear about his solo plans for the next year. Of course they can't set time for group work when he keeps filling up his time with only solo. =/
I mean, I'd be thrilled with a combined stage (year-end celebration PLS!), but I'll still wait for the group album. Even if it's under another name, even if they can't promote, even if it takes years, I'll wait. Others may outgrow group status, but SS501 is different. Their bond of brotherhood is not always shown, but it's in their hearts, and it's real. I believe in Five Forever As One!
Yeah I was a bit down about it too but I wonder if it's just limited contact or they have no contact (and he doesn't intend to either). Personally I am not the type to keep in touch, I never liked talking on the phone or anything. The people I consider my closest/bests friends, I only contact maybe 3-5 times a year, maybe meet each other twice a year. But when we do, I find it still very comfortable and like no time has passed. Like you said, the affection is still there, we are just very busy people. So as long as the original feelings of wanting to do something is still there, I think there is hope for some sort of project.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, HJL seems like he is always trying to improve himself and is very grounded. I think being leader is very burdensome and who knows what kinds of things he is doing (or not doing). Like I said in the last post, I really hope he is doing something in the shadows and that he considers "SS501" in his future plans. I think that all members are improving sooo much being solo and learning so many great things...it made me really excited about the possibility of what they can bring together as a group. I feel like they can rise up to like legendary status, true Super Stars 5 as 1, forever imprinted in kpop history type of thing (Like Shinhwa and Rain...longevity). I hope that TripleS can stand behind them until that time. I know I will be waiting and supporting them like I have always done.
Refresh my memory here since I'm a casual ex Double S fan but when they first announced their solo, didn't all of them, HJ included, promised that they will have a comeback together? That the name Double S will still go on, etc and etc. Am I stupid to assume that what they meant by that was having projects together and not you know, just laid the name to rest in frozen perpetuity?
ReplyDeleteIt's me again! Obviously I have unresolved issues with HJ. hur. Don't mind me though, I have had a horrible fandom week with my first Jboyband lurve splintering everywhere. I need to learn to stop getting into "relationship" with boyband. They just end up breaking your fangirly heart =/
9:03 Anon (aka JDN) - I'm guessing KHJ means no contact with JM (even KJ said it's hard when he's in Taiwan), and for some reason I get the feeling that KHJ & JM had another "silent-treatment" spat (JM too haughty and proud, KHJ too emotionally awkward, to make the first call). =/ But I'd be very surprised if DHJ didn't have at least some contact, mostly from HJB's side b/c he's the most sociable. I don't think KHJ has no intention of getting in touch, just hasn't yet due to schedule and... life and... awkwardness... (At least, that's how it is with me. Just like you, my best friends and I only have contact a few times a year, but we're still close. That's just our style. ^^;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, the solos have been good for all the members. They really improved on things they were lacking in before. They're all well-rounded multi-entertainers now, and when they get together, it'll be an explosion of talent and charisma. That lasting, legendary, Shinhwa-of-the-Hallyu-Age SS501 is my dream, too. ♥
3:53 Anon (aka Dreamy) - Again with the "ex-DoubleS"! D: Sorry about your jboyband. =(
ReplyDeleteWhen KHJ first signed with KeyEast, his company just said they would support any solo AND group project he'd undertake. When the other members signed with their respective agencies, they each said that being free to do SS501 activities was a top priority in their contracts. SS4 were very clear in interviews that they'd comeback together sometime, while KHJ almost never mentioned SS501 and only answered vaguely that "they'd like to" when asked at a fanmeet (because he didn't want to say anything without concrete plans).
So yes, they assumed they would do group projects, too. But I think as they focused on their solos, they realized how much time their solo activities take and how hard it is to organize 5 companies, so they mention it less now, a year later. But they're still trying (they must be, since they said it's difficult, right?), and TripleS are still waiting. :)