Editors Opinion: Tarantallegra–Music As A Compelling Force

I watched the music video, read the words, and listened to the title track of Xiah Junsu’s new solo album, “Tarantallegra”. I admit that I approached it as a task to ‘endure’ solely because of the hype and teasers that deliberately were made to be unsettling to the minds of the fans. To say that this song, actually this concept, was psychologically promoted to the nth degree would still be an understatement. Phrases used were “are you ready to be shocked”, etc, etc in an effort to “prepare our minds” for the actual imagery and intent of the music video. Some of the imagery in the teasers did not appear in the actual product, for which I am grateful. I tend to dislike mind games and dominance.

You have to ask yourself, “what is the intention of this music video? After all, we are comfortable with the Xiah Junsu of old–the fresh-faced, button-nosed, energetic person who made us smile,laugh, and love him because he is a consummate actor and showman, but also a sincere human being. He still has this ability, but face it, he is no longer ‘Angel Xiah”. While getting glimpses of the real Xiah Junsu through candid shots of him with the members and individual moments with family and friends, we must also be aware that he dwells inside himself in his own space with his own thoughts and desires that are not typical of everyone around him.

Sylvester LeVay calls him a ‘genius’, as do many others–so let us define exactly what genius means. In Merriam-Webster’s  11th Collegiate Dictionary, the term ‘genius’ has many definitions of which I have chosen the following few as definitive (in my opinion) of Xiah Junsu: ‘A person who influences another for good or bad; a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit; a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude; extraordinary intellectual power, especially as manifested in creative activity.

There. I will now state my ‘opinion’ of what “Tarantallegra” truly means. I could be totally wrong, however, I believe that it is a ‘protest song’ stating that modern music in the realm of Junsu’s existence is too controlling, mundane, and limited for him. He feels caught in a web of ‘sameness’ that holds him to a standard of music and interpretation of music as an art form that everyone around him adheres to through necessity. Why? At this moment in time–because it sells.

Junsu is a visionary–he sees things as they can be, not as they are. Potential in music flares out at him and draws him as a spider to its web; as a moth to a flame. [ I choose to emphasize here that this is not Junsu’s stand alone–I believe many artists dwell here daily] Junsu simply goes where others fear to tread.. The imagery in the music video comes through to me as imprisonment and seduction, much like ‘Mirotic’, but the message is entirely different– for in “Tarantellegra’ Junsu is depicted as many-faceted, compelling, vibrant, and potentially able to escape this typical music/lifestyle  to do something different.

 We cannot ignore Junsu’s ability as a dancer. He is athletic– with a strong, driving force and energy that , yes, surpasses the abilities of many. However, there are those who can perform at this level, also–if they so desire to do so. Example here–the back-up dancers. They cannot be considered background in this video because they play such an integral role in its production. I cannot say that I appeciate all of the imagery and movement depicted, but they help to bring the message across–something new is needed to set the artist free. I, Music, have been captured. I long to be free! I long to be different!

This is where the responsibility manifests. Freedom is not free reign as much as it is free expression. Caution should always be there to entertain but still nourish.This music video is not for children. Children cannot understand its implications, nor should they have to. The viewer who does not perform, write, sing, or dance may not get the full implications, either. I see no blatant sexuallty;  I see sensuality, which is more compelling to the mind. Also keep in mind that this was a joint effort. The lyrics to “Tarantallegra’ [embedded in the video] were written by Juno, Junsu’s twin brother, so the words also express something inside of him. The music score is Junsu’s, it has a life of its own.

As I stated earlier in this editorial–these are my opinions alone; my assessment of what this song indicates to me. I love the music, and I understand the lyrics only too well as a singer and songwriter. The imagery is effective, but not necessarily appealing to me in all of it’s aspects, but it is not my work. That is the nature of art–it is a personal expression that manifests itself differently to every viewer and observer. I am reminded of being in ‘Art Appreciation’ class in college many years ago watching underground films that were considered too controversial to present to the masses. “Tarantallegra” in that time-frame would have been an underground video. Times have now changed, and the entertainment industry has also changed. ‘Xia/Xiah’ means ‘Asia’, so I believe that the message Junsu and company is putting forth is that Asia is a varied culture in many ways including her music and ability to interpret music and dance.. As an artist, Junsu enjoys all types of music and dance genres, and I believe that he feels a need to express this. Interestingly, he has chosen an originally Greek, then Italian folk music dance form to present his point. The “bite’ of ‘Tarantallegra’ is music’s compelling, sinuous tentacles that entwine around our personalities and influence our lifestyles. Music and dance are both gifts from God. Use them wisely.  Loving You. Momma Cha

Caution: Imagery is not for children

credit: cherrysadas1

Momma’s Source: youtube

Editorial credit: Momma Cha @jyjfantalk

[Trans] 120514 JYJ and Others’ Twitter Updates‏

[Trans] 120514 JYJ and Others’ Twitter Updates‏

(T/N: Tweets are sorted into Yoochun’s and Junsu’s conversations and not according to timeline)

Yoochun: @wowkimsohyun So Hyun ah~~~ our birthdays are approaching~ ^^ Keke (T/N: She has the same birth date as Yoochun.)

Lee Jae Eun (@beyondmonica): @6002theMicky @wowkimsohyun Looks like you saw the birthday congratulatory message at the train station? Public transport? Advertisement keke Really great + _ +

Yoochun: @beyondmonica ke ke ke ke Really????

Lee Jae Eun: @6002theMicky Yup. Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Miss Ripley, Rooftop Prince, I saw the photo and the very huge birthday message. Anyway fans always overwhelmed me. Let me see where is it and take a photo for you kekeke

Lee Jae Eun: @6002theMicky I found it! Happy Birthday~~^^ http://twitpic.com/9kojg1 (T/N: A birthday fan project by Yoochun Baidu Bar

 Kim So Hyun (@wowkimsohyun): Keke To have the same birthday date as Your Highness is indeed my infinity honour ^^~ I was supposed to reveal my results today but my results are not out yet, I did intent to be a liar ㅠㅠ It must be tough filming recently, please do keep your smiles ^^ ♥

Yoochun: @wowkimsohyun kekeke~ ^^ Oppa will smile for you~^^!!

Yoochun: @wowkimsohyun ♥♥ Oppa’s hearts for ya twa~~ah!!__________________________________________________________

_Junsu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-infRqkA300&feature=youtube_gdata_player Me too~!

Ryan Chandler (@cRyanChandler): Tarantallegra! @1215thexiahtic @slaughteration @paulmorente @moslaughter @nathantrasoras @NickLanzisera @cRyanChandler http://youtu.be/UslqIyPZsic

Warning: Provocative Imagery. Refer to Comments

Junsu: @cRyanChandler Yo~~pink boy!!! (T/N: original tweet was in English)

Ryan Chandler: @1215thexiahtic Yo! cloud-hentai hahaha (T/N: original tweet was in English. Not sure what cloud-hentai was, but hentai definitely meant pervert in Japanese. ^^;; )

Junsu: @cRyanChandler oh my god!!!!!!!!!!! (T/N: original tweet was in English)

Park Sung Kwang (@skpark81): @1215thexiahtic Junsu has became my competitor kekeke Yours have to be promoted so do ask a favour from me then. Xia First Solo album Tarantallegra MV revealed

Junsu: @skpark81 When is hyung’s MV??

Park Sung Kwang: @1215thexiahtic kekeke What? Do you want to guest-starring in it? keke Oh right, have you received the kimchi?

Junsu: @skpark81 Kimchi is totally delicious! I approve ^^

Jaejoong: Junsu ya, the MV is very charismatic. ㅠㅠ Why not film a MV for ‘no gain’ too!

Jaejoong: Dr.JIN ost mixing was finished

credit: josiemiao + freyazo + YC Baidubar
trans by: rachui@sharingyoochun

Momma’s Source: sharingyoochun.net

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Rooftop Prince OST – After A Long Time (Baek Ji Young)+ Additional OST Songs

credit: MsStifft123+leejung970+KEngSubsHD+Euselia

Momma’s Source: youtube

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DBSK O’ Funny Dance+TVXQ Cute and Funny Moment Act.2

Yes, it’s older footage. Yes, it’s precious. Yah!!!!!!!!! Youtube 😮

credit: Srk2TVXQ+arinasomYJ

Momma’s Source: youtube

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[Trans] 120512 JYJ Twitter Updates

[Trans] 120512 JYJ Twitter Updates

Bum: @6002theMicky Ai-goo!! Suddenly fired up and shoulders worked up~ Ke okay!! Was busy recently thus neglected. Cared about the youngest Yoohwan too! Keke hope to meet soon~~ ^.^

Yoochun: @bums313 That’s our shop afterall~ ^^ Please do take care of it~^^

Yoochun: Really wish to see you… crazily

Yoochun: Father…

Junsu: pic.twitter.com/vAgDTT97

Junsu: pic.twitter.com/nyJNcdFC

Junsu: t.co/s2U9ioQd

Junsu: When the heaven and earth meets… t.co/wMFb8C8K

Junsu: I’ll definitely go back there again…. With the one I love… No matter when… My forever dream… Bora bora island t.co/Cnx05tWO

 Yoochun: Twa~~~ah~~~~~~~~^^

Junsu: It’s okay that you don’t have to do anything like ‘live playing’~ just as long as I’m able to sing good songs and good music… and to have everyone who listens to these great music, I am already satisfied… Because the so-called fairness has left us long ago… Nonetheless, I will not feel tired and sick of it.. ^^
(T/N: ‘Live playing’ is when fans bought music vouchers and used it to buy ‘live playing’ online through various music sites. The no. of times that music was played will determine its popularity.)

Junsu: I wish to go here. http://pic.twitter.com/ycKzJUSR

Young Pil (@youngfeel): @1215thexiahtic Me too me too~~~~ TT It’s a pity to have no girlfriend to go with… Why not let’s go together~~~~^^

Junsu: @youngfeel Ha ah! So weird..

Young Pil: @1215thexiahtic It’s not… That… You are not the kind I like… I hate guys…

Junsu: @youngfeel Kekeke

Jaejoong: When I am exhausted, the one that tormented my head is music and the one that heals my diminishing soul is also music… Unstoppable, and unable to neglect it… even though I did not managed to sleep for a few hours and yet still insisting on composing, to which my looks have proven to me… how shall I say this…

credit: josiemiao + freyazo +JYJbaidubar
trans by: rachui@sharingyoochun

Momma’s Source: sharingyoochun.net

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[Trans] 120511 JYJ Twitter Updates

[Trans] 120511 JYJ Twitter Updates

Junsu: @JUNO_Japan Oh~ hyung, your OST is very nice! You did well.. ^^ (T/N: Junho sang the OST for drama Ji Woon Soo’s Stroke of Luck, where he’s acting in.)

Junho: @1215thexiahtic You heard it~~ Thank you!! I’m very happy to hear such words from senior!! (^∇^)Fighting for concert preparation!! I hope to go to the concert very very much… Recently whenever I’m in the car or exercising or resting at home, I have been only listening to songs in your solo album. Kekeke The Best!!!

Yoochun: The one I love… Will come here often.. ^^ http://yfrog.com/klg31jrj (T/N: Restaurant’s name is ‘Bin Goong’. Also known as ‘Crown Princess’.)

Lee Tae Sung (@TAE_SAMA): @6002theMicky Lame…

Yoochun: @TAE_SAMA Dong Tae Mu…. Where is Park Ha???

Lee Tae Sung: @6002theMicky You didn’t go yet?? It’s not the time to be so relaxing now…

Bum (@ bums1313): @6002theMicky Oi~ Partner Boss Park!! Please do think/take care of our shop too?! Our Bum’s Story!! Ke

Yoochun: @bums1313 I’ll give a treat there after the drama ends~^^ ♥

credit: josiemiao + park0604+freyazo
trans by: rachui@sharingyoochun

 Momma’s Source: sharingyoochun.net
 
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[TRANS] 120510 Post of JYJ Tweets

[TRANS] 120510 Post of JYJ Tweets

This post will be updated throughout the day with tweets by JYJ. A time will be added with each tweet as our translators will not always be able to provide instant translations This post includes tweets from 6am KST, May 10th to 5:59am KST, May 11th.

Seems Yoochun congratulated Jung Juna on his upcoming marriage 🙂
(Juna, 12:31am KST) @6002theMicky Thank you~~~ You must be so busy…. Hwaiting till the very end (of your drama)!!!
(Yoochun, 6:46am KST) @Juna0465 ~^^ No problem at all?? haha I should be the one saying thank you~^^

The Kim brothers both have OST songs out? 😀
(Junsu, 3:52pm KST) @JUNO_Japan Oh~ Hyung, I like your OST song! Great job on it..^^

Source: [Yoochun+Junsu+Other’s  Twitter]

Translated & Shared by: dongbangdata.net

Momma’s Source: dongbangdata.net

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[SCAN-72 HQ PICS DL LINK] JYJ Worldwide Concert Book

[SCAN-72 HQ PICS DL LINK] JYJ Worldwide Concert Book

72 HQ PICS DOWNLOAD

Credit: FeelingTVXQ
Source: shim_maya
Shared by: iXiahCassie

Momma’s Source: IXiahcassie.com

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Translation: 120510 Explosion of JYJ Kim Junsu’s Ballad “Hate Love”

[Trans] 120510 Explosion Anticipation of JYJ Kim Junsu’s Ballad ‘Hate Love’‏ [aka I Don’t Like Love]

JYJ member Kim Junsu’s ballad ‘Hate Love’ in his first solo album will be released on the 0000hr of 11th.

First appearing in SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama ‘Rooftop Prince’, this song is a slow-tempo ballad. A creation from the composer of drama ‘Secret Garden’s OST ‘That Woman’, this collaboration of melancholy lyrics with the gentle rythmn, together with Kim Junsu’s voice, has thus given birth to a classic tune.

In the broadcast of the 15th episode of ‘Rooftop Prince’ on the 9th, the song ‘Hate Love’ appeared again. When Lee Gak (Park Yoochun) and Park Ha (Han Ji Min) were having a fireworks date, the song were accompanying the scene of the repeating disappearance-appearance of Lee Gak. It suitably depicts the feelings of Park Ha who don’t wish to lose Lee Gak.

Additionally, after the drama episode ended, there were increase of search results for Kim Junsu and Rooftop Prince OST, thus creating discussion topics.

Representative company expressed that, “The MV teaser for ‘Tarantallegra’ of Kim Junsu’s solo album and the ballad title song ‘Hate Love’ have already been highlighted. The official release of the solo album on the 15th is also being anticipated.”

The ballad title ‘Hate Love’ off Kim Junsu’s first solo album will be released tonight (midnight) through Melon, BUGS, Mnet, Dosirak, Soribada etc.

credit: park0604 +Asia Today
trans by: rachui@sharingyoochun

Momma’s Source: sharingyoochun.net

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From_JYJ_멤버근황 [Eng/Spanish subs]

Thank You Jaejoong,Yoochun,and Junsu for this video visit. I love to watch you laugh and relate to one another. You also give us information. BTW. Junsu’s parents just may dispute your claims of deity. 🙂 Momma Cha <333

credit: cjesjyj

Momma’s Source: youtube

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