[TRANS] 130414 Kim Junsu Wins The Best Korean Male Singer Award At A Chinese Music Awards Ceremony
Kim Junsu’s English single ‘UNCOMMITTED’ has won the Best Korean Male Singer Award at the ‘V-chart awards’, held by China’s biggest MV site ‘Yinyue Tai’ on the 13th.
At the first awards ceremony held by the site, Kim Junsu was given the Best Korean Male Singer Award, which was based on a voting poll which fans from all over the world participated in. Kim Junsu’s win was based on his music video’s success on the V-charts during 2012, as well as the votes that were tabulated.
Kim Junsu’s first English single ‘Uncommitted’ is a melodious R&B song that features a collaboration with ‘Bruce Automatic’, the Sony Music composer who has worked with The Wanted and Leona Lewis, and was extremely popular in China, South America and Europe.
C-JeS Entertainment stated, “We believe this award is more meaningful because it included Kim Junsu’s rankings on the V-charts in 2012. Kim Junsu is extremely happy and thankful to have received an award at an overseas awards ceremony with no promotions other than releasing the music video and holding concerts, and he plans to give his thanks through a video soon.”
A representative in the music industry stated, “After JYJ’s Tokyo Dome concert (The return of the JYJ), ‘Uncommitted’ topped Amazon Japan’s K-POP charts, proving just how popular the song is. The reception from Europe and South America has been explosive since Kim Junsu’s 13-city world tour last year.”
[NEWS] Kim Junsu and His Fans’ Donation Work is just as Amazing as Him Becoming The Double Award Winner of the Golden Ticket Awards
Kim JunSu of JYJ has become a double award winner of the Eighth Golden Ticket Awards. Even though idol singers trying out musicals have become some sort of a trend, Junsu is unique in a sense that no one else has been as active and successful as him. An important fact here is that his receiving two awards is not a mere act of fan service to please his idol fandom.
What is interesting about the Golden Ticket Awards is that this award is to celebrate ticket power. It is an award that shows true worthiness of successful musicals in a sense that the awards are given to so-called money-generating musicals. It is interesting to see that Kim Junsu received two awards for the Male Musical Actor and the Concert Musician in very specialized awards as this one.
JYJ Kim JunSu’s worth that dominates the musical market is simply amazing.
The Golden Ticket Awards is rather interesting because it celebrates the persons with the most ticket power on the stage. [Getting this award] is a great accomplishment because it chooses the persons that are truly vouched for and recognized by producers.
Kim Junsu received the Popularity Award and the Best Male Lead award in 2012’s Korean Musical Awards. He really is a musical star that possesses both popularity and capabilities. A fandom may be able to work hard so that a musical actor can receive the Popularity Award. However, the Best Male Lead Award cannot be influenced by fans in that fashion. Receiving the Best Male Lead Award means that the actor has truly exhibited excellent talent as a musical actor.
Interpark, a ticket selling and distribution company, recently announced winners for the Golden Ticket Awards after they processed relevant information such as the number of tickets sold, additional points based on ranking, and on-line polls. Kim JunSu took the first place in both Musical (Male Actor) and Concert.
Kim Junsu who played the lead role of Tod in Musical ‘Elisabeth’ showed strong ticket power through his solo concerts as well as ‘Xia Ballad & Musical Concert’ that was held for 3 days at the end of December. It is only natural that he took two awards in a sense that he boasted unmatched presence in terms of ticket power.
“Kim JunSu receiving Musical Award in the Golden Ticket Award after he received the Best Male Lead Award [in the Korean Musical Awards] is evidence that he is sincere about musicals as well as possesses high box-office values.”
“It’s surprising that an idol singer took the first place in Musical. Kim JunSu proved that he is much loved by audiences of all ages.”
It was natural that compliments poured in when he received an award for ticket power on top of the Best Male Lead award. There is a saying that goes “grasshoppers only last for a season” [T/N: popularity or something/something’s dominance in one area is fleeting]. There are people who only consider musicals a quick business to generate income. There are idol singers that plunge into musicals using their popularity.
The Idol singers’ advance into musicals seems to be a win-win business strategy between idols [and the musical industry]. Idols’ appearances in musicals have always been the target of criticisms because idols singers in musicals, rather than securing their place as sincere musical actors, were more about boosting ticket sales [using their popularity].
Unlike idols who considered musicals as dabbling into musicals and leaving their marks in the industry, Kim JunSu secured his place as a true star actor in the musical market. The fact that Kim JunSu proved his value as a true musical star, not just a mean to sell more tickets, confirms once again that he should not be called a mere idol singer.
“I really received so much love this past year. I thank my fans that cheered for me every time I stood on the stage.”
“I hope the audience that was with me while I was on the stage felt happy and gained happy memories. I think the best way to repay their love for my performances and music is doing my best and performing well on the stage.” The Eighth Golden Ticket Awards double awards winner Kim JunSu did not forget to thank his fans who always supported him.
Some criticized that it was unfair for people who did musicals their whole lives. Their logic is that it does not make sense that all kinds of awards, almost impossible to receive even after doing musicals the whole life, were given to Kim JunSu who debuted only a couple of years ago.
If [an actor] has no talent and skills and still receives an award, he deserves criticism. The fact that these awards that even musical actors with long careers cannot receive were awarded to Kim JunSu means that he has that much of talent and he does his best.
What is even more interesting and meaningful than Kim JunSu receiving awards is this “donation culture”. His fans are also part of it. By donating all the gifts that poured in from all over the world for his solo concerts and musicals, he showed his quality as a star that act together with his fans.
Rice wreaths that his fans sent Kim JunSu were sent to the underprivileged such as children who cannot afford to bring lunch to school. 2,000 briquettes that 20 families can use for one month were sent to underprivileged senior citizens who live by themselves that use briquettes but cannot afford to buy them. 6,000 egg wreaths were donated to food banks nationwide to relieve malnutrition problems among the underprivileged such as children who live by themselves without parents and senior citizens who live by themselves.
It is a beautiful thing that a star and fans come together to share what they have with their neighbors in need of help. Kim JunSu who was recognized as a talented musical actor. Kim JunSu who proved his top worth through awards that celebrate ticket power. Kim JunSu is a true star with both talent and skills.
And his fans that makes their star even more special by actively participating in charity work makes everyone around them happy. Kim JunSu and his fans’ charity work feels even more amazing than Kim JunSu becoming a double award winner. And maybe it is because Kim JunSu and his fans seem to have beautiful souls that help the less fortunate neighbors around them.
[News] US Hit Producer: Kim Junsu Reminds Me of Michael Jackson
As K-pop continues to stretch ever forward into the world’s music market, the genre has been blessed with contributions from major movers and shakers from the US market on numerous occasions. From JYJ‘s early collaboration with Kanye West and the Wonder Girls release of Like Money featuring Akon, to the anticipated collaborations between PSY and Scooter Braun and 2NE1‘s work with will.I.AM, more and more international music producers and artists are getting bit by the K-pop bug.
Recently we sat down with producer and songwriter Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer who made his K-pop debut with his collaboration with JYJ’s soulful vocalist Kim Junsu on the English single Uncommitted that was released in August 2012. We set out to not only get to know Mr. Vanderveer better, but grab some insights on how his collaboration with Junsu came to be – what was is like meeting and working with him, and how the fan’s reaction to the collaboration has changed his view on not only K-pop and its scores of fans but also the limitless talent and global potential of JYJ and its members.
Automatic, as he is called by his friends and family, was born in Brooklyn, New York and currently works as producer and song writer for Sony Music. He has worked with great artists like Pink, The Pussy Cat Dolls, and Snoop Dog along with iconic artists like Cher, James Brown and Michael Jackson over his twenty year career. Although well known in the music scene in the states, little is known about him globally. As we sat down with him, we started off with getting a little back story on how he originally got into the business and he regaled us with the story of how he got his nickname.
How did you get the nickname “Automatic”?
Automatic (laughing) : ”I can start out by telling you my story about playing guitar. I beat up a kid in Brooklyn, NY because he didn’t want to let me play his guitar. So, I kicked his (butt) very quickly and then grabbed the guitar and tried to play it as fast as I could because I knew his parents were going to come out and get me arrested or something. But, I quickly wrote a song in fifteen minutes and my mom came out and instead of her, you know trippin’ because I beat the kid up, she was just like “How did you do that so quickly?”. She’s the one who gave me the nickname “Automatic”. She was like “You automatically played that.” So she got on the phone and started telling her friends “My son automatically played the guitar.” “Little Automatic” and I [began] to use that as a dancing name.
Could you tell us a little about how you got into the music business?
Automatic: “I started a band in New York and we played everywhere, the Cat Club, and the Palladium, and we had an incredible following. I auditioned for a lot of record companies and finally Morgan Creek Polygram Records signed me. That’s how I got into the industry.”
After Mr. Vanderveer gave us a glimpse into his history in the music business, we turned to the subject of his collaboration with Kim Junsu and discussed how the collaboration came to be, the story behind the track itself, his first impressions of Junsu, and what it was like working in the studio with him.
While you have been in the music business for quite some time, your notoriety in the K-pop world didn’t make its debut till the release of “Uncommitted”. Could you tell a little about how that collaboration came to be? Who contacted you initially?
Automatic: “The craziest thing about this whole thing was that I didn’t even know who Junsu or JYJ was. I didn’t know what Kpop was until August. My daughter would constantly tell me about groups that she listened to from Korea and Japan (for the last couple of years). She would say “Daddy I just heard this great Korean group.” It was wild.”
Automatic: “The executive from CJeS, Niddy (Tyrone “Niddy” Buckner), called me and he asked me if I was “Automatic” from Sony Music, because I had a hit record a few years ago with Bettina Bush from American Idol. He said “I’m working for a group called JYJ. Do you have any songs to submit?” I was like “What kind of music do they do?” and he said “Oh, well they are from Korea but they do Pop and R&B. So, if you have any male oriented songs, we’re really interested in what you have.” So I submitted some stuff. Uncommitted was a song I wrote four years ago, so I wasn’t even going to submit that song, but at the last minute I just threw it in there anyway.”
Automatic: “I got a phone call a couple weeks later from Niddy saying that CJeS loved the song and that Junsu wanted to do it. At that point my daughter freaked out and said “Junsu! Junsu! Daddy do you know who that is?” I was just like “No” and she ran me through all of his stuff. She sat me down and gave me a JYJ and Junsu lesson. I was just blown away because these guys were not only awesome but they work so hard to perfect their craft. It was something you didn’t see that much anymore in America.”
Is there any story behind “Uncommitted”? Is it based on an event in your life?
Automatic: “It wasn’t from my life, but, a friend’s. He was a serious player. I would always tell him he needed to stop that lifestyle because everyone knew he had this reputation. It was going to be hard when he got serious. But he kept saying “I’m never going to get serious.” until he literally found a woman that was just perfect. She was just awesome. He said “This is the woman I want to settle down with.” And I was so happy for him. So he told her how he felt and she stopped him mid sentence. She said “I know you’re not going to ask me to go steady or get married.” He was stunned as she told him “You’re good for these kinds of dates but I know all about your reputation. I know who you are. I’m not going to be bringing you home to meet my parents. He was so brokenhearted.”
What was your initial impression when you met Kim Junsu for the very first time?
Automatic: “I was expecting him to be a lot more reserved but the greatest thing was that when we met it was instantly like were two old friends. He cracked a joke and then I cracked a joke. It was like we (already) knew each other. It was just not what I thought it was going to be like. I thought he was going to be reserved, quiet, and shy, and he was not at all. Junsu was hilarious, funny, vibrant, and just ready to work. We had a ball. We were laughing together like two old fools. It was crazy.”
Are there any interesting stories that you would care to share about your experiences while working with Kim Junsu in the studio?
Automatic: “We hit it off so well. When Ebony Cunningham (the VP of InRage Entertainment and my fiance) was vocally guiding Junsu on the second verse and the bridge sections of the song, he got it really well. He went into the booth and every time he did it so beautifully that I got excited and said to him “Man you sound black. You’re just a brother.” to which he replied “I’m not black, I’m yellow.” and it was hilarious. Everybody in the studio started cracking up. He was so funny. This was one of the best sessions I ever had.”
After experiencing Kim Junsu’s vocals in person, what did you think?
Automatic: “My daughter had already ran me through JYJ’s repertoire. I just didn’t know that he was so soulful. One of the things I realized is that with a lot of his songs, he records really well but you still have not heard the best of Junsu yet. That boy can blow. Every time I sang a note he would sing that note and out-sing it. He would sing it better. He’s got so much soul. I don’t know where it comes from but I’m just blown away by it. He has talents and the gifts that people haven’t even heard yet. He has got the skills and I want to capture that onto records, on tracks. He reminds me of Michael Jackson. He’s the Michael Jackson of Asia to me.”
We then started to discuss a key point that InRage Entertainment and Automatic are great proponents of when it comes to the music industry – artist freedom. While it’s highly accepted by JYJ fans worldwide that their entertainment company CJeS has been very adamant about allowing JYJ all the artist freedom they desire, Automatic gave us an even deeper glimpse into the truth behind that understanding.
Automatic: “They have artist freedom and that’s what I love about CJeS. They are giving them the chance to explore other genres and languages. CJeS is just great for supporting JYJ artistically. When we were in the studio the CEO of CJeS was there. He was there for the entire session. How many CEO are there for their artists like that? You don’t see CEO’s and Presidents do that. It’s a rare thing. To see the CEO actually there making sure that Junsu had everything he needed, making sure that he was comfortable. It was amazing.”
After the entire experience, how did you feel about the time spend working with him? Did you know that the song was going to be a hit or were you a little apprehensive?
Automatic: “The greatest part about the whole session was that it was so fast. Junsu was dope. We did it quickly. We even took a break. He free style, we played guitar, he sang, and I played some other songs. Then he went back in and polished off the rest of the song. We did it in a couple of hours and usually my sessions last a day or two. Junsu is awesome – a complete professional.
I knew it was going to be a hit. I knew it when we were in the studio and he was singing the song. We were so excited, jumping for joy and clapping. We just knew it.”
We concluded our interview with a discussion on how the whole experience has not only affected his outlook on K-pop and JYJ but also how the treatment h’es received from the groups fans has affected him personally. It was quite heartwarming to hear an artist from the US, not normally associated with the K-pop industry, talk so appreciatively and respectfully about how passionate and loving Kpop
fans truly are.
As most people are well aware, K-pop fans are one of the most passionate group of fans in the world. When the news was released that you collaborated on this track, the eyes of the fan base was quickly fixed on you. How does it feel to be receiving so much fan love?
Automatic: “It’s the greatest reward, really. The fans are so loving and caring. Fans hit me up and ask me things like “Are you eating?”, “How are you doing?”, and “How’s your daughter.” That’s so bizarre to me. Fans in America don’t have that kind of appreciation.They are so caring that I’m hoping that we in America can learn a lot from how these fans treat the people they respect. The fan love is incredible. They are so dedicated to making sure that JYJ progresses and their YouTube views are up. It’s such a caring movement. I love it.
I’m so glad that I got a chance to do this, and witness the kind of love that they show. I’m so happy, and so appreciative, of all the fans that I get to talk to. I enjoy talking to the fans. They (JYJ) have the greatest fans in the world. JYJ are so lucky to have fans like that. I wish a lot of artist in America had that kind of fandom. I’m hoping we can learn from these fan groups and eventually adopt some of that love and respect. It’s so rare and it’s beautiful. “
Do you have anything you would like to say to our readers before we let you go?
Automatic: “I want to thank the fans from all around the world and let them know that their love has empowered me to be a better producer and writer. I believe that we are not only fans but friends. I call a lot of my friends “InRagers” because we stand for music equality; we stand for racial equality, and artistic freedom. These are all the things that JYJ has had to overcome. All these boundaries that have been put in their way, they have overcome them. That is what my company is all about. So,all the fans out there are InRagers to me. “
Mr. Vanderveer is currently working on numerous projects in and out of the Kpop world. His band, Asphalt Messiah, recently released a new track called Lets Get Dirty 2Nite which is currently available on ITUNES and Amazon. The rock anthem melds heavy guitar and driving beat with lyrics that incorporate web terminology to get your heart racing and your feet moving. While Mr. Vanderveer was unable to give us any specifics on his upcoming projects from the K-pop side of his endeavors he made it quite clear to fully expect some amazing things in that area, real soon.
We at hellokpop would like to thank Bruce “Automatic” Vanderveer for spending time with us and allowing us to give our readers a deeper look into Kim Junsu’s personality and his work ethic along with sharing with us humorous stories about his experiences working with him. We are looking forward to everything he has in store for the all the K-pop fans and wish him all the best in his endeavors.
[TRANS] 130122 Kim Junsu Sings At The First Birthday Party of Min Young Ki’s Son, “I’ll Never Forget Your Loyalty, Junsu”
A photo of JYJ’s Kim Junsu attending the first birthday party of musical actor Min Young Ki’s son has been revealed.
Min Young Ki posted the photo on his Twitter account on the 22nd with the caption, “Thank you Junsu, and thank you for your well-wishing remarks. I’ll never forget your loyalty!”
The photo in question was taken on the 20th at the first birthday party of Kim Young Ki’s son Haram, and shows Kim Junsu performing a congratulatory song.
Netizens who saw the photo left comments such as, “To have Kim Junsu singing for your birthday, I’m so jealous”, “Junsu’s loyalty is great,” and “If all the musical actors sang a song each, it would be like watching a musical.”
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, January 20th to 5:59am KST, January 21st.
That’s you guys 🙂 (Junsu, 12:24pm KST, 130120) Like the light that shines through.. no matter how hard one tries to hide it^^ http://pic.twitter.com/SIVPk1tQ
[TRANS] 130115 Chinese Fans Choose Kim Junsu As The Most Popular Overseas Artiste
Kim Junsu has become a hot topic for being chosen as the most popular overseas artiste by China.
Kim Junsu received a total of 63.7% of the votes on Beijing TV (BTV)’s popular entertainment program ‘Top Chinese Music’ as the ‘most popular overseas artiste’, proving just how popular he is in China. He has proved himself to be Korea’s top singer as he beat out Justin Bieber in second place and Madonna in eighth place.
The program, which aired on the 8th of January, stated that Kim Junsu’s surprise Christmas season single ‘Thank U For’ helped him reach first place, but they also explained that it wasn’t surprising considering his popularity till now. They also talked about 200,000 people logging in at the same time for Kim Junsu’s Ballad&Musical concert and all 21,000 tickets selling out instantly, as well as the fact that Kim Junsu won the Best Male Lead Award at the 2012 Korea Musical Awards. Kim Junsu found success with his solo album, single, world tour and musical, and the program attributed this success to Kim Junsu’s hard work and diligence.
Kim Junsu’s popularity in China outdid itself in 2012. The music videos of his first solo album’s title song ‘Tarantallegra’ and his single ‘Uncommitted’ topped the monthly charts of China’s biggest music video site ‘Song Tai chart’. Not only this, but when Kim Junsu flew to Shanghai for his concert in July, 2012, thousands of fans and over 20 media news outlets filled the airport, with over 30 cars following his every move. Over 500 fans who couldn’t get tickets stood in front of the concert venue and cheered for the star, proving just how popular Kim Junsu is in China.
Meanwhile, Kim Junsu successfully completed his ’2012 XIA Ballad&Musical Concert with Orchestra’ amidst a flood of praise.
[TRANS] Kim Junsu Has The Greatest Ticket Power with an All-Kill in Both Musicals and Concert
JYJ’s Kim Junsu and Ok Joo Hyun have made their mark as the musical actors with the greatest ticket power.
On the 7th, ticket reservation site Interpark released the results of their ‘Golden Ticket Awards’, which names the actors and productions with the greatest ticket power in 2012. In the musical genre, EMK Musical Company’s ‘Elisabeth’ came out on top, with Kim Junsu and Ok Joo Hyun chosen as the actor and actress with the greatest ticket power.
In 2012, Kim Junsu played Tod in the musical ‘Elisabeth’ and reinterpreted the character signifying death in his own way, receiving love from both fans and musical lovers alike. As his third production since ‘Mozart!’ and ‘Tears of Heaven’, ‘Elisabeth’ has helped Kim Junsu lose his image as an idol singer and make his mark as a talented musical actor.
Kim Junsu, who topped the rankings of the musical genre, also came out on top in the concert category as well. This was the result of Kim Junsu’s busy schedule as a solo singer in 2012 as he released an album and held his ‘JYJ Junsu 1st Asia Tour’ and ‘XIA Ballad & Musical Concert’ this year.
(omitted for irrelevance)
The ‘Golden Ticket Awards’ differs from other awards ceremonies as it has no judging panel and choses its nominees and winners based on ticket sales and audience participation (voting poll) in the past year. It is a ‘Award chosen by the audience members’ that is given to the year’s most popular productions and actors. On its eighth year since beginning in 2005, the public-oriented awards ceremony held its voting poll from the 24th of December till the 6th of January on the Interpark website, with a total of 17,708 participants.
[News] 121231 Kim Junsu Says, “The Musical I’d Like To Appear In? ‘Jekyll And Hyde’!
Singer and musical actor Kim Junsu chose ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ as the musical he’d like to appear in.
During his ’2012 XIA Ballad & Musical Concert with Orchestra’ concert on the 30th, Kim Junsu introduced one of his acts as from “A musical I’d like to appear in,” and sang ‘Right now, at this moment’ from ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.
Kim Junsu, who is one of the greatest vocalists of K-pop, captivated fans with explosive vocal talent and an emotional outpour during his rendition of ‘Right now, at this moment’. He was met with thunderous applause as his passionate rendition could be placed on par with that of Jo Seung Woo, the person most people think of when they hear ‘Jekyll and Hyde’.
A representative of C-JeS Entertainment stated in a phone conversation with ‘OhMyStar’ that, “Since Kim Junsu began appearing in musicals, he’s watched countless musicals as well,” and “After watching ‘Jekyll and Hyde’, he said that the male leading role is a character who has a multifaceted personality and great charm.” He also added, “Kim Junsu has expressed his desire to appear in ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ after he has grown more as a musical actor.”
Meanwhile, Kim Junsu won the Best Musical Actor Award at the 18th Korea Musical Awards for his role in the musical ‘Elisabeth’.
[TRANS] 121230 JYJ Kim Junsu, Receives Great Response For Solo Ballad Concert…”The Best Vocalist”
On 29 December, JYJ member Kim Junsu held his Musical & Ballad concert at the COEX D Hall, a solo concert of 120 minutes together with an all-live orchestra.
Kim Junsu, who released his first solo album “Tarantallegra” this year, and successfully completing his world tour this year, worked perfectly with the live orchestra this time. The musical chorus and grandeur of the orchestra helped to recreate his musical stage, and he also performed ballads from his album as well as popular OST songs together with the band and pop chorus.
During this concert, Kim Junsu’s emotional and powerful vocals touched the hearts of the audiences, as they cheered and clapped loudly below the the stage.
Kim Junsu said, “Mozart! is the piece that allowed me to stand on the musical stage, and also gave me my first award in the musical industry, which means a lot to me. Through Mozart!, I was able to gain inspiration.” He also performed numbers from his various musicals in the past 3 years such as “Tears of Heaven” and “Elisabeth.” Also, Junsu performed a “Tears of Heaven” stage with musical actress Kim So Yeon, who was also his co-star in “Elisabeth,” and received much applause.
An orchestra personnel said, “To perform in an all-live concert together with an orchestra is relatively difficult, but Junsu has done an admirable job. His exceptional vocal ability which worked well to lead the band and orchestra, and he can really be considered as the best vocalist. He also performed the acoustic version of “Tarantallegra” together with the orchestra, showing off his charms to the fullest and received an enthusiastic response from the audience. I’m happy that his sincerity can be felt by the audience.”
This concert will be held at COEX until 31 December.
Brochure
