JYJ Shows Their Real Selves Through 'Just Us' Album

JYJ is back with their latest album 'JUST US' after a hiatus of 3 years! In this second album, we get to hear the evolution of their music to a more mature and sexy sound.

I was actually surprised that they came back with a mellower sound compared with their previous album, where songs such as 'Get Out' and and 'Mission' are more fast-paced dance songs. Even 'Unnamed Song' was particularly different because it was written to express pent-up frustrations.

The title song 'Back Seat' is a sexy R&B song that shows that JYJ are now 'officially' men, no longer sweet poster boys. Personally I like this song very much, although Engrish is all over the place. That's JYJ for you!



The music video is equally sexy as well, and I think they shot it that way since they knew it wouldn't make it past the Korean broadcasters anyway. Why waste time when they can please all their global fans? I particularly think the video is fresh especially the light show part at the end. It's like as if they have broken free from box sets (ahem... which a certain agency favours for music videos) finally.

My other favourites off the album are '2.30AM', 'So So', 'Dad, You There?', and 'BaboBoy'. I love listening to their harmony in '2.30AM' although the song is so sad, since it's talking about not being able to sleep because of an ex. Though I can't sleep after listening to it in the wee hours in the morning too...

'So So' is a ballad littered with many English phrases that is quite easy listening. I find it quite uplifting, though it's actually talking about loving someone without much dedication... hence the title, 'So So'. I love how the English phrases gel with the Korean lyrics in this one very much.

'Dad, You There?' is a song written by Yoochun for his late father. It's a mellow song but instead of making me sleepy, it actually gives me a chance to unravel after a long day. I can totally listen to this song all day. Their voices in this song will definitely melt your heart!

'Baboboy' is actually a mid-tempo dance song, and I didn't really like it till I listened to it a few times. I died when Yoochun whispered 'Hello beautiful, is anybody home?' :p Too bad they don't have a music video for this song, but you should check out the fancams of their performances in their concerts. Hip trusts way to go!

Each member's solo songs also have shown evolution since their last album. Junsu's solo is musical-inspired, Jaejoong's rock-inspired and Yoochun's hippie-inspired. Just joking!

Yoochun's '30' is as fresh as his previous 'Unnamed Song' since this round he is addressing the worries (and gratitude?) in turning thirty. I think they will forever stay young in my memory although they have reached thirty... But anyway, he slow-raps in the song, almost as if telling a story by talking. He inserts bits and pieces of people who have been special in his life (eg. Junsu, Jaejoong, Yoohwan and Dong Hee), which I think was pretty clever :D

I have never been disappointed in a JYJ album so far and I wish it will stay that way. They will soon enlist in the military once they finish their world tour, and I will still be waiting for them even after that. Always Keep The Faith, yo!

The author is happy yet sad that 'JUST US' signals the impending military enlistment of the members. This album is definitely precious to all fans!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Park Yoochun, The Elite Bodyguard in 'Three Days'

It's been awhile since I last posted about a K-drama here... So to make a grand comeback, I've decided to write about the K-drama 'Three Days' starring JYJ member Park Yoochun (whee!!), Son Hyun Joo, Jang Hyun Seong, among many others.

‘Three Days’ is a drama that centers on the race to find the South Korean president, portrayed by Son Hyun Joo, who goes missing at his holiday villa.

The clock ticks as his elite bodyguard, portrayed by Yoochun, hunts for him in the short span of three days.
Directed by Shin Kyung Soo (Tree With Deep Roots) and written by Kim Eun Hee (Ghost, Sign), the drama shows lot of promise to be stellar in terms of production and cast.

The drama is currently airing in South Korea and has been getting good ratings and reviews. Although it may seem like a drama that will appeal more to the male audience, many females have been interested in the drama, probably mainly because of the main lead, Yoochun (and there's where I come in too!).

‘Three Days’ will be premiering on ONE HD (Astro B.yond, Channel 393) starting April 2, 2014 and airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 8.55pm. Don’t miss out on this cool action-packed drama! 

The author is excited to catch 'Three Days' on air soon. Although she had already watched it online as quick as the fan-subbers subbed the Korean broadcast of the drama. Tee hee!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

JYJ releases 'Only One' for 2014 Incheon Asian Games

JYJ has finally released a new single Only One (Cassiopeias, rejoice!), albeit for the promotional use of 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Having been out of the music scene as a group for almost 2 years, this single is hopefully the sign of better things to come from the trio in the musical department.

While on hiatus, Jaejoong and Junsu both released solo albums, while Yoochun had focused solely on acting in dramas. He will soon take up the lead role in the movie 'Sea Fog'.

Meanwhile, enjoy the music video for the upbeat single 'Only One' below!



The author is simply thrilled that JYJ has released a new single and is hoping for a full album soon!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

JYJ Opens Naver LINE Official Account

JYJ fans would be happy to hear that the group have finally opened their official account on Naver LINE to connect with their fans all over the globe!

They have been updating the account regularly, so if you add them, it's as though you are receiving messages from a friend! 

Lately each member is busy with their solo activities, so they have been updating their works on LINE. Add them to get the latest updates!

A note from JYJ3.net to add JYJ's official account on LINE:

If you want to add the English version of their account:
- Go to ‘[...] More’
- pick the ‘Official Accounts’ icon
- There should be the option ‘+ Select another country’
- pick either ‘Singapore’, ‘Hong Kong’, or ‘Philippines’
- and ‘JYJ(EN)’ should be the latest New Official Accounts
- pick the ‘Chat’ icon and add them!^^

The author owns a Blackberry and has yet to add them since the Official Account feature is not available for Blackberry users. iPhone and Android users will be able to add them on LINE. If you can't add them, fret not. JYJ3.net updates their messages almost immediately, so you won't miss out!

Latest update: Please check out my more recent post on adding K-pop stars' LINE ID on Blackberry!

Important update for Blackberry users: To add JYJ Official Account on LINE, search the ID @jyjk (for Korean) and @jyje (for English). Please spread the word. Thank you to nia jaejoong for the great tip!!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Rooftop Prince: Ratings That Hit The Roof

One of the most anticipated dramas of the season is Rooftop Prince, which is pitted against King2Hearts and Equator Man in the same drama timeslot in South Korea. What makes the race to garner high ratings more tense is the fact that all 3 dramas, from SBS, MBC and KBS respectively, happen to start airing their first episodes on the same day!

The main reason that attracts me to Rooftop Prince is none other than JYJ’s Park Yoochun of course! Ever since his debut in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, I have been a huge fan of his acting as well as music. In Rooftop Prince, he plays a modern day character and a Joseon Crown Prince.

The teasers for Rooftop Prince promises a drama full of hilarious moments as well as mysterious circumstances. And they sure did live up to their promises! Here’s the teaser to Rooftop Prince to convince those of you who still have yet to watch the drama!

Rooftop Prince’s storyline starts off with Yong Tae Moo (Lee Tae Sung) meeting up his cousin Yong Tae Yong (Park Yoochun) in the States and asks him to return to Korea with him on their grandmother’s request. While on a yacht, an incident sparked Tae Moo to hit Tae Yong, throwing hi overboard. Tae Moo’s greed and jealousy set in, and he left Tae Yong to drown while he plans to return alone to Korea and claim Tae Yong’s position as his own.

Meanwhile, in the Joseon era, Crown Prince Lee Gak (Park Yoochun) pines over the death of the Crown Princess (Jung Yoo Mi) who mysteriously drowned in the lake overnight. Lee Gak gathers 3 trustworthy fellows to help him solve her mysterious death: Song Man Bo (Lee Min Ho), Woo Yong Sool (Jung Suk Won), and Do Chi San (Choi Woo Shik). While on a trail to discover the truth behind the Crown Princess’ death, the four fall off a cliff and lands straight into the rooftop house of Park Ha (Han Ji Min).

Park Ha tries to shoo the 4 men in Joseon costumes by bringing them to the Palace, but they get into all sorts of trouble with people and the law. There were many hilarious moments where the 4 men are like fish out of water, and I couldn’t stop laughing although I was already clutching my stomach in pain!

As the 4 men adjusts themselves in the modern world with Park Ha’s help, they came to realize they have crossed over 300 years to the future because they were looking for a solution to the Crown Princess’ death. The Crown Princess’ modern day lookalike is Park Ha’s step-sister Hong Se Na, who happens to be the secretary to Tae Yong’s grandmother.

Meanwhile, Lee Gak finds out that he resembles the missing Tae Yong and assumes the latter’s identity in his bid to get closer to Se Na and also solve his wife’s mysterious death. Tae Moo is convinced Lee Gak is just an imposter and wants to reveal Lee Gak’s true identity. Will Lee Gak eventually get to convince Tae Yong’s grandmother that he is who he claims and solve the mystery at the same time?

Tune in to ONEHD on Astro B.yond Channel 393 every Monday and Tuesday at 9pm to watch the drama unfold itself!

The author is smitten with the drama’s cast, storyline and even the OST by notable singers such as Baek Ji Young, Ali, Jay Park, and last but not least JYJ’s Junsu!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

JYJ's Park Yoochun Serenades With 'The Empty Space For You' On Ripley's OST

Park Yoochun, one third of the famous JYJ trio, has recently released a solo track for Ripley's OST. Whilst on the JYJ World Tour, he is also filming for Ripley, an MBC drama airing on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9pm KST.

Titled The Empty Space For You, the track is a heart-wrenching one, telling of a love that is not meant to be for the other person loves another. Even reading the English translation of the lyrics is enough to move me to tears!

His voice has a nice timbre feel that gives off a sad touch, befitting the emotional message of the song. Do check out the audio clip for The Empty Space For You here.

The song took over various online music charts upon its release on 21st June 2011, proving the power of JYJ fans.

The author plans to add Ripley to her ever growing list of K-dramas must watch list, just because Park Yoochun is starring in it!

PS: Credits go to jyj3 for the English translation of the lyrics.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!

Sungkyunkwan Scandal: My Current K-Drama

Ever the TV-addict, I recently got hooked on Korean dramas on KBS World. The latest drama that I’m currently following is Sungkyunkwan Scandal, set in Sungkyunkwan University in the late Joseon era during the reign of King Jeongjo, revolving around the exploits and love stories of four youths.

Kim Yoon Hee, portrayed by the pretty Park Min Young, leads a double life, she’s a test proxy and writer by day disguised as a man, and by night she’s a girl, helping out her mother at home.

When her brother's illness worsens and their family is in danger of being evicted from their house for lack of money, Yoon Hee enters the school under his name, Kim Yun Sik, still disguised as a man in her desperation to support him.

There, she becomes friends with the intelligent and upright Lee Sun Joon (hottie Micky Yoochun), who is the Prime Minister’s son, the playboy Goo Yong Ha (cutie Soong Joo Ki) and rebellious Moon Jae Shin (a scruffy-looking Yoo Ah In).

But as the drama unfolds, Yoon Hee has to learn how to act and behave like a man, which she learnt slowly and through hardships. Hard times aside, she had many other fun moments in Sungkyunkwan as the lessons were interesting with their eccentric Professor Jeong Yak Yong and tournaments such as archery were held to ease the burden off reading books for the scholars.

Romance and jealousy is also in the air as Yoon Hee’s identity is revealed and each of the boys want to protect her as well as make her theirs.

Do tune in to Sungkyunkwan Scandal airing on KBS WORLD every Monday and Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Astro Channel 391 to catch the latest episodes!

The author first watched the Korean drama The Golden Apple, loved it so much and have been following Korean dramas ever since.