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!

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K-pop album haul & Korean souvenirs

K-pop album haul from my trip

Finally it's time to showcase the K-pop albums and souvenirs I managed to cart home from South Korea!

I bought JYJ Kim Jaejoong's WWW album for myself, CNBLUE's Re:BLUE album for my first brother, and G-Dragon's Coup D'etat for my youngest brother. Possibly the lightest and slimmest souvenirs, but yet the most expensive ones!

I bought my albums from the Music Korea outlet in Myeongdong. To get there using the subway, stop at Myeongdong Station, and take Exit 6. You'll see a Nature Republic outlet. Enter the outlet and go up one floor. 

Music Korea is just upstairs and they have an extensive range of K-pop albums, both old and new releases.

Korean souvenirs

I also managed to buy some souvenirs for myself and friends back home. I bought a unique key holder from the gift shop at the Namsan Tower observatory deck. There are also plenty of other unique finds here that are not sold at other shops in Seoul. I managed to get a paper cut-out of a hanbok from the gift shop there too. It's going to be a great memorable souvenir to frame up as a remembrance of my maiden trip.

I also managed to get some fridge magnets in Hongdae (not pictured above), as well as a bookmark and postcards from Insadong.

Insadong is a good place to buy cultural souvenirs, but if you are not heading there then you can find them at Namdaemun or Myeongdong too. Insadong has more authentic souvenirs, but prices can be on the pricey side. For a more upscale souvenir hunting spree, try Ssamziegil. I got my cute postcards there from a small stall vendor :)

That's all for my K-pop album haul and Korean souvenirs. If you have yet to, check out my previous posts on Korean beauty buys and Korean grocery buys!

The author is grateful that she managed to get a copy of Jaejoong's WWW album before it was sold out!

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Kim Jaejoong pre-releases 'Sunny Day' and 'Butterfly' singles

I just can't wait for Jaejoong to release his latest album WWW, so I'll just post about his 2 pre-released singles Sunny Day and Butterfly to let off some steam!

First off, 'Sunny Day' was the typical ballad that I'd expect Jaejoong to sing. It's something like those songs for drama OSTs, so sad yet beautiful. A collaboration track with Noel's Lee Sang Gon, the song pulls your heartstrings at right places, and their vocal delivery makes it all the more emotional.

Check out the audio clip for 'Sunny Day' below! 

Meanwhile 'Butterfly' is a pop rock song, a genre which I think Jaejoong had more fun singing than ballads. It's a fun song filled with electric guitar riffs, and I can picture him singing this song during his solo concert.

Check out the audio clip for 'Butterfly' below!

The album 'WWW' will be released on 29 October, and it's already topping charts in pre-orders. Looking forward to listen to all the new tracks soon!

The author hopes to get a copy of WWW when she lands in South Korea in 2 weeks' time!

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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!

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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!!

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Protect The Boss: A Hilarious & Comedic K-Drama

Ever wondered how you could strangle and wrestle your demanding and fussy boss and get away with it? Well, it can happen, at least in Noh Eun Seul’s imagination.

My latest K-drama craze is Protect The Boss, the much talked about and super-hyped drama, which I was reluctant to follow because of the attention it was getting from having JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong starring in it. Imagine having heart palpitations whenever he comes onscreen! (My poor heart would not be able to handle it....)

As it turned out, the drama is a true gem, as every episode gave me much to laugh about with its hilarious lines and scenes. Even my whole family sits down just to watch this fantastic comedy!

Noh Eun Seul (Choi Kang Hee) happens to be an unemployed woman who goes from interview to interview, desperate for a job. Hired by a gang leader, she soon tries to escape from his molesting ways. In her escapade, she bumps into Cha Jiheon (Park Ji Sung) who got entangled in the mob and ends up being beaten as he was mistaken as her acquaintance.

Eun Seul ends up in another interview again, and was hired by Cha Muwon (Kim Jaejoong) for her eccentric personality, with the reason being that she would be a suitable secretary for the equally peculiar Jiheon. Little did she know that her future boss was the same person she had left behind in the mob attack.

Chairman Cha, Jiheon’s father, is a character to watch out for. He thinks that his son is a good-for-nothing and often leaves him to do whatever he wants, resulting in the Jiheon being uninterested in the business. The most hilarious parts are whenever father and son meets face-to-face, whether at home or at work, the father always tries to hit his son. The best part is when they have a scene in the company elevator, both parties’ secretary has to work together to block the CCTV from capturing the embarrassing scene!

Soon after Jiheon’s beatings took place, Chairman Cha was sentenced by the court to doing community work since he was caught beating up the mob that had beaten his son. Aha! What a funny and weird situation this turned out to be, since the catalyst was Eun Seol. Meanwhile, she starts work as Jiheon’s secretary, and all three, including Chairman Cha is oblivious to her as being the person who dragged them into the whole mess.

Jiheon tries to make life difficult for Eun Seol by giving demanding lunch orders but she soldiers on, strangling him in her mind. Till one fine day, Jiheon happens to find out Eun Seol is the woman he has been looking for, as he was dragged into the mob. Will she be able to keep her job and escape from the wrath of Chairman Cha?

Find out by tuning in to Protect The Boss, airing on ONE HD on ASTRO Channel 393 at 9.00pm every Monday and Tuesday!

The author recommends this K-drama to fans of eye candy on screen as this drama definitely fulfills their needs! Not forgetting the wonderful OST I'll Protect You that Kim Jaejoong had a hand in composing! Below is the music video for I'll Protect You. Do check it out!



Credits go to oumae27 for the music video!

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JYJ's Kim Jaejoong Releases 'I'll Protect You' For Protect The Boss OST

Yet another OST release from a JYJ member in a short space of time is like heaven sent for us JYJ fans who hardly get to glimpse them on TV apart from dramas and the occasional short feature on entertainment news programmes.

This round, Kim Jaejoong is set to melt fans’ hearts with a song titled I’ll Protect You for the drama Protect The Boss, in which he stars as Cha Muwon, a prince of the financial world. Hilariously, fans have come up with names to describe his character, the most famous one being Muwon-God!

The song is composed, written and sung by none other than the talented man himself, and I’m pretty sure fans go wild at the very news of this. Beautiful and touching, the track expresses a person’s desire to protect his loved one no matter what happens, showing how deep his love is for her. Do check out the English translations to this amazing song!

The audio clip has English translations for you to understand the lyrics, but do take the opportunity to listen and appreciate the wonderful composition by Jaejoong. Do check out the audio clip for I’ll Protect You here!

The author is loving the fact that Protect The Boss will be screened on ASTRO b.yond's ONE HD Channel 393. Looking forward to it already!

PS: Credits go to jyj3.net for the English translations for the lyrics.

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