Singer Kim Jaejoong, a former member of the iconic second-generation boy group TVXQ, recently celebrated his 20th debut anniversary. At this milestone occasion, he sat down for a candid interview, talking about his exceptional career and the realities of his friendship with his former members.
Jaejoong debuted in 2003 as a member of TVXQ under SM Entertainment, and they became one of the representative groups of the second generation of K-Pop. But in 2009, six years after their debut, he, along with Kim Junsu and Park Yoochun, filed an injunction against their label to suspend their exclusive contracts. The artists felt that the thirteen-year period of their contracts was excessive, and the earnings were not fairly distributed among the members. Moreover, in case of contract destruction, they would owe their employer three times the total investment amount and two times the ordinary profit during the remaining contract period. After almost three and a half years of dispute, both sides reached an agreement during a voluntary arbitration at the Seoul Central District Court to terminate all contracts between the two parties and not interfere with each other’s activities in the future, concluding the lawsuit.
The three singers then formed a new group, JYJ, under C-JeS Entertainment, and it was their second heyday, with completely sold-out concerts, including at the iconic Tokyo Dome. But in 2019, Park Yoochun got embroiled in a drug abuse case, the first of his following multiple controversies that put a dent in JYJ and his career. In 2019, he admitted to purchasing methamphetamine with his ex-fiancé and using the drug on at least seven occasions. He was sentenced to 10 months jail with a two year-suspension. He retired from the entertainment industry following this incident but broke that promise only a year later, drawing criticism. Since then, Jinsu and Jaejoong have been focusing on their solo careers, with the latter establishing a global entertainment company, iNKODE, where he works as the CSO (Chief Strategy Officer).
Talking about his relationship with his former members, Jaejoong did not hold back his criticism of Park Yoochun. He said that all his former members make him proud, “except one,” adding that they inspire him to work harder.
I’m so proud of how well the members are doing, except for one (Park Yoochun). Changmin (Max Changmin) has started a family, and the others have found their own happiness and value. They are all doing great, and I think I should work hard and live diligently so as not to fall behind.
— Kim Jaejoon
He added that Park Yoochun was a “sore point” to him, thanks to his growing list of scandals. Jaejoong clarified that they were not even in touch, and he had no idea of his whereabouts.
I have sighed a lot about him. From Yoochun’s perspective, he needs to live diligently… he is a sore point. (Since his drug scandal) I haven’t contacted him. I don’t know which country or where he is.
— Kim Jaejoong
Meanwhile, Park Yoochun was recently embroiled in a new controversy over unpaid wages to his former manager. You can read more about it here.
Source: Newsen
