As some of you may or may not be aware, the 5 piece group Dong Bang Shin Ki are on a hiatus due to a lawsuit. Three members (Junsu, Yoochun and Jaejoong) had formed JYJ, while the other two members (Yunho and Changmin) had formed Homin.
You can read my blog about JYJ right HERE, but in short, JYJ's music is so bland and one level in comparison to their Dong Bang Shin Ki music, whereas Homin...
Okay. Let's rewind. When I first heard of Dong Bang Shin Ki - shortened to DBSK - my favourite members were Changmin and Yunho. Changmin has a terrific, powerful voice and as Yunho is the best dancer out of them all, his vocals tend to get overlooked but I sincerely believe he has a great voice too. (His dancing skills are hot though...anyway.)
So as you're reading this you may think I am a little biased, but I honestly don't think I am. While I may not be a fan of JYJ's music, I still think that each member is talented and wish them all success, but I do think that Homin's musical comeback is on a much greater, epic scale.
When I heard about JYJ I was so excited, but after hearing their music I couldn't help but feel disappointed. However, when I heard about a possible musical reunion with Changmin and Yunho, I prayed that this would be a little bit better.
As a five piece group they were absolutely brilliant and they all gelled so well together, so in sync. As a 3 piece it just fell apart, but as a 2 piece I found myself going "YES!!!"
Homin have GOT IT. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to their song "Athena" which is on the OST of a drama series with the same name (which features the acting talent of Choi Siwon, member of Super Junior). This song doesn't feature an American rapper, nor is it synthesised, nor is it boring, nor is it bland. It's real music featuring real instruments, amazing vocals, brilliant harmonies and an uplifting crescendo for the chorus that it makes you want to jump out of your seat and sing to the Gods. I can totally imagine this song being played in an arena with thousands of fans screeching every single word. This is what a real song sounds like.
HOMIN - ATHENA
Compare this piece of Pop/Rock epicness to the R'n'B sound of JYJ...
JYJ - AYYY GIRL
10 comments:
No offence, but I think you might be a little biased, as much as I love homin, JYJ has better vocals in my opinion. it's just that their voices were synthesized.
I never said Homin had better vocals than JYJ - in fact, I just said that they were amazing as the song showcased their voices properly. I did in fact point out that JYJ's vocals were synthesised. I wasn't saying that they can't sing - because they can - just that I think that the song I posted done by JYJ doesn't do their voices justice.
I think that JYJ's english album preparation was too hasty and hence the poorly thought-out MV and collaboration which did not work out. It disappointed me sadly :/ (Though I still went for their showcase, but sadly that was a mess too) Homin's album was definitely better presented and the music was catchy and targeted at the right market. SM is a huge factor as an entertainment agency with that much experience.
That's a great post, thank you Reiose? I'm so jealous you went to their showcase though - although I dislike the music it would have been great to see them in the flesh. Living in the UK I kind of have no hope unless I fly to Asia for a concert which comes with a hefty price tag! I heard that the showcases were messy though, something about being promised to meet them but then not happening?
SM Entertainment is one of the biggest - or the biggest - agency in Korea I believe so it comes as no surprise that Homin appear to be more successful than JYJ. Just a shame that JYJ felt they needed to sue because of "slave like contracts". Not that I disagree with their decision; every employee should be treated fairly and respectfully.
Thank you Reiose!*
I meant to use an exclamation mark, not a question mark...
Although my heart goes with JYJ because they're fighting for their rights and facing very powerful titans, I've to admit HOMIN songs and videos are truly amazing and demanding. But, in favor of JYJ, don't forget they're trying to release their album WORLWIDE through Warner Music. Their lyrics have to be less dramatical and more popular to reach and to please fans overseas. That's why the album is in english. Instead, HOMIN work goes only to Korean and Asiatic fans. I feel very disappointed about that.
You bring up a valid point. However, with JYJ, it may be a "worldwide album" but they have only performed in Asia and the USA. How is that worldwide? What about Europe? When are they going to perform here? If they want their music to be broadcast worldwide, where is their promotion? Why are they not touring here, doing interviews here, why can't I see their albums on shelves in shops?
I don't see why they have to change their musical style, personally. Remember, DBSK have the biggest fanbase out of everyone else on the planet, and DBSK have fans from all over the globe. Surely this means that their original musical style is popular enough to reach and please fans overseas, rather than go down the route of being generic?
I, too, would rather like HoMin's music to be available globally, so I also understand your disappointment about that. But hey, we can dream on! :-)
First, I want to congratulate my dear Jaejoong for his 25th birthday today, January 26. I also want to say I totally agree with you, dear CazStacey, about DBSK musical style; absolutely and truly wonderful and well developed. No doubt; it's a very professional work. Every day I feel very sad about their breaking; that should never happened. Unfortunately, there are musical bussinessmen who enriched themselves through their pupils' work, managing them as slaves (don't forget the five of them were earning only 20% of the money and they were charged almost even for breathe). So, to bring up another valid point defending my beloved JYJ, the boys do not have enough economical resources to spread their music worldwide at once (I said they were trying to) nor to develop an impecable and more demanding musical work (I have to confess it dissapoints me a little because they are not making a good use of their huge potential), less knowing that they are all alone because SM has closed them almost all doors in Korea and its surroundings. ¿What can JYJ have to do to survive? They're working with "their nails", as we said in my country. I admire their efforts to compose their album in english and to try to be successful using their very limited resources. Although I love Changmin's voice and maturity and Junho's dance and image; they are in a very different situation; they have all the resources and many people by their side. They have "all to win". Finally, I thank you for letting me share my very personal point of view and feelings about this matter. And I'm no longer "anonymous; I'm Shuheilove.
Hello, Shuheilove, nice to have a name! Thank you for being so mature about this topic, there are a lot of crazy fangurls out there that would stamp their feet and whine without seeing both sides of the coin!
I understand that their income was poor in comparison to what they should have been getting and that's why they wanted to get away. I can completely sympathise with their position; no-one wants to be overworked and underpaid.
As for saying "the boys do not have enough resources to spread their music worldwide at once nor to develop an impeccable and more demanding musical work", then one has to wonder how they managed to pay big-shot people like Kanye West to produce and feature in their debut single. A big star like Kanye West would not have come cheap in the slightest so unless they paid via credit card I don't think they're poor. Even whilst only earning 20% income with SME, these boys were not on minimum wage.
Every band member is talented and they each have their own individual style, and like you, I am also disappointed because this musical style is not using their full potential. So what can they do to improve their situation? They can sign to another label. They're famous enough, talented enough, in demand enough so I don't they'd struggle getting signed. If it's global domination they want then they could probably move to America and get signed there. Hell, they could even start their own label. They may have a conflict with SME but they are free from the SME contract now and can do whatever they like. I do genuinely hope that things improve for them and they get the success they deserve.
Hello, Shuheilove here answering your comment. I totally agree with you, and I have to admit JYJ probably have important economical resources to do what they've done, but, in fact, not as enormous as SME resources. You have to check JYJ's original music and lyrics new release: Music Essay "Their Room, Our Story". Although it's in korean, I think it's, by far, better than "The Beginning". The truth is, JYJ and HOMIN, I love and admire you both and I wish you both to be successful in every posible way.
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