Kim Jaejoong "Mine" MV [Full Review] 2/5
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Why "Rock"?
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The first element is obviously that this is a Rock song - which in and of itself is symbolic.
There aren't a lot of self-sustaining genres in music that truly develop their own cultural standing and message in and of themselves - the two most prominent being Hip Hop and Rock. However, where both are centered around Identity, Hip Hop is more representative of the concept of, "I am here," with emphasis placed on "I" in equal standing with "here". Its overall main premise is to assert an Equality of Self comparative to World - to exist and move in the world in ways that flow *with* it and express your role within it by focusing on individuality through rhythm, soul, colours, fashion, and movement - all things celebrative of humanity and life as a whole: the one common ground all humans inherently have in equal measure. By assertion of Self via Hip Hop, a person isn't just saying "I am me" - they're saying "I am me, and this is how 'me' sees the world" by embracing things within it, with their own spin. Sometimes literally.
Rock, on the other hand, features the same but slightly altered message of, "I am here," with the emphasis placed on "I" in *objection* to "here". It's main focus is asserting Individuality of Self in opposition to World. It's the dare to appreciate something Different from "the social norm" - to exist in spite of it - and historically was popularized in an era following the Great Depression and World War II, when a good majority of the major changes in American society were only just taking form. It was the mid-1950's. The economy was restructuring and recovering, Women's and Civil Rights were becoming huge topics of debate and legislature involving both was being pushed to attention, major changes in racial segregation were being birthed with the Montgomery Bus Boycott and start of Martin Luther King Jr.'s career, men were returning from war and finding work, the Baby Boom was underway, the Korean War had ended barely a few years prior, Marilyn Monroe's skirt went flying, and Rock - along with Elvis' Hips - took over the nation.
The world was changing - and the music with it. The direct reflection of that change in American culture became celebration of finding the most individualized expression of emphasizing the strength found in nonconformity - and it only got solidified the longer it's gone on, because it's been a proven advancement time and time again ever since.
While our Jaejoong may not have the Hips From Hell (more Su's area of expertise ~_^) or the Wholesome-Playboy Wiles (Chunnie, anyone? keke) of Elvis, he most certainly does represent strength in opposition and nonconformity in many ways. It's really the very essence of him and what he's shown as his personality - his tattoos, piercings, appearance, conflicting character traits (self-protectively harsh, but warm and nurturing), and utter determination to stand out vocally and as an individual.
All of these point to a clear and distinctly "Rock-ish" Identity as a whole. What else could truly fit his assertion of it so well? It follows easily that this would be a great genre to explore that within for him, and let's face it - he's damn good at it, too. XD
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