Forward and Counting
Title: Forward and Counting [Part 3 of the Stage it Out Loud series; 1: No More Secrets and 2: Intermission]
Pairing: YunJae; YooMin
Length: Prologue + 50 Chapters (might drop to 40 or 45, not sure)
Genre: Romance; Humor; Angst
Warning(s): Homophobia
Rating: NC17 / PG15
Disclaimer: Seriously?
Summary: Out of a loop and into the future, how can TVXQ survive a shift in cultures and societal viewpoints as they move back home to brave the uncertain waters that are their Korean careers? Jaejoong can't exactly focus on the bleakness of their work, however, if he is too distracted by the bleakness of their home. Yunho and Changmin, though now separate, find it difficult to distance their bond, Yoochun knows the lack of argument in his and Changmin's relationship is unhealthy, and Jaejoong wonders how he and Yunho will fair the rocky undertones of their dysfunctional relationship. And what of Junsu? What of their families?
PROLOGUE
One.
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FROM JYJ TO TVXQ, 3 TO 5
Tokyo, Japan-On May 29, 2011, the much anticipated move of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin to JYJ's apartment in Tokyo was finally made. As former employees of S.M. Entertainment, U-know and Max appear to have a bleak future ahead of them.
For those of you just tuning in, in 2009 the then S.M. Entertainment artists and members of Tohoshinki, Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu, filed a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment for the labor intensive contracts they were bound to. The trio was forced to move out of their Korean apartment with their other two band mates-U-Know and Max. The trio soon left South Korea in hopes of friendly contract negotiations with their Japanese company, Avex Group, and in the confusion, the trio formed a group of their own conveniently named JYJ (Jaejoong-Yoochun-Junsu).
In the two years following the lawsuit, the remaining members U-Know and Max were on a forced hiatus that raised many eyebrows. S.M. Entertainment, feeling the pressure, began preparations for the duo's comeback, and even went so far as to release a sneak-peek at the new twin-like image the two would soon portray.
Unfortunately, Max Changmin didn't handle the increase in activity very well. In early 2010, Max had his first fainting spell immediately after being pursued by paparazzi. When months passed and the spells refused to subside, Max was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (see page 12) and prescribed the appropriate medication. However, with the influx of training schedules and over-night photo-shoots, the episodes only continued to increase in frequency, until he was having one almost every week. Finally, U-Know Yunho announced that he was going to put a stop to things.
On January 28, 2011, the duo held a press conference stating that they wished to join JYJ in the lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment. JYJ, in turn, were thrilled, and they accepted almost within the hour. Nothing could have possibly made the trio second-guess their decision-nothing until U-Know Yunho decided to out himself on national television.
U-Know's confession to being homosexual came as a shock to the entertainment community, but when Max Changmin followed up a week later with a confession of his own, more people were amused than disturbed.
“I'm homosexual as well,” were Max's words on February 20, 2011. “I'd like to ask my fans to continue to support me through this difficult time.”
Concerned with record sales, S.M. Entertainment terminated both U-Know's and Max's contracts within 48 hours of their coming out. This didn't sit too well with JYJ.
“If [they go] down,” Park Yoochun said in reaction to the termination of U-Know's contract with S.M. Entertainment, “I want to be there to help [them] stand up again.” (cr: x)
Their Japanese label, Avex Group, was fortunately not so cut-throat. They allowed JYJ the choice of either rejecting the duo's offer to join the lawsuit or continue with preparations for the move. JYJ decided to leave the plans as they were.
A month later, the move was official. U-Know and Max, recently announced as a romantic couple, arrived in Japan several hours late due to protesters delaying the departure of their Korean flight, and JYJ welcomed them home at Avex Group in Tokyo. U-Know and Max moved into JYJ's apartment that very same day.
“I'm worried,” a fan told us from where she was camping outside of the band's apartment complex. “I mean, what if they do something?”
“I think it's great,” her friend disagreed. “The band is back together again. This obstacle is just a bump in the road for them.”
The majority of interviewees that we spoke to shared her sentiments. Despite this slight hiccup, it appears that the Tokyo community is remaining optimistic about the reunion of Tohoshinki. As a single father in the suburbs so eloquently put: “Just get on with the music already!” (cr: x, x).
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Two.
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TVXQ CHANGES STANCE ON LAWSUIT
Tokyo, Japan-South Korean boy band, Tohoshinki, has announced that their original stance on the lawsuit is changing. Avex Group released their statement on the morning of the 12th.
On April 11th, Tohoshinki was called into Avex Group to discuss their approach on the lawsuit against their Korean record label, S.M. Entertainment. With the changes that the band itself has undertaken, a change of heart is certainly expected.
“U-Know and Max have been fired from S.M. Entertainment,” said one of JYJ's lawyers. “The original plan was for JYJ to rejoin them in South Korea once the lawsuit was resolved, but that's no longer possible. Now that U-Know and Max have joined the lawsuit, things can't remain the same.”
JYJ appears to agree. The meeting of the 11th hadn't lasted more than half an hour before a decision was made.
“Tohoshinki has decided to continue with the lawsuit,” the band's manager informed us an hour after the meeting. “Rejoining S.M. Entertainment, however, has been removed from their plans.”
This was later confirmed by U-Know Yunho himself, the leader of Tohoshinki: “Shim Changmin and I don't have the option of returning to S.M. Entertainment. Our future in South Korea will be an issue later, but for the time being, all we know is that things are changing. We respect our band mates for their decision to relinquish their own status with our former label so that we can remain together even after the lawsuit.”
It wasn't long before S.M. Entertainment's own Lee Sooman caught wind of the news.
“It wasn't our intention to force JYJ out of the company,” Sooman said. “The lawsuit aside, we were prepared to welcome them back with open arms, and it surprises us that they have changed their minds because of the matter regarding Jung Yunho and Shim Changmin. It is JYJ's decision, of course.”
Other matters concerning the band have stirred much curiosity in both countries, and the demand for news reports on them has been high since their official come-back as five on April 3rd. Recent reports of hostile dinners and questionable talk show hostings have been clogging the news head for weeks. This new development in their continued hiatus is front page news as of right now, and the spotlight isn't expected to roam off of the five any time soon. (cr: x).
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Three.
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U-KNOW YUNHO COLLAPSES
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's U-Know Yunho fainted from exhaustion. The collapse is expected to be an effect of lack of sleep.
On April 26, 2011, U-Know, leader of Korean boy band Tohoshinki, lost consciousness after a consultation with several dress-coordinators at Avex Group. Before he could hit the ground, one of the coordinators, Richard Lee, grabbed his shoulder.
“He wasn't all there,” Richard said while waiting for the ambulance. “Having a hard time paying attention. Then he just fell. I reacted from instinct, nothing else.”
As it happens, U-Know was in the early hours of his third 24-hour shift of the week, and his body wasn't able to withstand the pressure. Concern is high for the beloved leader, even after his recent come out, but fans are more uneasy than expected because of Max Changmin's condition: vasovagal syncope.
“There is no reason to believe that Yunho-san has developed a similar condition,” U-Know's doctor told us. “Changmin-san's symptoms were brought about by stress and worsened with anxiety. From all appearances, Yunho's fainting spell is nothing more than an effect of fatigue. The human body is not built to withstand more than eighteen hours of consciousness, and even that is pushing it. His symptoms will clear up with a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast.”
The breakfast has been promised to be provided by Tohoshinki's lead singer, Hero Jaejoong, and the sleep is to be demanded by U-know's boyfriend, Max Changmin. The fact that this incident has occurred at all, however, is a major concern of the entire band and their fans.
“Yunho-san is the leader of Tohoshinki,” the band's manager told us when asked for an explanation. “He might be out of practice after his two-year hiatus, but the intensity hasn't changed much. This is his job. There's no reason for us to expect any less.”
However, when asked, the other members of Tohoshinki can't remember another time when the schedule was so demanding.
“We don't have anything going on right now,” Xiah Junsu informed us the next day. “I was home when this happened. So were Yoochun-san and Changmin-san. Jaejoong-san was only there to talk with the CEO, so we're not really sure why Yunho-san has been so busy. We haven't even written any songs.”
This occurrence is certainly mind-boggling to the music community. A fan was the only person to offer any theories:
“This is about homophobia,” he said with a shrug. “Why are we so afraid to admit that? That's what's going on here, so let's just get it out there.” (cr: x)
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Four.
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U-KNOW SEEN IN PUBLIC WITH HERO
Tokyo, Japan-U-Know Yunho has been seen in public with Hero Jaejoong twice now, and both times they have been alone. The first time was seeing a film at a movie theater; the second, out to dinner at a 5-star restaurant.
On April 27th, only a day after U-Know's worrisome collapse, U-Know and Hero were seen standing in line at the movie theater to see the new Transformers movie. In the theater, things didn't seem so innocent.
“There was a lot of flirting,” a witness said after the movie. “Lots of touching, too. Not really appropriate for a family theater, I think.”
“They really should have sat in the back,” a woman added. “Other than that, it would have been okay if Yunho-san wasn't already in a relationship. Poor Changmin-san, he's probably going to take this hard.”
Max Changmin, however, simply shook his head when asked for his opinion on the issue. “We're a touchy group,” he said. “And those two were always really close. I don't feel all too threatened by it, don't worry. I won't hurt him.”
The matter was soon swept under the rug as a friendly outing, but suspicion rose again when the two were spotted on May 4th at a 5-star restaurant for an early dinner. The meal appeared to be anything but romantic, however.
“Jaejoong-san was crying,” a concerned witness said. “They were talking really quietly, so we couldn't understand them, but Jaejoong-san was angry and crying. He wouldn't let Yunho-san comfort him. We thought that Yunho-san rejected him.”
Both U-Know and Hero declined any invitations for a statement on the event, so fans can only speculate. Max Changmin refused requests for another statement, as well, but he did tell us that our focus was skewed.
“You're asking the wrong questions,” he said in passing. “Ask the right ones, and I'll be happy to answer.” (cr: x , x)
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Five.
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TVXQ HOLDS CHARITY EVENT AT TOKYO DOME
Tokyo, Japan-Korean boy band Tohoshinki held a charity event at Tokyo Dome. The event was put together in support of cancer research, and commissions were sent to three research hospitals dedicated to treatment of the disease.
The event was announced only a week earlier, but even with the short notice, the stadium was almost packed on May 5th. The band and other Avex staff handed out flyers that specified how the commissions worked: for every ten bags of rice donated, Tohoshinki would sing a song for the cancer children who were the main guests of the event, and for every million yen (or won, for the few Korean fans in the audience) one of the children would get a solo song from the member of his/her choice.
All in all, the event was a major success. Total commissions rounded up to over 3 billion yen, and almost 50,000 bags of rice were made available to low-budget care hospitals in rural areas of both Japan and South Korea.
“We are so grateful that this has happened,” the Chief of one such hospital said. He wishes to remain anonymous. “God bless the five of them. Really.”
The news of the event, along with the live feed and the coverage it received afterward, has raised much more interest in Tohoshinki than it was already receiving. More specifically, South Korean reporters have turned their cameras back onto them.
“After the news concerning Yunho-ssi's and Changmin-ssi's situation, there hasn't been much demand for news about them,” the president of Korean news station LBD explained. “But when we caught news of the upcoming event, it became top priority over night.”
Indeed, LBD was present at the event, as were KBS, SBS, and several other stations. Unfortunately, their presence wasn't for the better.
At around 3 pm, five hours after the event began, JYJ were crowded on stage while U-Know Yunho was backstage and Max Changmin was absent. JYJ reacted defensively, which U-Know Yunho later scolded them for.
“It was definitely inappropriate,” Tohoshinki's manager said later. “None of the reporters were Japanese, so the commentary was later translated for me by Yunho-san, and it's inexcusable. They ambushed JYJ, disturbed the cancer children-who we promised a fun, relaxing day-and asked brow-raising questions. I don't blame JYJ for being defensive. The whole ordeal was just rude.”
The following is an excerpt from a South Korean article on the issue:
“When we finally found JYJ's Kim Junsu alone, we proceeded to question him. At first, he appeared uncomfortable at our questions, but when our questions moved to Yunho and Changmin, he grew defensive.
`We're just trying to help out,' he told us. `Yunho-hyung and Changmin want to help, too.'
We asked if he thought that it was alright to allow the couple access to children, and he didn't answer. Park Yoochun then stepped onto the stage, and we moved onto him. His answers were similar.
When Kim Jaejoong came out from backstage, where he had taken a girl to get a solo song from Jung Yunho, we closed in on him. We asked if he had handed Yunho the girl, to which Jaejoong replied that he had.
We asked if he thought it was wise.
`Are you implying that Yunho is a child molester?' Jaejoong asked us.
This only encouraged more questions.”
The article also posed a more credible question: Was this event put together for the sole purpose of raising popularity?
“It's a good question,” said the father of one of the cancer patients. “While most of us parents aren't fond of the fact that Yunho-san and Changmin-san are gay, the thought that they might molest our children didn't cross our minds. But are they using our children to gain popularity? That's something we would really like to know.”
Max Matsuura, the CEO of Avex Group, opened up to us on the subject. “A lot of people use charity events and giving to the poor to gain popularity, whether they're famous or not. Some even do it so they'll like themselves better. And, yes, Tohoshinki's popularity is dangerously low right now, but as Yoochun-san said, they're still human, and now there's 3 billion yen and 50 thousand bags of rice that weren't there before.”
Maybe it's as Xiah Junsu said: “We're helping children with cancer. Is there a bad reason for doing that?” (cr: x)
*
Six.
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GACKT AND MAX GO HEAD TO HEAD
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Max Changmin engages in a public argument with Japan's own Gackt, beloved actor and music artist.
Korean boy band Tohoshinki guested on TLMU's popular game show Tiki Cane on May 22, 2011. Along with Tohoshinki, the other guests included Big Bang's TOP, the Japanese comedian Aoki Sayaka, two members of female idol group SKE48, and Gackt. Gackt is known best for his work in Akumu Chan and Bunraka, alongside his former career as the lead singer of Cain's:Feel and Malice Mizer. He's also one of Japan's most cherished gay celebrities.
The argument between Max and Gackt began after the show's challenges had been completed. The host mentioned that Gackt and Max and U-know (leader of Tohoshinki) were all homosexual. Gackt replied that he didn't appreciate being labeled.
“I am proud to say I like men,” Max told Gackt after his comment. “Just as any man is proud to say he likes women.”
When Gackt replied that he wasn't ashamed of his sexuality, he just didn't want it to define him, Max replied that he was glad that everyone knew who he was now.
The quibble was icy, but there were no hard feelings, as the two were seen out to lunch together on the 31st, only a little over a week after the argument.
“Gackt-san always said he liked a partner who could challenge him,” a fan told us. “Maybe he sees in Changmin-san what he's been looking for for so long.”
“That's just a crack at my age,” Gackt responded when it was brought up to him a few days later, but he was smiling. “Changmin-san is amazing and very amusing, but he's taken.”
When asked if he was interested, Gackt shrugged and said, “We'll see.”
“I ship it,” another fan said afterwards. “I ship it so hard.”
The duo was spotted out to lunch again on June 10th, and the gossipers got busy.
Max was finally asked for his take on things. “I'm with Yunho,” he stated. “Gackt is really cool, but I'm not the cheating type. I'm not planning on ending anything with Yunho soon, either.” (cr: x , x , x)
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Seven.
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TVXQ EXPECTED TO START RELEASING MUSIC
Tokyo, Japan-Avex Group has announced that Tohoshinki is starting to record again.
The news that the band is composing and recording is sending their fans into a frenzy. A recent statement by Avex Group has the whole world on the edge of their seats. Specifically, Tohoshinki's Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin are reported to have been seen working together on a special project.
“Given the circumstances and Changmin-san's physical health,” Max Matsuura, CEO, told us, “the band is taking their time with their new album. U-Know Yunho requested upon his arrival that they be allowed to write their own songs for the single, save for the title song. We're allowing them the leisure they need to regroup, and in so doing they have all agreed to compose their own solo music. Concerning Yoochun-san's piece, I'm only at liberty to disclose that he has requested for Changmin-san's consultation and collaboration.”
“It has to be amazing,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya stated after the announcement. “With the uproar Changmin-san's coming out caused in Asia as a whole and with the long hiatus Tohoshinki has been granted, tension is high and expectations are rising by the minute. Every song on this new album has to be absolute perfection, and I'm sure Tohoshinki knows it. All eyes are on Changmin-san and his boyfriend, and Yoochun-san's composing skills are of admirable quality. The fact that Yoochun-san even overlooked Changmin-san's sexuality for the sake of the music is beautiful.”
“It should be about love,” talk show host Kunogi Emily commented on the subject. “It probably won't be, though, because then there would be speculation about Yoochun-san's sexuality and that's a risk Tohoshinki probably can't afford to take. But even if it isn't about love, it should be about diversity, or friendship, or compatibility. It has to either empower or educate. It can't just be another generic love song with gender neutral pronouns-or worse, female-specific pronouns. This is Tohoshinki's chance to show their support for the cause.”
Not to be outdone, Singapore even chimed in on the issue: “Usually we don't review songs that we haven't heard yet,” a radio host commented. “But news of a song co-written by both Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin of South Korea's TVXQ has stirred a lot of controversy all over the internet, so I think it deserves a few minutes. Max Changmin, if you don't already know, is the third major celebrity to ever announce that he's gay, with Hong Seukchun being the first and U-Know Yunho-also of TVXQ-being the second. Micky Yoochun, of course, was of JYJ for about two years before TVXQ got back together, and it's a big deal that he's asking Changmin for this favor. He's basically laying it out there that he doesn't care that Changmin is gay. But they have to understand that that isn't enough. It can't be just a plain love song or a song about sex or anything. The question I think everyone is asking at this point is: Are they going to go all the way? Are they going to sing about what everyone thinks they don't have the guts to? Of course it makes sense if they don't, but shame on them if they don't. They need to take this leap. Even if it isn't good for their image, their popularity will shoot through the roof.”
Opinions are surely plentiful and thought-provoking, but we can only wait for the song to be released. (cr: x)
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Eight.
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HERO JAEJOONG-PLAYING THE STREETS, ROCKING THE SHEETS?!
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Hero Jaejoong is rumored to have had a one night stand with a fan. Speculators argue that the deed has less to do with sexual tension and more to do with proving that he isn't gay.
On June 21st, a young woman who wishes to remain anonymous sat down with one of our reporters and told her that on May 30th, Hero and U-Know Yunho entered the bar that she was attending.
The two band mates conversed for a long while before stepping onto the dance floor for a jaw-dropping dance that cleared a large circle. Matters took a different turn, however, when U-Know said something to Hero that made Hero look horrified.
Hero then turned to the young woman and danced with her for the rest of the night. The woman lost track of U-Know after that, but she and Hero drank until Hero wasn't fit to drive, and they went back to her place.
Below this article, we have a few snapshots taken with the woman's camera phone from inside her apartment.
However, commenters are not focusing on the one night stand as an act of hormonal combustion; rather, they are condemning the act as a homophobic decoy.
“If Jaejoong did sleep with this woman,” posted an anonymous commenter on an English site, “it wasn't anything like sexual tension getting the best of him. He wasn't horny and drunk. He was freaked out and drunk. Everyone saw his dance with Yunho, and now everyone was going to guess that he was gay, too. So he slept with the first girl he could get his hands on.”
“Jaejoong is not the first to pull this trick,” someone else commented on a Philippine site. “On the set of Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger-MAY HE REST IN PEACE-impregnated the actress of his female love interest. No one commented on it, but everyone knew why he did it. If Jaejoong did this-because there's a chance that this is all fake-it was definitely to show the world that he's straight.”
Comments on fan sites only go so far, of course, so we asked for a professional opinion.
“Other witnesses have stated that the dance that Yunho-san and Jaejoong-san engaged in was very sensual,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya described. “It was slow, it was sexy, and of course people read into it. Yunho lead the dance, Jaejoong just being pulled along. It was only natural for people to assume that things had taken a romantic turn with these two. However, there's been rumors going around about the YunJae couple for years, before the lawsuit and after. The fact that Yunho-san is gay might have upped the chances of it actually happening, but Jaejoong-san had no reason to freak out about this one dance. If there had been any reason for over-reacting, Yunho-san wouldn't have let it happen. Yunho-san has never misjudged a situation when it comes to the press, so if he didn't see a problem with a sexy dance in a small neighborhood bar, Jaejoong-san should have trusted his judgement instead of trying to assert his heterosexuality.”
Hopefully, Avex Group can disprove this scandal soon, because if this is true, the pro-gay light Tohoshinki was initially seen in is being rethought. (cr: x , x)
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Nine.
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MICKY AND MAX AT THE BEACH
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin spent an afternoon and evening at Chigasaki beach on June 23, 2011.
The sight of the two playing in the water and building sand castles was very heart-warming and relieving for spectators, as Max Changmin had been in the hospital just the day before. They were happy to oblige our request for an interview.
After denying the romantic atmosphere of their hang-out, Max cleared the water concerning his hospital stay. “I coughed up some blood,” he told us. “Nothing serious, just need a change in my medication.”
The news was a huge relief for fans. Micky was then asked if JYJ had adjusted to the shift in their family.
“It's just like old times,” Micky said. “Except when they get all lovey-dovey and make the rest of us feel lonely.”
Lastly, the two were asked about their opinion on the recent scandal involving Hero Jaejoong and a female fan.
Max didn't bother filtering himself. “He's an idiot, but he's our idiot, and he isn't that stupid. He wouldn't assert his heterosexuality that way.”
This was more good news for anxious fans, as Tohoshinki's opinion on the subject has been much anticipated. All in all, the care-free day of relaxation was a light-hearted and fun break from the heat the entire band has been receiving as of late. Micky and Max were even finishing each other's sentences in the interview, reinforcing the growing strength of their friendship. (cr: x)
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Ten.
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TVXQ TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM THIS WEEK
Tokyo, Japan-Korean boy band Tohoshinki has announced that they are releasing an entirely new six-track single by the end of the week. They also stated on the 28th that the lawsuit is officially ended and that they plan on moving back to South Korea in two weeks.
This is certainly a lot of news hitting the press all at once, so we'll first address the first bit of news: the single. Avex Group, while remaining firmly tight-lipped concerning the cover art, has confirmed that the title song is named “No More Secrets.”
“No More Secrets isn't about love or hope or friendship,” Max Matsuura, CEO, stated. “It's about diversity, equality, and it doesn't sugar coat anything.”
“I think Japan is used to nice things,” Tohoshinki's Max Changmin commented. “There's a lot of conspiracy and tragedy and horror in the media, but when it comes to real life, Japan doesn't discuss things. I have no idea how our song will be received, but I hope it leaves an impression.”
“Disappointment, I think, is the main point,” Micky Yoochun followed up. “Disappointment that something so small about a person can ruin lives, ruin families. It can demolish friendships, breed low self-esteems. No More secrets to me is about the pain of realizing that the world isn't what we're promised as kids. That your being anything less than the perceived norm can leave you shunned and alone.”
“This song is an attack head on,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya agreed a few days later on July 1st. “Reviewers and basically anyone with any interest at all in the activity of Tohoshinki have been wondering very publicly whether they would even address the issue at all. Our society-and that of South Korea, in kind-has always been a turn-the-other-cheek society. Tohoshinki is raising the question and placing it right beneath our noses. They are saying, `You cannot ignore this. It will not be ignored and swept under the rug any longer.' This is an issue that has finally found its poster boys.”
The remaining five songs are each composed and sung by one of the five members. Each of them gave us a few words about his solo.
“Mine's about losing love,” Max Changmin said. “Not losing it as in one leaving and the other being heartbroken. It's about love fading and drifting away. About realizing that this person is close to your heart, but it no longer bothers you that they've moved on with their lives.”
“Mine is just... nausea,” U-Know Yunho said with a laugh. “It's sexy, it's sweet, it's lovey-dovey. It has a nice beat with cute words. It should make a few people puke rainbows.”
“Full Color Vision was hard to write,” Micky Yoochun said. “It's about love, but it's about being in love with your same gender. Nothing special, just, `I love you so much.' Changmin-san really made it amazing.”
“Nine is missing someone,” Hero Jaejoong said. “Missing someone who means everything to you, but not only in a romantic way. It's just someone that you can't live without.”
“Tarantellegra is a new me,” Xiah Junsu said lastly. “It's who I'd like to aspire to be. Yunho-san and Changmin-san are accepting their offers for a happily ever after, Jaejoong-san is transforming who he is, and Yoochun-san is realizing things that make him even better of a man than he used to be. They're evolving, and I need to keep up. I want to feel like I deserve to sing up there with them.”
The single hadn't been announced until June 27th, and Avex Group has confirmed that the entire album wasn't recorded or edited until the day before. The entertainment community is shocked because Avex Group has never promoted a Tohoshinki album without previews and teasers to give the fans a taste of what is to come. Even days before the official release, Avex Group and Tohoshinki themselves aren't revealing anything concerning the music or their image.
U-Know Yunho only left us with this: “Our images have always been very aesthetics based, and as we've matured, we've gotten to a sexy image with mature themes. This new album has changed all that. If we're sexy, it'll be subtle and by accident. This is about the world now. Society.”
Next, three days before the release, Avex Group announced that the infamous lawsuit between Tohoshinki and S.M. Entertainment has come to an end.
In 2009, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu sued Tohoshinki's Korean record label S.M. Entertainment. The resulting separation of JYJ and U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin raged on for two years until U-Know and Max held a press conference stating that they wished to join the lawsuit on January 28, 2011. JYJ accepted their offer and U-Know and Max joined JYJ in Tokyo, Japan on March 29th.
After three months of tough proceedings on either side, Tohoshinki has now decided to settle the lawsuit.
“We've already sat down with S.M. Entertainment's lawyers,” one of Tohoshinki's lawyers stated on the 3rd. “A settlement has been reached and the parties involved have agreed to leave each other be.”
“It was a difficult decision,” said Hero Jaejoong, former leader of JYJ. “It was something the five of us discussed, and we decided that it was best for us.”
“With the lawsuit no longer weighing on us,” Micky Yoochun added, “we can focus more on our album. No More Secrets is a difficult piece, and we need to be completely united in the future we want.”
When Tohoshinki returns to South Korea, they shall begin activities in collaboration with C-JES Entertainment, the managing agency created for JYJ's activities.
The move of Tohoshinki to South Korea is coming sooner than expected, actually. On the same day Avex Group announced the end of the lawsuit, they also announced that Tohoshinki will be returning to their home country in two weeks.
“Even without the aid of an album or a nation-wide tour,” Max Matsuura told us, “Tokyo has been very welcoming to these boys. Opinions have fluctuated, but when all is said and done, we couldn't have hoped for a better city for Tohoshinki to regroup and reconnect. With the release of their first album since reuniting, they would love to stay longer for music video production and a concert tour, but with the irregularities of these past few months, they need to return to South Korea before rumors tarnish their recovering popularity. We wish them the very best, and all Avex Group can do is make sure they make it home quickly and safely.”
“It's been fun,” U-Know Yunho said on the 4th. “We can never thank Japan enough for treating us as gently as it has. You all allowed us the time to deal with our problems and for Changmin-san to recover even just a little of the health he's lost. We're sad to have to leave so soon, but we'll return, and we'll give you all the concerts you've been waiting for.” (cr: x)
*
Eleven.
.
Twelve.
.
Thirteen.
.
.
A/N: If anyone wants to criticize my MLA, “No More Secrets” is referring to the song and No More Secrets is referring to the album, so they're both right. Tatsumi Aya is my own creation, and she might make statements on the news or in papers or whatever, but that's all. She's not too important. There's a lot of NMS I wanted to write articles about, but I had to keep it to 10.
Also, I'd like to point out at this time that I mean no offense to either Japan or South Korea. The general societal dilemmas that our boys face in this story are generalizations of the conservative/liberal, white/black, bigoted/accepting portrayal of the current world. Most of the events that will happen here on might not be particularly common-place in South Korea, and I'm not assuming that they are. These things do happen in America, however, and way more often than you might think. I am merely addressing the issues in the most effective way possible. My use of the countries Japan and South Korea is just symbolic and convenient, seeing as it's a TVXQ fanfic. Only so much I can do with that.
Pairing: YunJae; YooMin
Length: Prologue + 50 Chapters (might drop to 40 or 45, not sure)
Genre: Romance; Humor; Angst
Warning(s): Homophobia
Rating: NC17 / PG15
Disclaimer: Seriously?
Summary: Out of a loop and into the future, how can TVXQ survive a shift in cultures and societal viewpoints as they move back home to brave the uncertain waters that are their Korean careers? Jaejoong can't exactly focus on the bleakness of their work, however, if he is too distracted by the bleakness of their home. Yunho and Changmin, though now separate, find it difficult to distance their bond, Yoochun knows the lack of argument in his and Changmin's relationship is unhealthy, and Jaejoong wonders how he and Yunho will fair the rocky undertones of their dysfunctional relationship. And what of Junsu? What of their families?
PROLOGUE
One.
*
FROM JYJ TO TVXQ, 3 TO 5
Tokyo, Japan-On May 29, 2011, the much anticipated move of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin to JYJ's apartment in Tokyo was finally made. As former employees of S.M. Entertainment, U-know and Max appear to have a bleak future ahead of them.
For those of you just tuning in, in 2009 the then S.M. Entertainment artists and members of Tohoshinki, Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu, filed a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment for the labor intensive contracts they were bound to. The trio was forced to move out of their Korean apartment with their other two band mates-U-Know and Max. The trio soon left South Korea in hopes of friendly contract negotiations with their Japanese company, Avex Group, and in the confusion, the trio formed a group of their own conveniently named JYJ (Jaejoong-Yoochun-Junsu).
In the two years following the lawsuit, the remaining members U-Know and Max were on a forced hiatus that raised many eyebrows. S.M. Entertainment, feeling the pressure, began preparations for the duo's comeback, and even went so far as to release a sneak-peek at the new twin-like image the two would soon portray.
Unfortunately, Max Changmin didn't handle the increase in activity very well. In early 2010, Max had his first fainting spell immediately after being pursued by paparazzi. When months passed and the spells refused to subside, Max was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (see page 12) and prescribed the appropriate medication. However, with the influx of training schedules and over-night photo-shoots, the episodes only continued to increase in frequency, until he was having one almost every week. Finally, U-Know Yunho announced that he was going to put a stop to things.
On January 28, 2011, the duo held a press conference stating that they wished to join JYJ in the lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment. JYJ, in turn, were thrilled, and they accepted almost within the hour. Nothing could have possibly made the trio second-guess their decision-nothing until U-Know Yunho decided to out himself on national television.
U-Know's confession to being homosexual came as a shock to the entertainment community, but when Max Changmin followed up a week later with a confession of his own, more people were amused than disturbed.
“I'm homosexual as well,” were Max's words on February 20, 2011. “I'd like to ask my fans to continue to support me through this difficult time.”
Concerned with record sales, S.M. Entertainment terminated both U-Know's and Max's contracts within 48 hours of their coming out. This didn't sit too well with JYJ.
“If [they go] down,” Park Yoochun said in reaction to the termination of U-Know's contract with S.M. Entertainment, “I want to be there to help [them] stand up again.” (cr: x)
Their Japanese label, Avex Group, was fortunately not so cut-throat. They allowed JYJ the choice of either rejecting the duo's offer to join the lawsuit or continue with preparations for the move. JYJ decided to leave the plans as they were.
A month later, the move was official. U-Know and Max, recently announced as a romantic couple, arrived in Japan several hours late due to protesters delaying the departure of their Korean flight, and JYJ welcomed them home at Avex Group in Tokyo. U-Know and Max moved into JYJ's apartment that very same day.
“I'm worried,” a fan told us from where she was camping outside of the band's apartment complex. “I mean, what if they do something?”
“I think it's great,” her friend disagreed. “The band is back together again. This obstacle is just a bump in the road for them.”
The majority of interviewees that we spoke to shared her sentiments. Despite this slight hiccup, it appears that the Tokyo community is remaining optimistic about the reunion of Tohoshinki. As a single father in the suburbs so eloquently put: “Just get on with the music already!” (cr: x, x).
*
Two.
*
TVXQ CHANGES STANCE ON LAWSUIT
Tokyo, Japan-South Korean boy band, Tohoshinki, has announced that their original stance on the lawsuit is changing. Avex Group released their statement on the morning of the 12th.
On April 11th, Tohoshinki was called into Avex Group to discuss their approach on the lawsuit against their Korean record label, S.M. Entertainment. With the changes that the band itself has undertaken, a change of heart is certainly expected.
“U-Know and Max have been fired from S.M. Entertainment,” said one of JYJ's lawyers. “The original plan was for JYJ to rejoin them in South Korea once the lawsuit was resolved, but that's no longer possible. Now that U-Know and Max have joined the lawsuit, things can't remain the same.”
JYJ appears to agree. The meeting of the 11th hadn't lasted more than half an hour before a decision was made.
“Tohoshinki has decided to continue with the lawsuit,” the band's manager informed us an hour after the meeting. “Rejoining S.M. Entertainment, however, has been removed from their plans.”
This was later confirmed by U-Know Yunho himself, the leader of Tohoshinki: “Shim Changmin and I don't have the option of returning to S.M. Entertainment. Our future in South Korea will be an issue later, but for the time being, all we know is that things are changing. We respect our band mates for their decision to relinquish their own status with our former label so that we can remain together even after the lawsuit.”
It wasn't long before S.M. Entertainment's own Lee Sooman caught wind of the news.
“It wasn't our intention to force JYJ out of the company,” Sooman said. “The lawsuit aside, we were prepared to welcome them back with open arms, and it surprises us that they have changed their minds because of the matter regarding Jung Yunho and Shim Changmin. It is JYJ's decision, of course.”
Other matters concerning the band have stirred much curiosity in both countries, and the demand for news reports on them has been high since their official come-back as five on April 3rd. Recent reports of hostile dinners and questionable talk show hostings have been clogging the news head for weeks. This new development in their continued hiatus is front page news as of right now, and the spotlight isn't expected to roam off of the five any time soon. (cr: x).
*
Three.
*
U-KNOW YUNHO COLLAPSES
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's U-Know Yunho fainted from exhaustion. The collapse is expected to be an effect of lack of sleep.
On April 26, 2011, U-Know, leader of Korean boy band Tohoshinki, lost consciousness after a consultation with several dress-coordinators at Avex Group. Before he could hit the ground, one of the coordinators, Richard Lee, grabbed his shoulder.
“He wasn't all there,” Richard said while waiting for the ambulance. “Having a hard time paying attention. Then he just fell. I reacted from instinct, nothing else.”
As it happens, U-Know was in the early hours of his third 24-hour shift of the week, and his body wasn't able to withstand the pressure. Concern is high for the beloved leader, even after his recent come out, but fans are more uneasy than expected because of Max Changmin's condition: vasovagal syncope.
“There is no reason to believe that Yunho-san has developed a similar condition,” U-Know's doctor told us. “Changmin-san's symptoms were brought about by stress and worsened with anxiety. From all appearances, Yunho's fainting spell is nothing more than an effect of fatigue. The human body is not built to withstand more than eighteen hours of consciousness, and even that is pushing it. His symptoms will clear up with a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast.”
The breakfast has been promised to be provided by Tohoshinki's lead singer, Hero Jaejoong, and the sleep is to be demanded by U-know's boyfriend, Max Changmin. The fact that this incident has occurred at all, however, is a major concern of the entire band and their fans.
“Yunho-san is the leader of Tohoshinki,” the band's manager told us when asked for an explanation. “He might be out of practice after his two-year hiatus, but the intensity hasn't changed much. This is his job. There's no reason for us to expect any less.”
However, when asked, the other members of Tohoshinki can't remember another time when the schedule was so demanding.
“We don't have anything going on right now,” Xiah Junsu informed us the next day. “I was home when this happened. So were Yoochun-san and Changmin-san. Jaejoong-san was only there to talk with the CEO, so we're not really sure why Yunho-san has been so busy. We haven't even written any songs.”
This occurrence is certainly mind-boggling to the music community. A fan was the only person to offer any theories:
“This is about homophobia,” he said with a shrug. “Why are we so afraid to admit that? That's what's going on here, so let's just get it out there.” (cr: x)
*
Four.
*
U-KNOW SEEN IN PUBLIC WITH HERO
Tokyo, Japan-U-Know Yunho has been seen in public with Hero Jaejoong twice now, and both times they have been alone. The first time was seeing a film at a movie theater; the second, out to dinner at a 5-star restaurant.
On April 27th, only a day after U-Know's worrisome collapse, U-Know and Hero were seen standing in line at the movie theater to see the new Transformers movie. In the theater, things didn't seem so innocent.
“There was a lot of flirting,” a witness said after the movie. “Lots of touching, too. Not really appropriate for a family theater, I think.”
“They really should have sat in the back,” a woman added. “Other than that, it would have been okay if Yunho-san wasn't already in a relationship. Poor Changmin-san, he's probably going to take this hard.”
Max Changmin, however, simply shook his head when asked for his opinion on the issue. “We're a touchy group,” he said. “And those two were always really close. I don't feel all too threatened by it, don't worry. I won't hurt him.”
The matter was soon swept under the rug as a friendly outing, but suspicion rose again when the two were spotted on May 4th at a 5-star restaurant for an early dinner. The meal appeared to be anything but romantic, however.
“Jaejoong-san was crying,” a concerned witness said. “They were talking really quietly, so we couldn't understand them, but Jaejoong-san was angry and crying. He wouldn't let Yunho-san comfort him. We thought that Yunho-san rejected him.”
Both U-Know and Hero declined any invitations for a statement on the event, so fans can only speculate. Max Changmin refused requests for another statement, as well, but he did tell us that our focus was skewed.
“You're asking the wrong questions,” he said in passing. “Ask the right ones, and I'll be happy to answer.” (cr: x , x)
*
Five.
*
TVXQ HOLDS CHARITY EVENT AT TOKYO DOME
Tokyo, Japan-Korean boy band Tohoshinki held a charity event at Tokyo Dome. The event was put together in support of cancer research, and commissions were sent to three research hospitals dedicated to treatment of the disease.
The event was announced only a week earlier, but even with the short notice, the stadium was almost packed on May 5th. The band and other Avex staff handed out flyers that specified how the commissions worked: for every ten bags of rice donated, Tohoshinki would sing a song for the cancer children who were the main guests of the event, and for every million yen (or won, for the few Korean fans in the audience) one of the children would get a solo song from the member of his/her choice.
All in all, the event was a major success. Total commissions rounded up to over 3 billion yen, and almost 50,000 bags of rice were made available to low-budget care hospitals in rural areas of both Japan and South Korea.
“We are so grateful that this has happened,” the Chief of one such hospital said. He wishes to remain anonymous. “God bless the five of them. Really.”
The news of the event, along with the live feed and the coverage it received afterward, has raised much more interest in Tohoshinki than it was already receiving. More specifically, South Korean reporters have turned their cameras back onto them.
“After the news concerning Yunho-ssi's and Changmin-ssi's situation, there hasn't been much demand for news about them,” the president of Korean news station LBD explained. “But when we caught news of the upcoming event, it became top priority over night.”
Indeed, LBD was present at the event, as were KBS, SBS, and several other stations. Unfortunately, their presence wasn't for the better.
At around 3 pm, five hours after the event began, JYJ were crowded on stage while U-Know Yunho was backstage and Max Changmin was absent. JYJ reacted defensively, which U-Know Yunho later scolded them for.
“It was definitely inappropriate,” Tohoshinki's manager said later. “None of the reporters were Japanese, so the commentary was later translated for me by Yunho-san, and it's inexcusable. They ambushed JYJ, disturbed the cancer children-who we promised a fun, relaxing day-and asked brow-raising questions. I don't blame JYJ for being defensive. The whole ordeal was just rude.”
The following is an excerpt from a South Korean article on the issue:
“When we finally found JYJ's Kim Junsu alone, we proceeded to question him. At first, he appeared uncomfortable at our questions, but when our questions moved to Yunho and Changmin, he grew defensive.
`We're just trying to help out,' he told us. `Yunho-hyung and Changmin want to help, too.'
We asked if he thought that it was alright to allow the couple access to children, and he didn't answer. Park Yoochun then stepped onto the stage, and we moved onto him. His answers were similar.
When Kim Jaejoong came out from backstage, where he had taken a girl to get a solo song from Jung Yunho, we closed in on him. We asked if he had handed Yunho the girl, to which Jaejoong replied that he had.
We asked if he thought it was wise.
`Are you implying that Yunho is a child molester?' Jaejoong asked us.
This only encouraged more questions.”
The article also posed a more credible question: Was this event put together for the sole purpose of raising popularity?
“It's a good question,” said the father of one of the cancer patients. “While most of us parents aren't fond of the fact that Yunho-san and Changmin-san are gay, the thought that they might molest our children didn't cross our minds. But are they using our children to gain popularity? That's something we would really like to know.”
Max Matsuura, the CEO of Avex Group, opened up to us on the subject. “A lot of people use charity events and giving to the poor to gain popularity, whether they're famous or not. Some even do it so they'll like themselves better. And, yes, Tohoshinki's popularity is dangerously low right now, but as Yoochun-san said, they're still human, and now there's 3 billion yen and 50 thousand bags of rice that weren't there before.”
Maybe it's as Xiah Junsu said: “We're helping children with cancer. Is there a bad reason for doing that?” (cr: x)
*
Six.
*
GACKT AND MAX GO HEAD TO HEAD
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Max Changmin engages in a public argument with Japan's own Gackt, beloved actor and music artist.
Korean boy band Tohoshinki guested on TLMU's popular game show Tiki Cane on May 22, 2011. Along with Tohoshinki, the other guests included Big Bang's TOP, the Japanese comedian Aoki Sayaka, two members of female idol group SKE48, and Gackt. Gackt is known best for his work in Akumu Chan and Bunraka, alongside his former career as the lead singer of Cain's:Feel and Malice Mizer. He's also one of Japan's most cherished gay celebrities.
The argument between Max and Gackt began after the show's challenges had been completed. The host mentioned that Gackt and Max and U-know (leader of Tohoshinki) were all homosexual. Gackt replied that he didn't appreciate being labeled.
“I am proud to say I like men,” Max told Gackt after his comment. “Just as any man is proud to say he likes women.”
When Gackt replied that he wasn't ashamed of his sexuality, he just didn't want it to define him, Max replied that he was glad that everyone knew who he was now.
The quibble was icy, but there were no hard feelings, as the two were seen out to lunch together on the 31st, only a little over a week after the argument.
“Gackt-san always said he liked a partner who could challenge him,” a fan told us. “Maybe he sees in Changmin-san what he's been looking for for so long.”
“That's just a crack at my age,” Gackt responded when it was brought up to him a few days later, but he was smiling. “Changmin-san is amazing and very amusing, but he's taken.”
When asked if he was interested, Gackt shrugged and said, “We'll see.”
“I ship it,” another fan said afterwards. “I ship it so hard.”
The duo was spotted out to lunch again on June 10th, and the gossipers got busy.
Max was finally asked for his take on things. “I'm with Yunho,” he stated. “Gackt is really cool, but I'm not the cheating type. I'm not planning on ending anything with Yunho soon, either.” (cr: x , x , x)
*
Seven.
*
TVXQ EXPECTED TO START RELEASING MUSIC
Tokyo, Japan-Avex Group has announced that Tohoshinki is starting to record again.
The news that the band is composing and recording is sending their fans into a frenzy. A recent statement by Avex Group has the whole world on the edge of their seats. Specifically, Tohoshinki's Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin are reported to have been seen working together on a special project.
“Given the circumstances and Changmin-san's physical health,” Max Matsuura, CEO, told us, “the band is taking their time with their new album. U-Know Yunho requested upon his arrival that they be allowed to write their own songs for the single, save for the title song. We're allowing them the leisure they need to regroup, and in so doing they have all agreed to compose their own solo music. Concerning Yoochun-san's piece, I'm only at liberty to disclose that he has requested for Changmin-san's consultation and collaboration.”
“It has to be amazing,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya stated after the announcement. “With the uproar Changmin-san's coming out caused in Asia as a whole and with the long hiatus Tohoshinki has been granted, tension is high and expectations are rising by the minute. Every song on this new album has to be absolute perfection, and I'm sure Tohoshinki knows it. All eyes are on Changmin-san and his boyfriend, and Yoochun-san's composing skills are of admirable quality. The fact that Yoochun-san even overlooked Changmin-san's sexuality for the sake of the music is beautiful.”
“It should be about love,” talk show host Kunogi Emily commented on the subject. “It probably won't be, though, because then there would be speculation about Yoochun-san's sexuality and that's a risk Tohoshinki probably can't afford to take. But even if it isn't about love, it should be about diversity, or friendship, or compatibility. It has to either empower or educate. It can't just be another generic love song with gender neutral pronouns-or worse, female-specific pronouns. This is Tohoshinki's chance to show their support for the cause.”
Not to be outdone, Singapore even chimed in on the issue: “Usually we don't review songs that we haven't heard yet,” a radio host commented. “But news of a song co-written by both Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin of South Korea's TVXQ has stirred a lot of controversy all over the internet, so I think it deserves a few minutes. Max Changmin, if you don't already know, is the third major celebrity to ever announce that he's gay, with Hong Seukchun being the first and U-Know Yunho-also of TVXQ-being the second. Micky Yoochun, of course, was of JYJ for about two years before TVXQ got back together, and it's a big deal that he's asking Changmin for this favor. He's basically laying it out there that he doesn't care that Changmin is gay. But they have to understand that that isn't enough. It can't be just a plain love song or a song about sex or anything. The question I think everyone is asking at this point is: Are they going to go all the way? Are they going to sing about what everyone thinks they don't have the guts to? Of course it makes sense if they don't, but shame on them if they don't. They need to take this leap. Even if it isn't good for their image, their popularity will shoot through the roof.”
Opinions are surely plentiful and thought-provoking, but we can only wait for the song to be released. (cr: x)
*
Eight.
*
HERO JAEJOONG-PLAYING THE STREETS, ROCKING THE SHEETS?!
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Hero Jaejoong is rumored to have had a one night stand with a fan. Speculators argue that the deed has less to do with sexual tension and more to do with proving that he isn't gay.
On June 21st, a young woman who wishes to remain anonymous sat down with one of our reporters and told her that on May 30th, Hero and U-Know Yunho entered the bar that she was attending.
The two band mates conversed for a long while before stepping onto the dance floor for a jaw-dropping dance that cleared a large circle. Matters took a different turn, however, when U-Know said something to Hero that made Hero look horrified.
Hero then turned to the young woman and danced with her for the rest of the night. The woman lost track of U-Know after that, but she and Hero drank until Hero wasn't fit to drive, and they went back to her place.
Below this article, we have a few snapshots taken with the woman's camera phone from inside her apartment.
However, commenters are not focusing on the one night stand as an act of hormonal combustion; rather, they are condemning the act as a homophobic decoy.
“If Jaejoong did sleep with this woman,” posted an anonymous commenter on an English site, “it wasn't anything like sexual tension getting the best of him. He wasn't horny and drunk. He was freaked out and drunk. Everyone saw his dance with Yunho, and now everyone was going to guess that he was gay, too. So he slept with the first girl he could get his hands on.”
“Jaejoong is not the first to pull this trick,” someone else commented on a Philippine site. “On the set of Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger-MAY HE REST IN PEACE-impregnated the actress of his female love interest. No one commented on it, but everyone knew why he did it. If Jaejoong did this-because there's a chance that this is all fake-it was definitely to show the world that he's straight.”
Comments on fan sites only go so far, of course, so we asked for a professional opinion.
“Other witnesses have stated that the dance that Yunho-san and Jaejoong-san engaged in was very sensual,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya described. “It was slow, it was sexy, and of course people read into it. Yunho lead the dance, Jaejoong just being pulled along. It was only natural for people to assume that things had taken a romantic turn with these two. However, there's been rumors going around about the YunJae couple for years, before the lawsuit and after. The fact that Yunho-san is gay might have upped the chances of it actually happening, but Jaejoong-san had no reason to freak out about this one dance. If there had been any reason for over-reacting, Yunho-san wouldn't have let it happen. Yunho-san has never misjudged a situation when it comes to the press, so if he didn't see a problem with a sexy dance in a small neighborhood bar, Jaejoong-san should have trusted his judgement instead of trying to assert his heterosexuality.”
Hopefully, Avex Group can disprove this scandal soon, because if this is true, the pro-gay light Tohoshinki was initially seen in is being rethought. (cr: x , x)
*
Nine.
*
MICKY AND MAX AT THE BEACH
Tokyo, Japan-Tohoshinki's Micky Yoochun and Max Changmin spent an afternoon and evening at Chigasaki beach on June 23, 2011.
The sight of the two playing in the water and building sand castles was very heart-warming and relieving for spectators, as Max Changmin had been in the hospital just the day before. They were happy to oblige our request for an interview.
After denying the romantic atmosphere of their hang-out, Max cleared the water concerning his hospital stay. “I coughed up some blood,” he told us. “Nothing serious, just need a change in my medication.”
The news was a huge relief for fans. Micky was then asked if JYJ had adjusted to the shift in their family.
“It's just like old times,” Micky said. “Except when they get all lovey-dovey and make the rest of us feel lonely.”
Lastly, the two were asked about their opinion on the recent scandal involving Hero Jaejoong and a female fan.
Max didn't bother filtering himself. “He's an idiot, but he's our idiot, and he isn't that stupid. He wouldn't assert his heterosexuality that way.”
This was more good news for anxious fans, as Tohoshinki's opinion on the subject has been much anticipated. All in all, the care-free day of relaxation was a light-hearted and fun break from the heat the entire band has been receiving as of late. Micky and Max were even finishing each other's sentences in the interview, reinforcing the growing strength of their friendship. (cr: x)
*
Ten.
*
TVXQ TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM THIS WEEK
Tokyo, Japan-Korean boy band Tohoshinki has announced that they are releasing an entirely new six-track single by the end of the week. They also stated on the 28th that the lawsuit is officially ended and that they plan on moving back to South Korea in two weeks.
This is certainly a lot of news hitting the press all at once, so we'll first address the first bit of news: the single. Avex Group, while remaining firmly tight-lipped concerning the cover art, has confirmed that the title song is named “No More Secrets.”
“No More Secrets isn't about love or hope or friendship,” Max Matsuura, CEO, stated. “It's about diversity, equality, and it doesn't sugar coat anything.”
“I think Japan is used to nice things,” Tohoshinki's Max Changmin commented. “There's a lot of conspiracy and tragedy and horror in the media, but when it comes to real life, Japan doesn't discuss things. I have no idea how our song will be received, but I hope it leaves an impression.”
“Disappointment, I think, is the main point,” Micky Yoochun followed up. “Disappointment that something so small about a person can ruin lives, ruin families. It can demolish friendships, breed low self-esteems. No More secrets to me is about the pain of realizing that the world isn't what we're promised as kids. That your being anything less than the perceived norm can leave you shunned and alone.”
“This song is an attack head on,” media specialist Tatsumi Aya agreed a few days later on July 1st. “Reviewers and basically anyone with any interest at all in the activity of Tohoshinki have been wondering very publicly whether they would even address the issue at all. Our society-and that of South Korea, in kind-has always been a turn-the-other-cheek society. Tohoshinki is raising the question and placing it right beneath our noses. They are saying, `You cannot ignore this. It will not be ignored and swept under the rug any longer.' This is an issue that has finally found its poster boys.”
The remaining five songs are each composed and sung by one of the five members. Each of them gave us a few words about his solo.
“Mine's about losing love,” Max Changmin said. “Not losing it as in one leaving and the other being heartbroken. It's about love fading and drifting away. About realizing that this person is close to your heart, but it no longer bothers you that they've moved on with their lives.”
“Mine is just... nausea,” U-Know Yunho said with a laugh. “It's sexy, it's sweet, it's lovey-dovey. It has a nice beat with cute words. It should make a few people puke rainbows.”
“Full Color Vision was hard to write,” Micky Yoochun said. “It's about love, but it's about being in love with your same gender. Nothing special, just, `I love you so much.' Changmin-san really made it amazing.”
“Nine is missing someone,” Hero Jaejoong said. “Missing someone who means everything to you, but not only in a romantic way. It's just someone that you can't live without.”
“Tarantellegra is a new me,” Xiah Junsu said lastly. “It's who I'd like to aspire to be. Yunho-san and Changmin-san are accepting their offers for a happily ever after, Jaejoong-san is transforming who he is, and Yoochun-san is realizing things that make him even better of a man than he used to be. They're evolving, and I need to keep up. I want to feel like I deserve to sing up there with them.”
The single hadn't been announced until June 27th, and Avex Group has confirmed that the entire album wasn't recorded or edited until the day before. The entertainment community is shocked because Avex Group has never promoted a Tohoshinki album without previews and teasers to give the fans a taste of what is to come. Even days before the official release, Avex Group and Tohoshinki themselves aren't revealing anything concerning the music or their image.
U-Know Yunho only left us with this: “Our images have always been very aesthetics based, and as we've matured, we've gotten to a sexy image with mature themes. This new album has changed all that. If we're sexy, it'll be subtle and by accident. This is about the world now. Society.”
Next, three days before the release, Avex Group announced that the infamous lawsuit between Tohoshinki and S.M. Entertainment has come to an end.
In 2009, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu sued Tohoshinki's Korean record label S.M. Entertainment. The resulting separation of JYJ and U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin raged on for two years until U-Know and Max held a press conference stating that they wished to join the lawsuit on January 28, 2011. JYJ accepted their offer and U-Know and Max joined JYJ in Tokyo, Japan on March 29th.
After three months of tough proceedings on either side, Tohoshinki has now decided to settle the lawsuit.
“We've already sat down with S.M. Entertainment's lawyers,” one of Tohoshinki's lawyers stated on the 3rd. “A settlement has been reached and the parties involved have agreed to leave each other be.”
“It was a difficult decision,” said Hero Jaejoong, former leader of JYJ. “It was something the five of us discussed, and we decided that it was best for us.”
“With the lawsuit no longer weighing on us,” Micky Yoochun added, “we can focus more on our album. No More Secrets is a difficult piece, and we need to be completely united in the future we want.”
When Tohoshinki returns to South Korea, they shall begin activities in collaboration with C-JES Entertainment, the managing agency created for JYJ's activities.
The move of Tohoshinki to South Korea is coming sooner than expected, actually. On the same day Avex Group announced the end of the lawsuit, they also announced that Tohoshinki will be returning to their home country in two weeks.
“Even without the aid of an album or a nation-wide tour,” Max Matsuura told us, “Tokyo has been very welcoming to these boys. Opinions have fluctuated, but when all is said and done, we couldn't have hoped for a better city for Tohoshinki to regroup and reconnect. With the release of their first album since reuniting, they would love to stay longer for music video production and a concert tour, but with the irregularities of these past few months, they need to return to South Korea before rumors tarnish their recovering popularity. We wish them the very best, and all Avex Group can do is make sure they make it home quickly and safely.”
“It's been fun,” U-Know Yunho said on the 4th. “We can never thank Japan enough for treating us as gently as it has. You all allowed us the time to deal with our problems and for Changmin-san to recover even just a little of the health he's lost. We're sad to have to leave so soon, but we'll return, and we'll give you all the concerts you've been waiting for.” (cr: x)
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Eleven.
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Twelve.
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Thirteen.
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A/N: If anyone wants to criticize my MLA, “No More Secrets” is referring to the song and No More Secrets is referring to the album, so they're both right. Tatsumi Aya is my own creation, and she might make statements on the news or in papers or whatever, but that's all. She's not too important. There's a lot of NMS I wanted to write articles about, but I had to keep it to 10.
Also, I'd like to point out at this time that I mean no offense to either Japan or South Korea. The general societal dilemmas that our boys face in this story are generalizations of the conservative/liberal, white/black, bigoted/accepting portrayal of the current world. Most of the events that will happen here on might not be particularly common-place in South Korea, and I'm not assuming that they are. These things do happen in America, however, and way more often than you might think. I am merely addressing the issues in the most effective way possible. My use of the countries Japan and South Korea is just symbolic and convenient, seeing as it's a TVXQ fanfic. Only so much I can do with that.