JYJ's Seoul Concert's Enormous Economic Ripple Effect

 Attracted over 3000 fans from Japan, China etc... Creates added value of tens of billions of Won

 ▲Over 3000 foreigners from all over the world, such as Japan, China and the US, came to Korea to attend JYJ's concert that was held in Jamshil's Olympic Stadium

JYJ (Jaejoong-Yoochun-Junsu) showed off their strong ticket power amongst international fans and proved once more that they are the core of the Hallyu Wave.

JYJ, who released their global album 'The Beginning', held their large-scale concert 'JYJ Worldwide concert in Seoul' on the 27th and 28th at the Jamshil Olympic Stadium.

Over 3000 foreigners visited Korea from the Americas, Europe and Asia, from countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, to attend the concert. Thanks to this, the domestic travel industry was set alight though November is usually considered off-season.

Before the JYJ concert happened, a technical journal in the field stated, "20,143 Japanese tourists are planning to visit Korea, the most in November, and JYJ's Korean concert, which is to be held on the 27th and 28th, greatly influenced these statistics." A representative of the tourism industry proved the group's popularity once more by stating, "Of the 4,113 tourists our company manages who are coming to Korea this month, 2500 of them are Hallyu tourists coming to attend the JYJ concert."

During the concert period, the surroundings of Jamshil Olympic Stadium were filled with fans from all over the world five hours before the concert began. It quickly turned into a global festival as fans who had flown in from countries such as Japan, China, Thailand, Philippines, USA, UK, and Germany were spotted. It was like watching an international festival as all announcements were done in Korean, Chinese and Japanese.

A tourist agency representative on location explained that, "The number of tourists visiting Korea has risen dramatically as people are flooding in to see this concert," and "JYJ proved their power as Hallyu stars and their worth as 'dutiful sons' to their nation."

He also added, "The influx of tourists is so big that it's hard to make reservations at hotels in Seoul right now," and "This concert will cause an economic ripple effect and create an added value of billions, possibly tens of billions, of Won."

JYJ's immense success has put the Korean Federation of Pop Culture and Art Industry (KFPCAI) in an embarrassing situation as just over a month ago, it called for broadcasting and cable companies to refrain from allowing JYJ to appear on their shows as "JYJ's activities will have a negative impact on the Hallyu Wave".

In the official document sent on October 11th to various broadcasting companies, the KFPCAI stated, "Allowing JYJ to appear on shows will be pouring cold water onto Korea's pop culture industry and the nation's image that has been built up by the Hallyu Wave," and "JYJ will lead pop culture and the Hallyu Wave to a road of regression."

However, JYJ was able to attract tens of thousands of international fans to their showcases that were held in three US cities and six Asian cities (in Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, China) and promptly proved that the KFPCAI's argument was weak with their amazing ticket power.

Source: Tohosomnia

Image Credits: Tohosomnia

Grazia Magazine 2011 January Issue - The Story of Changmin

Regardless of how busy I am, I would like to have blossoming relationship. I need to express my feelings during work, for me, it is essential to be in love.

After went through the days dazzled with storms of life, Changmin who hasn't been seen for a long time, was slightly different from the past, as he exuded an aura of mature temptation.

However his never changing youth-like innocence and sincerity still appeared when he smiled. He is still hesitating on the verge of becoming a man from a boy. Despite of having hesitation in his work and relationship, he'd still choose to keep moving forward.

Once in a life time.

In this kind of season. 

And because of the radiance that shines within him, people are unable to take their eyes off him.

  

Sexiest Man of the Year

He is growing into a mature man, Changmin’s ‘present’ is bright and eye-catching.
When he took off his jacket upon his arrival in the studio, the exposure of his well-trained shoulder astounded all who saw him. Previously, the smoothness of line which stretched from his neck to shoulder reminiscent of an elegant little deer, now they seems to be full of power. When we said about last time, in fact it was merely a year, or one and a half year ago.

‘I started to go to gym since one year ago. Not only my muscles are trained, I become healthier too. I felt inferior last time for being too thin. I want to look manlier and smarter when I wear clothes, that’s why I ended up in doing gym.’

The chances of having to stand in front of a camera increase when working as a model. The height of 188cm indeed is a weapon which can fit in perfectly in any kind of outfit. However he still feel a bit difficult when he has to perform his solo activities. Nonetheless, the youngest who felt carefree when he was surrounded by his elder brothers in Tohoshinki before, is completely different from Changmin who is standing in front of me now. He used to feel embarrased when he heard his stage name --“Choi Kang = Max” when he debut, but he get used to it now. However when he was praised by the others that he is ‘very sexy’, he still can’t get rid of the shyness which belongs to a 22 year old youth, ‘If I was told like that, I will feel stressed and embarrassed’

‘Recently I attend vocal and dance classes, I can feel my limit when I practise more, so I become impatience. However when I think of it in the opposite way, this means that I still have rooms for improvement in the future. Therefore it can be concluded that the pressure and joy are coexist. ------- I like to force myself? Perhaps.’

Having to start working in an environment surrounded by adults since 15 years old, I am aware of ‘I am an adult’. Now, I have really becoming one ------- Changmin who said like this, knew clearly that there’s still a child-like part which remains in him.

His silhouette which wavers in between a man and boy, is like a beautiful winding coastline. One moment it is a serene stream which formed by merging of waves that surged to the shore, next it is a cape which emerges sharply from sea. His figure of wavering, is coruscating when reflects in the eyes of older women.

‘My favourite colour is purple, it is an ambiguous colour which has shade in between dull and bright. I always feel that there’s overlap between the wisdom and responsibility in an adult. When you become an adult, you are allowed to do things such as smoking and drinking, which are prohibited in children. In contrary, you have to be responsible for yourself too. Up till now, no matter what I have done, my teachers and parents will criticize me. This is because they are protecting me. Now that I have to do the same too, to protect someone.’

‘Now I have started to hear about the news of my friends’ marriage at this age. So I have yearnings for it too. My personal dream is to build a warm family and become a man which can protect it. I have started to prepare it now.’ Changmin said sincerely.

The mature women who take charge of their own lives is sexy

‘My career ambition is to become an artist who can express his emotions freely. Recently I was told to express “mature sexiness” quite often. Therefore I was chanting to myself all the time, that I am the sexiest man in the world.’ If you met the intensity of his gaze which are gradually burned with passion, then you will understand Changmin is integrating into this world rapidly.

‘External beauty and the gentle manner, they are definitely not defined as the real handsome. In my opinion, a real sexy man has to be honest, and with strong will. This goes the same for women, sexy is not defined by how much skin she bares. (laughs) Let it be household chores or work, if a lady can has her own things done properly, she looks sexy to me.’

When asked about his ideal type of girl, pure, cheerful and lovely, with good cooking skill... he became so greedy, and was shocked by his own greed. Moreover, while he was laughing over his honesty, he revealed frankly that there are many outstanding girls. When giving out the examples, he mentioned about British actress Emma Watson, Aragaki Yui and other artists from the same generation.
‘I love RYO too.’ (Mitsui Kanna in Code Blue). His last answer really suprised everyone. ‘The doctor which she acted In Code Blue has left a deep impression on me. The pure heart which is hidden under her tough and calm appearance, and the hidden passion and tenderness which can’t be expressed perfectly. These characters are similar to how Changmin thinks of himself. The person who faces the same direction as him, having the same weakness meanwhile as tough as him, perhaps are the reasons that attracted Changmin.

‘For fans, I don’t want to become an absolute existence in their lives. I don’t want them to spend their lives desperately on me. To say it in an extreme way, it is alright even you guys do not show me your support, I just want you to live your own life well. And take note of my activities occasionally. I will be happiest if you treat my existence as nutritional supplements.’

Naive smile, sorrow, depression, and other challenging expressions. Those numerous delicate feelings which are hidden beneath, drew the fans closer, and add colour to the daily life. The dream of becoming ‘an artist who can express various feelings’ has been partially fulfilled. This is because for him who live in the adult world, he could never put an end to experience various type of feelings, and of course including love life.

‘When shooting for sexy photos, I will remember the love relationship that I used to have. It comes up spontaneously (laughs) If compared to a normal person, I have less chances to fall into a relationship. However I still want to get involved in a love relationship. Since I need to express my feelings during work, to be in love is essential to me. It is an absolute existence.’

Recently he read a romance novel entitled ‘Goodbye, someday’. The main character is a well-behaved youth who met his predestined love one day. And starting from there, he goes through the journey of depression, sorrow and fanaticism which he has never experienced it before and slowly understand them from it. Changmin who finds himself in a similar situation as the main lead, perhaps, will meet his predestined love some day.

 

Changmin's Profile
Born in 1988 in Seoul, Korea. Debut as a member of DBSK in 2004. His perfect poportionate height and handsome appearance, as well as the strong and powerful high notes and vocal skill, are determined for his high popularity. His debut drama ‘Paradise Ranch’ is scheduled to be released in Korea in January 2011.

Source: DBSK Sleepless Nights

Image Credits: DBSK Sleepless Nights