Attempts to dismiss Kim Hyun Joong's popularity with the release of Round 3 are met with cold hard numbers...Kim Hyun Joong's Korean Comeback is a Knockout!
According to several reputable sites for kpop news, Kim Hyun Joong has hit a solid K.O. with his 3rd Korean mini album release Round 3. Although there were a few reports that his album release met with 'dismal' results, the facts speak for themselves. The results for first day response were as follows:
Kim Hyun Joong's third mini-album “ROUND 3” is on the top spot of Thailand’s iTunes albums chart and on Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia’s iTunes albums charts, ranked third, fourth, third, fifth, and seventh, respectively, immediately following its release on Monday, July 22.
In Korea, the album’s title tune “Your Story” had nabbed the top spot on real-time charts of cable music channel M.net and online music provider Bugs chart.
Kim Hyun Joong's third mini-album “ROUND 3” is on the top spot of Thailand’s iTunes albums chart and on Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia’s iTunes albums charts, ranked third, fourth, third, fifth, and seventh, respectively, immediately following its release on Monday, July 22.
In Korea, the album’s title tune “Your Story” had nabbed the top spot on real-time charts of cable music channel M.net and online music provider Bugs chart.
I am very proud of Hyun Joong's loyal fans who came to his defense when they encountered false/negative reports on the success of his Korean Comeback Album after a 2 year hiatus during which he promoted his album releases in Japan. Comments were based on the facts of his success and were posted in a manner that was respectful. A few comments expressed the feelings of anger at the writers of these false reports, however; I did not read any that were inappropriate or ugly. Overall, I was impressed and proud to be a fan of Kim Hyun Joong when I read responses such as this one:
11:58 AM July 24, 2013
As a journalist, you should do thorough research before publishing an article. Your data is outdated and your blatant dislike for the artist mentioned is clear. Even his fans are up to date on his REAL rankings. And the fact that no author is attached to the article makes me conclude that this is not a legitimate piece of news but a personal, subjective and biased opinion of the writer. Please do your website a favor and retract what's been published before your reputation further diminishes.
In his interview on the release of Round 3, KHJ was his sweet, humble, positive self as he made comments about his singing skills and about his age. He knows he is not the best singer and had some fears that his Korean fans would have forgotten about him while he was away for so long. Because he is approaching 30, his 'shelf life' as a K-pop star could be seen as nearing it's expiration date. However, Hyun Joong was in good humor regarding a comment he had read saying Kim Hyun Joong has become an ahjussi (middle aged man). Hyun Joong stated he wasn't offended by the remark and that he knows it could happen.
“While working on this album, I told myself that I just need to do what I want to do to have no regrets. I don’t feel any pressure because of my age. It’s just that I don’t know if I’d be able to dance as powerfully as I do now in three years time so I decided I’d do what I want to do before this time passes.”
Is this how he gets those muscles bulging and glowing for the Unbreakable video? Kim Hyun Joong works so hard for that amazing body. I am proud of his dedication to being his best at all times.
My Angel's comment above makes my heart sore. By 'three years time' he is referring to his absence for military service which he will have to complete before age 30. The countdown for his entrance requirement is becoming a constantly ticking clock for his fans... how much more so for KHJ? I am not so worried about Hyun Joong being physically, mentally and emotionally capable of fulfilling his military duties. I am just going to miss the hell out of him while he is hidden away from me without any news.
The way these Hallyu stars seem to 'go missing' during their military service is not anything new. For example, I was introduced to K-pop/Hallyu star 'Rain' long before I knew what K-pop or Hallyu was. In fact, I did not even know he was Korean. I had seen his American movie release 'Ninja Assassin' and it is one of my favorite all time movies. I actually thought he was Japanese because his character was Japanese in the movie. I did not know anything about Korean actors at that time. I had actually forgotten about him until I began following Kim Hyun Joong and saw an article about Rain in passing. That was in late 2011, and I have not seen/heard any news about him since. I assume his military duty is completed. I have not heard or seen that he has done any music/drama/movies since.
He apparently went in for his military service in 2010 and the news article I happened across was some negative publicity stating he was getting privileged treatment and that he had an excessive amount of leave where he was allowed to go off base and take care of engagements related to his profession as an entertainer. Whether these were true or whatever is really irrelevant, I am not his fan like I am Hyun Joong's. The point I am making is that in my experience, news about a Hallyu star during his military service is normally negative and no news is good news. I expect to miss hearing anything about Kim Hyun Joong for a full two years while he completes his duty. :( My eyes are tearing up just writing this.
The way these Hallyu stars seem to 'go missing' during their military service is not anything new. For example, I was introduced to K-pop/Hallyu star 'Rain' long before I knew what K-pop or Hallyu was. In fact, I did not even know he was Korean. I had seen his American movie release 'Ninja Assassin' and it is one of my favorite all time movies. I actually thought he was Japanese because his character was Japanese in the movie. I did not know anything about Korean actors at that time. I had actually forgotten about him until I began following Kim Hyun Joong and saw an article about Rain in passing. That was in late 2011, and I have not seen/heard any news about him since. I assume his military duty is completed. I have not heard or seen that he has done any music/drama/movies since.
He apparently went in for his military service in 2010 and the news article I happened across was some negative publicity stating he was getting privileged treatment and that he had an excessive amount of leave where he was allowed to go off base and take care of engagements related to his profession as an entertainer. Whether these were true or whatever is really irrelevant, I am not his fan like I am Hyun Joong's. The point I am making is that in my experience, news about a Hallyu star during his military service is normally negative and no news is good news. I expect to miss hearing anything about Kim Hyun Joong for a full two years while he completes his duty. :( My eyes are tearing up just writing this.
So much skin.... I am in shock after watching Unbreakable. Kim Hyun Joong has become a contender in the K-pop market with this video. Polished. Slick. Sexy. Symbolic. My head is still spinning from the assault of images.
Let's talk Unbreakable. I had read too many reviews about the video before I finally got around to watching it on youtube. I was somewhat prepared for the raw sexiness and was a bit nervous. The vid is full of images that are somewhat disturbing to me as I associate a lot of the hip hop and rap elements with a section of society that is full of violence and negativity here in the US. My love affair with k-pop and particularly Kim Hyun Joong is fueled by the air of innocence Korean artists have about them.
To see my baby dressed in the rapper style and associated with the high profile imagery of luxury cars and tattoos may be more than I can handle. But, and this is a major BUT, I was shocked when I first saw Breakdown also, only to be soothed by Lucky Guy and Marry You/Marry Me as proof that Kim Hyun Joong is still my sweet Angel and hasn't changed into some kind of thug with compromised moral values. I am trying to keep my blood pressure under control and see the video for the artistic expression it is. I think I will have to watch a few more times to get used to this side of Hyun Joong's image.
To see my baby dressed in the rapper style and associated with the high profile imagery of luxury cars and tattoos may be more than I can handle. But, and this is a major BUT, I was shocked when I first saw Breakdown also, only to be soothed by Lucky Guy and Marry You/Marry Me as proof that Kim Hyun Joong is still my sweet Angel and hasn't changed into some kind of thug with compromised moral values. I am trying to keep my blood pressure under control and see the video for the artistic expression it is. I think I will have to watch a few more times to get used to this side of Hyun Joong's image.
The traditional Korean elements and display of Martial Arts and Sword Art in the video is intriguing for me. I am a long time fan of all types of Martial Arts and love to watch movies and documentaries about the various styles. I enjoyed the sequences that showed the Martial Artists very much and I liked the opening sequence with the Traditional Korean Drums. The song itself is driven by the drums and bass and I think I will grow to like it very much. I was not too fond of 'Heat' at first either. Now I love it. How can I not? It's Kim Hyun Joong, right?
Jay Park did not disappoint me and sang a few lines in his perfect English. I enjoyed his part rapping in Korean as well. I have actually come to enjoy rap through its use in K-pop. As I said, it is associated with a negative side of society here in the US. However, I really like the K-pop groups who use rap in their music such as Big Bang. I really enjoyed the rap in Breakdown as well when it came out in 2011. The music style is growing on me and I am able to appreciate it now. Only in K-pop, though. I still do not like the rap music that is produced here in the US.
Jay Park did not disappoint me and sang a few lines in his perfect English. I enjoyed his part rapping in Korean as well. I have actually come to enjoy rap through its use in K-pop. As I said, it is associated with a negative side of society here in the US. However, I really like the K-pop groups who use rap in their music such as Big Bang. I really enjoyed the rap in Breakdown as well when it came out in 2011. The music style is growing on me and I am able to appreciate it now. Only in K-pop, though. I still do not like the rap music that is produced here in the US.
It's not that noona is a prude about her k-pop idols being sexy or raw. Don't get me wrong. I wrote a provocative review about another k-pop artist that got me in trouble with a lot of Hyun Joong's fans. You can read that on my website: kaleidescapekpop.com. I am perfectly fine with viewing artists as sex symbols. I just don't like it for Kim Hyun Joong! I know, it's hypocritical of me. But, he's my baby! I really do think of him like a younger brother or possibly even a son! If I had been a teen mother that is!
Regardless of how I feel about it... he has grown up. REALLY GROWN UP! And I will have to let him express himself as the man he has become. It's just troubling for me because I don't see him in that way... except I occasionally do when I see so much skin and muscles and... OMO! OK! I feel like I'm writing the plot of an anime/manga now! No, no... we will stop right there. I really am NOT the type to have fetish type fantasies. Hyun Joong is my Angel... I will just have to endure this like a big sister would! Proud, but disapproving! LOL! It's so funny how I love this guy like family. Strange but fun.
Regardless of how I feel about it... he has grown up. REALLY GROWN UP! And I will have to let him express himself as the man he has become. It's just troubling for me because I don't see him in that way... except I occasionally do when I see so much skin and muscles and... OMO! OK! I feel like I'm writing the plot of an anime/manga now! No, no... we will stop right there. I really am NOT the type to have fetish type fantasies. Hyun Joong is my Angel... I will just have to endure this like a big sister would! Proud, but disapproving! LOL! It's so funny how I love this guy like family. Strange but fun.
Well, I am going to have to wrap this up. There is no question, Kim Hyun Joong is pulling no punches with his comeback release of Round 3. It's a solid hit to the jaw, and I am still kissing the mat! Have fun, Aliens. I am going to be in recovery for a round or 3.... having so much fun with Kim Hyun Joong! See you next time...
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