Junsu is coming to America
Screw Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, and the rest of those hacks — JYJ’s Junsu is one of the most talented male soloists in the game right now. At least in the realm of commercial pop and R&B, he is.
Junsu is the ultimate package: he sings like an angel, can write lyrics and produce music, and he can out-dance and out-perform your fave without even breaking a sweat.
You mad?
After solidifying himself as viable solo artist with his record-setting debut album, Tarantallegra, Junsu has confirmed that he’ll be releasing a repackaged version of the album soon — complete with a new English-language single and a world tour to promote it.
Junsu’s label announced: “For this world tour, Junsu has put together and prepared a repackaged album. As this album will be targeting the world market, it will include an English single and a music video produced in America. Although we cannot further clarify our future plans, Junsu will be climbing the steps to fame in America.”
It’s hard to gauge just what Junsu’s exact aim is at the moment, but despite that questionable statement, I’m not taking it as an official attempt to crack America. Both Girls’ Generation and BIGBANG’s Taeyang have released their Korean albums in the US with some added English-language material solely to increase their international profile and give their fans something they can understand, without actually trying to pull a Wonder Girls and break the States for real.
Additionally, K-Pop concerts in the West have proven to be pretty successful, so Junsu’s plans to hit key markets like North America, South America, and Europe, is a smart move. But as far as possible plans to actually promote his English single, he shouldn’t expect much to happen in the States. Koreans view the US as a must-break market, when they should be focusing the majority of their attention on Europe and South America. The US market is too big, too close-minded, and relies too heavily on airplay, which is not an easy thing to get — especially for an Asian artist (*looks at Utada*).
There may not be a tonne of money in music markets outside of America and Japan, but the bragging rights of a Korean artist being able to say, “Hey! I’m really big in France and Chile!” makes up for the financial loss and would open more doors for further international success.
Although, there wouldn’t be any harm in Junsu just pulling a Girls’ Generation and doing a random performance on Letterman, Leno, or even Wendy Williams like the Wonder Girls did. I’d be delighted to watch him show Americans what a real pop performance is after the country was recently subjected to Nicki Minaj‘s live audition to become a Vivid contract girl on Jay Leno.
And I’m definitely here for Junsu recording in English again and righting the wrongs of his hideous English-language album with JYJ.
But please Junsu, don’t lose your unique flavor by recording some Taio Cruz b-side. I know that Wonder Girls had to go all American top forty in a last-ditch bid to try and get on the radio, but you don’t need to do anything like that.
More “Tarantallegra” please.
