Journey of a Cassie Part Six – 10 Years

Now, because I came to the group about four years too late, I knew nothing of them except that they were five men who sang a cappella better than any pop group since the 90s. When I saw a video with only two of them, you can imagine my confusion.

I don’t remember if I asked Julyssa what happened to the other three or was it like what I’d seen in one of their History in Japan specials, where the group split up to do promotions all over Japan the old-fashioned way (handing out flyers, going to every radio station imaginable, etc.). But somewhere along the way she told me about the lawsuit that pretty much tore Cassiopeia to shreds. As most already know, in 2009 Jaejoong, Yuchun, and Junsu filed a suit against SM Entertainment because of the unfair appropriation of funds and the unconscionable (and unrealistic) length of their contracts, which apparently included clause upon clause about what they were allowed to do, promote, when they were allowed to so much as visit family members. The result of their fight for at least some independence and to be paid fairly (especially given their status in Asia) was two of them staying (Yunho and Changmin) and three of them leaving, their futures more than a little uncertain. Eventually, Jules sent me the video for Get Out [MV], which wasn’t particularly my cup of tea. But she attached the disclaimer, “Just ignore Ayyy Girl.” So, clearly, I pretty much had to see what the hell that was in the first place. Yeah… I was about three seconds from dropping JYJ and everything they stood for. Then In Heaven happened…

Yeah, I forgave them all their musical sins in The Beginning [1]. And after all, what followed that was some of the most remarkable singing, acting, and performing I’d seen from the boys.

Junsu cemented himself as one of the most respected musical artists in Korea [Mozart, Elisabeth] (not only for the obvious selling power of his name, but because he essentially rewrote how “idols” were perceived in the musical industry). Yuchun’s acting skills were pretty much confirmed to me when I saw Dating on Earth. But he began to just take over the industry, starring in ratings-busting shows (Sungkyunkwan Scandal [1], Miss Ripley, Rooftop Prince, Missing You), winning every award for three years straight, and now starring in films. What Junsu did for idols in musicals, Yuchun (and TOP, but this is about DBSK, so…) pretty much did for them in dramas. They were no longer used for just eye candy, they were legitimate actors with range and skill you’d usually find in veterans of the industry (this from the mouth of veteran actors… HaHa). And… oh Jaejoong. The angel-faced devil himself. Starring in dramas and films, accumulating a friends list bigger than most five-year-olds’ Christmas lists. But then… that voice! I pretty much knew his voice was one of the most perfect things I’d ever heard in my life [1], but when he got his hands on rock music… well, there are no words. Beyond the fact that once he hit Twitter he became buckwild, not giving any f*cks about anyone, and being an all around epic human being, his voice reached new levels of intensity.

All three of them stretched their writing and composing skills to their limits and then went beyond those limits to create some truly remarkable music — their work on In Heaven and their solo albums (and in Yuchun’s case, tracks he revealed in their latest appearance together at Tokyo Dome [Walking With Her in Spring]).

Yunho and Changmin kept the DBSK name going (now mostly referred to as TVXQ), continuing to release music, appear on variety shows, dramas, and films (Yunho’s cameo appearance in label-mate BoA’s dance movie Make Your Move and Changmin in Japanese film Fly with the Gold, in which he won an award from the Japan’s Academy Awards). Yunho continues to prove to me why I will always carry a deep adoration for him forever. His dancing continues to make me smile, and his sincerity will always bring me great happiness.

Changmin has had incredible success on variety shows, a testament to his comedic timing and his high levels of snark and sarcasm. He’s got such a presence on screen and such chemistry with the people he works with, it’s garnered him his latest award for Best Entertainer at the KBS Entertainment Awards. I will never stop being proud of Yunho and Changmin. Their music may not exactly be as exciting to me as it was in the past (or even when they were first testing the waters as a duo), but they continue to persevere and will always hold a special place in my heart.