Former TVXQ member Junsu opens up about difficult times after leaving SM entertainment
Former TVXQ member and musical actor Junsu (XIA) has confessed the hardships he faced after leaving SM Entertainment.
Recently, a video titled “I’ve heard something…” was uploaded on the ‘Yoo Jeong-jae’ channel, featuring Junsu, who once was a member of TVXQ and is now a musical actor.
In the broadcast, Junsu recalled the time when he started his musical career, saying, “After leaving SM, I took about a year-long break and officially met fans through the musical ‘Mozart’.” This made his meeting with fans even more special. He remembered, “I recall crying during the curtain call. It was more thrilling than when I debuted as a singer.”
When he started anew as a member of JYJ after leaving TVXQ, Junsu faced difficulties appearing on broadcasts. Reflecting on his departure from SM and TVXQ, he shared, “I asked myself if I would be truly happy once this contract ended. I realized that it wouldn’t make me happy.”
Junsu revealed, “I left to find happiness, but I didn’t expect to be able to continue singing. I questioned whether it was right to dedicate my entire life to one thing, especially considering my contract would end when I was in my mid-thirties.”
Known for facing many broadcast restrictions in the past, Junsu mentioned on a recent appearance on Daesung’s show that it took him about six years after his SM contract ended to perform on stage through EBS’s music program ‘SPACE’.
Junsu expressed his gratitude, saying, “EBS’s ‘SPACE’ isn’t a show for idol singers, so there were no restrictions. The producers and writers were very understanding and supportive.”
He also shared painful memories, “When celebrity soccer teams held tournaments, ‘Entertainment Weekly’ or ‘Midnight TV Entertainment’ would cover them and interview actors and idols. I did interviews knowing they wouldn’t be aired, but I still put effort into them, only to see them edited out.”
Junsu added, “Singing was even more restricted. There were many times when recordings were done but couldn’t be aired. I often contemplated whether to give up, but I decided to keep trying as long as I could. When I finally appeared on TV, I was very grateful.” He conveyed his gratitude for being able to reconnect with fans through broadcasts after overcoming difficult times.
