Kim Jaejoong reflected on his time with the groups TVXQ and JYJ as he marks his 20th anniversary since his debut in 2004.

Kim Jaejoong is set to release his fourth studio album 'FLOWER GARDEN' through various music sites at 6 PM on June 26. This is his first domestic album release since his third album 'BORN GENE' in September 2022.

Comprising a total of 14 songs, 'FLOWER GARDEN' boasts the largest number of tracks among the albums Jaejoong has released since his debut. It reflects his desire to present a richer album to music fans in celebration of his 20th anniversary, with most of the tracks featuring his lyric-writing skills.

In an interview conducted at the office of Inkode Entertainment in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on June 25, Jaejoong opened up, saying, "I can't believe it's an album commemorating my 20th anniversary. When I was younger, I never imagined I'd be like this (still doing this) after 20 years. I'm grateful to be celebrating this milestone looking much the same as always."

What did Jaejoong imagine he'd be like at his debut 20th anniversary? "I thought I would be the ultimate adult by now. I expected to be married and have a family, but back then it seemed like a distant future," he said with a laugh.

The lead track, "Glorious Day," carries the message, "The me who is loved by fans, and the me who loves those fans. Isn't the days that we're together a glorious time?" As a lyricist, Kim Jaejoong earnestly penned his sincere feelings for his fans.

Regarding the title track, Jaejoong said, "It struck me the moment I heard the beat. It felt like the right song to convey a message to my fans on my 20th anniversary. If someone asks me when my peak was or what was my most glorious day, I used to say it was when I was in the group. But as time passed, I realized that even the darkest days and the times I was most exhausted were glorious as well."

The music video features a wide variety of floral imagery, from a single flower to vast flower fields and a giant flower floating in the sky. "This is my vision of flowers. Size doesn't matter, whether it's a single flower or a bunch of them. Each fan, and each member of the audience, is incredibly precious to me. I realized that glorious days can only happen when there are at least two of us together. The lyrics and grand melody of the title track seemed perfectly suited for it," he added.

Jaejoong debuted in 2004 as a member of TVXQ under SM Entertainment and has been a prominent figure in the second generation of K-pop with hits like "Hug," "The Way U Are," "Rising Sun," "O' - Jung.Ban.Hap," and "MIROTIC."

In 2009, six years after his debut, he, along with Kim Junsu and Park Yoochun, filed for an injunction against SM Entertainment to suspend the effects of their exclusive contracts, leading to a legal dispute.

The court ruled that a 13-year contract term was excessively long, and both parties reached a settlement in November 2012, withdrawing all related lawsuits and agreeing not to interfere with each other’s activities. This case prompted the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) to create a new standard exclusive contract to correct unfair contracts widespread in the entertainment industry.

After the injunction was granted, Kim Jaejoong re-debuted as a member of JYJ (Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu) under C-JeS Entertainment in 2010. JYJ also enjoyed a second peak, selling out a solo concert at Tokyo Dome. However, following Park Yoochun's drug scandal in 2019, he, like Kim Junsu, has been focusing on solo activities. In June 2023, he established the global entertainment company Inkode Entertainment and continues to work as its CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) and as an affiliated artist.

When asked about the most critical moment over the past 20 years, Kim Jaejoong shared, "What do you (the press) think? There were so much crisis. Just thinking about them makes me sweat."

He said "Everyone makes mistakes, and I wish they wouldn't lead to crisis, but everyone faces them. How we endure and overcome mistakes and crisis is the key. You asked when, but frankly, I was always in crisis. I never felt I was in a completely safe zone."

He added, "Of course, there were advantages to being with SM Entertainment and the members (TVXQ), but it's been a long time since the complete group was no longer complete, and then (JYJ) was largely dependent on solo activities, so it was not a perfect safe zone. We had to become strong on our own. During that time, I didn't think of myself as strong. I seemed to live depending on and relying on the power and environment around me. That's why I'm very grateful for the independent situation I am in now, where I can support myself."

When asked what he considers the most legendary moment in his 20-year career, he responded, "Honestly, 'Hug' was hastily prepared but it was very successful. I think it was a truly legendary achievement. Just before our debut, SM underwent restructuring. Half of the trainees were forced to leave, and those who remained all debuted. That included Super Junior, Girls' Generation, and TVXQ. It was truly an album that saved the company. And then we had another significant achievement with 'Mirotic' after spending a long time in Japan trying to break into that market and finally returning to Korea."

He also expressed his affection for the members of TVXQ. Jaejoong said, "When I see the situations and current activities of the members, I feel very proud because they are all doing so well, except for one (referring to Park Yoochun). Changmin (Max Changmin) has started a family, and the others are finding their own happiness and value. Everyone seems to be living well. It motivates me to work hard and not fall behind."

Regarding Park Yoochun, he commented, "I've lamented a lot over him too. From Yoochun's perspective, he should be living diligently now. He's a painful memory for me. I haven't contacted him since the drug incident. I have no idea where he is or even which country he's in."

Junsu, whom Jaejoong first met in high school, has been a steadfast friend for over 20 years. Recently, Junsu appeared on Jaejoong's web variety show 'JaeFriends,' where he said, "Jaejoong is the only remaining pride for me. I also want to be a younger brother (dongsaeng) who isn't ashamed of my older brother (hyung)."

In response to a related question about Junsu from a reporter, Jaejoong said, "Pride. I feel the same way. He is the only member I can truly boast about. We are significant to each other. In some ways, only Junsu and I established individual companies, and although our reasons might differ, the fact that we could establish a company, dream, and strive to achieve those dreams shows that we have done well."

Regarding his relationship with Junsu, Jaejoong added, "It's great that there is nothing to reconcile between us. Even families fight, but the fact that there is nothing to reconcile about is very nice. In fact, he is both close and distant. He sings so well that I never worry about him. I know he'll do well, so there's nothing to worry about."

Before Jaejoong became the head of Inkode Entertainment, Junsu established PALMTREE ISLAND in 2021. About this, Jaejoong said, "When Junsu and I meet as managers (company founders), we sigh a lot. It's inevitable. There are common factors that make us sigh, but there are also different reasons. My company is also an IP production company, whereas Junsu's company is not."

He continued, "For example, Junsu's company aims to be a content company, so it might diverge in that direction. Our starting point is IP creation. When we talk about doing something together, we start from different points. I focus on numbers, while Junsu starts with planning. Junsu enters the equation thinking about guarantees rather than revenue, whereas I think about revenue first, so our approaches are different."

In March, reports emerged that Jaejoong and Junsu were discussing holding a joint concert at the end of the year to celebrate their 20th anniversary, exciting fans. Regarding this, Jaejoong clarified, "The reports were due to venue reservations. Just because a venue is reserved doesn't necessarily mean a concert will happen. We make reservations in advance, so if nothing is planned for this year, then there will be nothing."

He added, "Even if Junsu and I do something together, it seems difficult to release a new album or anything like that due to the current timing. If we do something, it will probably be a concert. We are discussing the composition and having many meetings about it."

Jaejoong will hold a solo concert titled 'FLOWER GARDEN in SEOUL' on July 20th and 21st, named after his new album. Starting in Seoul, he plans to embark on an Asia tour, celebrating his meaningful 20th debut anniversary with fans from Korea and abroad.

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