Interview with JJ Project: Take a look at the JYP jackpot

Duo JJ Project will be releasing their first single ‘Bounce‘ on May 20th and making their debut in the music industry. Known as JYP‘s jackpot, JJ Project succeeded in arousing the curiosity of the general public with their faceless teaser video and has since become the most talked about topic. They revealed their faces to their fans on May 16th through their jacket photos. Yet they were not unfamiliar. The JJ Project members are none other than JB and Jr. Earlier this year, they appeared in the KBS 2TV drama ‘Dream High 2,’ and of course, through that drama, they were able to show off their dancing and singing skills, thereby putting their faces out there and making their first steps as singers. Check out their interview with TV Report below!

JB and Jr. Their team name has quite the special meaning. First off, the JJ of the name is formed with their initials, which both happen to be J, and attached to that is the word project. In the beginning stages, JB and Jr. look to grow and evolve along with the fans that support them. In order to achieve their own dreams, these talented singers and dancers made quite the ruckus at their first auditions that people could not help but anticipate JB and Jr.’s stages even more. JB: Having the a dancer’s dream, I danced. Then my parents suggested auditioning. It was something I wanted to do, so they granted me permission without hesitation. Rather than being a good at dancing, it seems like I was lucky. Jr.: Wanting to become a singer, with an audition up ahead, I started dancing during my winter vacation. And then, I got first place at the audition. It was the first time there was a joint first place, so it seemed like it was fate for JB hyung and me. There are many similarities between JB and Jr. Both of them were born in 1994 and are 19 years old. However, since JB was born in January, he is the hyung. They met at the 5th JYP open auditions that were held back in 2009 and together won the first place title. By the last mission, the two became a team, and as JJ Project, their dream of becoming singers has become a reality. Even if it were coincidence, there can’t be coincidences like that. And so? Anybody else knows quite well that the two of them do not see each other as competitors but as partners. JB: Jr. is far better at the dance choreography. Most of all, he is sincere and really puts in a lot of effort. Among ourselves, we don’t care, but there is this continuation of competition. I’m not much of a competitor. Jr.: JB hyung is a b-boy, and so his dancing is truly showy. He knows how to enjoy himself on stage. Plus, I’m blood type O, hyung is blood type A, because we are different, I guess we seem to complement each other.

We could not avoid bringing up the topic of ‘Dream High 2.’ In his first ever work of his lifetime, JB got to play a leading role that was involved in a love triangle with Kang Sora and Jiyeon (T-ARA). However, the drama suffered from lower viewer ratings than originally thought. Nevertheless, they replied to this somewhat depressing question, “Leaving behind the viewer ratings, we really learned a lot.“ JB: Of course, had the drama succeeded, it would be have been of an even greater help to letting people know about JJ Project. However, being aware of this, I thought about what I should do to change things. Rather than letting people know my name through the drama, is it not important that I accomplish something with my abilities? I’m piling it up neatly in front of me. Jr.: While I thought of the viewer ratings, there were really many things I learned. How I got such an opportunity is just amazing.

Their original names being the same as currently active stars has become a topic of conversation. JB’s real name is Im Jae Bum, and Jr.’s real name is Park Jin Young. While JB uses the alphabet abbreviation of his name, Jr. literally means the junior of JYP’s Park Jin Young. It seems that they have quite the burden with their names being the same. They’d be lying if this wasn’t the case. And so? For them, the desire to grow even more and become loved lives and breathes inside their hearts. JB: Just having the same name as someone like Im Jae Bum sunbaenim is enough to want to grow. I still haven’t seen sunbaenim, but I want to meet him at least once. Jr.: Park Jin Young PD is so great that I also feel burdened. As his junior, I’ll work even harder and show a proper junior’s image. When looking at them, what comes to mind is Lee Hyun Do and Kim Sung Jae of the band Deux. While normally idols debut as teams of more than three people, they are just two. That is also something new. Does their style not look a bit like a young Deux? As if by magic, at the time of their team mission during the JYP auditions, JB and Jr. selected Deux’s song, ‘Turn Around and Look At Me.’ Is it not the case that this connection was a coincidence? Whatever the case, it feels good. credits # kpopseven | tv report