Finding an Artist among K-POP Idols
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Review of the Park Jung Min Concert in Dortmund
Text by Esther Klung; Photos by K-Colors of Korea
F
inding a real artist among K-pop idols is rare. Since
most of them were trained by the entertainment
they later work for, their creative development
lies within ixed boundaries. Park Jung Min began his
career as a member of the boygroup SS501 in 2005. Five
years later the members decided to end their contracts
with their entertainment company and go separate ways,
even though they never oicially disbanded. Park Jung
Min was one of the irst members who started his solo
career. With that he reinvented himself, from boygroup
member to solo singer; to artist.
He released his irst single “Not Alone” in January
2011, just a few months ater the end of his contract
with DSP Media. Although still making pop music, he
showed that he wanted to go in a diferent direction as
an artist. he stars in his music video are people you
wouldn’t expect in a K-pop video, which are still mostly
about beauty and perfection. But with punks, an ill boy
in a wheelchair and a crossdresser starring in the video
its message is quite clear: be diferent, be yourself, you’re
not alone.
In 2012 Park Jung Min made his solo debut in
Japan, again showing a completely diferent image. As
Romeo, which is his stage name in Japan, he released
two mini albums and one full length album. As Romeo
he shows a darker, sexier image.
Unlike most Idols he has not just activities in
Korea and Japan but also works in Taiwan as an actor
and is also singing the OST songs for Taiwanese dramas
– in Chinese. As the international artist he wants to be,
he also has a lot of fans outside of Asia and makes sure to
let them know that he cares about them. In autumn 2013
he went to South America for a fan meeting and inally,
in January 2014 he found his way to Europe, where he
gave three concerts, in Dortmund, Paris and Moscow.
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