After 16 years, ex-TVXQ, JYJ member Kim Jae-joong returns to Inkigayo

After 16 years since the unofficial blacklist of ex-TVXQ and JYJ members on South Korean TV, Kim Jae-joong is back not just on Korean TV, but also on the music program Inkigayo to promote his latest album, 'Flower Garden', reports Allkpop.

Jae-joong's appearance on Inkigayo after 16 years is not just a blast from the past but also shows a shift in attitudes and a milestone in South Korean media by allowing a previously blacklisted star back. Here's the rundown of his story, and what led to his blacklist from South Korean music and TV.

Kim Jae-joong, also known as Jaejoong, returns to the Korean entertainment scene after an absence due to SM Entertainment's blacklisting. Fans are glad to hear this long-awaited news, as Jaejoong is regarded as one of K-pop's legendary stars.

Jaejoong is a singer-songwriter and actor who is best known for being in the K-pop boy band group TVXQ from 2003 to 2010 and then being part of JYJ after.

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Jaejoong was born Han Jae-joon on January 26, 1986, in Gongju, South Korea. He was raised by adopted parents and later decided to take up the name Kim Jae-joong instead of his birth name, Daum reports.

According to an interview with SBS, Jaejoong had to work hard to earn his now-renowned singing skills. He was initially tone-deaf during primary school, and worked hard to overcome his singing flaws through practice.

Jaejoong’s life prior to becoming a K-pop star was a difficult one, as Soompi reports that he had to take up multiple odd jobs while still a trainee at SM Entertainment to pay for training fees and other expenses.

In 2003, Jaejoong debuted in TVXQ and was given the position of the boy band’s lead vocalist. Other members of TVXQ include U-Know, Junsu, Yoochun, and Changmin.

Image: SM Entertainment

As part of TVXQ, some of the best-known hits Jaejoong sang include ‘Mirotic’, ‘Hug’, ‘Somebody to Love’, and ‘Purple Line’.

Image: SM Entertainment

However, Jaejoong would, along with members Junsu and Yoochun, leave TVXQ in 2009 to form the boy band ‘JYJ’ in the midst of a contract dispute with SM Entertainment where they sued their former management for workplace rights abuses, reports KBS World.

The dispute with SM Entertainment was one of Korea’s biggest news topics back then, as K-pop fans were shocked when members of JYJ, Jaejoong included, revealed the realities of K-pop contracts artists like him had to sign under, such as a 13-year “slave contract”, reports Koreaboo.

Soompi reports that in the aftermath of the court ruling, the members of JYJ were unfortunately sanctioned by Korean entertainment in 2010 after their legal spat with SM Entertainment.

According to the same report from Soompi, it was public knowledge that SM Entertainment had interfered with JYJ’s promotional activities after they were blacklisted from being allowed to appear on TV in Korea.

However, after 15 long years, Jaejoong was reported by Allkpop to finally be back on the scene. The entertainment news site spotted him filming for an appearance on KBS2's upcoming show, ‘Star's Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant’.

Image: jj_1986_jj / Instagram

Allkpop reports that without directly addressing the grievances that were suppressed by his ex-agency, Jaejoong shared a post on Instagram regarding the matter.

Image: jj_1986_jj / Instagram

On his Instagram post that was made after he was officially reported to be filming with KBS2, Jaejoong wrote (according to an Allkpop translation): "... I want to share my gratitude for 'today' with everyone around me rather than to reminisce about the process and stories of the past."

Image: jj_1986_jj / Instagram

This marks another great milestone for the members of JYJ and progress for the K-Entertainment industry. The 'Star's Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' episodes with Jaejoong ahave aired on May 3rd, 10th, and 17th.

Image: jj_1986_jj / Instagram

Soompi previously reported in 2015 that Korean legislators attempted to impose a 'JYJ Law' to counteract unfair suppression of K-pop artists in retaliation, such as in the case of JYJ. However, it was not until now, in 2024, that progress began.

With changing attitudes in K-media, Jaejoong has been increasingly gaining more presence and exposure in the industry this year. Other than releasing a new music album, 'Flower Garden', which he promoted in his recent Inkigayo appearance, Jaejoong has also returned to acting in the MBN drama 'Bad Memories Eraser', reports Naver.