JYJ finished up their North American tour with a special show in Northern California.
On June 3rd, 2011, the North American leg of JYJ’s Worldwide Tour Concert came to a close at San Jose State University’s Event Center. The San Jose show was special not only because it was their last stop in North America but also because it took place on Park Yoochun’s birthday.
Once the venue doors opened at 7:00 p.m., fans flooded into the stadium. Many were female, but every so often a fanboy or father chaperoning their daughters could be seen. Moreover, fans’ ages ranged from teenagers to those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, a demography quite different than typical K-Pop concerts. As the stage lights went out, red light sticks, starry finger lights, and Micky ears—in commemoration of (Micky) Yoochun’s birthday—glowed brightly in the darkness to form the familiar red ocean.
JYJ first heated up the stage with Empty, an upbeat track with powerful vocals and choreography. Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu emerged adorned in dark red, blue, and green suits respectively, and their presence sparked deafening cheers from the audience. Backup dancers filled the stage, lights flashed following the beat, and everyone chanted “let it go, let it go” along to the chorus. To the delight of fans, even the backup dancers were wearing red finger lights.
One fast track led into another as JYJ performed another high-energy song, I.D.S (I Deal Scenario). Its electronic beats in combination with the members’ soft melodic voices further mesmerized their audience. By the end of the two intense dance routines, Empty and I.D.S. (I Deal Scenario), the members’ faces could be seen glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
Following the two fast paced songs, JYJ transitioned into their first ballad for the night: Nine. Fans waved their glowing red lights to the song’s calming tune, soothing voices, and perfect harmonization. When high notes were reached, fans erupted in cheers of support.
Taking a break from their back to back performances, JYJ took a moment to address their fans. They greeted and thanked the audience in a mix of English and Korean, and fans responded enthusiastically whether they understood or not. The trio took in the scene before them— the crowd, their signs, the glow of their red concert gear. Jaejoong was even making loops above his head and referring to everyone’s Mickey ears. Although a language barrier made it difficult for JYJ to converse with North American fans, music was ultimately their link to everyone in the building that night.
The concert continued with JYJ's performance of Pierrot, an uplifting song about freeing oneself and controlling one’s future. Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu remained in the back as female dancers dressed as masked ballerinas took over the font stage. The graceful and beautiful image of the dancers contrasted with their purposeful stiff, erratic, and puppet-like movements, while the stage’s low-lying fog and white, blue, and purple lights, created a cold and mystical atmosphere. This was arguably the most artistic and beautiful stage of the night.
For the next segment, JYJ performed Be My Girl, a sweet, mellow track that involved mic stands and limited dancing. However, the highlight of this song was most definitely Junsu’s famous body waves and hip thrusts as they sang, “You should be my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.”
Once Be My Girl came to an end, the show took a pause as JYJ went backstage to change clothes, and a video of their The Beginning album photo shoot played on screen to occupy fans. A few minutes later, JYJ returned on stage with silver ornamented black outfits to perform Be the One and Ayyy Girl, both vocally powerful and dance intensive tracks. They performed exceptionally well, and the audience was soon pumped up once again.
Next, Yoochun turned up the heat with his solo, I Love You. The performance featured female dancers clad in sexy bodysuits and black lace trapped in glass boxes, lined up for him to serenade. Fans screamed in jealousy—or held their breath—as Yoochun teased each lady and belted out his falsetto notes.
An adrenaline pumping drum performance transitioned to another upbeat song, Mission. Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu emerged in gold striped black dress shirts and heavy rebel-like black trench coats. If the bass didn’t excite the audience, the fierce and electrifying choreography did.
After a short slideshow of photos from JYJ’s 2011 World Tour Concert, it was Junsu’s and Jaejoong’s turn to take the stage with their solos I Can Soar and Still in Love. Junsu captivated the audience with his passionate vocals, and Jaejoong heated up the stage again as sultry dancers stripped him of coat and tie. Screams of jealously erupted each time the members got intimate with their female dance partners.
As JYJ changed into their next outfits, backup dancers took the stage for a short breakdance sequence. They were soon accompanied by the trio for Found You, a fan-favorite from the OST of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, the hit drama series starring JYJ’s very own Park Yoochun. JYJ responded with beaming smiles as the crowd enthusiastically waved their arms and sang along to the chorus: “saranghae, neoreul saranghae.” It was also in this performance where Jaejoong forgot one of his lines which earned the audience a glimpse of his flustered and shy side. Nonetheless, they finished the song with perfect pitch and high energy.
Next up was back to back ballads of Fallen Leaves and Boy’s Letter. Their powerful voices, flawless adlibs, and passionate delivery captivated fans yet again, though it wasn’t a surprise; this was JYJ after all. However, the calm and soothing atmosphere didn’t last for long before the familiar tune of Be My Girl (Remix) began playing. It was finally time for the Slaughter mob dance! Jaejoong prompted everyone to stand up, and backup dancers filled the stage wearing finger lights and Mickey ears. Fans happily danced along with their Korean stars, swinging their arms in circles, jumping in place, and even doing two waves which were directed by Junsu and Yoochun.
The thrilling night did not end there because Jeri Slaughter, director of the North American leg of JYJ’s tour, presented birthday boy Park Yoochun with flowers, presents, and a cake made by their very own fans. The audience sang the obligatory “Happy Birthday” song, Yoochun thanked his fans for the surprise, and somewhere along the way, Yoochun and Junsu sported Mickey ears as well. The mini-event was successful thanks to fans, some inside help from staff, and Kim Jaejoong who gave the final approval. Fans from the San Jose concert were lucky to share such a special day with their Korean stars.
The San Jose stop wasn’t unique just because of Yoochun’s birthday. Before they began their next song, JYJ members gathered into a hug, and fans were able to witness the brotherly bond between them. During the performance of You’re, Jaejoong and Yoochun playfully allowed each other the right of way to the extended stage, and two fans, noticing how Jaejoong lacked Mickey ears, bravely approached the stage with a pair. Junsu spotted the girls before security and delivered the set to Jaejoong. The two fans even earned a smile and thumbs up from Junsu, and the crowd cheered as the trio now had matching sets Mickey ears. The fan service did not end there either. As the song drew to a close, JYJ wrapped their arms around one another, put the three mics together like a bouquet, and took turns singing their last lines. Junsu also finished off with a humorous “xie xie.”
As the members retreated backstage, fans who didn’t want the night to end just yet started chanting JYJ and stomping their feet, calling for an encore performance. After some time, the JYJ guys stepped back on stage with white t-shirts embellished with red, glittering JYJ letters and three unique jackets. They performed Get Out and a remix of Empty, two upbeat tracks to give the audience one last treat. Jaejoong owned the stage like a rocker in Get Out, and Junsu showcased his dance talents during a solo dance break in Empty.
Sadly, the concert came to a close with their final song, In Heaven. Once more, Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu awed the crowd with their amazing vocals, adlibs and delivery, especially during the song’s climax. As sad as it was to have to end, In Heaven was a beautiful and perfect song to end the night, for it reminded everyone of JYJ’s pure vocal talent.
When the song finished, it was clear the members got the message of everyone’s “Kajima (Don’t go) USA ♥ JYJ” signs because they lingered on stage, as if not wanting to leave, well after bowing and thanking their fans. JYJ gave their San Jose audience an unforgettable night, and if there is ever going to be a second world tour, fans hope they won’t forget to stop by Northern California again.
