JBJ hold their first and final concert

All good things come to an end. For music lovers, it’s a sad moment when your favourite band breaks up. The K-pop group JBJ was created as a temporary project after the six band members made a big impression on the popular talent show Produce 101. Even though JBJ were only given a seven-month contract, everybody expected this to be extended. The band was hugely popular and had released two successful EPs, Fantasy and True Colors. So when the news came that the contract wasn’t going to be extended, it was a shock.

LET’S GET THE PARTY STARTED

Before their official disbandment on April 30, the guys held their first and only concert in Thailand, JBJ 1st Concert [Joyful Days] in Bangkok on March 31. At ThunderDome, the six members of the band - leader Roh Tae-hyun, 24, Kenta, 22, Kim Sang-gyun, 22, Kim Yong-guk, 21, Kwon Hyun-bin, 20, and Kim Dong-han, 19 - appeared onstage in colourful outfits and kicked off the two-hour show with the dance songs, “My Flower” and “Moonlight.”

GOING SOLO

The highlight of the evening was when the guys got to show off their individual skills during their solo performances. The rappers, Sang-gyun and Hyun-bin, showcased contrasting styles. On “So Blind” and “Whatever U Want,” Sang-gyun’s rapping was fast and aggressive. By contrast, Hyun-bin’s rapping on “God” was slower and more rhythmic. Japanese singer Kenta impressed the audience with his energy on “Eat You Up,” an old-style Korean pop song. And main singer Yong-guk mesmerised the crowd with his mellow voice as he sang “Beautiful” from the TV series, Goblin.

JUST LIKE A DREAM

The show featured 16 songs in all. During the encore, as JBJ sang the beautiful ballad, “As If in a Dream,” everybody in the hall held up cards that read, “Wherever you go, we’ll always be with you.” Tae-hyun thanked the fans and said he hopes that the band members would get the chance to return to Thailand in the future. Hyun-bin said that he would keep everybody in his memory and hoped that the fans would always be with them as promised. Then came the final farewell, as the guys sang “True Colors.” Afterwards, everybody in the audience was reluctant to leave. But finally, it was time to move on.

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The day before the concert, JBJ met up with Thai press and some lucky fans at Grande Centre Point Hotel for a press conference. Here are some highlights.

Why did you call the new EP True Colors?

Tae-hyun: The title refers to our individual abilities and charms. That’s why we have solo performances during the concert.

If you had to pick one song to sing to fans, which would it be?

Yong-guk: I’d choose “Wonderful Day” because it was written specially for our fans. We hope they can feel our love through the song.

Have you done anything fun lately?

Dong-han: When we had a day off, I took Kenta sightseeing in Busan. We didn’t wear masks as we usually do. We travelled by ourselves and felt free. It was fun.

Which of you plays pranks on the others most?

Tae-hyun: Dong-han.

Dong-han: No, that’s not true! I’m kind. I don’t play pranks.
 
Which member is the most helpful?

Dong-han: Actually, we’re all helpless! [Laughs.] Usually, it’s our managers who are helping us.

What is your flaw?

Tae-hyun: Sang-gyun is afraid of syringes and ghosts.

Yong-guk: I’m allergic to milk, but I like to drink it a lot. Whenever I drink it, I get itchy.

Is there any activity that you want to do with the other members?

Tae-hyun: It’ll be summer in Korea soon. I want us to go to a water park together.