JJ Project returns to find startling success

JJ Project / Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

By Kim Jae-heun

JJ Project has returned after a five-year hiatus, with the duo’s new mini-album “Verse 2” topping the iTunes Album Chart in 12 countries.

The JYP Entertainment act’s new track “Tomorrow, Today” also topped Korea’s biggest online music streaming service Bugs upon its release, the day before the album’s release.

The result was even more exciting for the two singers JB and Jinyoung, who are also members of K-pop group GOT7, as they had not expected their song to receive so much love.

“We did not release the new album to make a big success. It was more of a stepping stone for GOT7’s next album,” Jinyoung said during a media appearance at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. “We did not expect our new music to top the charts. We only hope GOT7 can improve through our activity as duo JJ Project.”

JB and Jinyoung first debuted as the project group in 2012 before they debuted as GOT7 two years later. Their first digital single “Bounce” released in May 2012 gained much popularity, ranking eighth on the local music chart. But the two singers achieved bigger success as members of the K-pop group and their return as a pop duo seemed unlikely.

JB agreed he did not expect to perform as JJ Project again with Jinyoung until his management made the offer.

“We were called to a meeting and were offered to release an album as JJ Project. We know JJ Project was not very successful since it was our first try. We had no regrets. It definitely helped us to debut as GOT7 again,” Jinyoung said.

“However, we decided to return as JJ Project because we wanted to show how GOT7 pursues various styles of music,” JB added.

Park Jin-young, the chief producer and founder of JYP Entertainment, worked with JJ Project for their comeback album.

Both members said their music style has changed as a result. JB and Jinyoung debuted when they were teenagers singing to energetic music with a fast tempo.

Their latest album “Verse 2” consists of eight tracks of various genres from pop and alternative rock to hip-hop, adopting lyrical but bright-toned melodies. JB and Jinyoung wrote lyrics based on their anxieties going through life in their 20s.

“Our track Tomorrow, Today is about a story that all 20-somethings experience. We do not know what is going to happen tomorrow and we have to make decisions in our lives. We make choices every day and things don’t always work out right,” Jinyoung said.

JB also said his goal as a musician has shifted from debuting to pursuing music he truly wants to. He has not yet found his true music style but the singer believes he is on the right track.

JJ Project will also hold a photography exhibition to celebrate their return. The singers took photographs for the show and wrote essays for each piece.

“Taking photos has been my long-term hobby and I use a film camera. I study photography but I am not on the professional level yet,” JB said.