Kim Jae-joong “‘Rising Sun’ Goosebumps at the cheers... Tears pouring out from mixed emotions” [Photoshoot]

Singer Kim Jae-joong graced the cover of the December issue of @star1.

Kim Jae-joong, who showed off his flawless visuals for the photoshoot despite celebrating his 21st debut anniversary. He showed off his ‘all-rounder’ side by pulling off everything from a chic concept to a sexy vibe.

Kim Jae-joong recently gave fans a deep impression with the concert ‘JX 2024 CONCERT ‘IDENTITY’ in SEOUL’ with Kim Junsu. He confessed that he was nervous from the first day to the last day of the performance, and “as the last day‘s performance was coming to an end, a mixture of emotions exploded and I ended up crying.”

He especially experienced a goosebump-inducing moment when the intro of ‘Rising Sun’ resonated and the fans’ explosive cheers erupted. Kim Jaejoong recalled that it was a special time that captured the 20 years of his life as he said, “I couldn‘t control my emotions while watching the fans laugh and cry and express their happiness in their own ways.”

This year, Kim Jaejoong worked hard not only as an artist, but also as a producer for the new girl group Say My Name. He honestly admitted that the process as a producer wasn’t easy, saying, “I personally checked all the materials and videos from when the members were trainees and even decided on the concept.”

“I had some regrets. He added a joking tone, saying, “I thought I’d die first while raising the company and the members,” but his words, “There’s nothing I haven’t touched, even the smallest thing,” showed that Kim Jae-joong’s sincerity toward Say My Name goes beyond his role as a simple producer and comes from his sense of responsibility as a senior who prepares the members’ future.

Lastly, he said, “Don’t just think that idols have a short lifespan, but I always advise you to slowly prepare for the next step,” adding that he plans to support the members by thinking about the next 10 years. In particular, he showed his sincerity by saying that he is leading them with the belief that “even if you debut as an idol, you can grow into an artist who will be loved for a long time like seniors Na Hoon-a and Lee Mi-ja.”

Kim Jae-joong, who has overcome his limitations as a singer and is building his own world in various fields such as acting, production, and management. His honest interview and pictorial spanning 21 years can be found in the December issue of @star1.

Reporter Jeong Hee-yeon, Donga.com shine2562@donga.com