Kim Junsu, the powerhouse vocalist and former TVXQ member, took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as he spilled some major tea about his debut days with the legendary group.

In a recent episode of '2nd Generation Idol Summit' on the YouTube channel 'Jibdaesung,' Kim Junsu joined the conversation as a special guest, engaging in some candid talks with Daesung.

Opening up about his whirlwind journey to stardom, Kim Junsu revealed a jaw-dropping anecdote from his trainee days, saying, "I remember being summoned back from a school trip to Jeju Island because investors were visiting SM. I didn't realize it then, but looking back, I see it was a pivotal moment."

He added, "It was my first school trip, and I had just touched down when I got the call to rush back to Seoul. Needless to say, my friends were green with envy."

Daesung chimed in with his own experience, sharing, "I never had the luxury of choice. It was always G-Dragon and Taeyang taking the spotlight as YG's future."

Reflecting on his commitment to SM, Kim Junsu revealed, "Even if I had other offers, I wouldn't have left. I was all in. I even sang H.O.T. or Shinhwa songs at auditions."

Recalling his audition days, he humorously reminisced, "My voice was so high-pitched back then; some mistook it for a girl's!"

Addressing the formation of TVXQ, Kim Junsu revealed, "We weren't just the best; we were SM's last hope. Failure wasn't an option."

He continued, "Originally slated to debut with Eunhyuk and Sungmin, fate had other plans. TVXQ took the spotlight."

Describing the chaotic debut process, he added, "It was a whirlwind. We went from being soloists to a group in a heartbeat. The name TVXQ wasn't even our first choice!"

Years after leaving SM, Kim Junsu reflected on his journey, saying, "Appearing on EBS's 'Space Sympathy' was a turning point. It wasn't a typical idol gig, and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity."

Despite facing setbacks, he remained resolute, saying, "I questioned myself, but giving up wasn't an option. I wanted to see how far I could go."

Kim Junsu's journey from trainee to superstar is a testament to perseverance and passion.

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BTS member Jimin made history at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS, becoming the first solo artist ever to win the prestigious Visa Fan’s Choice of the Year award.

On November 22, Jimin was honored with the Fan’s Choice of the Year award at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN, held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. This marks a huge milestone in his career, especially considering his ongoing military service.

Jimin made history as the first solo artist to win the Fan’s Choice of the Year award, a category that BTS had dominated for six years since its debut in 2018.

In addition to this achievement, Jimin also took home the Fan’s Choice Grand Prize, making him a two-time winner at this year’s awards.

Although Jimin couldn't attend the ceremony due to his military service, his name was met with loud cheers from fans when announced.

His incredible win continues to prove his global influence as a solo artist. Jimin had also won Best Male Artist at the 2023 MAMA AWARDS, marking back-to-back wins at the event.

The MAMA AWARDS praised Jimin for his groundbreaking achievements, saying, “As the first K-pop solo artist to reach 4 billion streams and set the longest-running #1 record for a Korean artist, Jimin has proven his influence as a world-class artist and global pop star.”

Jimin's win also made him the first solo artist to claim a grand prize at the MAMA AWARDS in 10 years, with his achievement sparking excitement worldwide.

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag “CONGRATULATIONS JIMIN” topped the trends, while “우리지민이상받았네” (Our Jimin Got the Award) reached the #1 spot in Korea.

Jimin’s ongoing success continues to shine even during his military service. He was also recently named Best K-pop at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards and continues to be recognized for his charitable efforts, including a recent donation of 100 million KRW to the National Defense Soldier and Veteran Love Fund.

Source: [1]