SPOTLIGHT: Moon Heejun
Though many people are aware of who this guy is, and can trace his career back to one of SM Entertainment's top groups back in the day, not many people know that he started his solo career with some heavy and, at the time, unusual rock music. Once H.O.T disbanded, Moon Heejun took the liberty to transform his already rock influence to a full length album with the same style he loved so much.
Being born in 1978, the former boy group member is certainly part of the previous boy group generation. As a H.O.T member, Heejun was not only one of the main dancers, but he also composed and wrote music for the group. Together with Jang Woohyuk, he choreographed lots of the group's dance steps.
Alone
For his first solo album after H.O.T's disbandment, Moon Heejun wrote every single song by himself, making sure to release an album he could fully support. Instead of going for a more logical appeal, releasing ballads and pop songs, Heejun stunned the Kpop crowd by releasing a rock album that was extreme and very hard, considering the mainstream Kpop standards. "Alone" was released on October 5th, 2001, and marked the singer's return as a solo artist.
"Red & White" from "Alone" (2001)
Skepticism over sudden style change
Many fans and anti-fans of H.O.T, however, were skeptical about his sudden change into a rockstar and wondered whether he could pull it off or if it was just an act to get noticed more. Moon Heejun himself had always been interested in alternative music, so going for a solo rock music debut seemed logical, though it only meant the start of a lot of hate towards the singer. He ended up being ridiculed and mocked up to the point that he even locked himself in his house for over 6 months and didn't want to meet or see anyone.
"Not one time would I think that Rock is superior to Dance music. If I'd only do rock music because I'm bored, I should have already given up. I sincerely like rock very much. "
The singer has also remarked that he intentionally left out any picture of himself in the release of his 4th solo album because he felt that rock music was more about the music itself than the actual artist and image. Moon Heejun has also been quoted in several of his concerts saying that if a rock qualifications card should exist, he'd really want to take the test, hinting that he wanted to show people the sort of music he could make, and that the "image" he has created wasn't fake.
Moon Heejun was supported by Han Daesoo, a very popular folk and rock singer-songwriter, who said that "It is the freedom of a person to do the music he wants to. It is from this freedom that Moon Heejun's decision to do rock music came from. Over everything else, it is important that he should continue on his own road."
"I (Human Individual Cloning)" from "Messiah" (2002)
"My Silent Conflict" from "Legend" (2003)
Leaving for the Army
Just after the release of his 4th album, "Triple X," in 2005, Heejun revealed that he had received his enlistment notice, and that he'd be leaving for the army soon.
He also added that he'd be returning with powerful music after two years of being away, and that he'd love to train new stars and launch them in the music business. His own company, PS Entertainment, was created after he left SM Entertainment. It was the singer's intention to make this company the home of new stars, hence the name PS, or Prepare Star.
Even during the army, he remained true to his rockstar status, performing on stage every now and then for his fans. In the army itself, he was able to become the host of the KFN Korean Army Broadcast "Music Talk Show" and received praise, as well as supportive messages, from many Korean artists including Super Junior and The Grace.
"A village called Memory" from "Triple X" (2005)
Comeback
At the end of 2007, just after he fulfilled his 2 years in the army, Moon Heejun returned with a huge concert, marking his comeback to the music business. Just before leaving the army, it was also noted that the singer had signed with a new company, SidusHQ, known for its actors and actresses (and more recently, Jay Park).
Just after he came out of the army, he was invited to join many different productions as a guest and even took the spot as a host for a variety show. In 2008, Heejun released his first new album, "Moon Heejun Special Album", which included remixes of songs that were previously released as H.O.T, as well as new songs.
At the end of 2008, the solo artist performed new versions of a few of H.O.T's older songs on the end year awards shows as a celebration of the anniversary of H.O.T's 10th year after debut. It was included in a series of different tribute performances done by new generation groups. For one of its performances, the singer was helped by SHINee's Jonghyun, (at the time) 2PM's Jay Park and 2AM's Jokwon.
Starts at 5:00
A year later, the artist revealed his mini album, "Last Cry", which included the title track "Toy". He performed this song many times on various music shows.
After the release of "Last Cry", it became musically silent around Moon Heejun. He did appear in the sitcom "Taehee, Hyegyo, Jihyun", but was slightly overshadowed when popular boy group member Taemin was added to the cast.
"Toy" from "Last Cry" (2009)
Future
At the moment, Heejun is only working as an MC for certain variety shows, as well as taking on roles in musicals. Many fans are patiently waiting for his return to music as Heejun was the first idol who turned completely to rock music and made drastic changes from his H.O.T days.
Source: LOENENT, MoonHeejun Official, shendymoon and ShadowsNeverDie
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Bonbon 17 Points
Moon Hee Jun is the best! He along with H.O.T and other kpop bands of the 90s redefined kpop and made kpop what it is today.