Kim Jae Joong shared his heartfelt thoughts after returning to the KBS2 music show 'Music Bank' for the first time in 18 years.
On Aug. 22, Kim Jae Joong posted several photos on social media along with the message, "Appearing on 'Music Bank' after 18 years was not simply a TV appearance for me."
He continued, "To others, it may have seemed like nothing more than an ordinary appearance, but I believe this was a day created together by the fans who endured all those years and the time I spent continuing to make music without stopping." He added, "I sincerely thank everyone who made it possible for me to stand on this stage again after 18 years."
The photos show Kim Jae Joong preparing for his appearance on 'Music Bank'. Wearing a white sheer outfit paired with gold accessories, he drew attention with his striking looks despite having been in the industry for more than two decades. In some photos, he looked relaxed as he posed for the camera in the waiting room and on the stairs, while another showed him looking into the camera himself ahead of his performance.
The appearance holds particular significance for Kim Jae Joong. He last appeared on 'Music Bank' in 2008 while promoting as a member of TVXQ!, making this his return to the show after approximately 18 years. It was also his first appearance on the program as a solo artist.
In 2009, Kim Jae Joong, along with Kim Junsu and Park Yoo Chun, filed for a provisional injunction seeking to suspend the validity of their exclusive contracts with their then-agency SM Entertainment and subsequently pursued independent activities. They later formed JYJ and continued their active music careers, but they rarely appeared on terrestrial music programs.
𝐊𝐈𝐌𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐉𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐆💚(@jj_1986_jj)님의 공유 게시물
In 2013, the Fair Trade Commission determined that SM Entertainment and the Korean Federation of Popular Culture and Arts Organizations had interfered with JYJ's broadcast appearances and activities as singers, and ordered them to cease such interference. In 2015, the so-called "JYJ Act" was proposed to prevent broadcasters from restricting a particular entertainer's appearances without legitimate reasons, bringing renewed attention to the group's difficulties appearing on broadcast programs.
After a lengthy hiatus, things began to change. In 2024, Kim Jae Joong returned to terrestrial variety programming after 15 years through KBS2's 'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant'. That same year, he appeared on SBS' 'Inkigayo', marking his return to a terrestrial music program after 16 years.
Then, on the Aug. 21 broadcast of 'Music Bank', he performed his new song 'Tonight', marking his return to a KBS music program after 18 years. It was a particularly meaningful moment for the fans who had stayed by his side throughout the long wait.
That is why Kim Jae Joong described the appearance as "not simply a TV appearance." Having returned to the stage after 18 years, he has been receiving messages from fans on social media congratulating and cheering him on.
Meanwhile, Kim Jae Joong released his new single 'THE WAVE' on Aug. 20. He will also hold his solo concert '2026 KIM JAE JOONG CONCERT [THE WAVE]' at KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on Aug. 29 and 30.
