interview with X Japan

X Japan Promises to Astound Fans

Popular Japanese rock band X Japan reunited for a world tour this year, with two concerts in Seoul March 21-22. / Courtesy of X Japan Production Management CommitteeBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

X Japan is promising to give Korean fans two amazing concerts they won't easily forget, when the Japanese rock legends hit Seoul March 21 and 22.

In an email interview with The Korea Times, X Japan frontman Yoshiki said the two Seoul concerts will have superb visual effects and different themes for each night.

``I am most concerned about telling a certain story on stage. This story must symbolize `X Japan-ness.' I must portray this in the most dynamic way as I can. For the two Korean concerts, we will have two different themes. Fans can look forward to it,'' he said.

Yoshiki admitted at first he was surprised to know that X Japan was famous in Korea, but is nonetheless grateful for Korean fans' support throughout the years.

``I want to thank the Korean fans for supporting X Japan for all this time,'' he said. ``When I was living in L.A., I had a few Korean friends. To be honest, I was very surprised when they told me that X Japan was famous in Korea. That was how I got to know about my fame. I remember many fans went to the airport to greet me on my first visit to Korea. I didn't expect to see so many fans.''

Anticipation is running high for the ``X Japan World Tour in Seoul,'' which will be staged at the Olympic Gymnasium No. 1, Olympic Park. Tickets to the Seoul concert are selling out fast. Even copies of X Japan's concert DVD were immediately sold out when it was released here last week.

A pioneer in ``visual kei'' or Japanese glam rock movement, X Japan reigned as the number one rock band in the 1990s and sold over 20 million albums throughout Asia. The band is currently composed of drummer and pianist Yoshiki, vocalist Toshi, guitarist Pata and bassist Heath. Original guitarist Hide died in 1998.

X Japan broke up in 1997, but decided to reunite in 2007. ``I was chatting with Toshi when I met him two years ago and we casually talked about reuniting in the future. Now our reunion is official for this world tour,'' he said.

The newly reunited X Japan performed at the Tokyo Dome, March last year, and in Hong Kong last January 2009. Yoshiki was taken aback by the enthusiastic and passionate reception they received from their fans.

``I was shocked and touched by our fans singing along with us and shouting `We are X' when we were on stage. I felt that this (the stage) is where I truly belong. The first concert of our world tour was Hong Kong, and it was very moving,'' Yoshiki said.

As for the band's plans for 2009, X Japan will continue its world tour in the U.S. and Europe. Yoshiki said they are also planning to release a greatest hits compilation album, which would include one or two new songs.

X Japan's musical style has not changed in the last decade. ``We are not influenced by any trend or musical changes. The music that we pursue can become a trend, so I think it's fine,'' Yoshiki said.

Tickets are priced between 66,000 won to 165,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or www.xjapan.kr. Foreigners can call I-Yescom at (02) 783-0114 for ticket reservations.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr