i've always thought of it as this: the image Jin is portraying in Japan is different from the one he's pulling off for the United States. i really don't think his Japanese material go hand-in-hand with his American stuff. i mean, i think having "Eternal" in the same league as "Test Drive" is just really weird...right?
"JAPONICANA" is his
U.S. debut, essentially. there's different versions & tracklists for Japan, but it's
really intended for Americans. i only think the people who will buy the album in Japan are already Jin fans. i mean, all the lyrics are in English. look at Hikaru Utada. her American albums did well in Japan because well...SHE IS HIKARU UTADA.
"Eternal" & "Seasons" will go on his Japanese debut solo album, not his American one, since those two songs are intended for the Japanese market.
that's my explanation. LMAO.
personally...i don't mind Jin entering the American market, if that is what he desires. i think it's quite ambitious, actually, since America has a little or no Asian presence in movies, television, or music. i think it's because of the clash of Eastern & Western culture. Japanese/Chinese/Korean culture is just too different or strange from say, Europe and not a lot of people can relate.
however, my complaints are rather more personal. LOL. to me, it just looks like he's bi-polar or something (on an image basis). he's sort of doing one thing in America, but doing something completely different in Japan. i really think he's better than the whole "club/dance" scene and his lyrics are just...bad and rather underdeveloped. he's relying more on beats. yeah, a lot of dance/club songs are corny, but the
best dance songs compliment lyrics & beats as ONE, imo. he just doesn't have that ability yet. Jin really is a talented guy. i love the dude, honestly!!, but i'm a fan of his Japanese material more. he is far more natural and unique with his Japanese stuff.
being a Kame fan is far less stressful.