TVXQ

TVXQ
Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho in December 2023
Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho in December 2023
Background information
Also known as
  • Tohoshinki
  • DBSK
  • TVfXQ[1]
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active2003 (2003)–present
Labels
Member ofSM Town
SpinoffsJYJ
Members
Past members
Websitesmentertainment
toho-jp.net
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese東方神起
Simplified Chinese东方神起
Literal meaningEast God Rises
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinDōngfāngshénqǐ
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationDūngfōngsàhnhéi
JyutpingDung1 Fong1 San4 Hei2
Korean name
Hangul동방신기
Hanja東方神起
Transcriptions
Revised RomanizationDongbangsin-gi
McCune–ReischauerTongbangsin'gi
Japanese name
Kanji東方神起
Hiraganaとうほうしんき
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnTōhōshinki
Kunrei-shikiTôhôsinki

TVXQ (stylized as TVXQ!/DBSK; Korean: 동방신기; Hanja: 東方神起; RR: Dongbangsingi; lit. Rising Gods of the East), known as Tohoshinki in Japan, is a South Korean pop duo formed by SM Entertainment, composed of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin.

Originally a five-member boy band which also consisted of members Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu, TVXQ were immediately launched to mainstream recognition following the release of their first single "Hug" (2004). Their first four albums as a quintet, Tri-Angle (2004), Rising Sun (2005), "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. (2006), and Mirotic (2008), received chart-topping commercial success in South Korea, with the latter winning the Golden Disk Award for Album of the Year. Mirotic contained the hit single "Mirotic" (2008), touted by international music critics as a staple song of K-pop. TVXQ were one of the first Korean artists to lead the Korean Wave in Japan, where they were propelled to mainstream stardom following the release of their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code (2009).

However, despite their commercial success, the band were plunged into legal turmoil and internal conflict when members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu attempted to split from their Korean agency SM Entertainment. Prior to the trio's departure in 2010, TVXQ released their last Japanese album as a quintet, Best Selection 2010, which became the band's first album to top the Oricon Albums Chart. The album spawned two platinum-selling singles, including the One Piece theme song, "Share the World" (2009).

After a year-long hiatus, TVXQ returned as a duo with their fifth Korean album Keep Your Head Down (2011), topping album charts in most major Asian markets upon release. Their first two Japanese albums as a duo, Tone (2011) and Time (2013), solidified their success in Japan as it forged TVXQ's reputation as one of the top-touring artists in the country. Their tenth Japanese album XV (2019) made TVXQ the first foreign music act in Japan to have six number-one albums in a row.

Selling over 10 million physical records in the first 10 years of their career,[2] TVXQ are one of Asia's most successful music acts of their generation. They are sometimes referred to as "Asia's Stars" and the "Kings of K-pop"[3][4] for their immense success and contributions to the Korean Wave.[5][6][7] According to the Oricon, TVXQ have the most number-one singles and albums for a foreign artist in Japan,[8][9] and are Japan's best-selling foreign artist of all time.[10] Their Time Tour, one of the highest-grossing concert tours of 2013, broke attendance records for foreign singers in Japan until 2017, when TVXQ broke their own record with their Begin Again Tour.[11][12] TVXQ are the first non-Japanese Asian artists to headline a nationwide five-Dome tour and the first foreign artists to headline the Nissan Stadium. Billboard has described the band as "K-pop royalty."[13]

  1. ^ "LG Mobile TVfXQ Boy Band Concert in Malaysia". Every Joe. June 22, 2006. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  2. ^ Kwon Soo Bin (December 31, 2013). "SM Celebrates TVXQ Selling Over 10 Million Copies of Albums". MWave ENews World. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  3. ^ "King of K-pop is back". The Korea Times. October 4, 2012. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  4. ^ "20 Best K-Pop Songs of 2012: BIGBANG, PSY, 2NE1 & More". Billboard. December 21, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ^ 동방신기·소녀시대·빅뱅, 한류 20년 대표 가수로 선정 [TVXQ, Girls' Generation, Big Bang chosen as leaders of Hallyu]. The Korea Times (in Korean). October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. ^ Edussuriya, Samantha (December 6, 2011). "K-Pop 101: The 10 Most Significant K-pop Idols of the 2000s". MTV Iggy. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  7. ^ Oak, Jessica (January 22, 2014). "TVXQ! Talks Overcoming Biases, Feeling 'Grateful and Sorry' Backstage at 'Music Core': Exclusive Interview". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  8. ^ "TVXQ First Foreign Band to Top Oricon Weekly Chart 10 Times". The Chosun Ilbo. March 21, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  9. ^ Dong, Sun-hwa (October 22, 2019). "TVXQ first foreign act to top Japanese music chart for 8th time". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  10. ^ 海外歌手歴代１位記録の東方神起「ツアーで感謝の気持ち伝えたい」 [Tohoshinki becomes best-selling foreign music act of all time]. Music Voice (in Japanese). November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "TVXQ earns 100 Billion won in Japan in 2013" (in Korean). E Today. January 3, 2014. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  12. ^ "K-Pop Duo TVXQ! Becomes Best-Selling Foreign Touring Act in Japan". Forbes. June 18, 2018. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  13. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (December 13, 2012). "TVXQ! Q&A: On America, Favorite Artists, Future Touring Plans". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2014.