“Legendary K-pop idol” TVXQ is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year
TVXQ debuted on December 26th, 2003 with the sweet song “Hug” to continue SM Entertainment’s boy group tradition of H.O.T and Shinhwa. While other boy groups of SM were focusing on powerful performances, TVXQ chose a song with a soft melody and sweet lyrics to introduce their image as an all-rounder group that can do both Accapella and performances.
After making their face known to the public with the sweet concept of “Hug” and proving their singing abilities, TVXQ began to pursue SM Music Performance (SMP), characterized by stages that combine intense choreographies with electronic music.
Songs featuring complicated tunes, metal sounds and lyrics with critical messages, such as “The Way U Are” and “TRI-ANGLE”, were a little hard for listeners to approach so their performances were sometimes underestimated. However, “Rising Sun”, which toned down the intensity of the melody, became a huge hit. Released in 2005, the song helped TVXQ gain huge recognition from the public and attracted a huge fandom.
In 2008, TVXQ released “MIROTIC” and reached their heyday. With a perfect combination of direct lyrics, addictive melodies and impressive performance, this song showcased all the skills of TVXQ members and left no room for criticism.
However, TVXQ faced a big crisis in 2009 when the members had a dispute with SM over their exclusive contracts. Due to this incident, the 5-member group TVXQ was reorganized into a duo with U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin after Hero Jaejoong, Xia Junsu and Micky Yoochun left the company.
Even as a duo, Yunho and Changmin still filled the stage perfectly. Growing from idols into artists with undeniable skills, both of them showed more mature images with manly charms. “Keep Your Head Down”, the title track of their first album as a duo, was still an SMP song but they had gradually changed the K-pop music trend since then. Releasing “Catch Me” in 2012, “Something” and “Spellbound” in 2014, Yunho and Changmin received compliments for introducing music that was easier to listen to with a more cheerful rhythm but still kept the signature intense choreographies.
Yunho is recognized as an “icon of passion”. It is because he always impresses everyone with his overflowing energy and passionate performances not only on the stage but also in variety shows. There’s a famous anecdote that he continued a performance with full energy even with ripped pants. Changmin is still admired as an excellent vocalist with amazing high notes and powerful ad-libs. After getting married in 2020 and becoming a father in 2022, Changmin participated in KBS2’s program “The Return of Superman” as a narrator and revealed a more friendly side to the public.
TVXQ will release their 9th full album “20&2” to celebrate their upcoming debut celebration on December 26th. The album contains 10 songs, including the title track “Rebel”. “Rebel” is described as a dance song that tells about the rebellion of a person who believes in themselves without being swayed by others. Through this comeback, people can feel their TVXQ’s determination for their future while remembering their past. On the last days of this year, December 30th and 31st, the group will hold a solo concert.
Having been performing for two decades, TVXQ never stops challenging new music. With their perfect skills and experiences after going through ups and downs over the past 20 years, TVXQ deserves to be called “ the textbook for K-pop idols”.
Source: Daum
