TVXQ (often stylized TVXQ![2] or TVfXQ[3]), an acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi[4] (東方神起), is a South Korean boy band quintet formed under SM Entertainment in 2003. In South Korea they are known as Dong Bang Shin Gi[5][6] (동방신기); they were later introduced in Japan as Tohoshinki (東方神起 Tōhōshinki) under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone in 2005. Their name translates as "The Rising Gods of the East".[7][8]
In 2008, with the release of their sixteenth Japanese single, "Purple Line", which debuted atop the Oricon single chart, TVXQ became the fifth non-Japanese Asian artist and the first male foreign group to have a number-one single on the chart. With their twenty-third single, "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?", TVXQ set a new record, becoming the first foreign artist to have three singles debut atop the chart. In 2010, with the release of their thirtieth single, "Toki o Tomete", TVXQ extended their record, making them the first foreign artist to have eight number-one singles on the Oricon.
History
2003–2005: Debut
Before their debut, the group was offered three tentative names: O Jang Yukbu (오장육부 lit. The Five Visceras), Jeonseoleul Meokgo Saneun Gorae (전설을 먹고 사는 고래 lit. A Whale That Eats Legends), and Dong Bang Bul Pae (동방불패, the Korean title of Ashes of Time). They decided on Dong Bang Bul Pae; however, the name was rejected because the Hanja was not aesthetically pleasing, and the name was changed to Dong Bang Shin Gi, which was named by Lee Soo Man's acquaintance.[9]
TVXQ made their debut on December 26, 2003 during a BoA and Britney Spears showcase, where they performed their debut single "Hug" and an a cappella rendition of "O Holy Night" with BoA.[10][11] The group released their debut single "Hug" in January 2004; it peaked at #4 on the monthly charts and sold a total of 169,532 copies, making it the fourteenth best-selling record of the year.[12][13][fn 1] Their second single, "The Way U Are" (July 2004), debuted at #2 spot on the charts, becoming the ninth best-selling-record of the year, selling 214,069 copies.[13][14] TVXQ released their debut album, Tri-Angle (October 2004). Tri-angle debuted atop the charts and sold a total of 242,580 copies, making it the year's eighth best-selling record.[13]
In April 2005, TVXQ debuted in Japan under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone with the single "Stay with Me Tonight".[15] They released their second Japanese single, "Somebody to Love", before returning to Korea and releasing their second Korean album Rising Sun. Rising Sun debuted atop the charts and became the fourth best-selling-record of 2005 with a total of 222,472 copies sold.[16]. TVXQ ended the year with two releases: their third Japanese single, "My Destiny", and a Korean single with label-mate Super Junior, "Show Me Your Love". The latter debuted atop the charts and sold 49,945 copies, making it the thirty-fifth best-selling record of the year.[16][17] At the end of the year, TVXQ received the Best Music Video award for the song "Rising Sun" and the People's Choice Award at the 2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival.[18]
2006–2007: Foray into Asia
TVXQ began 2006 with their first international tour, Rising Sun 1st Asia Tour. In addition to South Korea, they toured in China, Thailand, and Malaysia, making them the first Korean performers to hold a concert in Malaysia.[3] In March, the group released their fourth Japanese single, "Asu wa Kuru Kara" (明日は来るから lit. Because Tomorrow Will Come), and their debut Japanese album, Heart, Mind and Soul. The album debuted on the weekly Oricon album chart at #25 with 9,554 copies sold.[19] Their fifth Japanese single, "Rising Sun/Heart, Mind and Soul", released a month later, debuted on the Oricon singles chart at #22.[20] To support the album, TVXQ held their first Japanese tour, 1st Live Tour 2006: Heart, Mind and Soul, from May to June.[21]. TVXQ released two more Japanese singles, "Begin" and "Sky". The latter debuted at #6, making it the group's first single to reach the Top Ten.[22][23][24] In the summer, TVXQ performed in Avex's annual A-Nation summer concert.[25]
The group resumed their Korean activities with the release of their third album, "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. ("O"-正.反.合. lit. "O"-Thesis.Antithesis.Synthesis)[fn 2] in September 2006. Like their previous Korean albums, "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. debuted atop the charts; with a total of 349,317 copies sold, it became the number-one record of the year.[27][28] Two months after "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap, the group released another Japanese single, "Miss You/"O" - Sei-Han-Gō" (miss you/"O"‐正・反・合 lit. Miss You/"O" - Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis), which debuted on the chart at #3, making it their first Top Five single.[29] At the 2006 MKMF Music Festival, TVXQ won four awards, "Best Artist of the Year", "Best Group", "Mnet.com" and "Mnet Plus Mobile People's Choice Award".[30] At the 16th Music Seoul Festival, TVXQ won three awards including a "Daesang" award.[31] The group won another "Daesang" award at the 21st Golden Disk Awards 2006, in addition to a "Bonsang".[32] At the SBS Gayo Awards 2006, TVXQ won another "Daesang" and "Bonsang" award.[33]
TVXQ began 2007 with a new Japanese single, "Step By Step", which was followed by their second Asian tour, The 2nd Asia Tour Concert 'O'.[34] The tour took place in Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Beijing.[35] In March, the group released their tenth Japanese single, "Choosey Lover", and their second Japanese album, Five in the Black. Both debuted in the Top 10 of their respective charts, the former at #9 and the latter at #10.[36] In May, the group attended the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards Japan and won the "Best Buzz Asia in Korea" award for their album "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.[37] From June to December 2007, the group released a string of five singles: "Lovin' You", "Summer: Summer Dream/Song for You/Love in the Ice", "Shine / Ride On", "Forever Love" and "Together". "Summer: Summer Dream/Song for You/Love in the Ice" reached #2 on the Oricon, making it the group's highest-charting Japanese single to that point. TVXQ also collaborated with label-mate Kumi Koda for her thirty-eighth single, "Last Angel", which was used as the theme song for the Japanese release of Resident Evil: Extinction.[38]
2008–present: Commercial success
TVXQ released their sixteenth Japanese single, "Purple Line", on January 16, 2008. It debuted atop the Oricon, becoming the group's first number-one in Japan and making them the first foreign male group to have a number-one single in Japan.[39] They then released their third Japanese album, T, which debuted at #4 on the Oricon Weekly album chart.[40] TVXQ's label Rhythm Zone, announced the "Trick" project where five singles would be released consecutively for six weeks, from February to March and each single would contain a solo track by a member.[41][42] The group released their twenty-third single, "Beautiful You / Sennen Koi Uta" in April. The single became another number-one for the group and made them the first non-Japanese Asians with two number-one singles since Ou-Yang Fei Fei set the record 24 years before.[43][44] They returned to Korea to participate in the 14th Annual Dream Concert at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul on June 7.[45] On June 12, TVXQ concluded their Asia Tour in Beijing which had begun on February 23, 2007 in Seoul.[35] TVXQ returned to Japan and released their twenty-fourth single, "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?" The single topped the chart, making TVXQ the first foreign artists to have three number-one singles on the Oricon.[46] They performed at Avex's 20th anniversary meeting and at A-Nation '08.[47][48] In August, TVXQ returned to Korea once again to take part in SMTown Live '08. They performed alongside label-mates BoA, Cheon Sang Ji Hee the Grace, Zhang Liyin, Girls' Generation, Shinee and Super Junior.[49]
The group's fourth Korean album, Mirotic, was slated to be released on September 24 but due to the large number of pre-orders was pushed back two days.[50] Like their previous Korean album, Mirotic debuted atop the charts with 307,974 copies sold.[51][52] In early January 2009, the album's sales totaled 502,837 copies, making it the first Korean album in six years to pass the 500,000 mark.[53][54] In October, TVXQ released "Jumon: Mirotic", the Japanese version of Mirotic's title track. The single topped the Oricon chart, breaking the record that the group had set with their previous single.[55][56] TVXQ attended Kōhaku Uta Gassen Music Festival on New Year's Eve, making them the first Korean group to attend.[57]
Their twenty-fifth single "Bolero/Kiss the Baby Sky/Wasurenaide", released in January 2009, became another number-one for the group.[58][59] In March, TVXQ released their twenty-sixth single "Survivor" which debuted at #3 on the charts subsequently ending their number-one streak.[60] "Survivor" was followed by their fourth Japanese album, The Secret Code, which debuted at #2 on the charts.[61] To support the album they embarked on their fourth concert tour, Tohoshinki 4th Live Tour 2009: The Secret Code, which ended at the Tokyo Dome, making them the first Korean group to perform there.[62][63]
On April 22, 2009, they released their twenty-seventh single "Share the World/We Are!". The single debuted atop the charts, extending their Oricon record.[64] Their twenty-eighth single, "Stand by U", was released on July 1, 2009 and debuted at #2 on the charts.
The group's live DVD titled 4th Live Tour 2009 - The Secret Code - Final in Tokyo Dome was released on September 30. According to the 10/12 Oricon DVD Ranking, it sold more than 171,000 copies, their personal best for sales in this category. In addition, this is the first time in twenty years for a non-Japanese Asian artist to get first place in the DVD rankings, exceeding previous foreign artists who have attained this ranking included The Beatle's "The Beatles Anthology (Special Price Edition Edition)" which was released in March 2003 and Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin DVD", which was released in June 2003 and have held that position for foreign artist getting first for 6 years and 3 months since. Also, based on the sale numbers of their DVD, they broke their personal record by pre-selling 107,000 copies. Their previous records include their 3rd Live Tour 2008 - T which was released in August 2008 and was last recorded as having sold 112,000 copies, and All About DBSK Season 3 which sold 66,000 copies so far. This time, their DVD sold more than twice that amount with a total sales of 171,000 copies and broke the record for the highest initial sales for foreign artists.[65]
On January 27, 2010, their twenty-ninth single, "Break Out!" created a new record for the group. The single topped the Oricon selling 256,000 copies in its first week breaking Elton John's record for the highest sales for a foreign artist which lasted for 14 years and 8 months.[66] They also set the record for having the highest first week sales by a foreign artist in Japan.[66][67]
In February, the group was chosen to sing the opening song "With All My Heart -君が踊る、夏-" for the Japanese movie "君が踊る、夏 / Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu", which will hit the screens in September 2010.[68] On March 24, 2010, TVXQ released a new single called "Toki o Tomete".[69]
On April 3, 2010, it was announced by Avex that TVXQ will be ceasing all of their Japanese activities for the time being and will focus on helping each member with their solo activities.[1]
Musical style
TVXQ's musical style consists of many genres such as pop, R&B and dance; they are also known for singing a cappella.[70][71][72]
Lyrics and composition
The majority of the lyrics and composition to TVXQ's songs are done by their staff. On occasion, the members of the group contribute to the writing of the lyrics and composition. On their second Korean album, Rising Sun, Micky, U-Know, and Xiah wrote the rap lyrics to "Love After Love". For the third Korean album, "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap., Micky wrote the English rap lyrics to "Phantom Hwanyeong" and Xiah wrote and composed "Nae Gyeote Sumsiur Su Ittdamyeon (White Lie)" (네 곁에 숨쉴 수 있다면). Their fourth Korean album, Mirotic, saw an increase in the members' participation: Hero wrote and composed Saranga Uljima (Don't Cry My Lover) (사랑아 울지마), Max wrote the Korean lyrics for "Love in the Ice", Micky wrote and composed Sarang Annyeong Sarang (Love Bye Love) (사랑 안녕 사랑), and Xiah wrote Noeur.. Baraboda (Picture of You) (노을..바라보다).[73][74]
For their third Japanese album, T, Micky wrote "Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara" (Kissしたまま、さよなら lit. As We Kiss, Goodbye) and co-composed the song with Hero.[75] Micky also wrote the lyrics for his solo, "My Girlfriend" for the second single in the Trick project, Runaway/My Girlfriend.[76] Xiah composed his solo track, "Rainy Night", for the third single in the Trick project.[77] Hero wrote and co-composed "Wasurenaide" (忘れないで lit. Don't Forget) and Micky wrote and composed "Kiss the Baby Sky", both songs were included on their twenty-fifth single "Bolero/Kiss the Baby Sky/Wasurenaide", as the last two A-sides.[78][79] The songs later appeared on their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code, along with the song, "9095", which was composed by Hero.[80]
Discography
| Korean studio albums
Korean compilation albums | Japanese studio albums
Japanese compilation albums
|
Controversy
Lyrics of Mirotic
In November 2008, the Korean Commission of Youth Protection ruled that Mirotic was detrimental to youths and declared that the lyrics were provocative and overly sexual. As a result, the album was labeled with stickers indicating that it was unsuitable for people under 19 years old and any performances of the song would have to be broadcast after 10 PM.[6][81] In response to the ruling, SM Entertainment agreed to make a clean version but also had filed an injunction to overrule the commission's decision
| “ | We will make a clean version in accordance with the commission’s administrative order, but since we cannot fully accept the ruling, we plan to make a provisional disposition with the relevant court to nullify the administrative order.[6] | ” |
After the Commission of Youth Protection released their statement regarding the ban on the album, SM Entertainment said,
| “ | Even before when the order had been put against Mirotic, we have clearly negotiated and tried to explain the real meaning and explanation of the lyrics, but even after this the results came out unexpectedly and we are bewildered as of this moment. [and] Jumun-Mirotic's lyrical meaning is entirely different and miles away from the erotic or sexual that the association is making it to be.[fn 3][82] | ” |
TVXQ performed the clean version at the 23rd Annual Golden Disk Awards. The lyrics were changed from "I got you" to "I chose you" and "I got you under my skin" to "I got you under my sky."[6]
In March 2009, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of SM Entertainment, stating:
| “ | We acknowledge that the lyrics concerned, including "You want me, you give yourself up to me, you’re crazy about me" and "I got you under my skin," may imply sexual acts, but they did not describe sexual acts or feelings excessively to the level that can stimulate youths' sexual desire... Even though we acknowledge that the young are more sensitive to sexual stimuli and less able to control sexual urges, the lyrics neither encouraged youth to have sex nor described women as object for sex.[83] | ” |
On April 9, 2009, the Commission of Youth Protection announced they would appeal the ruling to a high court after having an emergency meeting and deeming that the phrase, "I got you under my skin", was inappropriate for minors.[84]
Lawsuit against SM Entertainment
In late July 2009, three of the members—Hero, Micky, and Xiah—submitted an application to the Seoul Central District Court to determine the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment.[85][86] Through their lawyers, the members stated that the 13-year contract was excessively long and that the group's earnings were not fairly distributed to the members.[87] Early termination penalty of their contract will cost them 2 times the profit that the group is estimated to earn for rest of the contract period (over ₩11 billion, or around US$9.2 million).[88] The news was enough to cause SM Entertainment's stock price to drop over 10% on the KOSPI.[89]
The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of the three members. They have claimed that the contract was unfair and the members were left out of proper profit distribution.[90] In response, SM Entertainment called a press conference and claimed that the lawsuit a big fraud, stating that the lawsuit was not about unfair contracts or human rights, but a scam motivated by the three members’ greed over their cosmetics business. The three members remained silent except to say through their lawyers that they hoped SM Entertainment would respect the court’s decision.[91]
In response to the lawsuit, 120,000 TVXQ fans filed a petition against SM Entertainment’s long-term contracts to the Seoul District Court.[92] TVXQ's Korean fanclub Cassiopeia, also filed for compensation from SM Entertainment for the cancelled SM Town Live Concert, as both SM and TVXQ initially stated that the concert would go on as planned; the concert was cancelled a week before its scheduled date.[93]
Endorsements
Due to their popularity TVXQ have been sought by various brands to endorse their products. TVXQ has advertised many products on television such as Samsung's Anycall, sportswear Fila, and Oronamin C.[94][95][96] Most of their songs have even been used as theme songs for television shows, commercials and motion pictures[fn 4]; such as One Piece[97][98], Chevrolet[99] and Subaru.[100][101]
Other activities
In 2005, the Los Angeles Tourism Corporation launched the "See My L.A." campaign. TVXQ, along with label-mate BoA, became the spokespeople for the campaign.[102] Since April 2007, TVXQ host their own weekly radio program, TVXQ Bigeastation on the Japan FM Network.[103] On March 28, 2008, TVXQ were chosen as the "Goodwill Ambassador for Asia" by Universal Studios Japan in order to further promote the attractions of the USJ.[104] TVXQ were also chosen to be the new faces for the Lotte duty-free shop, due to their popularity throughout Asia.[2] TVXQ acted on SBS show, Banjun Theater and they had their own television show, Vacation, that ran for four episodes.[105][106]
Awards and achievements
In 2008, TVXQ made it in the Guinness World Records for having the world's largest official fan club. Cassiopeia, the band's official fan club, claimed of having more than 800,000 official members just in South Korea. They also made the Guinness World Records a second time in 2009. Aside from the world's largest fan club, the group was also listed in the world record book as the most photographed celebrity in the world. From the day of their debut to March 19, 2009, the five members are estimated to have been photographed about 500 million times in magazines, albums jackets, and commercials, etc. The total figure includes individual photos as well as group pictures.[107]
Concerts and tours
| Asia tours
| Japan Nationwide tours
|
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