|
TVXQ, an acronym for Tong Fang Xien Qi, are a South Korean pop duo comprising U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin. They are known as Tohoshinki in Japanese releases, and are sometimes referred to as DBSK, an initialization of their Korean name Dong Bang Shin Ki. Their name translates to "Rising Gods of the East".
Formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2003, TVXQ originally debuted as a five-member boy band consisting of leader U-Know Yunho, Max Changmin, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu. They were immediately launched to mainstream recognition following the release of their first single "Hug", which debuted at number four on MIAK's monthly music chart. Their first studio albums Tri-Angle and Rising Sun were both commercially successful, pushing the band's popularity beyond Korea. Under Rhythm Zone, a record label in the Avex Records Group, TVXQ entered the Japanese-language market in April 2005 with their debut single "Stay with Me Tonight", but their first Japanese album Heart, Mind and Soul was met with limited success.
TVXQ rose to international prominence in the late 2000s, after the group achieved critical acclaim in the Korean music industry with their best-selling albums "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. and Mirotic, both which won the Golden Disk Award for Album of the Year. The latter's lead single "Mirotic" was also touted by international music critics as a staple song of K-pop. Their third Japanese album T was similarly successful, and its lead-up single "Purple Line" became the first single released by a foreign band to top Japan's weekly Oricon Singles Chart. TVXQ's success in Japan was solidified with their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code, which produced four chart-topping singles. With its accompanying The Secret Code Tour, TVXQ became the first Korean music group to perform at the Tokyo Dome.
|
