TVXQ – Tong Vfang Xien Qi | Music Asia | Boyband

TVXQ 01

TVXQ (often stylized TVXQ! or TVfXQ), an acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi (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 (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 “Rising Gods From The East”.

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 2009, with the release of their twenty-seventh single, “Share the World/We Are!”, TVXQ extended their record, making them the first foreign artist to have six number-one singles on the Oricon.

Since their debut, TVXQ has become one of the most popular singing groups in East Asia, gaining great popularity in such countries as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and other East Asian regions.

Background

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

In April 2005, TVXQ debuted in Japan under the Avex sub-label Rhythm Zone with the single “Stay with Me Tonight”. 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.. 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. 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.