Get to Know TVXQ
TVXQ is a South Korean pop duo consisting of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin. TVXQ are known as Tohoshinki (東方神起, Tōhōshinki) in Japanese releases, and are sometimes referred to as DBSK, an abbreviation of their Korean name Dong Bang Shin Ki (Korean: 동방신기). Their name roughly translates to “Rising Gods of the East.” TVXQ began as a five-member boy band composed of members U-Know Yunho, Max Changmin, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu. They were formed under SM Entertainment back in 2003. TVXQ raised to popularity with their hit songs, such as “Tri-Angle,” “Rising Sun,” “Mirotic,” and many more. Unfortunately, in 2009 members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment and left the group, they have since gone on to form JYJ and have solo careers.
Not only they rose to popularity in Korea, but they also entered the Japanese market with their first Japanese album Heart, Mind and Soul (2006), which, unfortunately, met limited success under AVEX. TVXQ started 2012 with their comeback Japanese solo tour, the Tone tour, in January 2012. Tickets were sold out in a few minutes. Spanning a total of twenty-six shows in nine cities, the Tone Tour reached an audience of 550,000, more than twice the audience count of their 2009 Japanese tour, The Secret Code. TVXQ also became the third foreign artist, after Michael Jackson and the Backstreet Boys, to perform at the Tokyo Dome for three consecutive days, attracting crowds of over 165,000.
Let’s take a look at the Top 5 TVXQ Japanese songs you should know and give a listen. Stay tuned and keep scrolling down.
Bolero
“Bolero” (忘れないで, Borero) is Tohoshinki’s 25th Japanese single, released on January 21st, 2009. TVXQ are known as Tohoshinki (東方神起, Tōhōshinki) in Japanese releases. “Bolero” was the theme song for the Japanese movie Subaru (昴). The movie is named after the ballerina lead named Subaru and was released on March 20th, 2009. Tohoshinki made their screen debut in Subaru. The members of Tohoshinki appeared in one scene in which Meisa Kuroki’s character visited a bar; where they performed on a stage during the scene. The single was announced to receive Platinum Disc Certificate by Japan Association of Records on February 10th, 2009, for reaching 101,861 in sales.
Lyrics of “Bolero”:
The reason you’re yourself
Is because you fly freely
In search of an answer
That nobody knows
Play a bolero
Lovingly, fleetingly, on your toes
Let even your sadness rise up
You’ll find a place where you can be healed
Music Video
Why Did I Fall In Love With You
“Why Did I Fall In Love With You” was released on July 16th, 2008. “Why Did I Fall In Love With You” (in Japanese: Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō? (どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう？, lit. Why Did I Have to End Up Falling Completely in Love with You?) is Tōhōshinki’s 23rd Japanese single. The song was written by Lambsey and composed by Fredrik “Fredro” Odesjo, Sylvia Bennett-Smith, Mats Berntoft. “Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?” successfully attained the number one position with weekly sales of 68,417 copies.
Two music videos were created, one featuring TVXQ group members while the other features a story. The drama version was released on June 24th, 2008. According to management, the drama version was made especially for viewers who were not necessarily fans of the group and wanted to simply appreciate the song and its meaning. The drama version features Mina Fujii and Kouki Murakami. Kouki’s character falls in love with Mina’s character, but she gets married before he could confess his feelings.
Lyrics of “Why Did I Fall In Love With You”:
Wherever we would go, it would be together
It was so natural for you to be with me
We became adults together
But you chose a different road
Why did I end up falling for you?
No matter how much time has passed,
I thought that you would always be here (but not anymore)
Music Video
Survivor
“Survivor” is Tohoshinki’s twenty-sixth Japanese single. The single was released on March 11th, 2009 and peaked at number three on the Oricon Singles Chart. It is composed by Iain James, Robert Habolin, and Adam Powers and produced by Habolin.
Lyrics of “Survivor”:
Everyone is a Survivor
Survivors go together
Smile and dream now
Everybody Everybody now
In your heart, one smile
If I find it, it’ll shine on me
Two smiles, if we join them they will shine on you
Just as the world will shine
Smile! Smile!
We’ll come through, everybody’s a survivor
Music Video
Stand By U
“Stand by U” is South Korean pop group Tohoshinki’s twenty-eighth Japanese language single. “Stand by U” was released on July 1st, 2009, by their label Rhythm Zone and was released in two formats: CD and CD+DVD. The track serves as the final single promoted by the group as a five-piece, following which legal troubles caused the group to go on an extended hiatus. “Stand By U” was written by Shinjiroh Inoue and H.u.b., composed by Uta and Reo.
Two music videos were shot for “Stand by U”: drama version and version with Tohoshinki’s members. Both videos were shot by Hideaki Sunaga (須永秀明, Sunaga Hideaki) and the video features the members in a hotel. As the song was used as the theme song for the Japanese mobile drama Sweet Room, the music video features the characters of the first story Last Love starring Narimiya Hiroki as the male lead and Yukari Shiomi as the female lead.
Lyrics of “Stand By U”:
Where are you now?
Who are you with?
What kind of clothes are you wearing?
What are you doing and laughing at?
I am right here.
Even now, I am right here.
And I still believe that we will see each other again.
Music Video
Taxi
“TAXI” is a J-Pop song released by Tohoshinki and included in their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code as track #9. “Taxi” was written by Shinjiroh Inoue and composed by Nao Tanaka, Jan Kask, Luciano Peirone, and Peter Mansson. The album debuted at number-one on the J-Pop and Combo charts.
Lyrics of “Taxi”:
I want to hold you, I want to stay holding you
But you’re not mine
Now my distorted heart…
I want to hold you, I’m not allowed to hold you
Though I want you so much it’s overflowing, I’m melting
You hail a taxi and wave to me
Without making any promises…
Your voice and your slim shoulders
And your eyes aren’t mine
No matter how much time I spend by your side…
Unless I destroy your future
I can’t make this love a reality
A temporary dream, though I love you so much it hurts
The night is ending…
Music Video
