When it comes to discussing the history of K-pop, it’s impossible to address the importance of TVXQ! A once-quintet, now-duo whose name means “Gods of the East,” the boy band rose to prominence in the mid-’00s and was insurmountably popular for several years. Hits including “Mirotic,” “‘O’-Jung. Ban.Hap,” “Keep Your Head Down” and “Hug” propelled the group to major heights in South Korea, while the likes of “Purple Line” and “Love in the Ice” helped TVXQ! become the first prominent Korean group to break into the insular Japanese music market, leading the rise of K-pop throughout Asia and the rest of the globe.
After a few years away while fulfilling their mandatory service in South Korea’s military, the twosome returned with their album New Chapter #1: The Chance of Love last month. After a few years out of the spotlight, the act’s ninth LP peaked on the World Albums chart at No. 10, their first album since 2014’s Tense to appear on the chart.
In this exclusive video clip, MAX (Shim Changmin) and U-KNOW (Jung Yunho) discuss what it was like making their return as TVXQ! after being on hiatus, the new album, and why they hope to be thought of as “Disneyland” as they continue on 15 years into their career.