TVXQ (Tong Vfang Xien Qi) is a five-member Korean boy band specializing in dance, acappella, pop, and acting. The group's name in Japanese is Tohoshinki (THSK), while in Korea they are best known as Dong Bang Shin Ki (DBSK /DBSG). Their name rougly translates to "Rising Gods of the East." TVXQ has enjoyed great popularity and success in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and other East Asian countries. Currently, it is one of the top bands of the Korean Wave (hallyu).

In Japan, they became the first foreign male group to top the weekly Oricon charts. In Thailand, TVXQ was the first Asian group to win two Thailand Music Awards, and had the highest foreign artist sales in the country. According to Oricon Style, TVXQ's popularity rose in Japan by three percent with every single release in 2006 and by five percent with every release in 2007. It was also stated that during 2007, 14.1% of Japanese fans were female while 4.6% were male with age demographics between 10 to 40 years old.


Members
Hero Jaejoong
Stage Name: HERO, Youngwoong Jaejoong
Real Name: Kim Jaejoong/Jejung
Birthdate: January 26, 1986
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 63 kg
Blood Type: O
Position: Countertenor, Main/leading vocals

U-Know Yunho
Stage Name : U-KNOW, U-Know Yunho
Real Name: Jung Yunho
Birthdate: February 6, 1986
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 66 kg
Blood Type: A
Position: Bass Baritone, Leader

Micky Yoochun
Stage Name : MICKY, Micky Yoochun
Real Name: Park Yuchun
Birthdate: June 4, 1986
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 64 kg
Blood Type: O
Position: Bass Baritone

Xiah Junsu
Stage Name : XIAH, Xiah Junsu
Real Name: Kim Junsu
Birthdate: December 15, 1986 (registered January 1, 1987)
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Blood Type: B
Position: Tenor

Max Changmin
Stage Name : MAX, Choikang Changmin
Real Name: Shim Changmin
Birthdate: February 18, 1988
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 61 kg
Blood Type: B
Position: Tenor



Information
Formation
According to SM Entertainment, TVXQ was formed to be the band that would conquer Asia. The five members were chosen via several auditions by the label company SM Entertainment, who brought singers such as BoA, H.O.T, Shinhwa, and SES amoung other top korean artists. The first selected was Kim Junsu for his singing ability. He entered SM at the age of twelve and was trained for almost six years before he debuted as Xiah Junsu. The second member added, who would later become the leader, was Jung Yunho, who later debuted under the name U-Know Yunho. He was chosen for his dancing ability when he won first place in a dance competition. Previously he had rapped as well as done work with Dana. The third member added was Kim Jaejoong, who won first place in a competition for both looks and voice. His nickname Youngwoong, which translates to Hero from Korean, was given to him by a fortune teller. Fourth came the youngest member, Shim Changmin, who was chosen for his vocals. Finally Park Yoochun was added before the group's debut. Yoochun had been living in Chantilly, Virginia in the United States with his family, where he attended high school and went by the name Micky. He was spotted by SM Entertainment in an all-state singing competition, where he won first place.

Biography
TVXQ debuted in Korea on December 26th, 2003 during a BoA performance in tribute to Britney Spears. They quickly found themselves at #1 on the Korean Charts with the single "HUG" after which they released their first album TRI-ANGLE. Their fanclub "Cassiopeia" was born, named after the constellation of five stars, matching the letters "TVfXQ" when typed on keyboard.

Since debut, the band has performed all over Asia, specifically China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan and has gained much recognition. In South Korea, their albums have consistently sold well with their last 3rd album ("O" Union) being the highest selling Korean album in 2006 and winning the group many awards. Due to the familiarity of the group in other East Asian countries, they have also been invited to do several commericals outside of Korea. TVXQ released singles in China, with parts of the songs redone in Chinese however they have been more focused on their Japanese career as of late. Recently their Japanese singles have seen been a commercial success with "Purple Line" single hitting #1 on weekly Oricon charts on January.

After sweeping major awards in South Korea, TVXQ worked in Japan for a year to gain a stronger foothold in the Japanese music industry. They released their 2nd Japanese album, Five in the Black and had consecutive monthly releases of singles from March till December. Many of their singles placed on Oricon's top three on their debut.

"Summer Dream" became TVXQ's most successful Japanese summer single in 2007, debuting as #1 and with sales of 112,771 copies in a week. Their single "SHINE / Ride On" debuted at #2 on the Oricon daily charts in October. Japanese singer Koda Kumi collaborated with TVXQ for her upbeat 38th single "Last Angel" in November, which ranked #3 on debut. In the same month, their 14th Japanese single "FOREVER LOVE" also debuted at #3. In December, the title song single "Together" for the "Cinnamon" animation movie debuted at #2.

In early April, the members began hosting a weekly radio program called "TVXQ Bigeastation" on Japan FM Network channel, aired on seven local FM stations. The group represented Korea on MTV's Video Music Awards Japan and won the 'Best Buzz Asia in Korea' award on May 26th, 2007. They were also invited to many prominent Japanese talk and music shows such as Hey!Hey!Hey! and Utaban during their stay.

Despite the prolonged absence from South Korea, TVXQ has been able to maintain their popularity in their homeland. During a virtual presidential election by MTV Korea, the group was voted as the "President of the Republic of Korean Music" among thirty other candidates by netizens. They were also appointed as the Korea's e-government ambassadors by the South Korean government. In Thailand, TVXQ had the highest foreign artists sales of 114,027 for 2007, while their single " SHINE" was #1 of the Top 10 of No.1 on Year Chart 2007 charts by Channel V Thailand.

TVXQ started off 2008 year with their 16th single "Purple Line", by the Korean composer of TVXQ's hits "Rising Sun" and ""O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.", being released both in Japan and South Korea. "Purple Line" topped the Oricon Weekly Chart becoming the group's first #1 on the weekly charts in Japan. The group released their third Japanese album, entitled T which contained songs from their past singles. As an exclusive extra, TVXQ added "Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara" which was composed and written by the members Micky Yoochun and Hero Jaejoong, and their own version of "LAST ANGEL". T debuted in Oricon charts as #2 and entered the Top 20 of the United World Chart at #19.
[edit]Last edit by luffa on Saturday 26 Apr, 2008 at 22:50 -98.5%[/edit][edit]Last edit by luffa on Saturday 26 Apr, 2008 at 22:44 -90%[/edit][edit]Last edit by luffa on Monday 21 Apr, 2008 at 06:31 +1.1%[/edit][edit]Last edit by luffa on Monday 21 Apr, 2008 at 06:28 +58.9%[/edit][edit]Last edit by luffa on Sunday 20 Apr, 2008 at 09:14 +2.4% Reason: small corrections with text[/edit]