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TVXQ!'s U-Know gets honest with new solo album 'I-KNOW'
U-Know of K-pop act TVXQ! poses during a press conference for his first full-length album “I-KNOW” at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Songpa District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
Twenty-two years into his career, veteran K-pop star U-Know of TVXQ! is stepping into a new chapter with his first full-length solo album, "I-KNOW," released Wednesday.
Led by double title tracks "Stretch" and "Body Language," the album unfolds around the concept of "Fake & Documentary," exploring the duality between U-Know the artist and Jung Yun-ho the man. Across 10 tracks, he contrasts the glossy, image-driven facade of the performer — the "Fake" — with the quieter, more introspective reality behind the spotlight.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul's Songpa District just a few hours ahead of the release, U-Know described "I-KNOW" as his most personal project yet.
"It's literally an album about myself," he said. "If the version people see is U-Know the artist, there's also an unseen side filled with self-reflection and worries. I wanted to embrace both as part of who I am."
The singer shared that he felt ready to reveal a more vulnerable side after over two decades in the industry.
"Fans have always loved my bright and energetic image," he said. "But after all these years, I think I've reached a point where I can talk about my inner struggles and the things behind that image. I can take responsibility for showing that side of me now."
U-Know of K-pop act TVXQ! speaks during a press event for his first full-length album “I-KNOW” at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Songpa District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
"Stretch," one of the two title tracks, is a pop number driven by powerful electronic production and restrained vocals that build tension. The song mirrors the emotional tension of an artist's life and forms a pair with "Body Language," the more performance-driven counterpoint.
"The song is about what artists go through behind the scenes and the courage it takes to stand in the spotlight," U-Know said. "It also expands on the SMP sound that defines SM Entertainment's music identity. And I made sure to choreograph it in a way that fans can enjoy turning into memes."
His mention of memes is no coincidence. Earlier this year, U-Know's 2021 single "Thank U" from his "NOIR" album unexpectedly went viral after a YouTuber's parody video spread across social media, transforming it into a local pop-culture meme. The song's dramatic, noir-inspired visuals and eccentric lyrics resurfaced on listeners' playlists, bringing new attention to his previous work.
"It received way more love than I expected," he said with a laugh. "Even if it started as something silly, I learned to embrace that response. I put a lot of thought into that music video, but now I'm just thankful people found joy in it in their own way."
U-Know of K-pop act TVXQ! poses during a press conference for his first full-length album “I-KNOW” at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Songpa District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Known as K-pop's "passion icon," U-Know said he no longer feels pressured to live up to that title.
"People remember me for my passion, but I'm not always burning with energy like that. I give my all to things I truly love, but I also know when to decline what doesn't fit me. When I do commit, I give it everything. That's what shaped me, not the label itself," he said.
"U-Know has always been loved for his passionate and healthy image. But as Jung Yun-ho, I've rarely shown who I really am. With this album, I wanted to rediscover the pure, youthful part of myself that I might have lost along the way. It's my way of holding on to that sincerity."