TVXQ returns with solo tracks

K-pop duo TVXQ’s members Max Changmin, left, and U-know Yunho pose during their first Asia Press Tour event at The Shilla Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

K-pop duo to hold concerts in Korea, Japan

By Kim Jae-heun

S.M. Entertainment’s popular K-pop duo TVXQ announced their first Asia Press Tour at a press conference in Seoul, Monday, and revealed their upcoming solo singles due out next month.

The band debuted as a five-member act in 2003, but three members left the group, leaving U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin as a duo.

This is their first official scheduled event together in two years after U-Know Yunho was discharged from the army in April and Max Changmin last Friday.

The two will release new solo albums in the last week of September, which they have named “TVXQ Week.” During the week, U-Know Yunho will release “Drop” on Sept. 25 and Max Changmin will introduce his solo album on Sept. 29. U-Know Yunho has already showcased his new song during the sixth SMTOWN LIVE world tour concert in Seoul on July 8. Max Changmin will release his new track through S.M. Entertainment’s online music platform SM Station.

“We are happy to be back,” Max Changmin said during a press conference at The Shilla Seoul. “We promised our fans we would return in fit form and we are glad we kept that promise. Above all, we are happy to stand in front of the public as TVXQ again.”

“We had several turning points in our careers and we are facing another one today. We will satisfy our fans with quality and quantity,” U-Know Yunho said.

Kicking off their Asia Press Tour in Seoul Monday morning, TVXQ held their second media conference Monday evening in Tokyo, and will hold the third one Tuesday in Hong Kong.

The duo will also kick off their concert tour in Asia, beginning with “TVXQ! Special Comeback Live _ YouR PresenT” two-day event in Seoul, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Five Japanese cities including Osaka, Tokyo and Fukuoka are also on tap.

“We have prepared a special event for September’s concert. We will sing the songs many of our fans have long waited to listen to and talk with them as we were gone for two years in the army,” Max Changmin said.

The singer said his time in the military taught him to value his family, friends and fans.

As the two members have now entered their 30s, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin promised to pay closer attention to their every word and action. But they assured fans it doesn’t mean changing their powerful stage performance.

“We both have reached our 30s and children in our neighborhood recognize us as only tall uncles. They don’t know us. But we are not disappointed. We think we hit an age where we have to behave,” Max Changmin said.

“The difference between us in our 20s and 30s is that we were full of passion and ambition. We were always trying something new. Of course, we have not lost our passion, but we want to focus on family now. If we’ve asked our fans to wait for us before, we will reach out to them now,” U-Know Yunho said.

The duo also mentioned their new album scheduled for early next year. The singers said it is taking some time as they want their next collaborative album to be well-prepared.

“I know many fans are waiting for TVXQ’s new songs. We don’t want to disappoint them and we want to return with our best songs. It will be out probably in early months of next year. Please wait,” Max Changmin said.