The group TVXQ! (SME) marked its 22nd debut anniversary today (26th).
Debuting on Dec. 26, 2003, TVXQ! has long established itself as a representative K-pop artist and in 2025 continues to solidify its presence by producing meaningful achievements. From astonishing records in the Japanese concert market to Yunho and Max Changmin's solo activities that showcased each member's abilities, we look back at the activities that brightened this year in celebration of their 22nd debut anniversary.
# TVXQ!_TVXQ!'s unique "class" proven by records and achievements
To commemorate their 20th anniversary in Japan this year, TVXQ! successfully held a nationwide live tour in Japan, "TOHOSHINKI 20th Anniversary LIVE TOUR ~ZONE~" (TVXQ! 20th anniversary live tour ~zone~), demonstrating their unwavering strength. In particular, through this tour they drew a total audience of 350,000 and, with the Tokyo Dome performance that closed the tour, achieved the unprecedented record of "33 Tokyo Dome performances and 92 nationwide dome performances," renewing the record for "the most Tokyo Dome and nationwide dome performances ever by an overseas artist" and solidifying their unrivaled position in the Japanese concert market.
Also, TVXQ! received the presidential citation at the "16th Korea culture and arts awards" in recognition of their contribution to the spread of the Korean Wave, reaffirming that they are a representative group that has elevated K-pop's status in the global music market over more than 20 years.
# Yunho_Yunho's "true value" shown in both music and acting
Yunho showed a markedly expanded spectrum as both a solo artist and an actor. His first full-length album released on Nov. 5, "I-KNOW," sincerely captures the process of understanding and growing the "self" as an artist and as a person; songs that express a single theme from the two perspectives of "fake" and "docu" are paired lyrically, presenting Yunho's multilayered musical world more three-dimensionally. Yunho also presented projects that expanded the experience of listening to music into an experience through listening sessions and exhibitions, drawing deep sympathy from global music fans.
He also gave a powerful performance as Mokpo gangster "Beolgeu" in Disney+'s original series "Pine: The Country Bumpkins," showing striking presence through vivid character expression and playful dialect acting, which generated explosive reactions. As proof of this fervent popularity, "Pine: The Country Bumpkins" entered No. 9 on FlixPatrol, a global OTT platform ranking site, in the worldwide TV shows on Disney+ category, and held the No. 1 spot in the overall Korean content ranking for 18 consecutive days, demonstrating Chung Yun-ho's influence as an actor.
# Max Changmin_an "all-rounder artist" active on and off stage
Max Changmin firmly established his presence as an "all-rounder artist" this year through diverse activities spanning music, broadcasting and content. His first solo Japan tour since debut, "CHANGMIN from TVXQ! CONCERT TOUR ～The First Dining～" achieved the feat of selling out all seats across 20 performances in eight cities, proving astonishing ticket power, and through the release of a new Japanese single he demonstrated solid vocal skills and genre versatility, continuing his growth as a solo artist.
In addition to active musical activities, Max Changmin charms fans with a friendly appeal across broadcasting and YouTube in various fields such as exercise and food, and in his recent YouTube content "Deokbabjip" he completes warm chemistry with junior artists through stable hosting and witty banter, earning broad love across generations.
Thus, still proving themselves a "current" legend artist in 2025, TVXQ! is preparing to write another new chapter with a third Nissan Stadium performance scheduled for Apr. 25-26 next year. With the unprecedented record of being the "first and most" Nissan Stadium performances by an overseas artist ahead of them, all eyes are on TVXQ!'s blockbuster moves that will continue into 2026.
[Photo] Provided by SM Entertainment.
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