A duo since 2009, more than twenty years of hits and record crowds in Japan, from Tokyo Dome to Nissan Stadium. Here is what a new Cassiopeia needs to know.
23years on 26 December 2026 · in 67 days
Quick answers
When did TVXQ debut?
On 26 December 2003, as a five-member group under SM Entertainment, with the single "Hug".
How many members does TVXQ have?
Two: U-Know Yunho (leader) and Max Changmin. The group debuted with five members; three left in 2009.
What is the TVXQ fandom called?
Cassiopeia, the name of the official fan club.
What does TVXQ mean?
It stands for Dong Bang Shin Ki, "the Rising Gods of the East". DBSK is the short form; in Japan the group is called Tohoshinki.
How many Tokyo Dome shows has TVXQ played?
33, and 92 dome shows across Japan, more than any other foreign artist.
The story so far
Debut as a five-member group with the single "Hug".
Second album Rising Sun.
Fourth album Mirotic.
Three members leave. U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin carry on as a duo.
First album as a duo, Keep Your Head Down.
Ninth album 20&2 with "Rebel", on their 20th debut anniversary.
The 20th anniversary Japan tour Zone draws about 350,000 people; the group reaches 33 Tokyo Dome shows.
Presidential Commendation at the 16th Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Awards.
U-Know Yunho releases his first full-length solo album, I-Know.
Two shows at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama draw about 130,000 fans.
Start with these 5 songs
HugThe debut single that introduced the group.2004
Rising SunTitle track of the second album and one of their best-known hits.2005
MiroticTitle track of the fourth album and a signature hit.2008
Keep Your Head DownTitle track of their first album as a duo.2011
RebelLead single of the 20th anniversary album 20&2.2023
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In the Fan Chart
The Fan Chart on The Crowd adds up every fan's top 10. Here is where TVXQ stands.
Released his first full-length solo album, I-Know, on 5 November 2025.
Max Changmin
심창민
Name
Shim Chang-min
Born
18 February 1988
Role
Youngest member
His first solo tour of Japan, The First Dining, sold out 20 shows.
Five-member era
HugSingle · title track "Hug"
Tri-AngleAlbum · title track "Tri-Angle"
Rising SunAlbum · title track "Rising Sun"
"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.Album · title track ""O"-Jung.Ban.Hap."
MiroticAlbum · title track "Mirotic"
As a duo
Keep Your Head DownAlbum · title track "Keep Your Head Down"
Catch MeAlbum · title track "Catch Me"
HumanoidsRepackage · title track "Humanoids"
TenseAlbum · title track "Something"
SpellboundRepackage · title track "Spellbound"
Rise As GodSpecial album · title track "Champagne, Rise As One"
New Chapter #1: The Chance of LoveAlbum · title track "The Chance of Love"
New Chapter #2: The Truth of LoveSpecial album · title track "Truth"
20&2Album · title track "Rebel"
Dates follow Apple Music. In Japan the group has released music as Tohoshinki since April 2005, including the 15th anniversary album XV (2019) and the 20th anniversary album ZONE (2024). XV gave them the most No. 1 albums on the Oricon weekly chart of any international artist.
Fandom nameCassiopeia
The name of TVXQ's official fan club.
Lightstick
Official lightstick: a red star, introduced in April 2018.
Official color
Pearl red.
Debut anniversary
26 December
Name meaning
Dong Bang Shin Ki: "the Rising Gods of the East".
Watch first
DeokbapjipYouTubeChangmin's own series, with younger artists as guests.
Fine: BumpkinsDisney+Drama with U-Know Yunho as Beolgu.
Did you know
"Promise" on 20&2 is dedicated to Cassiopeia; Changmin wrote the lyrics.
20&2 holds a solo song by each member: "Fix It" by U-Know Yunho and "Take My Breath Away" by Max Changmin.
For the 20th anniversary they held an exhibition on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, from December 2023 to January 2024.
Tokyo Dome33 shows at Tokyo Dome and 92 dome shows in Japan, more than any other foreign artist.
Zone tourAbout 350,000 people at the 20th anniversary Japan tour.
Nissan StadiumFirst and most frequent overseas act at Japan's largest stadium: 2013, 2018 and April 2026.
One millionFirst international artist to draw one million people to a single tour in Japan (2017).
State honourPresidential Commendation, 16th Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Awards (2025).
20 yearsNinth album 20&2 released on the 20th debut anniversary.
Tours
20&2 year-end concertsInspire Arena, Incheon, 30 and 31 December.
20th Anniversary Live Tour ZoneJapan, about 350,000 people.
20th Anniversary Live in Nissan Stadium: Red OceanYokohama, 25 and 26 April 2026, about 130,000 fans.
Know your TVXQ?Six K-pop questions a day in the Daily, and a collectible card for every finished set.