Art & Culture 26 Dec 2024

TVXQ!’s 10 Most Underrated Tracks

Ten hidden gems from the K-pop legends’ discography

by Wing Hei Woo

Also known as the Rising Gods of the East, TVXQ! originally debuted as a five-piece Korean boy band on December 26, 2003. Returning after a hiatus with only U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin as its members, TVXQ! has since captivated audiences worldwide, becoming the first foreign artists to sell out the Nissan Stadium three days in a row and attracting one million concertgoers to their Japan tour. With a catalogue of diverse tracks spanning genres such as dance-pop, rap, rock and ballads, the duo continues to prove their versatility and their legendary status in the K-pop realm. Whether this is your first introduction to TVXQ! or a repeat outing with their music, you’ll definitely find a new favourite among this collection.

Getaway

Kicking off our list is 2012’s “Getaway”, a powerful rap-rock anthem showcasing the duo’s vocal versatility, from Yunho’s low, charismatic chants to Changmin’s soaring melodies and signature high notes towards the end of the song. Both sing with a fittingly aggressive tone in this track, deviating from their calmer tracks and making for a refreshing listen.

Crazy Love

From TVXQ!’s hit album “Mirotic”, which spawned arguably their most famous single of the same name, is their B-side “Crazy Love”. This track brings a lighter, disco-pop vibe to what is an all-rounded, diverse album with some hard-hitting songs. It’s upbeat, melodic and danceable with its retro beats and fun ad-libs to boot.

Force

“Force” creates a sci-fi, action thriller-esque soundworld, with electronic synthesised effects and an ominous yet powerful drumbeat which echoes the sound of marching footsteps. It’s one of TVXQ!’s Japanese tracks and audible proof that they’ve brought innovative musical sounds and styles to J-pop on top of their successful career in Korea.

LOVE is…

Interestingly, this track is one of four songs with “love” in its title from TVXQ!’s “Rising Sun” (2005) album. It’s simple but lyrical and romantic, emblematic of early 2000s K-pop melodicism. Packed with charm from start to finish, “LOVE is…” narrates the anxieties of young love with Yunho singing: “I come up with something cool to say every day, rewriting my text messages, and waiting for your reply”.

Tri-Angle

Arguably TVXQ!’s most underrated title track of all time, “Tri-Angle” combines symphonic elements – it’s based on Mozart’s Symphony no. 40 – with dance-pop and rock. Featuring fellow SM Entertainment stars BoA and TRAX, who bring episodes of angelic vocals, heavy rock and growls, “Tri-Angle” is more abstract and conceptual than a standard pop song. The music video is a feast for the eyes, with the members’ edgy styling and gothic-punk hair and makeup.

Dream

This bubbly pop-rock song from the “Catch Me” album may have bittersweet lyrics about a lover’s ambiguous feelings towards the narrator, but it’s an uplifting track nevertheless, with its fun guitars and a rock band accompaniment alongside the excitement of Yunho and Changmin’s wide-ranging vocals. “Dream” seemingly fuses the best of K-pop love songs with J-pop’s melodicism, making it an exciting fusion between Asian popular genres.

You Only Love

This heartfelt ballad is sure to make you melt with its warm vocals and acapella-style harmonies—a TVXQ! hallmark that helped propel the group to international fame through songs such as “Whatever They Say” and the acapella version of their debut track “Hug”. “You Only Love” is simple with no frills, featuring the group’s voices accompanied by the piano and finger clicks, creating a sweet, romantic atmosphere.

Life’s A Dance

Jazz and pop universes collide in this track, which recently made its debut in TVXQ!’s 20th anniversary studio album “20&2”. The saxophones in the backing track are reminiscent of fun-filled big band music, while lyrics like “We’re losing control; we’re forgetting everything tonight” encourage the listener to let go of their worries and enjoy the moment. Yunho and Changmin’s playful on-stage choreography add another dimension to the lively atmosphere created by this uptempo song.

Dangerous Mind

“Dangerous Mind” isn’t your typical love song, approaching the topic from a bitter perspective, debating on morals and forgiveness. It’s a powerful dance-pop song with no shortage of impressive harmonies coming from the backing vocals. In typical TVXQ! fashion, this song manages to integrate rock-inspired sounds into its dance break, demonstrating their signature cross-genre style.

Heart, Mind and Soul

Hailing from TVXQ!’s debut Japanese album of the same name, “Heart, Mind and Soul” is a warm ballad. The highlight of the song is the transition into the final rendition of the chorus, which puts the group’s signature harmonies on display yet again. It’s proof that TVXQ!’s songs don’t always have to showcase vocal prowess in the form of high notes, or have exceedingly complex instrumentals to still be classified as masterpieces.