[SHOWCASE] TVXQ's U-Know Yunho creates a 'Reality Show' with latest EP

It’s “Joker” mashed with “Black Mirror” in one metaverse game for TVXQ singer U-Know Yunho’s latest EP “Reality Show,” an artistry embodying K-pop's entertainment-meets-technology spirit and pulled off by a veteran “idol” filled with passion for ...

U-Know Yunho of boy band TVXQ poses for photos during a press conference held Monday at Megabox COEX branch in southern Seoul for his latest EP "Reality Show." [NEWS1]

It’s “Joker” mashed with “Black Mirror” in one metaverse game for TVXQ singer U-Know Yunho’s latest EP “Reality Show,” an artistry embodying K-pop's entertainment-meets-technology spirit and pulled off by a veteran “idol” filled with passion for change.

U-Know Yunho, whose real name is Jung Yun-ho, dropped his third EP “Reality Show” on Monday at 6 p.m. It is his first new solo music in two years and comes seven months after his second EP, "Noir," was released in January 2021.

For his long-awaited comeback, the singer produced a 14-minute short film titled “Nexus” featuring all tracks from his six-track EP — including fast-tempo swing lead track “Vuja De” and five other tracks of diverse genres.

In addition to the music video for the lead track, “Nexus” includes bits and pieces from each of the six songs as background music for a well-executed sci-fi film centering on the question of what it means to be a human in the face of overwhelming technology that provides a haven from the harsh realities of life.

“I’ve been planning this metaverse world idea for over four years now, ever since I finished my military duty [in 2017],” Yunho told reporters in a press conference held on Monday at Megabox COEX branch in southern Seoul. The event was held at a theater to premier his film in the most immersive environment possible, according to the singer.

“The whole idea is about how you can be anything in the virtual world. We all live very tough lives in the real world but I wanted to discuss the ‘déjà vu’ we have in our lives and twist it. So instead of a déjà vu where you feel like you have seen something already, you see something you already know, but you suddenly feel estranged from it in ‘Vuja De.’”

An image from short film "Nexus," created for U-Know Yunho's third EP "Reality Show" [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

In the short film, Yunho turns into Noah, a loner who seeks comfort in a metaverse game designed by artificial intelligence (AI) Sarah, becomes too intelligent and starts questioning the meaning of humanity.

A resemblance to popular works such as “Joker” and Netflix original series “Black Mirror” is evident in between the scenes — when Noah suddenly frantically dances after defeating his enemy in a bloody combat or when Noah suddenly pauses the scene due to a disturbance from the real world — maintaining a clever connection to the real world with its visuals.

Another homage paid to an existing figure is “Tarantino,” the third track from the album taken from the name of American film director Quentin Tarantino, who is well-known globally for his unique techniques and writing.

“The album is all about story-telling,” Yunho said. “Each track tells a story and another bigger story sums it up if you listen to all the tracks in the order they are in the album. They differ according to how you interpret each message so I wanted to put a fun twist in the whole experience.”

U-Know Yunho of boy band TVXQ explains the ideas behind his new album "Reality Show" in a press conference held Monday at Megabox COEX branch in southern Seoul. [YONHAP]

The album's title, “Reality Show,” was derived from the notes he took in his journal in his free time, according to the singer. Having been a part of the entertainment scene for 19 years now, Yunho is known as “the passionate one” even in an industry where everyone goes the extra mile to reach the top.

Yunho debuted as a member of boy band TVXQ in 2004. The quintet was the biggest boy band in the 2000s as well as the most successful K-pop band at the time and is widely seen to have conquered the wider Asian market for the first time.

“I’ve been a part of so many performances over the years,” he said. “For me, a performance could be just ‘one of the many.’ But to the audience, they’re there just for that one night. So I wanted to think about what it means to watch a show from a viewer's perspective and put that into a story for this album. All the tracks follow a story that I’ve accumulated in my journal.”

Members Max Changmin, left, and U-Know Yunho of boy band TVXQ performing during an online concert in January 2021 [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

TVXQ saw great success over the years with hits including “Hug” (2004), “Rising Sun” (2005) and "Mirotic" (2008). Things took an unfortunate turn for TVXQ in 2009 when three members quit and left only two — Yunho and Max Changmin — in the band, but the duo has been unwavering in related activities despite the loss with songs including "Something" (2014), "Spellbound" (2014) and "The Chance of Love" landing high up on music charts.

The band will celebrate its 20th anniversary in January 2024.

“I call the fans my closest friends,” Yuno said, referring to the band’s fan club Cassiopeia.

“We’ve been through so much, right? But for them to stick with us through all of that means so much to us. I consider them the band's third member. It’s cliché, but all I can say is thank you. I know that’s not enough. But I know that this band is the result of everyone’s work — their work. The name TVXQ does not have the glitz and galore of the past, but I am happy to see all the great newcomers on the scene and fans still coming to our concerts.”

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]