TVXQ looks back on two decades and the next to come with 9th LP

TVXQ introduces its ninth LP "20&2" during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. (SM Entertainment)

As it celebrates two decades in the music business, TVXQ said Tuesday it hopes to slowly but steadily continue its journey as K-pop artists for many years to come.

“We’ve run forward like wild horses during the past 20 years. For the next 20 years, we hope to work slowly but continuously," said Yunho of TVXQ during a press conference in Seoul.

"Looking at other artists who have been in the industry longer than us, I learned that we’ve also got to make new attempts instead of relying on our current status or fame.”

The K-pop legend marked its 20th anniversary this year with the release of its ninth studio album “20&2."

TVXQ debuted as a quintet in December 2003 with its debut single, “Hug,” and garnered the biggest fandom among the so-called "second-generation" K-pop acts -- those launched in the early 2000s to mid 2010s -- thanks to its numerous hits.

The group wrote many firsts in K-pop history, from becoming the first Korean group to top the Japanese major music chart Oricon’s Weekly to holding the first-ever K-pop standalone concert at Tokyo dome back in 2009.

In 2010, three members left the group to form a separate trio, JYJ.

Changmin and Yunho have continued the team as a duo.

“This album comes for the first time in five years. In this album, we look back at our 20 years and contemplate how we plan to continue our journey as TVXQ. We’ve also got diverse content prepared for our fans to enjoy that will be soon unveiled,” Yunho said.

Not only has the duo released an album but also prepared a two-day concert in Seoul to be held on Dec. 30-31 to celebrate their milestone with their fans.

“Our fans who used to be young girls back then when we made our debut are now all grown up. We hope to stir up nostalgia through our concert as we have prepared a setlist filled with our old songs,” said Changmin.

The new album is led by the title track “Rebel” which is of the pop dance genre.

“The single carries the message that we will not remain the same and dull, but instead, fight forward to continue making new accomplishments. The performance of this single is powerful and energetic, as we wanted this single to highlight our performance skills,” he added.

The duo says that performing on stage is what makes their hearts pound with passion, even these days.

“We always give our everything when performing in front of our fans because they love and support our passion,” said Changmin.

Yunho compared the group to wine that has matured over the years.

“Due to all these years that we’ve been through, we have become flavorful and splendid. I think that we shine brighter on stage today than before,” said Yunho.

Both Yunho and Changmin reiterated how their fans are the biggest driving force that kept the group intact and going this far.

“There are a lot of people including our staff that have helped us along the way, but it was our fans that helped us stand strong. Because of their love, we can do whatever we are doing, to stand and perform on a stage. I will do my best to not disappoint them and continue showing good work,” said Changmin.

“I think touching one’s emotions is harder than leaving one in awe. We want to be artists that touch people’s emotions through our stages,” said Yunho.

By Hong Yoo(yoohong@heraldcorp.com)