Episode 62: The Rise and Fall and Rebirth of TVXQ Part 4—Salute, Mi Familia (2009-2012)

This is the fourth part in an episode series on the rise and fall and rebirth of TVXQ aka 東方神起 aka 동방신기. I touched on the group in my history series—which you may want to listen to first if you haven’t—but the circumstances surrounding the group’s almost disbandment and multitude of legal problems which began in 2009 and lasted for years afterwards are still contentious with fans (and anti-fans) to this day and their story really deserved proper time and attention paid to it.

I tried my best to remain as neutral as possible throughout this story and where a single narrative wasn’t possible I attempted to steel man all sides of the argument. Listeners can make up their own minds about the heroes and villains of this story.

The first episode is available here and covers the founding of S.M. Entertainment and some of the circumstances that led up to the creation of TVXQ.

Part 2 takes a look at the critical years 2003-2005 and the circumstances that led S.M. Entertainment to pivot their new boy group TVXQ to the Japanese market.

Part 3 looks at their rise to the top of Japan’s boy group market (as well as to the top of the newly forming “K-Pop” market) culminating in a performance at the prestigious national New Year’s Eve concert 紅白歌合戦 (Kouhaku Utagassen) on December 31, 2008, only one of four boy groups invited to perform.

Part 4 follows the aftermath of the legal proceedings begun by Jaejoong, Junsu, and Yoochun on July 31, 2009.

There was a lot of fan documentation of the legal proceedings as they happened, for which I am very grateful. Some sources that interested K-Pop fans can check out are The Truth About TVXQ (pro-Changmin/Yunho), The JYJ Files (pro-JYJ), TVXQ Lawsuit (neutral collection of articles), the hard work of the members of Tohosomnia, Japanese Jaejoong fan Jaereeds was also a great source, and just the many, many fans who contributed to the discussions at places like Soompi and Omonatheydidn’t over the years.

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I came into this project as a very casual fan of TVXQ as a duo and emerged months later with a real appreciation and fondness for OT5 TVXQ, as well as JYJ as a group. Today it feels like the S.M. narrative of JYJ as greedy and ungrateful has won out among K-Pop fans, generally, so I hope that if nothing else, these episodes gave a little more context to their legal battles. In my opinion, the story of “What kind of expenses were there to make that much money vanish?” is ultimately at the bottom of this story. The lawsuit unleashed a giant mess and I don’t blame Yunho and Changmin for not wanting any part of the drama but if nothing else, JYJ dragged some of S.M. (and the K-Pop industry’s) shadier practices into public court documents and for that we should all be thankful to them.

S.R.D. (Song, Rap, Dance) the “youngest idol group ever” feat. Junsu and Super Junior’s Eunhyuk

Sungkyunkwan Scandal, an extremely circa 2010 drama is available on Viki.

Cassies singing “Balloons” at the 2010 Dream Concert… where TVXQ was not appearing.

Some articles of interest—hungry NCAA athletes, the UCF football player who lost everything, Super Junior Hankyung’s lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment, the EXO member’s recent fight with S.M., the audio leaks of JYJ swearing at and (allegedly) hitting sasaengs, Changmin dragging the sasaeng out of the taxi, Yoochun slapped in the face by a sasaeng, Yoochun and his scandals (click at your own risk—trigger warnings ahoy), Yoochun today, Junsu and the never-ending Jeju Island hotel controversy, Junsu’s Official YouTube (just click here for a long life, clear skin, flourishing crops, etc.), Jaejoong’s Japanese YouTube, U-KNOW Yunho and the did-he-or-didn’t-he run away from police at an “adult entertainment venue,” Changmin the OG Evil Maknae becomes a father, Junsu returning to mainstream K-Pop at the Weverse Festival in early 2023, Jaejoong returns to Korean TV in 2021, and U-KNOW Yunho’s new song.

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The songs played are:

1. “Lion Heart” by 東方神起 (SMAP Cover, performed live on 僕らの音楽 on March 20, 2009)

2. “Survivor” by 東方神起 (Official MV)

3. “Bolero” by 東方神起 (Official MV)

4. “Share the World” by 東方神起 (Official MV)

5. “Ten” by TVXQ

6. “Alright” by Shinhwa

7. “Sky” by 東方神起 (Performed live at a-Nation, 2009)

8. “Colors ～Melody and Harmony～” by JEJUNG & YUCHUN (from 東方神起) (Official MV)

9. “Gee” by Girls Generation (Official MV)

10. “Stand by U” by 東方神起 (Performed live on Best Hits)

11. “Stand by U” by 東方神起 (Performed live on 紅白歌合戦)

12. “Break Out” by 東方神起

13. “So I’m Loving You” [Lotte Duty Free brand song]

14. “W” by JYJ

15. “Get Ready” by JYJ (performed live at a-Nation, 2010)

16. “Maximum” by Yunho and Changmin from TVXQ (performed live at SMTown 2010)

17. “Ayyy Girl” by JYJ (Billboard showcase, 2010)

18. “Found You” by JYJ [Sungkyunkwan Scandal OST]

19. “Keep Your Head Down” by TVXQ (performed live on Music Bank, January 7, 2011; the song was promoted as a “diss track” against JYJ)

20. “Spellbound” by TVXQ (Official MV)

21. “Sky” by 東方神起 (Performed live at the Budokan, June 19, 2007)