History of DBSK

History of Dong Bang Shin Ki(DBSK)

TVXQ(Tong Vfang Xien Qi) or DBSK(Dong Bang Shin Ki),is a quintet Korean boy band formed under SM Entertainment, and later debuted under Avex Trax in Japan. Its five members specialize in the areas of singing, dance, a cappella, acting, and pop with an R&B vibe. Since debut, the group gained popularity in South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and other East Asian countries.

TVXQ fans use various versions of the group's name in different countries. In South Korea, the group is known as Dong Bang Shin Gi, abbreviated as DBSG or DBSK, while the Japanese equivalent of the group's name is Tohoshinki, abbreviated as THSK. TVXQ, the acronym based on the Chinese counterpart of their name Tong Vfang Xien Qi, is the abbreviation officially used on all advertisements and products outside of Japan. Their name roughly translates as "Rising Gods of the East."

2004: Debut

Before debut, there were several tentative names for the group. Each member was to come up with ideas for the name of the group. The three names suggested were Ohjangyookbu, JuhnMuckGo, meaning A Whale That Eats Legends, and Dong Bang Bul Pae, the Korean title of Ashes of Time.The group decided on Dong Bang Bul Pae, and Lee Soo Man even asked the film's director for permission to use the name. In the end, however, the name was rejected because its Hanja (or the written Chinese script) was not aesthetically pleasing, and the group name was changed instead to Dong Bang Shin Ki.

TVXQ made their first appearance on December 26, 2003 during a BoA and Britney Spears Showcase. They performed their debut song "Hug" as well as an a cappella rendition of "O Holy Night" alongside BoA. The group eventually released two singles ("Hug" and "The Way U Are"), accompanied by photo books, before their first album in 2004. TVXQ reached #1 on Korean music charts in three months after their debut. By October, the first album Tri-Angle was released.

Their official fan club derives its name from the Cassiopeia constellation near the Big Dipper. The constellation consists of 5 main stars, and TVXQ has 5 members. When traced on a computer keyboard, "TVfXQ" resembles Cassiopeia.

SM Entertainment once considered adding a Chinese member to the group and rotate members to help boost popularity in other countries, as hinted in The 3rd StoryBook - TVfXQ!. The purpose would have been to branch each member into different solo activities, or possibly combine other trainees into the group. However, the idea was abandoned due to opposition from fans who threatened to boycott SM Entertainment products.

2005: Rising Sun

During 2005, TVXQ expanded its career into Japan. The group marked its official debut in Japan with the release of the single Stay with Me Tonight on April 27, 2005. (Earlier in the year, the English version of their single "Hug" and their first Korean album Tri-Angle had been released in Japan without much attention).

TVXQ continued to release two additional singles entitled "Somebody to Love" and "My Destiny". While in Korea, the group released its second Korean album Rising Sun, which ranked #1 on the monthly charts and #4 for the yearly sales, and continues to chart in the top 100. Due to demand, the album was officially released in other foreign countries in 2007. Weeks before the album's release in Korea, Hero Jaejoong faced a leg injury which prevented him from dancing in the Rising Sun music video or on stage performances and from taking part in some of the album's promotional activities. For group dance sequences on stage he was instead replaced by a masked dancer.

TVXQ later released a joint single album with label-mate Super Junior, Show Me Your Love which also debuted as #1 on the monthly charts. In addition, the group began acting careers in Banjun Theater drama episodes. Micky Yoochun and U-Know Yunho appeared in guest acting roles for the Nonstop 6 (Rainbow Romance) series. At the end of the year, TVXQ received the Best Music Video award for the song "Rising Sun" and the People's Choice Award at the 2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival.

On June 14, 2005, TVXQ and BoA were appointed as PR spokespeople for the city of Los Angeles in the United States.