‘I-Know’ from TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho goals to share highs and lows

 
Past the glitz and glamor of present enterprise lies an arduous journey, one marked by quite a few sleepless nights behind the scenes. Few would know that higher than U-Know Yunho of Okay-pop legend TVXQ.
 
Now in his twenty second yr within the business, the singer is ultimately releasing his first full-length solo album, “I-Know,” which delves into the distinction between his onstage persona and his true self. The file is constructed across the idea of “faux documentary,” with the “faux” facet embodying the veteran performer’s fiery, energetic stage presence, whereas the “documentary” facet reveals his extra private, unguarded self.
 
 
It has been years within the making, Yunho confessed — however the deliberation was value it, as there are tales that may solely be instructed at sure levels in life.
 

TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho speaks throughout a press convention for his first full-length solo album, ″I-Know,″ in southern Seoul on Nov. 5. [YONHAP]

 
“After displaying so many sides of myself over the previous 20 years and extra, I noticed that what persons are most interested in lately is the real story instructed by the artist themselves,” mentioned Yunho throughout a press convention forward of the discharge of “I-Know” in southern Seoul on Wednesday.
 
“Many followers have favored the wholesome, vibrant facet of me — however behind that, there had been a whole lot of worries and hardships. I felt that now’s the precise time to speak about them truthfully and handle them.”
 
U-Know Yunho, born Chung Yun-ho, debuted because the chief of SM Leisure’s TVXQ in 2003. The band dominated the Okay-pop scene within the mid-to-late 2000s and have become one in every of Asia’s greatest boy bands. Three members — Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun and Kim Jun-su — left the band and company in 2009, and the band began a brand new journey as a duo with the remaining two members, U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin.
 

TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho poses for pictures throughout a press convention for his first full-length solo album, ″I-Know,″ in southern Seoul on Nov. 5. [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

 
Yunho launched his solo profession along with his first EP, “True Colours,” in 2019, and has been pursuing his performing profession lately, receiving constructive critiques for taking part in Beolgu within the Disney+ authentic “Low Life.”
 
“I-Know” options 10 songs, together with two lead tracks “Stretch” and “Physique Language,” together with B-sides “Set In Stone,” “Spotlight2,” “Fever,” “Premium,” “Waterfalls,” “Chief,” “Let You Go” and “26 Take-off.” Woman group i-dle’s Minnie participated as a featured artist for “Premium,” and EXO’s Kai in “Waterfalls.”
 
The idea of the album, centered on the 2 contrasting “faux” and “documentary” themes, has been on his thoughts for some time, based on Yunho.
 
“My identification as U-Know Yunho is usually related to key phrases like ardour and vitality,” he famous. “However I don’t assume I’ve actually proven Chung Yun-ho to the general public, and my recollections because the particular person Chung Yun-ho are largely left in my highschool years. So I wished to spotlight that stunning a part of my life.”
 
The singer cited “curiosity” because the driving drive behind his longevity within the fast-paced Okay-pop business.
 

A promotional picture for U-Know Yunho’s first full-length album, ″I-Know″ [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

 
“My curiosity in pursuing one thing new all the time drove me ahead and that curiosity is fueled by my followers,” he mentioned. “Each single one in every of my followers who exhibits as much as my performances has their very own story. Connecting with them conjures up me to maintain doing extra.”
 
This yr, Yunho unexpectedly discovered himself within the highlight as his 2021 observe “Thank U” resurfaced on-line as a humorous meme for its lyrics, corresponding to “That is the primary lesson.”
 
Although the eye started with lighthearted teasing, Yunho took it in stride with good humor.
 
“I’m grateful for the brand new nicknames like ‘Thank U uncle,’” he mentioned with a smile.
 
In October, TVXQ obtained a presidential commendation for its cultural achievements.
 
“We started our profession within the period of cassette tapes, and after CDs, we’ve skilled the data-driven period of these days,” Yunho mentioned. “I’m actually grateful to have the ability to nonetheless stand right here as an energetic artist.”

A promotional picture for U-Know Yunho’s first full-length album, ″I-Know″ [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

BY SHIN HA-NEE [[email protected]]