Most Popular
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Dongduk Women’s University halts coeducation talks
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Defense ministry denies special treatment for BTS’ V amid phone use allegations
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3
Russia sent 'anti-air' missiles to Pyongyang, Yoon's aide says
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OpenAI in talks with Samsung to power AI features, report says
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Two jailed for forcing disabled teens into prostitution
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Trump picks ex-N. Korea policy official as his principal deputy national security adviser
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7
South Korean military plans to launch new division for future warfare
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8
Gold bars and cash bundles; authorities confiscate millions from tax dodgers
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Kia EV9 GT marks world debut at LA Motor Show
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Teen smoking, drinking decline, while mental health, dietary habits worsen
"10년간 한국과 일본에서 콘서트 트랙까지 포함 해 1천 곡을 불렀더라고요. 우리가 팬들과 교감한 모든 스테이지가 가장 기억에 남고 행복한 순간이었습니다."(유노윤호)
"몇 년 전 잠실종합운동장에서 열린 'SM 타운' 공연 때 와이어를 타고 본 무대로 날아오는 연출이 있었는데 둘이 두 손을 꼭 잡고 긴장했던 기억이 납니다."(최강창민)
동방신기(유노윤호, 최강창민)가 데뷔 10주년을 맞은 26일 고양시 일산서구 대화동 킨텍스에서 기자간담회를 열고 가장 기억에 남는 순간을 이렇게 소개했다. 이 들은 SM 음악 페스티벌 'SM타운 위크'의 일환으로 이곳에서 열리는 단독 공연 '타임 슬립'(Time Slip)을 앞두고 취재진과 만났다.
아이돌 그룹이 한국과 일본에서 10년간 부침 없이 정상을 지킨 것은 의미 있는 기록. 이들은 올해도 일본 돔 투어를 열어 85만 명의 관객을 모았다. 26-27일 이곳에서 열리는 공연에도 총 2만 관객이 운집한다.
"감회가 새롭다"는 유노윤호는 "10년간 정상의 자리라고 칭해줘 감사하다"며 "꾸준히 활동할 수 있는 것에 의미를 둔다. 동방신기를 지켜준 건 응원해준 전 세계 팬들과 등 뒤에서 버텨준 스태프 덕"이라고 말했다.
최강창민도 "오늘이 10년째 된 날인데 많은 팬에 둘러싸여 공연할 수 있다는 게 뜻깊다"고 덧붙였다.
두 사람은 한결같이 곁을 지켜준 서로에 대한 고마움도 나타냈다.
윤노윤호는 "'이래서 멤버구나'란 걸 느낀다"며 "많은 일을 겪어오면서 옆에 있어주는 친구가 있다는 것만으로도 듬직하다. 우리가 끝까지 갈 수 있다는 신뢰도 있고 자신감도 있다"고 강조했다.
최강창민도 "티격태격할 때도 있지만 늘 옆에 있어주는 사람이 있는게 얼마나 든든한지 고맙더라"며 "앞으로도 티격태격하겠지만 지겹도록 열심히 오래 해먹자고 했다"고 웃었다.
이들은 10년에 방점을 찍고 내년 1월 6일 정규 7집 '텐스'(TENSE)를 발표한다.
지난해 9월 출시한 '캐치 미(Catch Me)' 이후 1년 4개월 만의 새 앨범이다.
타이틀곡은 스윙 장르의 '섬싱'(Something)으로 이날 공연에서는 수록곡 '항상 곁에 있을게'(Always With You)를 처음 공개한다.
최강창민은 "'텐스'는 10주년을 맞은 우리가 다시 한번 긴장해서 좋은 앨범을 만들자는 취지로 붙였다"고 소개했다.
이어 유노윤호는 "앨범을 준비하며 어디까지 색다른 걸 보여줄 수 있을까 생각했다"며 "'캐치 미' 앨범까지는 우리의 퍼포먼스를 살리기 위해 신시사이저를 바탕으로 강하게 풀어갔다면 이번 '섬싱'에서는 빅밴드 사운드를 들려줄 것이다. 또 차에서 들었을 때 '신난다'고 느낄 밝은 곡도 많다""고 귀띔했다.
이날 공연은 동방신기의 대표곡을 훑으며 지난 활동을 되돌아보고 팬들과 이야기를 나누는 시간으로 꾸민다.
최강창민은 데뷔곡 '허그'(Hug)를 어머니 같은 곡으로 꼽으며 "오랜만에 불러보니 '허그'가 가장 어색하더라. 가사가 귀엽고 오글거리는데 서른을 목전에 둔 유노윤호 형이 부르니 어색했다. 하지만 과거로 돌아가는 기분이 들어 설레었다"고 말했 다.
유노윤호는 "최근 엑소가 교복을 입어 큰 사랑을 받았는데 우리도 오늘 ('허그'를 부르며) 오랜만에 교복을 입는다"고 웃었다.
이들은 앞으로 10년 뒤인 데뷔 20주년을 맞을 자신들의 모습도 그려봤다.
유노윤호는 "조용필, 인순이, 태진아 선배님들을 본받아 20주년에도 계속 활동 하고 있을 것 같다"며 "그때쯤이면 내 나이가 마흔 살에 가까워지는데 개인적으로 마흔 안에 결혼하고 싶다. 인간적으로도 성장했다는 얘기를 듣도록 노력하겠다"고 말했다.
<관련 영문 기사>
TVXQ celebrates 10 years and ‘looks forward to year 20’
By Julie Jackson
Thursday marked 10 years since the then five-member group TVXQ made its official entrance into the K-pop scene, performing the single “Hug” on a TV showcase for BoA and Britney Spears.
The two remaining members of TVXQ reminisced about their most memorable moments during a press conference held at the Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday, hours before taking the stage for an anniversary concert.
“In the 10 years that we have been holding concerts in Korea and Japan, we have been told that we have sung a combined 1,000 songs,” said U-Know Yunho. “I must say the happiest memories that I have are the times I’ve spent performing on stage in front of our fans.”
“Today is the 10th anniversary of us being able to perform. Here, with all of the fans who came here tonight, it just means so much to me,” said Max Changmin.
After more than a decade together as members of TVXQ and as trainees at SM, the two expressed their gratitude toward one another as long time friends. Yunho expressed his hopes and expectations that the two would become legendary Korean artists, like Cho Young-pil and Insooni. He said he looked forward to the day where they can celebrate their 20th anniversary.
“A few years back I remember performing a show at the Jamsil Stadium during our SM Town concert,” the two of us were on a wire and were lifted off the stage and flying around the stadium; we were nervous and we held onto each other’s hands tightly,” said Changmin. “I still remember that moment.”
As part of SM Entertainment’s ongoing SM Week concert series, the duo held a two concerts in front of 20,000 fans and unveiled the group’s new single, “Always with You,” as a thank you for the dedication of their fans. The two also announced their plans to release their seventh studio album “Tense” on Jan. 6, more a year after their “Catch Me” album.
“We’ve been through a lot together as friends,” Yunho expressed. “I am very confident in our reliance on one another and that we will continue to be together, performing a long way down the road.”
However, the two are not the only ones celebrating 10 years together. Former members Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun and Kim Jun-su -- who formed the idol trio group JYJ after parting ways with TVXQ -- are still performing together and have one of Asia’s largest fan followings.
Despite the three-year legal battle with SM -- with the members of JYJ claiming that the entertainment agency was unethical in its contract negotiations and abused its power by preventing the trio from performing in the media -- the two sides finally settled their differences late last year allowing JYJ to promote and perform freely.
“I am grateful for all the time we have come through, the love and support we have gained from people who loved us. We will continue our journey to pay back what they have given us,” Kim Jun-su, now one of the most powerful musical performers, tweeted on the day of the anniversary.
“We hope the next 10 years will be filled with laughter and happiness,” Kim Jae-joong also tweeted.
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
TVXQ celebrates 10 years and ‘looks forward to year 20’
By Julie Jackson
Thursday marked 10 years since the then five-member group TVXQ made its official entrance into the K-pop scene, performing the single “Hug” on a TV showcase for BoA and Britney Spears.
The two remaining members of TVXQ reminisced about their most memorable moments during a press conference held at the Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday, hours before taking the stage for an anniversary concert.
“In the 10 years that we have been holding concerts in Korea and Japan, we have been told that we have sung a combined 1,000 songs,” said U-Know Yunho. “I must say the happiest memories that I have are the times I’ve spent performing on stage in front of our fans.”
“Today is the 10th anniversary of us being able to perform. Here, with all of the fans who came here tonight, it just means so much to me,” said Max Changmin.
After more than a decade together as members of TVXQ and as trainees at SM, the two expressed their gratitude toward one another as long time friends. Yunho expressed his hopes and expectations that the two would become legendary Korean artists, like Cho Young-pil and Insooni. He said he looked forward to the day where they can celebrate their 20th anniversary.
“A few years back I remember performing a show at the Jamsil Stadium during our SM Town concert,” the two of us were on a wire and were lifted off the stage and flying around the stadium; we were nervous and we held onto each other’s hands tightly,” said Changmin. “I still remember that moment.”
As part of SM Entertainment’s ongoing SM Week concert series, the duo held a two concerts in front of 20,000 fans and unveiled the group’s new single, “Always with You,” as a thank you for the dedication of their fans. The two also announced their plans to release their seventh studio album “Tense” on Jan. 6, more a year after their “Catch Me” album.
“We’ve been through a lot together as friends,” Yunho expressed. “I am very confident in our reliance on one another and that we will continue to be together, performing a long way down the road.”
However, the two are not the only ones celebrating 10 years together. Former members Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun and Kim Jun-su -- who formed the idol trio group JYJ after parting ways with TVXQ -- are still performing together and have one of Asia’s largest fan followings.
Despite the three-year legal battle with SM -- with the members of JYJ claiming that the entertainment agency was unethical in its contract negotiations and abused its power by preventing the trio from performing in the media -- the two sides finally settled their differences late last year allowing JYJ to promote and perform freely.
“I am grateful for all the time we have come through, the love and support we have gained from people who loved us. We will continue our journey to pay back what they have given us,” Kim Jun-su, now one of the most powerful musical performers, tweeted on the day of the anniversary.
“We hope the next 10 years will be filled with laughter and happiness,” Kim Jae-joong also tweeted.
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)
