TVXQ Continues Activities in Japan

Dong Bang Shin Gi, a South Korean pop group also known as TVXQ, is expected to continue its activities in Japan despite the recent legal dispute with its agency, SM Entertainment.

Avex, the group’s agency in Japan, said last week on its official Web site, “We will support TVXQ’s Japan activities to the full. We expect fans to continue to root for TVXQ,” according to Yonhap News Agency.

“We have received assurances that both sides don’t want the group to be disbanded. This is interpreted as meaning that SM and the three TVXQ members will go ahead with their scheduled performances in Japan,” Avex said.

Earlier this month, three TVXQ members ― Micky, Xiah and Hero ― filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Court seeking a provisional disposition to terminate the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment. Max and U-Know, the two other members, did not take part in the legal action.

In a legal document released through the law firm Kim & Shin, the three stated that their 13-year exclusive contract with SM was not different from a binding lifelong deal. They also said that they were not treated fairly by the agency in terms of profit distribution.

Despite the legal action, TVXQ has been appearing at summer concerts together with singers affiliated with Avex. The K-pop group will sing in Tokyo on Aug. 22-23 and Osaka on Aug. 29-30.

The five-member boy band will also appear on “Music Japan,” NHK’s music program, next month.

TVXQ debuted in 2004 with the album “Hug” and shot to stardom in Korea, Japan and elsewhere in Asia. Their subsequent albums were well received and their fourth album, “Mirotic,” released last year, sold 500,000 copies in South Korea despite sluggishness in the Korean record market.

In Japan, the group has topped the Oricon daily singles chart six times and recently gave a concert at the Tokyo Dome, which is regarded as a top-tier venue. They also have staunch fan bases in China, Taiwan and Thailand.

Credit: Korea Times

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