JMusic: The Legends TVXQ!: 'Love Line' & 'The Chance of Love'

Hello, there beautiful readers! I hope all is going well in your lives. If not, I hope that whatever is burdening you lightens, even if just a little. The past few days for me have been great! I treated myself to some Ben and Jerry's ice cream because why not? Life is short, treat yourself every once and a while.

A little treat from me to you is this week's Juicy Jam, 'Love Line' and 'The Chance of Love' by TVXQ!

so juicyyyy

For those who do not know, TVXQ! is a legend in the K-pop industry. They hail from the second generation of K-pop groups which include other big names such as Big Bang, Super Junior, KARA, 4Minute, SHINee, 2PM, and so many others. Sadly, as fans of kpop become younger and younger and the genre gains newer fans, they do not know of these groups or are not interested in knowing the music of these groups. BUT! I am here to remind you that if it weren't for these trailblazers, your current faves would not be here. It was these groups that the members of EXO, NCT, A-Pink, and BTS for example listened and looked up to while growing up. They paved the way and gave them someone to aspire to be, a dream to chase. So know your history people! Plus, it's great to see just how far these groups have come. To see how their styles and members have changed AND you get a good laugh from the horrible hair and outfits. So give them a chance!

Exhibit A: bad hair, bad outfits, but happy idols. 

TVXQ! (which I have just discovered stands for Tong Vfang Xien Qi and roughly translates to 'rising gods of the east') also known as Tohoshinki (in Japan) and DBSK, which stands for Dong Bang Shin Ki (their Korean name) is a South Korean boy group under SM Entertainment consisting of members Jung Yun-Ho, stage name U-Know Yunho and Shim Chang-min, stage name Max Changmin. They are SM's longest lasting and most profitable group, debuting in 2003 originally with five members. Due to contractual complications, three of the members left the company eventually going on to form the group JYJ, leaving us with these two extremely talented men. Because of their talents, success and experience, its only fitting that TVXQ is dubbed the Kings of K-Pop.

In 2015, the duo announced that they will start their mandatory two-year service in the Korean military. Of course, fans were sad, I was sad! But they didn't depart without leaving us a gift.  They released an amazing album and two fantastic MVs for Yunho's and Max's solo songs 'Champagne' (a tiny, pre NCT dream Jisung can be found here!) and 'Rise As One' respectively. (I highly recommend listening to this album and watching these MVs. I listened Champagne on repeat for the whole summer, it's that good!!!)

Max and Yunho

This brings us to today. The kings are back! U-Know Yunho (I KNOW YUNHO! I just love that) and Max have returned from their military service and they got right to work. Reminding us just how phenomenal they are with the release of their ninth official Korean studio album and the seventeenth album overall, New Chapter #1: The Chance of Love and it, of course, did not disappoint. This album is described to have a fresher, more mature and metropolitan sound, and I just love it. There is not one song that isn't a bop. The album is a treasure and the title tracks, 'Love Line' and 'The Chance of Love' are pure gems. Let's get into it!

'Love Line' aka the best airline CF ever

This track came just in time for spring and summer. The instrumentals are fairly minimalistic. The smooth synth sounds and twinkling percussion under the silky falsettos and light, dulcet tenor tones of Max and Yunho give way to an overall breezy and summery sound. I love this song! It's relaxing, carefree and a lovely showcase of their beautiful vocals. I hope it makes you feel just as content as it makes me. 

The choreography is uncomplicated as well. We still get a look at their dancing ability, with the duo performing fluid movements that seem effortless but require just the right amount of finesse to execute. The MV itself is just as "pure". The cinematography is beautiful! The camera work added just the right amount pop and dimension and the vibrant colors are a breath of fresh air. We also a got a look at the domestic side Max and Yunho with the two completing simple everyday tasks with a loved one by their side. So normal, so "slice of life". By the end of the MV, I also really wanted to travel. I felt like I watched the best airline commercial. (Korean Air, this could be marketing gold!) Some may find this song boring but the purpose of 'Love Line' is to portray the simple things in life. It's an appreciation for the sometimes taken for granted, unfussy moments. 

Same Changmin same

Just living his best life

'The Chance of Love' #thelittestclubever

Alright! This masterpiece here is the TVXQ we all know and love! For those who live for the bells and whistles, this track is for you. The godfathers of kpop came back from their military service and in a few short months produced this jewel of a track. (If that doesn't scream talent then I don't know what does.) 'The Chance of Love' features an off-culture sound with swing-infused instrumentals consisting of an energetic and festive melody, pulsating and snapping bass beats, a bouncing chorus, and the harmoniesssssss. So pleasing to the ear. (I LIVE for good harmonies) Let us not forget the classic oohs-aahs but with a twist! The way those two blended the nearly dissonant sounds, the musicality! The skill!
They killed their choreography. It was confident, complex, smooth and sexy, all things TVXQ. The MV was a masterpiece and expensive. This is the type of music video that SM exists to produce. The production level was high and it shows in the chic and stylish set. The gold architecture with blue accents (an uncommon color combination in SM music videos) the lighting, the cascading diamonds, and fluttering confetti added a level of uniqueness and to the classiness of the mv. Visually mesmerizing, it was more like watching a piece of an art exhibition than a music video. It reminded me of the opulence in the remake of The Great Gatsby.  It was also reminiscent of their track 'Something' (which you should totally listen to) and had the similar gentlemanly sleek sound of Super Junior's 'Black Suit' (which you should also listen to). #swagger #refined #sophisticated

scoping out the honiesss

just shuffling through the ladies

RUDE

Man! Despite being on a hiatus for two years, Changmin and Yunho did not miss a beat. Those two oozed confidence in both songs, which as a veteran group they of course have. The rest of the album carries same contemporary vibe including diverse genres such as deep house, mellow pop ballads, and sultry R&B sounds to name a few. (Listen to the album to hear other sounds. It's worth it!) It was experimentation done so, so well and they went above and beyond with execution. The duo has reached a level of artfulness and showmanship that younger groups pray they one day reach and we as fans should do well to remember that. Honestly, TVXQ was at the frontier of the Hallyu Wave (the movement of Korean culture becoming globally popular) and groups like them is one of the reasons why K-pop has the global reach it does today. 

NOSTALGIA

I enjoyed writing this post! I hope it brought TVXQ some new fans and taught you guys a little something. Thank you for reading and until next time!

Jen M.