Last January, Tohoshinki restarted their group activities as a duo, putting an end to their hiatus, which started in 2010. Yunho (25 yr) and Changmin (23 yr) have been working at full power in spite of about a year absence. Finally in 2012, they are going on their nationwide concert tour, which will draw the largest audience (450,000) in the TVXQ history. They will also conduct Tokyo Dome concerts for the first time since July 2009. The two members were agreed to be interviewed by Nikkan Sports and conveyed their determination for the new year.
Last year, Tohoshinki returned to the Japanese music scene with their first single after the hiatus “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)”, which hit the No.1 spot in the oricon chart. Also they won the Japan Record Excellence Award and appeared on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen after a two-year absence at the end of 2011.
Changmin: After restarting our activities, I’ve felt we are still loved as ever, for example, through the oricon chart ranking and the fact that we were given the opportunity to attend the year-end special music programs a lot of Japanese people watch. I’m happy to feel it.
After they released their new album “TONE” in September, a total of 400,000 copies have been shipped and also they broke their own original album sales record. It showed how high the expectation among their long-awaited fans rose during the one year.
Yunho: It was a happy surprise. But how they think about our album is more important than the result (sales). I felt satisfied when we received a lot of positive responses because we prepared it with the greatest care. Of course, we still lack many things, but I take it positively because it means we have room to grow.
In January 2011, Tohoshinki resumed their activities at the music event “SMTOWN LIVE” held by their management agency. It was the greatest cheers ever that welcomed Yunho and Changmin when they appeared on the stage with a nervous look.
Yunho: I felt pressure to work in Japan for the first time. But I was encouraged by fans’ greater love towards Tohoshinki than I expected. That memory gives me great courage and is the reason we have come so far.
At the end of the tour, they will hit Koycera Dome for the first time and also hold the first concert at Tokyo Dome, which Yunho calls “a stage of a different level”, after two and half years.
Yunho: My heart was filled with joy when we stood on the stage (of Tokyo Dome) for SMTOWN (in September). Now I’m happy to have opportunity to stand on the unforgettable place for Tohoshinki’s solo concert. I’d like to use this opportunity as a turning point to further evolve and go beyond our limit.
Their dream “Five-Dome Concert Tour” is nearing reality.
Changmin: We always want to deliver better songs and better performances. This is unchanged from the time when we debuted. We’d like to show more mature Tohoshinki. We’d like to be an artist who continues pushing our limit one by one.
Yunho: Well said (laugh). We will have our 10th anniversary next year. We’d like to try various fields such as acting as well as singing. This year is a Year of Dragon. Let’s rise to new heights and overcome obstacles with a positive mind together with Tohoshinki, like a dragon flying up into the space.
◆東方神起 (Tohoshinki): The group name means “Rising Gods from the East” and was named in the hope that it would spread from Asia to the entire world. Upon making their debut in February 2004, Tohoshinki soon became a top artist. They made their debut in Japan in April 2005. In 2008 their popularity exploded and “Purple Line” hit the first No.1 spot in the oricon chart. They had four consecutive No.1 singles this year and were selected to appear on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. In 2010, they suspended their group activities. In January 2011, Yunho and Changmin restarted their Tohoshinki activities as a duo.
Source: Nikkan Sports , soratomax
Translated by: Lisalio @ContinueTVXQ.com
Distributed by: Lisalio @ContinueTVXQ.com
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