Idols/Music

SM announces DBSK’s return as a duo

Written by Kimberley On November 23, 2010

SM announced today that U-Know Yunho and Choikang Changmin will be returning to the music scene as a duo.

The boys, who’ve endured more than a year-long forced hiatus, will be maintaining use of the name Dong Bang Shin Ki when they make their comeback in early 2011.

In a message posted on their SMTown website:

DBSK’s activities have been halted for more than a year since the departure of three members. In the hopes of keeping and protecting the name of Dong Bang Shin Ki, SM’s musical hopes and aspirations and to ultimately give back to the ever supportive fans, we have been waiting for a long time to make this happen.

As can be derived from the final verdict, Dong Bang Shin Ki can only function as a group under SM Entertainment. Unfortunately, our pleas towards the departed members (to rejoin the group) have regretfully been to no avail. As such, we have decided that a decision must be made about the current situation.

For the two members who have stood by SM and DBSK, and for the fans who’ve been unrelenting in giving their support, our company has decided that we will be stick by the name (and pride) of Dong Bang Shin Ki. The fans have shown their love and belief in the band and DBSK (Yunho and Changmin) wants to continue as a group. However, what will happen from this point is still unpredictable. Nevertheless, DBSK will do their best to give back to the fans.

Being the company to have groomed and developed DBSK, SM Entertainment will henceforth continue to defend the group and provide the support needed to ensure the continuity of all future activities. Please look out for Dong Bang Shin Ki’s 2011 comeback and continue to show your support.

Looks like SM Ent will need to tread carefully now. Despite some initial dissatisfactions with JYJ, they look like a force to be reckoned with. Industry peeps have said that with JYJ’s world tour down, the trio have undoubtedly captured a huge proportion of Cassies who were left hanging. JYJ could be seen as a replacement for DBSK. In all this, more pressure will inevitably fall on Yunho and Changmin’s shoulders since we’re looking at a trio verses a duo.

SM is well aware that unless DBSK becomes five again, they have no chance of reviving their early K-pop glory. And I foresee continued efforts to try and reunite the group. Till then, Dong Bang Shin Ki is officially, and indefinitely separated.

TAGS: Changmin, Dong Bang Shin Ki, JYJ, U-know Yunho

maldita

The day JYJ filed that lawsuit with SME, the DBSK stan in me knew that their days as a group of 5 were nearing its end. I’ve criticized a lot of JYJ’s moves since the lawsuit, but I still wish them the best. I hope that the fans that supported JYJ would give just as much love and support to HoMin, too. I’ve always thought that HoMin have been been unfairly put to the side since the lawsuit. Their careers as musicians have been on hold since the whole mess started, while JYJ got to perform everywhere and put out albums and stuff.

With that said, HELL YEAH! THE SEXY MODEL DUO IS BACK! Just one super hot performance of “Maximum” and I’ll be a happy fangirl for the rest of the year!

mica

Can’t help but notice that you ARE HoMin biased..you want JYJ biased fans to support HoMin but I wonder if you supported JYJ.. HoMin chose to stick it out with SM and the trio chose to leave,knowing that they will walk a very difficult path the moment they do.You think that the duo were unfairly put to the side since the lawsuit because their career as musicians were put on hold while JYJ got to perform blahblahblah..Didn’t Yunho star in a musical?Wasn’t he given the MJ tribute project? JYJ,performed everywhere and released albums and stuff, yes..but wasn’t that what they fought-and still are fighting for in the first place? I resent the fact that your statement reeks of accusations against JYJ since the bottom line (regarding the lawsuit) is that ALL 5 OF THEM HAD A CHOICE.. Why can’t you just respect their decision? Why can’t you just support HoMin without criticizing or blaming JYJ?

maldita

Sorry if it did come off as HoMin biased. I’m just one of those people who criticizes anything and anyone, regardless of who it is, bias or not. I could go on and on about HoMin, too, but I’d rather not. Anyway, just because I’ve criticized JYJ’s actions from the start, doesn’t mean I don’t support them. I do. I have mad respect for JYJ for putting through all the shit they’ve been through, especially when things don’t go as they planned (like their shows in the States.)

Yes, each and everyone of them is standing by their choice. I just want fans to give HoMin as much support as they did to JYJ.
sweetie

I gotta disagree about her sounding HoMin biased, because I agreed with a lot of her points and I don’t think I’m especially biased. As for me, I sort of wished that TVXQ had stood together as a united front in the lawsuit, but obviously they don’t all have the same priorities which is why they went their separate ways.

It’s true that the spotlight has been almost entirely on JYJ since they left, I don’t think you can argue HoMin hasn’t been overshadowed. I’m interested in what the two of them will be doing, but I’m a bit apprehensive too. I also have to respect JYJ for working so hard in America, although IN MY OPINION, it has been nothing but a hot mess so far and the only reason they look like they’re having a semblance of success is because of all the fans from their last life as TVXQ members.

mica

I re-iterate my point..all 5 members had a choice- no one pointed a gun on their heads and forced them to decide..It was all a matter of choice and with that choice came the knowledge of the consequences of their actions.Everything that has happened after the trio filed the lawsuit is simply a result of their decisions.Whatever their reasons are for their actions, NOBODY BUT THEM REALLY KNOWS. They are adults who I think have sensible heads on their shoulders, and were raised well by their parents so let’s just respect their decisions, shall we.Fans should just support them without blaming anyone AND consider the possibility that what they want may not necessarily be what the members want. Fans are here to support, not meddle with their idols’ lives. IN MY OPINION

sweetie

all right gurl, calm down. I don’t disagree, it’s not like I have a problem with them going their separate ways. Like I said, they had different priorities and it just led to different decisions.
But, I don’t really appreciate fans getting all hyped up and aggressive about this. Yeah, your JYJ bias is showing. Whatever. I don’t care. But jsyk, no one in TVXQ, JYJ or HoMin, needs you to jump down the throats of other fans, foaming at the mouth to defend them.

djf

geez. frckin junp off her dick.

mischa

Everywhere? Really? They’re blacklisted in Korea and can’t appear on TV shows. The same goes for Japan. They can only put out an album but not promote it nationwide, so where exactly have they performed “everywhere”?

You make it sound like JYJ’s lives have been sunshines and rainbows since the lawsuit while Yunho and Changmin were the victims. The 2 chose to stay with SME, it was their choice. Both groups have to live with the consequences.

It’s not JYJ’s fault that Yunho and Changmin have been “put the the side” by SME musically for the lawsuit. Junsu and Jaejoong are the best vocals in DBSK. Without them, the group is pretty much done in terms of singing abilities. JYJ are much more marketable and more popular with the general public, and with half of the group gone, the profits won’t be pouring in for SME had Yunho and Changmin released an album right away. Heck, people are still kicking up a fuss about the use of TVXQ of the 2 members.

Changmin has done a lot of magazine photo shoots, Yunho had a musical, etc. so it’s not like they haven’t been doing anything the past year.

I cannot say I will support the 2 of them, but good luck to them.

http://www.facebook.com/kiyana.smiley Kiyana

why not? i really don’t care about the situation i will support them all idc if they are still with sme or not i’m new to this k-pop stuff since june of this yr so i really know nothing about dbsk but i have look at a lot of youtube videos of the old group but imma support jyj and the other 2 no matter what and no i can’t say i’m a fan just yet of k-pop i like it though

Xenia

I can’t wait for Yunho and Changmin’s comeback =)
After all, Yunho was always my no.1 in DBSK, with Changmin and Jaejoong on a second place, so I just want to see my two favourite guys. Sexy model duo, indeed.

maldita

Girl, we have the exact same ranking. <3 Honestly, I just want to see them performing again. They've been gone from TV screens for waaaaaaay too long. I'm seriously excited for HoMin will come back with. If the songs they performed in the SMTown concerts are any inclination to the style of music they'll be pursuing, then HELL YEAH! "Maximum," for example, was able to capitalize on both guys' strengths in both dancing and singing.
marielleheartsMin

I’m with you in this. :) though Min is forever my #1 with Yunho and Jae at #2. keke. :))
chippy

In my humble opinion
Top 3 Singers of DBSK:
-Junsu, Jaejoong, Changmin
3 Best Dancers of DBSK:
-Yunho, Junsu, Changmin
My 3 Favorite Members:
-Changmin, Yunho, Junsu
My Favorite Duo:
-Yoochun & Yunho
A feature I like on guys:
-Height; that’s each of them, especially Yunho & Changmin

I guess what I’m getting at is that a TVXQ comeback with two is Bitter Sweet, but it has been long enough and I win on most counts with Changmin (and Yunho, of course).

Welcome Back Gents! – anticipating

hapacalgirl

Considering Jaejoong and Junsu’s popularity Japan and Korea respectively I thnk SME always knew that the trio would be a force to reckoned with but I think they were surprised Micky’s success with SSK and the fact that the trio actually released an album and had a tour. To be honest i am not the biggest fan of changmin’s voice by itself (he’s a good singer don’t get me wrong ) but I will give the duo a shot and I hope they do well.
ohemgee

sad.

i’m not a huge DBSK fan and would definitely not call myself a Cassie, but i did enjoy their music and their dynamic as a quintet. to think that they are over as i knew them from a few years ago makes me sad. especially with everything they’ve all gone through.

good luck to all five of them- together and separately.
pammiej85

HoMin doesn’t equal TVXQ no matter what anyone says. But I will support them. No matter if they are together or apart, I am a Cassie and hopefully others feel the same way and won’t let their utter hatred towards SME stop them.
JJ

Using TVXQ name will piss people off no matter what since there was the whole thing about 5 = TVXQ. HoMin doesn’t exactly equal 5 people….

I want to support HoMin, but after the lawsuit I really wonder how much of my support (monetary-wise) actually goes to them and how much goes to SME and will HoMin success give SME an upper hand with the lawsuit. If SME is truly sincere with their plea to get JYJ back and reunite TVXQ, then show some sincerity by negotiating with JYJ with something that can satisfy both parties. The lawsuit isn’t exactly keeping TVXQ together.

And before anyone bombard me, I am TVXQ (5) biased before I am JYJ biased.

Aaliyah

I actually get where you’re coming from. I was thinking along the same lines..is SME being sincere with their words or are they just toying with the fans emotions to get what they want? this might be a cynical view but I can’t help think of that..

Abby

You have the full right to be cynical. SME is a business and they will say whatever they can to get people to buy their products.

But that is every single business out there. There is no altruistic side here (SME/JYJ/Avex/Homin). They all have their own careers and finances to worry about.

If people like the stuff that Yunho and Changmin put out, they should buy it. If they don’t, they don’t have to. However, if they like it but boycott because of SME, the only people they are hurting are Yunho and Changmin. SME makes enough money from SNSD, Shinee, and Boa to not care if they have to shelve the two.

asianromance

i knew about the lawsuit for some time and knew about JYJ doing their own thing..

….but this news about DBSK returning as a duo. It has just hit me that the DBSK I knew and fell in love with 4.5 years ago is broken up….
boom

i just wish everybody just move the fcuk on..or at least stop the blame game between HoMin and JYJ. stop this ‘who got hurt more’, because all of them are more or less suffering anyway. like really.

i’m not sure about them keeping the tvxq name, but personally as a casual spectator, i wish sme would just stop using it altogether. i mean who are we fooling? fans and non-fans know it’s never gonna be the same, dropping that name and using another one would make things easier and less draggy.
Tempest173

The moment I read this my heart absolutely broke. I mean when Yunho and Changmin were pursuing their talents in acting and JYJ was promoting their music I could live with the denial and say they would reunite at some point in the future. But now with each group promoting separately I have to face the fact that the group may never be whole again. So as a true fan and life long supporter of DBSK as a group of five, I will continue to support all of them until they are able to settle their differences and once again reunite.

DBSK/JYJ FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mica

tsk! someone’s defensive alright..
whatever…
Anyways..The best of luck to all 5 of them.

bebe

IKR. I am happy for all of them. It will be nice to see HoMin singing again!

reimin

Yunho and Changmin using DBSK name.
imagine them performing as DBSK..
Awkward…
Lively

I think if we are really DBSK fans we should be supporting JYJ AND HoMin, and not pointing fingers, because from what I see fans are already splitting into JYJ supporters and HoMin supporters…all of them are DBSK, so why can’t we be fans of both groups now?:D

Canadia

I think the problem a lot of fans have isn’t HoMin’s activity as a duo, but rather the use of the DBSK name. It just seems very…(gauche? crude?) insensitive to work under a name that initially represented the unique dynamic of 5 people.

Jenny

hmmmmmmm, I wonder how popular those two will be in Japan because they were absolutely crazy about Jaejoong.
Jaejoong topped so many ideal guy charts and acting in a dorama increased that.
Neither Yunho or Changmin were ever that popular(in Japan).

hapacalgirl

I wonder how they are going to do in both countries. In Korea Junsu is probably the most popular with Jaejoong in 2nd followed by Micky post Sungkyunkwan Scandal and in Japan Jaejoong is definitely the fan favorite. I wish them luck since you can’t really hate them for deciding to follow their own personal principles and reasons in staying with SME. I personally don’t like SME because I have seen what they have done since the golden age of kpop but I have nothing against their artists making their own personal choices. I just wish SME wouldn’t try to capitalize on the DBSK name and just give the duo another stage name.

http://facebook.com/jae.milkowski Jae

“If one of the members leaves the team, I will not stay in TVXQ anymore.” – Junsu

“Only when the five of us are together are we called TVXQ!” – Changmin

“If any of the members were to leave TVXQ, we would not be TVXQ anymore.” – Jaejoong

“I hope that the friendship between the members will always remain.” – Yoochun

“I hope that no matter how many and how great our difficulties may be, we will always overcome them together. Just as long as the five of us are together, we are most happy.” – Yunho

Done and done.

Xenia

“Well, it’s not like I’m obliged to jump off the roof if other four are going to jump. TVXQ is just a step in my life and I love my mom more then other four members combined. If some of them want to keep me from reaching my personal goals I will not let them because I came into this business because of my own dreams, desires and ambitions” – insert any member name.
LOL, it would be the most scandalous thing EVER, if the member of some group would say something like that. All they can allow themselves to say is “together forever” and “all for one”.

Vatsumi

Fan girls, stop bitching about if someone is biased or not what ever, they’re not As Ive told many people they’re disbanned. Deal with it. They’re the ones who sued. JYJ which has been stated many of times, were treated bad. Stop saying “GET BACK TOGETHER!!” seriously, Im a fan myself, but I do not believe they’ll get back together. so stop bitching. It’s stupid.
Vatsumi

and to add on to it. Just support them no matter what. Do we call ourselves fans for nothing? No. what’s done is done. =/