All About JYJ: Members, Debut, Discography, Scandals, etc.

Debut with TVXQ

In July 2009, members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu tried to part with their Korean management S.M. Entertainment, claiming that their thirteen-year-long contract is too long, the schedule is held without the permission of the members, and profits are distributed unfairly. In October 2009, the Seoul Central District Court gave all three temporary contract sentences, and TVXQ group activities in Korea were stopped. In November 2009, Yunho and Changmin released a joint statement to support S.M. Entertainment, and urged all three to solve their problems with their management quickly if they want to continue their careers as members of TVXQ.

As a result of legal battles, the Shenzhen event for the group’s ‘Mirotic’ tour was canceled a week before the scheduled date on November 21st, 2009, ending the tour prematurely. Regardless of the order, Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu maintained their activities as members of TVXQ under Avex management in Japan, and the group continued to release new Japanese singles together until early 2010. However, the members’ last public performance was on December 31st, 2009, at the 60th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, where they performed their twenty-eighth single, “Stand by U.”

In January 2010, TVXQ released their twenty-ninth single, “Break Out!” which set a new record for the group. The single topped Oricon and broke Elton John’s record for fourteen years with the highest first-week sales for a foreign artist. On February 17th, 2010, TVXQ released their best Japanese hit album Best Selection 2010, a compilation of their number one hits, including a new single released after The Secret Code 2009, such as “Share the World/We Are!” “Stand by U,” and “Break Out!” The album sold more than 400,000 copies in one week, gaining double platinum RIAJ status at the end of February. In March 2010, the group released their last single together, “Toki o Tomete,” which was certified platinum by the RIAJ.

Forming the New Group, JYJ

On April 3rd, 2010, Avex announced the suspension of TVXQ’s activities in Japan, stating that each member would pursue a solo career. However, a week later, Avex announced the formation of a “special unit” with members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu – later known as JYJ – a move that caused Yunho and Changmin’s pause to be unlimited from music activities. After the announcement of JYJ, S.M. Entertainment filed a lawsuit against JYJ to validate their contract. In June 2010, JYJ filed a lawsuit against S.M. Entertainment to cancel their exclusive contract. Following the lawsuit, S.M. Entertainment tried to criticize JYJ and their new agency C-JeS, while Yunho and Changmin remained silent throughout the legal process. Meanwhile, Avex released TVXQ’s two biggest hits albums, Complete One-Sided Collection and Single B-side Collection, both of which were released on June 30th. That was the closing release of TVXQ under their contract with Rhythm Zone.

After several months of inactivity, Yunho and Changmin made their comeback appearances in August 2010 for the stop of Seoul SM Town Live ’10 World Tour, where they re-recorded an older version of TVXQ songs. Their two-part performance received a strong and supportive reaction from the audience, prompting Yunho and Changmin’s decision to continue TVXQ’s activities without the other three. There was a brief talk about recruiting new members, but their mentor Lee Soo-man suggested that they continue their music career as a duo. Shortly after the concert, the two began working on their comeback album and brought a new line of producers, including the E-Tribe and Outsidaz. In September 2010, Avex dropped JYJ, citing conflicts with C-JeS. Avex later expressed its support for the remaining members of TVXQ, Yunho and Changmin, on November 24th, announcing that the two had signed a new record contract with the label Rhythm Zone, Avex Trax.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

• Thanksgiving Live in Dome (2011)

Extended plays

Singles

Soundtrack contributions