Debuting in South Korea on December 26, 2003, they quickly became a popular teenage chorus group in their homeland. By the date of their Japanese debut in 2005, Dong Bang Shin Ki had not only made themselves known in Korea as a dance only boyband, but a group that had the ability to harmonize, vocalize, and dance to perfection; earning them many praises by many other Korean artists that they would refer to as sunbae's.
With major success in Korea, Dong Bang Shin Ki made their way to Japan, eager to conquer a foreign land. With that thought in mind, Dong Bang Shin Ki decided that they did not want to come to Japan as Hallyu stars but as Japanese Pop idols and so their struggle began. For the first few months of their Japanese career, which had started with the release of the single: "Stay With Me Tonight", the members of Dong Bang Shin Ki spent that time learning/improving their Japanese, battling the depression they got from both homesickness and not achieving the response they wanted immediately, language barriers, and thoughts of giving up completely in turn to go home. While promoting Purple Line (Korean Ver.) in Korea, the members stated that they at first didn't want to work in Japan and were forced rather than having that motivation to work hard.
After months of hard work and intense Japanese studies, Dong Bang Shin Ki finally got the break they were looking for with their second single, "Somebody To Love", which ranked at number fourteen on the Oricon chart and included their first ballad song. In November, Dong Bang Shin Ki released "My Destiny", their first ballad single and with this single earned them the popularity they wanted. After "My Destiny" was released and sold more than any of their other singles, as well the gain of more fans, they released "明日は来るから". With the release of "明日は来るから", that song became an instant success and was used as the seventeenth ending for the popular anime, ONE PIECE and soon the release of their final single for their first album, "Rising Sun/Heart, Mind and Soul" had arrived. Although the "Rising Sun/Heart, Mind and Soul" single hadn't done as well as the other singles, their first album, "Heart, Mind and Soul", was still a huge hit. Things had finally started to look up for the five members known as Dong Bang Shin Ki and after the release of their album in 2006, they held their first nationwide tour: 1st Live Tour 2006: Heart, Mind and Soul. Tickets to 1st Live Tour 2006: Heart, Mind and Soul were sold out immediately.
With the success of their first five singles and their first album, they began working harder on their sixth single. In June, they released "Begin", a sweet, ballad song with an upbeat B-side("High Time") and they also appeared in the Avex summer festival A-Nation '06 that July and August. Their next and seventh single, "Sky", ranked number six on the Oricon chart making it their first single to be ranked in the Top Ten and at that time, the highest ranking single of their Japanese career. Three months later, Dong Bang Shin Ki returned with yet another single, "Miss You/“O” -正・反・合" and this single ranked number three on the Oricon charts and was the first of many to come to be ranked in the Top Five as well as, replaced "Sky" as their highest ranking single. Somehow, they managed to hold conerts in Thailand, Malaysia, and China, earning them more fans and success. While their popularity was slowly, but surely growing in Japan, Dong Bang Shin Ki's popularity in Korea rose even more and in turn they earned lots of awards, these awards included: MKMF's Best Music Video for "Rising Sun (순수)", MKMF's People's Choice Award, MKMF's Artist of the Year, China-Ten Most Popular Music Group, China-Ten Most Popular Song, etc. . . After their second tour The 2nd Asia Tour Concert 'O' and with their increasing popularity in Japan, Dong Bang Shin Ki released "Step by Step" and "Choosey Lover" both that were ranked in the top ten among very popular artists ("Step by Step" ranked number seven and "Choosey Lover" ranked number nine), not to mention that "Choosey Lover" was the opening theme song for Xenos Xenos. Finally recognized as Japanese Pop idols, they released their second album titled "Five in the Black" (ranked number ten on the Oricon charts) and held yet another nationwide concert to support this album. As they sang their song "Proud", Junsu and Yoochun broke out into tears, finally happy that they achieved their dream of breaking through in foreign territory and getting as far as they had.
In May of 2007, Dong Bang Shin Ki attended the MTV Japan Music Awards and won the award "Best Buzz Asia in Korea" for their "'O'-正.反.合." album. From June to December of 2007, Dong Bang Shin Ki released a string of five singles: "Lovin' You", "Summer: Summer Dream/Song for You/Love in the Ice", "Shine/Ride On", "Forever Love" and "Together". "Summer: Summer Dream/Song for You/Love in the Ice" peaked at number two on the Oricon charts, marking that single as their highest ranking single of the time. In November of 2007, Dong Bang Shin Ki collaborated with Koda Kumi to create "LAST ANGEL", which peaked at number two and was the image song for the movie "Resident Evil: Extinction".
2008 marked the start of Dong Bang Shin Ki's supreme rise in Japan. First in January, they released "Purple Line", marking that as not only their first single to peak at number one on the Oricon charts, but the first single to be produced by a non-Japanese band to peak at number one as well as the start of their reign as number one on the Oricon charts and their first single to be created by a non-Japanese staff. Before their amazing reign atop the Oricon charts could begin to rise, they released their third Japanese studio album titled "T" as well as indivdual singles that spelt out T.R.I.C.K (T: Two Hearts/WILD SOUL - Changmin, R: Runaway/MY GIRLFRIEND - Yoochun, I: If...?!/RAINY NIGHT - Junsu, C: Close to You/CRAZY LIFE - Yunho, K: Keyword/MAZE - Jaejoong). Following the release of the T.R.I.C.K singles, Dong Bang Shin Ki released "Beautiful You/千年恋歌" in April, their second single to peak number one on the Oricon charts and the single that broke the twenty four year old record set by Ou-Yang Fei Fei (two singles to peak number one on the charts by a foreign artist). After "Beautiful You/千年恋歌" ", Dong Bang Shin Ki returned to Korea for the 14th Annual Dream Concert on June 7th. Immediately following that concert, they wrapped their Asia tour in Beijing. Returning back to Japan, they released "どうして君を好きになってしまったんだろう?", their third single to peak at number one the Oricon charts and the single that made them the first non-Japanese artist to have three consecutive singles peak at number one. Following that release, they performed at Avex Trax's 20th Anniversary meeting and A-Nation '08. In August of 2008, Dong Bang Shin Ki returned back to Korea to take part in SMTown '08 alongside BoA, 천상지희 The Grace, 張力尹, 소녀시대, SHINee and Super Junior.
They released the fourth Korean studio album titled "Mirotic", another chart topping Korean album with 502,837 copies sold and earning them another record for the first Korean album in six years to sell more than 500,000 copies. In October, Dong Bang Shin Ki returned to the Japanese Pop scene with "呪文 -MIROTIC- ", the Japanese counterpart of the title single to their fourth Korean album. "呪文 -MIROTIC- " peaked number one, causing Dong Bang Shin Ki to destroy their previous record with four single to peak number one. Dong Bang Shin Ki then attended Kouhaku Uta Gassen Music Festival on New Year's Eve, making them the first Korean group to attend.
Tohoshinki's twenty-fifth single, "Bolero/Kiss the Baby Sky/忘れないで", released on January 21, 2009 was yet another single that peaked number one atop the Oricon charts, making them the first foreign artist to have five consecutive number one singles and the song "Bolero" was used theme song for the Japanese movie, "Subaru". In March, they released "Survivor", this single peaked at number three and subsequently ended their amazing number one reign. "Survivor" was succeeded by the release of their fourth Japanese studio album, "The Secret Code", which debuted at number two on the charts and thus, they embarked on their fourth live tour: Dong Bang Shin Ki 4th Live Tour 2009: The Secret Code to help support the album. Dong Bang Shin Ki 4th Live Tour 2009: The Secret Code ended in the Tokyo Dome, making them the first Korean group to perform on that stage. In April, they released "Share the World/ウィーアー!", another one of their singles that peaked number one and extended their record to six number one singles(not consecutive). In July, they released "Stand By U" and debuted at number two on the charts. On September 30, 2009, Jejung and Yuchun came together to produce the single "COLORS ~Melody and Harmony~/Shelter". "COLORS ~Melody and Harmony~" was composed and written by Yuchun and Jejung, while "Shelter" was also composed and written by Yuchun and Jejung with the help of Junsu. "COLORS ~Melody and Harmony~/Shelter" debuted at number one and therefore making Dong Bang Shin Ki the first non-Japanese artists to have seven singles top the Oricon charts. As of March 24, 2010, Dong Bang Shin Ki has released yet another single, "時ヲ止メテ", a slow ballad song that was originally featured in a CF for the cosmetics brand Menard as well as TOHOSHINKI THE LIVE 2009.
After conflicts with the lawsuit filed by three of the members (Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu) against SM Entertainment, on April 3, 2010, Avex announced that TVXQ would be ceasing all of their Japanese activities for the time being and that it would focus on helping each member with their solo activities. It was later announced in early May 2010 that the three members of TVXQ would appear as a subunit in the Thanksgiving Live in Dome concert in Japan. The three-member group was announced by Rhythm Zone and would be called JYJ, representing the first letter of each of their names.
On November 23, 2010, SM Entertainment announced that TVXQ would be returning by now as a duo consisting of Changmin and Yunho and have their comeback in Korea in early 2011. On November 24, 2010, Avex Entertainment, as well as SM Entertainment Japan, released a statement about the renewal of contracts of SM artists signed to Avex. The special edition of TVXQ's newest album, Keep Your Head Down, was released in South Korea on January 5, 2011 and their single 왜 (Keep Your Head Down) was released by Avex Trax in Japan on January 26, 2011.
Current Members
U-Know Yunho 유노윤호/ユンホ
Birthday: 1986.02.06
Height: 184cm
Weight: 66kg
Blood type: A
Max Changmin 최강창민/チャンミン
Birthday: 1988.02.18
Height: 186cm
Weight: 61kg
Blood type: B
Former Members
Hero Jaejoong 영웅재중/ジェジュン
Birthday: 1986.01.26
Height: 178cm
Weight: 63kg
Blood type: O
Micky Yoochun 믹키유천/ユチュン
Birthday: 1986.06.04
Height: 180cm
Weight: 64kg
Blood type: O
Xiah Junsu 시아준수/ジュンス
Birthday: 1986.12.15
Registered Birthday: 1987.01.01
Height: 178cm
Weight: 60kg
Blood type: B
인생은 빛났다
동방신기 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
우린 서로가 푹 빠져있던 셈인데 eh eh okay
이 봐 처음부터 모든 게 이렇게 eh eh okay
일이 이 지경이 될 거란 걸 알고 있었지 eh eh okay
다들 떠들어댔지 댔지 거기까지라고
그때 난 맹세했지 했지 오늘의 gloria
난 나를 지배해 (woo)
가 가시 같던 매 맹수 같던
찢기던 시간을 다 이겨낸
그 순간 인생은 빛났다
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Ah ah ah ah ah)
인간이란 고통을 통해 커가는 것 eh eh okay
진짜가 되는 길은 정말 쉽지 않잖아 eh eh okay
내 안의 싸움은 길고 지루했지만 eh eh okay
그 땐 이런 평화란 상상 못했지 eh eh okay
고갤 다 절레절레 했지 내 안의 질문들
정말로 무시무시했지 전쟁은 끝났어
난 나를 지배해 (woo)
난 깃발을 들어 (woo)
이 삶의 타이밍 후회는 없어
두렵던 마음을 다 이겨낸
그 순간 인생은 빛났다
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
안개 걷혀 눈앞은 고요해 (고요해 평화로워)
이 승리의 환희를 잠시 만끽하고는
또 다시 가는 우리 모습이여
난 나를 지배해 (woo)
난 깃발을 들어 (woo)
가 가시 같던 매 맹수 같던
찢기던 시간을 다 이겨낸
그 순간 인생은 빛났다
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
The first stanza of "인생은 빛났다" expresses the confusion that the singer feels about their current situation. They don't understand what's going on, but they acknowledge that they and their partner were in love with each other. The next line suggests that the singer knew that things would turn out this way all along. They may have tried to avoid it, but deep down, they knew that they were going to get hurt.
The second stanza talks about the struggles of growing up and becoming a real person. The singer mentions that life is not easy, and that true success takes hard work. They also mention the internal battles that they went through on their journey, but ultimately, they never gave up. The last lines of the song talk about how everything finally falls into place, and the singer knows that they've reached their goal.
Overall, "인생은 빛났다" is a song that celebrates hard work, perseverance, and the joy of finally achieving your dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
뭐가 뭔지 하나도 모르겠네 eh eh okay
I don't know what's what at all, okay
우린 서로가 푹 빠져있던 셈인데 eh eh okay
We were both deeply in love, okay
이 봐 처음부터 모든 게 이렇게 eh eh okay
Hey, everything has been like this from the beginning, okay
일이 이 지경이 될 거란 걸 알고 있었지 eh eh okay
I knew things would end up like this, okay
다들 떠들어댔지 댔지 거기까지라고
Everyone was gossiping, saying that was the end
그때 난 맹세했지 했지 오늘의 gloria
But back then, I promised myself that today would be my glory
난 나를 지배해 (woo)
I will dominate myself (woo)
난 깃발을 들어 (woo)
I raise my flag (woo)
가 가시 같던 매 맹수 같던
Whether it was like thorns or wild beasts
찢기던 시간을 다 이겨낸
I overcame all the times I was torn apart
그 순간 인생은 빛났다
At that moment, life shone brightly
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Ah ah ah ah ah)
(Ah ah ah ah ah)
인간이란 고통을 통해 커가는 것 eh eh okay
Growing up as a human being means going through pain, okay
진짜가 되는 길은 정말 쉽지 않잖아 eh eh okay
The path to becoming real is really not easy, okay
내 안의 싸움은 길고 지루했지만 eh eh okay
The battle within me was long and boring, but okay
그 땐 이런 평화란 상상 못했지 eh eh okay
Back then, I couldn't even imagine this kind of peace, okay
고갤 다 절레절레 했지 내 안의 질문들
I was shaking my head at all the questions inside of me
정말로 무시무시했지 전쟁은 끝났어
War was really terrifying, but it's over now
이 삶의 타이밍 후회는 없어
There is no regret about the timing of my life
두렵던 마음을 다 이겨낸
I conquered my fearful heart
안개 걷혀 눈앞은 고요해 (고요해 평화로워)
The fog clears and everything in front of me is calm (calm and peaceful)
이 승리의 환희를 잠시 만끽하고는
After enjoying the joy of this victory for a moment
또 다시 가는 우리 모습이여
We are going again, our appearance
그 순간 인생은 빛났다
At that moment, life shone brightly
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
(Dah ah ah ah ah ah yeah eh eh eh)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Jeffrey Jiminez, Yeon Jung Kim, Harvey Jay Mason, Steven L. Russell, Jeannine Sharp, Damon E. Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind