I. Introduction
Shim Chang-min (심창민), known professionally as Max Changmin (최강창민 ), Changmin or Max, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor. He is the main vocalist in the boy group TVXQ!.
II. Career
III. Debut in TVXQ
Changmin was scouted when he was 14 years old by SM Entertainment. He made his debut as a main vocalist and maknae in TVXQ! on December 26, 2003, when he was 15 years old. TVXQ was originally a five-member group, including U-Know Yunho, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun and Xiah Junsu. The group released its first single "Hug" and debut album in 2004, which became of the best selling albums of the year. The group also released its first Japanese album the following year under the name Tohoshinki.
"Hug"
TVXQ grew in popularity throughout Asia over its next several albums before releasing its seminal "Mirotic." Changmin is in the brown long sleeved jacket, hitting the famous high note on 2:13.
"Mirotic"
Changmin began to write songs for both TVXQ and other artists.
IIII. 2010-2015: TVXQ Becomes a Duo
Following a series of lawsuits in 2008-10, four members departed the group and TXVQ became a duo with Changmin and U-Know. Where Changmin was one of three main vocalists in the six-member group, his high notes, screams and powerful vocals became the focus as the main vocalist of the new duo.
The duo continued to perform with chart-topping albums in Korea and Japan for the next five years before their mandatory military service. TVXQ set sales records and concert attendance records in Japan, becoming the best-selling and highest-grossing foreign artists.
Additionally, Changmin appeared in a number of acting roles in Korean and Japanese movies, TV and variety shows, as well as releasing solo songs. His performance in the Japanese film Fly With the Gold earned him a Newcomer of the Year award at the Japanese Academy Awards and Best New Artist at the Japan Film Critic awards. In 2013, he won Best Entertainer (Variety) for his work on Cool Kiz on the Block.
He also continued to write songs for TXVQ, as well as other artists like SHINee, Taemin and Kyuhyun.
In 2014, he joined the SM project group, S.M. The Ballad and participated on the group's second album, Breath.
IIIII. 2015-2020: Military and Solo Work
A day before enlisting, Changmin released his first Japanese solo debut mini album, Close to You, on November 18, 2015. It was sold only through the Japanese fan club online shop. After completing his military service in August 2017, he rejoined with U-Know to continue releasing chart-topping TVXQ albums.
An example of his well-known rock and roll-style screams at :58 and 4:00-4:08 This is 15 years into his career with TVXQ.
Changmin continued to act and appear in variety shows, in addition to performing in TVXQ. He released his Korean solo EP, Chocolate, on April 6, 2020, which reached #2 in Korea and #3 in Japan.
IIIV. 2021: Kingdom and Japanese releases
Changmin continued television work, including hosting the TV show Kingdom: Legendary War.
He released a second Japanese EP, Human, on Dec. 8, 2021 through TVXQ's fan club, which reached #2 on the Japanese Oricon charts. Changmin appeared with TVXQ on a new song for the 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU Express Album. He also released a Japanese version of "Chocolate" as a single and his first English single "Gold Dust" in late December.
IIV. 2022: Second Solo EP
Changmin appeared with TVXQ as part of the SMTOWN 2022 New Year's Day show and also debuted songs from his upcoming solo EP. He released his second solo EP, Devil, on January 13, 2022.
III. Discography
Year | Title | Album |
2008 | "Wild Soul" | Two Hearts/Wild Soul (solo on Tohoshinki single) |
2010 | "Big Time" | - |
2011 | "고백 (Confession)" | Keep Your Head Down (solo on TVXQ album) |
2012 | "눈물 같은 사람 (A Person Like Tears) | Jeon Woo-Chi Original Soundtrack |
2013 | "Rock with U" | Close to You |
2013 | "Gold Dust" | Close to You |
2014 | "Breath" (Japanese version) | SM the Ballad Vol. 2 - Breath |
2014 | "Heaven's Day" | Spellbound (solo on TVXQ album) |
2014 | "슬픔 속에 그댈 지워야만 해 (Because I Love You - Acoustic Version) | Mimi Original Soundtrack |
2014 | "Over" | - |
2014 | "사랑한다 그 말을 못해서 (Because I couldn't say the words "I Love You") | The Night Watchman's Journal Original Soundtrack |
2015 | "Rise as One" | Rise as God (solo on TVXQ album) |
2015 | "Apology" | Rise as God (solo on TVXQ album) |
2017 | "In a Different Life" | TVXQ! Week - Station Special Package |
2018 | "Closer" | New Chapter #1: The Chance of Love (solo on TVXQ album) |
2018 | "아스라이...(Beautiful Stranger)" | New Chapter #2: The Truth of Love (solo on TVXQ album) |
2020 | "Chocolate" | Chocolate |
2020 | "All That Love" | SM Station Season 4 |
2021 | "Chocolate" (Japanese version) | single |
2021 | "Human" | Human |
2021 | "Gold Dust" (English version) | single |
2022 | "Devil" | Devil |
Year | Song | Artist | Album | Credit |
2007 | "Evergreen" | TVXQ | 2007 Winter SMTown - Only Love | Lyricist |
2008 | "Love in the Ice" | TVXQ | Mirotic | Lyricist |
2009 | "12시 34분 (Nothing Better)" | TVXQ | 2009 Summer SMTown - We Are Shining | Lyricist |
2011 | "고백 (Confession)" | Max Changmin | Keep Your Head Down | Lyricist |
2012 | "I Swear" | TVXQ | Catch Me | Lyricist |
2013 | "기억을 따라서 (Everlasting)" | TVXQ | Live World Tour: Catch Me in Seoul | |
2013 | "떠나지 못해 (Sleepless Night)" | SHINee | Why So Serious - The Misconceptions of Me | Lyricist |
2014 | "Rise..." | TVXQ | Tense | Lyricist |
2014 | "Heaven's Day" | SHINee | Spellbound | Lyricist |
2014 | "Ace" | Taemin | Ace | Lyricist |
2014 | "나의 생각, 너의 기억 (My Thoughts, Your Memories) | Kyuhyun | At Gwanghwamun | Lyricist |
2017 | "In A Different Life" | Max Changmin | - | Lyricist |
2018 | "Sun & Rain" | TVXQ |
New Chapter #1: The Chance of Love |
Lyricist |
2018 | "Jelly Love" | TVXQ | New Chapter #2: The Truth of Love | Lyricist |
2018 | "아스라이... (Beautiful Stranger)" | Max Changmin | New Chapter #2: The Truth of Love | Lyricist |
2019 | "Come A Little Closer (너와 나)" | Leeteuk, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Donghae | Analog Trip Original Soundtrack | Lyricist |
2020 | "Chocolate" | Max Changmin | Chocolate | Lyricist |
2020 | "No Tomorrow" | Max Changmin | Chocolate | Lyricist |
2020 | "All That Love" | Max Changmin | SM Station Season 4 | Lyricist |
2021 | "Human" | Max Changmin | Human | Lyricist |
2022 | "Devil" | Max Changmin | Devil | Lyricist |
2022 | "Alien" | Max Changmin | Devil | Lyricist |
References:
KOMCA: Searching Works (search W0843900 under Writers & Publishers)
IV. Videography
Year | Title | Role |
2012 | Fly With the Gold | Momo |
2012 | I Am - SM Town Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden (documentary) | himself |
Year | Title | Role | Network/Platform |
2005 | Banjun Theater | Max Changmin | SBS |
2006 | Vacation | Max Changmin | OCN |
2008-12 | Happy Together | guest | KBS2 |
2010 | Athena: Goddess of War | Choi Tae-hyun | SBS |
2011 | Paradise Ranch | Han Dong-joo | SBS |
2011 | Welcome to the Show | Himself | SBS |
2011-12 | Running Man | guest | SBS |
2012 | Strong Heart | guest | SBS |
2013 | Saki | Cafe Customer | |
2013 | Moonlight Prince | Cast member | KBS2 |
2013-14 | Cool Kiz on the Block | Cast Member | KBS2 |
2014 | Mimi | Han Min-woo | Mnet |
2015 | The Scholar Who Walks the Night | Crown Prince Lee Yoon | MBC |
2015 | Exciting India | host | KBS2 |
2017 | Knowing Bros | guest | jTBC |
2017 | Let's Eat Dinner Together | guest | jTBC |
2018 | I Can See Your Voice: Season 5 | guest | Mnet |
2018 | The Return of Superman | guest | KBS2 |
2018 | Tense Bakabon 3 | Changmin | NTV |
2018 | Life Bar | guest | tvN |
2018 | I Live Alone | guest | MBC |
2019 | Analog Trip | Himself | YouTube Originals |
2020 | Amazing Saturday | guest | tvN |
2021 | Kingdom: Legendary War | Host | Mnet |
2021 | Crazy Recipe Adventure | Panelist | MBC |
2021 | Drink with God Season 2 | Special MC | Channel S |
2021 | Bistro Shigor | Guest | jTBC |
Rise As One MV
In A Different Life MV
"Chocolate" MV
All That Love MV
Human MV
Devil MV
Maniac MV
V. Photos
VI. Trivia
- Changmin is also fluent in Japanese.
- Changmin had no interest in being a singer but went to the SM casting auditions because his mom persuaded him because she wanted to meet BoA.
- He has an extremely high IQ and has bachelor's degrees from Konkuk and Kyunghee University in post-modern music and film and arts, as well as a master's degree and doctorate from Inha University.
- He loves photography and became a student of photographer Kim Young-moon.
- He loves to cook and posts about his cooking classes and creations on his IG account.
- He has a Bichon Frise named "Buzzi."