TVXQ’s U-Know goes it solo for “Body Language”. Zero connection to Kylie Minogue.

I have never been big on TVXQ. When they were out here as a five piece group looking like Organization XIII members I did not get the big deal with them. But I guess looking back, it really was just the time. They were a boy band during a generation of K-pop when boy bands were a sure thing and they were a focus for SM Entertainment.

The only TVXQ songs I liked was their Japanese single “Survivor” from when Jaejoong, Micky and Junsu were a part of the group, and their Korean single “Catch Me” after the great SM lawsuit of 2009. Much like BoA, TVXQ were signed to Avex and made to hustle in Japan with the full weight of SM behind them, and they enjoyed huge success. But just like BoA, the quality of TVXQ’s Japanese releases fell off a cliff. And just like BoA, TVXQ found themselves in this weird place where they spent so much time focusing on their career in Japan, that the landscape of K-pop changed by the time they returned to it. So they’re looked at as a relic. But unlike BoA, they don’t have to deal with the ‘Bitch, you old’ bullshit, because sexism and also ageism being something that is put on women, circling back to that good ol’ sexism.

HENNYWAY.

I do check out what TVXQ puts out on the odd chance that maybe SOMETHING will be good, but nothing really stands out and makes me sit up. But this solo U-Know song right here? It’s kinda good.

This is a great video. And U-Know looks great. I did not care for the contact lenses. But aside from that, U-Know was serving. Props to the stylist. Because that Gucci outfit and the blazer? The Dickies hoodie and fur coat ensemble? YES bitch.

And I really like the song. It’s fun. It’s catchy. It features a really cool bridge section to switch things up. It doesn’t outstay its welcome before the harmonica riff / sample gets overly annoying. Although I’m sure some will find it annoying regardless.

U-Know - Body Language | SM Entertainment

“Body Language” intrigued me as to what an album from U-Know would sound like off the back of this. Despite being in the game for 20 years, U-Know has not released a full length album yet, which is crazy. But K-pop is in this weird place of simultaneously having a ‘Where is the album’ problem and ‘There are too many EPs and albums’ problem. Some acts do not release enough albums, where-as others release too many and need to do more one-off singles. And then there is SM Entertainment specifically who has some of their rosters just throw out EPs and albums with no real push and concepts which do not make a lick of sense, but that’s a whole other post.

U-Know clearly has a ‘Where is the album’ problem. Then again, none of his EP’s are intriguing enough to a point where I wanted an album. His EP’s barely have enough to really engage for their 15–20 minute runtimes. But then again, it’s SM’s job to develop him to a point where his music is better and can make up an album. So let’s see if they managed to do that after 2 decades, as U-Know will be releasing his first ever full length album on 5 November.