Changmin

Shim Chang-min (; born February 18, 1988), better known by his stage name Max Changmin , is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and a member of the pop duo TVXQ. Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Changmin was scouted by an SM Entertainment talent agent when he was fourteen years old. He made his debut as TVXQ's youngest member in December 2003.

Fluent in both Korean and Japanese, Changmin has achieved commercial success throughout Asia as the main vocalist of TVXQ. He has also starred in several dramas.

Early life Changmin was born and raised in Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea urged Changmin to attend the casting auditions anyway. Three days after auditioning, S.M. called Changmin in for a second audition, which he passed. After winning the Best Singer and Best Artist award at S.M.'s 6th Annual Youth Best Contest, Changmin signed with the company.

Music career TVXQ

The final lineup of TVXQ consisted of Changmin, U-Know Yunho, Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun, and Kim Jun-su. The group officially debuted on December 26, 2003, during a BoA and Britney Spears showcase. They performed their debut single "Hug", which became a hit in South Korea. TVXQ has been releasing number one albums in Korea since their second studio album Rising Sun (2005), which was also the album that gave the group their first Daesang , or Grand Award, at the Mnet KM Music Festival. Their fourth Korean album Mirotic (2008) was the Album of the Year at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival and the 2008 Golden Disc Awards. The album features the group's most well-known and bestselling single, "Mirotic."

In 2005, TVXQ made their Japanese debut with the single "Stay with Me Tonight," debuting at number 37 on the Oricon Singles Chart. They grabbed their first number one single in Japan with "Purple Line" (2008). Their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code spawned two platinum-selling singles "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?" and Share the World" (2009), a theme song for the anime One Piece.

TVXQ was plunged into legal turmoil when members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed an injunction against their agency in July 2009. This led to their much-publicized departure from the group in 2010. A year later, Changmin and Yunho returned as a duo, releasing albums in both Korean and Japanese. As a duo, TVXQ set sales records and concert attendance records in Japan, becoming the country's bestselling and highest-grossing foreign music act.

S.M. The Ballad and solo career In 2014, Changmin joined the ballad group S.M. the Ballad, initially formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2010. On the group's 2nd album Breath, he sang the Japanese version of the title track "Breath" with f(x)'s Krystal Jung.

2015–present: Close to You, Chocolate, Human, and Devil Changmin released his first Japanese solo mini album Close to You on November 18, 2015, one day before his enlistment. The lead single is a ballad titled "Into the Water", among six other tracks. Bundled with a DVD that includes a music video and behind-the-scenes footage, Close to You was a limited release and was only made available for purchase to members of TVXQ's Japanese fanclub, Bigeast.

On March 13, 2020, it was reported that the TVXQ member was preparing to release a solo album. A source from SM Entertainment confirmed the news and stated, "Changmin is currently working hard, with the goal of releasing his solo album in April."

On March 23, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Changmin would be releasing his debut mini album Chocolate on April 6. The mini-album consists of six songs of varying genres—including the title track "Chocolate" and features a collaboration with Korean singer Chungha.

Although Changmin had previously released solo songs in the past, through TVXQ's albums, contributions to soundtracks and as well as a Japanese solo mini-album, Chocolate marked Changmin's official solo debut in Korea after debuting in the band more than 16 years ago. Fellow member Yunho also released his first solo mini-album True Colors the previous year.

On December 8, 2021, Changmin released his second Japanese mini album Human.

On January 13, 2022, Changmin released his second mini album Devil.

Television and acting career Changmin made his acting debut alongside TVXQ in the miniseries Vacation, which had a special premiere and screening at the main auditorium of Yonsei University. He also participated in a number of episodes of Banjun Drama, a popular mini series that aired on SBS network.

In 2010, Changmin had a guest role in the action thriller series Athena: Goddess of War, playing a NIS explosives specialist.

In 2011, Changmin took on his first lead role in the romantic comedy drama Paradise Ranch opposite Lee Yeon-hee. He also dubbed his own voice for the Japanese release of Paradise Ranch.

In 2012, Changmin made his big-screen debut in the Japanese film Fly With the Gold based on the novel by Takamura Kaoru. He plays Momo, a North Korean spy disguised as an engineering student. He has been praised for his fluent Osaka dialect in the film by director Izutsu Kazuyuki. Changmin was nominated for the Newcomer Award at the prestigious 37th annual Hochi Film Awards in Japan, becoming the first Korean artist to be nominated. On January 21, 2013, it was announced that Changmin had won the Newcomer of the Year award at the 36th Japanese Academy Award.

In 2013, Changmin became a co-host alongside Kang Ho-dong for the KBS variety show Moonlight Prince. This was Changmin's first stint as a regular host. Following the end of the show in March, Changmin joined the cast of sports variety show Cool Kiz On The Block as a cast member and left in 2014.

In 2014, Changmin starred in Mnet's four-episode miniseries Mimi. He next starred in the historical fantasy drama The Scholar Who Walks The Night as Crown Prince Lee Yoon.

Artistry

Changmin is known for his high tenor register, particularly his screams and high notes. He is also active as a lyricist, and has written for several of the band's music, including 2007's "Evergreen" (Only Love), the Korean version of "Love in the Ice" (Mirotic), "Confession" (Keep Your Head Down), and "I Swear" (Catch Me).

Changmin has also written for other groups and artists; such as "Sleepless Night", a track in SHINee's third album Chapter 2. Why So Serious? – The Misconceptions of Me; and "Ace", the title track of Taemin's album Ace; as well as "My Thoughts, Your Memories", a track on Kyuhyun's album At Gwanghwamun.

Personal life Besides his native Korean, Changmin is fluent in Japanese. Changmin graduated from Gaepo High School in 2006 and was accepted into Kyung Hee University in 2009, majoring in postmodern music. In 2011, he pursued a second degree in Film and Arts at Konkuk University. He went on to pursue a master's degree at Inha University. He is also interested in becoming a professional photographer and is a student of photographer Kim Young-joon.

Relationship and marriage The singer originally had planned to marry his non-celebrity girlfriend on September 5, 2020, but the wedding was later postponed due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple subsequently married in a private ceremony on October 25, 2020. His wife gave birth to their first son on October 17, 2022.

Volunteer work In January 2008, Changmin volunteered with his father in the cleanup of the beaches in Taean, South Korea following the nation's worst oil spill in history. His trip to Taean was intended to be done secretly during a short break from his activities with TVXQ during the new year and was only made known to the media and public when another volunteer posted his sighting on a fan site. The incident was later confirmed by TVXQ's agent.

Military service On July 7, 2015, Changmin applied for the Military Police to fulfill his compulsory national service. He was inducted into the Republic of Korea Armed Forces as a conscripted policeman on November 19, 2015. Changmin received five weeks of basic training at the Chungnam Nonsan Military Training Camp and was the leader of his squad. He was honorably discharged from service on August 18, 2017.

Discography

Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions SalesKOR JPN KoreanChocolate Released: April 6, 2020 Label: SM Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 2 3 KOR: 109,711 JPN: 18,171 Devil Released: January 13, 2022 Label: SM Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 7 17 KOR: 34,910 JPN: 2,643 Japanese Close to You Released: November 18, 2015 (limited) Label: Avex Trax Formats: CD+DVD — — Human Released: December 8, 2021 Label: Avex Trax Formats: CD+DVD — 2 JPN: 28,480 "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

Lyric credits

Filmography

Film + Title Year Role Notes Dating on Earth 2009 Changmin Direct-to-video I AM. 2012 Himself Documentary film Fly with the Gold Momo SMTOWN The Stage 2015 Himself Documentary film

Television series + Title Year Role Notes Banjun Drama 2005–06 Various roles Main role Vacation 2006 Himself Episode: "Beautiful Life" Athena: Goddess of War 2010 Choi Tae-hyun Guest role Paradise Ranch 2011 Han Dong-joo Main role Welcome to the Show Himself Cameo (Episode 1) Saki 2013 Cafe customer Cameo (Episode 11) Mimi 2014 Han Min-woo Main role The Scholar Who Walks the Night 2015 Crown Prince Lee Yoon Main role Tensai Bakabon 3 2018 Hotel porter Cameo

Musical + Title Year Role Notes Hologram Musical: School Oz 2015 Oscar Main role Benjamin Button 2024 Benjamin Button Main role

Variety show + Title Year Role Notes Explorers of the Human Body 2007 Cast member 2 episodes Moonlight Prince 2013 Co-host Cool Kiz On The Block 2013–14 Cast member Kingdom: Legendary War 2021 Host Max Changmin's Free Hug 2021–22 Host 2 seasons Drink with God 2 2021 Special MC 1 episode Bistro Shigor 2021 Cast member 내:일을 여는 인문학 2022 Cast member My Teenage Boy 2023 Host The Return of Superman 2023 Narrator

Other shows

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Recipient Result Hochi Film Awards 2012 Best New Artist Fly with the Gold Japan Academy Awards 2013 Newcomer of the Year Japan Film Critics Awards Best New Artist KBS Entertainment Awards Best Entertainer (Variety) Cool Kiz On The Block Best Newcomer Moonlight Prince