TVXQ (stylized as TVXQ!), an initialism for Tong Vfang Xien Qi[2] (Chinese: 東方神起), is a South Korean male pop duo consisting of U-Know Yunho and Max Changmin. They are known as Tohoshinki (東方神起, Tōhōshinki) in Japanese releases, and are sometimes referred to as DBSK, an abbreviation of their Korean name Dong Bang Shin Ki[3] (Korean: 동방신기). Their name roughly translates to "Rising Gods of the East".[4][5] Formed by SM Entertainment in 2003, TVXQ began as a five-member boy band composed of members U-Know Yunho, Max Changmin, Hero Jaejoong, Micky Yoochun, and Xiah Junsu. They were immediately launched to mainstream recognition following the release of their first physical single "Hug" (2004), which peaked at number four on the MIAK monthly music chart. Their first studio albums Tri-Angle (2004) and Rising Sun (2005) were both top sellers, pushing the band's popularity beyond Korea. Under Avex, TVXQ entered the Japanese market with their first Japanese album Heart, Mind and Soul (2006), but it was met with limited success.