Dong Bang Shin Gi (TVXQ, DBSG, THSK) is undoubtedly in high spirits as the number of full-length records sold reaches the one million mark, a precedent in the local music industry.
According to the Music Industry Association of Korea, the pop group had sold 955,693 albums as of late June.
Released last year in September, the group’s 3rd full-length album, “O. Jung Ban Hap,” sold 375,717 copies. 2005’s “Rising Sun” sold 282,587 copies, and their debut album “Tri-Angle,” released in late 2004, sold 297,389 copies.
If you take into account that one million albums roughly equal 10 billion won in sales, the group can be seen as SM Entertainment golden geese.
The local music industry has been in a depression for the past few years. TVXQ exploded onto the local pop scene in 2004 and after releasing 3 full-length albums, their record sales have brought back energy and a new hope to the local music market.
The massive success of the 5-member boy-band has also spawned a whole new generation of pop groups.
TVXQ’s first single, “Hug,” has sold about 190,000 copies since it was released in January 2004, while about 250,000 copies of their second single, “The Way U Are,” have been sold.