TVXQ Leader U-Know Yunho Drops First Solo Album 'I-KNOW' After 22 Years: Presidential Award Winner Explores Dual Identity

K-pop legend releases 10-track album with EXO's Kai and (G)I-DLE's Minnie collaborations

Twenty-two years into his career, TVXQ's U-Know Yunho has achieved a career first: releasing a full-length solo album. On November 5, 2025, the K-pop veteran unveiled 'I-KNOW' at a press conference at Seoul's Sofitel Ambassador Hotel, marking a watershed moment for an artist who has shaped the industry since 2003.

From "Thank U" Meme to Presidential Recognition

The timing couldn't be more poignant. Fresh off receiving the Presidential Commendation at the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards in October-the nation's highest cultural honor-Yunho enters this new chapter riding an unexpected wave of renewed popularity. His 2021 track "Thank U" became a viral sensation in 2025, transforming into the "lesson meme" phenomenon that earned him the affectionate nickname "Uncle Thank U" from younger fans.

"My elementary school niece calls me 'Uncle Thank U,'" Yunho shared with a laugh at the showcase. "Everywhere I go, people say 'Lesson hyung' or 'Lesson uncle.' I'm grateful."

The viral moment, sparked by streamer Looksam's parody video, has ironically become part of his artistic narrative-a playful prelude to what Yunho calls his "4th lesson," the album itself.

The Philosophy: Fake & Documentary

'I-KNOW' operates on a conceptual framework Yunho developed during his military service years ago. The album divides into "Fake"-the polished performer the world sees-and "Documentary"-the unfiltered reality of Jung Yunho behind the stage name.

"If the bright image fans love is the 'fake,' then this album's 'documentary' side tells the honest struggles behind it," Yunho explained. "Together they make up who I truly am."

The 10-track album pairs songs thematically, with each duo exploring one concept from opposing perspectives. Excluding the intro and outro, every track has a counterpart that mirrors or contrasts its message-a musical dialogue between persona and person.

Double Title Tracks and Star Collaborations

Leading the release are dual title tracks "Stretch" and "Body Language." "Stretch" delivers intense electronic production with restrained vocals building tension, while "Body Language" showcases Yunho's signature performance-driven style. Both tracks explore dance and artistic expression from contrasting emotional angles.

Notable collaborations elevate the project. "Waterfalls" features EXO's Kai-a pairing that initially surprised fans expecting high-octane choreography. "People might think we'd show incredible performance," Yunho acknowledged. "But this time, we're greeting you vocally. Kai has a beautiful, delicate tone perfect for this 2000s-style R&B track."

He hinted at future live performances: "I have plans to perform it with him on stage."

(G)I-DLE's Minnie appears on "Premium," which pairs conceptually with "Waterfalls," creating what Yunho describes as a "comparison listening experience."

Other tracks include "Set In Stone," "Spotlight2," "Leader," "Fever," "Let You Go," and the deeply personal "26 Take-off."

The Significance of 26

"26 Take-off" represents more than just another album track. The number 26 has followed Yunho throughout his life: born February 6, TVXQ debuted December 26, he served in the 26th Division during military service, and weighed 2.6kg at birth.

With 2026 approaching, Yunho teased future plans while remaining cryptic: "Next year will be 2026. It's too early for details, but I have something big planned."

Why Now? The Timing of Authenticity

Asked why it took over two decades to release a full-length solo album, Yunho offered thoughtful reflection rather than regret.

"It could have come sooner-I could have shown a younger body and mind," he acknowledged. "But I thought the opposite. Because it's now, I can show myself as I truly am. I've experienced so much and can accept everything. The timing is right."

This perspective reflects hard-won wisdom from an artist who has weathered industry evolution, military service, and the transformation of K-pop itself. Rather than rush into solo territory, Yunho waited until he had something meaningful to say.

The Drive Behind 22 Years of Success

What sustains a career spanning more than two decades in an industry notorious for brief peaks?

"Curiosity," Yunho stated simply. "The driving force keeping me going is curiosity. Instead of being content, my curiosity pushes me to seek something new. And the fans spark that curiosity."

He pushed back gently against his "passion icon" image: "I don't have passion for everything. I give my best to things I like and am interested in, but I refuse things that don't interest me. When I do commit, I give everything. Those experiences accumulated to make who I am today."

This measured self-awareness contradicts the one-dimensional "passionate performer" narrative, revealing instead a more complex artist who chooses his battles carefully.

From TVXQ to Solo: Career Highlights

Yunho's 2025 has been remarkably productive beyond music. In July, he starred in the Disney+ series "Pine: Chontteugideul" (Fine: The Villagers), expanding his acting portfolio. The Presidential Commendation in October recognized TVXQ's contributions to spreading Korean culture globally.

"Receiving such a prestigious award made me realize how rewarding everything has been," Yunho reflected. "We started in the tape era and experienced many eras up to digital. I'm grateful we can still greet everyone."

TVXQ debuted December 26, 2003, originally as a five-member group. After lineup changes in 2010, Yunho and Max Changmin continued as a duo, maintaining their position as K-pop legends across two decades.

Passing the Legacy: Naming His Successors

When asked which SM Entertainment juniors embody his spirit, Yunho carefully divided his answer.

"In sports, no one can beat SHINee's Minho. Currently, Key is also a real passion person-continuously creating and releasing albums through various broadcasts."

For younger artists, he singled out RIIZE: "They're very curious. They've been grinding their teeth preparing for this comeback. You'll feel their passion when they perform."

The Music Video: Confronting the Shadow Self

The "Stretch" music video presents Yunho confronting his inner shadow-a visual representation of the album's fake/documentary duality. Filmed with cinematic intensity, it connects narratively with the earlier-released "Body Language" video, creating a cohesive artistic world.

"I wanted to show the reality behind the glamorous three-minute stage performance-the pressure and pain artists endure," Yunho explained. "The music videos match each song with either 'Fake' or 'Documentary' themes."

Critical Response and Industry Position

As a member of TVXQ under SM Entertainment, Yunho represents K-pop royalty. TVXQ has sold over 15 million records across Korea and Japan, holds multiple records in Japan as a foreign artist, and influenced generations of K-pop acts.

This first full-length solo album arrives not as an experiment but as a definitive artistic statement from a performer with nothing left to prove and everything to express.

Album Details and Availability

Album Title: I-KNOW
Release Date: November 5, 2025, 6:00 PM KST
Tracks: 10 (including intro and outro)
Title Tracks: "Stretch," "Body Language"
Collaborations: EXO's Kai ("Waterfalls"), (G)I-DLE's Minnie ("Premium")
Label: SM Entertainment
Formats: Digital streaming, physical album

To commemorate the release, Yunho hosted a comeback countdown livestream on TVXQ's official YouTube and TikTok channels, unboxing the album and introducing all tracks to fans worldwide.

The Verdict: Worth the Wait

After 22 years, U-Know Yunho's first full-length solo album arrives as a carefully crafted meditation on identity, performance, and authenticity. 'I-KNOW' doesn't simply showcase vocal and dance prowess-though both appear in abundance. Instead, it offers something rarer: genuine introspection from an artist comfortable enough with his legacy to show vulnerability alongside strength.

The album's fake/documentary framework could have been a gimmick. In Yunho's hands, it becomes a sophisticated exploration of the gap between public persona and private reality-a gap every performer navigates but few address this directly.

For longtime fans, 'I-KNOW' delivers the U-Know Yunho they've always known while revealing layers previously hidden. For newer audiences discovering him through "Thank U" memes, it introduces a multidimensional artist whose career longevity stems from constant evolution rather than static formula.

The question was never whether U-Know Yunho could release a successful solo album-his talent was never in doubt. The question was what he would say when he finally had the stage entirely to himself.

With 'I-KNOW,' he's answered: truth, complexity, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from 22 years at the top of an unforgiving industry.

That was worth the wait.

Stream 'I-KNOW' now on all major music platforms. Physical albums available worldwide.