HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC

U-Know 'NOIR': Release date, teaser, how to stream and all you need to know about TVXQ leader Jung Yun-ho's 2nd EP

TVXQ leader Jung Yun-ho, better known by his stage name U-Know, is releasing a new project, which will unroll his cinematic world

Jung Yun-ho, better known by his stage name U-Know, is set to release a brand new Extended Play (EP) this month. Here's all you need to know for the upcoming mini-album below.

Release date

Titled, 'NOIR', U-Know's new EP is scheduled for a release on January 18, 2021. Pre-orders are available from today, January 3, 2021.

Who is U-Know?

U-Know is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor who is often popularized as a member of the pop duo TVXQ. In 2001, he started his musical training under the talent agency S.M. Entertainment and joined TVXQ two years later as the band's leader. A fluent speaker of Korean and Japanese, U-Know has released chart-topping albums throughout Asia during his participation as leader of TVXQ. Additionally, his impressive resume also includes occasional acting appearances in television dramas.

Concept

According to a recent announcement posted by U-Know's group TVXQ, the 'Burning Down' singer will showcase his cinematic music world. If we're assuming a theme based on the EP's title, noir is a word for crime fiction that is closely associated with hard-boiled cynical characters or bleak crime aesthetics. Examples of noir themes would be films such as 'Sin City', 'John Wick', or 'Watchmen'. There is also a dark sense of mystery found in the cover art for the EP, with a gloomy pic featuring U-Know wearing a black suit and walking down a concrete staircase. 

'NOIR' follows after U-Know's limited debut EP 'U Know Y' which released back in 2015 and one of just a handful of solo efforts in his discography, so fans can look forward to a fresh collection of music this month.

Teaser

TVXQ took to their social media to announce the upcoming EP along with the aforementioned teaser. In the first of two posts on Twitter, the group wrote, "U-KNOW 유노윤호 The 2nd Mini Album [NOIR] 2021.01.18. #U_KNOW #유노윤호 #동방신기 #TVXQ ! #東方神起 #NOIR." In the second post, the group wrote, "‘Return of the King’ U-KNOW to come back with his new mini-album ‘NOIR’ on Jan. 18th! To unroll his cinematic music world! Pre-orders available from today!"

Check out the tweets and cover art below.

How to stream?

It's unclear about which platform 'NOIR' will offer streaming services, but we will update this space when we get more info in the future.