TVXQ!'s Max Changmin Reflects on 23 Years: "Sometimes You Want to Give Up, but Keep Going" [Q&A]

"Rather than some special force that keeps me going, it's the desire to move and push forward a little more than yesterday," Max Changmin said. "It may be small, but I think the consistency of simply keeping moving is what gives me strength."

Now in his 23rd year as a singer, the TVXQ! member is returning with his third solo EP, "All Of My Life," set for release on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. KST across major streaming platforms. The release marks his first solo album in approximately four years and nine months.

The album features six tracks, including the title song of the same name. Spanning genres from rock to ballads, the songs highlight different sides of his vocals.

The title track, "All Of My Life," is a pop-rock song that combines delicate emotional expression with powerful vocals. Its lyrics tell the story of someone who quietly continues down their own path regardless of the circumstances, maintaining a positive outlook on life. The song offers a message of comfort and hope, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward through difficult times.

The music video will be released alongside the album on the SMTOWN YouTube channel. Ahead of the release, Max Changmin will host a comeback countdown livestream at 5 p.m. KST on TVXQ!'s official YouTube and TikTok channels, as well as Weverse, to connect with fans.

He said he took a more active role in producing the album than he had on his previous releases.

"It's been a while since I've released a solo album, so it feels special, and I prepared for it with a lot of excitement," he said. "In the past, I mainly offered my opinions, but this time, I was directly involved in the production process, from the sound of the tracks to the direction of the music video. I put even more effort into this album."

The title track made an impression on him from the first listen.

"I had a good feeling about it from the first listen, and the more I heard it, the more appealing it became," he said. "The song has an exhilarating quality, but it can also convey warmth and emotion. That's why I really wanted it to be the title track."

He pointed to one major difference from his previous releases.

"Unlike my previous title tracks, this one doesn't feature choreography. I express the song entirely through my vocals. That's the biggest difference."

Max Changmin also wrote the lyrics for the B-side "Yeah We Go" on his own, drawing inspiration from athletes who push themselves to their limits.

"In life, there are moments when you're completely out of breath and feel like giving up on everything," he said. "Even so, I wanted to convey a message of holding on and pushing through until you achieve what you want. I was inspired by watching athletes in sports I enjoy, sweating and giving everything they have until the very last moment."

More than 20 years after his debut, he continues to take vocal lessons regularly.

"After singing for more than 20 years, I've realized there's still a lot I need to improve as a vocalist," he said. "If I want to keep working as a singer for even a little longer, I need to continue learning and embracing new things. That's why I keep working at it."

On his latest album, he aimed to show more than the powerful vocals that have characterized his previous work.

"Along with the powerful energy I've shown through my vocals before, I also focused on delivering vocals that would connect with listeners," he said.

He closed with a message to fans who had waited for his return.

"I'm truly grateful to everyone who waited for my solo album," he said. "I put a lot of love into the songs on this album, knowing how long you've waited. I hope you listen to it a lot."