Max Changmin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Max Changmin
Max Changmin in 2019
Born	Shim Chang-min (1988-02-18) February 18, 1988 (age 37) Seoul, South Korea
Other names	MAX
Education	Kyung Hee University Konkuk University Inha University
Occupation	Singer-songwriter actor lyricist
Years active	2003–present
Spouse(s)	Unnamed ​ (m. 2020)​
Children	1
Musical career
Genres	K-pop Pop dance R&B electronic rock
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	SM Avex Trax Rhythm Zone
Korean name
Hangul	심창민
RR	Sim Changmin
MR	Sim Ch'angmin
Stage name
Hangul	최강창민
RR	Choegang Changmin
MR	Ch'oegang Ch'angmin
Signature

Shim Chang-min (born February 18, 1988), known as Max Changmin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actor. He is a member of the famous K-pop group TVXQ. Changmin was born and grew up in Seoul, South Korea. He was discovered by a talent agent when he was just 14 years old. In December 2003, he made his debut as the youngest member of TVXQ.

Changmin speaks both Korean and Japanese very well. He has become very successful across Asia as the main singer of TVXQ. He has also acted in several TV shows and movies.

Early Life and Discovery

Changmin was born and raised in Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea. His parents are both teachers, and he has two younger sisters. When he was 14, a talent scout from S.M. Entertainment saw him singing while playing badminton in gym class. The scout suggested he try out for S.M. Entertainment.

Changmin wasn't really interested in becoming a singer. But his mother wanted to meet the famous singer BoA, so she encouraged him to go to the audition. Just three days after his first tryout, S.M. Entertainment called Changmin back for a second audition, which he passed. He won the Best Singer and Best Artist awards at S.M.'s 6th Annual Youth Best Contest. After that, he officially joined the company.

Music Career Highlights

Starting with TVXQ

The group TVXQ first included Changmin, U-Know Yunho, Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun, and Kim Jun-su. They officially started on December 26, 2003, at a special show. They performed their first song, "Hug," which became a big hit in South Korea.

TVXQ has released many number-one albums in Korea. Their second album, Rising Sun (2005), won them their first big award, called a Daesang. Their fourth Korean album, Mirotic (2008), was named Album of the Year. This album also featured their very popular song, "Mirotic."

In 2005, TVXQ started their career in Japan. Their first Japanese song, "Stay with Me Tonight," reached number 37 on the charts. They got their first number-one song in Japan with "Purple Line" in 2008. Their fourth Japanese album, The Secret Code, had two very popular songs: "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?" and "Share the World." "Share the World" was even a theme song for the anime One Piece.

In 2009, some members left the group. A year later, Changmin and Yunho returned as a duo. As a duo, TVXQ broke sales and concert attendance records in Japan. They became the top-selling and highest-earning foreign music act there.

Solo Music and Collaborations

In 2014, Changmin joined a special group called S.M. the Ballad. On their second album, Breath, he sang the Japanese version of the song "Breath" with Krystal Jung from the group f(x).

Changmin released his first Japanese solo mini-album, Close to You, on November 18, 2015. It included a ballad called "Into the Water" and six other songs. This album was a special release for members of TVXQ's Japanese fan club.

On April 6, 2020, Changmin released his first official solo mini-album in Korea, called Chocolate. It had six songs and featured a collaboration with Korean singer Chungha. Even though he had released solo songs before, Chocolate was his official solo debut in Korea after being in TVXQ for over 16 years.

He released his second Japanese mini-album, Human, on December 8, 2021. Then, on January 13, 2022, he released his second Korean mini-album, Devil.

Acting and TV Shows

Changmin started acting with TVXQ in a mini-series called Vacation in 2006. He also appeared in many episodes of Banjun Drama, a popular mini-series on the SBS network.

In 2010, Changmin had a guest role in the action series Athena: Goddess of War. He played an expert in explosives. In 2011, he got his first main acting role in the romantic comedy drama Paradise Ranch. He even voiced his own character for the Japanese version of the show.

Changmin made his big movie debut in 2012 in the Japanese film Fly With the Gold. He played Momo, a North Korean spy pretending to be an engineering student. He was praised for speaking the Osaka dialect very well in the movie. Changmin was nominated for and won the Newcomer of the Year award at the 36th Japanese Academy Award.

In 2013, Changmin became a co-host for the KBS variety show Moonlight Prince. This was his first time being a regular host. After that show ended, he joined the sports variety show Cool Kiz On The Block as a cast member until 2014.

In 2014, Changmin starred in the four-episode mini-series Mimi. He then starred in the historical fantasy drama The Scholar Who Walks The Night as Crown Prince Lee Yoon.

Artistic Style

Changmin performing at the 2012 K-pop World Festival

Changmin is known for his strong high voice, especially his powerful high notes. He also writes lyrics for many songs. He has written for TVXQ's music, including "Evergreen" (2007), the Korean version of "Love in the Ice" (2008), "Confession" (2011), and "I Swear" (2012).

He has also written songs for other groups and artists. These include "Sleepless Night" for SHINee and "Ace" for Taemin. He also wrote "My Thoughts, Your Memories" for Kyuhyun.

Personal Life

Besides Korean, Changmin is fluent in Japanese. He finished high school in 2006. In 2009, he went to Kyung Hee University to study postmodern music. In 2011, he studied Film and Arts at Konkuk University. He later pursued a master's degree at Inha University. He is also interested in photography and has studied with photographer Kim Young-joon.

Family Life

Changmin married his girlfriend in a private ceremony on October 25, 2020. They welcomed their first son on October 17, 2022.

Helping Others

In January 2008, Changmin and his father volunteered to help clean up beaches in Taean, South Korea. This was after a big oil spill happened there. He wanted to keep his volunteer work a secret during his break from TVXQ activities. However, another volunteer shared his sighting online, and TVXQ's agency later confirmed it.

Military Service

In 2015, Changmin applied to join the Military Police for his required national service. He started his service as a police officer on November 19, 2015. He completed five weeks of basic training and was the leader of his squad. Changmin was honorably discharged from service on August 18, 2017.

Discography

Extended Plays

Singles

Lyric Credits

Filmography

Movies

TV Series

Musicals

Variety Shows

Other Shows

Awards and Recognition

See also

In Spanish: Changmin para niños