"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. (stylized as "O"-正.反.合.), sometimes referred to as "O"-Union or just O, is the third Korean studio album (fourth overall) by South Korean boy group TVXQ, released through SM Entertainment on September 29, 2006. In a year when Korean music sales had slumped, it was the highest selling album in South Korea in 2006 and won the group several prominent awards in South Korea.^[1] The album stayed charted within the top 50 throughout 2007, and sold over 480,000 copies in South Korea by 2022.

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.
Version A and B cover
Studio album by TVXQ
Released	September 29, 2006 (2006-09-29)
Recorded	2006
Studio	SM Digital Recording Studio (Seoul)
Genre	K-pop R&B dance-pop
Length	43:50
Language	Korean
Label	SM
TVXQ chronology
Heart, Mind and Soul (2006) "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. (2006) Five in the Black (2007)
Alternative cover
Version C and D cover
Singles from "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap.
"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap." Released: September 29, 2006 "Balloons" Released: September 29, 2006

The album's name "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap, literally translated to "O"-Justice.Opposition.Solution, is based on Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's theory of thesis, antithesis, synthesis. The album's lead single of the same name has lyrics that regard global conflicts with a plea for peace and resistance. The album contains a balance of fast tempo songs and ballads.

Versions and repackaging

The album was released in 4 different versions and packaging, versions A and B, C and D. Versions A and B promote the title song "'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap", while versions C and D promote the fantasy theme of the song "Balloons" and contain new songs and a DVD in each. The initial versions of the album with the original track listing was released in CD and cassette formats. For the version D, the label company did a unique box packaging, with special deck of cards with members' pictures wearing costumes included with the CD and DVD specials.

In Hong Kong and Taiwan, the album was released under the names "O"-Jing.Fan.Hap. and "O"-Zheng.Fan.He. respectively, while in Japan the name of the album is "O"-Sei.Han.Go.. The Japanese release does not contain the repackaged versions that are available in the Korean release.

Singles

'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap

The lead single is a fast-tempo fusion of rock, hip hop, and electronic trance. The music video took several days to complete as its footage was shot in several different countries. U-Know Yunho's footage was shot in Japan, Micky Yoochun's and Max Changmin's in Prague, Hero Jaejoong's in Thailand, and Xiah Junsu's in South Korea. The music video showcases intense and unique dance choreography with stylized outfits.

Balloons

In drastic contrast to the lead single, "Balloons" (Pungseon in Korean) is a bubbly song that features TVXQ members in animal costumes, made to directly appeal to the younger generation, as well as older generations familiar with the original "Balloons" by Five Fingers (an old Korean band). The lyrics talk about innocent childhood dreams and memories and how people tend to forget the importance of those dreams as they grow older. In the lyrics, "yellow balloons" line was changed to "red balloons" to coordinate with the colour that represents TVXQ's fanbase Cassiopeia. The music video also included younger versions of several group's notable members, including Astro's Moonbin, iKon's Chanwoo and SF9's Chani.

Performances

In three short months after the album's release, TVXQ were invited to perform on many stages of music shows, award shows, and concerts. TVXQ performed their third album's songs a few times in 2007 as well, since a fourth Korean album had not been released.

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
MTV VMA Japan	2007	Best Buzz – South Korea	"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap" (song)	Won	[2]
Mnet KM Music Festival	2006	Song of the Year		Nominated
		Best Dance Performance		Nominated
		Best Group		Won	[3]
		Album of the Year	"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap (album)	Nominated
Golden Disc Awards	2006	Album Daesang		Won	[4]
		Album Bonsang		Won
SBS Gayo Daejeon		Grand Prize (Daesang)		Won	[5]
		Main Prize (Bonsang)		Won

Music program awards

Song	Program	Date	Ref.
"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap"	Inkigayo	October 15, 2006	[6]
		October 29, 2006	[7]
		November 5, 2006
	M Countdown	October 26, 2006
		November 9, 2006
"Balloons"		December 7, 2006

Track listing

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. – Version A & B (Standard edition)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap." ("O"-정.반.합)	Yoo Young-jin	Yoo Young-jin	Yoo Young-jin	4:15
2.	"You're My Miracle" (세상에 단 하나뿐인 마음; Sesange Dan Hanappun-in Maeum)	Young-hu Kim	Young-hu Kim	Young-hu Kim	3:59
3.	"Hey! Girl"	Yoo Young-jin	Yoo Young-jin Luther "Squeak" Jackson Yoo Han-jin [ko]	Yoo Han-jin	4:18
4.	"Get Me Some"	Taehoon	Tommy La Verdi [no] Daniel Pandher	Ahn Ik-Soo	3:30
5.	"I'll Be There"	Hwang Seong-je (BJJ Music) [ko] Janie Yoo	Hwang Seong-je	Hwang Seong-je	3:29
6.	"Remember"	Kim Jeong-bae [ko]	Kenzie	Kenzie	4:16
7.	"The Story Has Just Begun" (이제 막 시작된 이야기; Ije Mak Sijakdoen Iyaki)	Park Chang-hak [ko] Yoon Sang	Yoon Sang	Yoon Sang Haim	4:13
8.	"On & On"	Young-hu Kim	Carsten Lindberg (Great Dane Productions) Joachim Svares (Great Dane Productions)	Great Dane Productions	4:26
9.	"Phantom" (환영; 幻影; Hwanyeong)	Kim Jeong-bae Micky Yoochun	Kenzie	Kenzie	3:24
10.	"You Only Love"	Lee Yoon-jae [ko]	Lee Yoon-jae	Lee Yoon-jae	3:11
11.	"Balloons" (풍선; Pungseon)	Lee Doo-heon (Five Fingers [ko])	Kim Seong-ho	Kenzie	3:50
Total length:					43:50

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. – Version C & D / Japanese edition (bonus track)

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
6.	"White Lie" (네 곁에 숨쉴 수 있다면; Ne Gyeoche Sumswil Itdamyeon)	Xiah Junsu	Xiah Junsu	Lee Yoon-jae [ko]	4:26
Total length:					48:16

Notes

• "White Lie" is track number 6 on versions C & D and the Japanese version, so all subsequent songs are pushed by one.
• The Japanese version does not include songs "You Only Love" and "Balloons".

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. DVD – Version A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Theater Drama "Vacation" Highlight"
2.	"Theater Drama "Vacation" M/V '그리고...'" (Holding Back the Tears...)
3.	"Jacket Sketch in Prague"
4.	"Interview about TVXQ Members"
5.	"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap. M/V Making"
6.	"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap. M/V" (2:00 version)
7.	"TVXQ's Exclusive Story: Something New!"

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. DVD – Version B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Talk 1 – Drama Theater" (Vacation introduction)
2.	"Vacation" (극장드라마; full version)
3.	"Talk 2 – Vacation" (극장드라마; NG special behind)
4.	"Vacation" (극장드라마; NG special)

"O"-Jung.Ban.Hap. DVD – Version C

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Talk 1 – The 3rd Album 'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap." (showcase introduction)
2.	"The 3rd Album 'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap. showcase" ("no cut" version)
3.	"Talk 2 – 'Hug'" (memory)
4.	"Hug" (music video)
5.	"Talk 3 – 'The Way U Are'" (memory)
6.	"The Way U Are" (music video)
7.	"Talk 4 – 'Believe'" (memory)
8.	"Believe" (music video)
9.	"Talk 5 – 'Tri-Angle'" (memory)
10.	"Tri-Angle" (music video)
11.	"Talk 6 – 'Rising Sun'" (memory)
12.	"Rising Sun" (music video)
13.	"Talk 7 – 'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap.'" (memory)
14.	"'O'-Jung.Ban.Hap." (music video)
15.	"Talk 8 – 'Balloons'" (memory)
16.	"Balloons" (music video)
17.	"Balloons" (M/V making)
18.	"TVXQ's Exclusive Story 2: Our Secret Code++"

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2006) Peak position Taiwanese Albums (G-Music) 5 Chart (2010) Peak position South Korean Albums (Gaon)[8] 5 Monthly charts Chart (2006) Peak position South Korean Albums (RIAK)[9] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2006) Position South Korean Albums (RIAK)[10] 1 Chart (2007) Position South Korean Albums (MIAK)[11] 22

Sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
South Korea	—	480,000[12]

Release history

Country	Date	Version	Format(s)	Label
South Korea	September 29, 2006	Version A & B	CD cassette DVD digital download	SM Entertainment
		Version C & D
Taiwan	October 12, 2006	Taiwanese edition	CD	Avex Taiwan
Japan	October 23, 2006	Japanese edition	CD + DVD	Avex Rhythm Zone

References

1. "Kpop Industry Undergoing Slump". Korea Times. January 28, 2008. p. 1. Retrieved February 1, 2008.
2. "MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2007" (in Japanese). MTV Japan. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
3. "2006 Mnet Km Music Festival Winners | 2006 MKMF". Mwave. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
4. "2006 골든디스크 홈페이지에 오신것을 환영합니다" (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 25, 2007. Retrieved February 16, 2007.
5. "TVXQ". Korea Tourism Organization. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
6. "동방신기, 사고 딛고 '인기가요' 1위 기쁨" [TVXQ overcomes accident and takes first place on ‘Inkigayo’]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. October 15, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
7. "동방신기, 통산 음반판매량 200만장 돌파". JoyNews24 (in Korean). Naver. November 14, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
8. "Album Chart – Week 3 of 2010". Circle Chart (in Korean). January 10–16, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
9. 2006.09월 – 가요 음반 판매량 [2006.09 – Sales volume] (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
10. 2006년 가요음반판매량 [2006 Album Sales Figures] (in Korean). Recording Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
11. 2007년 가요음반판매량 [2007 Albums Sales Figures] (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009.
12. "O"-Jung.Ban.Hap had sold 397,630 copies as of August 2008, sold 41,108 copies in 2010, and sold 40,972 copies between 2011–2022.

    • "2006 Sales" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
    • "August 2008 Sales" (in Korean). Music Industry Association of Korea. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
    • "2010 Sales (see #33)" (in Korean). Gaon Charts. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
    • "Circle Chart's Observation Note #1 [Album Sales]". Circle Music Chart. Retrieved November 1, 2023 – via YouTube.