Five in the Black cover

Five in the Black

TVXQ · 2007

61 min · 15 tracks · K-pop

A vibrant blend of K-pop and R&B, showcasing soaring harmonies and infectious dance beats throughout the album.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    ZION Start here — The opening track sets an energetic tone with its driving beat and catchy chorus, encapsulating the album's vibrant essence.
  • →
    Choosey Lover — This track showcases the group's vocal prowess with intricate harmonies, blending pop and R&B elements that highlight their versatility.
  • →
    miss you — A poignant ballad that allows the members to demonstrate their emotional range, it contrasts nicely with the more upbeat tracks.
  • →
    'O' -正・反・合 — This song features complex rhythms and harmonies, exemplifying TVXQ's unique style while incorporating thought-provoking lyrics about duality.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

56 /100
Foothills
Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic K-pop with R&B elements, showcasing strong vocals but has a somewhat uneven flow.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with dance beats, while the second half shifts to more emotional ballads.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady pacing with climactic moments
  • engaging flow for long drives
  • uplifting anthems for group sing-alongs
  • emotional depth in polished production

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer shorter, standalone tracks
  • seek aggressive, high-energy beats

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Significantly contributed to TVXQ's international success and fan following.
Themes
K-pop evolution· emotional longing
Career context
Released on March 2, 2007, 'Five in the Black' was TVXQ's fourth studio album during a pivotal moment in their rising popularity in Asia. Following their previous album 'O-Jung.Ban.Hap.' in 2006, this record helped solidify their status as K-pop icons and showcased their evolving sound.
Stylistic neighbors
Super Junior· SHINee· EXO

Tracklist

  • 1 ZION Start here 3:02
  • 2 Sky 5:30
  • 3 Begin 5:34
  • 4 Choosey Lover 4:34
  • 5 DEAD END 3:17
  • 6 High time 4:02
  • 7 PROUD 5:10
  • 8 約束 4:49
  • 9 miss you 4:42
  • 10 “O” -正・反・合 4:17
  • 11 I'll be there 4:42
  • 12 Step by Step 4:29
  • 13 Hello again 5:00
  • 14 Begin -アカペラversion- 2:44
  • 15 miss you -ballade version-

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata