Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Changmin was scouted by an SM Entertainment talent agent when he was fourteen years old.

[2] Fluent in both Korean and Japanese, Changmin has achieved commercial success throughout Asia as the main vocalist of TVXQ.

Their fourth Japanese album The Secret Code spawned two platinum-selling singles "Dōshite Kimi o Suki ni Natte Shimattandarō?"

TVXQ was plunged into legal turmoil when members Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu filed an injunction against their agency in July 2009.

Bundled with a DVD that includes a music video and behind-the-scenes footage, Close to You was a limited release and was only made available for purchase to members of TVXQ's Japanese fanclub, Bigeast.

A source from SM Entertainment confirmed the news and stated, "Changmin is currently working hard, with the goal of releasing his solo album in April.

"[9] On March 23, 2020, SM Entertainment announced that Changmin would be releasing his debut mini album Chocolate on April 6.

[10] The mini-album consists of six songs of varying genres—including the title track "Chocolate" and features a collaboration with Korean singer Chungha.

[13] Changmin made his acting debut alongside TVXQ in the miniseries Vacation,[14] which had a special premiere and screening at the main auditorium of Yonsei University.

[16][17] In 2010, Changmin had a guest role in the action thriller series Athena: Goddess of War, playing a NIS explosives specialist.

[18] In 2011, Changmin took on his first lead role in the romantic comedy drama Paradise Ranch opposite Lee Yeon-hee.

[21] In 2012, Changmin made his big-screen debut in the Japanese film Fly With the Gold based on the novel by Takamura Kaoru.

Changmin graduated from Gaepo High School in 2006 and was accepted into Kyung Hee University in 2009,[41] majoring in postmodern music.

[citation needed] The singer originally had planned to marry his non-celebrity girlfriend on September 5, 2020,[43] but the wedding was later postponed due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

[46] In January 2008, Changmin volunteered with his father in the cleanup of the beaches in Taean, South Korea following the nation's worst oil spill in history.

His trip to Taean was intended to be done secretly during a short break from his activities with TVXQ during the new year and was only made known to the media and public when another volunteer posted his sighting on a fan site.