The Christmas Gift from TVXQ (stylized as The Christmas Gift from 東方神起!) is the first ChristmasEP by South Korean boy bandTVXQ, released on December 6, 2004[1] by S.M. Entertainment. The EP features Korean and English cover versions of popular Christmas tunes. It also includes a remake of The Classic's 1994 Korean song "Mabeopui Seong (Magic Castle)" (Hangul: 마법의 성), which was promoted as the EP's lead single. For the EP, TVXQ worked closely with Kenzie, who produced the album's music and vocal arrangements.
The EP features acoustic arrangements, synthesized orchestras, and harmonizing vocals performed in a choir style. It also includes a cappella renditions of Christmas carols.[2]
The EP was released two months after TVXQ's debut album Tri-Angle, which was the eighth best-selling album in South Korea.[3] According to the Music Industry Association of Korea (MIAK), The Christmas Gift from TVXQ sold 68,888 copies in December 2004.[3] The EP entered the Gaon Albums Chart in 2010 and peaked at number six for the week of April 18–24, 2010.[4] The EP has sold approximately 109,000 copies as of 2012.
"Magic Castle" (Hangul: 마법의 성; Mabeopui Seong), written by Kim Gwang-jin, is the title song of The Classic's debut album, Magic Castle (1994). The song has been covered by several Korean artists since its release, including Lee Seung-hwan, As One, and Seo Young-eun. TVXQ released their cover version of it on December 6, 2004, and it was used to promote their Christmas EP, The Christmas Gift from TVXQ.
TVXQ promoted "Magic Castle" simultaneously with "Tri-Angle" and "Believe", the lead singles from their debut album Tri-Angle. The band did their first performance of "Magic Castle" on December 4, 2004 at the 2004 Mnet KM Music Festival. Their last promotional appearance for the song was on January 15, 2005, at MBC'sMusic Camp.
The music video of TVXQ's "Magic Castle" features the first appearance of Yoona before she joined the girl group Girls' Generation. The video was filmed at Lotte World.
