K-Pop Rookie of the Month
Meet RIWOO
Image Credit: JoongSan Yang
“When we learn the choreography for the first time, we usually learn choreography that is almost complete, but I feel like we have to include our own style,” RIWOO says of his creative specialty in the group. “If our members want to show something, I want to make sure we can express it and edit it a little so that it’s more BOYNEXTDOOR.”
BOYNEXTDOOR‘s latest single, “Nice Guy,” begins with the K-pop group crooning, “Don’t be such a wuss, Seoul is mine tonight/ Let’s rizz up all night” for a synth-pop anthem of declarative self-confidence. While it seems like a stark contrast from “Dangerous,” the rebellious pre-released buzz single about teens pushing curfew which kicked off the group’s 19.99 album, it all connects into BOYNEXTDOOR’s multifaceted world of limitless freedom and friendliness.
With less than a year and a half since their debut, Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for October 2024 is seeing its message reaching audiences worldwide. 19.99 scored BOYNEXTDOOR’s first No. 1 on Billboard’s World Albums chart and top 40 entry on the Billboard 200, while the group has performed on festival stages in South Korea, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States. The sextet has modeled for Korea’s most prominent brand, Samsung, but is also the face of Japan’s popular casual clothing brand, WEGO, and has competed for best new artist recognitions at the MAMA Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, Asian Pop Music Awards and beyond.
During a weekend morning interview and photoshoot with Billboard in Seoul, any understandable tiredness from BND takes a back seat as members Jaehyun, Sungho, Taesan, Riwoo, Leehan, and Woonhak excitedly emphasize their desire to connect with audiences through authenticity rather than just chart placements and awards. “Rankings aren’t everything,” Taesan says in the Zoom call. “Our priority is really talking about what we want to and conveying that to the audience in a very free kind of way. So, that’s what we try to do and I’m happy that is actually connecting with a lot of people out there. It makes us really proud.”
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Those themes are present in the narrative structure of 19.99, which is grounded in the guys’ real-life experiences. Without fixed roles within the group, BOYNEXTDOOR pride themselves on a collective creativity, where members can contribute across different areas like music, storytelling, choreography, stage direction and more. While half the group is credited as lyricists, and Riwoo added personal touches to their new choreographies, 19.99 has the DNA of all six stars divided throughout the EP.
That philosophy of artistic expression and prioritizing personal experiences and creativity over external pressures feels like a founding block of BOYNEXTDOOR’s label KOZ Entertainment, founded by boy band member-turned-chart-topping soloist-producer ZICO, that’s housed in the HYBE LABELS system. While ZICO has been a presence on the Billboard charts for over a decade (earning his first No. 1 on a U.S. sales chart earlier this year), BOYNEXTDOOR says his mentorship and tips have been crucial to the group’s impressive and quick takeoff.
“He always told us that you have to have a really good attitude and be cautious of how people would see you,” eldest member Sungho says of their mentor. “He always cared so much for us and gave us a lot of advice even before we debuted.”
With BOYNEXTDOOR’s first tour on the horizon and a growing global fanbase awaiting the group’s next steps, the “Nice Guy” singers remain ambitious to make Seoul — and every other city — their own by doing it their way. Read more on BOYNEXTDOOR’s story as the next group to watch as Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for October 2024.
Congratulations on the latest chart success with 19.99, BOYNEXTDOOR! Do you feel the impact and that you’re growing your audience overseas?
TAESAN: Yes, we feel like more and more people are starting to like and enjoy our music, which we are very happy about. But you know, grades and rankings aren’t everything; grades aren’t our priority. Our priority is really talking about what we want to convey to the audience in a very free kind of way. So, that’s what we try to do and I’m happy that is actually connecting with a lot of people out there. It makes us really proud and gives us the confidence to stride forward.
19.99 starts a very different musical chapter from your previous trilogy of EPs. What are some of the differences between your past releases and this project?
SUNGHO: So, I think the “First Love” trilogy [the Who!, Why.., and How? EPs] was a big narrative that we had and tried to follow. When we were recording, creating and on stage, we tried to follow the overall kind of narrative and scenario that we had for the trilogy. But after that, with 19.99, rather than going with a narrative, this was an album where we really infused our experiences and the members’ stories. What we experience in our daily lives and what we go through is really infused in the tracks.
So, when we were recording or on stage, we felt like we were speaking our own language and just talking about what we experienced as boys. Even when we were performing, I think we focus more on our individual style and vibes… it’s more grounded and more heartfelt this time around. We paid more attention this time.
How do you express your stories? Is it sharing your experiences with each other? Writing lyrics? The concepts? Performing on stage?
JAEHYUN: I think my answer to that is really all of the above. It really starts at the very beginning of the creative process: we discuss a lot about what we want to talk about in the songs and in the album, so I think that naturally infuses into the songs — both in the songwriting and performance. So, we would talk a lot with the performance director and the music producers so that we could add our input into the lyrics and the overall concept of the performance as well. So, yeah, I think it’s all parts of what you brought up.
I see BOYNEXTDOOR as having a lot of freedom. There are no fixed positions within the team. Does that freedom allow you to be more creative, or is it difficult to balance that in a group dynamic?
TAESAN: As JAEHUYN said earlier, we are very heavily involved in the creative process; we have a big say. And as you said, we have a lot of freedom. Instead of thinking of that as a stress factor, we enjoy it because it gives us the freedom to be more creative and I think we’re even more eager to participate more in the creative process. So, rather than finding it difficult, I think it’s our fate to make these stages.
Even from your teaser videos, “friendliness” feels like a keyword for BOYNEXTDOOR. On one hand, artists who are so friendly can come off as less mysterious and intriguing. Do you have ideas or methods for bridging that gap?
JAEHYUN: I guess the secret lies in our music. So while we are friendly as people, our music can be mysterious; people can always wonder what’s coming next. You said that the name BOYNEXTDOOR is a very “friendly” name, but you never know who’s living next door. That boy might be a hip-hop lover, that boy might be a rock lover or love ballads. So, I think there is an air of mystery to that name as well. So, we kind of have both.
You deserve a lot of credit because not many rookies can say that and it feels like you’re sharing even more on 19.99. Can you share more about the title and what the EP represents?
WOONHAK: The six of us talked about what kind of album we wanted to make and what kind of music we wanted to do…
TAESAN: The producer asked us to talk about how we felt about our 20s one by one — [asking] “What was it like for you?” or “What do you expect from turning 20?” — and we gradually came up with the theme. After we came up with the theme of the number “20,” we discussed what kind of stories each of us wanted to incorporate into the album. JAEHYUN, WOONHAK and I actually wrote the lyrics based on that. We tried to capture 20 as much as possible in our own way.
When it comes to 20, the youngest member of BOYNEXTDOOR, WOONHAK, will soon be turning 20. Have your members shared any advice for you?
WOONHAK: So, instead of giving me advice directly in words, I think I just learned from them vicariously and naturally. Seeing them, I can understand that there are certain things that people don’t see or understand because I’m underage, you know? They recognize when I tell them I’m facing certain challenges and say, “That’s okay.” But when I do turn 20, there will be more responsibilities as an adult — and I see that through our leader JAEHUYN, our oldest SUNGHO, RIWOO, as well as TAESAN and LEEHAN. So, I think I kind of learn by looking at how they behave and take on different tasks. They continue to teach me a lot.
Along with JAEHYUN, TAESAN, and WOONHAK’s songwriting, how do you all collaborate creatively?
JAEHYUN: Although there are just three of us in the album credits, I think it really should be the six of us together because we talk a lot amongst ourselves and are sources of inspiration to each other. So, we would talk to other members and gain insight from their experiences and stories. So, all six of us are actually involved in the creative process.
SUNGHO: While JAEHYUN, TAESAN and WOONHAK are involved in the songwriting, in terms of the stage, RIWOO is really involved a lot in terms of the stage; when we actually go perform, he can lead the crowd. When we need to rehearse, we practice together under RIWOO’s guidance. He even creates and organizes the setlist and has a lot of input and ideas about the setlist. RIWOO is the one who has the most to say about our performances; each of us has such different personalities and individual styles, but RIWOO is the one who kind of becomes the anchor to help us combine and blend together as a group.
RIWOO: When we learn the choreography for the first time from choreographers, we usually learn choreography that is almost complete, but I feel like we have to include our own style into it and tweak it a little bit to make sure that it really fits our own style and not the choreographer’s style. From facial expressions to gestures and movements, I personally think about it a lot. If our members want to express something, I want to make sure we can express it and edit it a little so that it’s more BOYNEXTDOOR and our style.
Talking about stage performances, you recently announced your KNOCK ON Vol.1 tour. What are you preparing for your first tour? Do you think you’ll have more “volumes” or dates beyond Asia?
JAEHYUN: Our first concert is in the planning process, but there are a lot of stages and performances that we’ve saved for the concert. The stages that you’ve wanted to see and the performances that you wanted us to do, we’ve been saving them all to show you at our first concert so I think there will be a lot of stages that our fans, ONEDOOR, will really like.
LEEHAN: We’ll go anywhere. We’re willing to fly to anywhere where ONEDOOR exists. And we hope there are many more opportunities going forward to share these great times with ONEDOOR.
Do you have any worries ahead of the tour?
TAESAN: There will inevitably be some challenges because it’s our first concert and first tour, but I think we need to focus on how to overcome those difficulties. But I think what’s always on our mind is our next step forward — what we’re going to talk about in our next album.
I recently met with ZICO, and he spoke so affectionately about you. Do you notice that affection or is this his everyday self? Any fun stories you can share about your time with him?
SUNGHO: We actually noticed his affection ever since when we were trainees. He was always very worried about us. He always cared so much for us and gave us a lot of advice. Even before we debuted and after our debut, when we became “professionals,” he always told us that you always have to have a really good attitude and be cautious of how people see you. But the difference between the days when we just debuted and now is that in the early rookie days, he would try to really help and assist us in all kinds of ways. But now I think he really respects us as professionals and that we have our own way of communication and style. And then when he thinks we need help or if there are parts where he can help us, he will kind of jump in. I don’t really remember any specific anecdotes to share…
WOONHAK: I actually do remember one! He said, “I regret taking really bad selfies.” [All laugh.] So, we should really make sure that we take nice selfies.
JAEHYUN: My father! There are so many funny moments. Recently, ZICO has been telling me to show him some aegyo, like doing something cute or adorable, because he said that JAEHYUN as a trainee and JAEHYUN as a member of an idol group is really different. So, he wants me to show him those aegyo moments like I do with ONEDOOR, but for him. So, he’ll kind of tease me, telling me, “Can you show me some aegyo?!?” [Laughs.]
Any other messages you want to share with international fans or Billboard readers at this time?
JAEHYUN: Thank you for loving our tracks. I’m happy to see our songs on the Billboard charts and I hope you all keep loving them.
TAESAN: Please stay tuned for our tour and our concert. I hope that we’ll have more opportunities to go to other continents and other countries as well!
WOONHAK: Love you!!!
HyunJin, ChanYeon and JiSeok came together as Big Ocean to debut in April this year as the first Deaf/Hard of Hearing group in K-pop. The group’s warm embrace onto the scene by superstars, production and executives across Korea points towards a more inclusive global music scene. Brought together by Korea’s only agency representing talent with […]
A smiling Big Ocean greet you for a nighttime Zoom call with shaking hands — the American Sign Language translation of applause and cheering — which encapsulates a palpable energy bursting from a K-pop trio unlike any other pop group.
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HyunJin, ChanYeon and JiSeok came together as Big Ocean to debut in April this year as the first Deaf/Hard of Hearing group in K-pop. The group’s warm embrace onto the scene by superstars, production and executives across Korea points towards a more inclusive global music scene.
Brought together by Korea’s only agency representing talent with disabilities Parastar Entertainment, Big Ocean sees three stars with different backgrounds and hearing abilities as a sign of hope and possibility.
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The group’s main vocalist Park HyunJin lost hearing in his left ear after a childhood accident, but a cochlear surgery led him to learning to play the piano, speak some English, and break out as a YouTube creator and TV personality educating viewers about hearing disabilities. Main rapper Lee ChanYeon, who underwent cochlear implant surgery for both ears, developed his musical interest after experiencing the positive side effects of music therapy. Meanwhile, youngest member and main dancer Kim JiSeok was born Hard of Hearing and attended a special school for those with disabilities before becoming a professional ski racer for Seoul skiing team.
Big Ocean admits that the members’ varying auditory perceptions can present challenges when it comes to learning choreography, singing in rhythm and performing live, but it’s inspired innovative ways for the group and their Parastar team to find new ways to rehearse successfully like utilizing vibrating smartwatches as metronomes or flashing lights for rhythmic counting.
While the definition of a K-pop act has expanded from Korean-born pop singers to artists representing a range of different countries, cultures, and languages, Big Ocean not only look the part of handsome, shining stars with international appeal but align with one of the core messages within in K-pop to instill inspiring messages to listeners both with their stories and music.
“The message from our song ‘Slow’ is that if you move forward and continue, slowly and steadily, you can do anything,” HyunJin says of the group’s latest single released last month that features Young K of chart-topping K-pop rock outfit DAY6, marking their latest venture to share more personal storytelling through their songs.
“Not only our seniors but also people from outside the company are giving us a lot of support, so we are really thankful,” adds JiSeok. “If we didn’t have that help, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
“Not only our seniors but also people from outside the company are giving us a lot of support, so we are really thankful,” adds JiSeok with a special shoutout to the group’s fans, known affection as PADOs. “If we didn’t have that help, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
With recognitions from members of Stray Kids, ITZY and even the President of Korea, read on for more from Big Ocean’s story and why they are a group to watch as Billboard‘s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for September 2024.
Congratulations on your debut this year and being named Billboard‘s Rookie of the Month! Overall, how has 2024 been for you?
JiSeok: I was really worried if we could do well. I was concerned, “Are we going to be okay?” But fortunately, so many people and so many senior idols gave us a lot of support and help. Not only our seniors but also people from outside the company are giving us a lot of support, so we are really thankful. If we didn’t have that help, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
HyunJin: And even today, we got an opportunity to meet with the President of Korea. We are also getting tons of invitations from outside of the country, so we’re getting so much love and support. So we are really, really grateful.
ChanYeon: And so many of our fans, PADOS, from so many countries, are sending us love and then recognizing us. So, we are really thankful and I feel like we have to pay back with even greater performances.
Thank you for taking time while you’re so busy. Congratulations on your latest single, “Slow,” featuring Young K of DAY6. It’s such a great collaboration; how did it come together, and how was your experience?
HyunJin: The message from our song” Slow,” is that if you move forward and continue, slowly and steadily, you can do anything. And in the process of making this song, we made a proposal to DAY6’s Young K that featuring his voice would sound great and work great with our song. He said “Yes” immediately, so that’s why we were able to release the song successfully and we’re so grateful for it. Thanks to him, we were able to feel even more support and we feel he really has our back.
JiSeok: We were really hoping that we could thank him in person, [but] because Young K was very busy preparing for the [new DAY6] album, we weren’t able to do so. But if we could meet in person later, that would be really great.
Are you guys fans of DAY6? Their latest album is topping the charts in South Korea.
HyunJin: We listened to one of the new songs released from their album, “Melt Down,” and really, really loved it. We wanted to pay back our debts for Young K featuring our song, so we took the highlight of the song and turned it into a challenge on social media with sign language.
JiSeok: The song is doing really great and is really popular — we really want to congratulate them!
I was curious about how you create your sign language challenges and incorporate signing into your performances. Are you the ones making the moves? Do you work with a team?
ChanYeon: When we do a simple sign language challenge, we discuss among ourselves and make it. But when we’re choreographing or releasing something like our official music videos where we are mixing Korean and American Sign Languages, we actually get reviewed by sign language experts to make sure everything is expressed in the most precise way.
Some readers might be surprised to learn that Deaf or Hard of Hearing people can sing, dance, rap and more. Can you tell us about your different backgrounds with just music?
JiSeok: I go to a special school for people with hearing disabilities. At the time when I was in school, RM from BTS sunbaenim actually made a large donation to help the school’s music education. It was thanks to that donation that I actually got a lot more interested in music; I learned about dancing for the first time, I had a lot of opportunities to learn different musical instruments. So, that’s how I was able to fall in love with music and able to dream of becoming an idol.
HyunJin: When I was nine years old, I had an accident and lost hearing ability in my left ear completely. I had a surgery that allowed me to hear sounds; however, afterward, it didn’t really sound natural to me anymore; it sounded very artificial. I felt very uncomfortable hearing any kind of or type of sound.
At the time, I was also learning piano and attending an academy. Listening to the actual piano was very pretty and the only pleasant sound to me. So, as I played piano, sound felt positive, not negative anymore. So that’s when I started to become more interested in music because the piano was the only sound that made me feel good. After I grew up and became an adult, I became a YouTube creator and made many videos about breaking the barriers regarding misunderstandings and prejudices regarding hearing disability. I started making TV appearances and that’s when I actually learned about my current agency, Parastar Entertainment, so I naturally challenged myself to be an idol.
ChanYeon: In my case, I wasn’t really interested in music at all. Only after I got the surgery for cochlear implants for both my ears did I go through a lot of music therapy, and music actually really helped me. That’s when I found my interest in music.
As a boy band, how do you interact with music to perform as a group? Can you share the different ways you overcome any challenges?
HyunJin: Because the level of hearing is different in each one of us, the way we perceive beats and rhythms is also different. So, our company came up with the idea of using smartwatches and vibrations from the smartwatches as metronomes. That’s how we were able to feel the beat and rhythm in sync — and it made it so much easier for us to feel the music.
We also developed a “beam monitor” that flashes lights in sync with the music. So, that was another way. We also continuously film ourselves dancing to the music and constantly monitor ourselves and review to see who feels the beats differently or if we’re not in sync. And we continuously practice. And that’s how we can move in sync.
You’ve performed on Korea’s weekly K-pop music programs like Show! Music Core, Inkigayo, The Show, Music Bank and more. These shows are famously very fast-paced. How was your experience, and could they meet any accommodations you needed?
JiSeok: Our first time going on music programs, they were aware of the fact that we had hearing difficulties, so they always made sure to use hand gestures, give visual signals for cues to enter the stage, or whenever they wanted to send us some type of message. They were really nice about it; very, very kind. They constantly asked us whether we had any problems hearing or listening to the music. So, thanks to them, we could put up a good performance.
HyunJin: If the set or environment is too loud or noisy, we might have trouble listening for the start of the song. So, during rehearsals and the actual shooting, they made sure to ask for the audience’s understanding and to be quieter than usual so that we could actually hear the music. They were very generous for that. Also, our dancers make sure the choreography opens with a starting dance move. The background dancers initiated the choreography so then we knew the performance had started.
ChanYeon: And even our staff members ensured that everyone at the TV stations and on-site knew we might have trouble communicating or listening. So, they ensured everyone was aware, and I think we had no trouble. We’re really grateful for everyone being so considerate.
I saw you met with Felix from Stray Kids backstage during the shows to learn the “Chk Chk Boom” challenge. Tell me about that experience.
JiSeok: After the broadcast, I met Felix for the first time. I thought he was a complete angel — I really thought he was an angel. As soon as I met him, he greeted me with American Sign Language. He prepared it himself and showed us that he learned “Nice to meet you” and “How are you?” It really impressed us. We did the dance challenge together — I was so nervous, soo nervous! — but I was happy and really appreciative of everything. I thought about how I should practice and work even harder to perform even better.
After the dance challenge, Felix gave us [Stray Kids’] album as a gift. I was so grateful; I can’t even express it in words. I really want to see him again and meet him in the future.
I saw a recent announcement from Parastar Entertainment that Big Ocean is auditioning new members. Could we see the group expand in the future?
HyunJin: We have three members, right? We think three of us is too small and that our group is not big enough. That’s why we’re we’re hiring new members. If you come to our website of the company you can apply for the audition 24-7 so please come! We’re definitely looking for more members to apply.
Any other messages you want to share with your international fans at this time?
HyunJin: So three days after this interview, it will be five months since we debuted as Big Ocean so I really want to say thank you to all the fans and people who made Big Ocean possible and gave us a lot of support. To our fandom, PADOS, who are continuously supporting us, promoting us, and even doing all these activities to attract more PADOS on social [media] communities — I really want to say thank you. We will do our part and work harder to show you even greater performance and activities.
JiSeok: Thank you so much for such this great opportunity. Also, in November, we’re trying to release another song, so we will really work hard with our company. If we do release our new song, please send us a lot of support. We will work hard.
With millions of viewers around the world tuning in and casting votes for contestants in the K-pop survival show Boys Planet, contestants who didn’t make a place in the final band left the program with fans eager to see their next steps. No group perhaps better embraces such potential than EVNNE, the seven-member boy band quickly ascending the K-pop ranks and proving themselves as far more than just a simple spin-off act.
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Noted for an intense collective charisma, the boy band’s debut with hard-hitting singles “Trouble” and “Ugly” spoke to a viewpoint as the convention-defying underdogs ready to prove themselves to the world. The group scored number-one hit songs and awards on Korea’s competitive music programs, and this summer embarked on their first U.S. tour to expand their international fanbase and showcase their dynamic performances across multiple cities.
“We didn’t expect it, but we really wanted it,” EVNNE’s leader Keita says of the group’s ability to break out beyond Korea and tour the States. “We felt that there were a lot of fans all over the world cheering for us while we were doing such a program like Boys Planet…it’s really a dream come true.”
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But it’s not just the awards and accolades that define EVNNE’s success. In less than a year, the group has shown remarkable evolution in their musical style, transitioning from the rebellious anthems of their debut to a softer, more romantic sound with their third EP, RIDE or DIE from June. The lead single, “Badder Love,” a soothing rock-pop track recorded in both Korean and English, marks a new chapter for the group.
“The reason we came out with the concept of bad guys when we made our debut was because we wanted to show the public what we can do best,” Yunseo says. “But we released a refreshing album like this because we wanted to show a new side of us.”
With accomplishments both in awards and aristry, Keita, Hanbin, Lee Jeonghyeon, Yunseo, Seungeon, Mun Junghyun and Jihoo have managed to carved their place in the industry and show lasting potential even if the group’s time together may be short. Read on for why else EVNNE is a group to watch as Billboard‘s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for August 2024.
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Congratulations on the success so far and being named Billboard‘s Rookie of the Month! I wonder how you feel about your achievements over the past few months?
YUNSEO: We’ve been through a lot with our members and together we’ve achieved a lot of things, but time is really flying by so fast — faster than I thought. It feels surreal that we’ve been spending so much time together and able experience a lot of things in such a short time, but it also has been very short. Even so, we have realized that there are more fans and more people really supporting us, giving us so much love, so we are just very happy and grateful for everything.
SEUNGEON: I want to add that I’m so happy to be able to come to the U. S. tour following the Asia tour and so excited to meet people from different places. We truly believe that winning on the music shows and being able to go on tours in different countries is all thanks to our fans’ love and support for us. So, we are very thankful for that. We are also very happy and excited to be named as the Rookie of the Month on Billboard. We have been really wanting this so thank you so much.
While you didn’t earn a place in the final group for Boys Planet, you are here now winning awards and going on tour. Did you guys expect all these things to happen?
KEITA: We didn’t expect it, but we really wanted it. We felt that there were a lot of fans all over the world cheering for us while we were doing such a program so we always dreamed that we wanted to go to many cities, perform for many fans, share our energy and communicate with them. It’s really a dream come true.
How has touring the U.S. been for you?
JIHOO: So we were really happy that the crowd cheers were so much bigger than we expected. From what I understand, there’s about 500 people per venue for this tour, but from what we felt on stage, it really felt like the cheer was coming from 5,000 or even 50, 000 people — it was really loud. I feel like we’ve been really eager to share our energy with the audience, but in return, I think we got even more energy and motivation from them.
MUN JUNGHYUN: We were able to sing the English version of “Badder Love” for the first time, and I think the response was good because the fans sang along to the whole song which made us really happy. Also, we were able to show “XO” with its choreography in full for the first time on this U.S. tour and it felt like were cheering so much for that song.
SEUNGEON: You know, the global fans who don’t necessarily speak Korean tend to hum to our songs, instead of like singing along to the actual lyrics, which is still really cute but we always had a little bit of regret that and wish everyone could really sing along together from start to finish. But with the English version [of “Badder Love”] they were really able to do it and were singing along to the song while we were performing so it was really a great experience. It really motivated us and, one day, we would love to release more songs in different various languages in the future.
Any languages you might want to record in next?
HANBIN: We go to Japan a lot and there are a lot of our fans and people who support us in Japan so I think it would be nice to make a version that can be done in Japanese.
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Going back to “Badder Love,” it feels like this album is centered around a softer image and less intense than the concepts for your singles like “Trouble” or Ugly.” What does EVNNE want to prove this time around?
JIHOO: Our main focus was to really show a different side of ourselves compared to our first two albums. For our first and second mini albums, we really wanted to show that “cheeky rascal” side, which is more powerful and very straightforward. But with the third album, we wanted to show more of a romantic, a softer side of us.
YUNSEO: Actually, the reason we came out with the concept of bad guys when we made our debut was because we wanted to show the public what we can do best while talking to the company. That’s how we made our debut. We released a refreshing album like this because we wanted to show a new side of us. We’ve always been able to do this, but we’ve shown you a little bit of a bad boy and a strong image, but this time, we’re going to show you a bit of a different image.
LEE JEONGHYOEN: We have some all-white outfits in the music video that are very fitting for summer. There’s also no really bright hair colors. Actually, this is my first time dying my hair in brown so we really focused on showing the right styling for the concept through this album. A lot of the backgrounds in the music video are set in the ocean so in my opinion that really emphasizes on that refreshing cool side with the song and the music video.
I saw you guys compete in the Idol Star Athletic Championship and reunite even with some of the Boys Planet contestants. How was that after all you went through?
HANBIN: We participated in two of the events during the program and we really prepared ourselves to do our best in it while preparing for this tour. We had to find little moments here and there to really prepare for ISAC, but I think it was a great opportunity for us to promote who we are and what we can do to even more people. So, it was a really great experience in overall and like you mentioned, we were able to talk and chat with many other artists as well including ZEROBASEONE. It’s actually been awhile since we got to chat and reunite with them so it was really fun to be reconnecting.
YUNSEO: Our schedules don’t really leave us a lot of time to meet in person or privately, but I was so happy to meet my friends that were at Idol Star Athletics Championships, talk, and play sports and games together.
KEITA: I met Matthew and I told him, “Hey Matt, I’m studying English!” and he said, “Hey, your pronunciation is not as bad as I thought!” but in Korean. So, I got a compliment from him.
SEUNGEON: I think fans who watched the show were really waiting to see us all again and a Boys Planet reunion one day. This was actually our first opportunity for all the Boys Planet groups and artists to come together, really reunite, talk to each other and just have a good time in general. I felt like it was a school event in some ways because there are a lot of idol seniors, juniors and colleagues but we all have the same dream and passion for music and artistry so it really felt like we were at a school event all together. So, overall it was a very, very fun event.
HANBIN: I actually ran into some friends who I trained with so while it felt really very new, and it also really reminded me like we were back in school all together and we were at a school event together rather a TV show program.
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Do you have a message you’d like to share with international fans who are waiting to see you?
YUNSEO: First of all, we were selected as the Rookie of the Month so I’d like to say thank you so much. It’s a great honor and beginning with this, we’d like to show you all more and promote our name to an even more bigger audience around the world so we can really share our artistry and who we are to everyone around the world. And in the future, we really hope we can someday have our song chart on the Billboard charts. We will work hard for that so it would be great if the American fans and international fans know about us and send us your continued love, support and attention.
SEUNGEON: We’ve been really eager to share incredible performances through this tour and please please look forward to all our activities and performances in the future as well. It’s a great honor, again, to be selected as the Rookie of the Month with Billboard.
06/28/2024
Find out Yunah, Minju, Moka, Wonhee and Iroha’s favorite songs, movies, MBTI and more.
06/28/2024
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