Boynextdoor, a new South Korean idol group, made an impressive debut on Tuesday with their single “Who!” and ambitious plans to become the rookie of the year. The group, consisting of six talented members—Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak—introduced themselves and performed the three songs from their debut single at a press showcase in Seoul.
Expressing their excitement, Woonhak, the youngest member, said, “It’s overwhelming that the world is finally hearing our voices.” Boynextdoor is signed to KOZ Entertainment, a music label under Hybe, led by renowned South Korean rapper Zico. The group is the first to be launched by KOZ Entertainment.
Sungho, another member, shared his journey, saying, “I began my training at KOZ and feel overjoyed to debut here.” The collaboration between Zico, who has firsthand experience as a member of the idol group Block B, and his long-time music partner, producer Pop Time, resulted in the creation of “Who!” The single was predominantly produced by Pop Time, with contributions from Zico and some of the band members. In fact, Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak are credited as producers on the songs “But I Like You” and “Serenade,” while Zico and Pop Time collaborated on “One and Only.”
Uniquely, “Who!” does not have a designated main track, a rarity in the K-pop industry where singles and albums are typically centered around one or two standout songs. According to Taesan, the songs on the single are connected by a single story, and he recommends listening to them in order.
Boynextdoor aims to create “simple yet fulfilling” music, emphasizing a “natural” approach. In a brochure for the press, KOZ introduced the term “simfulness” to describe the sentiment the band pursues with its music and style. Jaehyun expressed, “We want our music to be easy-listening, with an added element of fun.” Taesan added, “We hope the public can effortlessly sing along and relate to our music. We want our songs to be remembered.”
The band members actively participated in shaping their music. For instance, Woonhak, who contributed as a lyricist on the song “Serenade,” shared his approach, stating that he tried to incorporate each member’s unique way of expressing emotions into the lyrics. The choreography also reflects the individual strengths and styles of each member, focusing less on perfectly synchronized moves and more on showcasing their individual talents.
KOZ Entertainment, founded independently by Zico in 2018 and later acquired by Hybe, stands alongside other prominent labels like Big Hit Music, Pledis Entertainment, Ador, Source Music, and Belift Lab. Hybe boasts a roster of some of K-pop’s biggest names, including BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, Enhypen, and NewJeans.
Each member of Boynextdoor expressed their aspirations during the debut event. Woonhak shared, “I hope our songs make it onto the annual chart, signifying that our music has swept the scene this year.” Riwoo added, “Our music incorporates visual elements, so we hope our videos trend on streaming platforms.” Sungho summed up the group’s shared goal, stating, “All six of us aspire to win the rookie of the year award this year. We only have one chance to achieve it.”
Drawing inspiration from their song’s title, Taesan stated, “We aim to become a ‘one and only’ group, leaving a lasting impression as icons of youth in the hearts of our fans and the public.”
Following the media event, Boynextdoor held a global showcase called “Boynextdoor Tonight” for their fans, streaming the event live on YouTube and the cable TV channel Mnet. The group is set to make their TV music show debut on Thursday via Mnet’s M Countdown, further expanding their reach and captivating audiences.
