BOYNEXTDOOR explores complexities of young love in new album "Why.."

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 23:54

K-pop

BOYNEXTDOOR explores complexities of young love in new album "Why.."

Posted : 2023-09-05 17:06

Updated : 2023-09-06 14:31

K-pop rookie boy group BOYNEXTDOOR / Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment

By Pyo Kyung-min

HYBE's rookie boy group, BOYNEXTDOOR, returned with their latest album, "Why..," Monday, Focusing on the theme of heartbreak, the group aims to resonate with their generation with being relatable as well as exceptionally talented.

Comprising of six members of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak, BOYNEXTDOOR gained wide popularity since its debut with the single 'Who!' in May. Their new album "Why.." features six tracks, featuring popular hits like "But I Like You," "One and Only" and" Serenade," along with new additions, "Crying," "But Sometimes," and "ABCDLOVE."

The title track, "But Sometimes," captures the emotions of the first breakup, with raw and unfiltered lyrics reflecting the pain of lost love.

"The title track conveys the complex emotions of your first love that ultimately didn't work out," said Jaehyun, the group's leader, during a press event held at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Gwangjin District, Seoul, Monday.

"While navigating post-breakup feelings can be unique for each individual, we believe that people of our age group still face challenges during such moments. We wanted to capture those raw emotions through our new song."

This new album, "Why..," serves as a thematic continuation of the group's debut album, "Who!," which explored the early stages of love. With this latest release, the group aims to resonate with listeners who are navigating the emotional complexities of heartbreak.

Riwoo described the new album saying, "Our debut album and the 'Why...' album share the same plot, showcasing the emotions we feel in each stage of immature love."

Woonhak, the youngest member, added, "By considering that the two albums comprise a whole unit, we believe listeners of both our albums can truly connect with the experiences of love."

Rookie boy group BOYNEXTDOOR performs their new song, "ABCDLOVE," during a press event held at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Gwangjin District, Monday. Courtesy of KOZ Entertainment

What sets BOYNEXTDOOR apart from numerous other K-pop acts is their involvement in the creative process. Not only did member Taesan make the Korean title of the song, but the entire group collaborated on writing the lyrics and devising elements of the song's choreography.

Woonhak noted that their strength lies in "delivering a stage of our own creation."

"The members always unite to craft songs and stage performances, such as infusing choreography with natural gestures drawn from our everyday lives," Wonhak said.

Leader Jaehyun shared that their producer, ZICO, has expressed confidence in the group's versatile talents. "Our distinctive strength lies in our ability to pour our hearts into crafting our performances while simultaneously enjoying being on stage."

The group attributed their rapid success to the unwavering support of their fans and expressed their gratitude and will to repay this love through genuine communication.

"The amount of love we've received has been so large and intense, and I'm truly grateful. I'm making a conscious effort to connect with our fans whenever time allows as a way of expressing my appreciation," Sungho said.

Leehan is determined to excel with this new album. "When I debuted, everything felt unfamiliar and I couldn't perform at my best. However, with this comeback, I am fully committed to ensuring our fans' satisfaction and engaging in direct communication with them."

pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr