ALLDAY PROJECT breaks through K-pop’s ‘co-ed group wasteland’

Co-ed K-pop group ALLDAY PROJECT / Courtesy of The Black Label

ALLDAY PROJECT, a co-ed K-pop group launched by producer Teddy under The Black Label, is drawing major attention both at home and abroad after a strong debut, marking a potential turning point in a market long considered inhospitable to mixed-gender acts.

The group officially debuted on June 23 with its first single “FAMOUS” and has already reached major milestones.

Within four days of its release, “Famous” topped Melon’s Top 100 chart, and just ten days after debuting, ALLDAY PROJECT took first place on Mnet’s “M Countdown.” Internationally, the group entered Billboard’s Global 200 chart at No. 94, signaling strong overseas reception as well.

Comprising members Annie (an heiress to Korea’s retail group Shinsegae), rapper Woochan (from “Show Me the Money”), dancer Bailey, former ILLIT debut team member Youngseo and model-dancer Tarzzan, the five-member group boasts diverse backgrounds and predebut buzz that helped it hit the ground running.

But what has truly set ALLDAY PROJECT apart is its bold revival of the co-ed group format, something rarely seen in K-pop since the 1990s heyday of acts like Roo’ra, Koyote and Cool.

Since the early 2000s, as the idol industry shifted toward gender-specific fandom cultures, co-ed groups became scarce.

Single-gender groups were easier for agencies to manage and better suited to cultivating loyal fan bases. The few recent co-ed acts that did debut struggled to gain traction, reinforcing the perception that such groups were a risky investment.

ALLDAY PROJECT, however, appears to be rewriting that narrative. In addition to musical success, the group is quickly building a solid fan base.

Annie, in particular, is rapidly gaining female fans, with her “chaebol third-gen” background proving to be a surprising selling point.

Concerns about the group’s internal chemistry are also fading. Social media is abuzz with clips of member interactions, especially between Tarzzan and Annie, sparking fan interest across gender lines.

Industry watchers credit the group’s early success to a combination of top-tier production, tight performances and an edgy, androgynous concept that feels fresh in today’s idol landscape.

K-pop rookie group ALLDAY PROJECT / Courtesy of The Black Label

With members already seasoned in rap, dance and performance, the group’s stage presence sets it apart from typical rookie acts.

ALLDAY PROJECT’s rapid rise in both Korea and international markets has opened the door to the possibility that co-ed groups may see a revival in K-pop, and that diverse, well-produced acts can overcome the disadvantages traditionally associated with mixed-gender teams.

Though less than a month has passed since their debut, the industry is watching closely to see whether the group can maintain its momentum and build a lasting identity through future releases.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.