TXT gets personal, more powerful in 'The Star Chapter: TOGETHER'

K-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together performs "Beautiful Strangers," the group's new single, during a press event at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall, northeastern Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Tomorrow X Together (TXT) is back, and the band is literally bringing it all together.

The BigHit Music boy band returned Monday with "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," the group's first full-length album in nearly two years, wrapping up its "Star Chapter" series with more emotional storytelling and powerful performances.

Just hours before the album drop, the five TXT members — Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai — took the stage at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall in Seoul to talk the press through their newest work.

Dressed in black leather and exuding a darker edge, the members described the album as the group's most personal project yet.

From left are K-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together members Soobin, Hueningkai, Beomgyu, Yeonjun and Taehyun. The band dropped its fourth studio album, "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," on Monday. Yonhap

"We worked really hard to make sure our colors came through this time," said Yeonjun, the group's eldest. "Since the word 'together' is part of our team name, we thought a lot about what it actually means and how to express that through the music."

Beomgyu added, "Being together is at the core of who we are as a team. We've all built this together — our fans, our staff and the five of us. That made the message of this new album feel even more real."

Leading the album is the title track "Beautiful Strangers," which contrasts an emotional melody with a pulsing, high-energy synth bass arrangement. It's classic TXT — cinematic, dramatic and full of feeling.

The song also marks a first for Yeonjun, himself an aspiring solo artist with previous hits like "GGUM," as he contributed to the choreography for the lead single.

K-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together performs "Beautiful Strangers," the group's new single, during a press event at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall, northeastern Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

"I've worked on different choreos before, but this one was especially fun," he said. "When I first heard the song, some moves just came to me immediately. I sent in a concept after thinking about it for two days, and it got approved right away. It felt really good."

The album also breaks new ground with a full set of solo tracks — one from each member — all folded into the group's larger story.

Yeonjun leans into his darker side with "Ghost Girl," produced by British alt-pop star YUNGBLUD, while Soobin takes a lighter route with "Sunday Driver," a breezy, laid-back track that shows off his smooth vocals.

Hueningkai turns up the heat on his sultry "Dance With You," while Beomgyu flexes his production skills on "Take My Half." Taehyun closes it out with "Bird of Night," a ballad he wrote that offers a message of quiet comfort.

From left, K-pop boy band Tomorrow X Together members, Soobin, Hueningkai, Beomgyu, Yeonjun and Taehyun pose during a press event at Kyung Hee University's Peace Hall, northeastern Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

TXT had their breakout debut in March 2019. The seven-year mark is generally considered a key moment in K-pop, when many groups typically renegotiate contracts with their agencies and decide on their future.

"We're still in talks," said Soobin, when asked about their contract status. "But we all feel the same. We're happiest when we're together, and we want to keep performing and making music for a long time. Hopefully we'll have good news to share soon."

"You won't need to worry," Hueningkai added, assuring fans of the best possible outcome. "Our love for what we do is real. That hasn't changed."