K-pop group Boynextdoor aims to resonate with its peers through music drawn from everyday life experiences, penned by the members themselves.
The six-member boy band released its third EP, titled “19.99,” on Monday, alongside the music video for the lead track “Nice Guy.”
Known for incorporating members’ personal stories into the group’s music, Boynextdoor takes a hands-on approach with this album, diving deep into the candid feelings of youth as they approach the milestone age of 20.
The album’s title “19.99” refers to the final months before turning 20, according to the band.
K-pop group Boynextdoor poses for a photo during a media showcase for its third EP, “19.99,” in Seoul on Sept. 9, 2024. (Yonhap)
K-pop group Boynextdoor poses for a photo during a media showcase for its third EP, “19.99,” in Seoul on Sept. 9, 2024. (Yonhap)
With the team’s youngest member Woonhak set to turn 20 next year and others having recently entered their 20s, the album offers an honest reflection on the worries and though
ts of being “19.99 years old.”
“When I thought about turning 20, I felt both fear and pressure because I thought I had to mature quickly,” said Woonhak, who wrote part of the tracks in the album. “I discussed these worries with the members and the agency’s producers, and such thoughts that only those our age can have were naturally incorporated into the album.”
The EP consists of seven tracks, including both Korean and English versions of “Nice Guy,” “Gonna Be a Rock,” “Skit,” “20” and “Call Me.”
The band introduced its music inspired from members’ everyday life as what could set it apart from other boy groups.
“We try to put many of our own stories into our songs,” Taesan said. “Even when the tracks don’t contain direct personal experiences, we exert efforts to create music that can resonate with listeners in their 10s and 20s.”
Jaehyun used a part of the lyrics from the first track “Dangerous” as an example to illustrate the group’s music style based on real-life experiences. In the lyrics, a character
is on the phone with their parents, who ask, “When are you coming home?” and the character replies, “I’ll be there in 10 minutes” even though he apparently has no plan to do so.
The track was released last Monday ahead of the album’s release.
“When I played the song for my parents, they said, ‘This is so much like you,'” he said with a laugh.
“I reflected the episode because I thought it’s an episode that all people my age might have experienced at least once,” he said, stressing that the group even uses episodes showing their immature side to create music based on everyday lives.
“Nice Guy,” the lead track, is a lighthearted, upbeat number with a groovy and catchy rhythm. The lyrics convey the confidence of those on the brink of 20, capturing the carefree energy of youth.
“I think ‘Nice Guy’ is a really easy-listening song that has a more comfortable charm (than the pre-released song),” Riwoo said. “I would say it is fun to sing along to the song.”
Source: Yonhap News Agency
