K-pop boy band BoyNextDoor debuted at No. 1 in South Korea with their comeback album “Why..”
BoyNextDoor, composed of Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan and Woonhak, released their first min-album “Why..” on Sept. 4. They debuted under Koz Entertainment of HYBE in May.
BoyNextDoor at their media showcase for "Why" in Seoul on Sept. 4 (Koz Entertainment)
According to Korea’s Hanteo Chart, “Why” debuted at No. 1 on the daily physical album chart with 302,203 copies sold or an equivalent of 353,277 in physical record index score, a combination of album sales and album price used by the chart to rank albums.
During their media showcase for the album in Seoul on Sept. 4, the members talked about the album, releasing an album on the same day as Riize and BTS’ Jungkook complimenting Jaehyun’s cover of his song “Seven.”
About any difficulty they experienced preparing for “Why..,” Woonhak said, “There wasn’t much difficulty per se, I did take a new challenge through this mini-album. I tried to rap for the first time in the song ‘Crying” and I am a huge fan of rap music so I was very pleased and happy.”
Leehan said their prepared for “Why..” even before their debut “so we didn’t face that many obstacles while preparing.”
BoyNextDoor’s comeback was also on the same date as the debut of SM Entertainment’s new boy band Riize.
When asked about their thoughts on this, Taesan said, “I know that many artists are releasing albums today and I’m excited to be working together with our colleagues around the same time.”
Sungho said “he is inspired by artists from other labels as well. I’m also looking forward to showcasing a variety of different colors of BoyNextDoor.”
Jaehyun described the comeback and debut of other artists on the same date as BoyNextDoor as a “music festival.”
“You can enjoy different types of music. I’m just happy to be part of his music festival. We prepared a lot for this and I hope you give our album lots of love and support,” he said.
Sungho said during the promotion of their new album, “I want to reach more fans in more different and diverse ways.”
BoyNextDoor will be performing at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) on Dec. 14 at the Philippine Arena. They were announced in the first lineup of AAA performers together with NewJeans, Le Sserafim, NMIXX and Zerobaseone.
Rapper Zico founded Koz Entertainment, which was acquired by HYBE. BoyNextDoor members were asked if Zico, their executive producer, gave them advice.
“Zico gives us plenty of advice all the time even during the filming of the music video. He is very careful about giving detailed advice about what would be best. BoyNextDoor’s strength is that we have been trainees for a long time so we are very familiar and we a have deep understanding of each other’s quirks and personalities,” said Taesan.
BoyNextDoor's Jaehyun (Koz Entertainment)
BoyNextDoor's Taesan (Koz Entertainment)
BoyNextDoor's Leehan (Koz Entertainment)
BoyNextDoor's Woonhak (Koz Entertainment)
BoyNextDoor's Sungho (Koz Entertainment)
BoyNextDoor's Riwoo (Koz Entertainment)
Jaehyun got a compliment from BTS’ Jungkook for his cover of his song “Seven.” During a broadcast, Jungkook said Jaehyun’s “voice is good.”
“Jungkook is the person I’ve looked up to since I was a trainee. When Jungkook came up with his new song, I really wanted to cover it. And I was so honored to have him compliment on it. As a loyal fan of his, I felt blessed to have taken his compliment,” said Jaehyun.
For “Why,” Jaehun, Taesan and Woonhak are credited as composers and lyricists for the three new songs.
Music producer Pop Time, who has mentored BoyNextDoor from the very beginning, served as the main producer of the album, while Zico participated as a lyricist for the lead single “But Sometimes.”
“Why..” Tracklist
1. But I Like You - A “rock-influenced teen pop track that expresses the excitement of falling in love through its disarmingly frank lyrics, as if the act is telling the story to their friends.”
2. One and Only - “A straightforward Hip-Hop dance track which attracts listeners with a sound completed with an easy listening, groovy chorus line. The track sonically paints an image of a boy trying to calm himself down while choosing the nicest outfit and perfume to wear so there are no regrets left with the long considered decision he has made."
3. Serenade - “A mid-tempo pop track with a strong beat of snare drums throughout the track that reminds the listeners of a pounding heart, letting them immerse themselves right into the track."
4. Crying - “Portrays the refusal to accept the end of a first love and inability to find closure."
5. But Sometimes - “A compelling electric guitar sound instantly grabs the listeners’ attention. Straightforward lyrics from beginning to end illustrate the realization that the amount of love and effort put into a relationship is never equal."
6. ABCDLOVE - “The rhythmical, groovy arrangement and chill melodic line of ‘ABCDLOVE’ convey the hope to slowly pick up the pieces and move on from heartbreak.”
Hanteo Chart’s Daily Album Chart for Sept. 4 based on physical record index scores:
1. BoyNextDoor - Why - 302,203 (copies sold) / 353,277 (physical record index score)
2. Riize - Get A Guitar - 178,265 / 178,265
3. Young K - Letters with notes - 16,882 / 17,368
4. H1-Key - Seoul Dreaming - 9,349 / 9,073
5. Kim Se-jeong - Door - 5,788 / 8,103
6. NCT - Golden Age - 5,431 / 6,088
7. Jihyo - Zone - 3,201 / 4,134
8. Lim Youngmin - Room - 3,360 / 3,987
9. U-Know - Reality Show - 2,902 / 3,480
10. Cignature - Us in the Summer - 2,142 / 2,570