BXB gives it their all in first single 'Chapter 1. Our Youth'

BXB was one of the first K-pop boy bands of 2023, debuting with the EP “Intro: Flight and a new beginning” in January. Shortly after debuting, the boy band competed on JTBC’s audition show “Peak Time,” which aimed to give some publicity to lesser ...

BXB sits down for an interview at the JoongAng Ilbo building in western Seoul on June 25 to discuss its new music and future plans. [PARK SANG-MOON]

BXB was one of the first K-pop boy bands of 2023, debuting with the EP “Intro: Flight and a new beginning” in January. Shortly after debuting, the boy band competed on JTBC’s audition show “Peak Time,” which aimed to give some publicity to lesser-known boy bands.

The band is back again with its first single “Chapter 1. Our Youth,” which drops Aug. 3, with the lead track “Planet,” a medium-tempo R&B number, and the catchy hip-hop track “Thirsty.”

Half a year after its debut, members Jihun, Hyunwoo, Siwoo and Hamin sat down at the JoongAng Ilbo building in western Seoul on July 28 to discuss its new music, talk about its experience on “Peak Time” and lay down its future ambitions. “There were so many ups and downs on ‘Peak Time,’” Jihun said, reminiscing on how they competed as Team 04:00. “But it also brought memorable moments.”

“We saw positive feedback for our round 1 performance, and that’s when we gained confidence to carry on,” Siwoo said.

“I think people recognized the teamwork we have,” Hyunwoo added. “It’s not just about being synchronized while dancing, but our mentality and attitude all becoming one as a team. That was our biggest strength.”

Teaser image for BXB's ″Chapter 1. Our Youth″ [WOLFBURN]

BXB held concerts in Japan for a month and a half directly after ‘Peak Time’ ended in April. Siwoo’s birthday celebration and BXB’s 100-day anniversary event both took place during the fan meet and greet sessions while they were there.

“Many who came to see us in person [in Japan] got to know us through ‘Peak Time,’ but many of them also remembered us from our previous group activities,” the band’s leader, Hyunwoo, said. “We felt a mix of nostalgia and excitement to meet new fans.”

The four members have been in the K-pop scene for years already. They debuted together in 2017 as boy band TRCNG, a group known to have been riddled with long hiatuses. The band dropped only four releases between 2017 and 2019, followed by nothing for three years until their agency contracts expired in 2022. That memory of long hiatuses is what made them give it their all on stage as BXB and also as Team 04:00.

“Because of the long breaks we had in our previous team, we haven't had in-person meet and greets in Korea since 2018,” Siwoo said. “So we know how meaningful and precious those moments are.”

BXB, pronounced "be ex be," stands for “boy by brush,” meaning that the members will paint the scenes and emotions of youth with their music. Last summer, the four members were part of the APR Project as a soft launch before a fully restarting as BXB before adding in their fifth member, June.

“Because of the many gaps we had in our former team, we always felt sorry to our fans for not being able to show them a good ending,” Hyunwoo said. “We ourselves has a thirst for the stage, so we dreamed of the members getting back together some day. Rather than starting a new group right away, we wanted the APR Project to be another step to clarify to our fans that our previous group ended and say how we felt during the long hiatuses and how we struggled. But the project also conveyed our message loud and clear that we’re off to a new start, shaking off all the hard times we’ve been through.”

Teaser image for BXB's ″Chapter 1. Our Youth″ [WOLFBURN]

The former TRCNG members have known each other for somewhere between eight to 11 years, but feel fresher than ever as a new team.

“We initially debuted in the era of 3.5-generation idols,” Hamin said.

“But now, at least we can say our hearts are fifth-generation,” Hyunwoo laughed.

“We’ve been together and performed in sync for so long,” Jihun said. “It only felt natural for us to remain together. The other former members of TRCNG couldn’t join us because of their military services and whatnot, but we really wanted to. We know each other so well.”

When they came back and started reuniting with fans, members were reminded once again of why they kept pursuing their dreams in music.

“The most memorable thing fans told me was, ‘Thank you for coming back,’” Hyunwoo said. “Really, we’re just as grateful to them. They’re the reason we’ve been able to come back and continue. I’m also impressed by how quickly we became friendly with new fans we’ve met. We are honored to become a big part of their lives.”

After halving their size, having once being active as a 10-member group, members say they couldn’t help but notice a major change.

“Everything got a lot quicker,” Jihun said. “Imagine how chaotic it was for 10 members to get ready in the morning! We were always in a hurry. We also had to get around in two vans.”

“But at the end of the day, life as a team is just the same,” Hyunwoo said. “Whether it’s 10 of us or five of us, we’re bickering and working hard together.”

Teaser image for BXB's ″Chapter 1. Our Youth″ [WOLFBURN]

As the members have spent their younger years together, pursuing a common goal, the messages in BXB’s music especially resonates within them.

“The overall concept of this new single is reminiscing on the moments we ran toward our dreams and worked hard for what we love,” Jihun said. “It essentially is about how time flies, but our youth shines in all those moments and burns in our hearts.”

As demonstrated in its new lead track, BXB has opted for a harmonious R&B sound, which is uncommon for K-pop boy bands these days. In the age of strong electronic dance numbers, BXB has chosen a different style, but that doesn’t mean it plans to confine its music to “easy listening.”

“What’s most important is to showcase our great vocals and performance, and the music style is nothing more than a format that allows us to show what we’ve got,” said Hamin. “According to the times and trends, we’ll express ourselves through easy listening, strong sounds and much more.”

To find out more about BXB, visit Celeb Confirmed!

Teaser image for BXB's ″Chapter 1. Our Youth″ [WOLFBURN]

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]