THE NEW SIX (TNX) is a six-member boy group under P NATION, consisting of members TAE HUN, KYUNG JUN, HYUN SOO, JUN HYEOK, HWI, and SUNG JUN. The sextet debuted on May 17, 2022, with the mini-album 'WAY UP.'

A year and a month later after its debut, THE NEW SIX made their anticipated comeback with the third mini-album 'BOYHOOD,' featuring the title track "Kick It 4 Now" and its English version, as well as the new four songs serving as the B-sides, with four of them being written and composed by member HWI. 

'BOYHOOD' tells the story of six boys from diverse backgrounds and regions who come together to pursue a shared dream, supporting and growing with each other along the way. Through this album, listeners can experience the vibrant vocal charms of THE NEW SIX members and enjoy a wide range of musical styles.

The title track, "Kick It 4 Now," is a New Jack Swing genre song that perfectly represents THE NEW SIX (TNX)'s cool style. It captures the essence of memories and friendship, embodying the unique summer vibe of the group. With its exciting drum rhythms and cool synth instruments, this track is sure to leave a lasting impression.

'BOYHOOD' also features catchy B-side tracks: "By You," a song with an addictively repeated chorus and witty lyrics that delve into the heart of a boy in love. "Good Day" is a dreamy track that evokes a sentimental yet refreshing mood. "My Bias" is an upbeat song that captures the excitement of falling in love in a teenage speech, featuring the chorus of all the members happily singing together and the witty lyrics that expresses one’s feelings to the other through metaphors. Lastly, "1000 Miles" is a song with a rhythmic guitar and features a grand arrangement in the chorus with the emotional vocals of THE NEW SIX members. It conveys the boys' unwavering determination to get closer to their dreams, regardless of the distance or obstacles they may face.

To celebrate the release of 'BOYHOOD,' the boys of THE NEW SIX sat down with allkpop to talk about their new comeback, their artistic journey so far, the survival program show 'LOUD,' and more. Continue reading to know more about THE NEW SIX!

TNX's shout-out video:

[Member JUN HYEOK was not able to join them in filming the video due to health reasons, but he sent his answers over email].

allkpop: First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on the release of your 3rd mini-album 'Boyhood'! It's been just over a year since your debut last year! Time flies so fast! It's only been 1 year but you have 3 EPs already! How does it feel to greet everyone with new music?

SUNG JUN: I'm glad to meet THX so soon! We came back with a refreshing new jack swing genre which is different from our debut album which showed our "strength" and our second mini-album which showed our "emotion." We hope you enjoy our album as much as we excitedly prepared it!

allkpop: Could you tell us more about the EP and the title track, as well as the reason behind choosing "Kick It 4 Now" as the title song? 

TAE HUN: The 3rd mini-album 'BOYHOOD' is the meaning of the team name THE NEW SIX, which means that six boys from different backgrounds and regions, who have lived their own lives, come together to achieve the same dream and goal, form a team, rely on each other, and grow together. In this album, you can experience the colorful vocal charms of our members and a wide spectrum of music.

The title song "Kick It 4 Now" is a song of the New Jack Swing genre that contains THE NEW SIX's unique coolness. It contains THE NEW SIX's unique summer atmosphere that sings about memories and friendship with a harmonious combination of cheerful drum rhythms and cool-colored synth instruments. We chose this song as the title song because we thought that if we reinterpreted New Jack Swing music, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, in a modern way, we would be able to present music that all generations can listen to and enjoy: mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. And this title song is a refreshing song that goes well with summer, so I think it would be nice to listen to it, especially during the summer vacation season. Even after our activities are over, I hope that many people will continue to listen to it, so it will be a song that will be loved for a long time.

allkpop: Since the album talks about you, from different backgrounds, gathering together for the same dream, I wanted to ask, how do you usually team up and work together as TNX? How do you put your own unique colors into one?

JUN HYEOK: The charm of our team is that each individual has a distinct personality. Rather than adapting each individual's personality to someone else, I think I'm trying to bring those personalities together to create good harmony. Recognizing each other, trying to understand that person, and finding the best combination that I and that person can produce, all six of us are working hard to become a harmonious group with different colors!

allkpop: The album consists of 5 new tracks, excluding the English version of the title track. Which track is your personal favorite among the 5, and why? 

TAE HUN: "My Bias" — this song gave me strength and motivation when I was having a hard time preparing for the album.

KYUNG JUN: "By You" — I like all the songs on the album, but I chose "By You" as my favorite song because it makes me feel better when I listen to it before going to bed.

HYUN SOO: "By You" — it's a good song to listen to on a comfortable warm afternoon, but I chose this song because I like days like that.

JUN HYEOK: "Kick It 4 Now" — as the title track of this mini-album, it's exciting and addictive, and I especially like the new jack swing genre.

HWI: "By You" — I wrote the lyrics, I like it because the lyrics are so pretty.

SUNG JUN: "Good Day" — I thought I did a good job recording the intro, and when the highlight medley video was released, my part came out.

allkpop: The title song "Kick It 4 Now" has Korean and English versions. How did the recording process for this track differ? Did you encounter any difficulties along the way?

JUN HYEOK: I recorded the Korean version first, and then the English version. Apparently, everyone except KYUNG JUN hyung is not comfortable with English, so I recorded it with great care in pronunciation so that the meaning of the lyrics can be conveyed to the listeners.

allkpop: Are there musical genres you would want to try and explore in the future? A genre that you think fits perfectly for TNX?

HWI: I want to try the ‘pop punk’ genre. It's a genre I like, and I think our members will be able to digest the genre well while maintaining our team's individuality.

allkpop: I've watched the MV teaser, and it seems so fun! Share with us some fun and interesting behind-the-scenes!

HYUN SOO: While filming the music video, we also filmed dance highlight short-form videos to be uploaded to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts! I had a choice about who to film with, but TAE HUN thought he would choose himself for sure! So I chose HWI. (laughs)

allkpop: As seen in the MV teaser, the members seem to be playing carnival games such as darts and basketball. In real life, do you actually play games, perhaps spending your free time playing online or physical games to unwind after a long day?

KYUNG JUN: It's usually very late when I go to the dorm after my schedule, but I still spend time with the members in my free time. Rather than playing online games together, we spend time together playing sports like soccer or bowling or watching movies.

allkpop: HWI participated in creating 4 of the tracks in the album including the title song's English version! That's so impressive! How do you feel to be able to participate in the creative side of being an idol, given that you're just an 18-year-old idol? What were your inspirations behind writing these songs? Especially for "My Bias" since you wrote, composed, and arranged the song all by yourself! Tell us more about how you came up with such a song.

HWI: Thankfully, following our debut album and our 2nd mini-album, it is an honor to be able to participate in the production again. When I write a song, I don't get inspiration from anything else, but I tend to be very immersed in something. I am immersed in the position of the speaker or subject of the lyrics, and I get inspiration by recalling emotions from the position of the subject.

allkpop: TNX just celebrated its 1st anniversary last May 17! Congratulations! How would you describe your experience and journey being an idol in the K-Pop industry and being part of TNX so far?

TAE HUN: Since our debut on May 17 last year, we were really happy to release 3 mini albums and meet many fans through various opportunities. I think this year has been very meaningful thanks to THX who give us unsparing love. In the future, we will move towards the endless summit.

allkpop: Speaking of your experience, you participated in the reality show program 'LOUD.' I'm sure you have learned a lot of lessons from it. What's the best thing or advice someone has given to you, the lesson you've learned from the show that you were able to apply now as idols?

SUNG JUN: I think I was able to accumulate a lot of stage experience. I was able to stand on a big stage through 'LOUD,' and I think I was able to grow a lot by studying the behavior and expressions on stage to see what it feels like to perform in front of people and how I can complete the stage.

allkpop: You're working with world-famous singer PSY! What was it like working with him for the past years? Is there any advice he has given to you that you keep until this day?

KYUNG JUN: I'm originally very shy and I'm not good at expressing my emotions, and the CEO once gave me feedback saying, "How long are you going to keep looking at the ground?" I was frustrated because it was difficult to express myself, but I tried really hard to fix it, and now I think I can convey what I want to express on stage well.

allkpop: Lastly, is there anything else you'd like to say to your fans worldwide?

HYUN SOO: Thank you so much to all the fans around the world for cheering us on! Please love our 3rd mini album, 'BOYHOOD' and the title song, "Kick It 4 Now," and let's make lots of great memories through this promotion! 

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