BOYNEXTDOOR returns with a relatable story of youth for all generations

BOYNEXTDOOR has come back with a story of youth that aims to resonate with every generation. Their latest release, '19.99', reflects the autobiographical experiences of the members, focusing on the transition between 19 and 20 years old, what they describe as the age of 19.99.

On September 9th, at 3 p.m. KST, BOYNEXTDOOR held a showcase at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of their third mini-album '19.99'. The group performed their new song, 'Nice Guy', for the first time, impressing the audience with their playful gestures and facial expressions, delivering a dynamic and charming performance.

Seongho expressed his excitement about the comeback, saying, "It's an honor to return with a new song. We created this album while juggling our activities in Japan, and despite the busy schedule, the members' involvement reached a record high. I hope our hard work shines through during this promotion."

'19.99', which was released at 6 p.m. that day, symbolizes the transitional phase just before turning 20 with the number '19.99', capturing the intensity of this age. The album reveals the honest thoughts and struggles of youths standing on the brink between their teenage years and adulthood.

Leehan explained, "Not only have we increased our participation in songwriting and composing, but we’re also telling our real stories, which makes this album even more significant. '19.99' portrays the anxieties we face just before turning 20." Maknae Unhak, who is currently living through the age of 19.99, added, "All of us are either right before or just after turning 20. There were moments when I felt pressure to mature quickly, and this album captures those concerns that can only be felt at this age."

The album features seven tracks, including the pre-released song 'Parental Advisory', 'Stone', 'Twenty', 'Call Me', a skit, and an English version of the title track 'Nice Guy'. Members Myeong Jaehyun, Taesan, and Unhak participated in writing and composing all the tracks except for the skit, significantly contributing to the creative process.

The title track 'Nice Guy' is a playful song reflecting the well-earned confidence of someone at the age of 19.99. The groovy rhythm is catchy after just one listen, and the track stands out for its upbeat energy and refined charm. Zico, the head producer of KOZ Entertainment, participated in writing the lyrics, raising expectations. Zico provided monitoring and feedback on site, helping guide BOYNEXTDOOR’s growth.

On stage, BOYNEXTDOOR displayed their diverse talents and confidence, which was one reason 'Nice Guy' was chosen as the title track—it showcases their unique personalities and charm. It offers a different appeal compared to the intense hip-hop vibe of their pre-released song 'Parental Advisory'.

The members explained, "While 'Parental Advisory' was intense, 'Nice Guy' is groovy and emphasizes our natural charm. It’s easy-listening, and that’s what makes it stand out."

Myeong Jaehyun also shared, "We wanted to deliver music that feels authentic to daily life, so we kept some rawness in the tracks. These are relatable episodes that anyone around our age might have experienced." Seongho added, "Music that reflects real life fits our identity perfectly."

With '19.99' and 'Nice Guy', BOYNEXTDOOR is determined to show a different side of themselves. They aim to highlight their ability to evolve with each release, unbound by any single genre. Myeong Jaehyun emphasized, "Our albums are always filled with entirely different tracks. It’s our responsibility to constantly show new sides of ourselves."

The group's popularity is already rising rapidly with this album. The pre-order sales of '19.99' surpassed 810,000 copies, an approximately 42% increase from their previous album 'HOW?', which sold 570,000 copies. This growth demonstrates their steadily expanding fan base with each release.

The members felt a heightened sense of responsibility. Taesan remarked, "We could feel the love from many fans this time around. We prepared hard with the mindset of giving back for all the love we’ve received." Unhak added, "Next year, we’ll all be in our twenties. We plan to keep working hard so that one day we can be known as the 'Nation's Idol Group'."

BOYNEXTDOOR, determined to connect with listeners of all ages through their relatable, "life-inspired" music, is garnering attention to see if their autobiographical stories will satisfy the eyes and ears of their fans.

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