[Dispatch=Reporter Lee Ah-jin] "We're going to make it go viral so the whole world is covered with BOYNEXTDOOR's songs!" (Woonhak)

BOYNEXTDOOR has been on an unstoppable growth trajectory since their debut. With each comeback, they've renewed their career highs, and by their third album, they achieved million-seller status. They've not only topped major domestic music charts but also made their name on the U.S. Billboard 200.

However, concerns have deepened. Having only looked ahead and run forward, they lacked time to look back. Additionally, there was a desire for musical growth. They wanted to expand their public influence as well. That's what led them to the decision to release a full-length album.

Jaehyun said, "As a singer, I've long had a dream to make a full-length album," and added, "Until now, it felt like we didn't have enough material to share. But around the time we were preparing this album, all the members felt simultaneously that now was the right time."

Dispatch met BOYNEXTDOOR at a café in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. We heard about the preparation process and activity goals for their full-length debut album "HOME."

◆ "Our Story, HOME"

This is the group's first full-length album since their debut. The members considered ways to present a more mature image and approach a wider audience. After much deliberation, they decided to express autobiographical stories through their songs.

All members participated in the overall album production process. They gathered every day and put their heads together. Taesan said, "If we worked for four hours a day, three of those hours were spent in conversation," and "We shared everything from daily trivial matters to family affairs and honest feelings toward our fans."

"When we did it all together, both passion and fun doubled. We had serious conversations, but we also joked around a lot trying to make each other laugh. There were so many moments where we burst out laughing that I wondered if there was a way to express this cheerful side through music." (Jaehyun)

It was a series of intense contemplation, but at the same time, it was also a time of healing. As they opened up their innermost thoughts, accumulated emotions were washed away. The bond among them grew even stronger. They chose the album title to encompass this entire process: "HOME."

"HOME carries meaning beyond a physical space—it's a sanctuary for the heart. The album contains our journey in finding a true sanctuary after stepping out into the world. The reason the final track is a fan song is because ultimately our destination is 'ONDOOR' (fandom name)." (Woonhak)

They embedded their firmly built teamwork in the credits as well. Instead of individual names, they inscribed the group name "BOYNEXTDOOR" itself. Taesan explained, "Even if we didn't directly write a specific part, we influenced each other and created the album together."

They plan to touch the public's heart with the thorough production process and sincerity toward music. They decided to show their human side without reservation. Leehan requested attention by saying, "The entire album production process was captured in a documentary."

◆ "VIRAL, Orthodoxy Is Individuality"

The autobiographical narrative continues in the title track "VIRAL." The members asked themselves: "What music is most authentically us?" They found the answer in the past. They recalled the K-pop they heard growing up and the music of their seniors that they copied with sweat during their trainee days.

In an era where short-form songs are trending, they instead followed the old K-pop formula. Jaehyun said, "I thought many people are actually missing this kind of music," and "I wondered if something orthodox could conversely become distinctive. We chose a song with greater length that allows us to showcase synchronized choreography as the title track."

"We followed the K-pop grammar of that era. What all members agreed on was the structure where the bridge section gets lyrical and the mood softens, followed by high notes and a dance break. The tone of the lyrics came together with the decision to go emotional and lyrical." (Sunho)

The lyrics contain the desperation of clinging to a past lover through music. Underlying this is the earnest hope that their songs will spread further throughout the world. Jaehyun said, "We chose love as a topic to make it easier for more people to relate to," but added, "We didn't want to create a simple love song. We intended to embed metaphorical meaning."

The performance also differs. Previously, they often featured choreography that highlighted each member's individuality, but this time they focused on unity. Riwoo explained, "Like K-pop from that era, we perform poses during group choruses. Additionally, we've incorporated dance breaks in the intro and outro."

The point choreography is diverse. Jaehyun said, "I wanted to make every section go viral," and "To do this, we put pointful choreography in each section. I'd like fans to choose their favorite part as the signature point choreography."

◆ "From the Practice Room to the Stage"

While the title track contains their current wishes as musicians, the B-sides feature more candid narratives. Track 1, "0607," tells the story of their trainee days. The number "0607" is the postal code of the area around their former practice studio where the members spent time together.

Jaehyun said, "I wrote the lyrics based on emotions from the start of their trainee period through just before debut," and "The main content is their thirst for music and the desperation to stand on stage. Since this period is like the starting point of our musical life, we made it the intro track."

In particular, they filled the beginning and end of the track with Jaehyun's voice. This was due to Woonhak's suggestion. Jaehyun said, "Woonhak suggested it, saying 'Our team was only able to begin once hyung joined us last.' I felt more responsibility than ever and worked on it."

BOYNEXTDOOR's characteristic bright color wasn't lost. It's reflected in tracks like "DIVE," "ADIOS," and "UPSIDE DOWN." Sunho said, "Since the title track is so different from our existing color," and "We wanted to share our unique cheerful energy so fans wouldn't find it too unfamiliar."

"We made an effort to align the three tracks with the album's tone. While maintaining our own innocent color in the lyrics, we also incorporated the emotions we've experienced. 'ADIOS' is about saying goodbye to childhood aspects. 'UPSIDE DOWN' is a song depicting kids who don't want to be confined to molds breaking free from constraints and dancing." (Jaehyun)

The final track, "I Wonder, Always," is a fan song. Riwoo said, "We didn't just sing about happy emotions," and "We honestly shared the sense of responsibility, anxiety, and gratitude that comes with fans' great love. We expressed our genuine heart that only ONDOOR can understand."

◆ "Let's Make VIRAL Go Viral"

It's an album containing a full year of sweat and tears. The members didn't stop at using only their designated practice time. Every day they checked the calendar and found more time they could carve out. They didn't shy away from early morning practice sessions to raise the completion level of their performance.

Jaehyun said, "It's an album prepared with even greater urgency," and confessed, "We wondered, 'Is there anything we can do to increase the viral success rate even by 1%?' and 'Is there anything else we can try even by one more thing?' We devoted ourselves to every aspect—challenges, songs, lyrics, and stage expressions."

So what is the goal of this activity? Woonhak said, "The top priority is to sweep music program awards," and "Since we poured a whole year into this, I'd like our song to settle in many people's ears."

"During practice, I naturally saw eyes full of determination flowing out, and all members felt that we were preparing with teeth gritted. You'll be able to see our sincerity in our eyes on stage." (Sunho)

Their sincerity doesn't stop at merely achieving results. They hope their music naturally seeps into the daily lives of more people. Riwoo shared an anecdote about recently going to a supermarket with his parents.

"I jokingly told my parents, 'If our song plays here, I'll dance for you,' and our song actually played. My parents were so happy, saying 'Our son has made it.' If our music and the sincerity contained within it can reach the public even in this way, isn't that success?" (Riwoo)

<Photos provided by Coz Entertainment>