Six-member boy group BoyNextDoor have made a comeback with their 4th mini album, “No Genre.” The boys sold 700,000 copies on the first day of release on May 13, solidifying their position as a leader among the highly competitive fifth-generation K-pop idols. Debuting in May 2023, the group’s bold album title, “No Genre,” reflects a strong sense of confidence.

When met at a café in Mapo-gu, Seoul on May 9, the boys said, “The album may be called ‘No Genre,’ but we as a group cover all genres.” Their confidence is born from dedication. Known for staying late at their management agency HYBE’s building to practice, the group has even earned the nickname “guardians of HYBE.” When asked if they still practice that diligently, the members responded without hesitation, “Yes.”

They are also known for their hand-held mic live performances. Unlike headset mics, hand-held mics allow for better expression of vocal tone and ability, something that fans often cite as a key charm that draws them in.

Taesan remarked, “Ever since our trainee days, we’ve only practiced and performed with hand-held mics. Even when I’ve done solo stages as an MC, I’ve worn an in-ear mic, but as a group, we’ve never worn in-ear mics, not once.” Sungho added, “We practice live vocals for all tracks, not just the title track.”

Zico, the founder of KOZ Entertainment and producer of all the group’s albums, serves as a father figure to the members. He emphasizes four core values: sincerity, greetings, etiquette, and passion. Jaehyun said with a laugh, “It’s become kind of a meme among us. When someone looks tired, we remind each other. ‘What are we supposed to remember? Sincerity. Greetings. Etiquette. Passion!’”

The title track, “I Feel Good,” features powerful choreography. “It’s the most exhausting song we’ve ever done,” said Jaehyun. “The choreography is incredibly tight.” At first, the performance was so physically demanding that they could not even complete the first verse during rehearsals. True to their reputation for “everyday-life-inspired music” since debut, the track features intuitive lyrics paired with a punchy guitar riff and heavy bass line. The song opens with a striking vocal scratch as the members shout, “I! feel good,” setting a strong tone from the start.

The new album includes seven tracks in total: “I Feel Good,” “123-78,” “Step by Step,” “Is That True?” “Next Mistake,” “IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU,” and the English version of “I Feel Good.”

BoyNextDoor will kick off their comeback promotions with a fan showcase on May 14, followed by performances on music shows from May 15 to 18, where they will present their live stage of “I Feel Good.”

“It's not an immediate goal, but I have a very big goal as a singer. I want to earn the title of Korea’s best idol' one day,” the youngest member Woonhak said with a sparkle in his eye. With a name that means “boys who live next door,” it remains to be seen whether the group can truly become a familiar and beloved presence in the hearts of the public.