HOW?
BOYNEXTDOOR releases their second mini-album “HOW?”! the highlight of their first love story trilogy.
“HOW?” a story of youth that anyone can relate to, whether they've experienced it before or are going through it now.
title track “earth, wind & fire” blending BOYNEXTDOOR’s signature friendly charm with a kitschy aesthetic.
BOYNEXTDOOR is making a comeback on april 15 with their second mini-album "HOW?"
“HOW?” serves as the grand finale of their first love story trilogy, filling in the narrative gap between their debut single “WHO!” and first mini-album “WHY..” starting with “WHO!” which captured the thrill of first love, then “WHY..”, which conveyed the pain of a first breakup, and now “HOW?”, which dives into the complex emotions and situations between love and separation. through their own unique storytelling, BOYNEXTDOOR explores a spectrum of emotions, evoking memories of first love and creating a strong sense of relatability.
first love’s turbulence, infused with ‘kitschcore’ aesthetics
as you listen to the tracks in order, you can feel the waves of emotions that come with first love. the narrator goes from the nervous excitement of a first date (OUR) to repeatedly fighting and making up (amnesia). a romantic nighttime date unfolds (so let's go see the stars), but love doesn’t always go as planned, leading to frustration (earth, wind & fire). they then have a candid conversation with friends about love and life (l i f e i s c o o l) before eventually accepting the breakup with a calm heart (dear. my darling). rounding out the album is an english version of the title track “earth, wind & fire”, making a total of seven tracks.
to vividly express these emotional ups and downs, boynextdoor has incorporated a ‘kitschcore’ style into this album. ‘kitschcore’ is a blend of kitsch (playful, retro aesthetics) and normcore (effortlessly cool style), perfectly encapsulating BOYNEXTDOOR’s witty and uniquely charming identity. this theme is evident across all aspects of the album, from concept photos featuring surreal collage art that reflects love-induced confusion, to a music video set against the vast backdrops of earth and space, to the incorporation of hyperpop elements in the music and fresh, eye-catching performances.
dynamic and catchy energy! title track "earth, wind & fire"
the protagonist in “earth, wind & fire” is someone who once carried themselves with confidence but finds themselves helpless when it comes to love. just as no one can control the earth, wind, and fire at will, they struggle with a relationship that refuses to go their way, expressing their frustration and confusion with honesty.
the song’s sound and performance cleverly channel these turbulent emotions. one particularly striking feature is the “self-speed-up” section, where the vocals are delivered at a rapid-fire pace, creating a sped-up effect that immediately grabs attention. this part directly conveys the protagonist’s urgency and anxiety. the choreography follows the same emotional trajectory, matching the song’s fast-paced energy.
“earth, wind & fire” is defined by its distinctively segmented structure, and the choreography accentuates this with bold shifts in movement, making the performance visually captivating. specific dance moves mirror the lyrics, like “i put up with everything, but this time i won’t” and “what's all this confusion, doubt over me”, making it easy for viewers to get immersed in the protagonist’s emotions. the members’ synchronized teamwork enhances the intricate and fast-paced choreography, prioritizing the overall impact of the performance rather than just individual moments.
the music video for “earth, wind & fire” visually represents the unpredictable nature of first love by drawing parallels to ever-changing natural forces. scenes of deserts, glaciers, storms, and lightning appear at key moments, reinforcing the song’s theme. this video perfectly embodies BOYNEXTDOOR’s kitschcore aesthetic, featuring vibrant sets, playful CG effects, and fast-paced editing, resulting in a music video that feels both unique and full of youthful energy.
BOYNEXTDOOR’s self-made sound
members Myung Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak contributed to the songwriting and composition of five out of seven tracks, crafting a sound that resonates with youth while incorporating their natural manner of speaking into the lyrics. the three have consistently been credited on all three of the group’s albums, steadily shaping their own musical identity. meanwhile, Riwoo personally fine-tuned the details of the title track’s choreography, ensuring the performance perfectly aligned with the group’s style.
Zico, the producer and artist overseeing the album, alongside lead producer Pop Time, worked closely with the members to refine their creative input and elevate their artistic capabilities.
BOYNEXTDOOR’s music embodies a friendly, youthful spirit without losing its wit. while they sometimes radiate an effortless coolness with a hip and kitschy vibe, they remain approachable and down-to-earth. their music is defined by easy listening sounds paired with the members’ natural talents and charm, setting them apart in a distinct and refreshing way.
[TRACK LIST]
01. OUR
a hip-hop track that captures the excitement and nervousness of a first date. the playful beat is wrapped in a sweet melody, expressing the fresh thrill that gradually blooms amidst the tension. over the bouncy sound, the members' unique voices and skills shine through in their dynamic sing-rap delivery.
[boynextdoor said…] “O U R O U R O U R oh you are oh your oh you are” it's finally the big day, our first date! i check the weather first thing in the morning, pick out my outfit carefully, but as i get closer to our meeting spot, my mind just goes blank. should i lighten the mood with a joke? is it okay to hold your hand? my thoughts are racing. but slowly, my focus shifts away from my own nervousness and onto you.
02. amnesia
this song compares a couple’s cycle of arguments and reconciliations to amnesia. Taesan and Woonhak took part in writing and composing, portraying the complex emotions of a relationship where fights only make the love feel more precious. the lyrical guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats create a unique atmosphere.
[boynextdoor said…] “it repeats everyday, think i have amnesia” are you doing this on purpose? do you even know how much your words get under my skin? one moment i’m so angry i can't stand it, and the next, i miss you like crazy as if i have amnesia. the more i care about you, the more i expect, and the more i feel let down. this isn’t the kind of relationship i wanted…
03. so let's go see the stars
a rock-infused synth-pop track that paints a romantic picture of a nighttime date. soaring vocals, refreshing drum sounds, and gliding synth melodies bring to life the image of youth gazing up at the stars. Taesan and Woonhak, who participated in the songwriting, capture the bittersweet honesty of confessing love spontaneously only to realize too late that their mic was still on.
[boynextdoor said…] “sing “i love you” every day. huh? what's this? i left the mic on?” the stars are extra clear tonight. on this special night, i show up at your door and ask you out on a date. i want to remember this moment forever, and suddenly, i feel like confessing my feelings. the dark sky, the shining stars, everything feels meaningful because you're here with me.
04. earth, wind & fire
the title track, “earth, wind & fire” is the best representation of BOYNEXTDOOR’s free-spirited and trend-setting identity. the lyrics compare a lover to the earth, fire, and wind, someone so important that they become the whole world, yet as unpredictable and uncontrollable as nature itself. infused with hyperpop elements, this dance track features bold transitions that break genre boundaries and a high-energy performance. the rapid-fire self-speed-up section leaves a lasting impression with its addictive melody. Myung Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak contributed to the lyrics, while Myung Jaehyun and Taesan participated in composing.
[boynextdoor said…] “you ain't just a girlfriend, that's not enough. you're my earth, wind & fire” one moment you act like you’ll give me your whole heart, and the next, you turn away, leaving me completely lost. you do whatever you want, and it feels like you're targeting my weak spots on purpose. no matter how much i try, my “love formula” just doesn’t work on you. you’re like fire, stars, wind, and flowers, untamable, yet somehow, you’re my entire world.
05. l i f e i s c o o l
a hip-hop track that feels like a group of six young friends gathered in one place, sharing open and honest conversations about love and life. Myung Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak took part in the songwriting, tailoring each part to fit the members' distinct personalities and charms. the real and casual lyrics reflect their genuine friendship and chemistry.
[boynextdoor said…] “singing, laughing, life is cool” it’s been a while since we all got together. tonight, we’re not worried about puffy eyes in the morning or reading the room, we just laugh and talk until it’s too late to sleep. we’re all so different from one another, but maybe that’s what makes us even more special!
06. dear. my darling
a rock ballad blending vintage, retro sounds with BOYNEXTDOOR’s heartfelt vocals. Myung Jaehyun and Taesan wrote the lyrics, while Taesan also took part in composing. framed as a short letter, the song expresses the hope that an ex-lover finds happiness after the breakup. instead of clinging to lingering feelings, the lyrics convey a calm acceptance of parting, creating a bittersweet but romantic ending to the first love trilogy.
[boynextdoor said…] “by the time this reaches you, you're not darling anymore” after we broke up, i look back on our time together. when i was with you, it always felt like i was walking on a rooftop, just a little closer to the sky. i hope our memories don’t feel too cold when you think of them. i won’t try to hold on to you, but i still hope you’ll be happy. because i really did love you.