Seven-member K-pop boy band NEWBEAT is making a bold statement with their first mini-album "LOUDER THAN EVER," released Thursday, featuring four tracks with lyrics sung almost entirely in English. The group, consisting of members Minseok, Minsung, Yeojeong, Seohyun, Taeyang, Yunhoo, and Riwoo, has taken a significant creative leap eight months after their debut earlier this year with "RAW AND RAD."
"It's our way of saying we're ready for the world," said Minseok, the group's leader, during an interview at The Korea Times headquarters in central Seoul on October 23. "During the eight-month break, we thought a lot about our fans and about how to show something new to everyone, not just in Korea. We sharpened ourselves for this comeback."
The album features two title tracks that showcase different musical directions while maintaining a unified message of self-love. "Look So Good" draws inspiration from early-2000s pop-R&B with a sleek retro polish, while "LOUD" delivers an energetic fusion of bass-house pulse and rock-infused hyperpop. Both songs center around what the members describe as "loving yourself loudly."
"We tried old-school hip-hop before, but this time in 'Look So Good,' it's retro pop, which feels cleaner, smoother," Minseok explained. "Meanwhile 'LOUD' connects back to the first album, carrying the same spirit but with even more energy." The polished sound represents a collaboration with an international creative team, including British producer Neil Ormandy, known for his work with aespa, and American songwriter and producer Candace Sosa, who has collaborated with BTS.
Releasing an all-English album remains uncommon in K-pop, particularly for rookie groups, making NEWBEAT's decision a risky but calculated move. For the band members, however, the choice felt natural given their international performance experience. "Even before debut, we often performed overseas," Yeojeong recalled. "We wanted a language that could connect instantly. Pop music is our base, and English fit that sound."
The language transition presented significant challenges for the young artists. Riwoo, the youngest member, described his struggle with pronunciation as "a marathon." He explained, "I honestly had a hard time learning nuances of a native English speaker. I spent hours listening and repeating to get the accent right." Minsung echoed these difficulties, saying, "Recording was tough. My English isn't great, so sometimes I couldn't catch feedback from the overseas producers. Thankfully, Yunhoo speaks the language well, so he became our translator in the booth."
Despite their international ambitions, NEWBEAT remained mindful of their Korean fanbase. "We're a K-pop group, so we knew some people might feel left out," Yeojeong acknowledged. "But this was about trying something new. Our first album explored variety in genres; and now the second challenges boundaries." Minseok added, "We wanted to show that 'different' isn't 'wrong.' If the message of self-love reaches people, that's what we consider success."
Since their March debut, NEWBEAT has performed on major stages including KCON, LOVESOME Festival, and notably, the F1 Grand Prix halftime show, where they delivered a 40-minute performance. "Every stage was unforgettable, but the F1 show felt extra special," Yunhoo said. "We built a new intro, and a new set of choreography. The scale of it felt out of this world."
The members have noticed significant personal growth throughout their journey. Minsung admitted to becoming increasingly perfectionist in his approach. "I rewatch every fancam. Each time, I find something to fix. Expression, control, energy, for instance. I push myself harder now," he said. Seohyun shared a lighter perspective on his development, laughing about his focus shifting to photography skills. "After debut I thought I'd naturally look good on camera, but the photo cards proved me wrong. Now I study angles like choreography," he said.
The group's bond was forged through street performances and late-night conversations before their official debut. "Those days taught us endurance," Yeojeong reflected. "We learned each other's struggles and became tighter." Minseok revealed that they maintain this closeness through daily debriefs they call "jongrye," or "homeroom" in Korean. "We talk about everything, from what dreams we had to what we ate for lunch. Sometimes it's serious feedback, sometimes just laughter."
Food has become a significant bonding element for the group, even during their busy promotional periods. "We're all foodies," Minseok said. "Even while dieting for promotions, we talk about what to eat next." Riwoo added with enthusiasm, "I'm the dessert guy. I even got the members hooked on Dubai sweets," while Taeyang jumped in to share, "Seohyun and Minseok have a bit of pride about how much they can eat. It's almost like a competitive sport."
Looking ahead, NEWBEAT has a packed schedule of international activities. "We'll be at university festivals in Japan, then a fansign, and we're preparing to release a Chinese version of 'Cappuccino,' our digital single released in summer," Yunhoo announced. "Next year, a North American tour is in the works." Despite their global ambitions and busy touring schedule, the group's ultimate goals remain grounded in authenticity and personal well-being.
"We want to become our own genre," Yeojeong stated, expressing their artistic vision. "To reinterpret familiar stories in our way." Minseok concluded the interview with quiet conviction, emphasizing their core values: "Our goal is to stay healthy and happy, because if we're not, none of it matters. We hope our fans stay the same."
