BOYNEXTDOOR Talk ‘Breaking Out of the Mold’ on ‘No Genre’ EP & What to Expect From Lollapalooza Debut

BOYNEXTDOOR returned this week with their fourth EP, No Genre, and they’re back to “breaking out of the mold.”

The six-member K-pop boy band — SUNGHO, RIWOO, JAEHYUN, TAESAN, LEEHAN and WOONHAK — debuted in 2023 and has always prioritized being hands-on with their work. This time around, JAEHYUN, TAESAN and WOONHAK are all credited throughout the EP’s track list as songwriters. Following the release of “If I Say, I Love You” in January, the full seven-track No Genre project arrived on Tuesday (May 13) in South Korea along with lead single “I Feel Good” and its music video.

Billboard caught up with the group during release week to talk about the just-released project, working on their music, and what to expect from their debut performance at Lollapalooza, going down July 31-Aug. 3 at Chicago’s Grant Park. Check out our conversation below, and stick with @Billboard socials for more from the septet coming throughout this summer.

What does the title of your fourth EP, No Genre, mean to you?

LEEHAN: To us, “No Genre” means breaking out of the mold. We’re a group that genuinely loves all kinds of music, and rather than confining ourselves to a single style, we wanted this album to reflect our openness and freedom. By being directly involved in the creative process, we were able to tell fresher and more exciting stories in our own way.

Why is it important to BOYNEXTDOOR to have the group members so involved in writing and producing your music?

TAESAN: It allows us to fully express what we want to say through our music. Writing and producing our own songs lets us tell our own stories in a way that feels real and personal.

WOONHAK: We believe our music is only complete when it reflects our own emotions and real-life experiences. By taking part in the songwriting process, we’re able to deliver honest and relatable stories in our own voice. I feel like that’s what makes our songs feel instinctive and unfiltered.

What are you planning for your first performance at Lollapalooza later this summer?

JAEHYUN: We’re working hard to make our stage feel more interactive and alive. We’ve been studying English to better communicate with the audience, and we’re also trying out new ideas to make our performance even more engaging.

RIWOO: Since Lollapalooza brings together a wide audience of people who love music and the festival experience, we’re preparing a performance that anyone can enjoy.

What did you learn from your KCON LA performances last year that you’ll bring to your Lollapalooza set?

SUNGHO: At KCON LA, we learned how important it is to create a stage where everyone feels like part of the moment. For Lollapalooza, we want to bring that same energy, where everyone can let loose and have fun with us. Since it’s our first time at Lollapalooza, we want to leave a strong impression and make sure people remember the name BOYNEXTDOOR.