It’s a New Season for TWS — And They’re Ready to ‘play hard’

Pure, almost unfiltered passion — it’s the defining trait of youth. As we grow older and face reality, that heat cools, emotions dull, and we become “adults.” Maybe that’s why so many eyes are drawn to TWS, who embody what we now call a “healthy narrative” in K-pop: honest lyrics, melodies that bring back a sense of innocence, and bright smiles that stay even when they dance with everything they have. Under HYBE’s PLEDIS Entertainment — their first boy group in nine years since SEVENTEEN — TWS leave exactly that impression.

In January 2024, the six-member group debuted with the candid “First Encounter Doesn’t Go as Planned.” The boys who once sang in school uniforms later returned with “If I’m S, Can You Be My N?” and wrapped up the year with “Last Festival,” themed around graduation. This April, their third mini album TRY WITH US captured the flutter of turning twenty and stepping beyond school. Now, with their fourth mini album play hard, they return, diving headfirst into what they love.

What the six members love — and are fully immersed in — is dance and music. Maybe it’s the spirit of “going all out” in the album title, but this time, they didn’t just follow what was given; they actively pursued what they love. From choreography discussions to recording sessions, every member participated more passionately than ever — some even contributing to lyric writing and choreography. The result is a wider musical spectrum and a deeper sense of growth. As Jihoon shares, “Even on days when exhaustion piles up, I hope our songs make people think, ‘So what if I fail?’ and give it another try.”

Six young people giving everything to the dance and music they love — play hard marks the next chapter for TWS, who now grace Billboard Korea’s digital cover. Learn more about all the members below.