CLOSE YOUR EYES Is Billboard’s K-Pop Rookie of the Month for December: Exclusive Photos

No one would have expected a K-pop group born from an idol audition program to develop such a clearly defined musical identity. Yet that is exactly the story of CLOSE YOUR EYES, formed through the Korean survival show Project 7, which aired in the second half of 2024. The seven boys selected in December 2024 wasted no time. On April 2, 2025 — just a few months later — they made their debut with ETERNALT, an eight-track mini album that immediately caught the attention of both critics and K-pop fandoms.

Beyond their distinctive name, CLOSE YOUR EYES quickly stood out for the poetic language that defined their music. Led by the title track “All My Poetry” songs such as “Subtitled” (full title in Korean is “In This Film That Holds You, My Lyrics Become the Subtitles”) and “Upside Down” (full title is “The Day Apples Fell Into the Sky” in Korean) filled their debut album with lyrical imagery, carried by the members’ convincing and emotive vocals.

CLOSE YOUR EYES presented a clear artistic direction — one shaped notably by two female creators. Creative director LEE HAEIN (b. 1994), a former trainee from the shows Produce 101 and Idol School and the producer behind KISS OF LIFE, led the group’s overarching vision. Singer-songwriter ADORA (b. 1997), formerly of Big Hit Music and known for her work on BTS’ “Spring Day” and TXT’s “Our Summer,” was also deeply involved in the group’s formation.

The act’s album ETERNALT ranked No. 13 on Billboard’s Best K-Pop Albums of 2025 list, while follow-up releases Snowy Summer (July) and blackout (November) further solidified the group’s identity in both music and performance. In particular, blackout surpassed 570,000 copies sold in its first week, the highest figure among boy groups debuting in 2025, exceeding Cortis’ 400,000. Beyond records and headlines, however, it is the seven members at the core who define the group.

“With every album, we’re given opportunities to participate in the process. Because we understand what we’re doing ourselves, we’re able to show who we truly are,” says JANG YEOJUN, who contributed to the choreography of the debut track’s chorus. After finishing 30th on Boys Planet in 2023, MA JINGXIANG persevered and ultimately debuted in first place, anchoring the group on stage. Leader JEON MINWOOK, who previously debuted with BAE173, revealed a newfound stability in his vocals, expanding the group’s sonic range. KIM SUNGMIN, SONG SEUNGHO and SEO GYEONGBAE — with little or no trainee experience — continue to grow like blank canvases, shaping their own tones and colors. KENSHIN, who ranked high throughout Project 7, stands out with exceptional dance skills and bright, incomparable energy.

CLOSE YOUR EYES makes it clear how joyful it can be when youthful energy meets beautiful melodies and carefully written lyrics. As the final K-pop rookie breakout of 2025, the group will hold their first solo concert, “Beyond Your Eyes,” this January — an invitation to witness the energy of seven rising artists up close.