BOYNEXTDOOR’s Production “LONGSHOT” Debuts with Intense Energy on Debut Stage

The rookie group LONGSHOT, produced by idol-turned-singer Park Jae-beom, made its entrance into the K-pop market with a powerful debut performance. Composed of four teenage members, LONGSHOT promises to bring a fresh breeze to the idol industry through its unique blend of hip-hop and R&B music styles along with a bold visual aesthetic.

Park Jae-beom explained the background behind the project by saying, “Many people are creating idols, but I wanted to create friends whose music I could enjoy listening to and who I think is amazing, based on my own experiences.” LONGSHOT consists of four members—O-yul, Ryeol, Woo-jin, and Lu-i—and they have expressed ambitious goals of shaking up K-pop.

On the 16th, LONGSHOT appeared on KBS2’s “Music Bank” to perform the title track “Moonwalkin’” from their debut EP “SHOT CALLERS.” Amidst intense LED screens and a stylish street-inspired look, the members dominated the stage with highly catchy choreography and distinctive voices. Their unrestrained energy, unique outfits, and trendy visuals captured the attention of fans.

“Moonwalkin’” expresses youthful emotions of dreams and self-confidence through the metaphor of moonwalking in a dreamy atmosphere. The lyrics include lines such as “Time keeps ticking tockin’, we’ll probably keep moonwalking. I’m fine just as I am, but your answer is still uncertain,” reflecting a determination to move forward despite uncertainty. The debut EP features a wide range of sounds including hip-hop, R&B, and pop, fully showcasing LONGSHOT’s identity and ambitions.

Recently, it has become a major trend in the K-pop market for famous singers to transform into producers and introduce new idol groups. BOYNEXTDOOR, created by Zico, quickly established itself as a leading hip-hop boy group since its debut in 2023. Meanwhile, the girl group “SEI MY NAME,” produced by Kim Jae-jung of TVXQ!, achieved its first music show victory this year after debuting in 2024, though it has not yet shown strong impact in the market.

Music critic Kim Heon-sik said, “There is high expectation for groups created by former K-pop stars because they have a high chance of success.” He added, “It is very important that even if created by a former idol leader, full direct control is avoided, allowing room for the members’ autonomy and collaborative synergy.” In essence, he analyzed that more persuasive skills among the members and group autonomy are the keys to success rather than who created them.