BIGHIT MUSIC, the home of powerhouse acts BTS and TXT, is preparing to debut its first boy band in six years on August 18, announcing five gifted teenage talents set to redefine K-pop artistry. Named tentatively as a next‑gen “young creator crew,” the group features Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, boys already distinguished by their creative contributions to HYBE’s existing roster.
In a statement, BIGHIT Music described them as a “bespoke creative unit”, each member will contribute directly to writing lyrics, composing music, choreographing routines, and producing video content. Unlike the traditional idol model, which assigns members fixed roles (vocalist, rapper, dancer), this ensemble championed a collective, democratic creative process, reflecting their own personal stories and visions.Even prior to their debut, members Martin and James have already earned credibility within HYBE’s extended universe. Martin holds credits in songwriting and production for:
TXT singles “Deja Vu,” “Miracle,” and “Beautiful Strangers”, ENHYPEN’s “Outside”,LE SSERAFIM’s “Pierrot” and ILLIT’s “Magnetic” James, meanwhile, has impactful choreography credits for TXT’s “Deja Vu,” ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” “Cherish (My Love),” and “Tick‑Tack,” in addition to production roles on songs like “Miracle” and “Magnetic” alongside Martin. This behind‑the‑scenes track record gives weight to the “creator” branding: these teenagers aren’t just performers, they’re artists who will shape their own sound, image, and storytelling throughout their careers.
BIGHIT M’s last boy group debut was TXT in 2019. The new act arrives amid intensive global expansion. HYBE’s talent search for this group was notably rigorous: spearheaded in collaboration with American music impresario Ryan Tedder, the talent call attracted applicants aged 13–23 for training in Los Angeles ([Soompi][1]). This partnership, between a world‑class producer and a K‑pop powerhouse, exemplifies HYBE’s ambition to launch the global superstar of tomorrow.
Scooter Braun, CEO of HYBE America and Tedder’s frequent collaborator (they’ve worked with artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Adele), emphasized that this venture marks a new stage of pop music evolution, melding songwriting brilliance, performance training, and cultural sensibility
BTS’s Pioneering Legacy. To appreciate the significance of this launch, it helps to reflect on the global impact of BIGHIT’s flagship ensemble, BTS. Debuting June 13, 2013, with the gritty hip‑hop EP 2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS carved a unique place in K‑pop. Unlike many rookies, they confronted youth issues head‑on and rose to prominence through honest lyrics and bold artistry . The turning point arrived in 2020 with Dynamite, BTS’s first all‑English single. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 300,000 units in its first week, ultimately becoming Billboard’s best‑selling single of 2020, with sales surpassing 1.3 million copies.
Between 2020 and 2021, BTS topped the Billboard Social 50 chart for an unbeaten 210 non‑consecutive weeks, claimed multiple Grammy nominations, packed Wembley and the Rose Bowl, received the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year award twice, and earned the South Korean Order of Cultural Merit for being cultural ambassadors.
Their “Love Myself” campaign, in partnership with UNICEF, mobilized over ₩4.2 billion globally (approx. US \$3.7 million) by late 2021, promoting anti, youth violence and mental health empowerment .
Even while on military hiatus (spanning 2022–2025), BTS members maintained visibility through solo projects, from Jin’s Echo (2025) to SUGA’s Agust D D‑Day (2023), and RM, J‑Hope, V, Jimin, and Jungkook’s solo albums and tours. The final member, Suga, completed military service recently, marking the full group’s return later this year and a planned new album in spring 2026, notably recorded in the US.
Passing the Torch: A New Era in K-pop?
With BTS’s internationally acclaimed legacy and TXT’s continued innovation, BIGHIT's upcoming group bears hefty expectations. Industry watchers view them as a strategic pivot toward artist-led content, integrating creation and performance from Day One.
HYBE’s ambition, to nurture acts demonstrated by Ryan Tedder and Scooter Braun, positions this band to operate as a hybrid of idol culture and creative autonomy. Their youth, creative agency, and access to HYBE’s global infrastructure might break the idol mold and inspire a new wave in K‑pop.
Looking Ahead: Debut Path, Fan Engagement, and Creative Direction
Debut Day – August 18: Anticipate multi‑phase content dropouts in the lead‑up, teasers, concept clips, choreography breakdowns, and pre‑release tracks, intended to highlight their individual artistry and collective synergy.
Composition & Creative Process: It’s expected the group’s initial singles or mini‑album will include original credits from its members. Expect lyric‑heavy storytelling rooted in adolescence, growth, identity, digital life, which may echo BTS’ early thematic grit, but with fresh perspectives from teenage creators.
Performance Style: The choreography will likely blend edgy, raw dance made by the members themselves, infused with music video aesthetics that emphasize authenticity, DIY visuals, narrative cuts, and perhaps behind‑the‑scenes glimpses into their creative collaboration.
Global Strategy: Backed by HYBE and global A\&R teams, the group will likely target simultaneous K‑pop/J‑pop releases and Seoul/LA‑centered media campaigns, reflecting their bicontinental origins from the Ryan Tedder, led global auditions.
Can They Carry HYBE’s Legacy?
A lot hangs in the balance:
Creative cred: Can these teen creators craft music that resonates with global listeners without compromising commercial appeal?
Market differentiation: In an increasingly crowded landscape, SM, YG, JYP, and trend‑forward rivals, bold storytelling and fan engagement will be essential.
Fan engagement: With BTS and TXT having redefined fan connectivity (ILY=“I love you” gestures, ARMY/community designs, Weverse), HYBE clearly values loyal fan culture. The new group must cultivate their own ARMY from the ground up.
Their fresh, hands‑on angle marks a watershed: if they succeed, this could herald a new model where K‑pop idols are more universally perceived as true “creators,” not just performers.
What’s new? BIGHIT MUSIC debuts its first boy band since TXT on August 18, highlighting a creative‑collaborative concept built around five teenagers.
Who are they? Martin, James, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, and Keonho, teen creators with prior credentials in music, choreography, and visual production for HYBE acts
Why it matters: Leveraging HYBE’s global reach and BTS’s trailblazing legacy, this group represents a bold experiment, integrating youthful authenticity and creative control into mainstream K‑pop.
Prepare for a series of teasers in the coming weeks. If their debut signals a shift toward artist-led content production, and it lands creatively, the era of the “idol‑creator” might achieve new scale.
Stay tuned as the countdown to August 18 begins.
0 Comments