Boy band Close Your Eyes made its official debut on Wednesday, introducing a distinctive “literature boy” concept that blends poetry, symbolism, and storytelling into its music.
The group unveiled its first EP, Eternalt, at a showcase event at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul. The album’s title carries a deeper meaning, with the letter “T” symbolizing “Time.” According to the members, this represents their commitment to spending eternity with their fans.
A Name with Meaning
“The name Close Your Eyes means we want to create music that resonates even when people listen with their eyes closed,” said leader Jeon Min-wook during the event. “It also signifies our growth with every blink of an eye. We hope fans will anticipate our journey and stay with us.”
The group, formed through JTBC’s audition program Project 7 (2024), consists of seven members: Ma Jingxiang, Sakurada Kenshin, Jeon Min-wook, Seo Kyoung-bae, Song Seung-ho, Jang Yeo-jun, and Kim Sung-min. They spent months training together after the show ended in December last year, focusing on refining their skills and building strong team chemistry. The band has a scheduled three-year term under management.
Embracing the ‘Literature Boy’ Concept
The members admitted that adopting a literature-inspired theme was initially challenging.
“At first, we were surprised because it’s not a common concept,” Jeon said. “But after listening to the songs and analyzing the lyrics, we realized we could make it our own. We even read books to immerse ourselves in the idea.”
Jang Yeo-jun added, “We gradually understood the concept more through our meetings and training sessions. I think we managed to express it in a way unique to Close Your Eyes.”
A Poetic Tracklist
The album Eternalt features eight tracks: lead single “All My Poetry” and B-sides “Close Your Eyes,” “Laid Back,” “Subtitled,” “To The Woods,” “Stay 4 Good,” “How To Dance,” and “Upside Down.”
The song titles in Korean carry poetic nuances. “All My Poetry” translates to “All my poetry and the novel within myself,” while “Subtitled” means “In this film that features you, all my lyrics become the subtitles.” “Upside Down” is translated as “The day that the apple fell into the sky.”
The lead track “All My Poetry” is a slow-tempo R&B song depicting a young yet sincere love, expressed through poetic lyrics. Jeon, who previously debuted with boy band BAE173 in 2020, participated in writing the lyrics.
“We thought a lot about what would make us stand out from other groups,” Jeon said. “Our uniqueness comes from being true to ourselves. The songs reflect that, and I believe it shows.”
Formation and Future Plans
Close Your Eyes was formed after two months of intense competition on Project 7. The members, who initially competed individually, had to transition into a cohesive group after being selected.
“During the show, we focused on ourselves as individuals,” Ma Jingxiang explained. “But after coming together, we shifted our focus to how we could present ourselves as a team and prove our abilities on stage.”
The group is managed by Uncore, a newly established music label under SLL, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily. SLL, known for producing Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars (2024) and JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok (2024), will oversee the group’s debut and global promotions. Meanwhile, YG Plus will handle various business aspects, including investment and music distribution.
Looking Ahead
The members hope their music leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
“We want people to feel something different from us,” Kim Sung-min said.
Seo Kyoung-bae added, “I hope our songs stay with listeners all day and even in their dreams. That would mean our music has truly reached them.”
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