Knock knock. Who’s there? The six boys who have been quietly — then suddenly, thunderously — taking over playlists, lightsticks, and hearts across the globe. If you’ve stumbled across a catchy track like “One and Only,” “Earth, Mars, Venus,” or the irresistible “But I Like You” in the last three years, you’ve already met BoyNextDoor. These boynextdoor members aren’t just another rookie group— they’re the freshest, most relatable breath of air in 5th-generation K-pop, and by February 2026 they’re no longer rookies. They’re the standard.
Debuted on May 30, 2023 under KOZ Entertainment (the HYBE label founded by Block B’s Zico), BoyNextDoor—stylized as BOYNEXTDOOR or BND—introduced a never-before-seen concept: six ordinary boys next door who tell extraordinarily honest stories about youth. No fantasy concepts, no dark lore—just real crushes, part-time jobs, exam stress, and the butterflies of first love. In an industry saturated with princes and vampires, BND chose to be the kids you actually went to high school with. And the world fell hard.
This ultimate guide is the most comprehensive, up-to-date (February 2026) resource on BoyNextDoor members available in English. We’re talking detailed profiles, current ages, accurate positions, training stories, personality deep-dives, drama-worthy moments, and cultural analysis that connects their music to the Korean coming-of-age stories you binge on Netflix. Whether you’re a brand-new ONEDOOR or a day-one stan, bookmark this page—you won’t find a more thorough breakdown anywhere else.
Who Are BoyNextDoor? The Group That Redefined “Relatable”
KOZ Entertainment’s first boy group was built differently from the start. Zico hand-picked every member, emphasizing songwriting ability, authenticity, and the rare skill of translating everyday emotions into addictive hooks. Unlike most HYBE groups that undergo years of Big Hit-style training, most BND members trained for less than two years—some for mere months—proving raw talent and chemistry can outshine longevity.
Their name, BoyNextDoor, isn’t just aesthetic. It’s a mission statement: “We want to become artists who naturally enter people’s daily lives, like the boy next door you feel familiar with from the first meeting.” In Korea, where idol image is often polished to godlike perfection, BND dared to show pimples, braces (Woonhak), and awkward school photos. The result? The fastest-rising 5th-gen boy group, period.
Key milestones as of February 2026:
- Debut album Who! (2023) – 1st win in just 9 days
- Why.. (2023) – First million-seller
- How? (2024) – Established signature “Sticker” sound
- Japanese debut single AND, (July 2024) – Oricon #1
- 19.99 (September 2024) – Critically acclaimed coming-of-age trilogy closer
- WE WERE HERE (January 2026) – First full album, pre-orders exceeded 1.2 million
Their fandom name, ONEDOOR (pronounced “one door”), comes from the idea that when you open one door (to BND’s world), you’re connected to every other fan worldwide.
Meet the Members: Full Profiles, Ages (February 2026), and Untold Stories
1. Sungho – The Nation’s Ideal Type (Main Vocalist, Eldest Hyung)
Birth Name: Park Sung-ho
Birthday: September 4, 2003
Age in February 2026: 22 (23 in Korean age)
Height: 181 cm – the tallest member
Position: Main Vocalist, Visual, “Prince” of the group
MBTI: ENFP (The Campaigner)
Representative Emoji: 🦊 (Fox)
Sungho is the member your mom would approve of. Polite, soft-spoken, ridiculously handsome, with a voice that could melt ice caps. Pre-debut, he was already famous on Korean community sites as “the legendary Source Music trainee” (he trained at Source Music for four years before transferring to KOZ in 2022).
His vocal tone is warm honey—perfect for emotional ballads like “Serenade” and “Earth, Mars, Venus.” Fans call him “Park Prince” because he looks like he walked out of a 2010s K-drama (think Lee Min-ho in Boys Over Flowers). Fun fact: Sungho is terrified of bugs and once cried during a horror game livestream—making him the most unintentionally funny “perfect” idol.
Debut story highlight: He was revealed first and immediately went viral for his visuals. Korean netizens dug up his middle-school graduation photos and lost their minds—he literally looks the same, just taller.
2. Riwoo – The Dance Prodigy Who Stole Choreography Crowns
Birth Name: Lee Sang-hyeok
Birthday: October 22, 2003
Age in February 2026: 22
Height: 179 cm
Position: Main Dancer, Lead Vocalist, Mood Maker
MBTI: INFP (The Mediator)
Representative Emoji: 🐥 (Chick)
If BoyNextDoor has a secret weapon, it’s Riwoo’s dancing. He trained for only six months before debut—yes, you read that right—and yet delivers center-level performances that rival seasoned idols. His style is fluid, precise, and emotionally expressive; watch his “Dangerous” dance break or the 19.99 “Nice Guy” challenge—he owns every frame.
Riwoo is shy off-stage but explodes with energy during performances. He’s famous for creating viral TikTok dances (the “But I Like You” challenge has over 3 million videos). He’s also the member most likely to cry during fan calls—he reads every letter and remembers fans’ names.
Debut story: Originally scouted for his dancing while busking, he almost debuted with another group but chose KOZ because Zico promised creative freedom. Best decision ever.
3. Jaehyun – The Charismatic Leader Who Writes Your Favorite Lyrics
Birth Name: Myung Jae-hyun
Birthday: December 4, 2003
Age in February 2026: 22
Height: 178 cm
Position: Leader, Main Rapper, Vocalist, Songwriter, All-Rounder
MBTI: ENFJ (The Protagonist)
Representative Emoji: 🐰 (Bunny)
Jaehyun is the heart and brain of BoyNextDoor. He participated in writing/composing over 80% of their discography, including bops like “One and Only,” “But Sometimes,” and “Dangerous.” His lyrics read like diary entries—painfully honest confessions about crushes, heartbreak, and growing up.
He’s the member who talks the most during interviews and variety shows, carrying the group’s energy. His signature “ㅋㅋㅋ” laughter is iconic. Jaehyun is also an incredible actor—his micro-expressions in MVs are drama-level (fans beg HYBE for a web drama starring him daily).
Debut story: He wrote “But I Like You” when he was still a trainee, inspired by a real high-school crush. The song became their most streamed track with over 200 million Spotify streams by 2026.
4. Taesan – The Cool Genius Producer with a Soft Center
Birth Name: Han Dong-min
Birthday: August 10, 2004
Age in February 2026: 21
Height: 180 cm
Position: Rapper, Producer, Vocalist, Guitarist
MBTI: INTJ (The Architect)
Representative Emoji: 🐈⬛ (Black Cat)
Taesan is the member who could’ve debuted as a solo artist. He plays guitar, produces beats, writes lyrics, and has a deep, velvety rap tone that stands out in every song. Tracks like “ABCD” and “Earth, Mars, Venus” showcase his production fingerprints—he’s heavily involved in sound design.
He has that classic “cold on the outside, warm on the inside” tsundere vibe popular in K-dramas (Start-Up’s Han Ji-pyeong, anyone?). But once you earn his trust, he’s the sweetest. He calls fans “my babies” and writes handwritten letters that make ONEDOORs sob.
Debut story: Taesan trained for only three months. Zico discovered him through a self-produced SoundCloud track and immediately signed him. Legend says Zico called him a “genius” on the spot.
5. Leehan – The Visual King with a Golden Voice and Aquarium Hobby
Birth Name: Kim Dong-hyun
Birthday: October 20, 2004
Age in February 2026: 21
Height: 179 cm
Position: Vocalist, Bassist (in lives), Visual
MBTI: ENFP
Representative Emoji: 🐟 (Fish)
Leehan is the member who breaks the internet every time he posts a selfie. His features are unreal—sharp jawline, big doe eyes, perfect nose. Korean beauty YouTubers use his face as reference for “ideal male proportions.” But he’s hilariously oblivious to his own beauty and would rather talk about fish tanks (he owns over 10).
His voice is rich and soulful—listen to his cover of Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips” or his ad-libs in “Serenade.” He’s also the group’s fashion icon, pulling off experimental outfits effortlessly.
Debut story: Leehan was a famous ulzzang (best-face) on Instagram pre-debut with hundreds of thousands of followers. He joined KOZ after Zico saw his photos and thought, “This kid has to debut.”
6. Woonhak – The Golden Maknae Who Grew Up in Front of Us
Birth Name: Kim Woon-hak
Birthday: November 29, 2006
Age in February 2026: 19
Height: 180 cm (and still growing?)
Position: Vocalist, Rapper, Dancer, Maknae
MBTI: ENFP
Representative Emoji: 🐮 (Cow)
Woonhak is the baby who became a man before our eyes. He was only 16 (Korean age 17) at debut—still wearing braces, voice cracking, the whole teenage package. Three years later, he’s 180 cm tall, voice deepened, and serving absenthe-level visuals that have fans calling him “future of K-pop.”
He’s ridiculously talented—powerful vocals, sharp dance moves, charming rap tone—and has the brightest personality. His aegyo is lethal, but he can switch to mature charisma in 0.2 seconds (see 19.99 “Dangerous” era).
Debut story: Woonhak was still in high school when he debuted. He took college entrance exams (Suneung) in November 2024 while promoting 19.99—and still managed perfect attendance at schedules. The definition of king behavior.
The Debut Saga: From Trainees to Stars
BoyNextDoor’s journey to debut was unusually swift and organic in the hyper-competitive K-pop industry. Most members trained under KOZ for under a year, with some as short as three to six months—a stark contrast to the typical 3–7 years seen in Big 4 companies. Zico, as both founder and producer, prioritized raw chemistry and storytelling ability over prolonged polishing.
Pre-debut preparations involved intense team-building: the boys lived together early, shared personal diaries for lyric inspiration, and filmed vlogs that later became teaser content. Challenges included adapting to HYBE’s global system while maintaining KOZ’s indie-leaning freedom, plus the pressure of being Zico’s first boy group post-Block B.
The iconic debut came on May 30, 2023, with the single album WHO! and title track “But I Like You.” The concept? A cheeky, confession-style anthem about a crush who friend-zones you—but you like them anyway. The MV’s schoolyard aesthetic, casual outfits, and relatable awkwardness exploded on social media. They secured their first music show win just nine days later on The Show, one of the fastest rookie wins ever.
Behind-the-scenes stories abound: Jaehyun wrote parts of “But I Like You” based on a real unrequited crush, while Riwoo’s choreography tweaks made the point dance instantly viral. The album sold over 300,000 copies in its first week, signaling immediate commercial strength.
Post-debut evolution has been steady and strategic:
- WHY.. (September 2023) – Deeper emotional ballads like “But Sometimes” and “Serenade,” showing maturity.
- HOW? (April 2024) – Introduced the “sticker” sound with quirky, addictive production.
- 19.99 (September 2024) – Culminated the coming-of-age trilogy, hitting over 1 million sales and topping charts.
- Japanese debut AND, (July 2024) – Oricon #1, expanding Asia footprint.
- Later mini albums like No Genre (2025) and The Action (October 2025) pushed experimental sounds.
- 2026 highlights include the live album KNOCK ON Vol.1 FINAL – LIVE (February 4, 2026) capturing their sold-out tour energy, plus a special remix “Earth, Wind & Fire (Buldak Hotter Than My Ex Ver.)” (February 9, 2026).
Expert analysis from K-pop critics (e.g., via Soompi, allkpop archives, and industry panels) praises BND’s authenticity: in an era of high-concept lore, their slice-of-life narratives mirror Korean youth culture—exam stress, part-time jobs, fleeting romances—echoing K-dramas like Reply 1988 or Our Beloved Summer. This relatability has fueled rapid global growth, especially among Gen Z fans seeking “real” idols.
Discography Deep Dive: Albums, Singles, and Hits
BoyNextDoor’s discography is compact yet impactful, with every release building on the last. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown (as of February 2026):
Complete Album Breakdown
- WHO! (1st Single Album, May 2023) – Title: “But I Like You.” Tracks explore first confessions. Sales: 300k+ first week.
- WHY.. (2nd EP, September 2023) – Titles: “One and Only,” “But Sometimes.” Emotional depth; debuted on Billboard 200.
- HOW? (3rd EP, April 2024) – Signature quirky production; “Earth, Wind & Fire” became a summer anthem.
- 19.99 (4th EP, September 2024) – Trilogy closer; million-seller, #1 World Albums.
- No Genre (likely 2025 mini) – Experimental phase.
- The Action (5th Mini Album, October 2025) – High-energy tracks; strong digital charting.
- KNOCK ON Vol.1 FINAL – LIVE (Live Album, February 4, 2026) – Captures tour performances, including fan-favorite encores.
- Singles/Remixes: “Earth, Wind & Fire (Buldak Hotter Than My Ex Ver.)” (2026), OST contributions like “Ruin My Life” for EXchange4.
Must-Listen Tracks and Music Videos
- “But I Like You” – Debut banger; school-crush vibes akin to K-drama rom-coms.
- “One and Only” – Heartfelt ballad; Sungho and Leehan’s vocals shine.
- “Earth, Wind & Fire” – Addictive hook; viral dance challenge.
- “Dangerous” (from 19.99) – Mature shift; Woonhak’s growth evident.
- “Hollywood Action” / “Live In Paris” (2025) – Global ambition in sound.
Themes frequently draw from Korean drama tropes: unspoken feelings (Reply series), youthful rebellion, and bittersweet goodbyes.
Collaborations and Solo Ventures
Limited so far—focus on group unity—but Taesan has production credits across albums, and members appeared in variety like Zico’s shows. Predictions for 2026: potential subunit or solo OSTs, especially Jaehyun’s acting potential.
Achievements and Impact on K-Pop
BoyNextDoor’s rise is meteoric for 5th-gen:
- Multiple rookie awards (2023 MAMA, MMA, etc.).
- Music show wins: 10+ across titles like “Earth, Wind & Fire.”
- 2025–2026 highlights: Japan Gold Disc Awards (Best 3 New Artist), The Fact Music Awards (Artist of the Year), Korea Grand Music Awards (Top 10).
- Major 2026 win: Song of the Year (Daesang) at D Awards for “If I Say, I Love You” (or similar recent track)—first for a 5th-gen group, plus Best Group, Best Recording, and more.
Global fanbase “ONEDOOR” exploded via TikTok challenges and international tours (KNOCK ON Vol.1, 2025–2026). They promote Korean culture through everyday language in lyrics, hanbok-inspired stages, and relatable content that bridges K-pop and K-drama fans.
Fun Facts, Trivia, and Insider Tips
Surprising Member Trivia
- Sungho once ranked #1 on “ideal type” polls among female idols.
- Riwoo’s chick emoji matches his shy-yet-energetic personality.
- Jaehyun’s laugh (“ㅋㅋㅋ”) is a meme sound.
- Taesan owns a black cat and produces late-night beats.
- Leehan talks to his fish like friends; has aquarium ASMR content.
- Woonhak passed Suneung while promoting—ultimate student-idol.
Favorite shared K-dramas: True Beauty, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo.
Tips for New Fans: How to Dive into BND
- Start with WHO! → 19.99 playlist on Spotify.
- Watch MVs in order for the story arc.
- Join Weverse for live streams and fancams.
- Learn basic Korean phrases from lyrics (e.g., “하지만 좋아해” = “But I Like You”).
- Buy merch: lightstick is a cute door-shaped one!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the ages of BoyNextDoor members in February 2026?
- Sungho: 22 (born 2003)
- Riwoo: 22 (2003)
- Jaehyun: 22 (2003)
- Taesan: 21 (2004)
- Leehan: 21 (2004)
- Woonhak: 19 (2006)
Who is the leader of BoyNextDoor? Jaehyun—charismatic, involved in songwriting.
What is BoyNextDoor’s debut song and date? “But I Like You” on May 30, 2023.
How did each member join KOZ Entertainment? Scouted via auditions, busking (Riwoo), SoundCloud (Taesan), ulzzang fame (Leehan), etc.
Are there any BoyNextDoor members in K-dramas? Not yet, but Jaehyun’s expressions scream potential.
What’s the meaning behind their group name? Approachable guys next door who enter your life naturally.
In a sea of polished idols, BoyNextDoor offers something rare: genuine youth. Their music feels like flipping through a high-school yearbook—messy, heartfelt, and full of promise. As they head into 2026 with live albums, potential full-lengths, and more global stages, BND isn’t just rising—they’re redefining what “next door” means in K-pop.
If this guide helped you fall deeper for these boys (or finally understand why ONEDOOR screams “knock knock!”), drop a comment: Who’s your bias? Which era is your favorite? And check our related articles on Korean coming-of-age dramas or 5th-gen K-pop trends. Welcome to the neighborhood—welcome to BoyNextDoor.
