The Boyz (Korean: 더보이즈) is a South Korean boy band formed by IST Entertainment (initially formed exclusively by Cre.ker Entertainment before merging with what was formerly known as Play M Entertainment) and managed by One Hundred. The group debuted on December 6, 2017, with the lead single "Boy" from their debut EP The First. The group is composed of members Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric. Originally a twelve-man group, Hwall departed from the group in October 2019, citing health issues.
History
Pre-debut
In 2016 and early 2017, various members appeared in different artists' music videos, as cameos or lead roles.[2][3] Kevin was first introduced to the public as a contestant on Kpop Star 6, where he was eliminated early in the competition. Following this, he had the chance to release an OST for the drama Saimdang, Light's Diary in April 2017.[4] Sunwoo became a contestant on High School Rapper in January 2017, where he was also eliminated early in the competition.[5][6] In March 2017, Ju Haknyeon participated in Produce 101 and reached 19th place during the final episode.[7]
On July 4, the group was first announced as Cre.kerz, through the agency's social medias.[8] On July 18, their official name was revealed.[9] From August 23 to October 11, their first reality show Flower Snack aired, resulting in the release of the song "I'm Your Boy".[10][11][12] They held their first fanmeeting "Heart to Heart" for 1,000 fans on October 28.[13]
In November, the twelve members signed contracts as exclusive models for the school uniform brand Skoolooks, as well as the cosmetic brand Siero Cosmetic.[14][15]
On December 4, Cre.ker Entertainment confirmed that the group had signed a contract with Sony Music for their Japan promotions.[16]
2017–2018: Debut and early days
On December 6, The Boyz officially debuted with the release of their first extended playThe First and its lead single "Boy".[17] From February 12 to March 15, their second reality show The 100 aired on V Live.[18] As the result of this show, they held an online mini-concert on March 23.[19] Sangyeon had his first fixed cast appearance on the show We are the One that aired from February 26 until its cancellation on March 26.[20][21] The Boyz were invited to perform at the 12th Asian Film Awards on March 17 in Macau, their first overseas performance.[22]
The group released their second extended play The Start and its lead single "Giddy Up" on April 3, 2018.[23] Due to health problems, Hwall couldn't promote with the group and subsequently had to halt all activities for three months.[24] The twelve members, with Hwall back from his hiatus, released a special digital single titled "Keeper" on July 12, which was produced by Block B's Park Kyung.[25][26] On July 24, they won their first "Rookie Award" during the Korea Brand Awards.[27] On August 30, the group won another "Rookie Award" at the Soribada Best K-Music Awards.[28] On September 5, they made their first comeback in 5 months with the single The Sphere and the song "Right Here".[29] The group released their third extended play The Only and its lead single "No Air" on November 29, 2018.[30] On December 1, the group won another "Best New Male Artist Award" at the 2018 Melon Music Awards.[31]
2019: Japanese debut and Hwall's departure
The group released their second single album Bloom Bloom and its lead single "Bloom Bloom" on April 29.[32]
The group released their fourth extended play Dreamlike and its lead single "D.D.D" on August 19.[34]
On October 23, Hwall officially left the group due to health issues and pursued a solo and acting career afterwards.[35]
On November 6, The Boyz officially debuted in Japan with the release of their first Japanese extended play Tattoo and its lead single with the same name.[36]
On December 6, the group released a special digital single titled "White (화이트)" to commemorate their second anniversary.[37] Between December 11 and 20, the group toured in Berlin, Paris, London, and Amsterdam as part of their European tour titled Dreamlike.[38]
2020–2021: Kingdom Survival and commercial success
On February 10, 2020, the group released their first studio album Reveal and its lead single "Reveal".[39] On March 20, it was announced that the group will join Mnet's reality television competition Road to Kingdom.[40] On June 12, they released their new song "Checkmate" for the show's finale. The group eventually finished in first place, winning the show and securing a spot in upcoming Mnet program Kingdom: Legendary War.[41] Their fifth EP Chase was released on September 21 with the lead single "The Stealer".[42]
On December 7, the group released a special digital single titled "Christmassy!", to commemorate their third anniversary with 'The Azit: 永華' promotions.[43]
On January 12, 2021, it was announced that the group will release their first Japanese studio album Breaking Dawn on March 17.[44][45] The Boyz participated in Kingdom: Legendary War, starting from April, where the group finished in second place.[46] On July 11, The Boyz released the promotional single "Drink It" through Universe Music for the mobile application, Universe.[47] They released their sixth extended play Thrill-ing on August 9, with the lead single "Thrill Ride" was described as a trendy hip-hop.[48][49] On August 20, they won their first "public broadcasting" music show trophy on KBS's Music Bank.[50][51] The EP sold 523,630 copies in the first week of its release on Hanteo Chart and making them became the eighth-highest first-week sales of any boy group in Hanteo Chart.[52][53] On September 17, Kakao Entertainment announced The Boyz's company, Cre.ker Entertainment and PlayM Entertainment, will merge to launch a new integrated label.[54] On October 2, The Boyz won "Artist of the Year" on 2021 The Fact Music Awards.[55] On November 1, The Boyz released their third single album Maverick.[56] The single consists of three-track including the hip-hop lead single "Maverick".[57] On December 6, the group released a special digital single titled "Candles", to commemorate their fourth anniversary.[58]
2022–present: Be Aware, Be Awake, Phantasy, and One Hundred
On May 27, 2022, The Boyz released their second Japanese extended play She's the Boss, the first release under their new label, Universal Music IST.[59] On June 17, 2022, The Boyz released their second promotional single "Sweet" through Universe.[60] On August 16, The Boyz released their seventh extended play Be Aware.[61] On August 30, it was announced that Sunwoo would be suspending activities due to health issues.[62]
On February 20, 2023, The Boyz released their eighth EP Be Awake.[63] The EP consists of six-tracks with the lead single "Roar", which was described as a R&B Pop dance song.[64] On July 25, the group announced the release of their second Korean studio album, Phantasy, which was divided into three parts, with the first part, Christmas in August, being released on August 7.[65] On October 25, the group announced the second part of Phantasy, Sixth Sense, which was released on November 20.[66] The third and final part of Phantasy, Love Letter was released on March 18, 2024.[67] The lead single of this part was "Nectar", described as 'emotional-but-hopeful'.[68]
According to label One Hundred on November 15, 2024, all members of The Boyz will sign with them after their contract with IST ends on December 5.[69][70]
^Kim, Eun-ji (February 21, 2017). ""프듀2·고등래퍼·K팝6 출신"...더보이즈, 역대급 드림팀 결성 :: 네이버 TV연예" ["From Produce 101 S2, High School Rapper, and K-Pop 6"...The Boyz form a dream team of epic proportions]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^Son, Mi-kyung (April 19, 2017). "'K팝6' 문형서, '사임당' OST로 첫 솔로곡 19일 공개" ['K-Pop Star 6' Moon Hyung-seo to release first solo song with 'Saimdang' OST on the 19th]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2018 – via Naver.
^Kim, Mi-ji (July 19, 2017). "'주학년 합류' 더 보이즈, 데뷔 전 유명 매거진과 '초대형 헙업' :: 네이버 TV연예" ['Ju Haknyeon confluence' The Boyz announce 'huge collaboration' with high-profile magazine before debut]. Xsports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^Kim, Ye-na (July 18, 2017). "'주학년 그룹' 이름 확정...'더 보이즈' 하반기 데뷔 :: 네이버 TV연예" ['Ju Haknyeon's group' name confirmed...'The Boyz' to debut in second half :: Naver TV]. TV Report (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^Moon, Da-young (June 21, 2017). "[포스트 워너원] ⑤주학년, 무대 위에서 실력 발휘, 실전으로 트레이닝 예고" [[Post Wanna One] ⑤Ju Haknyeon shows off his talent on stage, shows off his training in practice]. The Korea Herald U007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Ji-won (July 7, 2017). "[단독] '프듀2' 주학년, 크래커 新보이그룹 합류 확정...연말 데뷔" [[Exclusive] 'Produce 101 S2' Ju Haknyeon confirms joining new boy group...debut at the end of the year]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^Lee, So-dam (July 18, 2017). "[공식입장] 크래커 新 보이그룹, '더보이즈' 팀명 확정..연말 론칭" [[OFFICIAL STATEMENT] Cre.kerz's new boy group, 'The Boyz', will debut at the end of the year]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017 – via Naver.
^"펜타곤·온앤오프·골든차일드·더보이즈·베리베리·원어스·TOO, '로드 투 킹덤' 출연 확정 [공식]" [Pentagon, ONF, Golden Child, The Boyz, Verivery, Oneus, TOO, confirmed 'Road to Kingdom' appearance [Official]]. Osen. March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
^Park, Seo-hyun (August 30, 2022). "더보이즈 선우, 일시적 활동중단 "건강상의 어려움 호소"[전문]" [The Boyz Sunwoo, temporary suspension of activities "appeals for health difficulties" [Full text]] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek, Jin-woook (February 20, 2023). "[포토] 더보이즈 8집 미니앨범 'BE AWAKE' 공개" (in Korean). Star Daily News. Star Daily News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
