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| yna@yna.co.kr 2025-07-21 16:12:21
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- K-pop boy group Tomorrow X Together (TXT) wrapped up their long-running “The Star Chapter” storyline with the release of their fourth full-length album "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," underscoring the theme of unity and shared strength.
“The new album is fun and accessible, even if you haven’t followed the previous parts of our narrative — just like a good Marvel movie,” said member Taehyun during a press showcase held at Kyung Hee University Peace Hall in Seoul on Monday.
Since their 2019 debut, TXT has steadily built a narrative exploring youth, love, and identity. With this latest chapter, they turn their focus to togetherness — the individual’s growth powered by the strength of others.
“We’ve told the story of boys forming relationships and growing through them,” said the group. “Crafting such a detailed narrative structure isn’t easy, but TXT has managed to do it.”
Member Beomgyu emphasized the deeper significance of “togetherness” in this album. “For a group like us, being ‘together’ is so important — with each other, with our fans, and with the staff who help us,” he said. “That’s what makes the theme of this album feel so real.”
While the intricate storytelling is a key point of immersion for long-time fans, it can also present a barrier for newcomers. “I agree that our story might make it hard to become a fan at first,” said Hueningkai. “But once you get into it, you can’t escape. You feel like you’ve become part of our world — and once you cross that line, you’ll fall in love with us even more.”
The album features eight tracks, including the title song Beautiful Strangers, a trap-based hip-hop track with a dreamy piano line and intense synthesizer contrast. Yeonjun took part in choreographing the performance. “I submitted a draft of the choreography, including the dance break and chorus, and thankfully the company accepted it without much revision,” he said.
The album also includes solo tracks for each member — a first for TXT. These are: Ghost Girl (Yeonjun), Sunday Driver (Soobin), Dance With You (Hueningkai), Take My Half (Beomgyu), and Bird of Night (Taehyun), each revealing the members' distinct musical identities.
TXT has also attracted attention beyond music. The group served as inspiration for the globally successful Netflix animated film K-pop Demon Hunters, with Yeonjun notably being compared to the fictional boy group member “Romance” in the film. “It’s an honor to have been a reference point for a character,” said Yeonjun. “Thanks to that project, I think K-pop’s presence has grown even more.”
Recently, TXT earned the nickname “presidents of elementary schoolers” due to their surprising popularity among young students — a rare feat for a boy group with intense, conceptual music. “My nephew is in elementary school and says TXT is super popular at his school,” Soobin said proudly. “It’s truly a blessing to be loved regardless of gender or age.”
Taehyun echoed the sentiment: “It’s moving to think that we’ll be remembered by fans who’ll say, ‘Back when I was in elementary school, it was all about TXT.’”
With their seventh debut anniversary approaching next year — typically the end of K-pop idol group contracts — the group is already signaling its desire to continue as five. “All five of us share the same thoughts,” Soobin said. “We’re happiest when we’re together, and we want to stay together and perform for a long time. While nothing’s finalized yet, we hope to bring you good news.”
“We believe in dreaming big,” added Taehyun. “Even if a dream breaks, its pieces will still be big. That’s why our goal is clear: We want to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.”
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