WHIB literally rocked the nation earlier this year with the release of their first mini-album, and the group told amNewYork they have no plans of slowing down on their musical journey.
In the fast-paced world of K-pop, where debuts, comebacks, and fierce competition define the industry, WHIB are determined to carve their own path. Debuting in November 2023 with members Kim Jun-min, Ha Seung, Jin Beom, Yoo Gun, Lee Jung, Jae-ha, and Won Jun, they say they are ready to show the world what they’ve got. Right off the bat with their band name, WHIB chose something that intertwined the words “WHITE” and “BLACK,” symbolizing their stark confidence while also encouraging fans to discover their own colors through their music.
These rookies have already laid the groundwork for their rise through explosive performances, unwavering confidence, and the vulnerability hidden beneath that intensity. When WHIB declared, “It’s time to elevate,” they were setting the stage for these ambitions. The 1st Mini Album: ROCK THE NATION has already been heralded as the group’s boldest artistic statement yet and described as “the great prelude to WHIB’s relentless run.”
For the members, ROCK THE NATION represents more than just another comeback; they tell amNewYork it is a reflection of their perseverance, growth, and the determination to keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.
“The album depicts someone desperately moving forward while overcoming their fears,” Lee Jung explained.
Jae-ha compared the project to “running a marathon with no finish line,” describing it as “looking only straight ahead and never stopping.” It is that relentless mentality that comes from years of training, sacrifice, and chasing a dream that demands both emotional and physical endurance.
Kim Jun-min recalled a recent pre-recording for ROCK THE NATION as a defining moment in his journey as an idol. It was when, finally, all the pieces of the puzzle began to fit, and the bigger picture became clear.
“Hearing AnD shouting our fan chants so loudly and enjoying the performance with us made me think, ‘This is exactly what I came here for,’” he said. “It motivated me to work even harder.”
Reflecting on the album-making process itself, Ha Seung says the experience taught him the value of perseverance. “Seeing the members grow during the process was the most rewarding part,” he said. “I learned that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
In just a few short years, WHIB have steadily built momentum through consistent releases, increasingly ambitious performances, and growing global recognition. Several members’ recent appearances on the K-pop competition program Boys Planet 2 further expanded the group’s visibility and strengthened their connection with international fans.
That visibility translates to their comeback era, which they say is both emotionally intense and visually striking. Much like the duality represented in their name, the group said this comeback embodies the contrast between darkness and light. Jin Beom shared that the color black best represents the group’s current identity because “darkness can swallow everything,” making it feel “the most vivid of all colors.” Meanwhile, Yoo Gun shared that at the album’s core was “pent-up frustration,” explaining that the group finally unleashed their desperate longing to perform on stage through this release.
ROCK THE NATION serves as a declaration that this is WHIB’s moment to shine, with the members emphasizing that the album is about being unapologetically themselves.
“Since this album combines genres we are confident in with performances that highlight each member’s strengths, I think we were able to show our true selves even better,” Jae-ha said.
As the group’s leader, Kim Jun-min played a key role in shaping the mini-album’s direction, balancing the members’ ideas through extensive discussions with the company. Still, carrying a project promoted as such a “bold statement” came with pressure.
“I constantly thought, ‘I really hope the fans will like this,’” he admitted.
For Ha Seung, the comeback pushed him vocally in new ways. One of the album’s tracks required him to hit an F-sharp 5 note, making the recording process especially challenging. Despite the difficulty, he described the project as a labor of love and shared that the lyric “shout it out” from the B-side track “No Shine” resonates deeply with him because he poured emotions from some of his hardest moments into the recording.
Yoo Gun told amNewYork that he focused heavily on strengthening his live vocals to match the album’s intensity, emphasizing that the group wanted audiences to feel both their emotions and concept during performances. Although he did not participate in songwriting for this release, he hopes listeners walk away with the message that people can continue moving forward even through difficult situations.
The demanding choreography also became a defining aspect of the comeback. Lee Jung described the bridge and final chorus as the most physically exhausting moments because of the immense power required throughout the performance. He said that one standout move, however, carries a deeper symbolic meaning. With pride, Lee Jung boasts that he incorporated the martial arts gesture “Pogueon,” a fist-and-palm salute traditionally used to show respect before a duel, into the choreography because it reflected both WHIB’s ambition and sense of dignity, which is a fitting symbol of the group’s duality.
Jin Beom tell amNewYork that he hopes fans pay particular attention to a dramatic scene in the music video where he falls from the top of a building during the transition from the bridge to the final chorus.
“I really put my heart and soul into that performance,” he said sincerely.
Meanwhile, the youngest member, Won Jun, reflected on how much he has matured since debuting, both mentally and physically. Preparing for this album taught him the importance of patience, persistence, and the strength that comes from relying on the people around him.
“I think I’ve learned the value of patience and persistence. I also realized how powerful the strength of a community can be,” Won Jun said.
Jae-ha also stepped outside his comfort zone during this era by taking on rap parts despite originally training primarily as a vocalist. He wants fans to recognize that WHIB are not limited to fixed roles and can continuously evolve as artists.
“My favorite track is ‘Who’s the Next,’” he said. “I perform it with the mindset of, ‘Who’s next? It’s us, WHIB.’”
WHIB believes they are exactly what’s next in the K-pop scene as they continue preparing for what they describe as their “relentless run” forward. The group told amNewYork they remain focused on growth, authenticity, and proving why they are ready to rock the nation.
