TWS channels spirit of youth in ‘Try With Us’

Rising K-pop boy band TWS on Monday returned with its new album that captures the bold energy of stepping into adulthood at age 20.

“Try With Us” due out at 6 p.m. marks the band’s third EP. It features six tracks that explore the excitement and uncertainty of youth, including the main track “Isn’t It Cool to Follow Your Heart?” Among other tracks are “Random Play,” which conveys the thrill of spontaneous adventures with friends, and “Go Back,” which expresses the fluttering emotions of first love.

“I’m really happy I got to prepare this album at this age,” Jihoon, who turned 20 this year along with fellow member Hanjin, said during a media showcase for the upcoming album. “Being 20 feels good, but it also means putting in effort and taking on challenges.”

The eldest member, Shinyu, shared a more reflective take. “I thought turning 20 would dramatically change my life, but everything felt the same at first,” he said. “The one thing that did change is the realization that I need to take responsibility for my own actions.”

The track, “Isn’t It Cool to Follow Your Heart?” urges listeners to embrace moments that make their hearts race, without hesitation.

The K-pop sextet described the song as a showcase of its distinct style, dubbed “boyhood pop” — a youthful, sensory take on traditional K-pop.

“From the sentimental intro to the emotional finale, the song has a complete narrative arc,” Shinyu said. “The lyrics really express the passionate energy of being 20.”

When asked to describe the album in one word, member Youngjae chose “twenty.”

“All of us, except Kyungmin, are becoming adults this year,” Youngjae said. “Since the album revolves around that age, I think it reflects different sides of being 20. I hope it brings comfort and hope to people our age.”

Kyungmin, the youngest member, offered a different keyword: “freedom.”

“We wanted to keep the powerful choreography, but also show a freer, more playful side,” he said. “You’ll definitely feel the sense of challenge and liberation that comes with your 20s.”

TWS debuted in January last year and quickly gained attention with its debut track “Plot Twist” and the second EP’s lead song “If I’m S, Can You Be My N?” Since then, the group has seen a growing international fan base.

When asked when the band feels its popularity the most, Hanjin replied, “Whenever we go abroad or attend events in Korea, fans always cheer loudly for us, so we can feel that we’re receiving a lot of love. Rather than feeling popular, we just feel more grateful.”

Asked what image the group hope to project with its latest release, Dohoon said, “We’d love to be remembered as a group with a good vibe.”

Kyungmin added, “I want us to be known as a group that shares youth. I hope our songs help people create joyful memories of their own twenties.”