The beloved K-pop group The Boyz is set to gift their dedicated fanbase, THE B, with a special anniversary single titled 'Still Love You'. The release is scheduled for December 6 at 6 PM KST, perfectly aligning with the group's debut date. This release upholds a sacred eight-year tradition where the group drops a track each year to commemorate their debut and express gratitude to their supporters.
A Cherished Tradition Continues
Since their debut on December 6, 2017, under Cre.ker Entertainment (now IST Entertainment), The Boyz have never missed an anniversary. Each year, they have released a heartfelt single for their fans. The tradition includes songs like 'White' (2019), 'Christmassy!' (2020), 'Candles' (2021), 'All About You' (2022), and 'Dear' (2023). This year's offering, 'Still Love You', is a three-track single that arrives during a period of change for the group.
Their new agency, OneHundred, has built anticipation by unveiling teaser posters. The visuals show the members on a winter beach getaway, accompanied by a crossword puzzle featuring the group and fandom names. The agency promises content filled with gratitude, even as the group currently promotes with a reduced lineup.
Navigating a Year of Highs and Lows
The year 2024 has been a rollercoaster for The Boyz, marked by significant achievements and challenges. They released their full-length album 'Unexpected' and their 10th mini-album 'a;effect'. The group also successfully completed their extensive fourth world tour, 'The Blaze', which covered multiple cities in Asia and North America.
A surprise highlight was the formation of a special unit consisting of members Hyunjae, Sunwoo, and Juyeon. Their digital single 'Tiger', released on November 11, was officially dropped due to overwhelming fan demand following concert performances. However, the year ended on a turbulent note as all 11 members departed IST Entertainment for OneHundred. This move was accompanied by trademark disputes, with the former agency initially demanding billions of won for the brand rights before a settlement was reached on usage terms.
Celebration Amidst Uncertainty
The upcoming anniversary celebration carries a bittersweet tone. The group will host a live broadcast on their official YouTube channel at 12:06 AM KST on their debut date to celebrate the milestone with fans. However, this event and the single release will proceed without two key members. Leader Sangyeon is currently serving in the military as part of an army marching band, while member Kevin is on an indefinite hiatus announced on October 28 due to physical and psychological health concerns requiring medical treatment. The remaining eight members will carry forward the anniversary activities.
OneHundred has stated that 'Still Love You' will showcase "new sides" of The Boyz as they close the year. Yet, the absence of two members casts a shadow over what is typically a pure celebration. The group's future path into 2025 remains unclear, with more military enlistments expected for other members and no confirmed timeline for Kevin's return.
Despite these uncertainties, The Boyz's unwavering commitment to their annual anniversary tradition stands as a powerful signal of their devotion to THE B. It highlights a bond that has endured through eight years of evolving lineups, agency battles, and personal struggles—challenges that might have overwhelmed lesser groups. This enduring promise to their fans remains the core of their identity.
