CLOSE YOUR EYES Strengthens Fan Connection While Breaking Genre Boundaries in Their Evolving Journey
CLOSE YOUR EYES, the K-pop group that emerged victorious from the survival show Project 7, has been on a remarkable journey since their debut in April 2025 with the album ETERNALT. The band, consisting of seven members, has successfully navigated various musical genres while maintaining a cohesive identity that resonates with fans. Their third mini-album, blackout, achieved significant commercial success, selling over 570,000 copies in its first week, marking the best debut week for a male group in 2025.
A Journey Through Musical Evolution
The evolution of CLOSE YOUR EYES can be likened to a book with multiple chapters, each revealing different facets of the group. Their first project showcased a narrative style characterized by acoustic guitar, while their second album, Snowy Summer, explored themes relevant to adolescence. The release of blackout marked a stylistic shift, introducing faster and more electronic rhythms.
Group leader JEON MINWOOK emphasized the desire to explore new musical territories, stating that collaborating with Imanbek allowed them to experiment with styles that diverge from traditional K-pop. This collaboration was aimed at creating something innovative within the genre.
Creative Involvement and Artistic Growth
The third mini-album also represented a significant moment in the band’s artistic journey, as members became more involved in the songwriting and production processes. KIM SUNGMIN highlighted the influence of their creative director, LEE HAEIN, who has been instrumental in guiding the group since its inception. He noted that the band participates in various aspects of album creation, from writing lyrics to choreography and styling.
SEO KYOUNGBAE reflected on their growth since debuting, noting that they have become more adept at expressing themselves. He attributed part of this development to their performances at award ceremonies, which provided opportunities to explore new genres and concepts.
Influences and Collaborations
The early artistic development of CLOSE YOUR EYES was significantly shaped by ADORA, a former producer at Big Hit Music. Known for her work with BTS and TXT, ADORA played a crucial role in defining the group’s initial concept. KYOUNGBAE recalled learning valuable lessons from her, particularly in vocal performance and song interpretation.
The band has also embraced linguistic diversity, recording English and Spanish versions of some singles to reach a broader audience. YEOJUN stated that they aim to improve continuously and connect with fans who speak different languages.
Live Performances and Fan Engagement
CLOSE YOUR EYES recently embarked on their first headlining tour, a milestone for any emerging band. YEOJUN expressed that performing live is a dream come true, as he had always been curious about the experience of being on stage in front of fans. The tour has taken them beyond South Korea, with performances in Canada and an upcoming leg in the United States.
The band has developed a unique pre-show ritual, originating from KENSHIN’s Japanese background. They gather to repeat the phrase 힘이힘이 (himi himi), which translates to “strength,” to boost their morale before taking the stage.
Challenges and Future Aspirations
As they navigate their first live tour, the group faces the challenge of maintaining audience engagement throughout their performances. SONG SEUNGHO acknowledged that while it can be difficult to manage a long-running performance, the joy of seeing fan reactions makes it worthwhile.
MA JINGXIANG shared that their first single, “All My Poetry,” remains the most beautiful track to perform live, as it evokes memories of their debut. Conversely, the intense track “SOB” presents a demanding challenge on stage.
Looking ahead, MINWOOK hinted at a shift in their musical direction, expressing a desire to explore hip-hop-inspired music. He emphasized the importance of songwriting and is committed to dedicating more time to this craft.
Conclusion
CLOSE YOUR EYES continues to break genre boundaries while deepening their connection with fans. As they evolve, the members remain open to collaborations, with KYOUNGBAE expressing interest in working with LAUV and SUNGMIN hoping to write a track with Peter Manos.
The journey of CLOSE YOUR EYES is far from over, and as MINWOOK envisions a future filled with harmony and collaboration, the possibilities are endless.
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-08-06 20:03:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk