BOYNEXTDOOR — The Action: Every Track, Ranked
On their fifth mini-album, BOYNEXTDOOR lean into a cinematic concept that stretches their sound from acid-jazz textures to intimate balladry.
BOYNEXTDOOR returned with their fifth mini-album, The Action. During last August’s Lollapalooza stop in Chicago, fans noticed the group filming scenes that hinted at a filmic concept for the new project. The release was celebrated with a showcase in Seoul on the album’s arrival.
The title and title track take their cue from the idea of “Hollywood Action” — the swagger and spectacle of big-screen drama — and translate that spirit into a message about boldness and taking initiative. Leader Myung Jaehyun reflected on the group’s intense year of activity, saying they hope their own momentum encourages listeners to take the first step toward something new. Woonhak noted the song is meant for anyone who feels unsure about trying something different, and Taesan described the record as a deliberate push to break boundaries and leap in without hesitation.
Released at 6 p.m. KST on Monday, The Action captures a snapshot of the six members’ current moods and aspirations. Built around a cinematic thread, the five-track EP maps the group’s present sensibility across several styles — from acid-jazz grooves and hip-hop beats to earnest balladry — while retaining BOYNEXTDOOR’s emotional clarity and distinctive personality.
Below, each song is examined and ranked for how it contributes to the record’s overarching narrative and sonic identity.
“Bathroom”
“Bathroom” channels post-breakup unease into gritty rock instrumentation. Sharp guitar lines and a stripped-but-impactful arrangement frame the members’ vocals and raps, which alternate to reveal the song’s ache. Listen for the tight transition from Myung Jaehyun’s crisp rap into Woonhak’s verse and the vocal duet between Sungho and Riwoo in the second chorus — these moments give the track its emotional push. Lyrically, the image of tossing coins into the Trevi evokes loss and regret, creating a thematic link back to the record’s opening moments.
“Live in Paris”
Opening with a ticking rhythm and a bright keyboard tone, “Live in Paris” captures the restless energy of the creative process. The song uses small, cinematic details — like a neighbor complaining about late-night mic noise — to build an intimate scene. A foundation of bass, drums and synths adds an ethereal sheen, while elements of acid jazz and foreign-language flourishes such as “Ni Modo” and “Un, Deux, Trois” reinforce the Parisian motif and lend the track a cosmopolitan refinement. Taesan’s candid lines about faltering self-esteem add an emotional throughline to the record.
“Hollywood Action”
The title track is the EP’s most exuberant declaration: brassy accents, driving piano and alternating vocals create the sensation of a movie scene played out in sound. Building on motifs from the opener, the song bursts into full cinematic mode with robust choruses and energetic rap sections. LeeHan’s warm low register anchors the verses while Woonhak and Riwoo deliver the clear, resonant hooks. The arrangement’s final moments — augmented later with piano, drums, bass and trumpet — heighten the sense that the song narrates a bold, decisive moment. Multiple members, including Jaehyun, Taesan, LeeHan and Woonhak, contributed to the songwriting, which helps the track feel personally invested.
“AS TIME GOES BY”
Surprising in its classicism, “As Time Goes By” leans into the Korean ballad tradition with a restrained, synth-led arrangement and steady emotional pulse. It’s a clear nod to the group’s appreciation for 1990s K-pop and early-2000s R&B influences, yet it lands sincerely rather than nostalgically. LeeHan’s warm, full-bodied delivery suits the song’s reflective mid-tempo melancholy, and as the closing track it wraps the EP with a gentle, lasting resonance.
“JAM!”
“JAM!” captures the spontaneity of an impromptu studio session — in fact, TAESAN and Woonhak reportedly sketched the track while holed up in a hotel room during summer travel. The production pares back to a minimal beat so the members’ varied voices and playful lines take center stage. Vocoder-tinged effects and repetitive hooks create a catchy, tongue-in-cheek atmosphere, and references to recurring character names and stage quirks reward long-time fans. As the tempo rises and filters fade, the song closes with crisp precision, embodying BOYNEXTDOOR’s knack for controlled chaos and fun.
BOYNEXTDOOR have previously landed all four of their earlier albums on the Billboard 200, and listeners are watching to see whether The Action will continue that run. Given the EP’s range and the band’s undeniable momentum, the prospects look encouraging — and the record provides a concise, expressive snapshot of where the group stands right now.
