[Mini Interview] NEWBEAT’s Bold Beginning: A Rookie Group With Raw Energy and Radical Vision

Deborah Rodriguez 

Beat Interactive

​In the ever-evolving world of K-pop, a fresh voice has entered the scene, and it's one you won’t want to miss. On behalf of The B.E.LU. Lineup, I had the privilege of joining a roundtable interview with NEWBEAT (뉴비트), a newly debuted seven-member boy group under BEAT Interactive. Formerly known pre-debut as HinLOVE (하이앤러브) or HIGH&LOW (하이앤로), NEWBEAT, affectionately shortened to NBT, has already made waves with their authentic sound, bold messaging, and powerful presence.
Consisting of Park Minseok, Hong Minsung, Jeon Yeoyeojeong, Choi Seohyun, Kim Taeyang, Jo Yunhu, and Kim Riwoo, NBT officially debuted on March 24, 2025, with their first full-length album RAW AND RAD. But make no mistake, this wasn’t an overnight success story.

Beat Interactive

​The Road to Debut: A Journey of Growth and Grit 
​Before stepping into the spotlight, NEWBEAT carved their path through years of training and hands-on experience. Their pre-debut days included busking tours across the U.S. and performing as backup dancers for senior group A.C.E. These opportunities not only sharpened their stage skills but also helped them form genuine connections with international fans. Now under a supportive agency, the group expressed immense gratitude for finally debuting with their full-length album, a feat that seemed both daunting and thrilling when first proposed. 

“Over time, we learned how to turn that pressure into confidence, and now we're so excited for our debut and cannot wait to share what we have worked on.” – Jeon Yeoyeojeong
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Meet Neurocorn: A Mascot With a Message
NBT’s mascot, Neurocorn, isn’t your typical unicorn. Born without a horn, the character embarks on a journey of self-discovery, only to learn that being different isn’t something to hide but something to celebrate.

​“The unicorn comes to a realization that it's not wrong to not have a horn and everyone is different. This message is expressed through our song, connecting our sense of freedom, challenge, and ambition.” – Jeon Yeoyeojeong

A Sonic Spectrum: Wild, Soft, and Everything in Between
​RAW AND RAD lives up to its name by showcasing the duality of NEWBEAT’s artistry. The album blends old-school hip-hop nostalgia with modern K-pop flair, embracing imperfections while highlighting versatility.
The pre-release single “JeLLo” (March 5, 2025) kicks things off with a playful, kitschy vibe, while “HICCUPS” injects high energy and quirky soundscapes, including a self-recorded hiccup that one member proudly revealed was a hit with producers.When asked about the distinct funk elements in their pre-debut singles, Jeon Yeoyeojeong explained:
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“Our two pre-debut singles and the title track have this old-school hip-hop vibe. During our trainee days, we practiced and covered a lot of first-generation K-pop idols to learn and approach closely to the old hip-hop genre, and we were inspired by that experience when working on our album.”
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At the heart of the album is the title track “Flip the Coin,” a statement piece that embodies NBT’s ambition to “flip the K-pop industry” with their rawness and innovation.When asked which song best represents them, multiple members agreed: “We Are Young.” This bright, spirited track doubles as the OST for their own reality content series documenting a 100km journey across Korea, a fitting metaphor for their debut voyage.
The song channels themes of youth, courage, and limitless potential, reminding both fans and the group that being young means having the freedom to explore, challenge, and grow.

Behind the Scenes: From Studio Laughs to Busking in the States
The group described their recording sessions as intense but rewarding, particularly for a full-length debut album. One charming anecdote involved all seven members walking around practicing hiccup sounds like a choir, which is an endearing memory tied to “HICCUPS.”

The group also chose their final U.S. busking performance in New York City’s Central Park as one of their favorite pre-debut memories. They performed a show-stopping version of Jungkook’s “Standing Next to You” with fellow dance crews. “It felt like a mega-crew finale,” Hong Minsung said with a smile.

A Glimpse Into Their Goals
Now that they were about to make their official debut, I asked what kind of goals the team had set for themselves. Hong Minsung shared with heartfelt honesty:

“The short-term goal of our group is to win the Rookie of the Year Award since that award can only be won by a newbie group. We always have big goals, but we strive to stay humble, learn, and communicate with our fans. I believe communicating with our fans will also enhance the quality of our music and performance. At the end of the day, we want to earn the title of a 'growing and improving idol.’” 

It’s that mix of ambition and humility that makes NEWBEAT not just exciting to watch, but deeply admirable.
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What Sets NEWBEAT Apart
​NEWBEAT doesn't just aim to entertain, they want to empower. Their music is a rallying cry for authenticity, a reminder that being different is beautiful. Even as rookies, they exhibit a clarity in concept and purpose that’s rare to find.
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“RAW AND RAD represents pure, raw passion and the spirit of challenge. While we acknowledge the imperfections and flaws within our rawness, I believe it is also a result that fully captures our dreams, passion, and mindset.” – Park Minseok
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The Road Ahead
​While their short-term dream is to win Rookie of the Year, NEWBEAT’s long-term vision is rooted in humility, growth, and connection. They’re committed to expanding their discography, strengthening their performances, and staying close to the fans who’ve supported them from day one. As they wrapped up the interview with cheerful goodbyes and bright smiles, one thing was clear: NEWBEAT isn’t just here to play the game—they’re here to change it.
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“This was NEWBEAT~ Thank you for having us!”

Special thank you to Helix Publicity and Beat interactive for this opportunity!