Boy band TNX introduced its sophomore EP "Love Never Dies," with two ambitious lead tracks, during Wednesday’s showcase at Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul.

Five of the six members — Taehun, Kyungjun, Hyunsoo, Hwi and Sungjun — performed the two new lead tracks, “Love or Die” and “I Need U.” Member Junhyeok participated in the EP but did not attend the showcase, as he has been on a break for his health since January.

“We were half full of excitement and half full of worry,” said Hyunsoo about the new music. “Our fashion and music styles have changed quite drastically compared to the first EP, so we wondered if we could present this new concept well, or if fans would like it. We were so glad that fans enjoyed the pre-released lead track ‘I Need U.’”

“Our debut EP showed off a very powerful performance, but this time, we tried to show something a bit more sentimental,” said the band’s leader Taehun.

A contrast from its ear-piercing debut number “Move” (2022), the band has adopted a much more melodious and relaxed style for both of the new lead tracks.

The band performed “Love or Die,” a hip-hop and rock fusion with sentimental lyrics asserting that puppy love can be serious too.

“The lyrics 'I’m not mistaken; this is love’ is basically a phrase that sums up this song,” said Hwi. “We hope that not only our fellow teens, but also everyone who has experienced love, can relate to our new lead track ‘Love or Die.’”

The latest release comes almost nine months after TNX’s debut. Standing for “the new six,” TNX was formed through the SBS audition show "Loud" in 2021 and debuted last May.

Nine months is not a short hiatus, especially for a rookie act. But members say the break allowed them ample time to reconfigure a new identity.

“We were lucky enough to make ourselves known through ‘Loud’ and receive a lot of love for our debut EP,” said Hwi. “In that process, we all felt a yearning to create music and a story unique to TNX. We’ve had time to ponder about it and try out different things. It was not a short period of time, but, as a result, we’re back with music that suits us better.”

Sungjun shared that singer Psy, the founder and head of TNX’s agency P Nation, also gave them advice to be themselves.

“He told us that being ‘the best’ is good and all, but what really matters is to be ‘the only,’” Sungjun said. “He told us to become one-of-a-kind in the K-pop idol scene and have our unique colors.”

Before wrapping up the showcase with a performance of “I Need You,” member Kyungjun also commented on their absent bandmate Junhyeok.

“We’ve prepared so hard for this comeback, so we’re quite sad that Junhyeok couldn’t be here with us today,” he said. “He’s getting much better and doing his best to come back to the stage as soon as possible.”

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]