For members of rookie boy band n.SSign, their role model is “irrefutably” K-pop juggernaut BTS — not just because the septet is world famous, but because BTS truly touched people’s hearts worldwide with its music and message of hope.

“Just as BTS spread the beauty of K-pop to the world with the language of music, we also want to transcend linguistic barriers and spread our music to the world,” n.SSign member Huiwon told reporters in a showcase held on Wednesday in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi.

n.SSign, pronounced en-sign, debuted on Wednesday with “Birth of Cosmo,” a five-track EP which includes hip-hop dance lead track “Wormhole: New Track” along with pre-released track dance track “Higher” and more.

The band is going for a cosmic theme for its identity. The band's name, short for “a net of star signs,” reflects the theme that each member is a star sign that fuses with the other members and fans to create a synergy of creativity and music, according to agency n.CH Entertainment.

“The name of the album, ‘Birth of Cosmo,’ reflects the birth of both our universe and Cosmo, our fan club,” Huiwon explained. “We want to emphasize that our debut also means the birth of our fans and that we are one with them."

n.SSign's members were thrown together through Channel A audition program "Youth Star" in 2022, starting with seven members. The band added three new faces to complete a 10-member roster for the debut, with member Hyun currently on a break due to health issues.

The band has been proactive with pre-debut promotions in Japan, including a tour and appearances on Japanese television. Thanks to these efforts, the band saw its fandom in Japan grow.

Its debut EP also saw over 210,000 pre-orders and landed at No. 1 on the Albums chart on Japan's iTunes album chart on Thursday.

n.SSign will hold four performances in November at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo from Nov. 11.

“Our goal is to meet with as many fans as possible,” member Doha said. “We want to go global and become a global icon.”

“BTS has been loved for the songs that talk about pushing through hardship and always having faith,” member Junhyeok said. “We also want to give people hope and the energy to overcome difficulties.”

In a flood of newly-debuting K-pop bands, n.CH Entertainment CEO Jeong Chang-hwan believes that not all stars will shine brightly from the start, but that a slow start is OK on the way to success. Jeong worked in SM Entertainment for around 20 years before founding his own company in 2017.

“There are a lot of folks from smaller agencies trying to make their way through the changing media environment, like us,” he said. “I want to cheer people on and hope everyone keeps trying their ideas out. I hope our ugly ducklings will turn into beautiful swans, too.”

To find out more about n.SSign, visit https://celebconfirmed.com/

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]