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[Joynews24 reporter Jung Ji-won] The group CLOSE YOUR EYES returns with new music and fresh performances. Their digital single OVEREXPOSED, due on the 21st, uses overexposure—the loss of an image to excessive light—as its motif, framing a narrative about young men determined to assert their presence in the clearest possible way in any moment.
The title track, POSE, channels the raw energy of Brazilian baile funk while reworking early-2000s hip-hop for a contemporary audience. With a message of “leave this moment in the best pose,” the song energetically celebrates the value of the instant. In a recent interview with Joynews24, CLOSE YOUR EYES reflected on their bold transformation and looked back on a hectic year. Below is the full Q&A with the group.
◇ How does it feel to be back?
(Jeon Min-wook) After our third release we did award shows and staged a concert, and those experiences changed how I approach 2026. We held our first solo concert and marked our one-year anniversary. Those milestone moments taught me a lot. Our fans—Closers—have given us so much joy, so we wanted to repay them with music and performance. Through this comeback we hope to give them lasting memories. We’ll show our best.
◇ You said your mindset changed—can you explain?
(Jeon Min-wook) Having debuted before, I always longed for award recognition. Until recently, we mostly did fan concerts in Korea, but this past year I got to pursue goals I’d dreamed of. Achieving them made me find real happiness in being an artist. I thought, Is it okay to be this happy? I decided to channel that feeling into the energy to make better stages and music. I approached this comeback with that resolve.
◇ What kind of song is the new track “Pose”?
(Jeon Min-wook) “Pose” blends Brazilian baile funk with hip-hop. It’s upbeat and high-energy—fun to listen to. The idea of a “pose” captures moments of brilliance.
◇ You’ve tried fresh concepts like “Literary Boy” and “Christmas in July.” What’s different this time?
(Jang Yeo-jun) The music video imagines the end of the world. Each member confronts the apocalypse in their own way. We broke free of any box and presented it in a fresh way—I hope people check it out.
◇ Why center the album on themes like disappearance, endings and finality?
(Jeon Min-wook) When you prepare, you often act as if it’s the last chance. That ambition is woven into the album. It’s about embracing the moment—let’s enjoy it and play.
(Jang Yeo-jun) The message is to prove CLOSE YOUR EYES’s presence fiercely in every instant. Using the end-of-the-world motif let us heighten that intensity.
◇ Kenshin helped create the choreography. What did you focus on?
(Kenshin) At first I wasn’t sure how to approach the demo. Later I matched movement to the sound and added choreography that would stick in fans’ memories. I focused on poses and moves that show off strength.
◇ Jeon Min-wook and Jang Yeo-jun contributed to the lyrics. Which lines were hardest?
(Jeon Min-wook) I take my time writing lyrics. I actually wrote before the title “Pose” was finalized. Without that keyword, I sat for six hours and then suddenly wrote three lines of the chorus. It took the longest, but those lines became the chorus.
(Jang Yeo-jun) “Pose” doesn’t have many lyrics, but on the other tracks I wrote more than half. I imagined “What if I lose love?”—that idea felt both happy and sad. At our solo concert ending, I looked at the fans and felt a surge of emotion. I wrote thinking of them, imagining losing the love they give us, and quietly capturing the anxiety that comes when love burns brightest.
◇ You all seemed emotional after the solo concert.
(Song Seung-ho) Rehearsing songs from our first to third albums brought back memories. Seeing the fans on stage made me think they felt it too. By the last song, everyone was moved.
(Ma Jingxiang) Redoing our first album’s choreography was emotional. We used to get fans’ support on music shows, and hearing that cheering again felt like a movie. It was meaningful for fans, too. I want to hold onto this feeling as we prepare our comeback.
(Seo Kyung-bae) At first I worried, Can I pull this off? But the older members helped during preparation, and remembering our debut made it fun. The concert made me happy and left me wanting more.
(Kenshin) Before the concert I felt anxious—We’d only debuted a year; is it right to do this now? The night before, I shared my worries and some of us cried, which brought us closer. The concert day was joyful and moving. Seeing the closers while singing was beautiful and very touching.
(Kim Sung-min) I was nervous about our first concert. We’d only been a year in, so I worried. But performing songs from our first album brought back memories, and the rearranged versions had moments that made me tear up. I felt proud that our year hadn’t been wasted.
◇ What did you think the first time you heard “Pose”?
(Song Seung-ho) The concept and vibe felt unusual at first, so it was awkward. But after recording and learning the choreography, the song grew on me. I worked hard thinking about how fans would react and whether they’d feel the hook.
(Ma Jingxiang) At first I thought, Is this really our song? It felt on another level. I knew the choreography would be crucial for the chorus, and it came out great—I’d give it 120 out of 100. The rhythm’s addictiveness fits the moves perfectly.
◇ Compared with previous albums, where have you grown?
(Song Seung-ho) Instead of being satisfied with a concept change, I want to keep showing new things. I want to explore more and find our distinct color.
(Seo Kyung-bae) As a group, we want to show we can do many styles. I’m satisfied because we’re proving we can try new directions.
◇ Some members are minors. Was the sexy concept a burden?
(Seo Kyung-bae) I think it suits us even more than our first and second albums. At 19, they don’t feel immature—this more mature genre fits them well.
(Kenshin) We can pull off a cool concept. We can do cute, but this time we went for cool.
(Jang Yeo-jun) I talked a lot with the younger members. Kenshin has a strong stage ambition and really nails it—he’s loved for a cute charm but has another side, too. Kyung-bae may be young, but he shows a maturity and calm intensity you rarely see at his age. This is a chance to show that. Both the older and younger lines feel confident.
◇ Did producer Lee Hae-in offer guidance?
(Jeon Min-wook) Producer Lee told us to show a mature charm and sexiness, and to make the sound stick in listeners’ ears. During the video shoot, we got a lot of feedback to bring our expressions to life.
(Jang Yeo-jun) Producer Lee explained why each member fits certain parts, helping us convey strong energy. He also emphasized our visuals, so we worked hard on reducing swelling and keeping our looks sharp.
◇ As a survival-formed group, your run is often short. Now that a year has passed, do you want to extend activities?
(Jeon Min-wook) As a survival group, we knew an end was possible—that’s why we included “Eternity” on our first album. I don’t think anything lasts forever, but this moment makes me want to believe in forever. I want to try believing in forever with the Closers. If you ask whether I want an extension, my answer is yes.
(Seo Kyung-bae) I really love CLOSE YOUR EYES’s music. It would be a shame to do great work only briefly. I want our music to reach more people.
(Jang Yeo-jun) Because fans watched our formation and debut, our one-year mark matters to them as much as it does to us. We treasure every activity and will keep giving it our all without regrets.
(Kenshin) I want an extension, too.
◇ What achievement from the past year stands out most?
(Seo Kyung-bae) I’ll say it plainly: among male idols who debuted in the 2020s, we hold the record for the fastest music show win and the fastest terrestrial music show win. We reached No. 1 on a music show six days after debut. It’s a record I still check on Namuwiki.
(Jang Yeo-jun) I love that record the most.
(Song Seung-ho) Winning at the Golden Disc Awards was meaningful.
(Jeon Min-wook) Me too. Our start was tied to the Golden Disc Awards. When I was younger I danced with senior artists and thought I wanted to stand there and win someday. I’m glad that dream came true.
◇ Which member are you most grateful to?
(Song Seung-ho) I’m grateful to Kenshin. He works hard and, when he smiles or acts cute, it brightens everyone’s mood. That lifted team morale and strengthened our teamwork.
(Jeon Min-wook) I thank Song Seung-ho. As leader I can be demanding, and sometimes I come across like this is the right way—but looking back, Seung-ho connected well with the older members, joked around, and kept the younger line upbeat. He covered things I couldn’t and took my teasing in stride. I’m grateful.
(Jang Yeo-jun) I appreciate Kim Sung-min. When I push forward and wonder if I’m on the right path, Sung-min reassures me. It’s meaningful to have a member who recognizes my efforts. He gives me confidence that we’re heading the right way.
(Seo Kyung-bae) I feel most connected to Jang Yeo-jun. His perspective resonates with me when we talk. He’s easy to be with, offers good advice, and his experience in dance and singing has helped me improve.
(Ma Jingxiang) I think it’s Jeon Min-wook. He gives solid advice in meetings and helps with details during dance lessons, watching alongside Sung-min and Seung-ho. He keeps us moving forward, and I appreciate that.
(Kenshin) Jeon Min-wook really helped me. He listened and supported me when I struggled. He leads the team, and I’m thankful.
(Kim Sung-min) I’m grateful to Jang Yeo-jun and Kenshin. Yeo-jun and I are the same age, so we can share worries. I see how deeply he thinks, and I appreciate that. Without me and Kenshin, the team wouldn’t be the same—Kenshin brings energy and brightens everyone. He’s the one who stays with me in practice when I’m alone.
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