TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) packs its first post-renewal album with the group’s most personal doubts and growth story yet.
On April 13 at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul, TXT held a media showcase for "7TH YEAR", opening up about pushing past anxiety and stepping into year eight with a fresh challenge.
This first album since renewing their contracts is heavily shaped by the members’ input.
“Everyone’s opinions really went into this album,” said YEONJUN. TAEHYUN added, “Before we started, we interviewed each other about what we’re thinking and what music we want to make. We found we were on the same page. Emotions built up over the past seven years naturally flowed in.”
“Promotions brought joy, but there were many anxious, complicated moments too. We wanted to be honest about that,” said BEOMGYU. YEONJUN added, “We renewed and we’re in year eight now, but it wasn’t all glamorous. We also poured in our hunger to climb higher.”
Leader SOOBIN previously told fans first―right at a TXT concert―that the group had renewed their contracts.
“We heard re-signing can be tough to align among members, but it took us less than an hour,” said SOOBIN. “Talks with the company wrapped up faster than many cases, too.” TAEHYUN explained the quick announcement: “We all strongly wanted to keep going together―‘We’re doing this, right?’ ‘Of course.’ Rather than making fans wait, SOOBIN announced it onstage.”
They also revealed they sought advice from RM during the process. “We met RM sunbae to ask for guidance,” said TAEHYUN. “He pulled up past materials and explained everything in detail. He also told us, ‘It’s already been seven years―you’ve worked so hard,’ which really lifted us.”
The album features six tracks: the title track "Stick With You," "Bed of Thorns," "Take Me to Nirvana,", "So What," "21st Century Romance," and “After the Next” (literal translation).
As a throughline, the members pointed to the gap between ideals and reality―and how they’ve grown navigating it.
“I thought debuting meant you instantly become a global star, but reality was different. We grew by facing struggles we couldn’t always show,” said BEOMGYU. TAEHYUN added, “When you’ve been active for a long time, you naturally wonder what you’ll achieve at the end of this road. We layered our own story onto that universal feeling.”
Looking at his team, leader SOOBIN said, “All five members are upright and passionate. We’ll work even harder this era―please watch us,” before the members shouted “Fighting!” together on the spot.
The title track "Stick With You" leans into love over their usual boyhood narrative. Actor Jeon Jong-seo stars in the music video, drawing attention.
“Before filming, we heard she was shy―and she was at first―but once cameras rolled, she completely transformed,” said SOOBIN. “Total pro.” HUENINGKAI shared a behind-the-scenes moment: “The action scene stood out. Hitting is hard to act, so we changed it to a shove.”
The performance also reflects heavy member involvement. “We joined from the concept-review stage. The hand-and-arm moves in the chorus were my idea,” said YEONJUN, prompting SOOBIN to joke, “He’s our choreo teacher now.”
Marking seven years since debut, they looked back. “We’ve done so much, but it still feels like debut was yesterday,” said TAEHYUN. “Time with the members and MOA has been happy, and I’m even more excited for what’s next. There were tough moments; for me, it was hardest when I had to convince the public of lyrics I couldn’t personally relate to.”
“For our hardest time, I’d pick the year-after-debut stretch when COVID-19 hit,” said SOOBIN. “After about a year of activity, everything suddenly stopped. It felt like love was given, then taken away. But we became even closer through it.”
With this era marking TXT’s official Act 2, attention is on what future they envision.
Recently, the members watched BTS’s world tour in person. “We’ve looked up to those stages since trainee days, so it was especially moving,” they said, and shared they’re dreaming even bigger now.
“Dream big―so even if it breaks, the pieces are big,” said TAEHYUN. “We’re setting a huge goal: No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.” The members erupted in cheers.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)