Boy Story
Boy Story | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boy Story busking at Starfield COEX Mall, April 2019 L–R: Hanyu, Xinlong, Mingrui, Shuyang, Zeyu, and Zihao | |||||||
| Background information | |||||||
| Origin | Beijing, China | ||||||
| Genres | |||||||
| Years active | 2017–present | ||||||
| Labels | |||||||
| Members |
| ||||||
| Website | boystory | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 男孩的故事 | ||||||
| |||||||
Boy Story (Chinese: 男孩的故事; pinyin: Nánhái de Gùshì, stylized in all caps) is a Chinese boy band launched by JYP Entertainment and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME). The group is composed of six members: Hanyu, Zihao, Xinlong, Zeyu, Mingrui, and Shuyang. On September 21, 2018, Boy Story made an official debut with their first mini album Enough.
History
Pre-debut project
Under the JYP Entertainment vision "K-pop 3.0"[1] or "Globalization by Localization",[2] the label announced its plans to produce localized acts aiming at both the Chinese and Japanese markets in early 2018. Boy Story was the first group formed under this strategy, with the group's six members joining the company in 2016 after being selected by JYPE founder J. Y. Park.[3]
Since September 2017, the "Real Project" pre-debut series was launched with four singles in order to make way for the group's official debut in September 2018. The first release under their pre-debut series was "How Old R U", which was released on September 8, 2017. The second single was "Can't Stop" that was released on December 15, 2017.
In the middle of their "Real Project" pre-debut series, Boy Story made an appearance on the 2018 'Lantern Festival Joy Party (Yuan Xiao Xi Le Hui / 元宵喜乐会)', a special program of channel Hunan Satellite TV that airs annually in celebration of China's Lantern Festival. The group performed their songs "How Old R U" and "Can't Stop" at the event.[4] The group's third single for their pre-debut project was "Jump Up" which was released on March 30, 2018. To conclude the pre-debut project, the song "Handz Up", produced by J.Y. Park himself,[5] was released on June 12, 2018.[6][7]
2018–2019: Debut with Enough, "Oh My Gosh", and "Too Busy"
Boy Story made their official debut on September 21, 2018, with their first mini album Enough that included all the pre-debut singles and the debut song "Enough".[3] On October 21, 2018, the group released "Stay Magical" (奇妙里). The following month, Boy Story released the song "For U" on November 22, 2018.
Boy Story released "Oh My Gosh" on March 29, 2019, followed by another comeback on July 26, with "Too Busy" featuring Jackson Wang. On September 29, Boy Story performed on the first day of KCON 2019 held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.[8]
2020–2022: I=U=WE series
On January 6, 2020, Boy Story released their second extended play I=U=WE: Prologue as the prologue to their "I=U=WE" trilogy series. The members were involved in writing the lyrics and composing the music for the album, which thematically tells about the joys, sorrows and inner changes in growing up and announcing the group's transformation from being boys to being teenagers.[9][10] On May 6, the group held their first online concert titled "Stage: On Air" in collaboration with the short-video mobile platform Tencent Weish. With the theme "The Confession of Youth", the concert recorded over 810,000 concurrent viewers. It was then announced that two more dates for "Stage: On Air" will be held within the year. The concert was sponsored by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and is evaluated to have "opened a new chapter for the Korea-China exchange relationship in the untact time." On July 4, Boy Story held the second date of their "Stage: On Air" online concert, amassing over 3,380,000 viewers in real-time, a 320% increase compared to the recorded audience from the concert in May.[11] Boy Story was invited to perform at the Bilibili World Shanghai Station, an online entertainment festival held by video-sharing website company Bilibili, on August 7. The event was reported to have a viewership of over one million people.[12] On September 1, Boy Story held the third and final date of their "Stage: On Air" online concert, recording over 1.35 million concurrent viewers. The cumulative total number of viewers for all three live broadcasts held by the group reached 5 million.[13] In line with their second anniversary, the group held an online fan event titled "FLY 2 U" on September 20. The event garnered over 560,000 concurrent viewers, setting a record at QQ Music.[14] On October 28, Boy Story released the song "Wai" as part of the official soundtrack for the Chinese web drama Airbenders. "Wai" topped the Asian New Songs Chart on the day of release.[15] Boy Story released their third EP I=U=WE: I on November 27, the first part of their "I=U=WE" trilogy series. The album thematically shows the various conflicts of adolescence such as developing one's own opinions and ideas and feeling both rebellious and insecure.[16]
On September 14, 2021, Boy Story released the second part of their "I=U=WE" trilogy series, the single album I=U=WE: U, with lead single "Be Urself".
On September 3, 2022, Boy Story released the third part of their "I=U=WE" trilogy series and their first full album, "WE". The lead single "WW" was #3 on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs chart, a first for a Chinese boy band.[17] On December 23, Boy Story released the single "For Us".[18]
2023–2024: Z.I.P, JI, and UP
On January 1, 2023, Boy Story released the single "Friends" (友友). On January 18, Boy Story attended the 2022 Weibo Music Awards, where they received the "Rising Group of the Year Award".[19] On April 28, Boy Story released the single "What's Poppin".[20] On July 28, Boy Story released their second EP, Z.I.P, with the lead single "Z.I.P (Zero is the only Passion), which they promoted with two special performances of its English verson on South Korean music shows for the first time. On August 12, Boy Story kicked off their "Z.I.P" Showcase Tour, which continued until October 5.[21] On December 2, Boy Story participated in recording "Lasting Legacy", the official anthem of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which they performed at the conference alongside other artists.[22]
On February 3, 2024, Boy Story released their third EP, JI, which all six members participated in writing. The lead single, "Alpha", is about "the contradiction of opposites".[23] On the same day, Boy Story kicked off their "JI" Showcase Tour with a concert in Shanghai and a concert in Guangzhou the next day.[24] On March 3, Boy Story released a single album containing the Korean version of "Alpha", which they promoted on South Korean music shows.[25] On May 31, they released the single "Gummy Candy Love" in collaboration with Malaysian singer Gaston Pong. On July 12, Boy Story released their fourth EP UP with lead single "Pump !t Up".[26] On July 13, Boy Story kicked off their "Level-Up!" Fan-Live Tour, which continued until August 24. On August 12, Boy Story released the Korean version of "Pump !t Up", which they promoted for a week on South Korean music shows.[27] In September, Boy Story received the "Breakout Group of the Year Award" at the 2024 Weibo Music Awards.[28] On October 17, Boy Story released "Yours & Mine" in collaboration with Crazy Donkey and Chuanzi (川子唢呐).
2025–present: Boys II Planet and group hiatus
In July 2025, members Hanyu, Zihao, and Xinlong participated in the Mnet reality competition program Boys II Planet, which aimed to create a new South Korean boy group.[29] Hanyu was eliminated in the second episode, while Zihao was eliminated in the semi finals. Xinlong ranked third in the finale on September 25 and made it into the final group, Alpha Drive One, which debuted in January 2026.[30] Hanyu and Zihao went on to compete on the Boys II Planet spin-off Planet C: Home Race in December 2025.[31] Hanyu was eliminated in the first round, while Zihao ranked third in the finale on December 27 and made it into the final group, Modyssey.[32]
Members
- Jia Hanyu (贾涵予)
- Li Zihao (李梓豪)
- He Xinlong (贺鑫隆)
- Yu Zeyu (于泽宇)
- Gou Mingrui (苟明睿)
- Ren Shuyang (任书漾)
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Enough |
|
| I=U=WE : 序 |
|
| I=U=WE: 我 |
|
| UP |
|
Single albums
| Title | Details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| KOR [33] | ||
| Alpha (極) |
|
67 |
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHN [34] | |||
| "How Old R U" | 2017 | 8 | Enough |
| "Can't Stop" | 7 | ||
| "Jump Up" | 2018 | 2 | |
| "Handz Up" | 30 | ||
| "Enough" | 8 | ||
| "奇妙里 (Qí Miào Lǐ) – Stay Magical" | — | Non-album singles | |
| "For U" | 15 | ||
| "Oh My Gosh" | 2019 | — | |
| "Too Busy" | Too Busy | ||
| "Intro: Boy Story" | 2020 | I=U=WE: 序(Prologue) | |
| "如果 (If..)" | |||
| "Energy" | |||
| "序；告白 (Only U) " | |||
| "Outro: 彼此(Believe Us)" | |||
| "Change" | Non-album singles | ||
| "Wai" | Non-album singles[a] | ||
| "Bitter Sweet" | 2021 | I=U=WE：I | |
| "ID" | |||
| "Cooking For Ya" | Non-album singles | ||
| "Monster" | I=U=WE : U | ||
| "Be Urself" | |||
| "WW" | 2022 | We | |
| "What's Poppin'" | 2023 | What's Poppin' | |
| "Intro： SET OUT" | Z.I.P | ||
| "Z.I.P (Zero Is The Only Passion)" | |||
| "ON THE WAY" | |||
| "Alpha" | 2024 | JI | |
| "Cypher: Overheat" | |||
| "Lost" | |||
| "Please" | |||
| "Alpha (English Version)" | |||
| "Pump It Up" | Up |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Asia Music Festival | Best Hip-Hop | Boy Story | Nominated | |
| 2018 | 2018 FEIA Awards | Popular Act | Won | ||
| 2019 | 2019 FEIA Awards | Most Anticipating Act | Nominated | [35] | |
| TMEA 2019 | QQ Music New Power | Won | [36] |
Music Shows
| Year | Date | Producer | TV show name | Nominated work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | November 18 | TME Tencent Music Entertainment Group | YO! BANG | Enough | Won |
| 2018 | December 2 | TME Tencent Music Entertainment Group | YO! BANG | For U | Nominated |
Videography
Music Videos
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2017 | "How Old R U" |
| "Can't Stop" | |
| 2018 | "JUMP UP" |
| "Handz Up" | |
| "Enough" | |
| "奇妙里(Qí Miào Lǐ) – Stay Magical" | |
| "For U" | |
| 2019 | "Oh My Gosh" |
| "Too Busy" |
Notes
- ^ Airbenders OST
References
- ^ Yang, Seung-joon (August 21, 2018). "현지인 멤버로만 아이돌 구성" K팝 수출 3.0시대. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^ Chang, Dong-woo (July 13, 2020). "Exporting the template: K-pop agencies' overseas idol projects yield solid results". Yonhap News. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ a b Herman, Tamar (September 23, 2018). "JYP Entertainment-Produced Chinese Group Boy Story Releases First Single Enough". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
- ^ "BOY STORY 惊艳亮相元宵喜乐会 向前辈何炅任嘉伦刘宪华问候献礼_TOM明星". star.tom.com (in Chinese). March 5, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "'JYP 中아이돌' 보이스토리, 첫 KCON 합류 확정". The Korea Times. August 26, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ "JYP introduces teenage boy band in China". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 4, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Hong, Dam-young (June 4, 2018). "JYP's 1st Chinese boy band to debut in September". The Korea Herald. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (September 29, 2019). "갓세븐 ITZY→김재환 엑스원 'KCON 태국' 레드카펫 빛낸 ★들" (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved January 16, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ "BOY STORY《I=U=WE:序》中首支单曲在酷狗释出还将空降翻牌". SinaWeibo (in Chinese). December 30, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- ^ "BOY STORY全新专辑《I=U=WE: 我》上线酷狗 讲诉青春期成长与感悟_TOM新闻". news.tom.com (in Chinese). November 30, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ Kim, Mi-ji (July 7, 2020). "'JYP 중국 보이그룹' 보이스토리, 온라인 공연 동시 접속자수 338만 기록" (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved January 15, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ "BOY STORY亮相BW2020，精彩表演燃炸现场_TOM明星". star.tom.com (in Chinese). August 14, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "BOY STORY STAGE On Air云舞台完美收官". tom.com (in Chinese). September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "BOY STORY出道两周年 少年暴风成长未来可期". tom.com (in Chinese). September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "BOY STORY首次演唱OST 荣登亚洲新歌榜1位_TOM娱乐". ent.tom.com (in Chinese). November 5, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "BOY STORY全新专辑《I=U=WE: 我》上线酷狗 讲诉青春期成长与感悟". tom.com (in Chinese). November 30, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ Shin, Min-hee (November 10, 2022). "Boy Story lands at No. 3 on Billboard's Hot Trending Songs chart". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (January 6, 2023). "JYP 보이스토리, 中 아이돌 최초 美 빌보드 재진입" (in Korean). Newsen.
- ^ Kim, Su-jin (January 20, 2023). "'JYP 중국 보이그룹' 보이스토리, 웨이보 뮤직 어워즈 2022 올해의 라이징 그룹상 수상 [공식]" (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Ji-won (July 27, 2023). "'JYP 중국 보이그룹' 보이스토리, 中 동방풍운방 주간차트 3위 등극" (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (September 1, 2023). "JYP 中보이그룹 보이스토리, 쇼케이스 투어 성공→앙코르 개최" (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ Yoon, Jun-ho (December 8, 2023). "보이스토리, UN기후변화협약 당사국총회 참석" (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Li, Xinran (February 7, 2024). "The story behind BOY STORY". China Daily. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Ju-yeon (February 13, 2024). "JYP's Boy Story tours Chinese mainland showcasing new EP 'Ji'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Yoon, Jun-ho (March 7, 2024). "'JYP 중국 보이그룹' 보이스토리, 오늘(7일) '엠카'부터 국내 음방 활동" (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (July 12, 2025). "박진영, JYP 中 진출 상징 보이스토리 신곡 MV 깜짝 출연" (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ "'JYP 中그룹' 보이스토리, 오늘 '펌프 잇 업' 무대 공개" (in Korean). Newsis. August 16, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Myeong, Hee-suk (January 13, 2025). "'JYP 중국 보이그룹' 보이스토리, 2025년 글로벌 행보 '기대'" (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Pyo, Kyung-min (June 15, 2025). "Underdog boy bands eye redemption through 'BOYS II PLANET'". The Korea Times. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Park, Jun-hee (September 26, 2025). "'Boys Planet' Season 2 ends with 8 winners who will debut as Alpha Drive One". The Korea Herald. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Jeong, Ji-won (October 30, 2025). "中버전 '보플' 출격…'플래닛 C: 홈레이스' 18人 참가자 공개" (in Korean). Joynews24. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ Lee, Su-jin (December 28, 2025). "쑨헝위→판저이... '플래닛C' 7인조 모디세이 탄생". Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved December 29, 2025.
- ^ "Circle Album Chart". Circle Music Chart (in Korean).
- "Alpha (極)". March 17–23, 2024.
- ^ Peaks on the Billboard China V Chart:
- "How Old R U": "How Old RU". Billboard. September 16, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Can't Stop": "Can't Stop". Billboard. January 3, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Jump Up": "JUMP UP". Billboard. April 14, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Handz Up": "Handz Up". Billboard. July 7, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Enough": "Enough". Billboard. September 29, 2018. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "For U": "For U". Billboard. December 1, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ "BOY STORY荣获2019 FEIA年度盛典"年度最具期待组合"". Yula. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ "2019TMEA腾讯音乐娱乐盛典收官，现场颁发六大类奖项 Japan". Sina. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2020.