{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Other uses|Why (disambiguation){{!}}Why}} {{Infobox album | name = Why.. | type = EP | artist = BoyNextDoor | cover = BoyNextDoor Why Album Cover.jpg | caption = Digital cover | released = {{Start date|2023|09|04}} | length = {{Duration|m=16|s=45}} | language = Korean | label = {{hlist|KOZ|YG Plus}} | prev_title = Who! | prev_year = 2023 | next_title = How? | next_year = 2024 | misc = {{Singles | name = Why.. | type = EP | single1 = But Sometimes (뭣 갈아) | single1date = September 4, 2023 }} }}
'''''Why..''''' is the first extended play (EP) by the South Korean boy band BoyNextDoor, released on September 4, 2023, through KOZ Entertainment, three months following the release of the group's debut single album ''Who!'' (2023). The EP consists of six tracks, including the three singles from ''Who!'', and the lead single "But Sometimes (뭣 갈아)".
==Background== BoyNextDoor debuted in May 2023 with the release of their debut single album ''Who!'', which was preceded by the release of music videos for the singles "But I Like You", "One and Only" and "Serenade".<ref>{{cite web|title=Produced by Zico, Boynextdoor debuts under Hybe|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230530000733|website=The Korea Herald|first=Ji-won|author=Choi|date=May 30, 2023|access-date=August 9, 2023|archive-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724004354/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230530000733}}</ref> Upon debut, the songs for both ''Who!'' and ''Why..'' have been completed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=BOYNEXTDOOR explores complexities of young love in new album "Why.."|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/09/732_358561.html|website=koreatimes|language=en|last=Pyo|first=Kyung-min|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref> The physical CDs of the single album contained a 13-second long hidden track which hinted at the group's next release.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:보이넥스트도어, 9월4일 컴백...그을린 하트 아트워크|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, comeback on September 4th... scorched heart artwork|url=https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20230808/120608826/1|website=Sports Donga|language=ko|author=Jeon Hyo-jin|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref> KOZ Entertainment announced on July 13, 2023, that the group would be releasing new music in September.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:'하이브' 보이넥스트도어, 9월 컴백 확정|trans-title='Hybe' BoyNextDoor confirms comeback in September|url=https://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=202307131501003&sec_id=540101|website=Sports Kyunghyang|language=ko|author=Kim Ha-young|date=July 13, 2023|access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:'하이브 신인' 보이넥스트도어, 9월 컴백 대전 합류|trans-title='Hybe Rookie' BoyNextDoor joins the comeback war in September|url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2023071311480001110?t=20230802214455|website=Hankook Ilbo|language=ko|author=Hong Hye-min|date=July 13, 2023|access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref>
==Music and lyrics== {{Quote box | quote = "The three songs that were previously unveiled depict the boys in first love, while the new tracks capture the emotions they feel after a break-up" | author = KOZ Entertainment | source = via a press release<ref>{{Cite web|title=K-pop album releases in September 2023, from BTS' V to Riize|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/bands/article/3232648/k-pop-music-releases-september-2023-v-bts-first-solo-album-debut-ep-riize-rookie-group-boynextdoors|via=South China Morning Post|website=The Korea Times|language=en|last=Dong|first=Sun-hwa|date=2023-08-29|access-date=2023-08-31}}</ref> | width = 400px }} ''Why..'' has a runtime of 16 minutes and 45 seconds and consists of six tracks. Members Jaehyun, Taesan, and Woonhak, and the label's founder, Zico, participated in writing the songs for the EP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 타이틀곡은 '뭣 같아'...트랙리스트 공개|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, title song 'What's Like'... track list release|url=https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20230818/120752934/1|website=Sports Donga|language=ko|last=Jeon|first=Hyo-jin|date=August 18, 2023|access-date=August 19, 2023}}</ref>
The songs written for the EP explore the themes of "experiencing a breakup for the first time", serving as the culmination of the three tracks from the group's previous release ''Who!'', which were collectively described as being about the "fresh excitement of boys who fell in love with their first love".<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 타이틀곡명 '뭣 같아'...멤버 작사·작곡|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, title song 'What's the matter'...Member lyricist/composer|url=https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20230818_0002418076|website=newsis|language=ko|last=Moon|first=Ye-bin|date=August 18, 2023|access-date=August 19, 2023}}</ref> In a showcase for the EP ahead of its release, Riwoo explained "We prepared both albums together and we treat them as one [big] album".<ref>{{Cite web|title=BoyNextDoor is back and asking 'WHY..' in latest EP|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-09-04/entertainment/kpop/BoyNextDoor-is-back-and-asking-WHY-in-latest-EP/1861934|website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com|language=en|last=Cho|first=Yong-jun|date=September 4, 2023|access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref> The songs written for the EP features frank lyrics; Woonhak stated in an interview with ''The Korea Herald'' that they "used the daily language and gestures of the members in the lyrics", aiming to have the songs to "sound like talking to a friend".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rookie group Boynextdoor hopes to mature with fans|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230905000722|website=The Korea Herald|language=en|last=Ji-won|first=Choi|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=September 5, 2023}}</ref>
===Songs=== {{See also|Who! (single album)}} The EP reprises "But I Like You", "One and Only", and "Serenade", as its first three tracks. The fifth track, "But Sometimes", serves as the EP's lead single. Member Taesan described the track as a "breakup song that directly expresses the complex feelings about the first love that ended in vain". Leader Jaehyun added that the track "conveys the complex emotions of your first love that ultimately didn't work out", aiming to capture the "raw emotion" that arises from such situation.<ref name=":0" /> The closing track "ABCDLove" discusses the themes surrounding feelings from love to separation and afterwards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 성장한 옆집 소년들..."청춘의 날 것 모았죠"|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, grown-up boys next door..."I've collected all the things from youth"|url=https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20230904_0002437615|website=newsis|language=ko|last=Go|first=In-hye|date=September 4, 2023|access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref> ==Release and promotion== ''Why..'' was released on September 4, 2023. The release of the EP was accompanied by the television special ''BoyNextDoor 2Night'', which aired on Mnet and M2.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 전세계 문 두드린다|trans-title=BOYNEXTDOOR knocks on doors all over the world|url=https://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=202308251640003&sec_id=540301|website=sports.khan.co.kr|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Da-won|date=August 25, 2023|access-date=August 25, 2023}}</ref>
===Marketing=== On August 8, 2023, the group released a teaser image depicting a carousel ride in black and white to announce ''Why..'', the group's first extended play.<ref>{{cite web|title=BOYNEXTDOOR announce first comeback with 'WHY..', out next month|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/boynextdoor-first-comeback-why-mini-album-release-date-3479867|website=NME|author=Carmen Chin|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='하이브 신인' 보이넥스트도어, 9월 4일 컴백..SM 라이즈와 정면대결|trans-title='Hybe Rookie' BoyNextDoor, comeback on September 4.. Head-to-head confrontation with SM's Riize|url=https://www.starnewskorea.com/stview.php?no=2023080808471556419|website=Star News Korea|language=ko|last=Ahn|first=Yun-ji|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 10, 2023}}</ref> The announcement of the EP was accompanied by the release of a promotion schedule patterned after the ending credits of a movie.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 9월 4일 컴백 '초고속 활동'|trans-title=BOYNEXTDOOR, September 4 comeback 'high-speed activity'|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1756800|website=www.xportsnews.com|language=ko|last=Myung|first=Hee-seok|date=August 8, 2023|access-date=August 10, 2023}}</ref> Teaser films for the EP were released on August 14.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 청춘 공감 'WHY..' 트레일러 공개|trans-title=BOYNEXTDOOR unveils youth empathy 'WHY..' trailer|url=https://sports.donga.com/article/all/20230814/120700058/1|website=Sports Donga|language=ko|last=Jeon|first=Hyo-jin|date=August 14, 2023|access-date=August 16, 2023}}</ref> The teasers depict the members' "emotional changes in the start and end of a relationship".<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 극단적 감정 변화..."의미? 그딴 거 없어"|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, extreme emotional changes... "meaning? nothing like that"|url=https://www.xportsnews.com/article/1759727|website=www.xportsnews.com|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Ye-na|date=August 16, 2023|access-date=August 19, 2023}}</ref> The track list of the EP was revealed on August 17. Concept photos depicting the members were released on August 20.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BoyNextDoor to release first EP next month|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/08/09/entertainment/kpop/BoyNextDoor-Boy-Next-Door-HYBE/20230809090318983.html|website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com|language=en|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|date=August 9, 2023|access-date=August 9, 2023}}</ref> A "track spoiler" previewing snippets of the EP's tracks was released online on August 27.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 신곡 미리듣기 100만뷰 돌파..'컴백 D-4'|trans-title=BoyNextDoor, new song preview exceeds 1 million views...'Comeback D-4'|url=https://www.breaknews.com/984732|website=BreakNews|last=Park|first=Dong-je|date=August 31, 2023|access-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>
===Music videos=== A music video for the lead single, "But Sometimes", was released in conjunction with the album's release. The video depicts the members being unable to "maturely accept the breakup they experience for the first time". The music video sees the neighborhood in the music video for "Serenade" burn to ruin, with the members sinking in water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 신곡 '뭣 같아' MV 공개..서툰 첫사랑의 끝|trans-title=BoyNextDoor releases new song 'What Does It Look Like' MV... The end of an awkward first love|url=http://m.osen.co.kr/article/G1112176131|website=m.osen.co.kr|language=ko|last=Ji|first=Min-kyung|date=September 4, 2023|access-date=September 4, 2023}}</ref>
==Commercial performance== On August 12, 2023, YG Plus, a distributor of the extended play, reported that the pre-orders for the EP exceeded 300,000 pre-orders within three days.<ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어, 선주문량으로 '커리어 하이' 예고..3일만에 32만장|trans-title=BOYNEXTDOOR, notices 'Career High' with pre-orders... 320,000 copies in 3 days|url=http://mosen.mt.co.kr/article/G1112162119|website=mosen.mt.co.kr|language=ko|last=Ji|first=Min-kyung|date=August 12, 2023|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=보이넥스트도어 미니 1집, 선주문량 전작 판매량 넘겨...예판 3일 만에|trans-title=BOYNEXTDOOR's 1st mini album, pre-order volume surpasses sales of previous works...in 3 days preorder|url=https://www.newsis.com/view/?id=NISX20230812_0002411950|website=newsis|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Jae-hoon|date=August 12, 2023|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Why..'' track listing | extra_column = Arrangement | title1 = But I Like You | note1 = {{lang|ko|돌아버리겠다}} | length1 = 2:17 | lyrics1 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Nmore}} | music1 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Ryo|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak}} | extra1 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Nmore}} | title2 = One and Only | length2 = 2:48 | lyrics2 = {{hlist|Zico|Pop Time}} | music2 = {{hlist|Zico|Pop Time|Ryo|VILLAIN}} | extra2 = {{hlist|Zico|Pop Time}} | title3 = Serenade | length3 = 3:03 | lyrics3 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak}} | music3 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Daily|Likey|Taesan}} | extra3 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Daily|Likey|Kako}} | title4 = Crying | length4 = 3:03 | lyrics4 = {{hlist|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Sapoh}} | music4 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Daily|Likey|Ryo}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Daily|Likey}} | title5 = But Sometimes | note5 = 뭣 갈아 | length5 = 2:55 | lyrics5 = {{hlist|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Roho|Zico}} | music5 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Roho|Ryo}} | extra5 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Kako|Daily|Likey}} | title6 = ABCDLove | length6 = 2:37 | lyrics6 = {{hlist|Kako|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak|Ryo}} | music6 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Ryo|Jaehyun|Taesan|Woonhak}} | extra6 = {{hlist|Pop Time|Ryo|Kako}} | total_length = 16:45 }}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for ''Why..'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2023) ! scope="col" | Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|France|193|M|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=37?&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 37, 2023)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|artist=BoyNextDoor|album=Why..|rowheader=true|access-date=April 22, 2025}} |- {{album chart|Oricon|3|date=2023<!-- needs to be kept YYYY-MM-DD -->-09-18|rowheader=true|access-date=September 13, 2023}} |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Combined Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|title=Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2023-09-18|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/coa/w/2023-09-18/|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Hot Albums (''Billboard Japan'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of September 13, 2023|url=http://billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2023&month=09&day=18|website=Billboard Japan|language=ja|access-date=September 13, 2023}}</ref> | 3 |- {{album chart|Scotland|64|date=20230915|rowheader=true|access-date=September 15, 2023}} |- ! scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Circle)<ref>{{cite web|title=Circle Album Chart – Week 36, 2023|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=36&hitYear=2023&termGbn=week&yearTime=3|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|access-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row" | UK Albums Sales (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-sales-chart/20230915/7511/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref> | 74 |- ! scope="row" | UK Physical Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Physical Albums Chart Top 100|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-albums-chart/20230915/2/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 15, 2023}}</ref> | 65 |- ! scope="row" | US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|title=''Billboard'' 200: Week of September 23, 2023|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2023-09-23/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 19, 2023}}</ref> | 162 |- ! scope="row" | US World Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=World Albums: Week of September 23, 2023|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-albums/2023-09-23/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 19, 2023}}</ref> | 3 |} {{col-2}}
===Monthly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Monthly chart performance for ''Why..'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2023) ! scope="col" | Position |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|title=Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2023-09|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-09/|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=October 11, 2023|archive-date=October 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011032245/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/m/2023-09/p/5/}}</ref> | 8 |- ! scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Circle)<ref>{{cite web|title=Circle Album Chart – September 2023|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=09&hitYear=2023&termGbn=month&yearTime=3|website=Circle Chart|language=ko|access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> | 3 |}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for ''Why..'' ! scope="col" | Chart (2023) ! scope="col" | Position |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:年間 アルバムランキング 2023年度|trans-title=Annual Album Ranking 2023|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/y/2023/p/9/|publisher=Oricon|page=9|language=ja|access-date=December 20, 2023|archive-date=December 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219222401/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/y/2023/p/9/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 85 |- ! scope="row" | Japanese Hot Albums (''Billboard Japan'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Billboard Japan Hot Albums Year-End 2023|url=https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums_year&year=2023|website=Billboard Japan|access-date=December 24, 2023}}</ref> | 98 |- ! scope="row" | South Korean Albums (Circle)<ref>{{cite web|title=Album Chart 2023|url=https://circlechart.kr/page_chart/album.circle?nationGbn=T&targetTime=2023&hitYear=2023&termGbn=year&yearTime=3|website=Circle Chart|access-date=January 12, 2024}}</ref> | 52 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''Why..''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea|artist=BoyNextDoor|title=Why|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2023|certmonth=4|certyear=2024|access-date=April 11, 2024}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for ''Why..'' ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! Version ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Various<!--Inclusive of South Korea--> | rowspan="2" | {{startdate|2023|09|04}} | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|CD|digital download|streaming}} | {{Hlist|Dazed|Moody}} | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|KOZ|YG Plus}} | style="text-align:center" | <ref>{{Cite web|title=1st EP 'WHY..' (Random)|url=https://weverseshop.io/shop/GL_USD/artists/112/sales/17126|website=Weverse Shop - All things for Fans|language=en|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref> |- | Letter | <ref>{{Cite web|title=1st EP 'WHY..' (LETTER ver.) (Random)|url=https://weverseshop.io/shop/GL_USD/artists/112/sales/17128|website=Weverse Shop - All things for Fans|language=en|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{BoyNextDoor}} {{Authority control}}
Category:BoyNextDoor EPs Category:2023 EPs Category:Hybe EPs Category:Korean-language EPs Category:2020s Korean-language albums