BOYNEXTDOOR have been doing things their own way since debuting in 2023 with a heavy hand in musical production and thoughtful, relatable messages about navigating both the joys and uncertainties of youth in their music. Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak have continued to embody the spirit of their group’s name, winning fans over with their down-to-earth personalities, playful energy, and approachable charm.
After kicking off their second headlining tour in July, the group is gearing up for another first: bringing the KNOCK ON Vol. 2 Tour to North America. The tour began on Oct. 30 in Texas, with stops planned in Florida, Illinois, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Mexico City before the members head to Southeast Asia. Last year’s Lollapalooza marked a major milestone as the group’s first major festival appearance, and now, their fans, ONEDOORs, are eagerly anticipating their first chance to see the group live.
About a week before BOYNEXTDOOR heads to Texas to kick off the North American leg, Sungho, Riwoo, Jaehyun, Taesan, Leehan, and Woonhak met with Rolling Stone in Seoul to share what’s in their bags and what they’re most excited for ahead.
It’s been two years since we first met. The last time was to chat about your 3rd EP “19.99.” How do you think BOYNEXTDOOR has grown and evolved these past two years?
Woonhak: I think we’ve developed some depth. After working on our full-length album and doing the repackage album, looking back at the time that has passed, I think our team has gained depth both musically and in how we carry ourselves.
Jaehyun: I think there have been more moments in which we’ve been able to gain inspiration from ONEDOORs and audiences in general. We really prioritize building connections with our audiences. I think we’ve grown a lot in that aspect.
This will be your first North American tour– what are you most excited about?
Leehan: Interacting with the crowds on this tour is something I’m looking forward to. At Lollapalooza, we made so many good memories, so this year, I’m anticipating making a lot of happy memories.
Are there any fun stories you can share from tour preparation?
Taesan: It’s not entirely a coincidence that we released “Animal” in time for this tour. The energy we felt at Lollapalooza and the energy of American fans inspired us to make “Animal.” To be able to perform a song that is rooted in that really excites me. I think it’ll be so fun.
Jaehyun: We’re going to so many cities this time– I’m excited to bring the dreams of ONEDOORs who have been waiting to see us to life. I’m sure each city will have unique charms, so I’m excited for all the different experiences that await us.
Woonhak: We’re also visiting the birthplaces of a lot of the music that we’ve listened to – for example, both West Coast hip-hop and East Coast hip-hop… Southern hip-hop too. It feels extra special, and I’m curious to see what the vibes of each place are like.
When going on tour, you’re kinda going non-stop for a long time. Is there anything you want to say to yourselves before embarking on a busy run for the rest of the year?
Sungho: Because it’s our first world tour, it’s going to be much larger than last time. We want to give back a lot of energy, and I think at times it might also feel overwhelming. We really love performing, and I think it’s also important for us to look out for each other and make sure we finish the tour in good health.
RIWOO
“I used to not use hand cream, but these days the weather has been drier and colder, so I’ve been carrying this around and using it well. AirPods I need for listening to music, so I always have them on me. The case has a custom design that matches my in-ear monitor. Both are items that play me music, so I got a custom design made for them. I typically carry around 10 rings with me when I go on tour. Today I have this one on me– I bought it recently and love the mint color. On tour, when we return to the stage for encores, we get to express ourselves more through our outfits, whether it’s with a hat or glasses. I like using my personal items when I can, so I always pack a variety of glasses and sunglasses. I also have my external battery pack.”
Are there any songs you wish made it into the setlist that didn’t make it this time?
Leehan: I’m personally bummed about “Upside Down.” It was so fun working on that song, and the choreography for it is also really fun, but we put in other great songs into the setlist instead this time.
On the other hand, what is your favorite song to perform?
Riwoo: I think it’s “ANIMAL.” We thought about how it would come to life in a performance when working on the song, so I think we receive as much energy as we give when performing it.
LEEHAN
“My iPad case is a little dirty,” Leehan laughs as he removes the case. “I use my iPad when I’m on the go, watching Netflix and Disney+ or playing games. And my AirPods, I think they’re a necessity for group life. I use the noise-cancelling feature at times when I don’t want to hear anything else. These days I’ve been listening to “Movie” by Taeyang. I often listen to it in the shower. The hair clips I use because my hair is long these days, to avoid getting it wet when washing my face, for example. Lip balm is also a must-have for me, so I always carry it around.”
Are there any specific things you’re looking forward to doing in any of the cities of this upcoming North America tour?
Leehan: Yes. I’ve been wanting to go to Texas. I’ve heard that cowboys and the Western spirit are very much alive there; I’ve seen it in videos and would love to see it myself.
Riwoo: New York for me. Because I love Spider-Man.
Sungho: I feel like we’ve really only visited the West Coast, so going to New York, which is on the East Coast, will be a first for us. I’m excited for all of the interesting things we will see and experience when on the East Coast in general, New York and beyond.
What are you excited to see in these cities?
Leehan: I want to see horses. I heard that you can see horses on the road sometimes.
I’ve been and don’t think I’ve really seen that. (Laughs)
Leehan: I saw a video! People dressed in full cowboy outfits and riding horses on the road.
You guys should prepare cowboy hats for your encore stage in Texas!
Leehan: Yes, I want to do that!
Taesan: I’m excited for Toronto. I love Justin Bieber. I’m truly a big fan. Since he’s Canadian, I want to experience the city.
Jaehyun: I’m excited to see my family. I have some family in Chicago. They bought tickets to come.
They bought tickets?
Jaehyun: Yes. I didn’t invite them. (Laughs) They bought tickets and are coming. They were there to watch me grow, and I used to dance in front of them when I was young, so I’m excited to perform in front of them.
Woonhak: I’m looking forward to Mexico. I heard the energy and crowds there are incredible. I also want to eat tacos. Tripe tacos.
Do any of you have a list of must-buy items while you’re in North America or stores you want to hit if you have time?
Riwoo: My favorite hamburger place is In-N-Out. I heard that they sell T-shirts, too. I really want to get one.
Woonhak: Dipping fries in their chocolate shake is really good.
Sungho: I want to get Chipotle.
Chipotle just opened in Seoul, though!
Sungho: But it’s only in Gangnam, and we’re mostly in Yongsan. I haven’t had a chance to make it over there yet. I always get it when we go to America.
What’s your Chipotle order?
Sungho: I’ve actually never gone and ordered myself. Our team has brought it for us in the past, so if there’s a chance to go this time, I want to try that.
Leehan: What’s that shrimp place? Boiling Crab. We’ve had it every time we’ve gone to LA.
Taesan: Me too. Boiling Crab.
Is there anything that you think would be surprising for fans to hear but something you always carry with you? Or a signature item?
Leehan: Maybe my face wash? (Laughs)
Taesan: I have hair clips. When I’m at the hotel, I don’t like having my hair down, so I always clip it up.
Jaehyun: I don’t carry anything, so… (Laughs)
SUNGHO
Sungho carries lip balm, nail oil, cuticle remover, and supplements in his Balenciaga city bag. “I carry these supplements with me, but I actually finished them today, so it’s empty. I have dry skin, so my lips chap and bleed easily without lip balm, so I always carry it with me. Same with my hands– I have a habit of biting my nails, which doesn’t look good. When it gets bad, I try to care for them. And the supplements– I need to be healthy to keep working for a long time, so…” He shares with a laugh: “I feel like I’m going through customs.”
What about a signature item then?
Jaehyun: Wired earphones! I rarely use wireless earphones. I use wired ones because I lose the wireless ones really easily. One bud always disappears, but that can’t happen with wired ones. If you lose one bud, you have to buy brand new ones.
Sungho: I think my bag itself has become a signature item of mine. I always carry a big bag with me wherever I go. A lot of people know me as someone who always needs a bag. I like to carry everything around with me. Even the little things; carrying them with me makes me feel at ease. The rest of the members are more minimalist.
JAEHYUN
“I normally don’t carry anything with me,” Jaehyun shares with a laugh as he shares his peach-flavored Mintia and wired earbuds as his tour must-haves. “I use wired ones because I lose the wireless ones really easily. One bud always disappears, but that can’t happen with wired ones. If you lose one bud, you have to buy brand new ones.”
Are there any items from another member that you saw them use and bought for yourself?
Taesan: Oh, the bag I brought today. Riwoo actually gave it to me. I saw Riwoo carrying his laptop in it and asked him where he got it. He said he doesn’t use it much and gave it to me.
Woonhak: I have one! I saw that Leehan carries around a toiletry pouch and thought it would be really handy. I bought one and have been using it for about a year now. As soon as I get to my hotel room, I hang it off the towel rack, and it’s made washing up really convenient.
TAESAN
“When on tour, I carry these items together as a set. There are a lot of instances where I need to work on music while on tour. I usually have an audio interface and headset in addition to these, but those I normally pack in my suitcase. But in this bag, I carry these items. My MacBook, and I use this USB dongle to use the music production software Cubase. And the mic I use to record, and of course my charger. A lot of the songs I work on during tour end up getting released and into future setlists, I work on music with this set of products in my hotel room. “Animal” comes to mind, and “JAM!” too.
This is your second tour, so you have some experience now– what are some packing tips that you’ve learned?
Leehan: I’ve been using packing cubes for my clothes for about a year now. For underwear, tops, and bottoms, it’s nice to have them separated.
Jaehyun: I’ve learned that it’s best to travel light. We’re in each city for such a short time, and we move around so much that I’ve found that it’s best to not unpack too much.
Sungho: I think for shampoo and cleansers, if there are specific ones you like, putting them in travel-size containers and carrying them around is nice because there’s always a need for them.
WOONHAK
“I really carry around cold medicine all the time, even when I’m sick. I always have it on me. I feel like my throat condition varies quite a bit, so whenever I’m on tour I carry a week’s worth with me. This is an Under Armour tumbler– it’s good for keeping water either hot or cold, at the temperature I want, during tour. I love ice-cold water. I also have a disposable toothbrush. I always use these. We have hundreds of them at our office in the glam room. I also have this keychain, perfume, and pain relief patch. I don’t normally carry around the pain relief patches. The keychain I carry it around but don’t attach it to anything. It’s more like a good luck charm. And this BiBiANG perfume– “New York in Tilly” has become a go-to of mine. It smells so good, so I really love it. I also typically have an E-book with me. Right now I’m reading “A Thousand Blues.”
Lastly, what’s something you want to say to your ONEDOORs in North America who have been waiting to see you for so long?
Woonhak: “There are six outstanding boys from Korea coming on tour. Please tell everyone. We will prove how extraordinary we are. Trust in us, come see us, tell all your friends, and support us.”
Jaehyun: They’ve often told us at fan signing events that they want to see our shows. Since this is our first time coming to see them with a headlining tour, I hope we can make some great memories, and I hope we can get inspiration for our next album too.
Sungho: Let’s have fun together! If there’s anything we expect or want from this tour, it’s to have fun and enjoy it. Enjoying each moment with our fans– talking about Chipotle and In-N-Out (Laughs).
Riwoo: I’m just thankful that they support us and cheer us on from afar. I’m excited to make memories with them through this tour.
Taesan: I also am so thankful. I’ve felt how great the energy there can be, so I hope they have fun this time around too.
Leehan: We’re really looking forward to it and can’t wait to make memories and jump and have fun together.
