Boy band ATBO debuts with EP 'The Beginning: 開花'

Boy band ATBO poses during a showcase event on Wednesday to promote its debut. [IST ENTERTAINMENT]

Boy band ATBO made its debut with the EP “The Beginning: 開花” on Wednesday.

During a showcase event at Yonsei University in western Seoul, the seven-member band introduced themselves and performed the lead track “Monochrome (Color).”

Consisting of band leader Oh Junseok and members Ryu Junmin, Bae Hyunjin, Seok Rakwon, Jeong Seunghwan, Kim Yeonkyu and Won Bin, ATBO stands for “At the Beginning of Originality” and represents the onset of the band in unfolding their own new and original story.

Likewise, the Chinese characters in the EP’s name “The Beginning: 開花” roughly translates to "blooming flower."

“Monochrome (Color)” is about the seven members’ anticipation for a new beginning. With a dynamic melody and a hip-hop-inspired rhythm, leader Oh took part in writing the rap lyrics for the song.

The members also described its main choreography as a “mosquito exterminating move,” as it involves the members kicking their feet in the air and waving their arms around ferociously.

The EP has five more songs: “7IBE (VIBE),” “Graffiti,” “High Five,” “WoW” and “RUN.” Oh wrote the rap lyrics for every song except for “RUN,” and Bae took part in writing “Graffiti,” “High Five” and “WoW.”

During the showcase, the band also performed “Graffiti,” an upbeat retro dance track filled with guitar riffs.

ATBO was formed through the finalists on MBN’s survival audition program “The Origin – A, B, Or What?” last May. The members said that it was a meaningful experience and that by going through missions either competing against each other or working together, it ultimately helped the members create strong teamwork.

When asked what makes the band stand out from other K-pop groups, Kim confidently pointed out that all seven members’ last names are different.

“Everyone has his own charms, which is why when we come together, it’s almost as if we were all born at the same time; we connect with each other so well,” Kim said.

“The Beginning: 開花” dropped Wednesday at 6 p.m.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]