ONF reveals more of its 'Self' on latest release Related Article ONF opens door to new chapter with 'ONF: MY Self' — in pictures Boy band ONF signs contract with agency KI Entertainment ONF to drop second part of its new full-length album on June 17

For many K-pop listeners, ONF's name is tied first and foremost to its music — polished, melody-driven songs that have earned the boy band a reputation for bright, lyrical pop with an unmistakably K-pop sound. With its latest album, "ONF: My Self," the sextet stays true to that identity with its lead single "Open The Door," a surging effort that captures the rush of emotion felt at the moment of opening a door to an unknown future. "When I first heard our lead track, 'Open the Door,' I thought it was the epitome of K-pop," member Wyatt said during a press showcase for "ONF: My Self," a six-track release the group describes as the second part of its second full-length album, held in western Seoul on Wednesday. "It's a song about that fleeting moment when we open the door to an unseen future amid the uncertainty of the present," Wyatt said. "As I wrote the lyrics about the emotions felt in that instant, I found myself relating to them a lot." ONF debuted in 2017 with the EP "On/Off." The sextet, comprising members Hyojin, E-Tion, Seungjun, Wyatt, Minkyun and Yuto, is best known for songs like "Complete" (2018), "Why" (2019), "Beautiful Beautiful" (2021), "Love Effect" (2023) and "The Stranger" (2025). The second part of "ONF: My Self" continues from the first half of the group's second full-length album, "ONF: My Identity," released in February last year. The album also marks the band's first new release since the members left their previous agency, WM Entertainment, after their contracts expired in January, and signed with KI Entertainment in March. "With this album, we wanted to express ourselves as we are," Hyojin said. "I think it is an album that captures ONF's present in the most honest way." The latest album consists of six songs: lead track "Open the Door" and B-sides "Bad Dream," "Escape," "Mirage," "Silver Lining" and "Once in a Red Moon." All six members actively participated in the production and preparation of the album, with Wyatt and Minkyun credited for songwriting and lyrics, Yuto taking part as performance director and Seungjun contributing to the album's overall planning. The biggest appeal of the lead track lies in its lyrics, said member E-Tion. "I think people may gain courage from this song when they feel anxious about future," he said. "Because the future is unknown, everyone feels some sense of uncertainty. So, for example, when you are changing jobs or need courage for something new, I think this song can give you great strength and energy." Wyatt, who was credited for the song's lyrics, said he was also facing uncertainties while working on the track. "I wanted to portray the worries we feel about an unseen future," he said. "But at the same time, when I wrote these lyrics, I hoped many people would listen to the song and see a hopeful future ahead of them. I wrote it hoping that it could be a source of comfort." As the group remains tight-knit after nine years, even moving to a new agency together, the members say their aspirations for the future, built on strong trust in one another, continue to tie them together. Wyatt expressed particular gratitude to Seungjun, who he said helped bring the members together. "We had anxieties about whether we could keep going," Wyatt admitted. "But Seungjun said, 'Wouldn't it be such a waste? We can do more. We've come this far — can't we do a little longer?' Those words really moved me, and I think they moved the hearts of the other members as well." The group still hopes to perform on bigger stages in front of larger crowds — and to reach more people in moments when they need comfort. "I thought that ONF's albums are like a reflection of ONF's reality," Seungjun said. "I think everyone has a closed door somewhere in their heart. We want to give people the strength to challenge themselves and, through our story, reach many people, resonate with them and offer them comfort." BY SHIN HA-NEE [[email protected]]