TWS set several new records with their latest comeback album, “Play Hard.” The group is carrying on the legacy of their labelmates SEVENTEEN. After winning multiple ‘Rookie of the Year’ awards last year, they are now strong contenders for some of the biggest categories this season.
Nearly two years after their debut, TWS continues to be loved for their bright, genuine image. More importantly, they have managed to stay free from any controversies so far.
Without further ado, let’s learn more about TWS, members, and their journey so far.
About TWS
TWS (Twenty Four Seven With Us) is the first boy group by PLEDIS Entertainment (a HYBE subsidiary), nine years after SEVENTEEN. The 6-member boy group debuted on January 22, 2024, and received a lot of love for their album “Sparkling Blue” and lead single “plot twist.”
TWS lineup includes
- Shinyu – Leader, main rapper
- Dohoon – Main vocalist, center
- Youngjae – Main vocalist, lead dancer
- Hanjin – Visual, sub vocalist
- Jihoon – Main dancer, lead vocalist
- Kyungmin – Lead vocalist, maknae
TWS Members
Shinyu
- Full name: Shin Junghwan
- Birthday: November 7, 2003
- Age: 22
- Birthplace: Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- MBTI: INFP
- Representative Emoji: Baby Giraffe
Before debuting with TWS, Shinyu trained for about five to six years and was once a trainee at SM Entertainment. Along with his rapping, he also takes part in writing lyrics and composing music.
He hopes to be remembered as “an artist who is never forgotten.”
He graduated from Lila Art High School, majoring in Theater and Acting in the Department of Visual and Music Contents. Even as a student, he showed leadership skills and was elected school president in the sixth grade.
He is the tallest member of TWS, known for his long limbs and great proportions, and is often compared visually to Hyunjin from Stray Kids. Off stage, Shinyu describes himself as a homebody who loves drawing and gaming. Last month, he began a new role as an MC on the music show Inkigayo.
Dohoon
- Full name: Kim Dohoon
- Birthday: January 39, 2005
- Age: 20
- Birthplace: Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- MBTI: ISTP
- Representative Emoji: Baby wolf
Dohoon trained for seven years before debuting with TWS in January 2024, the longest trainee at PLEDIS Entertainment. As the group’s center and all-rounder, he plays a key role in both their performances and image.
He went to Hancheon Middle School and Hanlim Arts High School, where he majored in music and visual arts. The 20-year-old star mentioned that he was even the class president back in elementary school.
In November last year, he and the rest of TWS were chosen as global ambassadors for CELINE. He describes himself as someone who gets deeply into whatever he likes, whether that’s soccer, bowling, badminton, or even a favorite song.
He is ambidextrous, and his favorite track right now is “BLEED” by The Kid LAROI. Dohoon is also close friends with Seeun from xikers, as they went to the same high school and trained together at PLEDIS before debuting.
Youngjae
- Full name: Choi Youngjae
- Birthday: May 31, 2005
- Age: 20
- Birthplace: Gimhae, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- MBTI: ISTJ
- Representative Emoji: Puppy
Youngjae has dreamed of becoming an idol since the age of nine. He was cast by PLEDIS Entertainment through a direct message on social media and went on to train for over three years before debuting.
As the main vocalist, Youngjae continues to refine his singing skills and also takes piano lessons. His goal is to write and compose songs for TWS, their fandom 42, and music lovers everywhere. He describes himself as someone who enjoys looking after others and creating a positive atmosphere within the group.
Youngjae has also impressed fans with his vocal covers, including Yorushika’s “Left-Right Confusion.” Outside of music, he enjoys badminton, loves puppies, and chooses sky blue as the color that best represents him.
Hanjin
- Full name: Han Zhen
- Birthday: January 5, 2006
- Age: 19
- Birthplace: Xinxiang, Henan, China
- Nationality: Chinese
- MBTI: INFJ
- Representative Emoji: Bunny
Hanjin, a Chinese singer and dancer, is TWS’s only foreign member. He is the second child and the eldest son in his family, with an older sister and two younger brothers.
His journey into K-pop began with his love for Korean dramas and music. After discovering the genre through ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo and SEVENTEEN, Hanjin found particular inspiration in JUN and THE 8, the Chinese members of SEVENTEEN.
He followed in their footsteps and auditioned for PLEDIS Entertainment by submitting a TikTok video of himself in his school uniform. His audition impressed the official and earned him a spot as the last member to join TWS. He trained for a little over a year before making his debut with the group in January 2024.
Despite the challenges of adapting to life in Korea — such as perfecting his Korean pronunciation — he approaches everything with a positive attitude. He often says that he believes in “doing his best and letting go of worries afterward.”
Jihoon
- Full name: Han Jihoon
- Birthday: March 28, 2006
- Age: 19
- Birthplace: Banwol-dong, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- MBTI: INFJ
- Representative Emoji: Jellyfish
Before debuting with TWS, Jihoon was part of the pre-debut group Trainee A and trained at BIGHIT Music, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment.
As a main dancer, he has already begun contributing creatively to TWS’s music. For the group’s recently released EP “Play Hard,” Jihoon helped write lyrics and choreograph the lead single “OVERDRIVE,” and called it a “really good experience.”
He connects easily with fans around the world since he is fluent in Korean, Japanese, and English. Jihoon enjoys playing the guitar, a skill he learned from his father, and finds it a way to unwind and express himself.
Kyungmin
- Full name: Lee Kyungmin
- Birthday: August 31, 2007
- Age: 18
- Birthplace: Jangi, Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- MBTI: ENFP
- Representative Emoji: Chick
Kyungmin trained for around two years before making his debut with TWS in January last year. Despite being the youngest, he stands out for his exceptional dancing skills.
His fellow members describe him as mischievous and deeply caring. Kyungmin shares a particularly close friendship with Dohoon, and fans fondly call them the “bugi bugi duo” for their vibrant chemistry and fun-loving antics. He attended Gahyeon Elementary School, Gochang Middle School, and later Hanlim Arts High School, where he honed his performance skills.
TWS’ Journey So Far
Formed under PLEDIS Entertainment, a subsidiary of HYBE, the six-member boy group TWS made their debut in January 2024. Their distinctive “boyhood pop” concept was praised for their youthful, refreshing storytelling about growing up.
TWS first made waves with their debut album Sparkling Blue, featuring the hit song “plot twist.” The track not only won multiple domestic music show trophies but was also featured on year-end “Best K-pop Songs” lists by NME and Paste Magazine. Their follow-up releases in 2024, including “If I’m S, Can You Be My N?” and “Countdown!” from Summer Beat! and Last Bell, continued their storytelling of youth, first love, and fleeting teenage emotions.
In April 2025, the group released their third EP, TRY WITH US, which sold over 550,000 copies in its first week. Later that year, TWS made an even bigger impact with their fourth EP, play hard, led by the bold and energetic title track “OVERDRIVE.”
The album also featured the pre-release single “Head Shoulders Knees Toes,” a powerful hip-hop-inspired song that showed a new, more daring side to the group. With this release, TWS broke their own sales record and surpassed 639,000 first-week sales.
As the year closes, the group is preparing for appearances at major global award shows and festivals.
