From K-Drama to K-Pop: Multinational Boy Band Naze Announces Official Debut this May
The wait is finally over for fans who have been tracking the rise of C9 Entertainment’s newest gems. The highly anticipated Naze debut is officially locked in for May 4, marking the arrival of a fresh, multinational force in the K-pop scene.
On Thursday, C9 Entertainment—the powerhouse behind CIX and EPEX—confirmed that the septet will drop their first EP, appropriately titled “Naze”, to kick off their musical journey. To spice up the countdown, the agency has already begun teasing fans with sleek individual posters of the members, proving they are more than ready for the spotlight.
Meet the Seven Faces of Naze
Naze isn’t your average rookie group. This multinational team consists of seven members: Kaisei, Younki, Ato, Turn, Yuya, Kim Kun, and Dohyeok. Their name, “Naze,” symbolizes the meeting point of sea and land, while also standing for “New Adventure’s Zestyfull Echo.”
Before even stepping onto a music show stage, the group built a massive pre-debut following by starring in the Japanese TBS drama “Dream Stage”. By playing fictional trainees chasing their dreams, the members blurred the lines between drama and reality, making their actual Naze debut feel like the perfect season finale for their fans.
Why Naze is the “One to Watch” in 2026
As C9 Entertainment’s first new boy group in five years since EPEX, expectations are sky-high. The group’s “Hybrid” strategy—combining a Japanese terrestrial TV debut with a traditional K-pop rollout—has already positioned them as “next-generation Hallyu leaders.”
With the Naze debut just around the corner, the industry is buzzing about whether their “Zestyfull Echo” will indeed reach every corner of the globe. Their polished visuals and the “growth narrative” they’ve established through various promotions suggest that they aren’t just here to participate; they’re here to take over.
