Four years into their debut and JUSTB is paving the way for a new generation of K-pop groups. The six-member band consists of Geonu, Bain, Lim Jimin, Siwoo, DY, and Sangwoo. Long before capturing the hearts of many, the members were ahead of their time—in underground practice rooms, polishing their craft, and doing whatever it takes to stay afloat. But being in the stage seems to be what they’re meant to do. Debuting is just one thing, but sustaining longevity in the competitive world of K-pop is another.

Departing from their contemporaries, JUSTB chose to carve their own path. One they’re proud to call their own. From choreography to songwriting, team rebranding, and even marketing, the members took an active role in shaping their group identity. Beyond their emotionally resonant tracks and sonic prowess, JUST B excels in staying authentic and raw. In March, the group released their EP “JUST ODD”, ushering in a new era for them. It’s one where they lay bare their emotions and identity, challenging the unsettling and unfamiliar to find their true voice.

But that message goes beyond their music. In April, during their world tour performance in Los Angeles, member Bain made headlines after proudly coming out—the first time for a Korean K-pop singer. His announcement heralded in a groundbreaking moment for him, for the LGBTQ community, and for the “standard” in K-pop. Fresh off their impressive tour and new EP, I interviewed members DY, Bain, and Geonu over email. Below is an excerpt of their answers dated July 25.

It’s been four years since you debuted, and that journey is filled with ups and downs. What changes have occurred for you as a group and as individuals since 2021?

DY: I’ve gone through a lot of experiences and challenges since our debut. By overcoming them, I’ve developed a stronger sense of responsibility and perspective as an individual. I’m learning to shape and discover my own identity and values—essentially, to create a life that’s truly mine. I think that’s a meaningful direction, especially these days when it’s so easy to lose your sense of self in the flood of media and social networks. Going forward, I want to keep living a life where I acknowledge and embrace my own worth.

Bain: Since our debut in 2021, we’ve grown not only as performers but as people who understand why we’re doing this together. As a group, our teamwork has become instinctive. We read each other’s energy on stage, and we lean on each other off stage when things get heavy. The more we experienced the highs and lows, the more our trust deepened.

Geonu: As a group, we’ve learned the importance of trusting each other, communicating regularly, and staying true to our own ideas. As an individual, I’m still learning a lot. It’s important to maintain a balance between networking and focusing on my own process.

You’re all survival show veterans, which also helped the trajectory of your career. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

Bain: Survival shows taught us how to keep going when everything feels uncertain. You perform knowing that one stage can change everything, but also that one “loss” isn’t the end. We learned to focus under pressure, adapt quickly, and respect the effort of everyone sharing that stage, even when we were technically “competing.” Maybe the most important lesson was to hold onto our own identity. When you’re constantly being evaluated, it’s easy to shape yourself to please others.

Geonu: I’ve learned it’s important to stay nonchalant.

What does the name JUST B represent? What story does it tell?

Bain: When we first debuted, JUSTB stood for “Just Burn.” It captured our fiery ambition and drive to give everything on stage. But as we’ve grown, the meaning has evolved into “Just Be.” Now, it’s about embracing who we truly are, as individuals and as a team. It reflects our journey of becoming more honest, more expressive, and more confident in our identity.

You’re all very involved in the creative process and production of your materials. Whether it’s A&R for Geonu, producing for DY, Bain’s visual directing, and more. How do you approach each project? How do you balance being creative and managing expectations?

Bain: We start every project by asking two questions: “What do we honestly want to say?” and “What will our listeners feel when they meet this song or concept for the first time?”

Balancing creativity with expectations means knowing where to experiment and where to deliver, so we push boundaries in concept, lyrics, or visuals, but we stay disciplined about performance quality, release timelines, and what will connect live. When disagreements come up, we return to the core: does this serve the song, the story, and our fans? If yes, we fight for it, and if not, we let it go.

DY: JUST B’s songs and albums can be quite challenging to work on. They need to be honest, yet still musically solid. They have to feel special, but also familiar. They should sound fresh, but not too strange. To be honest, I personally find it easier and more enjoyable to write more mainstream, accessible music. But in order to create music for JUST B, I’ve been listening to a wider range of songs and studying more. Through that process, I feel like my own musical direction as an artist is expanding and becoming more diverse.

Geonu: In conclusion, it’s all about trusting my intuition and our team, as we share the same vision. To make a successful project, it’s important to constantly reflect on what truly matters.

“JUST ODD” is your rawest and unfiltered. Do you find honesty challenging or liberating in the world of K-pop, especially since it’s not always the norm?

Bain: Both. Honesty can feel risky. K-pop is polished, and we’re often expected to show only the “perfect” parts. But truthfully, being queer, emotional, or simply different shouldn’t be something to hide. With “JUST ODD,” we decided that showing who we really are without filters is more powerful than trying to meet expectations. For me, that meant being open about my identity as a gay artist. It was scary at first, but the moment I came out, the connection with our fans, especially those who’ve felt unseen or unheard, grew stronger than ever. Honesty doesn’t just free us, it frees others to be themselves too.

Beyond the EP’s sonic genres, what kind of message do you want to send with this release?

Bain: The message is “You don’t have to smooth out your edges to belong.” If you feel different, too intense, too quiet, or too emotional, bring that. We want listeners to feel seen in their “odd” parts and still welcomed. Music gave us a place to turn difference into connection, and we hope this EP does that for anyone who needs it.

Geonu: We live in a world full of different thoughts and opinions. Stay honest with yourself, and listen to others. But don’t chase someone else’s ego. Chase your own path.

Why did you choose to embrace oddness as your identity? Why do you think it matters in the K-pop industry?

Bain: We chose to embrace “oddness” because that’s the space where our truth lives. As someone who is openly queer in K-pop, I’ve often felt like I had to tone myself down to fit an invisible mould. But the more I accepted my queerness, the more I realised that what makes us “odd” is what gives us power. In an industry that values perfection, showing imperfection, whether it’s vulnerability, difference, or queerness, is radical and necessary. We want to be part of a shift where K-pop includes more than one story, more than one kind of artist. Our “oddness” is not just about being unique; it’s about being real, and inviting others to be real too.

What else can we look forward to from JUST B?

Bain: Going forward, JUST B will keep creating music we’re personally involved in now with even deeper storytelling and projects that blend genres and cultures. We’re expanding our global reach to meet more fans around the world, and we’ll continue exploring multilingual elements in our music. If “JUST ODD” was the beginning, the moment we opened the door, then the journey of walking through it, side by side with you, starts now.

JUST B’s journey can easily be dismissed as “another survival story” that we may have heard before. But what sets them apart is how apologetic they are in challenging the norm, after subverting to it in the first place. How can you compete when everything else seems manufactured to perfection? JUST B proved that not only does talent and hard work pay off, but authenticity and genuineness. They show that idols are not merely idols but those who have emotions that run deep. Their story and their music serve as an inspiration to many, whether they also want to defy conventional structures, stay true, or simply see where their dreams can take them. As Bain explains, “it’s about being real, and inviting others to be real too,” which highlights the true influence and power of a group and their music.