How JUSTB is redefining K-pop through hyperpop
During a recent tour stop in Toronto, JUSTB chatted about its musical evolution
(Photo credit: Blue Dot Entertainment)
While JUSTB has been active as a K-pop group for five years, 2025 marked a rebirth of the six-piece act.
Over the years, the group has explored genres from pop-rock in tracks like “MEDUSA” and “Daddy’s Girl”, to hip hop and EDM in songs like “TICK TOCK” and “DAMAGE.”
But it was branching into the grungy, maximalist sounds of hyperpop that brought new attention to JUSTB, composed of members Geonu, Bain, Lim Ji-min, Siwoo, DY and Sangwoo.
The group also received attention for breaking barriers in 2025. Last June, Bain came out as gay during a concert in Los Angeles. This announcement made him just one of very few LGBTQ+-identifying artists working in the K-pop industry right now.
“I hope that by sharing my story, I can help create a space where future artists don’t feel like they have to hide who they are,” he told me last year. “If even one person feels a little less alone or a little more seen because of what I shared, that means everything to me.”
By the end of 2025, publications like Billboard and Hollywood Reporter named JUSTB’s single “CHEST” among their top K-pop songs of the year.
“Having ‘CHEST’ recognized by outlets like Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter really validated the direction we chose to take with our music.,” Bain said in an interview with bunni pop during a recent stop in Toronto as part of the group’s SNOW ANGEL TOUR in North America.
“It was a bit of a risk for us, so seeing it resonate on that level is incredibly rewarding. At the same time, it also motivates us to keep pushing ourselves and stay true to what we believe in musically.”
Embracing the hyperpop sound is also a way in which JUSTB has taken ownership of its identity and sound as a group. Unlike the flashy bright colours often worn by K-pop bands, JUSTB has taken on a more industrial or punky style in fashion. Geonu wears his hair shaggy with blond highlights, while Bain wears bleach brows and glittery eye makeup. Meanwhile, Sangwoo has grown out his hair and dyed it blond. And as a group, members are often seen opting for baggy dyed jeans, hoodies and leather.
According to Sangwoo, hyperpop artists like kim j, 2hollis and natesib are among the group’s biggest influences. Geonu, who co-writes many of the band’s songs, is also a diligent pupil of the electronic genre, naming DJs Mechatok and aidn. as current inspirations.
“Since 2024, I’ve been deeply immersed in sounds like Digicore, which felt both refreshingly new and strangely familiar,” Sangwoo says.
“That paradoxical feeling led me to take this genre more seriously. Believing that others would resonate with these sounds as much as we did, we leaped in.”
JUSTB’ latest EP SNOW ANGEL dives deep into the band’s electronic direction, with producers O.Kwon and Forgotten Melodies playing principal roles in developing the group’s sound.
Lead single “TRUE HEART” is energetic and frenetic, with its pulsing synths in the background giving the impression of a track you’d hear in a Berlin nightclub. Meanwhile, “FREEDOM” takes a moodier turn, seeing the band singing about the push and pull of life.
“I think the emotions we feel aren’t always soft or easy to define—they can be intense, messy, and even a bit chaotic,” Bain says.
“Hyperpop gives us the space to express those feelings without filtering or simplifying them. It might come across as aggressive to some people, but for us, it actually feels the most honest. It lets us show who we are in a really raw and unfiltered way.”
While JUSTB’s hyperpop direction feels unlike anything being released by K-pop groups right now, Geonu still stops short of defining the band outside of the genre.
“I know our music feels different comparing to other K-pop music,” he says. “I would like to say JUSTB will forever be K-pop since we are all born in Korea and grew up with Korean culture. But also, [I] would love to hear people debating or considering if JUSTB is under K-pop or not.”
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Now JUSTB is embarking on another North American tour.
The group recently played a show in Toronto on March 27th. The city is close to the group’s heart, having performed here four times over the years.
“Toronto was always cold every time I came, but thanks to ONLYB [JUSTB’s fandom name], they made this city’s memory warm and happy,” Siwoo says.
“When I see ONLYB’s happy eyes, I get energized, and I try to make eye contact with each and every fan throughout the performance.”
For those seeing JUSTB across the U.S., Siwoo also promises performances to tracks from SNOW ANGEL, as well as a few surprises.
“There will be no time to be bored. I hope you enjoy it with us.”
Tickets are on sale now for JUSTB’s SNOW ANGEL TOUR!
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