W24 () is a South Korean idol rock band signed to Favor Entertainment. The quartet consists of leader and guitarist Kim Yun-soo, drummer Kim Jong-gil, vocalist Cheong Ho-won and keyboardist Park Aaron. Originally a five-piece ensemble, bassist Park Ji-won left the band on December 27, 2020. They debuted on March 8, 2018, with the extended play (EP) Singing Dancing and promoted various songs from the record. By the end of the year, the band received the Focus Award at the Asia Artist Awards and traveled to Chile to become the first K-pop group to appear at the Teletón charity event.
History Kim Jong-gil, the drummer and original leader of W24, had close ties with the CEO of J Army Entertainment. He attended Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he met keyboardist Park Aaron, bassist Park Ji-won, and guitarist Kim Yun-soo. After graduating from the institution, Kim Jong-gil brought together his fellow three alumni together upon recommendation by the CEO to form a band. The four practiced together for two years. Cheong Ho-won was added to the lineup eight months prior to the band's debut upon successfully auditioning to become its vocalist. He joined the group because he wanted to "touch people's hearts". W24 was formed as a idol quintet. The name is short for World 24 Hours, expressing the band's desire for their music to be heard for 24 hours around the world. Other group name considerations included One Way, Luminant, and Royal Family.
Preceding their first mini-album, W24 released the track "Love Me". Their debut mini-album Singing Dancing and its lead single "Always Missing You" were released on March 8, 2018. The band included songs that they felt were "easy and accessible" to a general audience. They embarked on followup promotions for "Everything Is Fine" and the title track. They released the digital single Sosime on October 29. The lyrics describe a timid and introverted man, a reflection of the band members. W24's work earned them the Focus Award at the 2018 Asia Artist Awards. The band traveled to Chile and appeared at the annual Teletón charity event, becoming the first K-pop group to do so. The disco-funk single "Solfamiredo" was released one month ahead of the band's second mini-album. Stay a Moment and its title track of the same name were released on August 1, 2019. W24 released a string of singles throughout 2020, including "Joahaeyo" and "Sunday Night". In November, W24 entered to compete in the reality competition show Asian Top Band. The group eventually finished in first place, winning the final title of "1st Asian Top Band". Park Ji-won terminated his contract with J Army and he left the band on December 27.
On March 8, 2021, W24 released a digital single titled "Breath" to mark the third anniversary of their debut.
On April 4, 2022, W24 released their first studio album White Album and its lead singles "Revelations" and "J♡B = Love".
Musical style W24 has creative control over their music. All the members contribute to the lyrics, composition, arrangement, and record production of their records. Their debut mini-album Singing Dancing comprised acoustic tracks, while "Sosime" saw the band incorporate a more rock-oriented sound. W24 has cited The 1975 as their role model, highlighting the English band's balance between synthesizer-based music and acoustic sound.
Members
Active Kim Yun-soo () – guitar Kim Jong-gil () – drums Cheong Ho-won () – leader, vocals Park Aaron () – keyboard
Former Park Ji-won () – bass
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums and showing selected details Title Details White Album Released: April 4, 2022 Label: Favor, Caios Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Extended plays + List of extended plays, showing selected details and selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions KOR Singing Dancing Released: March 8, 2018 Label: Favor, Caios Formats: CD, digital download, streaming — Stay a Moment Released: August 1, 2019 Label: Favor, Caios Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 86 Memory Making Moment Released: June 3, 2024 Label: Favor Formats: CD, digital download, streaming — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory
Live albums + List of live albums and showing selected details Title Album details Real Live Nanjang Vol.8 Released: September 6, 2018 Label: Nanjang, Kobuco Format: Digital download
Singles + List of singles, showing year released and name of the albumTitleYearAlbum"Love Me"2018Singing Dancing"Always Missing You" ()"Sosime" () "Solfamiredo" ()2019Stay a Moment"Stay a Moment" ()"Joahaeyo" ()2020 rowspan="9" "Sunday Night""SNP (Shining Nature Purity)""A Night in Naju" ()"Breath" ()2021"Once Upon a Time" ()"Fine" ("My Universe" ()"Song of Songs"2022"Revelations" ()White Album"J♡B = Love" ()"Ruah" () Great Seoul Invasion Section 3"Over the Rainbow" () Great Seoul Invasion Secting 6"Coupon Man"2023Born Again"Drive" "Voyager" () rowspan="2" "Our, Season" ()2024"Celestial Night" ()Memory Making Moment"Nemo""Family""Rooftop" "Seize the Day"2025 Seize The Day"Trava U Doma" rowspan="2" "I Gotta Feeling" "Mustard Seed" 2026 rowspan="3" "Water Gushes" "Somang"
Awards and nominations
! |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | W24 | Asia Artist Awards – Focus Award | | style="text-align:center" |
References
External links