K-pop has spent years perfecting the art of looking perfect. But a new generation of K-rap groups, including CORTIS, LNGSHOT, and now WAYF BOYS, seem increasingly interested in what happens when you loosen the tie, scuff up the edges, and let the artists be a little less behaved. The results are freer, less manicured, and refreshingly invested in the idea that personality might be worth more than polish.
At KOOM Live in New York City, WAYF BOYS appeared at Terminal 5 on a bill alongside 1VERSE, XngHan&Soul, DAYOUNG, and Santos Bravos. The group debuted in August, meaning their discography is still in the early stages of becoming a discography. But where recorded material was limited, enthusiasm was not. WAYF BOYS came prepared to dance, yell, and charm with every minute allocated to their set.
The performance was high-energy, but the group understood that a concert is not just an opportunity to demonstrate they’ve mastered choreography, but also an opportunity to make a room full of strangers feel personally involved. WAYF BOYS kept the crowd engaged, but also took time to break things up with impromptu acappella performances of beloved songs, giving individual members a chance to show off their impressive voices and personalities.
And then, in a true post-Jay Park K-rap move, two members took their shirts off, raising the temperature so appropriately for a venue in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen.
WAYF BOYS are still building their catalog, but KOOM Live offered an encouraging glimpse of what they might become. Their willingness to experiment, connect with the crowd, and let each member’s personality come through suggests a group with plenty of room to grow. If their debut months are any indication, WAYF BOYS have the ingredients to turn that early promise into something distinctly their own. For now, they’re making a case for the pleasures of watching a group figure itself out in real time and having a little fun along the way.
