Why ALLDAY PROJECT's "Famous" Is Breaking K-pop Group Traditions in 2025

Mixed-gender groups have been notoriously rare among famous Kpop groups since the 1990s, with many struggling to find lasting success in South Korea despite thriving overseas. However, ALLDAY PROJECT is challenging this tradition with their groundbreaking debut single "Famous," released on June 23, 2025.

Under THEBLACKLABEL, ALLDAY PROJECT (ADP) stands out as one of the few co-ed groups in the modern K-pop era. Their debut features the double title tracks "Famous" and "Wicked," with the physical album available in seven distinct versions. What makes their emergence particularly significant is how the group's "Famous" lyrics and concept directly address their unique position in the industry.

ALLDAY PROJECT: A New Kind of K-pop Group

THEBLACKLABEL made waves in the K-pop industry by unveiling ALLDAY PROJECT (ADP), a groundbreaking co-ed group that debuted on June 23, 2025, with their single "Famous". This marks the first new mixed-gender K-pop act in eight years since KARD debuted in 2017.

Who are the members of ADP?

ADP consists of five uniquely talented individuals who bring diverse experiences to the table. Annie Moon, a Columbia University student and granddaughter of Shinsegae Group chairwoman Lee Myung Hee, brings her modeling background and prestigious family connections. Tarzzan (Lee Chaewon) is a professional model and dancer who graduated from Busan Arts High School and has appeared in music videos for NewJeans and (G)I-DLE. Bailey Sok, a Korean-American choreographer, has contributed to hit choreographies for major acts like aespa and Red Velvet before joining ADP. Woochan gained recognition as the youngest contestant on Show Me The Money 6 and was previously part of HYBE's Trainee A project. Youngseo, the group's youngest member (maknae), previously trained under multiple top agencies and was briefly in ILLIT's pre-debut lineup.

Why a co-ed group matters in 2025

While mixed-gender groups like Roo'Ra, Cool, and Sharp were household names in the 1990s and early 2000s, they practically vanished from the mainstream by the 2010s. Music critic Lim Hee-yun explains that co-ed groups flourished during an era when "exposure relied heavily on domestic broadcast TV" but declined as K-pop shifted toward "passionate engagement through social media and short-form content". Nevertheless, industry insiders express optimism, with one stating, "Who's to say a mixed-gender group can't work now? It's been 30 years of K-pop—bands are back. Maybe it's time for co-ed groups to shine again, too".

The role of THEBLACKLABEL and Teddy

Teddy Park, formerly of 1TYM and renowned for producing BLACKPINK's hits, established THEBLACKLABEL as a YG-affiliated label. Under his direction, the company approached ALLDAY PROJECT "without bias," creating a group whose "creative direction isn't confined by the framework of K-pop". Teddy's distinctive sound, characterized by "heavy synthesizer basslines and guitar riffs layered over danceable beats," gives ADP a unique sonic identity. This strategy has proven successful, with "Famous" reaching No. 1 on Melon's Top 100 chart just four days after debut.

The Message Behind 'Famous'

At the core of ALLDAY PROJECT's debut lies a refreshing message that contradicts the glossy perfectionism often associated with famous Kpop groups. "Famous" presents a bold statement through its lyrics, challenging industry norms about success and recognition.

Confidence without fame: a lyrical theme

Unlike many K-pop anthems that celebrate achievement and popularity, "Famous" embraces the opposite stance. The track centers on self-assurance that exists independently of public recognition. The recurring line "we ain't even famous" serves as both admission and declaration of pride. This sentiment echoes the growing trend of confidence-boosting K-pop tracks that prioritize self-worth over external validation, similar to ITZY's "Wannabe" with its empowering message: "I'm the best when I'm myself".

How the lyrics reflect individuality

The ADP members express their uniqueness through distinct verses that showcase their personalities. Lines like "Same air, but we're on a different level" and "Doing the same thing but I do it better" demonstrate their determination to stand apart. This emphasis on individuality follows a broader trend in K-pop lyrics becoming more focused on self-acceptance, as seen in (G)I-DLE's "Queencard" which emphasizes that "what truly matters is not the outer appearance, but accepting oneself".

The meaning of 'we ain't even famous'

The phrase "we ain't even famous" appears repeatedly throughout the ALLDAY PROJECT's debut track, functioning as both irony and manifesto. By acknowledging their newcomer status yet simultaneously projecting star-level confidence, the group creates an intriguing paradox. The song's structure—described as "4 verses / 3 verses / 2 verses / outro"—breaks conventional K-pop patterns, reinforcing this outsider stance. This unusual approach positions the group as trendsetters rather than followers, with lyrics explicitly stating "Needless to say, I'm a trendsetter".

Breaking the Mold: What Sets 'Famous' Apart

What truly distinguishes "Famous" from typical K-pop releases is its bold departure from industry conventions. While famous Kpop groups typically follow predictable formulas, ALLDAY PROJECT has crafted something deliberately different.

Unconventional song structure

"Famous" breaks traditional K-pop song architecture by completely omitting a chorus—a radical choice in a genre known for catchy, repetitive hooks. Instead, the song follows an unusual pattern: 4 verses / 3 verses / 2 verses / outro. This structure effectively creates a "vocal-forward dance track that merely masquerades itself as a pop song". Unlike the common verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus pattern that dominates K-pop, ADP's approach prioritizes rhythm and flow over predictable payoffs.

Genre-blending production choices

"Famous" combines multiple sonic elements, reflecting K-pop's evolution as "a fusion of many different popular genres and influences". The track features a danceable beat built on heavy synth bass and edgy guitar riffs, creating a foundation for dynamic rap flows and addictive hooks. Additionally, the production includes unexpected touches like acoustic guitar segments that temporarily replace the bassline during certain rap verses.

Visual storytelling in the music video

The "Famous" music video employs a distinctive grey-blue-black color palette that establishes a cool, futuristic atmosphere. Furthermore, the visual direction gives each member equal spotlight with dedicated verses and balanced screen time. With over 260,000 YouTube views shortly after release, the video's high-impact style effectively showcases the group's boundary-pushing aesthetic.

Member involvement in writing and production

Unlike many K-pop groups where songs are entirely pre-determined by management, ALLDAY PROJECT members actively participated in creating "Famous." TARZZAN, WOOCHAN, and YOUNGSEO are credited as writers alongside TEDDY and others. This creative involvement follows a growing trend in fourth-generation K-pop, where self-production has "truly skyrocketed over the past few years". By contributing to their music, ADP creates a more authentic and personal connection with listeners.

Impact on the K-pop Industry

ALLDAY PROJECT's emergence as a co-ed group represents more than just another debut among famous Kpop groups—it signals a potential paradigm shift in an industry that has long separated artists by gender.

Challenging gender norms in idol groups

ALLDAY PROJECT breaks conventional gender barriers through their performances that "transcend gender conventions". The members eschew traditional male-female dynamics that typically defined earlier co-ed groups. Certainly, this approach stands in stark contrast to previous mixed-gender acts that relied heavily on romantic narratives between members. Music critic Jeong Min-jae noted, "The male members appear like a boy group, the female members like a girl group, yet they blend seamlessly". This fluid approach allows each performer to maintain their distinct identity while functioning cohesively as a unit—a formula that resonates with contemporary audiences seeking authenticity over manufactured dynamics.

Reception from fans and critics

The group's debut has generated significant commercial success, with "Famous" topping domestic music charts. Their pre-release music video achieved multiple milestones:

Number one on YouTube's trending music and video charts in Korea
First place on YouTube's global trending list
Fourth position on China's QQ Music video chart

On Spotify, "Famous" accumulated over 900,000 streams, whereas "Wicked" surpassed 400,000. Nonetheless, the reception hasn't been universally positive. Online communities have expressed concerns about certain members, particularly regarding Tarzzan's artistic choices and Annie's chaebol background.

What this means for future co-ed groups

Although ALLDAY PROJECT's success suggests positive momentum for mixed-gender acts, industry experts remain cautious. One critic observed that "ALLDAY PROJECT is a unique phenomenon, and it may not directly translate into market expansion". Meanwhile, this summer will feature comebacks from other co-ed groups including JAESSBEE, KARD, and TYPHOON, indicating growing industry interest in this format. As the K-pop landscape evolves, "interest is growing in artist formats that break away from the boy-girl group binary". In essence, ADP's trajectory could determine whether co-ed groups become a sustained trend or remain an occasional exception in K-pop's future.