The K-pop scene is buzzing with a groundbreaking debut! Allday Project, the first co-ed group from The Black Label, has made a spectacular entrance, with their debut single, ‘Famous,’ rocketing to No. 1 on Melon’s TOP 100 chart in just three days. This makes them the fastest 5th-generation debut single to claim the top spot, signaling strong global momentum for the mixed-gender quintet.
Allday Project, which officially debuted on June 23, is already generating significant buzz. The group’s mixed-gender makeup is a bold move in a K-pop market that has largely shifted towards gender-segregated acts since the 2010s. Historically, co-ed groups like Roo’Ra, Cool, and Sharp were household names in the 1990s, but they have mostly vanished from the mainstream in recent years, with only Koyote and Kard remaining active. Allday Project is the first new mixed-gender K-pop act to debut in eight years.
The Black Label, led by producer Teddy Park (known for his work with BLACKPINK), designed Allday Project “without bias,” aiming for a creative direction not confined by traditional K-pop frameworks. Their debut single, ‘Famous,’ immediately makes a statement with its “hypnotic, hip-hop rhythm with spoken-style verses,” favoring “attitude and repetition over traditional melodies and choruses.” This unconventional structure has quickly gained global traction.
Industry Experts See New Possibilities
The sudden success of Allday Project has caught the attention of industry insiders. Music critic Lim Hee-yun notes that while co-ed groups peaked in the 1990s era of dance music when public exposure relied heavily on broadcast TV, today’s multi-platform world focuses on passionate engagement through social media. However, Lim believes The Black Label might be tapping into a different niche: “This could be a long-term play aimed at audiences who like K-pop performance and music — not necessarily those who just want to stan a particular idol. If they execute it well, it could spark a new conversation.”
An industry insider from a major agency expressed cautious optimism: “It’s not really about whether there have been coed groups or not. These members, regardless of their debut year or gender, have strong individuality. That’s what’s interesting.” The official added, “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 coed groups to shine again, too.”
The Members: A Powerful Quintet
Allday Project consists of five members: Annie, Tarzzan, Bailey, Woochan, and Youngseo, each bringing unique experiences to the group. Annie is noted for her prestigious family background and prior work as a model and influencer. Tarzzan is a model and performer with strong dance and visual credentials, having appeared in music videos for NewJeans and (G)I-DLE.
Bailey is a prodigy, contributing to the choreography of viral hits for aespa and Red Velvet. Woochan gained fame as the youngest contestant on Show Me The Money and was part of HYBE’s Trainee A project. Youngseo, the group’s youngest member, previously trained under top labels like SM Entertainment and Source Music.
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Korean netizens have reacted with strong praise, with comments like “Teddy’s still got it after 20 years…” and “The song is seriously well made.” Many expressed surprise that a co-ed group achieved such success, indicating a shift in perceptions.
Allday Project is solidifying its place as a “monster fifth-generation rookie group,” and its successful debut marks an exciting new chapter for co-ed groups in the K-pop industry.
