KEYVITUP Return With Hopeful Second EP NA-GARI

South Korean boy group KEYVITUP have returned with their second EP, NA-GARI, released on 9 November through Sony Music Korea. Arriving only months after their self-titled debut EP, the five-track release finds the young group experimenting with different musical styles while continuing to develop their identity.

Consisting of Taehwan, Hyunmin, Sena, Jaein and Rukia, KEYVITUP are managed by iNKODE Entertainment, the company founded by singer and actor Kim Jaejoong, who also oversees the group’s creative direction. Having someone with Jaejoong’s experience involved in their development is certainly an advantage, although the five members will ultimately have to establish their own place in K-pop, something they have been working towards since their debut earlier this year.

The title NA-GARI comes from the Korean expression nagari (나가리), a word originally associated with hwatu, a traditional Korean card game, in which a round can end without a winner. Over time, the expression has also come to describe situations where plans fall through or efforts amount to nothing. KEYVITUP have taken that rather discouraging meaning and given it a more hopeful interpretation, motivating us to accept that things do not always go as planned and that starting again can sometimes be the best way forward.

One has to admit that it is an interesting idea for a rookie group to explore; for KEYVITUP, NA-GARI appears to be as much about developing confidence in their own decisions as it is about dealing with disappointment.

The five songs on the EP explore different moods and experiences, beginning with “CHEMISTRY”, which celebrates the members’ differences and the connection they have developed as a group. The title track, “NAGARI”, is more rebellious in its outlook, encouraging us to question expectations, make our own choices and refuse to be discouraged when something goes wrong. The visual interpretation of the track has also been released, giving fans their first opportunity to see how the group has approached the song through its imagery.

“TA”, on the other hand, deals with ambition and the determination to keep moving forward, while “ALRIGHT” turns its attention to the excitement of a new romance and the pleasure of enjoying life without worrying too much about other people’s opinions. The EP closes with “LOVE ME DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE”, a more vulnerable song about wanting affection and fearing the possibility of being left behind. Together, the tracks give us a great mixture of youthful ambition and more personal feelings.

KEYVITUP made their official debut on 8 April 2026 with the EP KEYVITUP, whose title track introduced the group’s confident approach to performing and featured lyrics written with contributions from all five members. Their first year has already included an appearance at KCON LA 2026, where they had the opportunity to introduce themselves to American audiences, alongside promotional activities with iHeartRadio and hello82. More recently, on 17 October, the members attended the K-POP Cover Dance Festival World Final at Seoul Plaza, surprising the audience with a dance challenge for one of their forthcoming songs.

The preparations for NA-GARI have also been shared through KVP Cloud, a behind-the-scenes series documenting the work that went into the EP. The group has also created a dedicated “NAGARI” social media account and an interactive campaign called Escape Route Search, extending the album’s concept into their promotional activities.

There is, of course, a great deal of pressure on newly debuted K-pop groups to establish themselves quickly, especially when they are associated with a well-known artist such as Kim Jaejoong. His experience and involvement will undoubtedly attract attention, but KEYVITUP’s future will depend on how successfully the five members develop their own musical character and relationships with listeners.

With two EPs released within their first year, the group has already begun building a catalogue that explores different sides of their personalities and musical interests. NA-GARI is an encouraging continuation of that work, and its main message feels appropriate for five young performers at the beginning of what they hope will be a long career: not everything will go according to plan, but there is always another opportunity to try again.

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}