NOWZ is playing to win. Cube Entertainment’s five-member unit—Hyeonbin, Yoon, Yeonwoo, Jinhyuk, and Siyun—first arrived in April 2024 as Nowadays, the label’s first new boy group since the influential group Pentagon. And early on, their promise was clear: sharp performance, quick chemistry, and a dedicated fanbase with potential to grow fast.

A little over a year later, they reintroduced themselves as NOWZ in June 2025 with a tighter look and focus. In July, the first mini-album IGNITION followed, featuring production support from i-dle’s YUQI and a title track built for bigger hooks and cleaner lines, matched by choreography that effortlessly clicked on camera. Because of that, it felt like the group (and fans) received a proper creative reset as oposed to a new logo or stylistic name change.

[Play Ball], their third single album, officially pushes that momentum forward by borrowing the language of baseball and turning it into a youth-focused story. Pressure rises. You step up. You swing. Across the single, the members’ lyrics lean into a run-and-recover rhythm, pushing forward even when they stumble. And the group’s title track, “HomeRUN,” captures this exact decisive moment with a heavy drop, hard-charging rap, and a chant built for crowds.

Sure, the frame is athletic, but the intent is much broader. [Play Ball] is essentially a focused follow-through that takes the field with more tenacity and a better read on the game.

You've framed [Play Ball] as a baseball match of youth. What moment from your own lives best matches the feeling of stepping into the batter's box with two outs and the pressure on?

YOON: I think it was when we were preparing for the performance of ‘HomeRUN’. The choreography this time is very powerful and full of fast moves, so I was honestly worried whether I can really pull it off. With that pressure, I pushed myself to work even harder, and with the support of members, I was able to overcome it and prepare a good performance. Please look forward to our amazing stage full of such great performances!

JINHYUK: I recall the time when we were first recording our first mini album [IGNITION]. It was our first release after rebranding as NOWZ, and it was also our first mini album, so I really wanted to show a complete and perfect version of ourselves. Because of that, I felt a lot of pressure, like stepping up to the batter’s box with two outs in a big game.

“HomeRUN” is such a strong track, and it feels super-charged. What new skill or approach did you need for the song, and where do you hear or see that growth most clearly?

HYEONBIN: Our new track blends a baseball concept with hip-hop elements. We wanted to express themes of youth, including worries, determination, and passion, while matching them with the energy of hip-hop. I think you will feel the concept most clearly in the final chorus, so I hope you can pay special attention to that part.

YEONWOO: We worked hard to deliver our energy through an upgraded performance. While practicing, we focused on making sure you could feel a powerful burst of energy from this performance, and during that process, I often felt that we had gone beyond our limits.

JINHYUK and SIYUN took part in writing lyrics for the tracks. What did they focus on the most while working on the lyrics, and is there any message they hope listeners will pay special attention to?

JINHYUK: In the title track ‘HomeRUN’, we likened ourselves to players in a baseball game. The song carries our ambition to keep moving forward and eventually reach the top, so I hope you can enjoy that message while listening.

SIYUN: I took part in writing the lyrics for the track ‘GET BUCK’. I focused on expressing our passion and confidence that we will become the best, and I hope you can feel that energy through the lyrics. It would be great if you could look out for those moments in the song.

Visually, what would you say is the key to making a sports concept feel fresh—uniform styling, camera language, or choreography motifs?

YOON: Since 'HomeRUN' is a song with a baseball concept, there are choreographies inspired by baseball moves. I think you will enjoy the performance even more if you watch it while looking for those baseball-themed elements.

YEONWOO: I think our styling of wearing uniforms is a fresh and exciting element. Even with the same uniform, the vibe can change completely depending on how it is styled and expressed. Creating new looks from the same uniform is what makes the sports concept feel refreshing and unique.

[IGNITION] marked a new chapter after the rebrand. What did you carry over from that era, and what did you deliberately bench for [Play Ball]?

HYEONBIN: From [IGNITION] to our latest release [Play Ball], I believe what connects them is the characteristic and identity of NOWZ. We have consistently tried to express the unique identity that only we have. We plan to keep developing that identity so it remains strong in our music going forward.

SIYUN: I think this album is connected to our previous releases in the sense that it also explores passion toward our dreams. However, the difference is that this time we wanted to go a step further and focus on the feeling of achievement. That shift in perspective is what sets this album apart.

If each member is a field position, who clearly plays shortstop, who's the closer, and who's the catcher?

YOON: I think HYEONBIN, as our leader, fits the shortstop position the best. YEONWOO, who is our "ace," feels perfect for the pitcher role. JINHYUK is always reliable and someone we can trust, so I think he matches well with the catcher position. As for SIYUN and me, please see us as the powerful clutch hitters who can make a big impact when it matters.

SIYUN: I think YEONWOO fits the shortstop position well because he leads the team during our choreography practices. For catcher, HYEONBIN is perfect since he is a warm leader and keeps the team centered. JINHYUK and I would be the hitters in the cleanup lineup who can deliver big moments, and YOON would be the table-setter who uses quick decision-making to shift the flow of the game.

For the performance, what's the signature move fans should learn ahead of music-show stages—and how does it tie to the baseball narrative?

YEONWOO: There are movements throughout the choreography that mimic hitting a home run. I think the final chorus might be the most memorable part of the performance, so I hope you pay special attention to that section.

JINHYUK: There is a key part of the dance where we pose like a batter at the plate and swing as if we are holding a bat, matching the song title and the lyric ‘HomeRUN'. It is not difficult and feels very easy to follow, so I think fans will understand it right away when they see it.

In closing, youth stories often include setbacks. Was there a recent “strikeout” that ultimately pushed the team forward creatively?

HYEONBIN: I feel like the moment of ‘strikeout’ has not come for us yet. I believe this album will be another chance for NOWZ to hit a ‘HomeRUN’. We don’t really think in terms of failure. We just focus on doing our best every time.

JINHYUK: I would not say we have had a "strikeout" moment, but I do take time to reflect and reset myself. Watching concert videos of amazing idol sunbaenims has helped me strengthen my determination again. There are still many things I have not achieved yet, and I have a strong desire to accomplish all of them!