EPEX returns with a new chapter in their emotionally charged Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY. This highly anticipated follow-up to Youth Chapter 1: YOUTH DAYS, released in April 2024, continues the exploration of youth’s struggles and triumphs, diving deeper into the complexities of growing up, embracing imperfections, and confronting the inner challenges of adolescence.

Building on the success of their first album, which tackled themes of juvenile love, vulnerability, and personal growth, Youth Chapter 2 brings even more intimacy and authenticity. The album highlights the liberating realization that no one is perfect, and facing life’s challenges is essential to building strength and maturity.

“We worked hard to make a better album, to show EPEX’s growth, and to empathize with all the listeners,” says KEUM, a member of EPEX. “We wanted to create a stage with our color, focusing not only on performance but on delicate expressions to convey the message we want. Please look forward to the second story of youth by EPEX.”

The album’s centerpiece, “UNIVERSE,” is an electrifying track with a shuffle beat and a straightforward melody. It encapsulates the intense feeling of dedicating yourself to someone special, making them the center of your world. This heartfelt song invites listeners into a sonic universe where love, longing, and connection intertwine. Each of the album's eight tracks presents a unique exploration of youthful emotion, frailty, and perseverance.

“My Girl,” the album’s pre-release track, is a smooth and groovy R&B song about the sweet, awkward moments of falling in love and the bravery it takes to open your heart. “1997 (낭만소녀)” portrays an elusive girl who captivates with her mystery, while “It is what it is” delivers a refreshing message of self-acceptance—an anthem for those who feel the weight of expectation and imperfection.

One of the album’s most reflective pieces, “Attosecond,” is an electronic-driven track that speaks to the transience of youth, encapsulating the bittersweet feeling that time slips away faster than we can hold on to it. It explores the delicate balance between cherishing the moment and realizing that each fleeting second contributes to personal growth.

Other standout tracks include “Wonderful (경이로운 일상),” a drum and bass-infused anthem celebrating the small yet miraculous moments in life, and “Closer (잃어버린 것들에 대하여)” which reflects on the loss and inevitable regret that accompany youth, but ultimately speaks to the strength gained from embracing these experiences in order to let it go. The album’s closing track, “Loner,” offers solace and reminds listeners that even in solitude, we are never truly alone.

“We truly carry our sincerity in this album,” says MU. “It expresses ‘EPEX at the current moment,’ and I believe this album will provide solace to listeners in their youth. We’ll continue to grow with gratitude to our fans who always support us. Thank you.”

Known for their impressive vocal harmonies, intricate performances, and deep connection with fans, the eight-member group from C9 Entertainment is taking listeners on a transformative journey with Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY. Their ability to channel universal emotions of love, loss, and personal growth makes them one of the most exciting new groups in K-Pop today.

Introducing EPEX: The Voices Behind the Music

AYDEN opens the album with a powerful line: “Desperate feeling, I’m determined to throw myself in.” This universal verse speaks to the moment we all face when we're ready to dive into the unknown—whether it’s love, challenges, or self-discovery. His voice sets the tone for the album’s exploration of raw emotions and the courage it takes to leap into uncertainty.

BAEKSEUNG delivers a pivotal line in “UNIVERSE,” “Even all the incomplete breath, yeah.” This suggests that love isn’t about achieving perfection but about learning and maturing through experience.

While WISH, as the group’s leader, captures the unpredictable essence of love through lines in the song, “Drawn without knowing the reason, it’s just clear” and “Stronger and thicker, this overwhelming feeling.” His delivery emphasizes love’s irrational and often inexplicable nature.

MU symbolizes love’s transformative power in “UNIVERSE,” especially in the line, “I’ll take you to my universe.” In this track, he metaphorically opens a door to a new world, one full of excitement and endless possibilities, representing the exploration of love’s new reality.

YEWANG repeats, “Get closer, the reason for this choice,” emphasizing that love is not just an emotional experience but a conscious decision to make someone the center of your world. His voice reflects the yearning for connection that accompanies love in “UNIVERSE.”

KEUM sings, “Please be my beginning and end, You’re the sole being,” symbolizing the cyclical nature of love in the track. His voice anchors the deeper philosophical themes of relationships and how love shapes one’s journey.

JEFF sings in the post-chorus, “Getting you back in the middle of a collapsed world,” symbolizing the perseverance required in love. This line reflects how love helps us find our way even in moments of chaos and struggle.

A-MIN explores love’s complexities in lines like, “A long shadow is chasing, As soon as it consumes me, I swallow the light that is you.” This symbolizes how love endures and transforms, growing stronger through obstacles.

About EPEX

EPEX is an eight-member boy group formed by C9 Entertainment, consisting of WISH, KEUM, MU, A-MIN, BAEKSEUNG, AYDEN, YEWANG, and JEFF. Since their debut in 2021, they have captivated audiences with their dynamic sound and authentic storytelling. Known for their powerful performances and emotional depth, EPEX continues to rise as one of K-Pop’s most exciting groups. With Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY, they solidified their place as global super rookies, expanding their reach and connecting with fans worldwide.

Stream Youth Chapter 2: YOUTH DEFICIENCY today and share how you can relate to the album’s exploration of falling in love in the comments below or on Instagram or X.

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Edited by Azat Jumadurdyyev