The 4th Generation G.O.A.T.s of K-pop, P1Harmony, Return with Their 8th Mini Album DUH! — and It Was Worth the Wait.
Known as the all-rounder kings of K-pop’s 4th generation, members Jiung, Intak, Jongseob, Keeho, Soul, and Theo return stronger than ever with six new tracks that showcase their growth, swagger, and artistry.
More confident and self-assured than ever, the group leans into themes of boldness and self-love across this project. From the 90s-inspired, hip-hop-leaning title track “DUH!” to the shimmering 2010s dance-pop sound of “Flashy,” P1Harmony shows their range with ease. Members also contributed to the writing and composition of the album.
“We’re always thinking about how our songs will translate to a live performance,” Jiung shared with The Knockturnal. “So with ‘Flashy,’ I focused on how each member could shine individually while also coming together to create something that really resonates and represents P1Harmony.”
And represent P1Harmony, these songs do.
The title track “DUH!” is bold and brimming with attitude, featuring lyrics that reflect the group’s confidence and perseverance as a self-assured act that has come into its own. Lines like, “You never paid attention to our stage, bet you’re shocked now, huh?” and “You already know who it is, not gonna repeat myself” speak volumes about their mindset they have going into this new era.
Keeho told The Knockturnal, “It’s really about breaking the norm and that stigma that we really wanted to show.”
The music video for “DUH!” leans heavily into a nostalgic aesthetic, from flaming cars to retro nods like a Nintendo DS-style photo filter. Dressed in ‘plain white tees,’ the six members exude charisma as they bring their newest era to life.
Each track on the album is instantly recognizable as P1Harmony, even as they explore a wide sonic range—from R&B and hip-hop fusions to reggaeton-infused bangers. Intak’s favorite track, “Pretty Boy,” is a prime example of how they balance versatility with identity.
The track “Murmur” also stands out as another confident anthem, this time with a groovier, more laid-back vibe. It carries the same empowering message, addressing something not often explored in K-pop—calling out those who speak negatively about them, while brushing it off with the message that the haters don’t faze them.
Continuing their superhero-themed narrative, this concept highlights each member’s unique talents and confident energy. The pre-release trailer, A Hero Should Be Heroic, set the stage for the comeback by challenging conventional expectations.
Keeho explained: “I think that applies to anything—like ‘performers should be performing’—those kinds of stereotypical frames people put you in just because of your job or the label you have, and the way you’re perceived. We really wanted to break that down and show that even though we’re called heroes and people expect us to be heroic, we can actually do whatever we want. We have that ability because we’re confident, and we know that whatever we do, it’ll translate, it’ll deliver. Even though there’s that stigma, it doesn’t bother or faze us at all.”
As P1Harmony confidently steps into their newest era, The Knockturnal had the opportunity to sit down with the group to talk all things DUH!, from the evolution of their superhero concept to their newest confidence anthems—and even their updated superhero powers.
Check out the full video interview here or read the full conversation below!
THE KNOCKTURNAL: P1HARMONY — It’s so great to chat with you all again! You’re back with your 8th mini-album, DUH!, and it’s shaping up to be P1Harmony’s official Brat Summer.
Let’s start with “DUH!” This is your 8th mini-album, and while you stay true to your signature sound, there’s always something fresh and evolved in each release. One fun detail I noticed is how “DUH” sounds like “plus” in Korean, which ties back to the lyrics. Were there any other easter eggs or special touches in this comeback that fans might’ve missed?
KEEHO: That wasn’t actually something we were going for, but the fact that you brought it up is kind of crazy because it really does sound similar. Because we are “Plus One Harmony,” it kind of makes sense! Sometimes we see fans on social media coming up with their own theories about things we included in the album. Sometimes those ideas make sense even though they weren’t things we originally intended. We’re cool to take credit for it as long as we don’t confirm or deny. Let’s just roll with it!
THE KNOCKTURNAL: “DUH!” and “Murmur” both have a 90s-inspired R&B and hip-hop feel. How would you describe the concept behind this album’s sound? What was P1Harmony trying to achieve?
JONGSEOB: “Murmur” and our title track, “DUH!”, we took a lot of inspiration from ’90s hip-hop and old-school sounds. But overall, this album has been much more experimental for us compared to our previous albums.
KEEHO: We would describe this mini album as a big learning stone, especially musically. It represents how we’re trying to switch things up and hopefully want to continue to experiment more. We say it’s experimental, but he hopes to be even more experimental moving forward. Hopefully, this will be more of a pivot, to kind of not stick to the things that were comfortable with. Definitely experimental would be one of the words we would use to describe the concept and music of this album.
THE KNOCKTURNAL: Visually, this mini-album is a total feast. The “A Hero Should Be Heroic” trailer had so many fun references, including nods to your powers from your movie. What was the process like bringing that visual concept to life? Were there any fun behind-the-scenes moments or creative ideas you were especially excited about?
KEEHO: The hero concept has been a recurring theme ever since we debuted. We really wanted to keep showing that visually, because it makes things more interesting and fun. Sometimes music visuals can feel too serious or heavy, so we try to use the hero concept to not only show our team’s artistic vision but to bring life and have a little bit of fun with it.
In the trailer specifically, we tried to give kudos to our pre-debut movie and bring back a little bit of our “superpowers.” You can see those Easter eggs in that video. It was very, very fun to bring it out, and we’re really excited to see fans picking up on those details. We really want to continue expanding that moving forward.
THE KNOCKTURNAL: Let’s talk about the title of the trailer to this comeback, “A Hero Should Be Heroic.” What does that phrase mean to you personally? And how does it tie into the idea of the “Hero Society” that you’re part of? Can you tell us more about that world?
KEEHO: I was a part of creating the concept and the storymaking, and we really wanted to fix our attention and perspective on the idea that a hero should be heroic. I think that applies to anything—like ‘performers should be performing’—those kinds of stereotypical frames people put you in just because of your job or the label you have. And the way you’re perceived. You know, we really wanted to break that down and show that even though we’re called heroes and people expect us to be heroic, we can actually do whatever we want.
We have that ability because we’re confident, and we know that whatever we do, it’ll translate, it’ll deliver. Even though there’s that stigma, it doesn’t bother or phase us at all.
That can be a metaphor for just our everyday lives, hence the title being “DUH!” as well. We wanted to show a lot of confidence in this song. It’s basically like, ‘Oh P1Harmony is so cool and awesome…,’ We already knew that, it’s obvious to us— ’duh’ obviously we’re cool.
It’s kind of almost conceited in a cocky way that were cool but still saying it with with our chests. It’s really about breaking the norm and that stigma that we really wanted to show.
THE KNOCKTURNAL: You’ve all been working so hard, and it shows—not just in performance but in the music itself. Jiung, Intak, and Jongseob contributed to writing, while Keeho, Jiung, and Jongseob helped compose. How has your creative process grown as songwriters and producers since your debut? What are you particularly proud of this time around, specific songs or compositions?
JIUNG: For this album, I took a lot of initiative in writing many of the songs, but one that I really took the lead on and created myself is “Flashy.” When I was working on it, I was thinking a lot about what P1Harmony could perform on stage and what would really suit us and help us shine. We’re always thinking about how our songs will translate to a live performance, so with “Flashy,” I focused on how each member could shine individually, but also come together to create something that really resonates and represents P1Harmony. As we continue to create new songs, we’re always keeping that in mind, constantly evolving. And in the upcoming albums, I hope we can continue to include songs that we specifically made ourselves—songs that really scream P1Harmony.
THE KNOCKTURNAL: Across all six tracks, there’s a great range—from the bold confidence and message to the haters behind “Murmur” to the high-energy dance-pop of “Flashy.” Which track is each member’s personal favorite, and which song do you keep playing “Over and Over”?
SOUL: “Work” would be my favorite. It gives me good vibes.
INTAK: “Pretty Boy.” That song is good because of the rhythm. Straight off the bat, the rhythm is something you want to dance to. I was also deeply involved with the choreography making, it was a really fun process.
THEO: “Work” because it’s not a genre I personally listen to a lot. I wasn’t sure at first if he could pull it off or make it my own, but he saw it as a great opportunity to try something new and broaden my horizons. I ended up having a lot of fun recording it.
THE KNOCKTURNAL: Let’s throw in a fun one: since this era is all about heroes, if you could have any superpower—silly or serious—what would it be? From waking up fully dressed to shooting webs, anything goes!
THEO: Being able to get ready in one second.
KEEHO: I think… unlimited money. I’m playing, I’m playing. Not needing sleep. Never feeling tired, I feel like that would be so good. I’m a sleeper, and I love sleep, and if I don’t get it, I’m not a good person. But if I didn’t need sleep, perfect.
JONGSEOB: I have one too, and it’s a little similar to KEEHO’s power. Perfect condition, always. 365. 24/7. Always perfect.
JIUNG: Automatic translation.
INTAK: Super speed. Like the Flash. I could just go anywhere I want, as fast as I want.
SOUL: I would want to have 6 arms. I would be able to do a lot of things at one time!
THE KNOCKTURNAL: Lastly, let’s close with a message to your fans. What would you like to say directly to the fans and readers supporting you?
KEEHO: I would just say, we’re back from—I would say—a pretty long break. It’s been 8 months since our last mini album, so we’re back and ready to hit hard. I think we’ve matured a lot as people and as a group, so we’re really trying to look at this new promotion, this new album, in a different perspective.
We really hope our fans are sticking with us, and we can’t wait to create new memories with you guys. Please stay healthy and please enjoy “DUH!”—hopefully, you guys can manifest the confidence that we’re singing in these songs into your own lives, and this year, we can all be confident and just love ourselves.
Photo Credit: FNC Entertainment
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