The members of K-pop boy band TWS pose during a media showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

Kicking off the year with a bang through its January release "Plot Twist," HYBE Labels' boy band TWS is capping a stellar year with the release of its latest single, "Last Bell."

The single album, TWS' first in five months, was unveiled Monday during a media showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District. The six members — Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon and Kyungmin — took part in the event to share their thoughts behind the album and its creation.

"I'm so happy to stand before our fans once again before the year ends," Dohoon said.

Youngjae added, "This album serves as our chance to show another side of ourselves, so please do look forward."

The album features a total of three tracks — the title track "Last Bell," along with "Highlight" and "Comma." The lead single leans heavily on nostalgia, evoking emotions tied to school days — a signature theme for the group. Timed for Korea's winter graduation season, the members noted that it captures the "bittersweet anticipation of a boy on the cusp of leaving school behind."

TWS performs its latest single, "Last Bell," during a media showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

Jihoon, who was born in 2006 and is set to graduate high school this year, shared his emotional connection to the song.

"I cried when I first heard 'Last Bell,'" he said. "This year marked both the end of my teenage years and my debut with TWS. This is why the song is deeply personal to me and I've worked hard to make every performance feel like it's my last."

The song's concept was inspired by K-pop pioneers Seo Taiji and Boys' 1993 classic of the same name. According to TWS' label, Pledis Entertainment, their rendition retains only the original's theme of preparing a final celebration for someone special before graduation, offering an entirely new sound and perspective.

"Both versions share a mix of sadness and hope, but ours has a different charm," Youngjae explained. "We've infused 'Last Bell' with TWS' unique musical feels and even choreography."

Hanjin expressed his admiration for the original track.

"I was amazed by it," he said. "While preparing for this album, I studied Seo Taiji and Boys' iconic performances to better understand their impact."

Shinyu, the leader member of K-pop act TWS, poses during a media showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

Since their January debut, TWS has become one of K-pop's fastest-rising acts. Its debut track, "Plot Twist," topped major domestic music charts, followed by the success of lead single "If I'm S Can You Be My N," from the group's second mini-album.

The group has also achieved commercial success, with both albums selling over 500,000 copies each. At the 2024 MAMA Awards, TWS secured two rookie awards, cementing their status as one of the year's biggest new acts.

Reflecting on their rapid rise, Youngjae said the bandmates have grown closer through their shared journey. "Before debuting, we felt more like close friends," he said. "Through this year's activities so far, we've come to feel more like a family."

Members of K-pop boy band TWS pose during a media showcase at the Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

Despite the pressure of following up on their success, the members shared that they have chosen to focus on teamwork.

"Our previous albums did so well that there was pressure to match that success, but it motivated us to work harder and brought us closer together as a group," Shinyu noted.

As they embark on their final promotional activities of the year, the members say 2024 has been unforgettable. Dohoon described it as "a year of first encounters."

"We started the year by meeting so many new people," he said. "Now, we hope to show even more fans just how much we have to offer."