How HIGHLIGHT Really Felt About Debuting With A New Name

Second-generation K-Pop group HIGHLIGHT officially made their long-awaited group comeback on March 11, their first comeback since releasing their EP Sunset on November 7, 2022.

On March 11, HIGHLIGHT released their fifth mini-album, Switch On, and to celebrate their comeback, the four members recently appeared on 1theK’s original series, IDDP.

For the interview, the group searched for information about themselves on the web and responded to trending posts, fans’ stories about them, their official profiles, and even scrolled through posts on popular online community boards such as TheQoo and Instiz.

The group also opened up about debuting under a new name after initially debuting under Cube Entertainment as BEAST (also stylized as B2ST) in 2009. In 2016, the BEAST members announced their decision to leave Cube Entertainment. The company maintained the copyright for the group’s name, leading the members to re-debut as HIGHLIGHT in 2017.

During the interview, the current HIGHLIGHT members were asked if they expected to do well after re-debuting under a new name, and they honestly replied that they didn’t.

Leader Doojoon clarified that even if they didn’t expect to do well with their new name, they were “just grateful” to be able to stand together on stage and perform for their fans again.

They revealed that maknae Dongwoon thought of the name “HIGHLIGHT,” though when reflecting on it now, he playfully admitted it was difficult to search.

Check out the full interview below!