WayV and NCT member Xiaojun is hours away from his official solo debut, with his first mini album, “Hey, Somebody,” due out on October 26 at noon KST, and a newly unveiled music video photo adding to the final countdown.
The five-track mini album will include both Chinese and English versions of the title track of the same name, according to SM Entertainment as reported by multiple outlets. The title song is a mid-tempo track built around energetic drum beats, groovy piano, nylon-string guitar and a rhythmic bass line, with lyrics that trace a journey from feeling like a “nobody” to becoming a “somebody,” centered on self-discovery and recognizing one’s own worth.
Xiaojun’s vocals are expected to bring a brighter, more playful quality to the title track, marking a different approach from the performances he has delivered as a member of WayV. The choreography will reflect the song’s theatrical direction, combining musical-style sequences with relaxed dance movements performed alongside his dancers, and Xiaojun himself contributed ideas to parts of the choreography, adding a personal touch to the performance.
The rest of the album shows off his work as a songwriter as well as a performer. “Sky High” blends a fresh guitar sound with a bright, mid-tempo R&B groove, and Xiaojun took part in writing and composing it, with warm lyrics about the happiness of moments spent with someone precious and the desire to go even farther together. “You in My Eyes (Wave)” is an emotional ballad blending lush strings, piano and acoustic guitar, with lyrics written by Xiaojun carrying an encouraging message that the listener shines brightly just as they are.
Another ballad, “A Love Letter to Time (To Us),” uses understated guitar sounds and delicate vocals to sing of memories from awkward days and heartfelt words left unsaid. Taken together, the five tracks frame the solo debut as a showcase of Xiaojun’s musical sensibility and songwriting, rather than a single-title-song release, with the Chinese and English versions of the title track bookending a set of songs he helped shape.
The album’s concept was introduced through an intro film released on WayV’s official YouTube channel at midnight KST on October 19. The film alternates between scenes of people finding comfort in different ways and Xiaojun playing the piano and singing, with his music serving as the connecting element between the characters’ individual experiences and reinforcing the album’s themes of reassurance and emotional connection.
Xiaojun’s solo debut comes after years of group and collaborative work. He was introduced as a member of SM Rookies in July 2018 and debuted with WayV, the China-based unit of NCT managed by Label V, on January 17, 2019, with the debut extended play “The Vision.” He later made his NCT U debut on “Make A Wish (Birthday Song)” in 2020 and debuted in WayV’s first sub-unit, WayV-KUN&XIAOJUN, on June 16, 2021, with the debut single “Back To You.” He has also released collaborations, featured on other artists’ music and recorded drama soundtracks, but “Hey, Somebody” marks his first solo album.
A teaser for the English-language version of the music video was also shared ahead of release, following the intro film and mood sampler that rolled out earlier in the countdown. The physical edition of the mini album is also set for release on October 26, according to Aju Press.
Before this solo debut, Xiaojun’s individual releases included the 2020 collaboration “I’ll Be There” with Super Junior-M’s Zhou Mi and fellow WayV member Kun, and the 2024 single “To My Friend.” Those releases, alongside his group and sub-unit work, trace a gradual path toward a full solo project rather than a sudden change of direction.
The release also arrives while WayV continues its third concert tour, “2026 WayV CONCERT TOUR [BORN THIS Way],” which has already taken the group through Seoul, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Changsha, Xiamen and Guangzhou, with further stops including Beijing, Shanghai and Yokohama still to come. With the album due at noon KST today, the solo debut now moves from teaser films and photos to the music itself.
