NAZE Confirms May Debut: C9 Entertainment Launches First Boy Group in 5 Years

C9 Entertainment is ending its boy group drought. NAZE (네이즈), the agency's first male act since CIX debuted in 2019, has confirmed a May 2026 launch, closing out more than five years of silence from one of K-pop's steadier independent labels.

The announcement came in the most cinematic way possible: through the final episode of Dream Stage, the TBS Friday drama the seven members have starred in since January 2026. As the finale rolled credits on March 6, a single title card appeared: "NAZE official debut in May." The group followed it the same day with a visual mood film dropped across official social media, confirming the news was real.

Seven Members, One Mission

NAZE is made up of Ato (leader), Kaisei, Younki, Yuya, Kimkun, Dohyeok, and Turn. The group is multinational, reflecting C9's intentional push toward a global audience from day one. Their name spells out "New Adventure's Zestyfull Echo" and their group greeting is as clean as it gets: "Hello, we are NAZE."

Before a single debut single drops, these seven have already logged serious pre-debut work. Dream Stage ran weekly on TBS, a prime-time Japanese terrestrial network, giving NAZE exposure to one of Asia's most competitive media markets. Alongside the drama, the group released a run of OSTs including "Wanderlust" (November 2025), "BABYBOO" (January 17, 2026), "Little Star" (February 14, 2026), and "Isn't She Lovely?" That's four pre-debut tracks, each one building the catalog before the official chapter begins.

The group also completed a showcase tour in Japan linked to the drama, performing at live venues and doing press rounds with 19 major Japanese media outlets. That kind of pre-debut groundwork is not standard. Most groups get a handful of teasers and a debut date. NAZE got a television arc.

Why the Five-Year Gap Matters

CIX debuted on July 23, 2019, and built a solid international fanbase over the years that followed. That C9 waited five-plus years before launching another boy group says something deliberate about how the label operates. This is not a factory-line company. NAZE has been in development since at least April 2024, when C9 first announced the project publicly. More than a year of preparation followed before the group even appeared on a television screen.

C9's roster includes CIX, girl group cignature, and soloists Younha and Lee Seok Hoon. The label has not been in a rush. That measured pace is the bet NAZE's debut is built on.

2026's Rookie Landscape Is Crowded. NAZE Has a Head Start.

This year has brought a wave of new boy groups. The competition for attention in the debut quarter is real. What separates NAZE is the Japan-first strategy. While most rookie groups are still building basic name recognition, NAZE is entering their official debut with an existing fanbase in one of K-pop's most commercially valuable markets, a drama credit, a showcase tour on their resume, and four OSTs in circulation.

C9 stated officially: "NAZE has decided to debut in May and is stepping up preparations. Based on the growth narrative accumulated through multidirectional promotions, we will show high-quality results. We ask for your anticipation and interest in NAZE's full-fledged move."

The exact debut date has not been confirmed. What comes next: watch for comeback concept photos, pre-debut singles, and the official fan club rollout as May approaches.