In October 2024, SM Entertainment announced that member Seunghan would be leaving RIIZE, which sparked many concerns about his future. Fans didn’t have to wait any longer as it was announced in June that the idol would make his solo debut under the name Xnghan. There was another surprise: he wouldn’t be debuting alone, but launching a new artist brand called XngHan&Xoul with dancers Kyo Hong and Jang Yul. The two had made several appearances on his Instagram account, already sparking speculations before the announcement was made.
On the 31st of July, the group officially debuted, and the song definitely matched the feelings from the concept photo. From the beat to the tempo to the lyrics, it felt like the song had taken aspects of pop music and combined them with the dance genre, creating something fresh for K-Pop. The repetition of “I don’t wanna waste no time” in the chorus is fast-paced and catchy, using a unique tempo to create a sense of urgency that fits with the idea of making use of every second. Xnghan also proves his diversity as an idol, with strong and versatile vocals, but also shows a rough and authentic tone during the rap verse.
At points, it’s hard not to hear the similarities in vibes to RIIZE’s tracks, but Seunghan ensured his vocal tone emphasized it is a fresh start.
The accompanying video fits perfectly with the idea of a fresh start for Xnghan. It begins with the idol in the practice room, dancing and seemingly facing hardships, looking defeated until his teammates join him. They start dancing powerfully and in sync, almost acting like a shadow to Xnghan, appearing and disappearing at intervals. Intertwined with the strong showcase of the choreography, there are inserts of the three having fun and enjoying themselves. Whether riding bikes, cleaning cars, or drinking on the roof, the video epitomises the idea of youth and being carefree. It perfectly matches and fits with the title, emphasizing the notion of living life to the fullest.
Compared to other videos, the cinematography is much simpler, without the use of effects or CGI. Rather than looking lazy or rushed, it makes the video and message of the song seem more genuine and relatable, as if watching three friends living their best lives.
Although it was a single album, there was also a B-side track called “Heavenly Blue.” The electric instrumental at the start feels like the perfect way to follow on from “Waste No Time,” but it has a softer and more ballad feel compared to the title track. As the song progresses, the beat gets stronger and more prominent, without taking away from a whimsical aura from the music and softness from Xnghan’s vocals. The track is more focused on vocals, but the rap chorus ensures that fans know that he can do it all and make it seem effortless.
Xnghan has made a statement with “Waste No Time, “cementing himself as a true all-rounder. The addition of Kyo Hong and Jang Yul has created something fresh, giving fans a look at what to expect from the idol in the future.
“Waste No Time” is out now. XngHan can be found on Instagram here.
