OMG You Guys, TWS Just Won the 5th Gen Cover Game
Okay, so I was doing my usual 3AM scroll through TheQoo (don’t judge me, it’s a lifestyle at this point) and I literally almost dropped my phone on my face. There is a post blowing up right now with over 10,000 views and the comments are absolutely feral. Why? Because our favorite ‘Plot Twist’ boys, TWS, just held their latest fanmeeting and decided to give us a literal history lesson in K-pop legends. I’m not even kidding, the setlist for their covers was so perfectly Gen-Z-meets-Classic that I’m still recovering. If you weren’t already a 42 (that’s their fandom name for the uninitiated!), you’re about to be after seeing these clips.
Everyone knows that TWS—Twenty-Four Seven with Us—has been the blueprint for that ‘refreshing’ schoolboy concept since they debuted. But seeing how much they’ve grown while still keeping that youthful energy is honestly making me so emotional. They didn’t just cover these songs; they lived them. From the sharp choreography of GFriend to the sheer charisma of EXO, it felt like they were paying homage to the idols they probably grew up watching on TV before they even became trainees.
“I am actually sobbing at my desk right now. The way they captured the GFriend ‘Rough’ vibe without making it look like a parody… TWS are the real deal, I’m telling you!” — User ‘TWS_Lover_99’ on TheQoo
The ‘Rough’ Cover That Had Everyone Sobbing
Let’s talk about the GFriend cover first because, honestly, it’s what’s taking over my Twitter timeline the most. ‘Rough’ (시간을 달려서) is basically the national anthem of ‘Power Innocence,’ and it’s notoriously hard to cover because the footwork is actually insane. But the way TWS handled it? I’m deceased. They kept that iconic school uniform aesthetic that we know and love from their own ‘Plot Twist’ era, but they added this layer of sophistication that just worked. Seeing Shinyu lead that formation made me realize just how much of a top-tier performer he’s become.
Actually, what killed me the most was the synchronization. GFriend was famous for being ‘knife-like’ with their choreo, and TWS matched that energy 100%. You can tell they spent hours in the practice room getting those angles right. It wasn’t just a fun fanmeeting moment; it was a statement. It’s like they were saying, ‘Yeah, we’re the refreshing kings, but we can also do the most difficult 3rd gen choreo in our sleep.’ If you haven’t seen the clip of the dance break yet, please go do yourself a favor and watch it right now. Your eyes will thank you.
Wait, Did They Really Just Do ‘Growl’?
If you thought the GFriend cover was a lot, hold onto your lightsticks because they also tackled EXO’s ‘Growl’ (으르렁). Look, covering ‘Growl’ is a rite of passage for every boy group, but it’s also a huge risk. It’s such a legendary song that if you don’t bring the right amount of swagger, it just feels… off. But TWS? They ate and left no crumbs. Dohoon, in particular, had this look in his eyes during the chorus that was so different from his usual cute self. It was giving main character energy, and I am here for it.
Imagine the scene: the lights go down, the iconic intro starts, and suddenly the ‘Plot Twist’ boys are transformed into these cool, street-style dancers. The fan reaction in the venue was so loud you could barely hear the music in some of the fancams. It reminds me of why we love K-pop in the first place—that transition from a bright, bubbly image to something a bit more intense. The comments on the viral X (formerly Twitter) threads are mostly just people keyboard smashing in all caps, and honestly? Same.
“Not TWS doing the Growl one-take style formation!! They really studied the source material. This is the best 5th gen cover of EXO I’ve seen in years.” — Twitter user @KpopStan
The Cutest Moment: ‘Cheer Up’ and ‘A-ing’
Just when we thought we could breathe, they hit us with the ultimate double-whammy of ‘Cheer Up’ by TWICE and ‘A-ing’ by Orange Caramel. If you don’t find these covers adorable, we literally can’t be friends. ‘A-ing’ is such a specific, quirky concept that only a few groups can pull off without it being cringey, but TWS leaned into the fun of it so well. Kyungmin was living his best life during the ‘A-ing’ part, and the fans were screaming so loud it was basically a stadium concert at that point.
Watching them do the ‘Shy Shy Shy’ part of ‘Cheer Up’ was the serotonin boost I didn’t know I needed today. It’s so refreshing to see a boy group not take themselves too seriously and just have fun with girl group songs. They didn’t try to make it ‘masculine’ or change the vibe—they just performed it with the same bright energy that TWICE did back in the day. It’s these moments that make fanmeetings so special, you know? It’s less about the perfect performance and more about the connection with the fans.
Why This is Blowing Up on Korean Communities
If you look at the TheQoo post (which has 81 comments and counting!), the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. Korean fans are really praising TWS for their versatility. A lot of people are pointing out that while TWS is known for their ‘Boyhood Pop’ genre, they have the technical skills to back it up. It’s not just about being pretty faces; these boys can actually dance and sing. One commenter mentioned that they felt like they were watching a year-end award show performance rather than just a fanmeeting segment.
So many people are saying that TWS is the only group right now that can bridge the gap between the nostalgia of the 2010s and the current vibe. They have this clean, polished image that reminds people of the ‘Golden Era’ of K-pop, but their TikTok-friendly moves and Gen-Z humor keep them feeling totally current. It’s a genius move by Pledis, honestly. By having them cover these specific songs, they’re appealing to both the younger fans and the ‘auntie’ fans who have been around since the 3rd gen.
“I wasn’t a fan before, but after seeing that ‘Rough’ cover, I might have to stan. Their lines are so clean!” — Anonymous TheQoo User
Jenny’s Hot Take: TWS is the Future of ‘Concept Kings’
Personally, I think this viral moment is exactly what TWS needed to solidify their spot at the top of the 5th gen hierarchy. We’re in an era where everyone is trying to be ‘dark’ or ‘edgy,’ but TWS stays winning by just being themselves—talented, hardworking, and incredibly charming. These covers proved that they aren’t a one-trick pony. They can handle the technicality of GFriend, the swagger of EXO, and the aegyo of Orange Caramel all in one night. That is range, sweetie!
Honestly, my favorite part of all of this isn’t even the dancing—it’s the way they look like they’re having the time of their lives. In an industry that can sometimes feel a bit manufactured, seeing Hanjin and Jihoon giggling during the ‘Cheer Up’ choreo feels so genuine. It makes me want to root for them even more. They aren’t just idols; they feel like those cool classmates you had in high school who just happened to be world-class performers. And today, that relatability is everything.
What’s Next for the Plot Twist Kings?
Following this fanmeeting, the buzz around their next comeback is already reaching a fever pitch. If they incorporate some of this ‘Power Innocence’ or ‘Street Swagger’ into their next album, I think it’s going to be a total game-changer. They’ve already mastered the ‘Boyhood’ vibe, so seeing them evolve into something slightly more mature—but still uniquely TWS—is going to be so exciting to watch. I’m already saving up for the next tour because if these covers are any indication, the full show is going to be legendary.
For now, I’m just going to keep these clips on loop until I pass out. If you haven’t checked out the links yet, stop what you’re doing and go watch the ‘Rough’ cover at least ten times. It will clear your skin and fix your credit score, I promise. TWS is really out here doing the most and I am 100% here for it. Let’s see if any other groups can match this energy this year, but honestly? The bar has been set pretty high.
What did you guys think of the covers? Did they do justice to EXO and GFriend, or are you still loyal to the originals? I think they totally killed it, but I want to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below and let’s talk about which member owned which cover. I’m still leaning towards Dohoon in ‘Growl’… but Shinyu in ‘Rough’ is a close second! 💄✨😱🔥
Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇
