Lngshot: How Jay Park’s Newest Rookies Are Calling Their Own Shots

There’s a specific kind of electricity that hums around a debut. It’s that “long shot” energy — the gamble, the grit, and the sudden realization that the underdog might just own the room. That is precisely the vibe that Lngshot — the fresh-faced collective stepping out under Jay Park’s entertainment agency, More Vision, as its first K-pop boy band — is bringing.

Lngshot isn’t your typical manufactured idol unit, but a crew that was destined to cross paths. The quartet comprising Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin, and Louis officially debuted on January 13, 2026, with their EP Shot Callers and the lead single “Moonwalkin.” And while their song “Saucin” was their big pre-debut introduction in December 2025, the January date marks their official entry as a Billboard Korea rookie of the month for February. Riding that moment and catching up with Rolling Stone India, the boys talk about how the journey began, their mentor, and why they’re more interested in “genuine fun” than playing it safe or following a set formula.

The road to Lngshot was different for everyone, and each member of the group has a story to tell. For Ryul, it started on Korea’s biggest rap battleground, Show Me the Money. Ohyul transitioned from another agency, while Woojin took a leap of faith, applying directly via email. Louis completed the lineup through a traditional audition process.

“We all kind of found each other very naturally, so it feels like it was meant to be, almost like our destiny,” Ryul says. But being handpicked by an icon like Jay Park brings its own weight. “It means a lot, a lot of pressure, a lot of expectations, and a lot of responsibility. Our CEO is someone we deeply respect as an artist, but even more as a person. We learn a lot from him, not only about being an artist but also about being a humble person.”

That mentorship turned these individuals into a family who spent their pre-debut months stripping away the expectations to find something real. And so, they needed a track that captured the hungry, high-energy transition from trainees to “shot callers.” That moment arrived with “Saucin.” More than a song, “Saucin” is a mood setter for the band’s identity. It’s unabashed, rhythmic, and unapologetically oozing hip-hop. Ohyul reveals that the secret ingredient was not a complex formula but rather a simple piece of advice from Jay Park: “It only looks cool if you are genuinely enjoying yourselves.”

“Saucin” is a loud declaration of that as much as a way of saying they know who they are. “Our essence is authenticity and just having fun,” Ohyul highlights. “And we think our music reflects that. We wanted to start our debut with a bold song like ‘Saucin’ because we thought it best captured the essence of Lngshot.” Elaborating on that, Woojin adds that during the recording, the booth wasn’t one of rigid takes, but more about the vibe. “When we were recording ‘Saucin,’ we freestyled a lot of the ad-libs, and, more importantly, we had fun. The song was an introduction to not just our music, but Lngshot.”

In an industry obsessed with success strategies, Lngshot is keeping it grounded. When asked about their plan for carving out a space in the crowded K-pop scene, Ohyul is refreshingly honest: “It’s only been our first album, so we can’t say we know the blueprint for success. But we can say that we always put in our honest and hard work and hope the results reflect that. We will continue to make music we feel is genuine and authentic to ourselves.”

This blueprint (or lack thereof) is built on a simple idea: let the music do the heavy lifting. It’s how they want the world to see them. “As a group, we want to create music that people listen to because the song is genuinely good, not because they like Lngshot,” Woojin asserts. “We all had a different path to meet together as a group, so it’s a mix of different styles and themes. So, we hope that there is a story or message for all fans to connect with us.”

That’s essentially why their debut album, Shot Callers, feels like it has a song for every headspace. From the smooth opening of “Backseat,” rooted in the golden era of hip-hop, to the aggressive energy of “Saucin,” the album covers a lot of ground. “Moonwalkin” keeps that confidence high, while “FaceTime” brings a soulful R&B feel. The EP closes on a softer note with “Never Let Go,” which hits a more emotional chord. In Woojin’s words, “There is a song for people who just want to relax, as well as songs for people to get hyped up to.”

But variety aside, the group is most focused on the heart behind the music. As Louis says, “It’s an honor and a privilege knowing that our songs can positively impact our listeners.” That sense of responsibility is also what’s driving Lngshot’s next move—from the quiet of the studio to the roar of a live stage. Ohyul shares that for him, the biggest thrill is in “seeing how fans respond” and feeling their support. Ryul, in a similar vein, notes, “This year, we really want to be able to host our own concert, a setlist made entirely of our songs. That is our biggest goal.”