JO1 Releases New Single ‘WHATCHA DOIN’’ From Upcoming English EP

JO1’s “WHATCHA DOIN'”

LAPONE Entertainment

JO1 released their newest single, “WHATCHA DOIN’,” on Friday, from their upcoming all-English EP, ANIMAL.

“WHATCHA DOIN’” is an uptempo dance pop song about hollering at the person you’re interested in. The music video, directed by YUANN of kidzfrmnowhere, doesn’t forget their Japanese roots, despite the song being entirely in English. There are odes to their Japanese culture with women in Noh masks, dancers dressed in ninja attire, and gold screen room dividers in the back. The animal mural that has the members etched in there represents the name of the EP, as JO1 are among the animals. It probably means something more, as kidzfrmnowhere stated they were able to “contribute to JO1’s global growth by creating this film using diverse, international expertise combined with raw, explosive creativity 🐺🐎🐍👽🔥.”

The song is the group’s fourth English track, previously releasing “All Hours” (2022), “BE CLASSIC (English ver.)” (2025), and “Handz In My Pocket (English ver.) (2025). Now, JO1 – comprised of Sho, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Keigo, Takumi, Syoya, Sky, and MÁME – will release their first English mini-album this October. The six-track EP, ANIMAL, is produced by world-renowned Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and frequent K-pop and J-pop collaborator Dem Jointz.

“It’s like an 18-minute roller coaster, full of adventure, energy, celebration, growth, and human connection,” Dem Jointz said in a statement.

The album is set to release on October 2, the same day as the opening night of their 2026 JO1 North American Tour ‘ANIMAL.’ They will be releasing more tracks, videos, and content as their tour comes closer. The group will be performing at KCON LA for M Countdown on Sunday, August 16.

As for their North American tour, the group begins in Toronto on Friday, October 2, then heads to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and ends in Los Angeles.