TNT (boy group)
TNT 时代少年团 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background information | |||||||
| Origin | China | ||||||
| Genres | C-pop | ||||||
| Years active | 2019–present | ||||||
| Labels | Time Fengjun Entertainment | ||||||
| Members |
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| Website | www | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 時代少年團 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 时代少年团 | ||||||
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Teens in Times (Chinese: 时代少年团) is a Chinese boy group. Members include Ma Jiaqi, Ding Chengxin, Song Yaxuan, Liu Yaowen, Zhang Zhenyuan, Yan Haoxiang, and He Junlin.[1][2][3] The group is one of China's most popular boy bands.[4][5][6]
Name
时代少年团 literally translates to “Teen Group of the Times” or “Era Youth Group.” The English name "Teens in Times" is only a conceptual adaptation rather than a direct translation, reflecting the group’s identity as a representation of Chinese youth. In addition to the literal meaning, the acronym "TNT" not only stands for "Teens in Times" but also references the explosive compound trinitrotoluen.[7]
History
The group was created as a continuation of the inactive TFBOYS and disbanded Typhoon Teens boy groups. Candidates for the new group were chosen via TF Entertainment's survival show "Typhoon Project" (Chinese: 台风蜕变之战; pinyin: Táifēng tuìbiàn zhī zhàn).[8][9]
On 25 August 2019, the seven members were announced. The group name was officially released on 11 October 2019.[9][10]
TNT made their official debut on 23 November 2019, with the singles "School Bulletin" (全校通报) and "Endless Adventure" (无尽的冒险) and quickly gained a fanbase.[8]
Discography
Extended plays
- 少年江湖 (Juvenile Rivers & Lakes) – released August 2021; over 630,000 pre-orders within 119 hours, generating ¥100 million CNY.[11]
Singles
- "School Bulletin" (全校通报) – released 23 November 2019 alongside debut concert.[12]
- "Endless Adventure" (无尽的冒险) – released concurrently with debut.[13]
Image and style
TNT’s music blends Mandopop with upbeat youth dance-pop, with choreography-driven stage performances aimed at teenage audiences.[14]
Television and variety
TNT originated from TF Entertainment’s survival show Typhoon Project in 2019, where the seven members were selected.[15]
Members have since appeared on prominent Chinese TV programs:
- Ding Chengxin featured on Hello Saturday.[16]
- Zhang Zhenyuan participated in Keep Running Season 12.[17]
- Song Yaxuan appeared on Ace vs Ace and Natural High.[18]
Live performances
- Official debut performance at the Typhoon Stadium Tour on 23 November 2019, held in Beijing.[19]
- Co-headlined the Juvenile Rivers & Lakes Concert Tour in mid-2022 across six Chinese cities.[20]
Fanbase and reception
The group’s official fandom, known as “TNT Milky Way” (天团银河), has accumulated over 1 million social followers across Weibo and Douyin.[21]
Awards
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tencent Music Entertainment Awards | 2019 | New Voice Generation Group | [8] |
| 2021 | Top 10 Songs of the Year ("I Want You to Take Care of It") | [22] | |
| 2022 | Top 10 Songs of the Year ("Ne Zha") | ||
| Group of the Year | |||
| Weibo Music Awards | 2022 | Most Influential Music Group | |
| 2023 | Most Influential Music Group | ||
| 2024 | Influential Group of the Year | ||
| Oriental Billboard Music Festival | 2020 | Best New Group Award | [8] |
| QQ Music BOOM BOOM Awards | 2020 | Popular Idol Group of the Year | |
| Tencent Video Starlight Awards | 2020 | Trend Group of the Year | |
| Weibo Night Awards | 2020 | Popular Group of the Year | |
| iQIYI Scream Night | 2019 | Annual Potential Combination of the Year | |
| Baidu Boiling Point Metaverse Night | 2022 | Influential Group of the Year | [23] |
International exposure
While primarily based in China, TNT members have participated in overseas interviews and fan meetings in Southeast Asia (e.g., channel visits in Thailand, Malaysia in 2022).[24]
References
- ^ "时代少年团出道曲《全校通报》酷狗首发 00后的独立宣言 - 中国日报网". China Daily. 2019-11-22. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ 新浪娱乐 (2019-10-11). "时代少年团团名正式公布 TNT寓意未来火力全开|时代少年团|马嘉祺|丁程鑫_新浪娱乐_新浪网". ent.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Liu, Nianwen (November 2023). "The Strategies of Chinese and Korean Entertainment Companies Attracting Fans to Consume-Comparing TIMES FENG JUN and YG Entertainment". ResearchGate. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ^ 曹梓楠. "Unhealthy idol worship in crosshairs". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Chinese boy bands eye global stardom under new deal - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Chinese idol group TNT gets into a car accident with obsessive fans". TODAY. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "时代少年团团名正式公布 TNT寓意未来火力全开_Teens". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b c d "Teens in Times/TNT – 時代少年團 (Shídài shàonián tuán) – CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms, Vol. 1". University of Houston Libraries. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b Zeng, Renee (2023-07-18). "Teens in Times/TNT – 時代少年團 (Shídài shàonián tuán)". Chinese Popular Culture Terms.
- ^ Pop, Best C. (2024-05-13). "Profile of TNT / Teens in Times". The Best C Pop. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Hartono, Cellilov (2021-11-08). "TNT's debut EP breaks presale record with 630k+ copies". Medium.
- ^ "Debut single School Bulletin". TF Entertainment press release. 2019-11-23.
- ^ "Debut single Endless Adventure". TF Entertainment press release. 2019-11-23.
- ^ Chinese Pop Weekly (2020). TNT's pop-dance style analysis (Report).
- ^ Pop, Best C. (2024-05-13). "Profile of TNT / Teens in Times". Best C. Pop.
- ^ "Ding Chengxin joins Hello Saturday variety show". KProfiles. 2024-02-15.
- ^ "Zhang Zhenyuan in Keep Running Season 12". SGMagazine. 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Song Yaxuan stars in Ace vs Ace and Natural High". ChinaPopNews. 2023-10-20.
- ^ "TNT debut concert at Typhoon Stadium". BeijingDaily. 2019-11-24.
- ^ "TNT Juvenile Rivers & Lakes Concert Tour announced". ChinaEntertainmentWeekly. 2022-05-05.
- ^ Social Media Analytics Co. (2022). TNT fandom size and demographics report (Report).
- ^ "Universal Music Greater China Announces Strategic Relationship with C-Pop Powerhouse TF Entertainment". Universal Music. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "2024微博之夜得獎名單：趙麗穎榮膺QUEEN，沈騰加冕KING". United Daily News (in Chinese). 13 January 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ Asia Pop News (2022-08-23). "TNT visits Malaysia for promotional tour".