IDID: INTERVIEW

June 25, 2026

by martina rexrode

With every new release that comes out of K-pop’s thriving fifth-generation, it’s easy to see why fans are so honed in on the groups driving the genre into the future. IDID is a seven-member boy group under STARSHIP Entertainment (MONSTA X, IVE, KiiiKiii) who’ve just come back with their second single album and first release of the year, all just under a year since their 2025 debut. The two tracks within this release are bright, energetic, and just what everyone needs to guide them into summer. We spoke to the members of IDID about this comeback, their rapidly growing confidence, and their visions of the future.

Congratulations on your new single album! What was your goal when preparing for this release? How did you want listeners to feel when they listened to each track?

JANG YONGHOON: “Our goal for this release was to make sure each member leaves an unforgettable impression on listeners. Through ‘FLY!’ we wanted to showcase our energetic sense of freedom; while ‘Attent!on’ delivers a refreshing and exciting burst of energy. We hope listeners can enjoy the different charms and emotions each track has to offer.”

PARK SEONGHYEON: “We spent a lot of time thinking about how we could showcase our performance in the most authentic way possible on stage. We believe that when we share our excitement with one another and genuinely enjoy ourselves, just like we do as IDID every day, that energy naturally reaches the audience as well.”

BAEK JUNHYUK: “Through ‘FLY!’ we hope listeners can feel the refreshing sense of freedom that is uniquely IDID. In contrast, ‘Attent!on’ showcases a more melodic and sentimental side of us. We hope listeners can not only enjoy the song’s sweeter melody, but also relate to the youthfulness and emotions we wanted to convey.”

Can you describe the meaning behind the title track to those who might not have listened yet?

KIM MINJAE: “Just like the word ‘FLY!’ suggests, this is a song that captures IDID’s refreshing and uplifting energy. It also reflects our determination to soar higher and higher as a group, so that more people can discover us, get to know us, and join us on our journey.”

Both “FLY!” and “Attent!on” take your sound into a more bright and confident direction. Where do you think this confidence came from and how did it bleed into your music?

PARK WON BIN: “Our ambition to keep moving forward and aiming higher is expressed through the confidence we bring to our music. Because we always approach everything with a ‘we can do it’ mindset, we think IDID’s bright, confident energy naturally comes across to the public.”

CHU YOOCHAN: “We think it’s important to fully immerse ourselves in the song and truly enjoy every moment on stage. When we perform with that level of passion and commitment, the free-spirited energy we experience naturally reaches our fans and allows them to connect with the performance on a deeper level.”

JEONG SEMIN: “These songs are filled with confidence and a sense of authenticity. When we perform, we approach it with the mindset of simply having fun together as members. As we sing and dance while genuinely enjoying ourselves, we think that natural chemistry comes across to the audience and helps showcase a side of IDID that feels authentic and true to who we are.”

After debuting last September — just about seven months ago — how are each of you feeling about releasing your first single of the year?

JANG YONGHOON: “We’re incredibly grateful and happy to be able to release this single album, which reflects the hard work and dedication of so many people. Throughout the preparation process, we learned a lot and grew both as artists and as a team, which made this a truly valuable and meaningful experience for us.”

KIM MINJAE: “We learned so much while preparing this album, and we believe it played a huge role in helping us discover and define IDID’s unique identity and sound. For our next comeback, we’d love to return with an album that tells even more of IDID’s story and allows us to share a deeper side of ourselves with our WITHID.”

PARK WONBIN: “While preparing and releasing our single album, FLY!, we learned so much along the way. Because we spent a long time working on it and grew even closer as members throughout the process, it’s an album that holds a very special place in our hearts.”

CHU YOOCHAN: “Since it’s been a while since we last returned with a new album, we’re feeling both nervous and excited at the same time. It also feels rewarding because we think we’re gradually showing people what IDID is all about and what we want to express as a group.”

PARK SEONGHYEON: “As this was both our first single album, so many people worked incredibly hard to support us. Throughout the process, we experienced and learned more than ever before. Thanks to that, we feel that we’ve grown in many ways, and we’re excited to keep improving and moving forward in the future.”

BAEK JUNHYUK: “We were so focused on preparing this album that we completely lost track of time. We approached this release with a strong desire to reach new heights, and that passion continues to drive us throughout this period as well.”

JEONG SEMIN: “As this was our first single album, we spent a lot of time reflecting on our journey so far while preparing for it. Looking back on our earlier days made us realize that IDID’s unique identity and musical color are gradually becoming more defined. It’s exciting to see a clearer picture of who we are as artists and where we want to go in the future.”

In what ways have you noticed your evolution as a team and as individual artists since your debut?

JANE YONGHOON: “As a team, we’ve built the kind of teamwork that makes us feel like we can accomplish anything together. Personally, I’m continuing to grow step by step and work toward becoming a better artist every day.”

KIM MINJAE: “We’ve grown into a team that can unite and overcome any challenge together. Our teamwork has become one of our greatest strengths, and we plan to keep developing it as we move forward. On an individual level, I’ve also been focusing on improving my skills and becoming a better artist with each step.”

PARK WONBIN: “As I’ve continued to work hard and take on the responsibilities that come with being an idol, I’ve gradually come to see myself growing through those experiences.”

CHU YOOCHAN: “By having more conversations with one another and sharing the same goal of moving forward together, we’ve learned to better understand and support each other. I think that developing a more proactive attitude toward helping and looking out for my fellow members has been one of my biggest areas of growth.”

PARK SEONGHYEON: “We’ve grown by constantly communicating and exchanging ideas to create the best results together. Personally, through a wide range of experiences — from performing on stage to filming photoshoots, music videos, and other content — I’ve learned more about how to showcase my individuality and express my own unique charm as an artist.”

BAEK JUNHYUK: “I’ve worked hard to become an artist who thinks more deeply and grows together with my fellow members. Personally, my goal is to continue challenging myself, putting in the effort, and developing further as an artist.”

JEONG SEMIN: “As a group, we’ve grown into a team that truly trusts and supports one another. On a personal level, I’ll be turning into an adult soon, and I feel like both my mindset and the way I approach things have become much more mature. It makes me realize that I’m gradually preparing myself for the next stage of life [laughs].”

Now that you’ve released new music this year, what other goals do you have for the rest of 2026?

JANE YONGHOON: “I hope to create many more unforgettable memories with both my members and WITHID.”

KIM MINJAE: “My goal is to become someone who can proudly represent IDID and share our music with even more people, making both the group and our fans proud.”

PARK WONBIN: “Our goal is to introduce IDID to more people and connect with listeners through our music, creating moments of understanding and shared emotion.”

CHU YOOCHAN: “We want to clearly communicate IDID’s identity to audiences around the world.”

PARK SEONGHYEON: “We hope to return with another great album filled with quality music.”

BAEK JUNHYUK: “We want to keep working hard and reaching more people so that everyone can come to know who IDID is.”

JEONG SEMIN: “My goal is to make IDID so widely known that people everywhere will recognize our name and music.”

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EVNNE: INTERVIEW

June 16, 2026

by martina rexrode

photo courtesy of Jellyfish Entertainment

When a K-pop group with as much sincerity and passion as EVNNE comes around, it’s impossible not to root for them. Up until this past April, the five-member boy group was operating as a temporary “project group,” including a larger line-up of members and an altogether different vision for their sound and musical identity. Now, KEITA, PARK HANBIN, LEE JEONGHYEON, MUN JUNGHYUN, and PARK JIHOO are back for the first time as an official group with their first single album. Both the title track “Backtalk” and its accompanying b-side “STAY” introduce listeners to a fresh version of EVNNE that features lyrics written by each member and inspired by their own experiences. We sat down to speak to the group about this new direction, their involvement in their own music, and what fans can expect moving forward.

“Backtalk” is your first single album and your first music release as an official group. As you start to process this release, how does it feel to have “Backtalk” as the single that, in a way, reintroduces you to the world?

PARK HANBIN: “Since this is EVNNE’s first comeback after officially becoming an official group and reorganizing as a five-member group, I think a lot of emotions are crossing our minds at once. We’re thrilled to be meeting fans again with a new side of ourselves, excited to finally share lyrics we personally wrote, and proud that all the hard work we put into preparing for this comeback has paid off. Through this album, we’ll be sharing all the stories we wanted to tell while preparing for this comeback, so please look forward to it!”

How does your vision for EVNNE’s future differ now compared to when you were active as a project group?

MUN JUNGHYUN: “Moving forward, I think our fans will be able to see us approach both our music and activities with more sincerity and initiative. These opportunities were only possible thanks to the endless love and support from our fans, so we believe it’s our responsibility to repay that love. That’s why we want to prepare as much great music and as many amazing performances as possible, so we can meet our fans more often.”

What does the message delivered through “Backtalk” mean to you as a group?

PARK JIHOO: “I think the fact that the lyrics contain our own personal stories is what makes this album especially meaningful. Through references to our BOYS PLANET days, such as lines like ‘that blue-haired kid,’ and even references connected to our previous companies, the album tells the story of how we’ve made it this far and how we’ll continue moving forward no matter what anyone says. I think that message has become especially meaningful and important now that we’re an official group.”

Could each of you share a lyric from “Backtalk” that feels the most important to you in this moment of your life and career?

KEITA: “The lyric that resonates with me the most is ‘뻔한 건 nonsense (Obviousness is nonsense).’ I think it best reflects my desire to always create something new and different.”

PARK HANBIN: “I’d choose the line, ‘포기는 없어 계속 들이받아 / Pave a new wave (No such thing as giving up, keep charging on / Pave a new way).’ I think it perfectly captures our determination to never give up and keep pushing ourselves harder. I also try to live with that mindset in everything I do.”

LEE JEONGHYEON: “For me, it’s also ‘포기는 없어 계속 들이받아 / Pave a new way (No such thing as giving up, keep charging on / Pave a new way).’ I think the message about endlessly challenging ourselves without giving up perfectly represents EVNNE’s ambitions.”

MUN JUNGHYUN: “The lyric that resonates with me the most is, ‘맘대로 되는 게 없는 World / 발버둥 치는 게 답인 격 (Nothing will go your way in this World / Struggling is the only answer).’ I believe it really reflects life itself, and it also represents how our members continue to fight through hardships, no matter what challenges come our way.”

PARK JIHOO: “Mine is, ‘반말로 패도 난 못 느껴 Pain (Talk down to me but I won’t feel the pain).’ I think it shows the stronger version of EVNNE we’ve become after enduring and overcoming many challenges.”

“STAY” leans into hyper pop elements with an important message at its center. What inspired the meaning behind this b-side? Why did you feel this was the best track to pair alongside the title track?

MUN JUNGHYUN: “‘STAY’ was included on the album because, while it also presents EVNNE’s new direction, it shows another side of that direction. If the title track delivers a powerful message through a more hip-hop style, ‘STAY’ highlights the brighter and more energetic side of our members. Through this song, we wanted to deliver the message that we’ll continue preparing fun music and exciting performances like this in the future, so we hope everyone looks forward to what’s next from us.”

What was it like working with one another on the lyrics for both “Backtalk” and “STAY?”

PARK HANBIN: “This was actually the first time all of us worked together on writing lyrics, so it felt very fresh and new. Especially for me and MUN JUNGHYUN, it was also our first time being officially credited as lyricists on an album, so at first we kept wondering whether we were doing things right. But through our lyric-writing sessions and by reviewing each other’s work, I think we were able to create and finalize great lyrics and songs together. It was also meaningful because while writing the lyrics, we were able to reflect once again on EVNNE’s story so far and deeply solidify our determination for this new chapter of EVNNE.”

Do you all have similar methods of brainstorming and songwriting, or was it more of an individual process at first?

KEITA: “For this album, we held lyric-writing sessions where each member would work on lyrics individually, then share ideas and feedback whenever needed. After gathering all the members’ lyrics together, I would record the guide version, and then we’d listen to it together and continue revising things from there. In general, we usually handle the first stage of the process individually, like finding references and writing lyric drafts, and then come together afterward to combine our ideas and shape everything into a unified direction.”

How do these tracks set up your new, bright future?

LEE JEONGHYEON: “Beyond EVNNE’s musical direction, which we introduced through this album, I also hope people pay attention to the message that we plan to become even more deeply involved in the album-making process moving forward and continue creating music that truly represents us. Since all of us participated in this album, we genuinely had so much fun preparing for this comeback, and I think we were also able to confirm each member’s sincerity and passion toward music. So I hope we shape EVNNE’s musical direction together in future albums.”

Is there anything you want to say to fans reading this right now?

KEITA: “ENNVE, thank you so much for waiting such a long time for our comeback! Starting with our new album 뱉어 (Backtalk), we’ll continue working hard on our music and return with even cooler, more EVNNE-like music more often, so please continue to give us lots of love and support! Thank you!”

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HEYOON: INTERVIEW

May 27, 2026

by martina rexrode

Bestowing a title like “global pop star in the making” onto an artist is no small feat. Thankfully, South Korea’s HEYOON isn’t just any artist. With a solo career that’s less than three years old, the attention she’s already garnered and the widespread audiences she’s already reached are incredibly impressive. Her latest release, an EP aptly titled seriously unserious, is a feat of addictive beats and lyrics that invite listeners to shake off their worries and lose themselves in the music. Following her own pattern, she also dropped an EP of remixes that elevate the original tracks to an unparalleled level. We spoke with HEYOON about these tracks, her involvement in the studio, and her collaboration with Brazil’s Lou Garcia.

Congratulations on the release of seriously unserious! How does it feel to have this EP out as your first release of the year?

HEYOON: “Thank you and it feels good! I feel blessed to be releasing this EP!”

For many listeners, this might be their first impression of you as an artist. What do you hope new listeners and seasoned fans take from the EP’s high-energy tracks?

HEYOON: “I’d hope they take this album quite literally like the title. Have fun with it and feel some sort of freedom and adrenaline.”

Of the four tracks, which stands out as your personal favorite right now and why?

HEYOON: “It changes all the time. Today’s fave is ‘swipe’ — it’s such a manifestation of a song and carries the attitude in the way I’m trying to live my life right now.”

You have a co-writer and co-composer credit on both “swipe” and “switchhhhhh.” Can you describe the creative process behind these specific tracks and what it was like for you in the studio? What does it mean to be involved in the creative process behind your own music?

HEYOON: “Both songs came to us really quickly. We were all in a flow state. ‘switch’ was written by jumping around in the middle of the Alps, and ‘swipe’ came through conversations about manifestation while just vibing. Creating music is all I can ask for in this life — it’s such a special experience to be able to share that with others.”

How do the original EP and the newly released remix EP differ from one another in their energy and overall atmosphere?

HEYOON: “I always wanted to have a sick baila funk track and this EP seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with that. Huge shout out to CDC for making that happen, and the remix is a little bonus gift for the fans. <3”

What led to the collaboration between you and Lou Garcia on the focus track, “swipe?”

HEYOON: “I met Lou last year during my visit to São Paulo. She’s such a down to earth artist. We clicked instantly and Lou loved ‘swipe!’ She taught me a lot about the partying culture in Brazil and we were able to melt that energy onto the song.”

Were you surprised to learn that you had such a strong fan base in Brazil?

HEYOON: “Brazil fans have always been there since day one. I wouldn’t be here without them. <3”

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BIG OCEAN: INTERVIEW

April 30, 2026

by martina rexrode

When Big Ocean debuted on April 20, 2024, the Day of Persons with Disabilities in South Korea, it was immediately clear that they were something special. Members Jiseok, Chanyeon, and PJ are all hearing-impaired — a first for a K-pop group — but that’s just one aspect of their identity as idols and people. Their recent comeback, a mini-album titled THE GREATEST BATTLE, saw the group reaching new sonic heights in each of the mini-album’s tracks as well as the awe-inspiring choreography of “One Man Army.” As they near their second anniversary as a group, BIG OCEAN is already returning to the U.S. for their second tour. We spoke to the members about THE GREATEST BATTLE, tour, and everything fans can expect from their new performances.

Your third mini-album, THE GREATEST BATTLE, has almost been out for two months. How are you all feeling now compared to how you felt in the time before its release?

Jiseok: “Before release, honestly, there was a lot of tension. This album felt like the most exposed we've ever been. So during the teaser period, we were genuinely excited to finally start sharing pieces of it and see how Pado would respond. Now that it's out, hearing that people actually connect with the songs and understand the messages we put into them... that means everything. And if anything, it's made us even more excited to bring these songs to life on stage that we can't wait for the tour.”

When you look at this mini-album, what stands out? Is there something you delivered here that you hadn’t brought forth before?

Jiseok: “What stands out the most is that our color as a group comes through clearer than ever before, and that means everything to me. Our first album was about offering comfort. Our second revealed the mermaid, that feeling of not fully belonging anywhere. But with this one, there's no metaphor, no layer in between. It's just Big Ocean as we are, and I think you can feel that in every single track. We've never shown ourselves this directly, and I think that's what makes this album feel like the most us thing we've ever made.”

Your second U.S. tour takes place throughout the month of April! How excited are you to return here and perform across nine cities to Pado?

Chanyeon: “We are so ready. Last time gave us a taste of what it feels like to be in the same room as Pado in the U.S., and ever since then we've been wanting to come back and give them even more. Nine cities is nine chances to do that, and this time we're bringing THE GREATEST BATTLE with us, so the energy is going to be on a completely different level. Honestly, we've been counting down.”

Which new songs are you the most excited to perform?

Jiseok: “‘One Man Army,’ without question. Performing it with twenty dancers, the crane-wing formation unfolding through sign language, the whole room feeling the weight of that battle — it's unlike anything we've done before. Every time we run through it, I still get chills.”

Can you tell us a little about what type of show fans can expect from you this time around?

PJ: “It’s definitely going to be more fierce this time. The whole show is built around that battle energy, from the big moments to the smallest details. There are parts where you might lose track of everything for a second, so just come ready to feel it.”

When you’re on tour with any amount of downtime, are you more likely to stay inside and rest or explore the area?

Chanyeon: “Rest is real and necessary. But new cities carry new energy, and it never feels right to leave a place without having absorbed even a little bit of it. Whenever we get the chance, we want to make the most of the time we have here: go explore, take photos, capture those little moments. We always want to share that with Pado too, so that fans who aren't there can still experience the cities with us in some way. You know, one hour outside does something for me that sleep can't.”

How does your identity as the first all hearing-impaired K-pop boy group affect your day-to-day life? How do you hold onto and live out this groundbreaking label?

PJ: “This identity is a part of who we are, and that's something that keeps us motivated every single day. But honestly, we don't think about the label every morning when we wake up. We think about how to make the next song better, how to keep improving our performances, how to keep finding new ways to connect and make an impact. And I think that's exactly how you live it out by refusing to let it become a ceiling. Every time someone watches us perform and feels something they didn't expect to feel, that's us living it.”

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AMPERS&ONE: INTERVIEW

April 9, 2026

by martina rexrode

The current generation of K-pop is full of multifaceted, diverse talent unlike anything the industry has seen before in such a large quantity. AMPERS&ONE is one such group. Consisting of members from South Korea, Canada, Australia, and the U.S., the seven-member boy group utilizes their multicultural identity to their full advantage — catering both their music and their imagery to fans from all over the world. We spoke to AMPERS&ONE about their fourth mini-album, DEFINITION, how they define themselves over two years into their career, and their upcoming U.S. tour.

How are you all feeling with your fourth mini-album, DEFINITION, dropping in just over a week?

KAMDEN: “Super hyped to be back after eight months, and I'm really curious about how the ANDEARS would think of our new album.”

BRIAN: “I'm feeling super excited and nervous at the same time. We made a comeback in over eight months, and we hope this comeback will do well!”

JIHO: “We’re really excited as the comeback gets closer day by day, especially since we put so much effort into preparing this album. We’ve practiced a lot, so we feel confident—and honestly, we can’t wait to come back.”

SIYUN: “I’m incredibly excited and thrilled to finally show everything we’ve prepared.”

KYRELL: “Very excited but also very nervous. It’s always nerve-wracking towards the end because you never know how people will respond when they first hear the album.”

MACKIAH: “I’m very excited for this album because it has been eight months since our last comeback! I’m excited to be back on stage and to be able to meet our ANDEAR again!”

SEUNGMO: “Since it’s our first comeback in eight months, we’re really eager to show our performances to our fans as soon as possible. All of the members worked incredibly hard on this album, so we’re even more excited for what’s to come.”

Do you feel that this mini-album presents AMPERS&ONE in a different light? Did it allow you to dive into new sounds?

KAMDEN: “It's a very new sound that we have never shown before, so in that way, kinda nervous to show it to ANDEAR, but at the same time, we are really confident with the new album.”

BRIAN: “I think this album definitely shows us in a different light because we've never done this type of concept before. The sounds in this album are pretty unique in my opinion, so I can't wait for people to listen to it.”

JIHO: “We believe this comeback marks a new chapter for us. Musically and performance-wise, it’s a fresh and highly conceptual album, so we’re excited to show a completely new side of AMPERS&ONE.”

SIYUN: “Starting from the intro of the title track, the drum sounds and overall production really highlight a new side of us.”

KYRELL: “Absolutely, I think this mini album presents a much more mature side of AMPERS&ONE. We tried some new sounds as well. Our title track, ‘GOD,’ is a great example of that as it incorporates a blend of traditional Korean instruments with modern sounds.”

MACKIAH: “Definitely! This album has many unique sounds, and I think the most unique would be our title track, ‘GOD.’ We’re always trying new sounds, and I’m excited for the reaction of our fans to this album!”

SEUNGMO: “It’s a concept we’re trying for the first time, and it incorporates traditional Korean sounds, which makes it feel even fresher. It was definitely a new challenge for our team.”

What is each of your favorite tracks and why?

KAMDEN: “Personally, my favorite one is ‘All Eyes On You’ because it makes me really happy and warm when I listen to it.”

BRIAN: “My favorite track in the album is ‘All Eyes On You’ because I like more of a pop/bright sound rather than the other tracks, which are kind of more serious and hip hop.”

JIHO: “My favorite track is ‘My Way.’ I run quite often, and whenever this song comes on, it naturally boosts my energy and motivation. It also made me think how fun it would be to perform this track at concerts, which is why I grew to love it even more.”

SIYUN: “My favorite track is ‘Tears In Your Smile.’ It’s a genre I really love, and the lyrics are so beautiful that I naturally became attached to it.”

KYRELL: “I like ‘All Eyes On You!’ It’s a fun song that’s easy to sing along to and just makes my day better when I listen to it.”

MACKIAH: “My favorite track on the album right now would be ‘My Way’ because it has such an exciting vibe to it, and I personally like the rap part, which I wrote. :)”

SEUNGMO: “My favorite track is ‘Tears In Your Smile.’ It’s a genre I usually enjoy singing, so I felt confident while recording it. It’s also a style of music I personally listen to often, which makes me like it even more.”

Why did you decide to name the mini-album DEFINITION?

KAMDEN: “We wanted to show that we, the team, make identity and direction ourselves, also the future that we will see from now on.”

BRIAN: “We decided to name this mini album DEFINITION because we think this album really defines us as a group, and also because of the various genres of music in this album. This correlates to the previous albums.”

JIHO: “Through this album, we wanted to establish our identity and define a new side of ourselves. That’s why we chose the title DEFINITION.”

SIYUN: “We wanted to clearly establish our direction and identity as a team, so we chose the title DEFINITION to represent that.”

KYRELL: “We felt like this mini-album acted as a stepping stone into a new beginning for our team. From here, we are going to be ‘redefining’ what it means to AMPERS&ONE. We wanted to capture the process of evolving and finding a clear direction.”

MACKIAH: “We decided to name this album DEFINITION because it is the story of how we are defining ourselves and finding who we truly are.”

SEUNGMO: “AMPERS&ONE has explored a wide range of genres and concepts so far, and this album represents a new phase where we establish and redefine our identity as a group.”

How would you define AMPERS&ONE to those who are interested in diving into your music?

KAMDEN: “We have very different genres so far, so if you are interested in listening to our music, it would be easy to approach.”

BRIAN: “We definitely have a song for everyone. From cute to cool to sad and more. So, I am certain that we have music to your liking.”

JIHO: “We’re a team that constantly challenges a wide range of concepts and fully makes them our own. If you check out our comeback title track ‘GOD,’ you’ll definitely feel how fresh and unique we are.”

SIYUN: “We’re a team that showcases a wide spectrum of sounds and concepts. If you listen to our albums starting from our debut, you’ll be able to feel how we gradually build and define our unique color.”

KYRELL: “I would define our group as multicolored. We have music spanning various genres, and our members are also from around the world. I think that is the greatest strength.”

MACKIAH: “AMPERS&ONE is a group that has many different styles of music, and there is definitely a track for anyone and everyone! I would say our music has a very encouraging message of pushing forward through hardships, and I hope it can help listeners gain confidence and strength.”

SEUNGMO: “As a multinational group, we bring together diverse musical cultures from each member. I’d describe us as a group with a wide spectrum, capable of connecting people from all around the world through music.”

Your U.S. Born To Define tour begins on May 8 — and it’ll be here sooner than you think! What are you most excited about for your return to the States?

KAMDEN: “Showing our new album to the ANDEAR. For sure, the ANDEARS are gonna have so much fun with the new album.”

BRIAN: “I'm definitely excited to meet our fans and also just walking around the cities.”

JIHO: “We’re excited to show how much we’ve grown through even more fun and powerful performances. We’ll also be visiting cities we didn’t get to go to before, which makes this tour feel even more new and exciting.”

SIYUN: “I’m especially excited about hearing the fans’ cheers during our performances. Their energy really gives me strength on stage.”

KYRELL: “I’m most excited to see ANDEAR! We haven’t seen them in so long!”

MACKIAH: “I’m definitely excited for the love energy from all our ANDEAR!! The last tour was so much fun, and we were able to meet so many great people on the journey, which made it even better! I can’t miss out on the food, though, I’m waiting to have In-N-Out again!”

SEUNGMO: “When we went on our previous North America tour, the fans’ energy and support were incredible, and it left such a strong impression on me. I’m really looking forward to experiencing that again.”

What can you tell ANDEAR about what they might see on this tour?

KAMDEN: “Just us having so much fun that the crowd could also automatically just move with their body.”

BRIAN: “You can expect to see some new songs and covers, which I would say is the highlight of our concert.”

JIHO: “There are a lot of songs we haven’t performed before, and we’re also preparing some surprise stages beyond our own tracks. We hope everyone looks forward to it.”

SIYUN: “We’ll be showing a slightly more mature and refined charm—something clean, sharp, and subtly sexy, rather than just a typical ‘hip’ vibe.”

KYRELL: “Lots of new performances that they have never seen before. And some really fun cover songs!”

MACKIAH: “ANDEAR can expect to see new stages which we haven’t performed before, and there may also be some special stages to look out for too!! 😉”

SEUNGMO: “The stages will have a different vibe compared to our previous tour, and since this is our first official concert, fans will get to see many performances that haven’t been revealed before.”

After debuting in late 2023 as a prominent multinational K-pop group, how do you think you’ve grown in the last two-plus years?

KAMDEN: “I feel like the attitude that we put during each stage has changed a lot. We know how to control different moods and styles, which has become very natural.”

BRIAN: “We've definitely matured a lot as a group, knowing when to help each other and give each other real feedback. So I think we grew a lot as a team.”

JIHO: “We’ve grown a lot in terms of stage presence—our immersion, gestures, and understanding of how to perform in a way that translates well on camera have all improved significantly.”

SIYUN: “All of our members have developed stronger stage attitudes and a clearer sense of individuality. Over time, we’ve grown into artists who actively try to express our own colors, and we’ll continue to improve in our respective roles.”

KYRELL: “I think we’ve become a lot more confident, we’ve become more sure of ourselves and of each other. I think a key point is overall teamwork and communication as well.”

MACKIAH: “In the last two years, we have been able to perform on many different stages with many different styles of music, and through the journey, we’ve grown our confidence on stage as well as our performances.”

SEUNGMO: “Since we’re a team made up of members from different countries, communication could have been a challenge at first. But by spending time together and sharing our cultures every day, we’ve become much more in sync. Our communication has improved, and our teamwork on stage has grown even stronger.”

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