Category: KPOP NEWS

ENHYPEN‘s latest Japanese single album, 結 -YOU-, released on September 5, 2023, has made waves in the music industry. The album, which boasts ten distinct versions, provides ENGENEs with a treasure trove of content. One of the standout features is the MAKING VIDEO in the Limited Edition B (CD+DVD), which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the recording sessions for “BLOSSOM,” their latest Japanese original track.

The song holds a special place in the hearts of the ENHYPEN members. Ni-ki says, “When I first listened to it, the song had a melody that felt reminiscent of the past. Everyone praised it as a great song, even during our recording sessions. I’m really looking forward to singing it in Japan in the future; it’s something we’re all excited about.”

“It’s a love story that sounds very familiar to people around, but precisely because of that, I believe many listeners can relate to it. I think it’s a classic song with a slightly old-fashioned feel, which makes it very enjoyable to listen to,” Heeseung adds.

https://www.tiktok.com/@heesoo_2/video/7284221449059994886?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153

The members on ‘BLOSSOM’ 

Leader Jungwon likes that the song’s lyrics are a departure from what the group usually does. He notes, “Actually, a lot of ENHYPEN‘s songs tend to have metaphoric expressions, like thorns, fangs and such, but this song is very straightforward in expressing love.”

He also reflected on their other Japanese tracks, saying, “There has been a fixed perception that ENHYPEN‘s Japanese original songs are generally bright in nature. However, with this song, there’s a more emotional and heartfelt vibe. I’m excited to be able to showcase a side of us that we haven’t had the chance to reveal until now.”

Sunghoon found the melody soothing. “Because it’s a ballad, I personally found the melody to be easy to listen to. Every part has its own unique charm, and interestingly, when we created the song in Japanese instead of Korean, it also felt really good to sing.”

The recording process

The recording process wasn’t without its challenges. Jake and Sunoo sought to improve their pronunciation. Jake said, “I used to find Japanese pronunciation difficult. So we had someone who could speak Japanese helping with the recording direction. They provided a lot of feedback. My goal was to make it as natural as possible, so it doesn’t sound forced when Japanese speakers listen to it.” 

Ni-ki highlighted the collaborative effort that goes into recording. “When I sing in Korean, there is always a Japanese version that comes along, and when recording the Japanese version, there are indeed some differences in intonation and pronunciation aspects that can be a bit challenging. Occasionally, such moments can be difficult. Similarly, when recording in Korean, there are still some challenging aspects, just like when other members record in Japanese. So, when it comes to recording in Korean, we learn from each other while observing what the other members are doing, and when it’s in Japanese, I sometimes help with pronunciation, and it’s a collaborative effort.”

As the ENHYPEN members continue to push their boundaries, one thing remains constant: their passion for music and their commitment to delivering their best to their fans. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: ENHYPEN performed ‘Blossom’ at the ‘結 -YOU-’ offline showcase. Source: X/@enhypen_phi.

In a recent sit-down with Weverse Magazine, Yeonjun of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) delved deep into his personal evolution. The candid conversation revealed facets of his life that many might find surprising.

A journey inward

Since his debut in 2019, Yeonjun has been known for his vibrant social presence. However, the tides have shifted, and he now finds solace in solitude. “I used to always meet up with friends whenever I had some downtime, but now it’s like I keep looking for things I want to do alone,” he shared. 

This change was spurred by the demands of his career, which left him craving personal space. “My job requires that I’m constantly in front of other people. At some point I took a look and realized I didn’t have a single minute to myself. I felt like I needed some time exclusively for me. I never used to like eating alone, but at some point, it became something I felt comfortable doing, and I ended up with more time to recharge my batteries while quietly writing lyrics or cleaning up my room.”

Yeonjun‘s journey into solitude has also been a journey inward. He admits to being self-aware and recognizes the need for personal growth. “I know I have a lot of room for improvement, but I don’t really want to show that part of me to other people. I know just how much I still have left to work on. That’s why I have to work harder and why I’m so obsessed with the idea. It’s something that eats away at me sometimes, but I also know that it helps me grow, so I don’t shut it out.”

Pride and confidence

His contributions to the group’s latest album, The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, reflect his unique lyrical style. But putting it to bed wasn’t easy. “The writing process didn’t go so smoothly this time around,” he shared. “I don’t think it’s easy to incorporate my writing style with the storytelling the label is after. I thought I had a good grasp of that before, but not that much of what I wrote fit the album. Bits and pieces of my lyrics made it in, but it feels like I wasn’t grasping the right feeling or like I wasn’t sure of myself when I wrote them.”

Be that as it may, he didn’t give up. In fact, he’s hard at work on a solo project. “I’ve been working on a mixtape, but I feel like I can’t get going—maybe because I’m too worried about being perfect. I used to write freely but now I have so many hang-ups that it’s like torture trying to write. Once again, it’s all because of the pressure I put on myself.”

Despite his internal struggles, Yeonjun‘s confidence in himself and his members remains intact. “I just feel confident,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough and I lose some of my self-esteem, but I don’t think I’ve ever lost my sense of pride in the group or in myself. While it’s true that we got help from so many people, we worked for everything we ever achieved. I have pride and confidence in that. Because, at the end of the day, we’re the ones who walked this road.”

Yeonjun is on the right track

It’s been a long road for the eldest member of TXT. His journey from a dance academy novice to a celebrated idol was marked by incremental boosts in self-esteem, fueled by the support of friends and mentors. “When I first went to dance academy, I was so nervous that I couldn’t even sing. I couldn’t dance, either. But then, while I was there, I heard things like, ‘You have good facial expressions when you dance,’ and, ‘Your tone is good when you sing,’ and every time I was paid a compliment like that, it was a huge boost. I think that built up my self-confidence a bit, again and again, until I got to where I am today,” he recalled. 

He remains thankful for his transformative journey. “The life I’ve led, the people I’ve met along the way, my job—I’m just so grateful for everything. That’s why I’d want to be reborn as me again. Even if I had to go through the rough times again. Because I know I’d find happiness in all of it anyway.”

Yeonjun swears he’d never change a thing, because he’s happy with his lot in life. “I never wanted to do anything other than this, and that’s still true today. What would I do otherwise? It’s not because I’m not good at anything else but because there’s nothing else I love and put as much emotion and energy into. There’s plenty of times when this job gets hard, but I think I’d be having a much harder time if I weren’t doing it,” he concluded. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yeonjun has changed for the better since he debuted. Source: X/@txtarchivee.

Soobin of TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) recently sat down with Weverse Magazine. He shed light on his personal and professional lives, including the things that bring him genuine happiness.

A transformative period

He began by talking about his friends. Recalling a recent trip to Gapyeong, he described it as a memorable experience. “We had a cooking competition, then they had me teach them the dance for ‘Sugar Rush Ride.’ So I showed them and then they held a competition and asked me to be the judge. It was really fun and super cute,” he reminisced.

Beyond the occasional road trip, his friends play a huge role in his life. “It’s fair to say they know me really well. They really love me and look out for me. Usually when they say something like, “Choi Soobin’s eating only this much? Something wrong?”—there really is something wrong. These days they’re so good at seeing through me. It’s almost annoying,” he said with a laugh. “Even though we bicker sometimes, it leads to self-improvement. I guess you could say I’ve become a kinder person overall and I’m capable of being a lot more open now. I really learned how to express myself.”

Last year was a transformative period for Soobin. He sought guidance from experienced artists, leading to a fresh perspective. This change brought about a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to break away from routine. His varied interests, from swimming to baking, showcase his zest for life. “I’m the kind of person who pretty much goes ahead and does things as soon as I want to do them. I never hesitate to start something and I’ll even skip sleep when I want to try something. I can’t stand when I don’t have a hobby to do. It’s tough for me if I can’t have a good time and break out of my routine with something new,” he explained.

Pure love

Despite the challenges that come with it, Soobin loves his work. “I don’t think I could’ve put this much into any job other than this one. I feel like I’ve always done my best, right from when we debuted, but now it’s like I’m trying to be even better than my best. It might not be the case for everyone in this field, but I think this work makes me really happy, way more than it brings me pain. It brings me so much joy that it’s worth sticking with, no matter what I have to go through.”

Soobin considers the group’s last world tour a highlight of his career. Unlike many artists who feel empty after a show, he cherishes the solitude. “After seeing all those people in big crowds, coming back and having some alone time, it’s—I mean, that’s a really full day. I think it’s important to have time to be alone and reflect, and to enjoy your hobbies.”

That time, combined with the love he receives from fans, gives him the strength he needs to go on. “It’s even hard for me to grasp, for someone who used to be a fan myself. To me, it even feels like what fans are giving is just pure love,” he mused. “It’s not like the love between friends or between a couple—it’s something completely special that can’t ever be explained. I’ve been a fan before, too, but speaking as a singer, it’s amazing how unconditional their love can be.”

Soobin and the pursuit of happiness

Speaking of love, Soobin’s members are close to his heart. Like any K-pop group’s leader, he acts as their confidant. When they’re on tour, he gets a big room because the others always end up hanging out with him. “I’m happy when they come in and I always hope they do,” he said. “They come to me when they’re facing some kind of difficulty, whether it’s personal or something related to the group, or when they just want to talk.”

Those conversations helped him understand what the members really want out of life. Knowing that some dreamed of making it to the top of their field motivated Soobin to work harder. “I figured, if that’s what will make them happiest, then I’ll work toward the same goal with them. Nothing makes me happier than seeing them all happy. I think the people I care about being happy makes me really happy and is as important to me as my own happiness. At least for me.”

Soobin‘s journey in the industry has been filled with highs and lows. As he continues to navigate fame, one thing remains clear: his pursuit of happiness is deeply intertwined with the joy of others. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Soobin is a great leader because he cares about his members’ happiness. Source: X/@SexiestJiminie.