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Creepy Nuts, SixTONES and Mrs. GREEN APPLE lead in their respective categories on Billboard Japan’s 2024 mid-year charts, tallying the weeks from Nov. 27, 2023, through May 26, 2024.
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Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” tops the Japan Hot 100 on the mid-year roundup. The MASHLE season 2 opener was released digitally on Jan. 7, and has been streamed 348,998,877 times during the tallying period. Total streams for the hip-hop hit sailed past 300 million at the second fastest pace in Japan chart history, second only to YOASOBI’s “Idol,” the No. 1 song of the year for 2023. “BBBB” also holds the No. 1 spot on Billboard Japan’s Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan list for the first half of the year. This chart ranks songs from Japan being heard in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide.
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On “BBBB” ruling the mid-year charts, Creepy Nuts’ rapper R-shitei shares, “I wasn’t expecting it at all, so I’m surprised, or rather… It still hasn’t really hit me yet. But I’m thankful. It’s gratifying,” while DJ Matsunaga says with a laugh, “The song became a hit when I was working at my own pace, in a kind of ‘I’ll just take it slow and have fun making music’ mindset, which highlighted the unexpectedness of it all. I’m at a place where it’s all too much of a blessing and I haven’t been able to take it in.”
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Fifteen-year-old singer-songwriter tuki.’s “Bansanka” follows at No. 2 on the mid-year Japan Hot 100, and YOASOBI’s “Idol” is still going strong at No. 3.
SixTONES
Billboard Japan
On the Japan Hot Albums list, SixTONES’ fourth project THE VIBES takes the top spot, selling a total of 571,187 copies during the tallying period after being released Jan. 10, hitting No. 1 for the sales metric.
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“We’re thankful for being ranked No. 1 for the first half of this year,” says SixTONES member Jesse. “We’re very happy and full of gratitude because this is the result of our music reaching so many people. Each of our albums has its own concept, and this time we aimed to create a work that ‘boosts your vibes’ by including a wide range of songs with a focus on rock. We’re sure anyone can find a song in this set that ‘boosts their vibes,’ and that this album will make people go, ‘Such idols exist?!’ with surprise. If you haven’t listened to it yet, please give it a try! Our group will continue to take on various musical challenges, so please look forward to it!”
At No. 2 on the mid-year albums chart is SEVENTEEN’s best-of collection 17 IS RIGHT HERE, and Hikaru Utada’s all-time greatest hits album SCIENCE FICTION, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the J-pop superstar’s debut, is at No. 3.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Billboard Japan
Mrs. GREEN APPLE is the top artist on the mid-year Japan Artist 100 chart, compiled from the results of the Japan Hot 100 and Hot Albums charts. The three-man band has been a constant on the Japan Hot 100, with 14 tracks including “Que Sera Sera” and “Dance Hall” charting on the list.
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“We’re very honored to be ranked No. 1 on the artist chart,” says Mrs. GREEN APPLE frontman Motoki Ohmori. “We’d like to thank our JAM’S (fandom) and the many people who always support us from the bottom of our hearts. We hope to keep making the ship that is Mrs. GREEN APPLE bigger through various activities to deliver works that we ourselves can be excited about and think are good! Once again, thank you very much for this honor.”
YOASOBI follows at No. 2 on the Artist 100 tally, now one of Japan’s biggest acts whose performances at this year’s Coachella and visit to the White House made headlines in the duo’s home country. Veteran band back number comes in at No. 3, with nine songs charting in the top 100, including hits “Suiheisen” and “Takaneno Hanakosan.”
Billboard Japan Hot 100 Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” / Creepy Nuts2. “Bansanka” / tuki.3. “Idol” / YOASOBI4. “Show” / Ado5. “Que Sera Sera” / Mrs. GREEN APPLE6. “Kaiju No Hanauta” / Vaundy7. “IKUOKUKONEN” / Omoinotake8. “SPECIALZ” / King Gnu9. “The Brave” / YOASOBI10. “Be a flower” / Ryokuoushoku Shakai
Billboard Japan Hot Albums Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. THE VIBES / SixTONES2. 17 IS RIGHT HERE / SEVENTEEN3. SCIENCE FICTION / Hikaru Utada4. THE GREATEST UNKNOWN / King Gnu5. SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN / SEVENTEEN6. MATCH UP / INI7. AWARD / WEST.8. Road to A / Travis Japan9. PULL UP! / Hey! Say! JUMP10. Reboot / TREASURE
Billboard Japan Artist 100 Mid-Year Chart 2024
1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE2. YOASOBI3. back number4. Ado5. Vaundy6. Official HIGE DANdism7. King Gnu8. Creepy Nuts9. Yuuri10. Aimyon
JO1’s “Love seeker” soars to No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, rising from No. 59 on the chart released June 5.
“Love seeker” is the lead track from the 11-member boy band’s eighth single “HITCHHIKER.” The song dropped digitally May 12 and debuted on the Japan Hot 100 at No. 48 (May 22), then dropped to No. 59 the following week before hitting the top spot this week powered by sales. The group marked its biggest first-week CD sales with 738,776 copies to rule the metric, while coming in at No. 3 for downloads (15,613 units, up approximately 2,800% from last week), No. 25 for streaming (up 157%), No. 31 for video views (up 117%), and No. 5 for radio airplay (up 688%).
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Debuting at No. 2 is Number_i’s “BON,” a track off the trio’s mini-album No.O -ring-, released May 27. The song debuts at No. 1 for downloads with 49,896 units and also rules radio and video, while coming in at No. 13 for streaming to hit No. 2 by a narrow margin on the Japan Hot 100 with no points for physical sales. The group’s former No. 1 song “GOAT” moved 64-54 due to the new release, and six of the mini-album’s tracks, including “BON,” entered the Japan Hot 100.
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Incidentally, King & Prince’s former No. 1 hits ”Tsukiyomi” and “Cinderella Girl” — made available for streaming at the end of last month — also return to the Japan Hot 100. Both songs are from the group’s five-member era — Number_i consists of three former members of King & Prince — and saw an increase in weekly streaming and video views. “Tsukiyomi” returns for the first time in about a year and three months, while “Cinderella Girl” returns for the first time in about a year.
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comdot’s “Haikei Oretachihe” bows at No. 3 on the Japan Hot 100. The first single by the five-member YouTubers sold 136,964 copies to hit No. 2 for sales, while coming in at No. 27 for downloads, No. 16 for streaming, No. 6 for radio, and No. 23 for video.
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Kenshi Yonezu’s “Mainichi” (Every Day) launches at No. 6 this week. The release of this new commercial song for Coca-Cola Japan’s “Georgia” brand has powered the hitmaker’s other songs up the charts, with “Sayonara, Mata Itsuka!” seeing an increase in downloads and “Lemon” in both streaming and downloads.
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BEYOOOOONDS’ first single in about a year and a month called “Hai to Diamond” bows at No. 7, selling 99,222 copies to hit No. 3 for sales, while coming in at No. 10 for downloads and No. 16 for radio.
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The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines physical and digital sales, audio streams, radio airplay, video views and karaoke data.
See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, tallying the week from May 27 to June 2, here. For more on Japanese music and charts, visit Billboard Japan’s English Twitter account.
After being named a global brand ambassador for Versace in May, KUN is taking the partnership to the next level with a collaborative single with the Italian luxury brand that highlights the Chinese pop star’s inspiration from the intersection of music and fashion.
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Set to debut in an upcoming campaign for Versace Mercury sneakers, “Afterglow” will be released globally in full this coming Friday, June 9. Like his previous hits on Billboard‘s China TME UNI Chart including 2022’s “Hug Me” and “TITLE” from last year, KUN immersed himself in the creative process for “Afterglow” by utilizing inspirations like patterns and cuts to deliver a blend of dark synthesizers and rock-inspired vocals.
Working as a singer and actor since his teens, KUN has spent the last 10 years showcasing an evolution from a reality TV breakout and boy band member to a full-fledged solo superstar with several albums, overseas tours, and high-profile brand endorsements to his name. Currently, the C-pop star is collaborating with writers and producers in the U.S. to craft a globally focused music project with the upcoming “Afterglow” single release representing what he calls “a brand-new KUN sound.”
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Read on for more from KUN on “Afterglow” and its importance in setting up what should be a major 2024 and 2025 with more music, live performances, tours and other treats for fans worldwide.
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Congratulations on launching “Afterglow” alongside your global ambassadorship with Versace! Tell us more about it and how you started creating the track?
“Afterglow” is a brand-new single I produced in collaboration with Versace. I approached this song from what I learned in fashion culture — this piece truly reflects my journey as a musician and performing artist. Over the last two years, I have explored and experimented with many different genres, blending old-school with new-school elements, and incorporating my personal taste into modern music. “Afterglow” is born from all this process.
You’re known for being involved in composing your songs. In what ways did you get creatively involved with “Afterglow”?
I draw inspiration from how designers curate their clothing patterns, the sleek cut details and the attention to quality, and translate that into the song. I wanted the synth design to be unique, edgy, and dark while having vocals retaining that rock element. While writing, I imagined scenes of fashion runway — flashing strobe lights — with a more mysterious feel. The runway would be a perfect setting for this sound.
What does “Afterglow” represent for your music career?
Starting from “Afterglow,” we will hear a brand-new KUN sound. We’re starting a new chapter in music, and looking to release more songs in both Chinese and English.
Will “Afterglow” have its own music video too?
Many fans might remember our previous Art Lab live concert. Here’s some exclusive news for my Billboard friends: Art Lab 2.0 is coming soon, including a live performance of “Afterglow.”
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How does fashion influence your life day to day?
Fashion always inspires me in the creative process of songwriting. I love vintage clothing just like how I love listening to classic songs, as well as cowboy hats and rough jeans when writing rock songs. Fashion design is a tedious process that involves constant fine-tuning until the final product is developed. That process provokes or intrigues; it has no creative boundary. Very much like when making music, there are endless possibilities.
I read that your Versace news went viral in China with 400 million views on Weibo in under a week and a No. 1 search topic for hours. Were you expecting such an exciting response?
I was in a song camp at that [time]. It was around 3 a.m. so I was actually in bed when my team woke me up and told me the good news. I appreciate everything my fans do for me and we support each other all the way.
You visited the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. on your KUN ONE Tour in 2019. Are there any plans for more overseas shows?
We are planning many surprises this year; more news is coming. I have been in the studio nonstop for an upcoming new project. I am also designing a new music show production that can bring sound to life on a live stage with some talented writers and producers from all over the world.
What else can we expect from you in 2024?
2024 has been my first step into building a label and company that represents the art I love so much. I’ve been aiming at creating and releasing a few global music projects from my label this year and thinking about a global tour, so I’m pushing myself to hit these deadlines. I’ve never released an official global album, and I’m putting in the work to make that a reality. The music is the focus though, so if I don’t feel it’s ready, I may wait until early 2025. I’m enjoying the process of it all.
Any other goals for this year?
Goals… meet my deadlines. [Laughs] And if I meet those deadlines, the next goal is a real one: to make sure the people who listen to the music and experience it live can feel the same way I did when I was creating it. If they tell me that they felt something, I hit my goals for 2024.
Anything else to share with readers or international fans at this time?
I’d love to work with artists from around the world. Collaboration with artists of different cultures is what I love about art, music, and fashion, so for international listeners, message me with ideas, and also message me with cities that you think would want to experience my new projects.
Yu Cong
Yu Cong
Yu Cong
Driven by a desire to put a smile on everyone’s face, the three-piece band BRADIO just released a new, funky party album PARTY BOOSTER.
Billboard Japan recently got to interview the three-piece band, which is generating excitement worldwide, having recently put on a wildly successful show in Chile as part of SUPER JAPAN EXPO 2024. They talked to us about their new album, the musical journeys of each band member, and their band’s story.
What kind of band do you feel like BRADIO has become?
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Takaaki Shingyoji (vocals): We’re often called a “funky band,” but it’s not like we set out at the start to form a funk band. As the band’s front man, I wanted to stand out, which is the only reason I grew out this afro. It wasn’t our intention to be a leader of funk culture in Japan. But I feel like over the past few years, our own sensibilities have aligned with the public perception of us as a funky, danceable band.
Could each of you tell us a little about your own personal musical journeys?
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Ryosuke Sakai (bass): I got into music because of B’z. I started out by playing the guitar, and after about a year I picked up the bass. This was back when bands like X JAPAN and LUNA SEA were popular, and I was listening to music like that. As for Western music, I was listening to hard rock. Bands like MR. BIG or Bon Jovi. But when I started going to music school, one of my assignments was to perform Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” and that experience opened up to me this whole other world of music, and I started listening to Motown.
Soichi Ohyama (guitar): I was really influenced by hard rock and legendary guitarists. Then for a while I was got deep into pop-punk and hardcore bands. That led to me starting my own band. I got into disco and funk after becoming an adult. The biggest influence on my guitar sound in BRADIO is probably Nile Rodgers. He’s my musical idol, and always will be.
Takaaki Shingyoji: When I was in seventh grade, my English teacher loved the Beatles. That got me into the Beatles, too, which got me thinking, “Hey, I like music, why not try playing it?” After that, I started listening to a lot of Japanese bands like Hi-STANDARD and L’Arc-en-Ciel. I gained an appreciation for funk and soul in around 2010, when BRADIO formed.
How did BRADIO arrive at its current musical style?
Takaaki Shingyoji: We started out as a five-piece band, but then one of our guitarists left, so we went from having two guitars to one. We had to change our sound as a result. Through some trial-and-error, we shifted to a sound with a groovy bass and strummed guitar. People started calling us funky with our 2013 album Diamond Pops. But that’s how we arrived at our current style, and it’s why we’re not funk through-and-through. I think that’s one of BRADIO’s best features. It’s a critical part of our very identity.
Your new album, PARTY BOOSTER, is packed with everything that makes BRADIO so wonderful. What kinds of themes are you exploring with this album?
Takaaki Shingyoji: On our last album, DANCEHALL MAGIC, we were exploring just what it meant to be funky. Now, a year later, we’ve created PARTY BOOSTER, which is, in a way, like DANCEHALL MAGIC 2. But this time, the first word is “Party.” I think that really suits us. We explored this theme like only BRADIO can.
Did you have a feeling like “what we need to do now is focus on this direction”?
Takaaki Shingyoji: Yes. We felt like we needed to get to know ourselves better. We came to feel that BRADIO was a greater band than any of us had realized before. We thought about what set us apart, and found that the key words that conveyed what we were about were “party,” “funky,” and “exciting.” In the past, we’d been overthinking things. We were thinking “we have to be like this or that” or “we have to be inspiring.” But the conclusion we eventually arrived at was, “as long as in the end we’re putting smiles on people’s faces, then it’s all good, right?”
Soichi Ohyama: I think the first song, “PARTY HEAD,” really epitomizes BRADIO. With this song, it’s like we could really put anything out there, so it feels like the song set the tone for the album. For example, “EIGO DISCO” has a 32-measure guitar solo. That’s just not something bands do nowadays (laughs). We have that kind of unfettered freedom, a spirit of “if it’s fun, then go for it!” I think that’s one of BRADIO’s distinctive qualities.
Ryosuke Sakai: We have this fascinatingly steep gradation that goes from really simple to really complex, and there are a lot of places where I can show off my chops as a bassist, which is wonderful. There are bassists that make you think “wow, a new bass hero has arrived,” like America’s Joe Dart. They play bass lines that listeners can sing along to. That’s the kind of bass line that I want to play, and I think that desire is reflected in the new album.
Takaaki Shingyoji: We named the new album PARTY BOOSTER, so we want to go around putting on shows that live up to that name. Of course they’ll be parties, but the people coming to hear us have their own lives, and they’re out there in the trenches every day, so we also want our shows to be boosters, giving them a lift in their day-to-day lives. I hope we can put smiles on all their faces.
—This interview by Tetsuo Hiraga first appeared on Billboard Japan
On May 16, Chinese singer Tia Ray announced her 2024 concert tour, featuring an innovative blend of creative projections and large-scale set installations, promising an immersive experience for the audience.
The first concert will take place on July 6 at the Universiade Center in Shenzhen. Additional dates and locations for the tour will be released gradually.
Also on May 16, Tia was nominated for best Mandarin female singer at the 35th Golden Melody Awards for her latest solo album ALLURE, released last year. This is Tia’s second time being nominated for this award. The album also earned her nominations in five categories at the 2nd Wave Music Awards, including best female singer and best pop album, as well as a nomination for best female singer at the 17th Fresh Music Awards in Singapore.
In March, Tia Ray was honored with the Global Force Award at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music event, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the music industry. She is also set to release a full English album this year, collaborating with international musicians.
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The talented Chinese singer/songwriter, renowned for her captivating vocals and heartfelt lyrics, has released six albums since her debut in 2012, including T.I.A., Once upon a Moon and ALLURE, in addition to contributing to numerous film and TV soundtracks.
In 2017, Ray’s “Be Apart,” the theme song for the popular movie The Ex-file: The Return of the Exes, sold 10.9 million copies and ranked seventh in the IFPI global top 10 singles chart, and has more than 1.8 billion views online to date. In 2018, she won the most popular female singer award at the 26th Chinese Top 10 Music Awards for her album TIARA and was entitled honorary Berklee ambassador to China. In 2019, she released her third album 1212 and won the most popular female singer award again at the 27th Chinese Top 10 Music Awards.
In 2021, Tia participated in the performance of the theme song “Together for a Shared Future” for the Beijing Winter Olympics with other singers. In the same year, she released her fourth album Once Upon a Moon. For the album, she was nominated for the best Mandarin female singer award and won best vocal album recording at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan.
In 2022, Tia Ray won best female singer at the 15th Singapore Fresh Music Awards and Weibo annual outstanding singer.
Tia Ray participated in the KBS Asia Song Festival in South Korea in 2023 as the only singer from the Chinese mainland, stunning the audience overseas with her distinctive vocal. Tia Ray also won several awards that year, including year’s quality singer at the Tencent Music Entertainment Awards, thirty-year quality singer at the Chinese Top 10 Music Awards, and Weibo annual outstanding singer organized by weibo.com.
Tia Ray’s upcoming concert tour is set to redefine the concert experience, setting new standards in terms of visual and auditory delight. Her passion for music shines through her performances, creating an enchanting atmosphere that mesmerizes all who attend her concerts. With this new concert tour, Tia Ray continues to push boundaries and showcase her artistry on a grand scale, leaving a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of experiencing her live performances.
Ready to captivate our present-day world and across dimensions, Armeggedon marks an artistic evolution in aespa‘s musical journey by taking their narrative into an expansive multiverse to blur the boundaries between reality and virtual realms. While the K-pop girl group is known for blending their real and virtual personas, their first full-length album explores parallel […]
Every week, the Korean music scene delivers outstanding songs across various genres and styles, and the past week was no exception, with a heavy-hitting selection of hits with global and crossover potential, satisfyingly nostalgic duets and some of 2024’s most promising new artists. Recently, beloved groups like NewJeans, ONEUS, MCND and JUST B dropped new songs to satisfy […]
In RM‘s latest introspective turn, the BTS leader unveils his new solo endeavor Right Place, Wrong Person, an album that shifts the focus from genre experimentation to a raw exploration of his identity and emotions. RM’s previous solo project Indigo, which was released in 2022 and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard200, marked an initial venture beyond the confines of his […]
King & Prince reign over the Billboard Japan Hot 100 with “halfmoon,” blasting in at No. 1 on the chart released May 29. The Takeshi Kobayashi-produced title track off the duo’s 15th single “halfmoon/moooove!” is being featured as the theme of the drama series Tokyo Tower starring member Ren Nagase. To celebrate the sixth anniversary […]
From journaling and meditating to watching Wes Anderson movies and taking vitamins, ITZY ensures they prioritize their personal well-being amid the K-pop girl group’s massive 2024 Born to Be World Tour, hitting the U.S. next month.
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Taking a moment to share their experiences on the road during a few (busy) non-tour days in Korea, the K-pop girl group famous for dynamic performances and self-love anthems pauses to reflect. While ITZY admits traveling across six continents so far requires vast amounts of physical and mental energy, it’s the audiences and the members themselves they can depend on to replenish them every night.
But for the times they aren’t connecting with their fans — affectionately known as MIDZY — or one another, the group finds ways to balance the demanding lifestyle with mental health as a priority for the members. As individuals, Yeji practices honesty, Ryujin enjoys her free time to the fullest, Chaeryeong journals to process her emotions, and Yuna meditates. The group’s strong bond is evident even in a makeup-free evening Zoom call from the JYP Entertainment offices in Seoul as the four members finish one another’s sentences, crack smiles over each other’s answers, and also share how they keep in touch with fellow member Lia, who has been focusing on her mental health after taking an extended hiatus from the group since last September regarding “tension and anxiety.”
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As ITZY gears up for 10 North American concerts, commencing on June 6 at Seattle’s WAMU Theater, the girls look forward to bringing their latest Billboard 200 album Born to Be album to life, showing off their live band for the first in the States, and communicating on a deeper level with local fans.
As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, who better than the honest barrier-breakers of ITZY to share how they’ve matured? While mental health still faces stigma and prejudice around the world — and is not as widely discussed in Korea compared to America —Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna speak candidly about the ways they have matured, aspects they are working on and, perhaps most importantly, the bond that keeps them going together.
“The biggest source of motivation for me is our members, ITZY,” Chaeryeong says. Read for more from the quartet about this vital topic and plans for their upcoming concerts.
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Billboard: Thanks for taking time in the middle of your world tour. You’re between dates before the Japan and U.S. concerts start, so how has the tour been so far?
Yuna: It was our first time in Europe and Latin America, so it was really, really like a new experience for us. There were some really beautiful cities and we really enjoyed that time. For me, I really liked Amsterdam. The weather and the people are really good — and the views were so good. Everyone should go.
You had 13 days off from your May 4th concert in Madrid to your May 17 concert in Toyko. What do you do during this time?
Yuna: We are super busy! [Laughs]
Ryujin: There are many things that we are working on, but also we’re preparing for these big shows and our Japanese comeback [with “Algorithm”]. We’re always practicing or doing something to help us achieve things, I think?
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I’ve heard artists share a range of different feelings about touring. From it being too exhausting to fans being their energy. What are your experiences?
Chaeryeong: To speak honestly, it’s definitely true that we’ll expend a lot of our physical and mental energy [on tour]. But once we go on stage, I think it gets all deleted — we get that much energy from our fans. So, it’s a wonderful experience for me.
Yuna: When I visit new cities to do concerts, I try to do my best on the stage for our fans. But I also spend as much time as I can with my members. That’s kind of the healing point for me, as well as the way I heal during touring. Just their existence really helps me. When I’m onstage and see our members’ faces, that’s all the support I need.
Are there specific ways you work to stay healthy on the road — physically, mentally, or emotionally?
Yeji: There is a physician who was with us on tour for every spot we go. The physician recommended I take a vitamin powder that’s supposed to help the body with energy. She said that it’s really helpful if we keep it in our throat and swallow it all at once, and I’ve found that’s been really helpful in keeping me healthy, so I keep following that advice.
Chaeryeong: To keep my vocals strong, I carry propolis with me — it’s a gel type of medicine that you put on your throat. It can be minty and soothing; I think it’s famous in New Zealand? That’s good for your throat.
Yeji: I also try to change my vocalizations and the way I make sounds on the stage. Lots of time, I have to try to do less to not strain my throat and [save my voice for the next concert date].
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I think it’s a great opportunity to share how you support your mental and emotional health. What are some things you do individually to take care of yourself?
Chaeryeong: For me, I write in my diary. I write things that I like or very detailed happy memories so I can memorize, like, every little detail for a long time. But there are also things I write when I’m having a hard time, the sad or negative memories, to drop those feelings off from my heart.
Yuna: I always try to make time for self-focusing time — writing and meditating. I really focus on myself and that’s how I stay centered. But it’s so hard. When I meditate, I tend to always fall asleep. [Laughs] It’s also a good way to fall asleep!
Ryujin: I don’t really do anything special for my mental health, but I give free time to myself. As you know, a tour and our performances require a lot of energy, and also we have a job that we have to meet many people. So, I think when I have free time, I use that time to regain my energy again and do the things that I like — watching a movie in a theater or rewatching a series or drama again. There are so many great movies and dramas, but if I had to recommend one, I would choose The French Dispatch. It’s a Wes Anderson movie. It’s really touching, but at the same time, there’s a lot of variety in it.
Yeji: These days, I’m trying to be honest about my own feelings and what I feel. If something sad happens, even just slightly, I feel that emotion enough and then can just “let it go.” I’m trying to react fully on my feelings and laugh at the small things, too.
Yeji, it’s interesting to hear that you’re being honest with your feelings now. As ITZY’s leader, did you sometimes dismiss your feelings when leading a team?
Yeji: Since our debut and our early stages, there were some times I did try to hide [my feelings] because the team is very important. But these days, even if I try to hide everything, the members know me so well — we’re family — that even if I try, they know first how I feel and think. So, I don’t have to actually hide — and that’s why I’m trying to get more honest with expressing my feelings.
Thank you for sharing those, ITZY. She’s not here with us right now because she’s also focusing on her mental health, but how are you keeping in touch with Lia?
Yeji: Just the other day, I watched a video from the past with all five of us and I texted it to Lia. So, we talked and chatted. We are all keeping in touch with her often.
Looking wider, being an artist—in K-pop especially, but anywhere in the world—requires a strong mentality. You were all teenagers when you debuted and now you’re adults. How have you seen yourselves maturing since then?
Ryujin: We were all teenagers and it was our first experience to have a team like this where we stuck with each other 24-7. At first, when we were all together, it was a little bit hard to be with and work with people different than me. ITZY was just five, but it was really hard to understand each other — despite that it was only five. Understanding one another took time. But I think after struggling with the members and talking a lot, the biggest difference from that time and now is my understanding of others. There has been a much wider range of people I feel like I can understand now.
Yuna, as the youngest member who debuted when you were 15, what have you learned?
Yuna: It’s been quite a while since we’ve debuted, so I think I learned to become more used to circumstances and people — what’s needed in the atmosphere of our lives [as K-pop stars]. So, I got to understand these realities much more deeply. But the biggest thing I try to maintain is my passion — the passion I got and the feelings I had at my first stage [performance]. My biggest thing is trying to keep that.
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Thank you for discussing an important topic. The U.S. leg of the Born to Be Tour begins in June. Have you prepared anything special or different for these shows?
Yuna: English! We are preparing 100 percent of our audience talking in English to communicate more.
Yeji: Not only are some of the venues bigger and the concerts feel bigger in scale, but we paid a lot of attention and poured a lot into the directing of the concert. So you can see a new direction in the stages as well as the VCR too. While we have taken many dancers who have been with us on past tours, I think the variety of performances has also been upgraded a little more than the last world tour, Checkmate.
Chaeryeong: We also have a live band which is a big point for the new tour.
This is the Born to Be World Tour centered around your album of the same name, including ITZY’s first-ever solo songs you all wrote, composed, and perform in concert. How was the experience, and will we see more songwriting?
Yeji: After working on my solo song [“Crown on My Head”], I came to know that it’s quite a very difficult process and not very simple. So, I got to thank the staff, composers, writers, and those people around me who always write and make songs for us. So, actually, this song became even more precious to me because I recognized how difficult this process is and that’s why I can perform on the stage with my whole passion. As for future songs, I’ll always try if I have a chance. Yeah, if I have a chance.
Anything else you want to share with fans before the U.S. tour dates?
Ryujin: First of all, we’re coming to you in June so please come to our concert. We’re always thankful for you supporting us despite the hundreds of miles of distance. We will try our best to see you guys much more often. Thank you.
Yuna: Also, it’s our second world so it will be more…more…there will be much more things to see so please come to our concert!