Under C9 Entertainment, NAZE made their K-pop debut last month with their first self-titled mini-album.
The team consists of seven members (KAISEI, YOUNKI, ATO, TURN, YUYA, KIMKUN, and DOHYEOK) from across South Korea, Japan, and Thailand. None of them are new to the spotlight, as they all come from having quite a bit of experience already under their belt. Having starred as leads in the TBS drama, Dream Stage, sang for an OST, and performed on stages prior to their official debut, their premiere EP, NAZE, is fuel for an existing flame that the members are ready to carry with confidence.
The title track, “People Talk”, discusses themes of ignoring external opinions and moving through life as the main character. It’s a strong introduction to the group and their ambition to carve out their own path. Relatively, the lyrics of “Awesome” follow that same vibe, merging the genres of pop and R&B within the song. “Pretty Pink Socks” is fun and full of charm as the group builds on their range by taking on a more playful sound. To close the EP off is “Seoul”—an up-beat tribute to the city’s culture, with lyrics involving familiar experiences, like eating BBQ and walking along the Han River. It’s an apt representation of NAZE’s seven members converging in a shared life together from different backgrounds.
Musically, the mini-album gives off the notion that this is a group who knows exactly what they want to bring to the scene of K-pop. The future is bright for NAZE, with international audiences and global stages already on their horizons.
“Of course, I’d be super grateful if people listen to our music in Korea, Thailand, and Japan,” ATO told The Knockturnal, “but if our songs could reach even more countries around the world, I think that would feel incredible and make us really happy. That’s why I hope more and more people become a part of NAZE.”
NAZE spoke with The Knockturnal about what makes them unique, entering K-pop from different backgrounds, inspiration behind the EP’s tracks, and more. Watch the full conversation on YouTube or read it below.
Photo Credit: C9 Entertainment
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Huge congrats on releasing your first mini-album! For people who are just getting familiar with you guys, what is something about NAZE that sets you apart from other groups?
ATO: First of all, thank you sincerely for celebrating NAZE’s debut. Unlike other groups, before our debut, we appeared in a drama called Dream Stage on Japan’s TBS network. All seven of us were cast in leading roles. Thankfully, while filming the drama, we also became much more comfortable in front of the camera. We also took part in the OST ourselves and sang the songs featured in the drama. We also went on a showcase tour, gained stage experience, and thankfully had the chance to appear on music programs in Japan. We were also given opportunities to appear on variety shows, which we’re very grateful for. Unlike most groups, we spent over half a year in Japan, gaining a wide range of experiences. I think being able to make our debut in Korea after building all of those experiences is what sets us apart from other groups.
How did your diverse backgrounds affect the process of bonding with each other and creating a strong team relationship? Was it difficult to get close at first or did everyone become friends right away?
TURN: It was a hard time for all of us because we had to communicate while doing practice. And we have to sing together. We have to dance together. Since we were practicing together in the practice room, I had to say to all the members, like, “I want you to do that. I want you to do this.” But, you know, I couldn’t speak Korean at that time. But now I’m good, right? That was a big problem because we couldn’t communicate in the same language at that time. But we had to talk over and over and over and over again. That’s why we became closer because we had to try our best to communicate with each other and keep talking to one another. So that’s the point that made us become close and be best friends now—all seven of us. Right?
YOUNKI: Yes, that’s true. That’s true.
TURN: Yeah, definitely.
YOUNKI: I think constantly trying to communicate and make an effort with each other also helped a lot. It was probably the biggest reason we were able to grow so close to one another. Since each of us came here because we wanted to become idols, being here together, we realized that we actually have a lot of things in common. So we’d share our interests, saying, “You like that too?”, “I love that too,” and that’s how we became really close.
What inspired the song, “People Talk” and why did you end up choosing it as the title track?
ATO: I think the inspiration for “People Talk” definitely came from people themselves. As you can see from the music video, there are many negative words and actions from people, but at the beginning of the video, we appear very happy despite all of that. In that sense, the song expresses choosing happiness even while people are saying negative things around us. We drew inspiration from each of those words and actions that people say and do, so we made this song.
As for why it was chosen as the title track, we received a lot of demo songs. Our CEO had us listen to a number of demo songs and asked us to raise our hands for the one we liked the most. At the time, all seven of us unanimously raised our hands for “People Talk”. Every member really liked this song. Also, in the lyrics of “People Talk”, there are lines like, “Let’s get it”, “Let’s go fearlessly”, “Let’s just go for it.” Those are phrases we actually use in our everyday lives, so seeing them in the lyrics made us feel even more connected to the song. Because of that, I think it naturally stood out to us and became the title track.
I loved how vibrant the “People Talk” music video was. Do you have any fun memories or behind-the-scenes stories from filming it?
TURN: If you watch the “People Talk” music video, you’ll see all the people doing the slow-motion things. Like they all move in slow motion, moving slowly. But, I would tell the truth, that it’s not a special effect and it’s not CGI. They all act in slow motion in real life and we are dancing in front of them. It’s very funny, because everyone is being like this, and we’re just moving at normal speed. I really love that because everyone tried so hard for our music video. So, thank you, again.
YUYA: In the MV, there is a scene where all seven of us fall out of someone’s nose. That was shot in front of a green screen, and each member had to hang from a bar and act like we were falling. We watched each other’s turn and everyone had their own individuality, and it was fun to watch.
DOHYEOK: And for me, the models who appeared in the video were really cool. Watching and observing each model’s individual aura was actually really fun.
The album has a song named “Seoul”, which paints a vivid image of the city’s vibe, culture, and what it means to call it home. If each of you had to choose one thing that you like the most about the city of Seoul, what would that be?
YUYA: People are so warm and kind!
TURN: I would choose the story because of the lyrics [of “Seoul”]. “Hey, this might not be where I’m from, but Seoul is now my new hood.” Because it doesn’t matter what, where you came from, you know? Seoul is really attakai (“warm” in Japanese). It’s really ttatteuthae (“warm” in Korean). I really love the vibe of Seoul because everything is so masisseo [“delicious” in Korean] and everything is so good. What languages am I talking in now? It’s quite hard to talk in different languages, but I love Seoul because it’s an open dosi (“city” in Korean).
KIMKUN: I think Seoul is a place where you can experience a lot of different things. Since it’s the capital, there are always a lot of events happening there. There are also lots of international visitors, so you get to have many new experiences. I think it’s a place where you can try many things you’ve never experienced before, and that’s what I like about Seoul.
ATO: Since I grew up outside of Seoul, when I first came here, everything felt so convenient. It felt like it had everything—a city where nothing is missing—and that’s what I really liked about Seoul. Just like in the lyrics of “Seoul”, it’s the place where all seven of us first met. I think that’s what makes it so special, and why I love it.
YOUNKI: Since I’m from Seoul, it feels very familiar to me. Among everything, I think the best thing is that all seven of us were able to meet each other here. Let’s get it!
DOHYEOK: For me, the neighborhood where I live is really just mountains and fields out in front. After coming to Seoul, I realized, “Wow, there are so many stylish buildings and it’s an easy city when it comes to transportation.” So I thought, “Wow, it’s really beautiful.” How should I put it? A place filled with concrete buildings.
KIMKUN: I like the city view.
TURN: City, city.
KAISEI: Of course, Seoul is very developed as a city, and there are so many fun things to do, but personally, I love that Hangang [Han River] is a central place that everyone gathers at and is a healing spot for many people.
As you continue making music, are there any artists or groups that inspire you and any you would like to collaborate with in the future?
ATO: I think each of us probably has our own role model. Personally, I really like Sohee sunbaenim (“senior”) from RIIZE. I’m always inspired by the way Sohee sunbaenim sings so happily on stage. If the opportunity comes up, I’d love for us to do something as a group, whether that’s filming a challenge or singing together. I’d be really grateful for that opportunity.
KIMKUN: My role model is also ZICO sunbaenim. He always shows such a trendy side of himself. It makes me think, “I want to stay trendy too and show my own style in a cool way.” That’s why I respect him. If I could collaborate with any artist, I think it would be ENHYPHEN sunbaenim. Since we don’t really have a specific universe or storyline, our goal is to show ourselves exactly as we are. ENHYPHEN sunbaenim has such a strong and well-defined universe, so I think there would be a lot of fun in that contrast and gap between our styles. I really respect them as artists, so I’d love to collaborate with them someday.
TURN: I want to do a dance video, like a dance performance video, with J-Hope sunbaenim from BTS because he’s my role model and I’d really love to dance with him. I’m waiting!
Now that you’ve officially debuted, what is the biggest goal that NAZE wants to achieve? As artists, what do you hope to accomplish as you continue to grow?
YOUNKI: My biggest goal is to perform on big stages. I want to perform on huge stages like Tokyo Dome, Glastonbury, and Coachella. My goal is for all seven of us to sing and dance together on stages like those.
ATO: Also, no matter what country or place we go to, I think hearing our songs being played there would make me the happiest. Of course, I’d be super grateful if people listen to our music in Korea, Thailand, and Japan, but if our songs could reach even more countries around the world, I think that would feel incredible and make us really happy. That’s why I hope more and more people become a part of NAZE!
NAZE is currently out on all streaming platforms, including the music videos for “People Talk” and “Pretty Pink Socks”.
