Meet TRENDZ – the dynamic K-pop sensation that's all set to lead the Gen Z trend!
Consisting of the all-rounded members HAVIT, LEON, YOONWOO, HANKOOK, ra.L, EUNIL, and YECHAN – TRENDZ kicked off their journey on January 5, 2022 with the debut mini album, Blue Set Chapter 1. TRACKS. Their name says it all – they're not just following trends but shaping them.
Their incredible talents haven't gone unnoticed either. At the 2022 Asia Artist Awards, they proudly received the esteemed AAA Focus Award, cementing their influence in K-pop. Yet, TRENDZ, being true to its name, extends its reach beyond music. In March 2022, they were honored as Red Cross Youth ambassadors for the Korean Red Cross, and later that year, they embraced the role of Global Eco-Friendly Public Relations ambassadors for the Sustainable World Network. They're truly leaving a lasting impact, to say the least.
TRENDZ recently returned with its third single album, STILL ON MY WAY, picking up the narrative from their previous release, Blue Set Chapter: New Dayz. This new album tells the gripping tale of the members as they chase their dreams with unwavering determination.
To celebrate their latest release, TRENDZ joined me to discuss STILL ON MY WAY, how the album connects to their universe story, member contributions, and more! Keep reading to know more about the septet.
Nice to meet you, TRENDZ! Thanks for speaking to Hellokpop. Please introduce yourselves individually to our readers and share what one keyword best describes you.
HAVIT: Hi, This is HAVIT, back with the autumn vibes! My keyword would be “a sense of dreaminess,” which is what I focused the most on expressing while preparing this album.
LEON: Hello, this is LEON, the choreography director and main dancer of TRENDZ. I think the keyword that best describes me is "cat." Not only does my face resemble that of a cat, but I also believe my personality shares some similarities with that of a cat.
YOONWOO: Hello, I'm YOONWOO, the vocalist with a ‘model-level visual’ of TRENDZ. Despite my intimidating and sharp image, I have a very friendly personality and a humble charm, so I think "reverse charm" would be my keyword.
HANKOOK: Hello, this is HANKOOK, the leader of TRENDZ. I think my keyword would be “visual leader.” It’s a bit embarrassing to say that myself… but I promise to continue showing the better side of me!
ra.L: Hello, my name is ra.L, and I'm a rapper at TRENDZ! The word that best describes me is "charming,” so come and witness my diverse array of charms!
EUNIL: Hello, this is EUNIL, the visual and main vocalist of TRENDZ. A keyword that best describes me would be "all-rounder." I aim to excel in everything I do, and I believe I'm capable of doing just that!
YECHAN: Hello! I'm JUNG YECHAN, the youngest member of TRENDZ and little hexagonal gentleman😆 My keyword would be "hexagon!"
Congratulations on your third single album, “STILL ON MY WAY.” Can you tell me more about the title track? What message or feelings do you hope fans take away from the song?
HANKOOK: I hope that many people will find strength after listening to our title song. Since the title is "MY WAY," everyone, follow your own path and move towards your dreams!!
ra.L: This title song is packed with energy, driven by drum and bass. It reflects TRENDZ's determination to keep pushing forward even in the face of adversity and to follow their own path without giving up. The song showcases the unique voice tones of each member and conveys feelings of nostalgia, hope, and the freedom of youth.
We hope that when people listen to our music, they'll feel liberated and experience the essence of youth.
YOONWOO: Our title song carries a positive and confidence-boosting message, so we hope it can provide energy and inspire courage to carry on to those who are feeling tired and going through tough times.
What do you think is the killing part or the highlight of the title track, "MY WAY?"
EUNIL: I think the highlight of our title song is the introduction. It's the first time among our title songs that the intro has a somewhat nostalgic tone, but unlike the beginning, the song's overall mood is about running and moving forward with determination. The subtle introduction really enhances that sense of momentum, so I'd choose the introduction as the highlight. Plus, I put a lot of effort into singing that part, so I hope you enjoy it!
YECHAN: I'd like to choose the "Still on my Way" part sung by HANKOOK and ra.L. The reason is that this part directly includes the title of the song, "MY WAY," and it's a very impactful and memorable part that stands out when you listen to the song.
LEON: I think the HANKOOK’s rap in the second verse is really impressive. It has a way of making my heart race when I hear it!
Do you have any specific goals for this comeback? Are there any long-term goals you'd like to achieve for your group?
HANKOOK: I hope our songs make it to the charts with this comeback, as this would mean that many people are listening to our music. We want to empower you with our songs by having them on the music charts.
YOONWOO: My long-term goal is to host a solo concert for TRENDZ, so we'll continue to work diligently to make that a reality.
LEON: I think our biggest goal is to introduce our group, TRENDZ, to people who may not know about us yet. We want more and more people to listen to our music and get to know TRENDZ. In the future, we hope to grow to the point where we can host our own exclusive concert.
For you, who is TRENDZ? HAVIT: I see TRENDZ as a group with many layers, like an onion! I’m sure there is a big difference between the first impression of us and how people see us as they get to know us better. I believe the more you get to know us, the more you'll appreciate our unique and endless charms.
TRENDZ is now a part of my life. I've spent so much time being a part of the group that it's become a significant part of my life now.
YOONWOO: I see TRENDZ as a treasure chest filled with my cherished and joyful memories, to the extent that it feels like a second life to me.
HANKOOK: TRENDZ is like a second family to me! Let's stay together forever!
ra.L: To me, TRENDZ is not just a group but a family and friends I want to see thrive and be happy for the rest of our lives. I truly hope we can continue growing and achieving great things together, enjoying every moment along the way.
EUNIL: TRENDZ is a very versatile group!! Whether it's about songs, performances, or visuals, we excel in every aspect! We are a group loved by the public, and we want to continue going higher together for a long time.
YECHAN: For me, TRENDZ is like winning the lottery. It feels like we all hit the jackpot! I went through auditions, was accepted into the company, experienced a long and sometimes challenging trainee period, and finally had the privilege to debut. I believe we've come this far because we were not only fortunate but also put in a lot of hard work and passion, so I think being on the team is like winning the lottery.
Read the full interview at Hellokpop.