TRENDZ, an emerging K-pop boy group consisting of Havit, Leon, Yoonwoo, Hankook, ra.L, Eunil, and Yechan, debuted in 2022 with the EP Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks, followed by Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice. And with their impeccable visual appeal, talent, and versatility, the group has definitely shown promise with their two aforementioned releases. 

In November 2022, TRENDZ promoted their first single album, Blue Set Chapter. Unknown Code, featuring Vagabond as the title track, and demonstrated that they are capable of keeping up with new K-pop trends. The song was also a collaboration with producer LEEZ who is known for his work with other idol groups such as ATEEZ, DREAMCATCHER, Yoonha, and N.Flying. 

TRENDZ’s second single album, Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz, was met with positive reviews and, yet again, caught international attention with its diverse approach when it comes to musical arrangements. It is also the last chapter of the Blue Set saga, which TRENDZ have been promoting since their debut as a group. 

Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz contains three songs, Nightmare, New Dayz, and Fantasy. It’s clear that with their unique sound and captivating style, TRENDZ have a good chance of flourishing in the K-pop industry. In addition, if the group stays consistent with their releases and promotions, there is no doubt that TRENDZ will stay relevant and gain more attention from their fans and the media.

In their recent interview with View of the Arts, TRENDZ opened up about their journey to becoming idols, their newest release, Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz, as well as the songwriting process for the aforementioned album.  

You debuted not too long ago, and you have already gained a huge number of followers. When you look at your life right now, and before we discuss your new release, Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz, have all of you thought of having a musical career when you were younger? 

Havit: I used to love singing when I was young, but as I studied, I didn’t even imagine working in music. When I was in middle school, I suddenly wanted to become a singer, and after a while, I went to see an art school performance and received an offer to become an idol. After some time, I was offered to be a trainee at a bigger place, so I thought, “This is the way I should go”.

Leon: I have been dancing since I was young, and at that time, I wanted to become a person who had a dream to shine on stage.

Yoonwoo: In my case, my parents wanted me to study until middle school, so I studied really hard and got good grades. I really wanted to pursue my dream after entering high school. I couldn’t forget the happiness I felt when I was on stage during various events, and I knew that I could have a good influence on many people, so I decided to follow this career.

Hankook: When I was young, I didn’t know I would become an idol [Laughs]! I kept changing my dreams until I had the dream of becoming an idol when I was in my second year of middle school!

ra.L: I’ve been dreaming of becoming a singer since I was young. When I was in middle school, I stood on the stage of the school festival for the first time, and the feeling of being on stage was really good, so I started dreaming of having a career in music. Since I was a very eager child, I once talked to the casting manager who came to the school to see if he would give me a chance to become a singer. I auditioned constantly and joined the company after thirteen auditions. After becoming a trainee and practising hard, I was finally able to debut as a member of TRENDZ. I don’t think I’ll be able to forget the moment I realised my dream and the moment I met FRIENDZ [the name of TRENDZ’s fandom]. So, while remembering all the love and support from FRIENDZ, I continue to work hard to give you all a memorable performance as a sign of my gratitude. 

Eunil: From an early age, I had a great interest and desire for music. I’ve always loved listening and singing to songs, but my mother asked me first if I wanted to try singing. After that, I started preparing in earnest. Thanks to a good opportunity, I joined the company and debuted with TRENDZ.

Yechan: I grew up listening to K-pop from a young age, so I became interested in it at that time. So, since my childhood, I began hoping for a future as a singer!

You debuted with Blue Set Chapter 1. Tracks last year. After that, you revealed Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice, a mini-album. Recently, you have just released your second single album, titled Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz. Looking at your previous EPs, and now listening to your new release, I must admit you do come across as a musically diverse group. The musical arrangements and line distribution are really good on all of your releases. That said, when you were preparing to record Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz, how did you get into the right frame of mind to deliver such good tracks? 

Eunil: Wow! I’m so happy to hear that we’re a musically diverse group! BLUE SET CHAPTER. NEW DAYZ is the last story of the BLUE SET saga that we’ve been doing since our debut! When we prepare for an album, we always work hard to show you various sides of us. In this album, we wanted to show you something that TRENDZ has never shown before. We practised a lot accordingly. How was it? If our previous title songs were focused on intense performances, this time, it’s totally different! It’s a bright and funky song. When I first listened to it, I was surprised and excited about it.

Looking at the Blue Set Chapter 2. Choice, which contains five songs – Hankook, ra.L, Eunil, Leon and Yechan, you were credited as writers of all five songs. How about your contribution to Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz? How much were you involved in the creative process during the production of your second single album?

Hankook: I got to participate in writing the lyrics. As expected, I think writing is difficult for me. However, I wanted to get good results, so I tried to write lyrics all night long and create addictive flows and melodies.

ra.L: In this second single album, Hankook, Yechan, and I participated in writing the lyrics. When the songwriter sent us the title song, NEW DAYZ, the guide was empty for our rap part. I think LEEZ (the songwriter) gave us this opportunity after getting to know a lot about us while making the previous album together and widening the gap in which we can express ourselves musically. So, we wrote the rap part.

Yechan: I participated in writing the lyrics for all three songs on this album. First of all, compared to the older members, it took me a little longer to understand the topic. So, I had a lot of worries, but if there were things I didn’t know, I would look for guidance, listen to other artists’ music, get inspiration, organise my thoughts, find my way around, and write the lyrics after that. I think I achieved a good result.

I generally don’t pick favourite songs when it comes to K-pop as there are just too many good ones to choose from. Although I enjoyed listening to the entire single album, I found Nightmare to be interesting when it comes to its musical arrangements. Could you tell us more about the creative process behind this song?

Hankook: After hearing Nightmare for the first time, I wanted to show a new side of me, so I think it was the song that gave me the biggest headache while writing the lyrics. I was thinking about how to express a nightmare, but I think I was able to make this song because I wanted to rap.

Now that you have released the Blue Set Chapter. New Dayz, I was wondering, how does it feel when you release music in general? How do you feel when you put your music out there for people to judge? Especially now that you have gained more popularity abroad?

Eunil: I think the release of this album really made me more excited than previous albums. We were very nervous and thought a lot about whether the public would like it or not because we were presenting a completely different concept to them. Also, before the release, teaser images and the highlight medley were released first, and domestic fans as well as overseas fans showed so much anticipation and interest, which we were grateful for.

Your title track from the aforementioned release is New Dayz, which also includes an MV. If I may ask, why have you chosen this particular track to be your title song? And what was the process of filming the MV?

ra.L: I think I tried hard to make the title song completely different from the music we showed to our fans before. We wanted to choose a song that was perfect for the end of the BLUE SET saga. That’s how the song was made. We prepared for our comeback with excitement because it’s a “new day”!

Eunil: You’re right! If the music that TRENDZ showed before was intense and performance-oriented, in this album, we put a lot of effort into showing a new and bright side of ourselves that we couldn’t show before. NEW DAYZ has such a funky and trendy vibe. We also wanted the MV to match the mood of the song. So, we tried to create a drama-type music video for the first time. Did everyone enjoy it? 

Your choreography is really intense at times – being an idol has never been an easy task, and has always required hard work and stamina. Do you have any advice for maintaining fitness and strength?

Yoonwoo: I remember having a hard time physically when I first debuted, I’ve been working out to build up my stamina, and I take a lot of nutritional supplements, so I think I’ve grown a lot now, and I believe I have to eat well [Laughs].

Eunil: The choreography for NEW DAYZ might look easy, but in reality, it’s a dance with a lot of jumping around! So, I tend to work really hard to maintain my health and stamina. First of all, you need a minimum amount of sleep that suits you, and you need to do everything while maintaining high tension with the members and staff around you! If the atmosphere is calm, you tend to lose strength and energy, so we always try to keep the atmosphere up.

As there are seven of you in the group, you must have different music tastes. Is there music you like that never fails to make you feel good? 

Havit: Do I have strong likes or dislikes in music? It’s pretty tricky! I tend to listen to music regardless of the genre. I can decide if I like a song when I hear the intro! For example, songs like TRENDZ’s NEW DAYZ and Fantasy completely match my taste in music!

Leon: I feel good when I listen to TRENDZ’s track Forever More.

Yunwoo: I think it might be our title song, NEW DAYZ. It’s a song that gives me strength no matter when I listen to it, so I put it in the first order of the playlist and keep listening to it [Laughs].

Hankook: I really like Valley’s song: The Problem Song. The lyrics are great, and I especially like the beat, so I think it’s become my favourite song! Even the first lyrics say “Oh, this is my favourite song”.

ra.L: I tend to look for music that suits my taste! I think the song that makes me feel good when I listen to it is TRENDZ – NEW DAYZ! 

Eunil: It’s not because it’s our song, but I think it’s NEW DAYZ for me [Laughs]. The song itself is exciting, and the lyrics make me feel good, so I’ll pick NEW DAYZ!

Yechan: I usually listen to hip-hop music a lot. So, the song I want to recommend is TRENDZ – One Way To Go! The reason is that I think it’s the hippest of TRENDZ’s songs, and it’s a song that I like.

What’s the hardest thing about being in a group? As I mentioned previously, there are seven of you, therefore there must also be seven different personalities. How do you work as a team?

Leon: Sometimes we fight with each other, but we always communicate – we have been together for a long time – so I think we know how to understand each other.

Yechan: First of all, if we’re in the waiting room, we can’t stop laughing no matter where we go! The chemistry between us is no joke. I think the secret is reaction! Even if we joke around with each other, when we see that person’s reaction, we always make sure to be receptive to it. 

When you are not working, what do you do to get away from it all and relax? 

Havit: I tend to have my own healing time while eating delicious food, watching movies, dramas, and anime, visiting restaurants, or sometimes reading books in a quiet cafe!

Leon: I listen to music and go for a walk!

Yoonwoo: I think I relieve my stress by meeting close friends and eating something sweet and delicious. I also think about going on a trip on a day when the weather is nice.

Hankook: I relieve stress by spending time alone. I think I will keep walking until I’m tired or find a new place to refresh myself.

ra.L: When I’m resting, I spend a lot of time studying music, actually most of the time! I have a big desire to grow, and work is my happiness, so work naturally permeates my daily life and hobbies. So, I tend to worry and think a lot about work even when I’m resting. 

Eunil: I try my best to use my free time to rest and have personal time for myself. I think it’s really important to look back on myself and think about how to improve further, so I spend time alone! Also, when I feel too overwhelmed, I just focus on watching a movie or a drama, and that relieves stress!

Yechan: I don’t think about work when I’m not at home. I don’t really try to, but I can’t remember, so I try to rest well.

Who motivates you to work hard and stay on track?

Havit: FRIENDZ! They are my muse and my driving force – I want to repay the love that FRIENDZ give me, so I think of working harder every moment!

Leon: Of course, FRIENDZ are the driving force of my life!

ra.L: I think our fans make us continue to work hard. They are our driving force and energy! When I see FRIENDZ cheering us on, I realise that they have also worked just as hard as we did for this moment to happen. I guess I always think about it. We know that in order to repay you, we must continue to work hard.

Hankook: I think I’m able to work this hard thanks to FRIENDZ, my family, and the people around me who always support me! I will work hard and give my best to you.

Yunwoo: I think everyone except me. I am a person who can create more synergy when I receive encouragement and praise from others, so I think everyone around me makes me good.

Eunil: I think it’s the members! I think it’s a relief that all seven of us don’t get tired – some of us always keep our tension high, so we work harder and do everything together.

Yechan: I think the reason why I have been able to come this far and work hard every time is because of my family and FRIENDZ. 

Is there a message you would like to send to the UK audience? 

Havit: Hello, British readers! This time, we’re greeting you with NEW DAYZ! I hope our song can be your strength! We’ll show you better songs and performances, so please keep an eye out for us.

Leon: If I could, I’d love to run to England right now! I want to go to England as soon as possible and meet my FRIENDZ. I love you.

Yoonwoo: Thank you so much for your love and support from afar. If we have a chance, we’d love to run to you and meet you. If you wait a little longer, we’ll definitely meet you. I love you.

Hankook: Hello, it’s Hankook from TRENDZ! First of all, thank you so much for reading our interview. If you get to know us this time, please keep watching us! And if you wait a little bit, TRENDZ will come to the UK. I love you, FRIENDZ.

ra.L: Hi guys!! I’m ra.L from TRENDZ. We recently came back with our second single album! I’m so happy to talk about our album – we have three amazing songs, and I helped write the lyrics. So, please give us a lot of love! And I want to say thank you to FRIENDZ for always giving us tremendous support. I feel your love and support every day, and I want to give back with our music and performances. Let’s make unforgettable memories together! I just want to say thank you, and I love you!

Eunil: Thank you so much to all the fans in the UK!! Thank you for cheering for us even though we haven’t had a chance to see each other in person yet…ㅠㅠ. As much as I’m thankful, I’ll work harder to give you a good performance!! And I’ll be hoping that we can meet in person soon!! I will always love you!!!

Yechan: Hello! This is TRENDZ’s maknae, Yechan! Thank you for taking the time to read our interview! We will continue to work hard, so please give lots of love to TRENDZ and show a lot of interest in our maknae, Yechan.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}