It’s our fifth conversation with TRENDZ, and honestly, it feels like we’re best friends at this point. Watching their growth from day one has been such a rewarding experience. Their latest release, CRIME, is great proof of how far they’ve come as a group. The track is sharp, dynamic, and full of energy, combining powerful vocals and rap with a thrilling, edgy sound.

The writing process for CRIME was a team effort. The members worked together to write lyrics that not only suited the theme of the song but also showed their distinctive styles. The darker and more confident theme of the track allowed them to experiment with their songwriting, imagining themselves as the main characters of the story they were telling. It was a process that came together quickly, with the members taking ownership of their parts and contributing to a final product they were all proud of. Talking of vocals, well, they’ve always been great.

As TRENDZ continues to build their international presence, they’re becoming increasingly familiar with the excitement of touring and meeting fans around the world. Their recent European tour was a chance to connect with FRIENDZ in a meaningful way, and spreading their music to new audiences is something that many artists wish to do. Moving forward, TRENDZ are excited to continue showing a more mature side of themselves and experimenting with new musical directions. There’s no doubt that CRIME is just the beginning of an even more exciting journey for the group.

We recently sat down with TRENDZ to discuss their latest digital single and what’s next for them, including their new upcoming European tour.

View of the Arts: Well done on your comeback with CRIME! It’s such a great track; musically sharp, with dynamic vocals and rap sections.. Could you tell us how this song came together from the very beginning? What was the recording process like in the studio?

Hankook: From the moment I heard the guide track, I thought it was a song we could pull off well and perform with confidence. During the recording process, we filled it with our unique, charming voices and had a really enjoyable time recording it.

Yoonwoo: When I first heard the song, I personally really wanted to do it. But since Chameleon was a competing track at the time, after some discussion, Chameleon was chosen first, and this song was released afterward. I had a strong desire to do my part well, so I practiced a lot, and thanks to that, the producers were satisfied too. It was a fun and fulfilling project.

VOA: CRIME credits PiLO alongside Ra.L, Yechan, and Hankook on lyrics. How did this collaboration come about, and how did the approach differ between writing the rap verses and the vocal lines?

ra.L: Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to participate in writing the lyrics for CRIME, so I worked hard on it. I remember finishing my part within a few hours, and I’m really proud of how it turned out. It was a fun process. During recording and whenever I met the lyricists, they always gave me positive feedback about my rap part, which I really appreciated.

Yechan: Since it was our first time dealing with this kind of theme and concept, we wanted to make it darker while still keeping a sense of style as rappers. So when I was writing my lyrics, I imagined, “What if I were the main character of this song?” That mindset helped me express confidence, with the idea that no one is a match for me. It’s all easy for me!

READ MORE: TRENDZ: Unpacking the Journey of Their New Single Album “Chameleon”

VOA: When you were recording CRIME, what emotions or messages did you want to convey through your individual parts?

Eunil: I usually take on high-pitched parts, but this time, I was assigned a lower tone for the first time. Since it was a new side of me to show, I tried my best to express a contrasting charm.

Leon: I wanted to show a sexy vibe.

VOA: You have been incredibly active lately – you just wrapped up a European tour and are now heading back to Europe again! How does it feel to be meeting international fans so often? Has touring changed your perspective as artists?

Havit: Since I want to go anywhere FRIENDZ are, overseas schedules are always exciting and welcome. Through touring, I can really feel myself growing and improving in many ways, which makes me even more excited for what’s ahead.

Hankook: I’m happy that we’ve been able to tour around the world and meet so many FRIENDZ, and it’s been joyful to spread our music to more people. Experiencing the happiness of being on stage made me want to perform our music in even more places.

VOA: You’ve built a reputation for really good performances. With CRIME being such a strong comeback, how do you approach maintaining that energy while still keeping your performances fresh and engaging?

Leon: For this choreography, controlling the balance between strong and soft movements is very important, so I focused on mastering that contrast.

ra.L: For CRIME, from the moment we started preparing for the comeback, all seven of us tried to fully immerse ourselves in the music and performance so that the audience could truly focus on the stage. Leon hyung gave us a lot of direction to help maintain that flow and immersion, and each of us paid close attention to every gesture and movement. In addition to those efforts, we constantly practiced our weaker parts and focused on every detail. I think that’s our secret to creating powerful and captivating performances

READ MORE: Exploring TRENDZ: Music, Fans, Dreams and Their Latest Release, “DREAMLIKE”

VOA: Winter is quickly approaching – are any of you excited for snow and the upcoming holiday season? What are some small things that help you relax or recharge during your busiest schedules?

Yechan: I’ve loved snow ever since I was little. When I was younger, I really enjoyed sledding, but these days, the snow doesn’t pile up as much and melts so quickly that I can’t enjoy it like before. So now, I’d love to go sledding again and then sit somewhere warm, drinking hot chocolate while watching the snow fall outside the window.

Yoonwoo: In winter, whenever possible, I like to go skiing. Even though it’s cold, skiing makes me feel like all my stress just disappears, so I really enjoy it.

VOA: Lastly, CRIME feels like a statement piece for TRENDZ – confident and mature. Looking ahead, how would you like your music and artistry to evolve in 2026?

Hankook: We want to show a more mature side of ourselves and present music that’s different from what we’ve shown before. Through various musical genres, we hope to share the happiness that our voices and music can bring.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Global H Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}