K-pop Group AmbiO Begins Their Career with Optimism, Performance, and Purpose (INTERVIEW)

After introducing themselves piece by piece with the pre-debut singles “Runnin’,” “I Wish,” and “Click” in 2025, the five-member boy group AmbiO, formed under E Entertainment, officially debuted on March 18, 2026, with their first mini-album Boys Be Ambitious. The title itself connects directly to the group’s name, which draws from the phrase “Boys Be Ambitious” and reflects determination, courage, and the drive to keep moving toward a dream even when the path is difficult.

That idea gives AmbiO a clear foundation from the start. Their debut builds on the momentum of their pre-release singles with a sound rooted in optimism, performance, and the feeling of a group stepping into a larger frame. That energy comes through most clearly in the title track “SHOWTIME,” which pairs high-energy guitar riffs with sharp choreography, catchy hooks, and moments of sincerity. Across the mini-album as a whole, AmbiO’s sound feels youthful without losing polish, bright without feeling weightless, and closely aligned with the message at the center of their debut.

Now, with Boys Be Ambitious behind them and the fresh, bubbly summer anthem “BLUE SPLASH” carrying their momentum forward, those early steps are beginning to form a clearer picture of AmbiO’s identity. In a recent conversation with Stardust Magazine, the members reflected on their first mini-album, the meaning behind their name, and the drive shaping this opening chapter.

Your group name AmbiO comes from “Boys Be Ambitious.” If each of you had to share one personal ambition right now—on stage, in music, or in life—what would it be?

Tetsu: Personally, I would love to hold a solo showcase in Korea. We actually have experience holding a solo showcase in Japan. When preparing for a showcase, we prepare cover performances of songs that are deeply loved in that country, as well as songs we’ve always wanted to perform on stage. During our last solo showcase in Japan, we were able to showcase a song we really wanted to do, and it was a deeply meaningful and enjoyable time because we could share AmbiO’s diverse charm. Next time, if we get to hold a solo showcase in Korea, I want to present various K-pop cover performances and show even more people AmbiO’s unique colors and charm.

Ruone: I want to become a top idol recognized by everyone for my skills! Seeing the flawless performances of the K-pop idols I was a fan of made me think, 'I want to be like them,' which inspired me to pursue becoming a K-pop idol. So, I will become an idol who can deliver deeply moving performances just like they did!

Kiwon: My personal ambition, as well as our goal as a team, is for AmbiO to become a group whose unique color immediately comes to mind whenever anyone hears our name! Our biggest goal is to hear people say, 'Only AmbiO can pull off a stage and energy like this.' I want us to continuously build our distinct individuality in both music and performance, becoming a long-remembered group!

Seungsang: I have an ambition to build up my singing and dancing skills to a point where I can confidently show what I can do anywhere. On top of that, I want to release songs I’ve personally composed and written, and perform on big stages like an AmbiO solo concert or major music festivals like MAMA. My ultimate goal at the end of all this is to become a proud son to my parents, who have always believed in me.

Jeesoo: Just like our name 'Boys Be Ambitious,' my ambition is to become an 'irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind presence.' Musically, rather than chasing trends set by others, I want to establish an original milestone that makes the world seek out and listen to our music first. My greatest ambition is to show the world the unique universe that only AmbiO can create, driven by the passion and determination of youth.

Your mini-album Boys Be Ambitious opens with the high-energy title track “SHOWTIME,” full of guitar riffs, powerful choreography, and a catchy call-and-response. What does “SHOWTIME” say about AmbiO as a group?

Tetsu: I believe this song symbolizes a 'new beginning.' The powerful beat and rhythm from the intro leave a strong impression, and the chorus features an addictive melody and lyrics that stay in your head once you hear them. Through the repeating melody, you can gain energy, and I feel this track conveys the courage and confidence needed to take a powerful first step toward a new start. Above all, since it’s our debut track, I think it captures AmbiO's new beginning best. Also, the unique, refreshing sound and dynamic performance harmonize well together, fully demonstrating its presence as a debut title track.

Ruone: I think it’s a song that symbolizes the power and confidence of AmbiO stepping into the K-pop scene, signaling the start of a grand story right here!

Were there any specific sounds, artists, or genres that helped shape the album in its early stages?

Ruone: I think we were heavily influenced by hip-hop. Since a lot of recent K-pop incorporates hip-hop styles, I thought it would be great to have a song where hip-hop blends with our bright and refreshing charm.

Seungsang: In terms of vocal style, I personally drew a lot of inspiration from EVAN (Heeseung) sunbaenim's vocals. In particular, I practiced extensively to incorporate his powerful yet cool, summer-like high notes and overall energy into my own vocal style.

Since your debut in March, you’ve grown even further and are now back this July with your Summer Special Single, [BLUE SPLASH]. Could you tell us about this new release? What kind of musical evolution or new sounds did you explore compared to your debut album?

Tetsu: Since “BLUE SPLASH” is a summer-themed track, it stands out with its refreshing sound and melody. Compared to our previous album, it carries a slightly more laid-back vibe, and I think it shows a different side of us through the dynamic mood change in the middle of the song paired with rhythmical rap sections.

Ruone: I think “BLUE SPLASH” blends the upbeat, speedy rhythm of our previous title track, “SHOWTIME”, with a melody that evokes a cool summer freshness. By introducing synth sounds and an invigorating beat, we made sure to fully capture both the refreshing vibe of summer and AmbiO's bright energy!

While many boy groups these days go for darker or intense concepts, you chose a bright, hopeful, and youthful vibe. Why did that feel most authentic for AmbiO?

Ruone: Personally, I think all the members of AmbiO are extremely kind and naturally have a charming, cute quality. Rather than a dark or intense concept, I felt that a refreshing and vibrant image suits our true personalities much better, allowing who we truly are to shine through.

Jeesoo: AmbiO chose a bright and refreshing concept because it felt like the most natural fit to capture our real energy and growth narrative. Rather than forcing ourselves to mimic intense trends, we believed that when we honestly express our innate freshness and hope, we can genuinely enjoy the music and the stage—and that sincerity translates directly to our fans.

Starting with pre-releases late last year, you’ve built your journey step by step leading up to this point. What did those early releases teach you as a group, and how did those experiences carry over into this new chapter with [BLUE SPLASH]?

Ruone: Beyond individual skill improvements among the members, I feel everyone's vocals have become much better at expressing the overall atmosphere of the song. Discussing areas where we felt lacking during our pre-debut period helped us make noticeable improvements on ‘BLUE SPLASH’, allowing us to deliver vocals that fit the track even better. I feel we were able to stand before our fans once again with a higher-quality song.

Kiwon: Preparing for our pre-debut tracks late last year and our debut song, ‘SHOWTIME’, taught us a lot about what our team's unique identity is and how to blend each member's individual strengths into a cohesive group. As we continued our activities, our chemistry grew much more natural, and we gained confidence in how we express our music and dance on stage. Building on those experiences, I believe we were able to showcase even tighter teamwork and a much clearer energy with ‘BLUE SPLASH’ than before!

Looking back on everything since debuting, what’s one thing each of you feels especially proud of?

Tetsu: It’s definitely the fact that we were able to participate in such a wide variety of stages and events. Despite having just debuted, we were given the incredible opportunity to perform at university festivals, as well as perform on numerous music shows, YouTube shows, and our own original content. Abroad, we were able to stand on stage for our solo showcase in Japan and perform at [Cho Juudai - ULTRA TEENS FES - 2026 @ TOKYO], experiences so precious that it still feels surreal. I am deeply grateful to everyone who provided us with so many opportunities. These experiences gave us immense strength and motivated us to work even harder to show an even better version of ourselves in the future.

Ruone: I am truly proud that I can now perform in front of so many people. Until not too long ago, I was just someone in the audience longing to be up there. Knowing that our hard work has finally paid off and that I am now the one performing gives me great confidence. I will continue to do my best to become an idol who delivers even higher-quality performances!

Kiwon: What made me proudest since our debut was hearing our fans' fanchants during music show performances! Normally, wearing in-ears makes it hard to hear the audience clearly, but our fans' cheers penetrated right through them. Hearing that moment gave me so much energy, knowing that so many people are genuinely cheering us on. Also, since I participated in choreographing for this comeback, seeing our fans enjoy the stage created by AmbiO and cheering loudly gave me an even greater sense of accomplishment and responsibility. I’ll keep striving to create stages that make our fans want to cheer even louder!

Seungsang: First, I’m proud that whenever I had musical concerns, I actively sought advice from my fellow member Kiwon-hyung. Thanks to the sincere feedback from someone with so much experience and skill, I was able to find my direction quickly and grow. Second, no matter how busy things got, I made sure to stay in constant touch with my parents. Sharing daily joys and concerns with them and hearing their feedback helped me grow not only as an artist at the start of my adulthood, but also as a mature individual.

Jeesoo: The single thing I am proudest of is our solid trust in one another, which hasn't wavered even once. Through every intense moment of contemplation and growth, we have always been each other's strong pillars of support. This solid teamwork we’ve built together is truly our greatest source of pride, allowing us to face any stage with complete confidence.