K-pop Rookie Group IDID Talks Trainee Experiences and Their Debut Album
Starship Entertainment’s newest rookie group, IDID, enters the K-pop industry with tangible intent. Formed via the survival program Debut’s Plan, the seven-member team—JANG YONGHOON, KIM MINJAE, PARK WONBIN, CHU YOOCHAN, PARK SEONGHYEON, BAEK JUNHYUK, and JEONG SEMIN—have officially kick-started their career with a debut album that frames their first act as vivid, unguarded, and wired for movement.
With the group’s livewire focus track, “제멋대로 찬란하게 (CHAN-RAN),” they carefully lean into bright, youthful rhythm and a bold hip-hop bassline, pinning the group’s thesis to one memorable line: “The falls and the scars are still part of me.” Its explosive video matches the sentiment by favoring the notion of instinct over immaculate staging.
That philosophy threads through the set with the pre-debut single “STEP IT UP” (which dropped in July), bringing a more assertive style of grit; conversely, “SLOW TIDE” softens into delicate emotion; “ImPerfect” reframes flaws as design; while “STICKY BOMB” aims for stick-in-your-head immediacy; and “Blooming CROWN” drives with resolve. Together, these eight compelling tracks move as a single story arc.
Now, the members of IDID are opening up to Stardust about their trainee experiences, imperfections, and the journey to becoming a cohesive group.
If you each had to choose a track off I did it that reflects your own personal style or artistry, what would it be?
KIM MINJAE: Our focus track ‘CHAN-RAN’ reflects our bright and refreshing vibe perfectly!
PARK SEONGHYEON: From our debut album, I did it., ‘STEP IT UP’ reflects our personal style and artistry because the track is about expressing honesty, and making our own path in a free-spirited attitude. It’s a song that most represents the members' passion and persistence.
“ImPerfect” reframes flaws as design. Were there any unexpected vocal takes, ad-libs, or choreography moments that you kept to embrace “imperfections”?
CHU YOOCHAN: I realized that my vocals were a bit unstable while recording some ad-libs for ‘ImPerfect.’
JEONG SEMIN: While practicing, I came to accept that it takes time for me to learn the song and the choreography. However, I was able to debut with the help of the members.
Starship
“STEP IT UP” introduced your fiercer side pre-debut. How did the staging of that song evolve from July showcases to album promotions?
JANG YONGHOON: By experiencing the music broadcast programs and performances in another country, I grew to enjoy the stage without being nervous.
BAEK JUNHYUK: I had many chances to perform on stage during the pre-debut period, and because of that experience, I got to enjoy being on stage and show IDID’s unique character.
Debut’s Plan compressed training, feedback, and even public scrutiny. Is there something you took away from that experience that helped you transition into IDID?
PARK WONBIN: Being on Debut’s Plan helped me a lot. Trainees don’t get to perform, but they showcase what they’ve been working on to executives during the monthly evaluation day. Thanks to the program, we had the opportunity to perform in front of the audience and get feedback from our senior artists. This helped the team to improve and present better performances as IDID.
JEONG SEMIN: It was a great opportunity to perform on stage before the debut. Trainees always have a monthly evaluation to show what we’ve been practicing to the company executives, but being on a bigger stage, I thought I would be too overwhelmed. But thanks to Debut’s Plan, with its smaller evaluations and bigger performances, I was able to get used to being on the stage.
Starship has a history of strong performance units. What’s one piece of advice you’ve received from your seniors that stuck during album prep?
JANG YONGHOON: The advice I got from IVE was ‘Don’t be afraid, be confident, and presence is what matters.’ Since everything was a first for us, their advice helped us a lot.
BAEK JUNHYUK: CRAVITY told us that ‘Presence on the stage is important’, the words of wisdom gave us strength.
