Getting to Know the Rookie K-pop Group NOWADAYS

INTERVIEW

✦

INTERVIEW ✦

In the dynamic world of K-pop, the emergence of fresh talent is always a cause for excitement. So when a new artist immediately succeeds in finding a way to captivate audiences with a unique sound and mesmerizing performances, it’s easy for listeners to want to follow along and watch artistic growth in real-time. Which, in this instance, is something that the rookie K-pop group NOWADAYS is currently experiencing with longtime pop music enthusiasts.

Comprised of five members, (HYEONBIN, YOON, YEONWOO, JINHYUK, and SIYUN), NOWADAYS officially acts as the newest concoction from CUBE Entertainment — seamlessly becoming a bold addition to a company that’s helped forge prominent groups including (G)I-DLE, PENTAGON, and BTOB. And after years of training and aspiring to walk a path that’s comparable to some of their respected peers, NOWADAYS is finally ready to bring the heat.

In our new interview with the gifted members of NOWADAYS, we uncover some of the stories behind the group’s impressive debut album, their creative process, and the skills they’ve attained along the way.

NOWADAYS: CUBE Entertainment

Firstly, congratulations on your debut! How would you describe NOWADAYS to people who are just getting to discover this group? 

HYEONBIN: ‘NOWADAYS’ contains the aspiration to be curious about the audiences and fans’ ‘present (NOW)’ and to create cherished moments and memories together in future  ‘DAYS’. We want to bring comfort and emotion to our fans.

As a follow-up to that, how would you each describe your role in the NOWADAYS? 

HYEONBIN: I’m in charge of the attractive vocals and the strong-minded leader of this team! 

YOON: I'm in charge of vocal, mood maker, and aegyo on this team! 

YEONWOO: I'm the only member of ‘I’ on our team, and I'm in charge of the main dancer and warm vocalist. 

JINHYUK: I’m in charge of listening to our members' concerns and a rapper. 

SIYUN: I'm in charge of the rapper and the team's youngest MacGyver handyman.

Since joining and polishing your skills as performers – what’s an individual skill that you’re each currently the proudest of? 

HYEONBIN: I tried to improve my vocal skills, so I'm most confident in it!

YOON: I feel comfortable using a variety of facial expressions and vocal parts! 

YEONWOO: My performance is what I'm most confident in. This is something I always focus on when practicing. I have been practicing each and every walk, standing to make sure I do  not miss a single second on stage. 

JINHYUK: I’m most confident in my rapping part and in my performance as well!

SIYUN: Depending on the song's mood, I have various facial expressions!

What’s a quality about your debut song that feels unique to NOWADAYS? 

HYEONBIN: Since it’s a song that is the first beginning of our five members, I feel it is even more special. We approached it with a mindset of showing everything we have prepared.

As a new, fifth-generation lineup, what was one of the major goals you set for yourselves before debuting? 

YOON: We want to win a “Rookie of the Year”. 

YEONWOO: My wish for 2024 is to win a “Rookie of the Year ''. Since it's the most recognized as the beginning of an idol and it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

JINHYUK: Our biggest goal for this year is to receive a “Rookie of the Year” award. 

If you were going to swap parts with another member just to try something different –  whose part of the song would you like to experiment with, and why? 

HYEONBIN: I want to swap parts with JINHYUK! Since I used to be a rapper, even though I  switched to being a vocalist, I can't let go of rapping, so when making my own music I  always add rapping. I would like to do a rap part in our album if it's possible, so I want to  swap parts with JINHYUK, the lead rapper! 

YOON: I also want to switch with JINHYUK because he is good at dancing!  

YEONWOO: I'd like to switch parts with SIYUN or JINHYUK. These two members are rappers  which I think can leave a stronger and cooler impression in terms of performance.  

JINHYUK: If I could do vocals, I would like to do YEONWOO’s part! He sings the bridge intro  part which sounds so good!! 

SIYUN: I want to swap my rap parts with JINHYUK! I think JINHYUK has a fun rap flow, with a  lot of verse parts which make the performance fun. If I switch with JINHYUK I think I will be  able to show off my low tone. 

Since joining the group, what’s one opportunity that you’ve been the most excited to  receive? 

HYEONBIN: While filming our music video, the most fun moment is when I look forward to  seeing how it will turn out! 

YOON: When all of us recorded together and monitored, I was thrilled to see that five of our  voices blended well.  

YEONWOO: We went to Hongdae and Gang-nam to film a short-form, and a lot of people  were watching us. It was our first-time dancing in front of that many people, so it was fun.  

JINHYUK: Filming our music video was the most fun part! It was my first time filming a music  video, so it was my first time seeing the music video set and lip-sync to our title track! 

SIYUN: I've had the most fun so far at the location of the music video shoot. The scene  filming with wires on my back was very memorable.