YEJI / 'BORN TO BE' (240112)
K-Pop Spotlight: ITZY
ITZY is back on the scene with their new mini-album <CHESHIRE> and a message: there’s no need to overthink if you always trust your intuition. After all, we’re all mad here. To celebrate the new release, we caught up with ITZY to talk about their four new tracks and their favorite tour stages. And, as winter approaches, of course, their favorite snowy day activities. Check out our full interview below!
Tell us about your new mini-album <CHESHIRE> and what you hope fans take away from it.
Lia: This album <CHESHIRE> consists of four tracks. The title song, “Cheshire,” conveys a message of trusting your feelings because there is no right answer amid numerous unclear questions and concerns. “Snowy,” “Freaky,” and the single in English, “Boys Like You,” which was pre-released in October, are also included. We hope you show us a lot of love!
How does the sound and concept of <CHESHIRE> differ from your last release, CHECKMATE?
Chaeryeong: The biggest difference is in the mood of the title song. “SNEAKERS” was refreshing and energetic, while in the new title track, our message blends with a more mysterious vibe.
Congrats on your English single “Boys Like You”—tell us a little about what it’s been like to get to sing that song with your fans on tour!
Yeji: I’m glad we were able to produce a song in the spirit of Highteen as a gift to our fans. We were so happy that the reaction was even more positive than we had expected.
Lia: Thankfully, we were able to show the live performance on our tour. Because the entire text of the lyrics was in English, many more people could enjoy it. It was tons of fun.
What were your favorite tour stages? Are there any solo songs you wish you had gotten the chance to perform?
Yeji: I like “Free Fall,” and it’s very popular among our fans, too. So I’m glad we got to perform it during our tour. Being on stage is an unending source of joy. I would also like to try Yuna’s “Maniac.” The performance is beautiful, and the song itself is exciting. It just makes me want to feel it firsthand. Of course, Yuna’s performance is just amazing.
Yuna: I personally really like “Free Fall.”
One of the new songs on your mini-album is called “Snowy”—what are some of your favorite snowy day activities?
Ryujin: I like to go for a slow walk when it snows. I also enjoy looking at the Han river when it freezes!
Lia: If there’s enough snow, I always try to make a snowman!
Yuna: I really enjoy riding on a sled. I always have had since I was a kid.
What are your must-have items when you’re on the road/abroad?
Chaeryeong: I usually watch videos or listen to some songs, so headphones are a must!
Ryujin: I really like ramyeon. So I take a cup of ramyeon with me wherever I go.
As we approach 2023, what are your biggest goals for next year?
Lia: I hope that next year, we will have the opportunity to take another step forward and grow and present our music to more people.
Chaeryeong: In 2023, we want to show that ITZY still has a lot to give, and our goal is to deliver our positive energy to more people.
Want more ITZY? Check out their new mini-album <CHESHIRE> and the music video for the title track “Cheshire,” both out now!
K-Pop Spotlight: ITZY
Their sneakers are laced up and ITZY is ready to take on the world in the only way they know how: as no one else but themselves. This week, we’re celebrating the five-member girl group and the release of their new mini-album CHECKMATE. We caught up with ITZY to talk about their favorite footwear, their upcoming world tour, and the soundtrack of their lives. Check out our full interview below!
How does the sound and concept of CHECKMATE differ from your previous comebacks?
RYUJIN: I think there are definitely more dynamic songs in this album, so I don’t think you can feel bored at all when you listen to our album all the time.
LIA: The concept of the album is brighter and more active than before, so there are more various melody lines and energetic shouting parts!
Outside of music, what are you most passionate about? Are there any hobbies you use to de-stress?
YEJI: I feel responsible for everything I’m given and work hard to produce perfect results, but I still want to grow more musically, so I think I’m putting all my passion into music! I get stressed when I’m not doing well in the process, but the pleasure of getting good results makes me feel really good.
YUNA: In addition to music, I have a passion for fashion, beauty, and food! I also go for a walk to relieve stress.
So, your new single is called “SNEAKERS,” but what’s your preferred choice of footwear? What would you choose if you could only wear one type of shoe for the rest of your life?
CHAERYEONG: All white sneakers for both! I think they really go well with all kinds of clothes! Also it’s my favorite.
LIA: Basic black sneakers! They are comfy because they fit well with my feet. They are good matches for all kinds of clothes!
What’s your favorite lyric from your discography and why?
YEJI: “I wanna be me”—this is the part that I like. “WANNABE” is the cool image of myself that I’ve imagined. When I imagine myself becoming the person that I want to be, it motivates me to work harder and makes me grow more.
YUNA: I like “WANNABE” and “DALLA DALLA”~ Because the lyrics talk about living my own life, not others.
RYUJIN: My favorite song is one of our b-side songs called “Don’t Give A What” and my favorite part from this song is the way that we shouted “don’t give a what!”
Congrats on your upcoming tour! What are you most looking forward to and can we expect any special stages?
CHAERYEONG: Thank you! First of all, I’m so happy and excited to meet MIDZY face-to-face. As for the special stage, we’re working hard on it! I think there will be a chance to see each member’s charms in detail.
LIA: I’m very excited because it is the first concert that we’ve been waiting for and we are preparing it while thinking of the overseas fans that we could not go and see for a long time.
Pick 3 non-ITZY songs to make up the soundtrack of your life so far.
CHAERYEONG: “Into the New World” by Girls’ Generation. I fell in love with K-pop with this song. They made my childhood happy. BOL4′s “To My Youth.” When I had a hard time, the song comforted me a lot.
YUNA: YB’s “A Flying Butterfly,” BLACKPINK’s “Pretty Savage,” and IU’s “The Red Shoes.”
Lightning round! Describe each of the following in one word: Who you are, what you value the most, and what you’d be if you were a plant or animal.
CHAERYEONG: My name is Chaeryeong Lee. I cherish my people the most! If I were a flower, I wish I were a rose! Because It’s pretty but it can protect myself by having thorns! If it were an animal, I think it would be a cat! This is because I like to be alone but also like to be with people, and I don’t like to go outside.
YEJI: I am HWANG YEJI. I am a person that cherishes and loves everything I love. If I’m not a human, I would be a rose!
YUNA: This is YUNA. I cherish my beloved family and our members! If I were a plant, I would be a tulip. And if I were an animal, I would be a rabbit.
RYUJIN: If I were a plant, I would be a daisy and if I were an animal, I think I would love to be a cat. Because they are what I like.
LIA: I am just an ordinary person that cherishes the relationship between person and person. If I were a plant, I would be a sunflower. If I were an animal, I think I would be a sloth.
Want more of ITZY? Check out their new mini-album CHECKMATE and the music video for “SNEAKERS” here.
K-Pop
Week Ending July 18th, 2022
- BTS
- Stray Kids
- TWICE +2
- SEVENTEEN -1
- ATEEZ +1
- ITZY +14
- ENHYPEN -3
- Nayeon +2
- æspa -2
- NCT 127 +1
- SHINee +1
- Tomorrow X Together -3
- BLΛƆKPIИK +5
- LOOΠΔ -6
- Dreamcatcher +4
- Taemin
- NCT Dream
- EXO -4
- Monsta X -4
- Red Velvet
The number in italics indicates how many spots a name moved up or down from the previous week. Bolded names weren’t on the list last week.