TRENDZ on Travel, Teamwork, and Turning the Page

At a recent press conference, TRENDZ described what went into making their new mini-album and how STILL ON MY WAY marks the beginning of their new and improved image.

Read on to find out what TRENDZ had to say during an in-depth Q&A about a wide range of topics!

EUNIL on perfecting the title track: 

“Creating ‘MY WAY’ was a challenging process because we aimed to convey a wide range of emotions within a single song. The intro had to capture a dreamy atmosphere, the pre-chorus needed to build and layer emotions, and the chorus had to be powerful to showcase our strength in dynamic performances. Balancing all of these elements within one song was very challenging.”

EUNIL on how TRENDZ choose where to travel: 

“Our choice of locations for performances is not about trying to set trends, but rather about wanting to connect with our FRIENDZ [the fandom] all around the world and create unforgettable memories with them. We are driven by the desire to show our appreciation for the love and support we receive from our fans, and that's why we select our performance locations based on where our FRIENDZ are.”

HANKOOK on improving his songwriting skills:

“I delved into reading books and seeking out images to expand my ability to express concepts in writing. Additionally, I actively listened to songs by other artists, learning how various emotions and ideas have been expressed through lyrics. I faced several instances of writer's block while crafting the lyrics for this album. It's a common challenge when aiming to create meaningful lyrics. Often, I found myself struggling to find the right words or expressions. There were nights when I dedicated myself to writing, only to encounter these blocks. In such moments, I didn't hesitate to pause and resume writing the next day. This break allowed my thoughts to refresh, and I often came up with better ideas when I returned to the lyrics. So I wouldn't hesitate to call it a day when I got stuck.”

HANKOOK on the group members’ friendship: 

“When I encounter challenges or feel down, I often turn to those who are close to me, especially my fellow members… Though I'm the leader of the team, I often seek advice and guidance from my teammates. We support and motivate each other through both the tough and uplifting moments, and this is what has kept me going.”

HAVIT on STILL ON MY WAY’s purpose:

“In this album, we aimed to convey a sense of freedom and hopefulness that comes with youth. When you're facing difficult times, we hope our songs can provide you with the energy and solace you need. Likewise, when you're feeling great or dealing with worries, I hope our music can uplift you and inspire you to do better. We want to share our passion and energy with you through our music.”

LEON on career goals:

“Our primary goal for the remainder of 2023 is to meet our fans in person and connect with them. Additionally, we have an upcoming world tour, and we are excited to showcase our stages to fans worldwide. This tour will be a valuable opportunity for us to grow as artists.”

ra.L on a downside of constant travel…

“I would say that the creation process of this album wasn't easy, but we are proud of the result that we achieved. During our hiatus, we had to work on the album while we were abroad in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Japan. We trusted each other and communicated extensively to complete the lyrics for the album.”

… and the joy of it:

“Traveling abroad has been an unforgettable experience for me. When I was younger, I got to go abroad on a family trip only once. Now, as an idol, I find myself boarding planes quite frequently, which is something I never expected. Each new experience has been incredibly fulfilling and exciting for me.”

YECHAN on trying something new with “MY WAY”: 

“Singing on this title track was a new experience for me. I was mostly responsible for the rap verses, so transitioning to a vocalist's role with different gestures was a bit challenging. To prepare, I studied references from other artists and observed how my fellow members handled it.”

YECHAN on not regretting his career choice: 

“During my trainee days, I never anticipated the amount of love and support we would receive from our fans after our debut. When we first started receiving that overwhelming love, I was initially surprised but also filled with pride and happiness. It made me realize that I had chosen the right career path.”

YOONWOO on a memorable fan encounter: 

“We put on several shows in Indonesia, and after [a] show was over, as we were leaving the venue, a large crowd of fans at the department store approached us. It happened to be not long after my birthday, and to my surprise, the fans started singing a birthday song to celebrate with me. It was a moment that left me pleasantly surprised and filled with happiness.”

Read more of TRENDZ’s answers to questions about their music below!

• There are several movie references in the “MY WAY” music video, including Romance of Their Own, Her, and a James Bond film.

• EUNIL said he practiced high notes a lot while TRENDZ was on hiatus.

• EUNIL said a key difference from making the “BLUE SET” albums is how the group handled part distribution this time. For STILL ON MY WAY, they went from just recording their assigned parts to everyone recording every part and then deciding who best suited which pieces of the songs. 

• HANKOOK cited “strong chemistry” and “exceptional teamwork” when asked what makes their group special.

• HANKOOK said the song he is the most excited to perform while on tour is “VAGABOND,” for its performance focus and ability to generate excitement with an “intense intro.”

• LEON said that TRENDZ have been able to master new performances in a shorter amount of practice time than it used to take.

• When asked about what styles they would like to try in future comebacks, LEON suggested hip-hop or “perhaps a sexy concept.”

• It was a first for ra.L to write the first-verse rap for a TRENDZ song, a challenge that he enjoyed tackling for “MY WAY.”

• YECHAN confirmed that STILL ON MY WAY is the conclusion to the “BLUE SET” album series, shifting TRENDZ’s musical storytelling towards a more “optimistic” path.

Check out TRENDZ’s answers to random questions below!

• EUNIL said he’s a fan of Spider Man and wants to visit New York City because of a famous movie scene set in Times Square.

• If EUNIL had three wishes, he said he would first ask for 100 more wishes, but “In case that wish [wasn’t] allowed, my three main wishes would be for the happiness of our FRIENDZ and ourselves, to enjoy good health forever, and to never forget who we are.”

• HAVIT gushed about being a long-time Running Man fan and expressed his desire for TRENDZ to be guest stars on a future episode.

• When asked about their preferred ways to spend spare time, LEON said he likes shopping and freestyle dancing. He also said all the members enjoy watching K-dramas, and he specifically recommended Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.

• When asked about fashion trends, ra.L said he likes the current popularity of silver accessories, and LEON said he likes the “old-money look.”

Subscribe to this newsletter and podcast for future TRENDZ coverage, and check out STILL ON MY WAY here and the “MY WAY” music video here!

View more STILL ON MY WAY photo shoot pictures below!

Photos courtesy of Global H.