TXT’s Weverse Interviews: Four Takeaways

What TXT’s latest interview series reveals about their character

Mar 13, 2023

Below are four themes throughout TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s latest series of individual interviews that illuminate who they truly are and what makes them shine.

On the Power of Music to Form Unique Bonds with Fans

YEONJUN recalled the time he wrote a few words of advice (“study hard”) on a fan’s CD without thinking much of it. He later found out this fan got into a dream university program after taking his words to heart, solidifying in his mind how much sway artists have over those who admire them. This willingness to listen to TXT creates a sense of trust, and the openness of some idol-fan interactions is why TXT feel comfortable letting fans in on their music-making process. For example, SOOBIN recalled sharing the demo version of “Ring” via Weverse, a fan communication platform. Since MOAs (TXT fans) validate TXT’s ideas, TXT feel comfortable sharing their rough drafts and expect nonjudgmental feedback. SOOBIN summed it up best:

“I think there’s a certain kind of love that can only exist between a singer and their fans… They exist for each other and want each other to be happy and hope for better things for the other than for themselves… it’s an extremely special relationship.”

YEONJUN shared that sense of awe: “I’m at a place now where I can change a person’s life. What about this job could be more rewarding than that?”

On Staying Humble and Hardworking

SOOBIN has made an annual event out of visiting his former teacher and dentist, who both accommodated his abnormal schedule during trainee days and encouraged his ambitions. SOOBIN said it is important to stay grateful, and YEONJUN echoed that sentiment: “I think I’ll fail as both a person and as an artist the moment I start taking others for granted.”

The desire to repay those who show TXT love and support was clear in HUENINGKAI’s comments as well: he admitted the group has canceled vacation time to focus more on practicing choreography. TAEHYUN’s answer to a question about what motivates him explains why:

“There’s going to be people who are passionate and people who aren’t no matter what field you’re in. We decided upfront to be serious about it… I’ve been in this field for years[,] and the people who work hard really stand out. So we said we’re going to be those kinds of people[,] no matter how many years we’re at it[,] and hold onto our grit.”

The sources of this enduring grit? He cited his pure passion for singing and dancing, his desire to make fans proud, a responsibility to his bandmates, and a sense of fulfilling his purpose. He shared, “I want to grow any way I can[,] because growing means I’m alive and it’s how I demonstrate my identity.”

On the Passage of Time

A profound livestream moment between TAEHYUN and HUENINGKAI was mentioned during HUENINGKAI’s interview: TAEHYUN asked if the group should plant a tree that spring, and HUENINGKAI shared his concerns with that idea. Watching a tree grow could represent an exciting beginning, but it could also represent how nerve-wrackingly fast time flies. This aligns with the mindset throughout The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION: while the members realize a utopian, frozen-in-time land of eternal childhood is impossible, it remains a tempting premise. They struggle to grow up, because becoming older requires facing the fact life is short. BEOMGYU addressed the fear of not making the most of every moment when writing “Happy Fools”:

“I wrote the part in the first and second pre-chorus that goes, ‘I’m like a butterfly / A honeybee who’s always working.’ I’ve been that kind of butterfly before… the feeling I was writing about [was] the feeling of going to work every day and the [sun] already being down whenever I got off… Ants and bees work nonstop, so I thought about how many things they might be missing in life, not knowing how beautiful the sunset is or how nice and cool the breeze was.”

A casual conversation between TXT members revealed the authenticity behind their songs about wanting to stop time and soak in the present moment.

On Their Discography as a Whole

HUENINGKAI expressed pride in TXT’s 2022 MMAs performance for capturing their “whole storyline in just five minutes.” Beyond being a highlight reel of TXT’s past eras, their Melon Music Awards stage previewed their next chapter, giving viewers their first teaser of the “Name Chapters” and “Sugar Rush Ride.” Constantly paying tribute to their past work while hinting at what the future entails keeps TXT’s performances worthy of anticipation. Immense thought goes into every detail to guarantee each chapter ties into the ones before and after it, and they also compel through the ways they handle mistakes while live. BEOMGYU recalled a rose getting stuck in his outfit during a performance, so instead of lighting the rose on fire, he added extra drama to wielding the lighter on its own! At the MAMAs, SOOBIN struggled to remove his blindfold, so he decided to bite into it as if that was the intended move all along. Slip-ups like these turned into priceless moments, thanks to the members’ quick thinking.

Further proving this group is ready for the show to go on: they are already thinking about concepts to revisit years in the future! TAEHYUN expressed excitement at the thought of releasing a song called something to the effect of “We’re Rock Stars Now,” a response to “Tinnitus (Wanna be a rock).” While the latter stresses TXT’s desire to just “be a rock,” rather than face the pressures that come with star power, the former could show their shift toward focusing on what makes star power more rewarding than intimidating. They could learn to embrace the “star” in “rock star,” which would be a fitting follow-up to both “Tinnitus (Wanna be a rock)” and the chapter that started it all, The Dream Chapter: STAR.

Conclusion

TXT’s genuine passion for performing and love for the people who motivate them help them embrace the scary but exciting opportunities that come from impacting others through music. While the desire to run away from what could overwhelm them - the pressure, the intense effort - remains, so too does the resolve to give what excites them more of their focus. Their latest interviews show their newly mature, big-picture, confident outlook, summarized by this HUENINGKAI quote: “You can’t really climb up higher and higher if you keep running away.” That is why TOMORROW X TOGETHER are always reaching for the sky.

Check out previous TXT-themed write-ups and podcast episodes below!

Decoding TXT’s Neverland

TOMORROW X TOGETHER Chicago Concert Review

Processing My TXT Concert Experience

Five Big Takeaways from TXT’s Series of PAPER Magazine Interviews

“TXT’s Neverland”

Stream this episode on Spotify here!

Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!

Stream this episode on Anchor or another streaming service here!

“The Name Chapter: TEMPTATION Study Guide”

Stream this episode on Spotify here!

Stream this episode on Apple Podcasts here!