[Exclusive]TWS, a solid third year since debut... "We haven't changed and are doing well" [Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

• TWS, winner of the 'AAA 2025' Best Musician Group award

As the group TWS (Yoo, Do-hoon, Young-jae, Han-jin, Ji-hoon, Kyung-min) returns with a new album in their third year since debut, they reflected on how they have remained true to their original intentions and continued to do well.

Debuting in January 2024, TWS topped the annual charts on domestic music platforms and announced a brilliant start by winning the Rookie Group award that year. Now in their third year since debut, TWS continues to shine as a unique leader in K-pop, maintaining their signature "refreshing" team atmosphere while showcasing new sides that highlight each member's individual charm in every album.

TWS returned last month with their fifth mini-album 'NO TRAGEDY' on the 27th, setting a record for the highest first-week sales (album sales within one week of release). During the first week of release (collection period April 27 to May 3), they sold 1.11277 million copies, securing the number one spot on the weekly album chart. The title track 'Follow You (You, You)' also entered major domestic music charts including Melon, Genie Music, and Bugs immediately after its release, and the music video surpassed 20 million views just six days after its debut.

Earlier, on December 6 last year, TWS enjoyed great joy by receiving the AAA Best Musician Group award at the '10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025' (10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, hereinafter 'AAA 2025') held at Kaohsiung National Stadium. At the awards ceremony that day, TWS's 'Antal Challenge' was highlighted, with performing artists joining in to enjoy the challenge, and their song 'OVERDRIVE' also climbed the music charts in reverse.

We met with TWS again at StarNews headquarters after a year to discuss their comeback and growth.

-This is our first interview in a year. You've returned with a new album; while your youthful charm remains, there's also a more mature side. What kind of image do you each want to show?

▶Young-jae: Along with a more mature image, we want to show a sweeter side that includes refreshing and romantic elements.

▶Kyung-min: We want to maintain the existing refreshing vibe while actively moving forward with love stories. It will likely be a more romantic image.

▶Ji-hoon: While the keyword 'love' is important, we want to show how TWS approaches love. We aim to be harmless and refreshing, yet also proactive, breaking through fate and taking direct action.

-You've passed your second anniversary and are now entering your third year. More than a third of this year has already passed; what kind of year will 2025 be for TWS?

▶Do-hoon: Since debut, the members seem to have stayed true to themselves and done well. Rather than feeling the need to achieve some major accomplishment, we have a stronger desire to move forward together with one heart and mind, maintaining our unchanged spirit.

▶Han-jin: While preparing for this comeback, I participated more in songwriting and composition. I hope we can continue to showcase our songwriting and composition skills during our activities.

-You recently held a fan meeting, and the response was very enthusiastic. As a third-year group, did you feel a change in TWS's status?

▶Young-jae: It felt quite different from the tense atmosphere during our debut days. It seems there are more 42s (our fanclub name), which made me happy. We still get nervous sometimes, but as we accumulate more stage experience, it feels like we're developing our own unique 'feel'.

▶Kyung-min: I felt that we have grown more and accumulated more. Even without words, I could sense the memories we've built together.

▶Ji-hoon: This fan meeting was truly precious. Seeing so many people watching us grow as six members made me think we must live even harder. It is truly grateful and meaningful that the 42s are watching over us.

▶Han-jin: Whenever I see the 42s in front of me on stage, I feel a great surge of strength. Gaining motivation from the fan meeting, I feel happy thinking that the members are on stage and the 42s are below us.

▶Do-hoon: We performed a cover of 'Running Over Time' at the fan meeting, and the original artist senior also saw that performance. Seeing that connection made me think we are doing well.

▶Shin-yu: It was truly great that all the members have now become familiar and skilled with the stage, and that we can show such performances to the 42s.

-Shin-yu has successfully led the team as both the leader and the eldest member.

▶Shin-yu: While being with these members, I had concerns about whether I could lead them well. The members understood my concerns well and followed along, which allowed us to reach this point. I often think that the members have protected me.

This continues to Interview ②.

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*This content was translated by AI.