[Exclusive]"There is no end to growth" — TWS, in their third year since debut, look even more beautiful the more you see them [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with TWS, winners of the 'AAA 2025' Best Musician Group Award

The group TWS (Shin Yu, Do-hoon, Yeong-jae, Han-jin, Ji-hoon, and Kyung-min) stands out. The more we get to know each member, the more lovable and charming the group TWS becomes. From the eldest brother Shin Yu to the youngest Kyung-min, their refreshing and bold charm is complemented by subtle humor and a deep sense of care for one another.

TWS, which debuted in January 2024, topped the annual charts on domestic music platforms and made a brilliant start by winning the rookie award for the Choi Da (수상) group. Now in their third year since debut, TWS continues to showcase a unique identity with each album while maintaining their refreshing team atmosphere, establishing themselves as a leading force in K-pop.

TWS, which returned last month with their fifth mini-album 'NO TRAGEDY', set a new record for first-week sales (album sales within one week of release), selling 1.11277 million copies during the first week of release (collection period April 27 to May 3) to top the weekly album chart. The title track '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 release.

Earlier, TWS enjoyed great joy at the '10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025' (10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, hereinafter 'AAA 2025'), held on December 6 last year at the Kaohsiung National Stadium, where they received the AAA Best Musician Group award. Additionally, 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 made a reverse run on music charts.

After a year, we met again with TWS at the StarNews building to discuss their comeback and growth.

-It's been a year since your last interview. You've made a comeback with a new album, and while your youthful charm remains, there's also a slightly more mature side to you now. What kind of image does each of you want to show?

▶ Youngjae: Along with a more mature image, I want to show a refreshing and romantic side, presenting an even sweeter appearance.

▶ Kyung-min: I hope it maintains the existing refreshing vibe while actively moving forward with a love story. It will have a romantic feel.

▶ Ji-hoon: While the keyword "love" is important, I want to show how Tour handles love. There is a harmless, refreshing quality, yet also a proactive side that breaks through fate and takes direct action.

Having passed its two-year debut anniversary, TWS is now entering its third year. More than a third of this year has already passed; what kind of year will it be for TWS?

▶ Do-hoon: It seems the members have remained unchanged and performed well since their debut. Rather than feeling the need to achieve some major accomplishment, I have a stronger desire for all the members to move forward together with one heart and an unchanging mindset.

▶Hanjin: While preparing for this comeback, I participated more in songwriting and composition. I hope to be able to continue showcasing such songwriting and composition activities during my promotions.

-They recently held a fan meeting, and the response was incredibly enthusiastic. As a third-year debut group, TWS seemed to directly feel their changed status.

▶ Youngjae: It felt somewhat different from the tense appearance during the early days of debut. I was happy to see that the number of 42 (the fan club name) members has also increased. Although I still get nervous sometimes, as I accumulate more experience on stage, I feel like I am developing my own unique 'feeling'.

▶ Kyung-min: I felt that we had grown more and accumulated something. Even without speaking, I could sense the memories we had built together.

▶Ji-hoon: This fan meeting was truly precious. Seeing so many people watch us, the six of us, grow step by step made me realize how hard we must work. It is truly grateful and meaningful that 42s are watching over us.

▶Han Jin: Every time I see the 42nd people in front of me on stage, I feel a tremendous amount of strength. I gained motivation from the fan meeting, and thinking that the members are on stage and the 42nd are below makes me happy.

▶ Do-hoon: We performed a cover of "Run" at our fan meeting, and the original artist, a senior artist, saw that performance. Seeing that connection made us feel that we are doing well.

▶Shin Yu: It was truly wonderful that all the members have now become familiar and skilled with the stage, and that we were able to show such a stage to the 42s.

-Shin Yu has led the team well as a leader and the eldest member.

▶Shin Yu: While working with these members, I had concerns about whether I could lead them well. The members understood my concerns well and followed my lead, which allowed us to get to where we are today. I often feel that the members protected me.

-I attended last year's AAA awards ceremony. It was my second consecutive year attending, and the Antal Challenge particularly drew significant attention.

▶Ji-hoon: Among the recent stages, the one at AAA2025 was a challenge not only for me but also for the members, as we practiced extensively, making it a very precious performance. In particular, I think it will remain memorable because "Overdrive" received more love through the "Antal Challenge" that day. I was surprised to see the challenge suddenly go viral. The members even said, "Hey, what's this?" While it's natural to pour all our effort and heart into our work, it was refreshing to be noticed in such a way again.

▶ Kyung-min: "It was a few weeks after the song 'First Meeting Wasn't Planned' came out that we burst out laughing. 'Overdrive' also exploded after its promotion ended, making me think, 'You never know what life holds.' It felt like heaven was helping us." (Everyone laughs)

▶Shin Yu: Especially, I am grateful to senior Hyeri. We recently met during content filming, and she took such good care of us. We received so much from her, and she even went out of her way to look after us, so we are truly thankful. We will work hard while waiting for the day we can treat senior Hyeri to a meal after achieving success. (Earlier, in an interview with StarNews, Hyeri jokingly told TWS, "Make sure you become the best K-pop group and repay me.")

IU also said she was disappointed that she couldn't do the 'Antal Challenge'

▶Ji-hoon: We all like Senior IU. It was a pity that we couldn't greet her because the timing wasn't right. While riding on the same plane, we even said, "It's unbelievable that we're riding on the same plane with Senior IU," so we are truly grateful. Next time, we will bring something even more fun than the 'Antal Challenge,' so we hope she will accept it.

-Looking at TWS's stage, one can feel their growth since their debut. Not just as a group, but also as individuals, it seems they are growing a bit more as human beings. Do you feel that you have grown in any way, according to your own thoughts?

▶Han Jin: I came to Korea at the age of 17 and prepared for my debut, growing up in a whirlwind. Since my debut, I have been active with the members and grown close to them, but honestly, I had little time to reflect on myself. Now, I am gradually taking time to learn about myself and slowly getting to know who I am.

▶ Youngjae: I am also experiencing and feeling many things while being active, and I believe I am in a stage where I am continuously growing as a person. Especially as a member of TWS, I am excited about our future activities, and I am thrilled at the thought of showing you all the things we have not yet been able to show.

▶ Kyung-min: Fans have told me to "grow slowly." I also want to show my gradual growth as slowly and carefully as possible, without rushing or showing things carelessly.

▶Ji-hoon: I consider the keyword of my own growth very important. Therefore, I always ponder this, and at the center of that contemplation are always TWS and 42. Consequently, there is still much I have yet to show, and as I think about the future, I feel a sense of anticipation regarding my growth.

▶ Do-hoon: In my view, I feel I have come to understand 'gratitude' a bit more. So, I feel like I have grown as a person.

▶Shin Yu: I have come to realize that there is no end to growth and learning. In the future, I want to continue growing, get to know myself better, and show more of myself to many people.

-After more than two years of activity, you must have grown close with the members. Compared to when you first met, have you noticed any changes?

▶ Youngjae: While spending time with the members, I gradually came to realize during our activities that these people were so delicate.

Ji-hoon: I disagree with Young-jae. At first, I thought he would be delicate and like a plant in a greenhouse, but I came to think he is tough and cool. They are much cooler than I expected.

▶ Kyung-min: They are like family. The older members treat me well, and I realize they are people with great affection. I have newly realized that each of them holds such deep feelings. Even if they don't show it much, there is affection.

▶Hanjin: I saw that every single person is full of passion and approaches difficult or challenging tasks positively. I am proud of that.

▶ Do-hoon: I also appreciate it that the members always speak positively and show it through their actions. Thanks to them, I don't have negative thoughts and we move forward together in a positive direction.

▶Shin Yu: As we worked together, I realized that I have never seen children who are as sincere about the stage and their work as our members. I felt that if we are with these friends, we will be able to overcome any trials that come our way in the time we will spend together in the future.

-Who is the most positive among the members?

▶Members: Ji-hoon is the king of positivity.

▶ Ji-hoon: I may appear strong, but in fact, I am easily swayed. I am greatly influenced by those around me, and that is because the members around me are good people.

-Please tell us about your pride. I am curious what remains the same as it was a year ago and what has changed. (The text in parentheses consists of descriptors created by the members during the interview a year ago.)

▶ Young-jae: Tour's delicate and sweet vocals

(Kyung-min → Young-jae: Young-jae-type is, as fans probably know, four-dimensional. A charming four-dimensional person. Even though I am a teammate, I keep wanting to watch him and get to know him.)

▶Gyeong-min: A person who looks good in every color

(Dohoon to Gyeongmin: Gyeongmin is a bundle of luck. It feels like good fortune has entered our team. Thanks to Gyeongmin, the team feels brighter and fresher, so I want to call him an air purifier.)

▶Ji-hoon: A person who is bright and smiles prettily

(Kim Jin-ho → Ji-hoon: If Ji-hoon were to describe a keyword using a Korean word he knows, it would be "serious vitamin." Behind his bright appearance lies a serious side. While he gives off bright energy when with the members, he is serious when practicing, which is truly remarkable.)

▶Han Jin: Losing the breast fat and discovering myself

(Yeong-jae → Han-jin: Han-jin takes great care of himself and shows a lot of consideration. His consideration comes from the heart, not from being forced. He thinks deeply, making him comfortable and warm to be around. The descriptor is pure emotional appeal and a super handsome man.)

▶Do-hoon: A person with their own values, a face that won't be disliked

(Shin Yu to Do-hoon: The outside is crisp and crunchy, but the inside is soft. It's a toasted marshmallow. Sweet and very sweet.)

▶Shin Yu: A man like a door with leadership!

(Ji-hoon → Shin Yu: Shin Yu appears to be a subtle comedic character. He is subtly funny.)

-TWS was the only K-pop artist named on Rolling Stone's "Future 25," the list of 25 people who will lead the music industry this year, released this year. The achievements TWS has made in a short time are remarkable. What are your future goals?

▶ Young-jae: I feel that my hard work has not betrayed me. I am even more thirsty and want to become the best.

▶Hanjin: While we have made our own efforts, it was possible thanks to senior artists like BTS and SEVENTEEN who paved the way for K-pop. We have arrived here with the help of not only our members but also many others, including staff.

▶Shin Yu: Our ultimate goal is a stadium concert. We will have to go even further, but this is the biggest goal we can aim for right now. We want to meet more people and share our energy with them.

▶ Ji-hoon: I want to become an icon of the times. Someone might say, "How dare you?" but doesn't it say to dream big? I want to dream big.

▶ Do-hoon: We are very grateful that you love our short-form videos and challenges. We want to become a group that makes an impact even with our three-minute stage performances.

▶ Kyung-min: While I am deeply grateful for the love I am receiving now, I hope to become a singer who influences the next generation.

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*This content was translated by AI.