NAZE has finally stepped into the K-pop scene! Having officially debuted on the 4th with their first mini-album ‘NAZE’ and title track ‘People Talk,’ they are already making waves with their addictive performances and free-spirited energy.
Before their official Korean debut, NAZE gained valuable experience through a pre-debut phase in Japan. From appearing in the TBS drama ‘DREAM STAGE’ to hitting local music shows, variety programs, and fashion events, they are essentially “experienced rookies.” With seven members from diverse backgrounds including Korea, Japan, and Thailand, they’ve built strong teamwork in unfamiliar environments. True to their name, which signifies the “possibility to move anywhere,” they are carving out their own path. Here is our Q&A with NAZE.
Q. How do you feel about your official debut?
A. Turn: I’ve loved K-pop since I was young, so I’m thrilled and nervous to debut as a K-pop artist. Yungi: I’m just happy to debut. Based on my experience in Japan, I think I can promote in Korea in a cooler, freer, and more hip way. Atto: I’m excited to finally stand where I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. I’m more expectant than nervous. The seven of us want to work hard as one team. Kim Gun: I feel like I’ve finally taken a step closer to my dream. I plan to show everything I’ve got. I’ve set my mind on becoming an artist even cooler than the seniors I admired. Dohyuk: I know many of you have been waiting, so I want to show a more grown-up version of myself compared to our pre-debut days in Japan. Yuya: Thanks to the pre-debut in Japan, I’ve gained many fans. There are people waiting for us in other countries too, so I want to meet them soon. Kaisei: I feel some tension and anxiety, but the desire to show more of ourselves is stronger. I want to show a new side to our Japanese fans and make ourselves well-known to Korean fans.
Q. You had pre-debut activities in Japan before your official Korean debut. How was that experience?
A. Turn: Since I’m Thai, both Korean and Japanese are foreign languages, so it was linguistically challenging. Filming the drama in Japan was hard at first, but thanks to the members, it got better. I could memorize lines quickly once I understood the situation. I’m grateful to the staff and members Kaisei and Yuya for their help. Yungi: Since acting was a first for all seven of us, I didn’t feel alone. I felt us growing together. It felt like “hitting the ground running,” but since we pulled it off, I have no worries for the future. It was a great experience. Atto: It was refreshing to pre-debut by starring in a drama as a group. It was a new challenge, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. We also did music shows, variety, and magazine shoots. These activities gave us teamwork and composure, making me feel we can do even better for our official debut.
Kim Gun: There were many linguistic and cultural difficulties, but I felt us growing together. I learned a lot of know-how and composure. Even though it’s our first time promoting in Korea, I think we can bring that “experienced rookie” vibe. I feel like we’ve achieved something big, so I’m not afraid of anything. Dohyuk: Beyond the drama, doing music shows and performing in Japan improved our teamwork. I had many worries before, but they all disappeared during the activities. It was a great experience. Yuya: I was grateful to appear on shows I’ve known since I was young. It must have been hard for the members to act in Japanese, and seeing their hard work taught me a lot. I want to use what I learned to work hard and take on challenges in Korea. Kaisei: It felt surreal and I was so grateful to be in a TBS drama. As a Japanese person, I was thankful to start activities in Japanese, which made things easier. I was moved by how hard the non-Japanese members worked, which motivated me to work harder. Now that roles are reversed in Korea, I want to build teamwork by helping each other.
A. Kim Gun: The team was finalized around March or April last year, so it’s been a little over a year. When I first met the members, I was stunned. I didn’t expect foreign members, so I worried, “I’m not great at English, what do I do? How do we communicate?” Contrary to my worries, the members speak Korean very well, so there were no big language barriers. Culturally, there was a lot I didn’t know, so I was cautious. Even when I made mistakes, they didn’t criticize me and taught me slowly. We considered each other and found compromises. There were few fights and no discomfort. Atto: When practicing, we monitor together, talk, and align our opinions. We talk a lot because we want to gather all seven opinions. Sometimes we talk all night or for several hours. We’ve become closer by sharing personal stories beyond team matters.
Q. The team name ‘NAZE’ refers to a landform where the sea and land meet. What were your first impressions of the name?
A. Kaisei: I loved the shape of the letters, the meaning, and especially the sound. I’ve always wanted a short group name since I dreamed of being a K-pop artist, so it was perfect. Atto: I felt it was chosen to fit our image and lifestyle. The meaning was great, and it felt good to have a team name instead of just being a trainee. I felt we could move forward as NAZE, not just “C9 Rookies.”
Q. What is NAZE’s unique charm?
A. Yungi: It’s the freedom of NAZE. We will show different sides of ourselves on stage every time. Even for the same part, I want to show the public something fresh and fun by changing gestures, expressions, and vibes. I believe this will allow us to show off our own colors.
A. Yuya: Korean pronunciation was very difficult. I learned intensively from the PD and the members. I’m still lacking, but I think it turned out well. Since it’s an exciting song, I had the mindset of enjoying it rather than worrying about pronunciation, which gave me more confidence. Turn: I recorded first, so I was curious and eager to hear how it would sound with all six of us together. As soon as I heard the mixed version, I felt, “This is our debut song. I’m becoming a K-pop artist,” and it felt great.
Q. Did you receive any advice from your C9 Entertainment seniors?
A. Atto: Younha sunbaenim advised us to “promote happily and humbly.” I will follow that and approach everything with happiness and humility. Dohyuk: EPEX sunbaenims told us to come to them whenever we have worries or questions and cheered us on.
Q. What are your goals for your debut album?
A. Kim Gun: I think all seven of us feel the same. We want to take 1st place on music shows and sweep all the rookie awards.
A. Turn: I dreamed of becoming a K-pop artist after seeing SHINee’s stages. My current role model is BTS’s j-hope. I’d be so happy to film a challenge with him. Yungi: BTS’s Jungkook. Even in his 14th year, he always appears with a fresh feeling, and I want to be like that. I want to be an artist who constantly grows and evolves. Atto: RIIZE’s Sohee. As a K-pop fan, seeing Sohee sing and perform happily makes me happy too. I want to deliver happiness to the public like him. I hope people feel happy when they see my performance pop up in their algorithm. Kim Gun: Zico. He’s shown a great path as an idol and a solo artist in rap, producing, and especially as the pioneer of challenges. I respect how he stays trendy in various fields like fashion. I want to maintain my own style in everything I do. Dohyuk: Also BTS’s Jungkook. I think there’s a lot to learn from his aura, stage performance, and skill. Yuya: Stray Kids’ Hyunjin. His dancing, singing, and poses are all cool, and he’s full of aura and individuality. I want to be someone who has an aura just by existing, like him. Kaisei: BTS’s Jimin. His performance, dance, singing, and aura are all great. I’m grateful that people have told me I look like him.
Q. Many members mentioned BTS. Last March, BTS had a special comeback stage in Gwanghwamun. Is there a “dream stage” NAZE wants to stand on?
A. Atto: The Gwanghwamun performance was amazing. I hope NAZE gets an opportunity like that. I also want to perform wearing Hanbok. I want to perform in the members’ home countries, like Japan and Thailand. Yungi: I get a lot of inspiration and energy from watching Coachella. I want to stand on a cool, massive stage. Dohyuk: I’ve thought about standing on the Tokyo Dome stage. I definitely want to do it someday. Kaisei: I want to stand at Tokyo Dome, and since the drama I was in featured the National Stadium, I want to perform there in real life. Being from Osaka, I also want to perform at the Osaka-jo Hall.
Q. What is NAZE’s ultimate dream?
A. Kim Gun: I want to make our team name a proper noun. No matter where I go in the world, if someone asks, “Is this NAZE?” I want them to say, “Yeah, they’re that cool team with a natural vibe.” I want us to be a team that anyone can think of, regardless of where they are or who they’re talking to. Atto: Same as Gun. I hope our songs are heard while walking down the street anywhere in the world. I want us to be a famous team known not just in Korea, Thailand, and Japan, but globally.
