Meet NAZE: The New K-Pop Group with Unique Backgrounds and Big Dreams

The new K-pop group NAZE is stepping into the music scene with a unique blend of talents and backgrounds. Comprised of members Kaisei, Yoonki, Ato, Turn, Yuya, Kim Geon, and Dohyeok, NAZE is ready to showcase their individuality and create a distinct identity.

Recently, NAZE sat down at the Ten Asia headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, to discuss their debut album 'NAZE'. This marks C9 Entertainment's first new group in five years, following CIX and EPEX. The name 'NAZE' signifies a geographical feature where the sea meets the land, symbolizing limitless possibilities and the journey to self-discovery. Despite the pressure of being the first group from their agency in a while, Turn expressed, "We feel a bit of pressure, but we're working hard to present ourselves well."

Before their official debut, NAZE gained experience by appearing in a Japanese TBS drama. Ato shared, "We conducted pre-debut activities in Japan for a few months. Naturally, we're nervous, but we're also very excited to debut in Korea and show everyone what we've got."

As they prepare for their debut, the members are busy with daily routines, focusing on visual management for their first official stage. Yuya mentioned, "We're practicing the songs from our debut album, eating salads, and dancing a lot to manage our weight." Ato added, "Our eldest member, Kaisei, frequently uses facial masks and skincare devices, putting in extra effort for visual management."

The members' diverse backgrounds add intrigue to the group. Turn, from Thailand, pursued his dream of becoming a K-pop idol by moving to Korea. He shared, "My father is a guitarist, and my mother is a singer. My siblings are also in the entertainment industry. I've dreamed of being an entertainer since I was three. Music is in my DNA, and I naturally aspired to be an artist." Turn expressed his determination, saying, "I feel a bit of pressure not to lose to my siblings and to surpass my father."

NAZE members are multilingual, speaking Korean, English, Japanese, and Thai. Notably, Yoonki, despite not studying abroad, boasts impressive English skills, which he developed through gaming. Yoonki explained, "I learned English by playing games with foreigners. I participated in international tournaments and ranked third globally." Although he considered a career as a pro gamer, his passion for music led him to debut as an idol.

Yoonki's dream of becoming an idol was sparked by a talent show during his school days. He recalled, "I spontaneously performed a rap at a school talent show in middle school. The smiles and support from my friends were unforgettable, and it made me happy."

Kim Geon, who was a kickboxing athlete, turned to music after an injury. He shared, "While contemplating what I wanted to do, I heard the song 'Cactus Flower' by rapper Don Malik, which inspired me to become a rapper who tells stories through music." Although he hasn't participated in songwriting or composing yet, he is consistently creating music. Kim Geon expressed his ambition, "If given the chance, I'd like us to handle all aspects of an album, from songwriting to producing, with only 'NAZE' credited."

NAZE doesn't have a specific role model. Ato stated, "We respect many senior artists and monitor them closely, but we aim to establish NAZE as a unique name. We often talk about becoming role models for others by showcasing our distinct color."

NAZE is debuting with the support of their agency seniors, EPEX. Yoonki shared, "Since our trainee days, EPEX seniors have treated us to delicious food like chicken and pizza and sent us messages of encouragement."

When asked about NAZE's unique qualities, Ato responded, "Each member has a distinct personality, but we blend well as a team." He confidently added, "We aim to win the Rookie of the Year award." Kim Geon echoed this sentiment, saying, "The Rookie of the Year award is definitely ours," and expressed his desire to achieve first place on music shows.

NAZE's first mini-album 'NAZE' will be released on the 4th at 6 PM.

Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia one@tenasia.co.kr