[FLNK MAGAZINE] INTERVIEW WITH TRENDZ - "Want to say that we’re a cross-genre team."

We heard that you are coming back with a new album in March. Can you give us a sneak peek at what to expect from it?

ra.L: Whenever we meet FRIENDZ at fan signings and other places, people often ask us what concept we will return with. We are working hard to show that we are a team capable of various visions and make the public realise that we are TRENDZ.
YOONWOO: We are constantly researching and working hard to show something different as individuals and as a team, and this album will show the results of our research.
HANKOOK: You might be surprised that we’re always looking to change things up.

The period between activity and comebacks is pretty tight. Isn’t it difficult?

Yechan: Not at all, because TRENDZ never takes a break~ I’m looking forward to meeting FRIENDZ as soon as possible this time too. I think the joy of being on stage is much greater than the hard work.
ra.L: All our members are full of personality and passion. As YOONWOO bro said, every time we make a comeback, we try to fill in the gaps and develop the strengths.

According to the FLNK MAGAZINE editorial team’s survey, many members have an “E” at the front of their MBTI test results. Are you usually full of energy?

HANKOOK: Yeah. When we play with the members, whether it’s “E” or “I”, we all are full of energy. All the members with "I" play like "E".

Maybe that's why, when I look at the comments on social media and content, many fans call TRENDZ "Gagdol" and "Funny Group."

HAVIT: Speaking as the team’s most “I” person, it's hilarious and amusing when we talk. Other than the three eldest members, everyone is the life and soul of the party. (Everyone laughs) From HANKOOK to the Yechan, everyone is the life of the party, so I'm always thankful to the members as "I" members.
ra.L: To add, HAVIT is also speaking humbly. We’re all life and soul of the party. When "E" members lighten the mood, "I" members always follow suit. In particular, HAVIT always creates a joyful atmosphere. I think we all have desires to amuse people.
YOONWOO: Everyone is desperate to make FRIENDZ funny, and I hope to continue to make many people laugh.

So, are you going to continue to develop humour?

HANKOOK: Sure. We will do our best to ensure each member’s character stands out. (laughs) I think we're in the stage of developing our characters. Thus, we’ll work hard until each member's character is ideally in place!

When I searched for TRENDZ, I found a blog post by Yechan's mother. Your family often goes to birthday cafes. Have you ever been to one of them?

YOONWOO: Yes. I've been to my birthday cafe and other members' birthday cafes.
HANKOOK: We couldn't go together, but we went in pairs. (When the birthday cafe was open) We’d take turns going.
Yechan: The first time I went to a birthday cafe, something was interesting, but I was just so grateful, and I was proud that my parents also went to a birthday cafe and told me they were so appreciative and proud of the fans. 
Eunil: My mum also likes to go to birthday cafes, so she often goes there, and once, she did a reverse tribute to my fans. She asked me to tell them to thank them, and I remember enjoying it so much since I felt the same way.

It's been a little over a year since your debut(as of the day of this interview). Do you have some goals you want to do this year?

YOONWOO: I recently had a small mini-fan meeting with FRIENDZ, which was great. I want a more critical fan meeting with TRENDZ this year.
HANKOOK: I had an excellent opportunity to be on stage at an awards show last year, and I’m looking forward to being on even bigger stages this year.
ra.L: This year, I’m hoping to break into the music charts with a variety of genres of music.
Eunil: I want to win No.1 on a music broadcast this year, and it would be so meaningful for me.
HAVIT: I haven't had the chance to meet many FRIENDZ overseas, but I did go there once at the end of last year. This year, I’d like to meet more fans overseas, and I’d like to do an overseas tour.
LEON: I’d love to go around the country like a national tour and make TRENDZ's name known.
Yechan: I want to do everything my bros are saying! And I was lucky enough to win the "Focus Awards" last year, so I hope also to win an award in the performance part this year.

The choreography is also very challenging because you are a performance group. I heard that “picking up and throwing” choreography was incredibly well received. Are any members planning to be picked up next time (laughs) or just hoping to be so?

ra.L: That’s me. I’d love to fly at least once. (Everyone laughs) When I picked HANKOOK up on stage at a music broadcast, the fans in front of me were like, “Oh!” so I'm pretty sure I can handle it well if you ask me to do so.
Yechan: That's right. Whenever we pick HANKOOK up on stage at a music broadcast, many fans’ jaws drop, and their eyes widen in wonder. I'm always proud to hear cheers from our fans through my in-ears.
HANKOOK: If I have a chance, I'd like to pick Yechan up. It's time for the youngest bro to stand out himself.
Yechan: I'm willing to be thrown for the team at any time.
HANKOOK: I threw Yechan many times when we were trainees, and he was crying because he was scared. I can show that he has grown up by throwing him again (!).
Yechan: Of course. Let me show you I’m different from who I was five years ago. I don't cry.

LEON and ra.L's "Saebing Challenge" video went viral on social media.

ra.L: Yes. Before the challenge boom, I thought, "This challenge will go viral," so I suggested it to my brother LEON. Since our strength is performance, we wanted to show as much of ourselves as possible. We were so grateful and happy that so many people loved it. I remember replaying the video proudly whenever the number of views grew.
LEON: Whenever I had time between schedules, I kept practising and finished the challenge video in one day, and I was very proud when I met my friends and family members; they still say, “I watch it five times a day.”
HANKOOK: LEON took all the prevalent TikTok challenges, including ATEEZ seniors’ <Guerrilla>. He has a knack for challenges.
LEON: Haha. We will continue to be active with Reel's and TikTok’s content, so don’t forget to stay tuned!

You’re known for your covers of songs by Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, and others. Tell us about some of the songs you’ve covered so far that have stuck with you.

YOONWOO: After we performed a cover of SEVENTEEN's <HIT> at AAA, we heard that they mentioned us while we were eating, so we shared it in our group chat room, and everyone was like, “Oh, SEVENTEEN mentioned us?” and “That’s crazy.” We were so grateful!
LEON: I’ve posted a cover of TAEMIN's <ADVICE>, and I like that video. Among the covers I’ve done with members, I remember MONSTA X's <GAMBLER>. It was the first time we did a cover dance at a fan signing, and I remember the members were so supportive, and it was even more meaningful because it was a concept that we hadn’t done before, so I was proud that the fans loved it so much.
HAVIT: I think we'll cover other seniors' songs soon, either as a Reels or a full cover version of a dance video, but it’s secret which one’s song it will be.
HANKOOK: Stay tuned for more~

The members would do well in creating their dance content, like choreography. What do you think?

LEON: We’ve choreographed and posted videos of our works before. Recently, we choreographed the intro to "Dream Concert" with ra.L and myself, and we choreographed AAA with HANKOOK, so we’ll be showing much of our own choreography and co-recording content in the future.
Yechan: I've loved dancing since I was a kid, and though I’m not yet at the stage of choreographing my dance routines, I’d love to improve my skills by watching and learning from my older bros and participating in self-produced performances.
LEON: Our youngest is a better dancer than me and would like to appear on a dance competition programme like <Street Man Fighter> in the future.  Since he majored in hip-hop, he has been practising several freestyle dancing, so I think he’ll be able to do it confidently and without hesitation.

It’s great to see you communicating with your fans more closely through the official website.

HANKOOK: I feel closer to FRIENDZ because the official website has been opened. Our communication has improved because we can talk to them easily through comments. The official website has its advantages.
YOONWOO: Unlike other teams (focusing on social media), we might be especially communicating with our fans, but it's great because we are different. When we go to our official website, we lose track of time.
ra.L: One of our goals last year was to be a “friendly group” for our fans, and I think we’ve come a long way since the launch of our website, as we’ve been able to communicate with our global FRIENDZ.
Eunil: We’ve got a direct line of communication, so we're bringing closer to our fans and making new memories.
HANKOOK: Here’s to more opportunities to meet up with FRIENDZ offline soon!

HANKOOK and YOONWOO have acting experience. What was it like for you to try your hand at acting? Do you all have aspirations to act as well?

HANKOOK: Yes. If given a chance, I want to be more prepared for acting. It was a bit unfamiliar to be closer to the camera than the music broadcasting and to be in the spotlight, but still, it was a different and great experience.
YOONWOO: Not now, but in the distant future, you can see me trying my hand at acting and modelling.
Eunil: I majored in acting in high school, and I think I’d be good at it if I had the chance, so I’d love to try it.
Yechan: I want to try it, but not yet…  I have a lot of embarrassing moments, haha. I want to try it someday when I'm ready.

Eunil's nickname is “My Golden Kid.” Do you agree?

Eunil: I don't know. Haha. Fans have given me the nickname “Silver Kid(Eunil+Golden Kid)” because of my particular aspect, but I don't think I'm Golden Kid. I'm more of a mature person. Other members are Golden Kid. (Everyone looks at each other questionably) Well… I cannot completely deny it, but I’m not the only one in charge of Golden Kid here.
HANKOOK: He’s always doing the opposite.
Eunil: My rebellious side is the same as Golden Kid.

Do you like this nickname?

Eunil: Of course, I like it. But I’m trying to... (laughs) This is also a concept for Golden Kid to maintain the title. By continuing to deny it, I get the title of Golden Kid.

Fans have been divided on who the main vocalist of the team is, so why not clear up the position in today’s interview?

HAVIT: That's right. We have yet to make that clear.
Eunil: I'm the main vocalist, lead visual, sub-dancer, and rapper prospect(?).
HANKOOK: Main visual and leader.
YOONWOO: Main visual and physicals.
ra.L: I'm a rapper and in charge of the personality and fashion of TRENDZ.
HAVIT: I'm the central physical and... also the charming vocalist.
LEON: I'm the primary dancer.
Yechan: I'm a little hexagon! This is the main youngest, Yechan.

Why is Yechan a small hexagon?

Members: He's still growing up…

You guys seem to get along well. Is there any activity that you want to do together later?

HANKOOK: I want to go to the pool with the members. Our friendship will be strengthened by having a water fight.
ra.L: I'm going to tell you my wish here! I want to go on a duck boat ride with the members mid-winter (Everyone is shocked). I’ve never been on a duck boat before, so doing it with the members for the first time would be a great memory. (Everyone: Why in the middle of winter…?)
Yechan: I’ve only seen it in films, but I’d like to skydive with the members. We’ll form a circle and open our parachutes. 
LEON: I would like to go to the moon with my members. If we ever happened to get the chance.
HAVIT: I would love to stand with the guys at the halftime show of the Super Bowl, featuring some of the best artists in the world.
YOONWOO: Everyone said many spectacular wishes earlier, but I got a simple one. We've never gone camping as a group, so I want to go on our camping journey.
Eunil: Let’s go skiing together! Going skiing at night and then to a hot spring would be great. (YOONWOO: Me too.)

Are there any new genres you want to challenge in the future? You guys are very ambitious, both musically and performance-wise.

ra.L: I want to say that we’re a cross-genre team because we’re showing our colours.
HAVIT: Yeah. We want to showcase various colours, but we also want to showcase our strengths, which are performances.
HANKOOK: I want to challenge the sexy concept when our youngest, Yechan, grows up.
YOONWOO: We're teaching (Yechan) hard, and I hope he learns well by looking over his shoulder.
HAVIT: I want to show you the emotional side someday, and I’d like to sing a song like <THANKS> by SEVENTEEN.
HANKOOK: Ah, and we haven't performed "Fans Only Song" yet. We‘d love to release it as a big surprise for FRIENDZ.

Lastly, please tell me your thoughts on being interviewed for FLNK MAGAZINE and any closing remarks.

YOONWOO: It was a pleasure and an honour to do so much research about us beforehand, and we could be very relaxed and include much humour in our answers.
Eunil: We also got excited during the interview.
ra.L: It was fun to talk about everything amusingly.
HANKOOK: I enjoyed this interview because you asked many fascinating questions, and I’ll be there if you call us back again!
Yechan: It was also comfortable for me because you broke the ice well at first. Please call us again~!
LEON: I'm not talkative, but I think I could talk a lot about myself today because I was in a relaxed mood and… I love FRIENDZ.
HAVIT: I think it’s the first time I’ve interviewed with individual questions, and I think it was surprising that you asked us facts that we didn’t know, even among ourselves. You asked many good questions, so it was a meaningful time! We are an ambitious group, so if you call us, we will be with you wherever you want. Thank you. We love you, FRIENDZ. 
YOONWOO: FRIENDZ, I love you!
ra.L: Love FRIENDZ. 
Everyone: FRIENDZ, we love you!

Credit.

Artist : TRENDZ

Editor : Jihye Kim

Photographer : Jihye Kim

Assistant : Seonyoung Jang, Dahye Jeong

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