[INTERVIEW] VAYONN: Living “Youth Today”

[INTERVIEW] VAYONN: Living “Youth Today”

For iNKODE’s new boy group VAYONN, youth is more than a fleeting chapter of life; it is a feeling to be embraced in the present. As leader Sen reflects, “I now spend more time with [the members] every day than with my own family, and our hearts become one. In those moments, I’m truly happy, and I think, ‘So this is what youth is.’”

Released on July 6, 2026, the six-member group’s debut release, "Youth Today", captures the beauty of growing up, discovering oneself, and finding strength in the connections we build along the way. Through its exploration of youth in all its forms, VAYONN hopes to create music that encourages listeners to embrace their imperfections, pursue their dreams, and find happiness in the journey itself.

In conversation with POP BASE, Jinyu, Sen, Teru, Ayang, Mano, and Masato reflect on the experiences that brought them together, from navigating different cultural backgrounds to competing alongside one another on "BOYS II PLANET" and eventually reuniting as members of the same group. They speak candidly about facing uncertainty, learning from veteran artist and producer Kim Jae Joong, and drawing on their individual experiences to shape VAYONN’s evolving identity.

As they embark on this new chapter together, the members invite listeners to discover where their own youth lives and to remember that it is not something to wait for, but something to embrace here and now. After all, youth is today.

POP BASE: VAYONN is built around the idea of amplifying the voices of youth and creating new narratives. When you first heard the meaning behind the group’s name, what did you hope VAYONN’s influence on other young people would be?

JINYU: Since all of our members are young, we first want to show you a positive and bright image. When you’re going through a hard time in life, we hope you can gain happy energy through us.

TERU: Rather than people who are in high school or college now feeling five years later, “That time with VAYONN was my youth,” I hope they can feel even in this very moment, “I’m living my youth right now.” We thought it would be great if we could be remembered as the youth of every generation and every moment. If people shared those stories with their friends and enjoyed them, it would be a true honor.

POP BASE: Your name and concept are connected to the idea that even a small movement can create a much bigger ripple. What kind of “ripple” do you hope VAYONN creates through your music?

SEN: We, VAYONN, are still inexperienced and have many shortcomings. But as we carry out our activities, we want to show you how we put in a lot of effort and grow. We hope the fans watching over us also gain the courage and strength to think, “If we keep trying, even little by little, we can do it. Let’s stay strong together.” And if, through our music, you can recall your childlike innocence even for a moment and be happy even once, we would be truly happy too.

AYANG: We hope people who listen to our songs can express themselves honestly and accept even their imperfect selves. We believe that when very small changes in yourself add up one by one, they can eventually become a great energy. That is the “ripple” we want to create.

POP BASE: The six of you come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. How did those differences influence the identity VAYONN developed during your training period?

MASATO: Since the cultures and values of the countries we each grew up in are different, we needed a process of adjusting to each other’s differences. Of course, we resolved things along the way by talking a lot, and we’re still getting to know each other through those conversations. So I don’t think VAYONN’s own color has been fully formed yet. I believe that as we keep talking more and grow closer, our own color will become deeper and deeper.

MANO: Since our concept is youth, there were many times we thought about it, and it was nice to be able to share the moments of youth the members felt in their own countries, as well as the moments of youth we’re feeling now.

POP BASE: Was there a moment during your training when you realized, “Our experiences are actually very different, but that’s what makes us work well together”?

JINYU: There were big differences in how long each of us had trained, but in the process of practicing together, we found out that we were very much in sync. And I think we were also good at accepting each other’s ways and personalities.

MASATO: When I see the members going through worries similar to the ones I had before, the new and fresh feelings I had back then come back to me. On the other hand, there are times when things I used to solve easily feel harder now. In the end, I feel I learn so much from watching others. Through the members, I sometimes relearn things I once knew but had forgotten. That’s the synergy we create together.

POP BASE: What is something you learned about youth from another member that changed the way you think about your own experiences?

SEN: Rather than the other members’ thoughts or values, for me, I came to feel a new kind of youth by spending each day with these members. Living in Korea, there are moments when I laugh together over even the smallest things with the members. I now spend more time with every day than with my own family, and our hearts become one. In those moments, I’m truly happy, and I think, “So this is what youth is.”

AYANG: In the past, the meaning of youth as I saw it was mostly limited to my own life. But hearing the other members’ stories of chasing their dreams in a foreign country and working hard on their own, I realized that youth doesn’t have just one right answer.

POP BASE: Masato, Sen, Ayang, and Jinyu experienced the pressure of survival shows, while Teru and Mano took different paths before joining VAYONN. How do you think those different experiences have shaped the way each of you approaches being an idol today?

AYANG: The four members who experienced a survival show are already used to fierce competition, and they’re also strong at withstanding inner pressure. Whenever an opportunity comes, they instinctively give it their all to seize it, and they approach the results of a stage especially more seriously than anyone.

TERU: Unlike the other members, I joined VAYONN without experiencing a survival show, so at first I thought there was a lot to learn from the members who had actually experienced a competitive environment. Seeing the members try to stay true to themselves to the end even in nerve-racking moments, I also learned that on stage, rather than comparing myself with others, it’s important to think about how I can better show my own strengths. And because we’ve each had different experiences, I think we’re all good at different things. Today’s VAYONN came to be by learning those things from each other and filling in each other’s gaps.

SEN: The four members who were on the survival show also came this far through various experiences in different countries, and each of us has thoughts we learned and gained while working hard. I believe those experiences can be a great help for our activities and our future as we work as a group called VAYONN. There’s so much to learn from each other in many areas, like how to handle the camera, how to take photos, makeup, fashion, and mindset. And because we all have different thoughts and have walked different paths, there’s a lot of new things we can learn by being together.

MANO: Since the members already had name recognition through the show, I thought I had to work really hard and catch up quickly.

JINYU: For me, since the filming period of the show was short, rather than helping much with practice or skills, it was a time when I came to realize more deeply the responsibility and meaning of the job of an idol, and how precious fans are.

MASATO: By appearing on the show, I was able to gain so much experience, meet a lot of good people, and meet fans. I really think it was a good decision to appear. A year has passed since then, and our members have changed a lot too. I feel that the process itself of accepting how each other changes and adjusting together is really beautiful.

POP BASE: Four members of VAYONN, Masato, Sen, Ayang, and Jinyu, also experienced “BOYS II PLANET”. Survival shows are often described as one of the most difficult parts of an idol’s journey, but in many ways, the challenges continue even after debut. Looking back on “BOYS II PLANET” now, has that experience changed the way you approach competition, criticism, or uncertainty as a working artist?

MASATO: For me, it was an experience I absolutely needed as an artist. Since objective results actually come out, I could understand my skills a bit more accurately, and that led to a process of working harder in the next stage. It was a really good experience. Before that, it was hard to know an exact standard for where my skills stood, but through comparing and competing with others, I was able to see objectively what I lacked and what I was doing well. It was a process where I could gain a lot of the data I need to grow further.

SEN: Honestly, being able to appear on “BOYS II PLANET” itself was a truly precious and wonderful time where I could learn the experiences I needed for my debut. I spent that time really joyfully and happily, and I feel nothing but sincere gratitude. In this world where you can’t know what will happen next, and in my life,  it was a time when I could have a truly precious experience.

AYANG: “BOYS II PLANET” taught us how to face cold evaluation and uncertainty head-on. Because we’ve already experienced what it’s like to be evaluated by someone, and what it’s like to endure a situation where you can’t know the outcome, we’ll be able to keep a much calmer mindset even after debut, in situations where we can’t know what kind of future will unfold.

I learned that competition can’t define everything about me, and it’s important to accept criticism and turn that pressure into a driving force to grow and refine myself.

JINYU: While appearing on the show, there were times when I struggled emotionally because of negative evaluations from viewers. Going through that hard time, I learned how to calmly accept various evaluations and how to firmly believe in the path I chose. Thanks to that, I’ve become able to handle various evaluations much more composedly going forward.

POP BASE: For the four of you who experienced the show together, did you ever imagine that you would eventually debut in the same group?

MASATO: I had thought to some extent about debuting together with SEN, but debuting together with AYANG and JINYU was really unexpected!

SEN: I never imagined it either. That’s why, when we were on the show, I wanted to perform on stage together at least once. But to actually debut in the same group, even thinking about it now, it’s really meaningful and moving.

AYANG: At the time of filming the show, I never imagined this ending. Back then, everyone was focused on the competition in front of them, and we had to compete against each other. At that time, I didn’t even dare to hope that we could move beyond a competitive relationship and later become members of the same team and debut together. Looking back now, it was a truly precious bond.

JINYU: I didn’t expect it at all. But at the same time, it was really amazing that people who had no connection before could become one team and be this in sync. That made me all the more glad and happy.

POP BASE: Before VAYONN existed, the six of you were part of the larger INTHE X project alongside the members who eventually became KEYVITUP. How did you react when you learned that INTHE X would be divided into VAYONN and KEYVITUP?

TERU: To be honest, there were quite a lot of moments when I thought the team might be split, so I wasn’t very surprised. While practicing, I sometimes thought, ‘Will people with such different vibes really become one team?’ and I had expected it to some extent. But I learned so much during the time the 11 of us were together. Our ways of practicing were very different, and there are many things I learned then that I still actually use today.

JINYU: It was something I didn’t expect, but at the same time, it was a fully understandable outcome. I thought being divided into two teams could be an opportunity for each member to show their potential to a greater extent.

POP BASE: You spent so much time with the full INTHE X group before debuting separately. How has your relationship with the KEYVITUP members changed since both groups debuted?

MANO: Only the teams were split; we still see each other in the practice room and keep in touch, so our relationship has changed much. We’ll carry on our group activities as each walks their own path, in a relationship where we help each other.

SEN: We still get along really well! When we run into each other at the company, we happily chat and ask how each other is doing, like “How have you been lately?” And every time we meet, we cheer each other on, saying, “Let’s always work hard! Fighting!!”

POP BASE: You’re debuting under an artist who has experienced so many different sides of the Korean entertainment industry; as an idol, soloist, performer, and now producer. What is something about Kim Jae Joong’s career that you personally admire most?

MASATO: Seeing Producer Jae Joong still leading the company like this and working hard on so many businesses and activities, I feel he’s truly amazing. He’s someone with so much experience that, honestly, sometimes I’m careful about even saying anything. Of course, my respect for him is great and there’s so much to learn, but there’s so much that I don’t even know where to start learning from. It also feels like too much information comes in at once and my head gets full. I still get a little nervous whenever I talk with Producer Jae Joong. Watching his recent comeback stage, I felt he’s truly amazing. Even after working as an artist for such a long time, the fact that he still continues his activities as an artist and keeps taking on new challenges while leading the company, is itself truly admirable.

AYANG: What I respect most is his passion that hasn’t changed over a long time and his courage to constantly surpass himself. The way he always approaches music and the stage sincerely, and that passion that has continued unchanged for so long, are what we truly want to resemble.

POP BASE: What has Kim Jae Joong taught you about being an artist that you don’t think you could have learned simply from being a trainee?

TERU: What I’ve learned most while spending time with Producer Jae Joong is the attitude of an artist. Doing well on stage is important, but I learned that it’s really important to be grateful to the people around you and treat them politely off stage as well. In particular, seeing how he approaches the staff first to greet them and says “thank you” even for small things, I thought I should learn a lot from that too. If I someday become an artist who stays active for a long time, I want to be someone who can have a good influence not only through skill but also as a person.

MANO: He taught us the basic attitude and mindset an artist should have, and I’m learning a lot through that.

POP BASE: You’ve spoken about his emphasis on manners and greeting people properly. Has there been a particular piece of advice from him that has changed the way you conduct yourself as an artist?

JINYU: “Let’s do it to our hearts’ content.” Him saying this gave me a huge sense of security. It gave me great strength, knowing that I could boldly take on any challenge.

POP BASE: Does having someone with such a long career behind you make you feel more reassured, or does it put more pressure on you to live up to the standard he has set?

AYANG: Both feelings exist at the same time. It’s really reassuring that Producer Jae Joong guides us from behind, and that there’s someone we can always ask when we feel lost or confused. But at the same time, there’s definitely pressure to live up to his expectations and follow in his footsteps. So we’re working hard to be able to repay those expectations.

POP BASE: Each song on “Youth Today” represents a different “weather” or emotional state. Which song feels closest to who VAYONN is right now, and why?

TERU: It’s “Got It”! In the melody, I felt something somewhat lonely, but at the same time, it felt like it was trying to find strength. It felt like rainy weather. But the lyrics are very positive and carry the meaning of “Let’s go together!”, so I thought there’s a part where the mood of the song connects with the image of the weather.

POP BASE: “Where My Youth Lives” is particularly meaningful because all six members participated in writing its lyrics. What was the songwriting process like when you were putting your own experiences into the song?

AYANG: Recalling one by one the moments when each of us ran toward our own dreams, we put it all into the lyrics, the stories we’d kept in our hearts, our regrets, and even our hopes for the future.

SEN: I was really happy that I could write the feelings I want to convey to you directly as lyrics for a song I sing. I think being able to take part in writing lyrics like this from the very start of our debut is itself a rare, truly wonderful and precious experience. I worked hard with all my heart, filled with gratitude.

MANO: As I wrote while thinking about the message the song wanted to convey, the words came out naturally.

JINYU: Since it was my first time trying to write lyrics, it was a bit of a pressure, but at the same time, I was really happy. Being able to put the story I want to tell directly into music and express it to fans is a truly meaningful thing.

POP BASE:  Was there a lyric in “Where My Youth Lives” that felt especially personal to you?

JINYU: The lyric “우린 끝까지 달려가 make our own universe” [Translation: “Let’s run till the end, make our universe”] is a line that holds what I want to tell fans. I want us to keep staying by each other’s side and build our own world together.

SEN: Among the parts I sing, I especially love”괜찮아, I'm by your side

어디에 있어도 / 난 항상 네 곁에 있어”  [Translation: “It’s okay, I’m by your side / No matter where, I’m always by your side.”] The words I’ve always thought about and wanted to tell fans became lyrics just as they are, and it’s a part I get to sing myself, so I’m really happy.

POP BASE: What is one song that you guys absolutely can’t get enough of these days, whether it’s something you listen to together, play in the practice room, or simply have stuck in your head?

AYANG: Our senior BoA’s “Only One”!

SEN: Personally, I’ve been listening to KEYVITUP’s ‘POLAROID’ a lot! It’s a really great song.

POP BASE: And finally, if you could each choose one word that you hope people associate with VAYONN after listening to Youth Today, what would that word be?

AYANG: Growth.

TERU: Youth of now. That’s all! The youth I’m feeling right now. If you haven’t felt that kind of youth yet, we want to make memories together with you.

SEN: Purity.

MANO: Youth.

JINYU: Youth.

MASATO: Youth.

— [insert author’s name]

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