[Interview] WAYF BOYS: On “Nu-KPOP,” Creative Freedom, Musical Influences, & Immigrant Experience

[Interview] WAYF BOYS: On “Nu-KPOP,” Creative Freedom, Musical Influences, & Immigrant Experience

Nu-KPOP. That’s the term rookie K-pop group WAYF BOYS use to define their artistry. But rather than simply meaning “new K-pop,” the group sees it as something different: creating their own space within the genre and having the freedom to express exactly who they are.

Formed by five friends brought together through their shared passion for music, WAYF BOYS are entering the K-pop scene with a focus on authenticity, creativity, and individuality. From their genre-blending sound to their desire to showcase their most genuine selves, the group is determined to build an identity that exists beyond expectations.

Pop Base spoke with Samuel, Anderson, Junmyeong, Andrew, and Ryan for an exclusive interview, where the members opened up about their journey to becoming WAYF BOYS, their creative influences, the meaning behind their music, and the experiences that shaped them as artists.

Hello Andrew, Junmyeong, Anderson, Samuel, and Ryan! First of all, congratulations for your debut and “WAYF BOYS DO” release! WAYF BOYS have already started gaining a lot of attention online, but for people who are discovering you for the first time through this interview, how would you introduce yourselves; not just as a Nu-K-pop group, but as five individuals who came together to create WAYF BOYS?

SAMUEL: I’m Samuel, and we’re just a group of friends who came together, and WAYF BOYS was created.

ANDERSON: Wassup everyone!! I’m Anderson from WAYF BOYS. I just turned 21, so I can legally drink in the US now. 🙏 

JUNMYEONG: I think we’re people who are very open and transparent.

ANDREW: I would describe ourselves as 5 friends that came together to do what we each love, and that’s making art. We’re all so tuned into the arts that we wouldn’t be able to live without it. Each of us was raised around different cultures, and it shows not just through our words, actions, and performances, but in our identity itself.

RYAN: I’m Ryan. I’m in WAYF BOYS. I’m one of the 5 members in WAYF BOYS. I’m the youngest in WAYF BOYS.

The name WAYF stands for “Where Art Yields Freedom” as well as “We Are Your Friends.” What does that idea mean to each of you personally, and how does it shape the kind of group you want WAYF BOYS to be?

SAMUEL: To me, freedom means being able to express myself through music without pretending to be someone I’m not.

ANDERSON: For me, the name means to lean into personal creativity and break boundaries within the usual Kpop scene. Freedom isn't just about doing whatever you want, but also carrying the responsibility to make the right choices.

JUNMYEONG: Since we’re not a team formed through an audition process, but rather a group of friends who came together, I think there’s a natural, free, and flexible synergy that comes from people around our age. We just want to make fun music together.

ANDREW: Personally, for me, WAYF is a place where I can express myself freely. It’s like my creative playground. Although I still struggle sometimes with expressing my emotions, WAYF has been an environment where I have been able to work on myself not only as an artist, but as a person. I am not perfect, and I make plenty of mistakes, but WAYF has helped me believe that’s okay and that we’re all human. I feel like this environment shapes the group into becoming a group that no one has seen before: the freedom to creatively express, make mistakes, and show the human side of us.

RYAN: WAYF? I like it. It’s pretty cool.

Usually, K-pop groups have a very structured debut process, and audiences rarely get to see much of what happens before the official debut. WAYF BOYS took a sort of different approach. Before people even fully knew who you were, they were meeting your illustrated characters, watching chaotic videos, and getting glimpses of your personalities through Instagram. Why was it important to introduce yourselves that way instead of waiting until your official debut?

SAMUEL: We wanted people to get to know our personalities first, not just our music.

ANDERSON: We believed that a “debut” doesn’t just revolve around our music, but rather about how we present ourselves through our personalities. To others, that may make no sense at all, but it does to us, and that is what matters most.

JUNMYEONG: I think we wanted to share our everyday lives as they are and show people our most genuine selves without trying to put on a certain image.

ANDREW: Yes. We wanted to break the traditional K-pop mold and do things our own way — the WAYF way. It’s not about “being different” or trying to “stand out”; it’s about showing all sides of us, the good and even the bad.

RYAN: I had no say in this but I like it. It’s cool.

Now that people have had the chance to see more of who WAYF BOYS really are, what is something about the group that you think people still misunderstand?

SAMUEL: Some people think we’re chaotic, but we’re actually very thoughtful about what we create.

ANDERSON: It was never intended to mean ‘new music,’ because, of course, all of these genres and influences already have their own histories. For us, Nu-KPOP is more about finding our own space within K-pop and giving ourselves the freedom to express exactly who we are.

JUNMYEONG: Everyone is much nicer than you might expect!

ANDREW: People sometimes assume our biggest references are other idol groups because we're operating within K-pop, but creatively, a lot of our references actually come from the music and pop culture we grew up with in the States—R&B, hip-hop, jazz, pop, and beyond. We have a lot of respect for other idol groups and know how demanding this industry is, but WAYF's identity comes primarily from our own backgrounds and the cultures that shaped us individually.

RYAN: People think that we were going to be a fully acapella group because our acapella videos went viral. So when we dropped ‘WAYF BOYS DO’ and ‘SWAG,’ I think a lot of fans were disappointed, but we are eventually going to do more R&B songs. We’re taking it step by step.

Individuality is also very apparent in your debut single, “WAYF BOYS DO.” It feels less like a conventional introduction and more like a declaration of what you want to stand for. Calling it a bold debut would almost be an understatement. While many artists tend to play it relatively safe with their first release, you included the very direct line “F*ck ICE,” turning part of the song into a statement about the treatment of immigrants in the United States. Some of you grew up in the U.S. How do your individual experiences with identity, belonging, or racism shape the way you relate to the issues surrounding ICE?

SAMUEL: My parents immigrated to the States from Korea, so I grew up understanding that a lot of what I have today came from the life they built here. Because of that, conversations around immigration have always felt personal to me. At the end of the day, I think everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and humanity, regardless of where they come from.

ANDERSON: When it comes to music, we want to be able to express what we genuinely think and feel, even if it comes out a little bold sometimes. I grew up in Canada with a Filipino background and was surrounded by different cultures my whole life, so I’ve always been aware of how much someone’s background can shape their experience. The line definitely has a serious feeling behind it, but I also can’t lie—I thought the Vanilla Ice wordplay was pretty good. ;p

ANDREW: Growing up Asian American, I’ve thought a lot about identity, belonging, and what it means to feel accepted in the country you call home. When I see people and families going through difficult situations surrounding immigration, I empathize with them. For me, the lyric comes from a place of empathy and standing with people who feel like they don’t have a voice.

RYAN: I’m Korean American, so conversations around immigration and belonging naturally hit close to home. For me, it’s pretty simple: regardless of where someone comes from or what their background is, I think people deserve to be treated like people.

Around the release of “WAYF BOYS DO,” you’ve also spoken explicitly about the influence of Black artists and Black music on what you’re creating. That’s something we would love to see more artists acknowledge openly, rather than simply letting those influences exist without context. With that said, which Black artists or genres have been particularly important to you, and what music did you grow up listening to that ultimately helped shape WAYF BOYS?

SAMUEL: One of my favorite artists growing up was Rihanna. I love her music and performances, and she definitely influenced me as an artist. Bruno Mars was another huge influence on me growing up, and “When I Was Your Man” is still my all-time favorite song. A lot of us were raised in the States listening to R&B, hip-hop, and pop, so those influences naturally became part of the musical language we share as a team.

ANDERSON: Of course, growing up in Toronto, an extremely diverse city, I have been exposed to many, many different cultures and musical tastes since I was born. Black, Latino, and Caribbean cultures have played foundational roles in the upbringing of the city, contributing to the overall music scene. The first name that comes to my mind, of course, is Drake; however, other artists who continue to inspire me are Tyler the Creator, Brent Faiyaz, and Jordan Ward, just to name a few. Peep the playlists anytime.

JUNMYEONG: The artists who first got me into music were Musiq Soulchild and Boyz II Men. Naturally, I was heavily influenced by Black music, and I think that influence still remains in the way I view music today. I think it’s important to recognize that the Black music and culture we enjoy and are influenced by today were built and developed over a long period of time by many artists. Because of that, I believe it’s naturally important to respect that culture and never forget the influences I’ve received from it.

ANDREW: The Black artist that has most contributed to my thoughts, ideas, and actions has been Michael Jackson. His goal of spreading love, joy, and peace has always stuck with me, and I would like to pass that tradition down and spread that same positive energy as well. I grew up listening to mainly hip-hop, pop, and R&B; starting from pop as a young child, then transitioning into more of hip-hop going into my middle school years, and then falling in love with R&B during my early trainee days. I feel like those three genres are a few of the main genres that shaped what WAYF BOYS are. No one can put WAYF BOYS into a box, but we’ve definitely gotten a lot of influence from those three genres.

RYAN: Since I grew up in the States, I listened to a lot of R&B, hip-hop, and pop. There are way too many Black artists who have influenced me to name everyone, but their music definitely shaped how I hear music today.

Was there ever a moment during the creation of “WAYF BOYS DO” where one of you suggested something that made the others think, “Are we actually going to put this in our debut song?” Or, because all five of you are involved in the creative process, disagreements are inevitable. What’s a creative disagreement you’ve had that ultimately made a WAYF BOYS project better?

SAMUEL: We challenge each other’s ideas all the time, and that’s what helps make the music better.

ANDERSON: Oh, we disagree A LOT. “WAYF BOYS DO” went pretty smoothly, but there have been many other instances where our ideas clash. I think that, of course, it is inevitable in an environment where all of our opinions matter, but it also makes our team much stronger.

JUNMYEONG: “WAYF BOYS DO” was a song that everyone was satisfied with without any major disagreements. Of course, there are moments when our opinions clash during the creative process. But I think those moments happen because each of us cares deeply about the team and loves what we’re building together. When we have different opinions, we try to communicate openly and find the best direction together.

ANDREW: Anderson pitched the idea of switching the “I’m pretty, like Rocky” choreography to more of a gesture-like performance for the line, but I was sure the original choreography that he had originally made for my line had potential and needed to be in the choreography, and so I just stuck with it.

RYAN: We disagree pretty often. I think that’s normal when five people care about what they’re making. Usually, we argue, someone gets their way, and then we move on.

A lot of you had already spent years developing yourselves as performers and artists before WAYF BOYS came together. Rather than asking about the specific shows or programs you were part of, we’re curious about what those experiences taught you. Looking back at your years of training and working toward becoming artists, what is something you learned that you DID and DID NOT want to carry into this new chapter with WAYF BOYS?

SAMUEL: I learned to work hard, but I didn’t want to lose myself trying to fit expectations.

ANDERSON: For me, I spent my time back in Canada as a dancer and a dance teacher, while also re-exploring my other interests, such as drawing. Mainly, teaching dance taught me patience, and being part of a crew taught me how to work well and combine minds as a team. Shoutout REVERB, I love y'all!! Both of these skills I took into my next chapter.

JUNMYEONG: Through many different experiences, I’ve learned a lot and had the chance to explore both the paths that suit me and the ones that don’t. I think every step of that journey shaped who I am today, so rather than deciding what experiences to keep or leave behind, I want to appreciate them all and create a new chapter together with WAYF BOYS.

ANDREW: I wanted to carry the work ethic I developed during my training years into WAYF. I’ve always been someone who studies the greats—almost like a researcher—whether it’s music, acting, or performance, constantly trying to understand what makes something great and how I can push it further. That’s a mindset I wanted to bring into WAYF’s culture. What I didn’t want to carry with me was the pressure to maintain a “perfect” image all the time. I’ve learned to let go and be more comfortable showing who I actually am.

RYAN: I learned that trying to be perfect all the time is exhausting. I retired from that. Now, I just work hard and hope for the best.

Was there a particular moment before WAYF BOYS where you realized that you didn’t simply want to become an idol; you wanted to have a say in the kind of artist you would become?

SAMUEL: When I was training in my previous company, I realized I wanted to be involved creatively, not just perform what others gave me.

ANDERSON: At my previous company, I realized that I wanted a different kind of environment—one where I could be more involved creatively. That was a big reason WAYF BOYS felt right for me.

JUNMYEONG: I’ve always approached this work with that mindset since the very beginning. After joining WAYF and meeting Czaer and everyone at WAYF, I feel like I’ve been able to gradually turn the image I had of myself as an artist into reality.

ANDREW: There wasn’t one particular moment. I think I naturally realized over time that I didn’t want to just follow a path that was laid out for me—I wanted to have a say in shaping the kind of artist I would become. Having that creative voice became something I felt was necessary in becoming the artist I am today.

RYAN: I think I always wanted to have a say. I don’t really like being told what to do.

Anderson, you’ve also been closely associated with the illustrated world and visual identity that WAYF BOYS introduced during your early rollout, including Lil Arlo, who you recently referred to as your own child. We have to ask: how exactly did you birth the Wayfella? And now that Lil Arlo has essentially become part of WAYF BOYS lore, does he have a personality based on you, or did he develop a personality of his own?

ANDERSON: Ayyeeee!! Yeah, lil bro landed on Earth during my time in Mexico City. I was hyped outta my mind to join WAYF, so I thought, aye, I might as well get started. My whole trip, I drew for about 6 hours a day. Crazy. He has his own lil personality that hasn’t been revealed yet… stay tuned ;))

Ryan, in “WAYF BOYS DO,” you sing the line, “Quit asking me questions like, ‘What’s my MBTI?’” So, what is one question you actually wish people would ask you instead, and what would be your answer for it?

RYAN: “What do you want to eat?” My answer is usually, “I don’t know.” Then someone picks, and I say I don’t want that.

Samuel, compared to some of the other members, your pre-debut life is not quite as well documented. Even your fan-made K-Pop profile page, is surprisingly empty. So we’d like to give you the opportunity to fill in some of those blanks yourself: what is one part of your musical journey, or even just your personality, that you think people would be surprised to learn about?

SAMUEL: A lot of people don’t know that my faith plays a big role in who I am.

Junmyeong, you have a background in dance training at Just Jerk Dance Academy, which is known for its incredibly precise and synchronized choreography. WAYF BOYS’ performance style, meanwhile, still feels highly energetic but much more relaxed and individualistic, with each member. How has your dance background influenced the way you approach that kind of performance? Do you ever find yourself instinctively wanting to make a movement more synchronized or precise, only to remind yourself, “No, that’s not the WAYF BOYS way”?

JUNMYEONG: Training at the academy with Just Jerk was one of the experiences that helped me expand my range as a dancer and gain new perspectives. Since our dance ultimately comes from within ourselves, I think our performances today are the result of naturally combining all the different experiences we’ve built up over time.

Andrew, I came across the fact that you had already watched Michael Jackson’s biopic four times by June, so I’m assuming the number may have increased by now. Michael Jackson seems to be someone you really admire. What is it about him as an artist and performer that resonates with you the most, and is there something from his approach to music or performance that you hope to incorporate into your own career?

ANDREW: Michael Jackson’s perfectionism is something I really relate to because I have a very perfectionist personality as well. His attention to detail is second to none, and that is something I really incorporate into my training. There is so much negativity and evil in this world, and like Michael Jackson, I want to spread good energy throughout the world and show people that love wins in the end. Love over hate. Always. Looking ahead!

You’ve already attracted an audience that extends well beyond Korea, and your identity seems to be built around having the freedom to explore rather than fitting into one predetermined box. Is there a genre, artist, visual world, or completely unexpected collaboration that fans would be surprised to know is on your collective wish list?

SAMUEL: I’d love to explore different genres and collaborate with artists from all over the world.

ANDERSON: The people yearn for R&B… good things take time ;))

JUNMYEONG: Rather than focusing on one specific genre, I want to freely collaborate with artists from many different genres.

ANDREW: I would LOVE to collaborate with Bryson Tiller one day. He’s one of my big musical inspirations, and he’s someone that I look up to when you see how he basically made his own subgenre. It’s admirable.

RYAN: I love 2hollis and Nate Sib.

As WAYF BOYS grows, more people are inevitably going to have opinions about what you should sound like, look like, and become. How do you want to protect the creative freedom that was so important to the group from the beginning?

SAMUEL: We want to stay true to ourselves and keep creating what feels genuine to us.

ANDREW: Just by staying true to ourselves, humble, and grounded, never letting our eyes off the prize and going towards the same goal.

JUNMYEONG: I think what we want to show people is our true, transparent selves.

RYAN: We just have to keep doing what we’re doing. If we start overthinking everything people say, we’re cooked.

ANDERSON: People will always express their own wants and even dissatisfaction with our group. It will always be a balancing act, but the main focus is never to just enjoy the end goal, but to have a great time doing what we do.

Finally, is there anything WAYF BOYS would like to say to Pop Base readers?

SAMUEL: Thank you for supporting us. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to show you more. STREAM “SWAG”!

ANDREW: We love you and thank you so much for spending your precious time to read all this. Thank you!

RYAN: Thank you for reading this. Stream “WAYF BOYS DO.” Or don’t. I’m not your dad.

ANDERSON: We have super dope music coming out in the next 5-7 years, so stay tuned!!

JUNMYEONG: Please keep supporting WAYF BOYS and continue to grow with us.

Listen to WAYF BOYS on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.

— Javeria Yousuf

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