Everyone “Wake Up,” ATEEZ are here to wreck your playlists with banger hits including “Crazy Form” from their second full album, THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL. Making their mark through achievements like debuting at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart and scoring a title as the first K-pop group to be featured in the GRAMMY Museum’s K-pop exhibition (alongside their little brother group, xikers), ATEEZ are ready to steal hearts. Eldest member SEONGHWA is just one of the many reasons people flock to know more about the eight-member group, enchanting others with his timeless stage presence, vocals, and charm. To celebrate ATEEZ’s appearance as the first K-pop boy group to perform at Coachella, here are seven facts to know about SEONGHWA, ATEEZ’s Toothless and star.  

Written In the Stars

SEONGHWA effortlessly embodies his name’s celestial magnitude. In Korean, his name translates to “to be a star,” reflecting his radiant presence within the group and on stage. His nickname, “Hwaseong,” translating to “Mars,” further captures his cosmic aura and builds on his stand-out name. It seems SEONGHWA’s destiny was even written in the stars, as he dazzles audiences with his power and magnetism. 

He is known for his facial expressions while performing, staying in character as part of the ATEEZ lore. In the 2021 track “HALAZIA,” SEONGHWA played into the emotional intensity of the lyrics and music video, looking almost as if he was being overtaken by ferocity and sadness all at once. After every dynamic performance, like “HALAZIA,” fans are left starry-eyed and wanting to know more.

A Jack of All Trades

As the epitome of versatility, SEONGHWA never fails to show off his multiple skills and abilities. Although he initially auditioned for KQ Entertainment as a rapper, things turned out differently when he debuted as a vocalist in ATEEZ. Despite not doing what he originally intended, SEONGHWA’s dedication has proven him worthy of this role, demonstrating his top-notch vocal range and emotive delivery in songs like “AURORA.” His ability to captivate listeners with his melodic prowess proves that his skills extend far and wide.

SEONGHWA’s talents aren’t limited to just one aspect of performance; he’s a true triple threat. Recently, he’s been showing off his rap skills in hits like “MATZ,” his unit song with ATEEZ’s HONGJOONG. The track is in-your-face and gives the impression of a headstrong, confident duo, where SEONGHWA is able to effortlessly spit bars with precision and flair. His versatility doesn’t end there. SEONGHWA is also a skilled dancer, mesmerizing fans with his smooth moves and impeccable dance lines, despite ATEEZ’s notably difficult choreography, like “HALA HALA.” He has also drawn attention for his covers of K-pop girl group dances, accurately dancing along to tracks such as CHUNG HA’s “Bicycle” and TWICE’s “Look At Me,” while infusing his own unique style and charisma in them. 

Sleek and Gender-Neutral Fashion

SEONGHWA’s progressive stance on gender-neutral fashion has become an integral part of his known interests, setting him apart as a trendsetter within the K-pop industry. In an interview with BuzzFeed, he described his fashion sense as “genderless, slender, sleek,” when asked to describe it in three words. His keen eye for style transcends traditional boundaries of gender. ATEEZ as a whole have always embraced bold and unconventional stage outfits, incorporating unique accessories and vibrant colors to stand out. However, SEONGHWA has taken it a step further by fearlessly donning heels during performances, as seen at SBS Gayo Daejeon, and sporting a dress on the cover of ELLE Singapore. His unaltered confidence in expressing himself serves as an inspiration to fans who may feel hesitant about stepping outside the confines of societal norms. Through his fearless approach to self-expression and authenticity, SEONGHWA is an up-and-coming beacon of empowerment for K-pop fans.

Even beyond the stage, SEONGHWA’s fashion mindset extends to his personal style, where he also serves sleek and timeless looks, mostly by high-end fashion brands including his favorite, Saint Laurent. Saint Laurent has often challenged ideals of gender roles in fashion, which is reflected in their Spring Summer 2024 collection. SEONGHWA can fit any concept, but when he’s not on stage, he is mostly seen in minimalist outfits using a slightly oversized sweater or jacket paired with relaxed black trousers or blue jeans. When he wants to spice it up, SEONGHWA utilizes jewelry, his hair (mostly hair length), and textures like fur. SEONGHWA consistently pushes boundaries and inspires fans to embrace their individuality with confidence and pride.

The Cleanest of Them All

As the oldest member of ATEEZ, SEONGHWA is known among ATINY — ATEEZ’s fans — as the one who takes care of his fellow members in the manner of a doting older brother. He has been distinguished among all the members as the one who is most clean. When living in a dormitory together, SEONGHWA was the member to maintain the group’s living spaces with the utmost precision, making sure it lived to his standards. This was even noted in ATEEZ’s pre-debut reality show, CODE NAME is ATEEZ.  

SEONGHWA is no doubt dedicated to personal hygiene, seen at the members’ affectionate jabs at his lengthy 30 to 40-minute showers. Currently, in his new personal living space, SEONGHWA keeps everything carefully organized in a way he best prefers. ATINY also have had glimpses of his clean tendencies through live streams and variety shows. Through live streams, fans have experienced the playful dynamic between members and SEONGHWA, watching lighthearted reactions to other members jokingly disrupt his carefully arranged belongings. SEONGHWA’s attention to detail and caring demeanor fosters a harmonious living environment for ATEEZ as the eldest member and also endears him to fans who appreciate his nurturing and responsible attitude.

Enthusiasm Beyond the Music

Beyond his interest in music and fashion, SEONGHWA is also an avid collector of Star Wars memorabilia and LEGO sets. He shares his other passions with fans as well, indulging in three-hour YouTube lives to build new LEGO sets or to show off the latest additions to his “Animal Crossing” island. His comfort to candidly share his interests beyond the idol lifestyle is a testament to the warm and welcoming relationship SEONGHWA has created with ATINY. With communication tools like YouTube Live or the messaging app TOKTOQ, fans have been given a glimpse into his virtual and personal world. SEONGHWA even occasionally visits ATINY “Animal Crossing” islands or compliments ATEEZ-inspired elements in the game, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection through shared interests. 

MARS’ ASMR

Adding onto the stack of hobbies SEONGHWA has, he can also be accredited as a YouTube ASMR creator, if you’re being technical. Through the ATEEZ official YouTube channel, he curated his own series of ASMR videos, called MARS ASMR. Launched during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, SEONGHWA used items related to the video’s ASMR theme to put watchers and listeners at ease. Yes, ATEEZ’s music is boisterous and energetic, but MARS ASMR showcased the eldest member’s calmer side and his ability to heal others. 

Beyond his own content, SEONGHWA has made appearances on popular Korean YouTube channels like Soy ASMR, further solidifying his interest and skill in the realm of sensory relaxation. Although it’s been a long time since his last MARS ASMR video, SEONGHWA’s interest in ASMR hasn’t wavered. He continues to demonstrate his skill during live streams, providing engaged fans with temporary auditory satisfaction. 

On a Sentimental Note

SEONGHWA’s deep-seated sentimentality and profound affection for ATEEZ fans are at the core of his persona. He often expresses his love and gratitude through heartfelt gestures, from writing love letters on his birthday to releasing heartwarming song covers. His empathetic nature and deep emotional connection to fans run deeply in the hearts of those supporting the group, strengthening their bond.

SEONGHWA also expresses his emotions openly, a defining trait that draws outsiders into his way of caring. He allows himself to feel and express freely, whether it’s shedding tears of joy when moved by the kindness of his fellow members or being touched by heartfelt fan projects during concerts. As an ENFJ personality type, SEONGHWA’s intuitive and empathetic nature has enabled him to navigate and embrace the full spectrum of emotions with maturity and insight, marking him the shoulder to lean on, for members and fans alike. 

Listen to ATEEZ on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow ATEEZ Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.

Want to learn more about ATEEZ members? Check out EnVi’s seven things to know about YUNHO here! 

The post 7 Things to Know About SEONGHWA of ATEEZ appeared first on EnVi Media.

ATEEZ continue to “change the game” with their recent Japanese EP, NOT OKAY, and their second full album, THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL, re-entering on 14th and 15th place on Billboard’s World Albums Chart. As they achieved “Top Global Performer” in the 2023 Hanteo Music Awards and the first K-pop boy group to attend Coachella, the octet made waves globally with their profound sound and captivating performances. No stranger to the limelight, member YUNHO continues to captivate the hearts of the public with his musicality and artistry. From enchanting vocals to a riveting stage presence, he has shown what it means to be a performer. To commemorate the artist’s birthday on March 23, EnVi has put together seven facts to know about ATEEZ’s lead dancer, golden retriever, and vocal dynamo.

The Dancing King

YUNHOs ego’s in the show as he owns every performance with his compelling stage presence. ATEEZ members have recognized him as the team’s performance leader, and their fans, ATINY, wholeheartedly agree. ATEEZ choreographies are renowned for their thrilling performances and difficulty. They can range from aggressive dance numbers possessing intricate footwork and arm movements to contemporary arrangements holding graceful gestures. Whether it’s one or the other, YUNHO never fails to embody the song’s message and portray it through his performance.

In a dance evaluation from ATEEZ’s pre-debut activities, YUNHO’s performance was seen as having strong foundations as he displayed fine body lines and dancing technique. His body control exhibits clean and precise movements, making him a strong dynamic dancer. YUNHO’s attention to detail allows for light and sharp movements with smooth transitioning from one step to another. As one of the tallest ATEEZ members, YUNHO is able to display command over his movements and is always mindful of leveling and energy output, resulting in proper synchronization with the other members.

All-rounder Vocalist

As enchanting as his dancing, YUNHO shines through his vocal prowess. He has enjoyed singing since he was very young and aspired to become a part of the world of arts  to hone in on his skills. Graduating from SOPA (School of Performing Arts Seoul) as a Practical Music major, YUNHO demonstrates versatility and stability through his singing. Similar to their  choregraphies, ATEEZ’s discography features varieties in styles, tones, and sounds. YUNHO has shown time and time again his flexible range from clean and high registers to deep to low registers. His strengths shine through his skill in harmonization and switching between his chest voice and falsetto. YUNHO has also participated in ATEEZs’ music production as he was involved in writing for ATEEZ’s track “From” and his duo song with MINGI, “Youth.”

From Stage to Screen

Taking his first step as an actor, YUNHO was casted as the second lead in the popular webcomic-turned-K-drama Imitation in 2021. The drama tells the story of the lives of idols in the vicious entertainment industry, with a focus on the hidden romance between a member of a rookie girl group and a member of the top boy group. YUNHO plays the character Lee Yujin, the main vocalist and center of the rising boy group Sparkling. This role has him adopting a role with a gentle and charming demeanor, but holds his stubbornness and ambition inside.

His acting doesn’t stop there as he continues to adopt roles in his music videos with ATEEZ and personify emotions through his performances on stage. On the comedic side, YUNHO enjoys participating on smaller and more lighthearted roles such as the news anchor for ATEEZ’s TMI news skit ANEWZ and their comedy variety show Salary Lupin ATEEZ.

Your Idol Host, YUNHO

Aside from stage performances, YUNHO further proves his array of skills as IDOL RADIO Season 3’s host with fellow member HONGJOONG. YUNHO demonstrated his natural entertainment abilities with his friendly approach to the guests and an overall magnetic hosting presence, bringing both idols and fans together. Furthermore, with the influx of idols bringing diverse dance styles to the table, YUNHO showed off his ability to quickly pick up his guests’ choreographies.

CODENAME: Yunhogizer

Often compared by ATINY to a golden retriever as both have a cheerful, sometimes cheeky personality, YUNHO carries the title as ATEEZ’s official energizer proudly as he never fails to bring smiles to his members’ faces. MINGI describes him as a person who brings everyone together no matter what they’re doing. YUNHO looks out for others, cares for them through nice notions, and makes sure everyone is doing well. As the designated moodmaker, YUNHO ups the tension in the room with his playful personality on and off stage. From his impromptu DJing to his comedic facial expressions, YUNHO stays true to his sunshine character as he always finds a way to make others laugh by being himself.

Despite his towering height and vigorous stage presence, YUNHO is a lively person who wants to have fun with ATEEZ and ATINY. YUNHO has previously revealed his MBTI to be ENFJ. According to the MBTI personality test site 16Personalities, ENFJs are “warm, forthright types who love helping others and tend to have strong values.” ATINY bare witness of his loving and extroverted nature as much as this humorous prankster loves to tease his members to no end.

No. 1 Idol Who Eats Well

Sweet or salty, hot or cold, YUNHO enjoys all foods and drinks put in front of him. ATINY can always catch YUNHO happily chewing away at anything and everything, even his drinks! Yet while this idol loves to eat, YUNHO’s love for food doesn’t go as far as to cooking as he doesn’t cook meals often as likes (with ramen being the only dish he’s made). His favorite food is meat, ice cream, and abura soba. Claiming himself as the member with the biggest appetite, there isn’t a single food YUNHO doesn’t like or eat!

Lucky Ace

If there’s one thing ATINY know about YUNHO, it’s his finesse in everything he touches and his sheer perseverance. Using strokes of luck and skill, he never fails to take out his competition in variety show games. Pairing his hatred for defeat and mastery of games altogether, YUNHO becomes a lucky ace in all he does, leaving his fellow members both impressed and speechless. Whether the challenge calls for a test in wits or a mission of physical capabilities, YUNHO masters it with ease.

In addition to his track record in variety shows, YUNHO’s physical abilities translate directly into his gaming skills. Spending his leisure time playing games, YUNHO has mentioned placing in high ranking placements on League of Legends and VALORANT. He has peaked RADIANT on VALORANT (a top-tier rank only obtained by the top 500 players within one’s area) and Challenger on League of Legends (the highest possible rank a player may achieve).

Watch ATEEZ’s latest music video release “NOT OKAY” on YouTube, and listen along on Spotify and Apple Music! Change the game alongside ATEEZ by following their social media accounts on Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.

Curious for other male idols in the K-pop scene? Check out our inclusion on PLAVE’s Noah from our latest 7 Things series here!

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“From morning till night,” VLAST’s boy group PLAVE continue to make waves in the music industry with their boundless innovations and colorful soundscapes. Succeeding their achievement of the 33rd Seoul Music Awards (SMA) New Wave Star Award and current nomination for the Hanteo Music Awards (HMA) Rookie Of the Year Award, PLAVE proceed to dominate the world as they prepare to become the first ever virtual boy group to attend HMA’s artist lineup. And with the upcoming comeback with their second mini album ASTERUM : 134-1 in February 26, Han Noah continues to own the stage.

From his flexibility in singing and rapping to his admirable expertise in music composition, this 22-year-old captures the hearts of many with his limitless charms and talents. In celebration of the eldest member’s birthday on February 10, EnVi has put together seven facts to know about PLAVE’s lead singer, visual prince, and gym enthusiast.

Noah’s Found Dream

Starting from a single unexpected phone call, leader and main vocalist Yejun asked Noah if he’d wish to join PLAVE alongside him, and like that PLAVE was born on a hot summer day. While Noah enjoyed music and singing, he didn’t have any dreams of becoming a singer. Although taking a liking to a variety of things, Noah didn’t really have a chance to make something of himself which resulted in his dream eventually disappearing. Fortunately, it was until after Yejun called him and perked his interest in joining this aspiring group. Interested and excited, Noah made the courageous decision to walk down an undiscovered field in order to write his desired path. Noah’s once lost dream was brought back to life in a mere moment’s notice.

Soon after accepting Yejun’s proposal for PLAVE, Noah and Yejun started working together to gather the other remaining members. And just as Yejun brough in Noah, Noah proceeded to bring in PLAVE’s last official member — main dancer and lead rapper — Hamin. Forever thankful to Yejun, Noah expresses his gratitude and love towards PLAVE and PLLI (fanname), “In a way I think my dream came true. I think I’m fulfilling my dream… I’m so happy thanks to you guys and I’ll do my best to show you what I can do. I love you.”

Fated to Sing

Since the moment he debuted as the second member of PLAVE, Noah made his talent in singing and speciality in writing lyrics and composing known. The lead singer possesses a unique appeal to his vocalisation by embedding emotions into his performance and expertise in adlibs. Noah’s soft yet powerful vocals have a wide volume ranging from sounding delicate and light to sounding strong and thick. From singing with this body to his strong diaphragm, this singer delivers riveting performances through his impactful stage presence and voice.

Part of PLAVE’s “Producer Line,” including members Yejun and Eunho, Noah has actively participated in writing and composing all tracks in PLAVE’s discography, ASTERUM and ASTERUM: The Shape Of Things To Come. Spontaneous bursts of inspiration and creativity naturally come to Noah during the production process and the best and memorable outcomes are resulted from them. Through his arrangements in song covers to his abilities in singing and producing for PLAVE, the vocalist never fails to shine with his proficiency in music and artistry in singing.

PLAVE’s Undercover Rapper and Dancer

Although not classified as a rapper, Noah holds confidence in his rapping skills and never shies away from the challenge. In various live broadcasts, Noah performs rap songs such as “Born Hater” by EPIK HIGH and “Turtle Ship” by PALOALTO. Before PLAVE officially made their debut, Yejun and Noah hosted a live street performance in Hongdae, performing covers of famous songs. Noah not only showcased his ability to perform emotional serenades but his adaptability to switch from singing to rapping in seconds. 

When PLAVE was first introducing its official members, to the public’s surprise, Noah stated his position to be a dancer in his short interview, “Noah’s 15 Questions and 15 Answers.” And while the vocalist has stated in a presentation that his dancing may not be perfect, PLLI’s can acknowledge the sincerity and hidden talent through his various performances. Ranking as PLAVE’s third place dancer, Noah’s efforts and discipline demonstrates themselves in forms of official choreography, dance challenges, and fun performances. As Noah says, “The process is important but the results are more important.”

In a dance evaluation made by guest professional choreographer RyuD (who choreographed for groups, such as MONSTA X, ATEEZ, Super Junior, and NCT), Noah was complimented on his amazing dance moves. RyuD continued on to pointing out his beautiful dance line, enjoyment towards choreography execution, and points out the existence of Noah’s potential in movement quality improvement. RyuD acknowledges Noah’s consistent dance training and states if he continues training, he’d be able to become a dance member. Or in the words of PLAVE member Hamin, “Infinite energy coming out from his body, an impressive dance form coming out from an impressive physique, a physique power dancer.”

Alpaca Princess with Cheese-Flavored Speech

Made up of 70% air and 30% cheese, PLLIs can’t deny Noah’s princess-charming visuals and cheesy vocabulary. With the abilities to emit sparkles around his face when he laughs and shoot hearts from his eyes when he winks, Noah captures the eyes of many in ways of natural looks and alluring demeanor. In PLAVE’s latest live broadcast, well-known face reader Park Seong-jun performed a face reading on fellow PLAVE members through physiognomy. Noah’s physiognomy details good relational communication with people, popularity amongst others, strong expression, and holds the power to do what he wishes actively.

And with his undeniable handsome looks follows his caring older brother role and tsundere personality. Many might perceive Noah’s graceful features and calm front intimidating when in fact those characteristics only bring more appeal towards his persona and make his hot but soft front a charming point. Equivalent to his caring personality trait, Noah has previously revealed his MBTI to be ISTJ. According to the MBTI personality test site 16 Personalities, ISTJs are “Introverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging traits. They’re efficient and responsible, giving careful attention to practical details in their daily lives.” Noah does not fail to live up said test results with his constant care for the group, underlying sentimentality, and comedic logical application to scenarios.

Pairing perfectly with Noah’s visuals is his famous cheesy tone taken for fellow PLLIs. Showing no sign of embarrassment or shame, Noah throws the cheesiest statements, compliments, and acts to fellow fans every chance he gets – and PLLIs aren’t complaining one bit. From the adorable acts of love to the heart-skipping actions he’d do for PLLIs, Noah boasts his love and admiration for fans on the clock. Wishing to walk down the flower road besides PLAVE and PLLIs and always reside within the hearts of fans, what better way to reference the unconditional love for PLLIs than from the words by the singer himself from Noah’s Night of Asterum Shining, “I want to do everything you [PLLIs] want. If it is something I can do, I wanna do it all for you, I’ll show you everything I can. So, I hope you understand my feelings.”

PLLI’s Personal Noslighting Spoiler Fairy 

While many agree spoilers to be a pain and hurtful to our artists, PLLI’s can’t help but beg to differ as they look forwards to PLAVE’s official spoiler provider hint at upcoming surprises. In contrast to Yejun’s solid ideology of keeping all PLAVE’s plans discreet, Noah has different plans in mind as he always tries to find a way in giving away PLAVE’s upcoming comeback details. And what better way to give a spoiler than with subtle actions with a sprinkle of gaslighting. Or what PLAVE and PLLI’s like to call “Noslighting” (i.e. Noah’s name and “gaslighting” combined). Whether it be accidentally spoiling the announcement of future members or spoiling future choreography and album themes, Noah will always try to noslight his way out and find a way to make it seem alright for PLAVE and PLLIs.

Natural-Born Comedian

If you compare Noah’s current persona and nature with his pre-debut self, you’ll come to notice how the once cool and chic image has morphed into a much more outgoing and friendly one. The artist initially adopted portraying themselves as modest and delicate in order to maintain the beautiful idol image. This resulted in him trying to uphold a more refined representation of his character in his first live broadcast (and a few after that). However, Noah claimed how he didn’t have fun during his streams and didn’t feel like himself. Even if a part of the silent and charismatic act had a bit of truth to it, the real him was a lot more playful and he wished to break out of that originally assigned identity. Wearing a smile and cracking jokes at any given moment, Noah is always seen laughing at his own antics and making fellow PLAVE members laugh alongside him. The Noah PLLIs witness today is brighter, goofy, yet still charming and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

ASTERUM’s Certified Gym Rat

PLLI’s can’t think of working out without relating it back to Noah’s obsession with protein and muscles. This idol is sincere towards bodybuilding, and his love for exercising and weight training is made known through his discussions around dietary meals and gym-related topics. If you’ve been seeking company during your workout or trying to create an exercise routine, look no further as home trainer Noah and PLAVE work out alongside you for a motivating and fulfilling gym session.

Jokingly playing around of getting an Olympian physique, Noah wishes for PLAVE’s introductory group pose to be assigned bodybuilder poses for each member. Noah’s love for dumbbells is a widely known fact amongst PLLI’s, so much so, fans jokingly teased during a livestream of their official lightstick being dumbbell-shaped with PLAVE comically replying to prepare for a weight-optional dumbbell lightstick. Noah already recommends shoulder presses when it’s time to wave and front raise exercise for their hour long concerts. The dumbbell lightstick agenda quickly spread across fans and the inside joke became a reality as PLAVE created a prop to be used during their live streams.

But Noah’s love for bodybuilding doesn’t stop with fans. Noah claims his favorite athlete and celebrity he wishes to meet to be famous bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman. During production of their single “Why?,” Noah pushed for inserting an adlib within Eunho’s rap verse being “Yeah, buddy” – one of Ronnie Coleman’s catchphrases.

Make sure to watch Noah’s recently streamed birthday broadcast here!

Catch up with PLAVE and follow them on X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook!
Want to learn more about PLAVE? Check out EnVi’s seven things installment about PLAVE here!

The post 7 Things to Know About Noah of PLAVE appeared first on EnVi Media.

In 2021, Nemahsis caught the world’s attention, with a viral moment surrounding her debut single, “what if i took it off for you?” Since then, the Palestinian Canadian artist has been further establishing her name as one to watch, by releasing her debut EP, completing an international tour, and maintaining an influential social media presence. A multi-hyphenate creative, 29-year-old Nemah Hasan is fearlessly carving her path in the music industry while honoring her heritage every step of the way, without compromising her values. Here are seven things you should know about rising pop star Nemahsis.

Palestinian Canadian

Nemah Hasan grew up in Milton, Ontario, a small town in the countryside, just outside of Toronto. She owes her artistic moniker to a lyric from Nicki Minaj’s “Check It Out,” where she took note of the intonation of the word “nemesis” resembling her name’s. This gave her the inspiration to start introducing herself as “Nemahsis,” as a way of clarifying her name’s pronunciation to teachers and schoolmates. Various experiences from her upbringing as a daughter of an immigrant family directly inform her songwriting. Distinctively, “immigrant’s tale,” the opening track of her debut EP eleven achers, is a sorrowful ode to her mother — hailing from the West Bank city, Jericho — and the sacrifice of her happiness in service of securing a better future for Hasan and her siblings, which Hasan witnessed throughout her childhood.       

Pop Star in the Rough 

Singing, or rather humming, started as a coping mechanism for anxiety throughout Hasan’s teen years as an introvert, before evolving into a skill that would get her noticed by a music teacher at her school. Her performance of an Amy Winehouse cover at a talent show two days later would become the first step toward overcoming her insecurities and acknowledging her talent. Still, growing up, Hasan didn’t consider a future in music to be a possibility for her. “I knew if I was born white, I would 100 percent be a pop star. I would watch [TV] and I’d be like, ‘Yep, I have what it takes, but I don’t have what it takes externally, and it just won’t work.’ I’m a realist,” she told NYLON in early 2023. Only after she had proven to her family that she could keep a “real” job and maintain a sustainable income, would she be able to hone her musical craft, eventually taking it more seriously during the pandemic. 

“what if i took it off for you?”

Before her music career took off, Hasan had garnered a modest online following as an influencer, through fashion and beauty content creation. She released her first single, “what if i took it off for you?” on June 23, 2021, to an overwhelming response. The song, an atmospheric pop-piano ballad accompanied by Hasan’s emotive vocal performance, is based on her real life experience. Hasan had shot a global campaign for a multimillion dollar makeup corporation and was offered no compensation for it. “Their justification was that ‘it’s more of an opportunity for the people of your community,’” she wrote in the YouTube description of the track. Inspired by Hasan’s story, Muslim women all around the world took to TikTok to discuss incidents of discrimination from their own lives, and their relationship with wearing the hijab.   

eleven achers

Nemahsis’ debut EP, eleven achers, came about in the first half of 2022. A vulnerable, autobiographical portrait, the project dives into Hasan’s personal experiences, dealing with topics of immigration and mental health struggles. Across six tracks backed by simultaneously minimalist and lush instrumentation, Hasan explores facets of her identity, upbringing, and religious heritage, with a poignant pen. In an interview with COLORS x STUDIOS, she describes the EP as homey, warm, and naive. She further explains that the title refers to the 11-acre farm she grew up in with an allusion to the feeling of pain, hence “ache”: “With each acre and each step, it hurts to leave home.”

The Nemahsis Sound

Hasan is a master at pop balladry, weaving Arabic influences she grew up with, into soundscapes that dance around indie, folk, and soul pockets. “Whether in the production, or in my vocal techniques, you’ll always hear Arabic elements incorporated in my music,” she notes in a TikTok video, citing her songs “paper thin” and “immigrant’s tale” as examples. Self-reflection and vulnerability are present all throughout the Nemahsis catalog. Her songs often read like diary entries. Her confessional tone enhances the intricate interpersonal aspects of her narratives. It’s a testament to a nonchalant wish that shines through her songwriting: to reach young women navigating issues around their identity and place in the world.  

Empowering Women of Color and Muslim Women

“For everyone that doesn’t fit the mold and has felt the need to compromise their individuality in order to be accepted — my wish is to echo your voices,” reads her Spotify bio, speaking to the empowering message embedded in Nemahsis’ music. When asked about her feelings around her work contributing to conversations centering women of color and Muslim women’s lived experiences, she shared with COMPLEX CANADA: “I open the topic of discussion in the music world and [among] my listeners and people that don’t necessarily surround themselves with people that look like me. And now they could say they know one Muslim. One hijabi. I think by having that power [and seeing what] my music has done, that makes it all worthwhile.” Additionally, she wants her music to convey ideas against the taxing desire for perfection: “You don’t have to be the prettiest, coolest, or the funniest one in the room all the time. For so much of my life, I felt like I had to dance, doing the most to stand out so I could be accepted. Whereas now I just think there’s so much room for not having to be like that,” she told Spotify’s For the Record.

Moving Forward, No Compromises

Whereas eleven achers served as a self-contained biography, Hasan’s latest singles, “criminal” (2022) and “i wanna be your right hand” (2023), expand her artistic caliber into broader territory. The tracks delve into themes of love and womanhood, with the latter experimenting with alternative rock sensibility, in the vein of Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette. While on the cusp of a new chapter in her music career, in the first half of October 2023, Hasan revealed on social media that she was dropped by her label due to her political stance regarding escalations of war in her homeland. She went into detail on the situation on her TikTok account, where she has been consistently posting relevant content, and educating her followers on her heritage. Despite the incident, Hasan isn’t disheartened when it comes to her future in the industry, remaining unapologetic in her identity and values. “I won’t compromise who I am for anyone,” she writes.

Keep up with Nemahsis on Instagram, X, and TikTok. 

You can listen to her music on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Looking to add more emerging talent to your musical rotation? Here are 7 things to know about Bangladeshi rising star Dameer.

The post 7 Things to Know about Nemahsis appeared first on EnVi Media.

JYP Entertainment’s eight-member boy group, Stray Kids, continue to exceed expectations with the release of their upcoming album, 樂-STAR on November 10. The album follows their record-breaking full-length album, ★★★★★ 5-STAR, which hit number one on the Billboard 200 chart and scored a win at MTV’s 2023 Video Music Award Show for Best K-Pop. 樂-STAR introduces stunning new visuals and a rock star concept that has fans on the edge of their seats.

At just 24, member Seo Changbin, has made his mark on the music industry, with his iconic rap style and songwriting ability to thank. In celebration of the 樂-STAR comeback, EnVi has put together seven facts about the group’s main rapper, resident baby, and beefcake.

Accidentally Illustrious Rapper

While Changbin is known as a powerful rapper with a trademark gritty voice, becoming a rapper was purely happenstance for him. When he began his journey as an idol, he started out by dancing and taking vocal lessons. It was his very own vocal coach that encouraged him to pursue rap, because they felt he had the voice for it. 

Of course, the ability did not come naturally to him, but he quickly made progress, and all these years later he has various accolades to show for it. At just 16 years old, Changbin was writing his own raps and releasing music alongside his fellow members Bang Chan and Han, as the popular production sub-unit, 3RACHA. With almost 40 song credits across three pre-debut mixtapes, Changbin was well-acquainted with rap before he debuted as a member of Stray Kids. Also known for his collaborations, Changbin received a Best Music award alongside Thai artists F.HERO and MILLI for their popular collaboration, “Mirror Mirror.”

Changbin made his fierce rap, raspy cadence, and quick wit his charms — qualities fans understandably adore. These very skills also got him onto season 9 of the popular rap survival show, Show Me the Money, amidst hectic promotion schedules. The show features various rappers — rising stars or well-known — competing for the title of best hip-hop entertainer. From the moment he appeared on the show, Changbin faced backlash for being an “idol rapper,” which is frowned upon in the K-hip-hop scene. Still, Changbin gave his all to the competition and showed great pride in being an idol. His opening performance shocked many of the contestants and judges who previously did not consider him to be on par with the competition. 

He is also praised for his clear pronunciation despite rapping quickly, which makes it easy to understand him. Not only is the 24-year-old able to maintain this impressive level of breath control, but he has been praised several times by fans for sounding like a backing track when he raps. Changbin has even gone as far as to rap faster than his backtrack to make it clear that when he raps, it’s always live. 

Undercover Vocal

Intense lyrics, deep voice, flashy persona? Check, check, and check. Gentle singing voice? That’s right, check! Although Changbin is definitely known for his rapping abilities, STAYs — Stray Kids’ fandom — know that the rapper has surprisingly soft vocals when he sings. 

Originally trained as a vocalist, when Changbin sings, it’s as if a switch flips and a completely different side of him is shown. Whenever he sings, STAYs are quick to cheer and immediately beg Changbin for more. In their pre-debut survival show — teamed alongside Minho and Felix — Changbin became the vocalist in the unit when they performed the song “GLOW.” This “hidden” talent is something that also landed him on King of Masked Singer, shocking the panelists once he revealed himself. 

Sharing is Caring, Changbin

One thing about Changbin? Never play with his food! He is a foodie and is always sharing his meals with STAYs via Bubble, Twitter, and Instagram. More often than not, once he is already halfway finished. But it doesn’t matter because STAYs love watching him eat —  adoring the little faces he makes and how excited he is for a meal!

For all the teasing his members do when it comes to trying to eat Changbin’s food, the rapper does enjoy sharing with the members. He is always checking up on them, ensuring they’ve eaten and doing the same for fans. He is guiltless in his love for food, and encourages others to be so as well. 

Baby Changbin

Even though Changbin is a part of Stray Kids’ hyung line (the eldest members of a male K-pop group), he is the king of aegyo, or cuteness. He might be an ESFP, but we would argue that his MBTI is actually C-U-T-E. Acting cute is something most idols view as a punishment, but for Changbin, it’s a treat. When Stray Kids end up on any variety show, it’s usually Changbin that excitedly offers to do aegyo. And he loves it when the others address him as the cutest as well. 

His baby voice and undoubtedly cute charms have earned the rapper the nickname “Baby Changbin,” and it’s one he owns proudly. Not only do fans call him by the cute name, but even the other members have taken note. In their Japanese track, “FAM,” after describing his various characteristics, his verse closes with the members calling out “Baby Changbin!” 

A Man of Principle 

One thing many fans know about Changbin is that he is a man of his word. What started out as an offhand comment in a vlog, turned into an iconic saying when it comes to the rapper. In an episode of SKZ-TALKER — the Stray Kids vlog series — Changbin was asked if the snack he was eating tasted good. Changbin immediately went off on a tangent about how they should try it for themselves and to not let someone else’s opinion sway them of what they want. Sure, at the time it was seemingly a joke — the members playfully called him cool and marveled at his faux seriousness — but it blew up within the fandom. The vlog garnered over 2.6 million views, making it one of their most viewed episodes of SKZ-TALKER.

Even other idols have referenced Changbin’s monologue, the group even going so far as to include it in their teasers, songs, and even in recent Samsung commercials. Now, Changbin is known as “A Man of Principles,” one who will never stray from his path! It’s a good motto to live by, and without fault, he seems to live by this slogan he created for himself. 

Beefcake

While the typical build for an idol appears to be leaner, Changbin proudly deviates from that ideal. He loves going to the gym, and one thing STAYs love about his physique is his arms. Changbin takes pride in his broad shoulders, and shares with his fans how rigorously he works out. At first, it felt like fans had to beg him to release gym content, but soon he began gifting fans with vlogs, pictures, and updates. 

His growing confidence as he makes progress at the gym is something STAYs adore. No doubt this praise probably makes him feel even better. At any given moment, STAYs try to compliment their idol, letting him know his hard work does not go unnoticed. Without fail, Changbin will always find an opportunity to humbly show off his efforts, especially at concerts. 

Sensitive at Heart

Dark rapping style, foreboding frame, and menacing persona aside, at his core Changbin is sensitive. He loves to joke around with fans and his members but he never forgets to let them know how he feels at the end of the day. Oftentimes, Changbin can be seen physically caring for the members. While he does not always voice his feelings, he does not hesitate to show them.

Not only is he sensitive around his members, but he is also close with his family, particularly his sister. They joke around often, but his playful manner around her is the easiest way to show his affection towards her. He constantly tries to make others comfortable around him, ensuring they are okay before moving forward. 

His heartfelt nature is shown not only in his treatment of others but easily in his music. Most of the songs Changbin has worked on for the group — and his solo projects — dive into deeper emotional states. He talks about uneasy feelings and uncomfortable thoughts with ease, translating his feelings onto emotional tracks effortlessly.

In the predebut song “If,” Changbin lets out an endless slew of anxious “what ifs” onto an ominous beat. He raps about scenarios like doing something he’ll regret to someone who disappears before he can apologize but also dissects how these anxious thoughts make him feel. On the somber track, “Streetlight” the rapper reveals the crushing weight of expectation that rests on his shoulders.

Over the downcast instrumental, Changbin sings about smiling in the faces of those who rely on him even though he feels weak. He sorrowfully states in the chorus that, like a streetlight, he stands alone, shining on a lonely night. With “Sorry, I Love You,” the rapper relays the terrible feeling of loving someone who only wants to remain friends. He divulges how one could feel punished for liking this person but refuses to stop loving them.

Keep up with Stray Kids by following them on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!

Want to learn more about Stray Kids? Check out EnVi’s seven things to know about member Felix here.

The post 7 Things To Know About Stray Kids’ Changbin appeared first on EnVi Media.

Stray Kids continue to “draw the topline” with the release of their new comeback album, 樂-STAR. Following their No.1 Billboard chart topping June comeback and 2023 MTV’s Video Music Award Best Group Video (International) win, the group is introducing fierce concepts and unique visuals for their new album. Felix, one of the eight members, is no stranger to the spotlight. A rapper, dancer, MC, and a Louis Vuitton ambassador at the age of 22, the all-rounder’s talents are limitless. His deep voice, genderless fashion, and charming personality continue to capture the hearts of many fans. Join EnVi and dive into seven things to know about Felix.  

The Long Haul journey 

Felix made quite the journey to become an idol. He was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. After acting as a fuzzy cheetah on stage at 5 years old, he fell in love with performing. Felix jumped at the chance to pursue his dream when an agent scouted him on the streets of Sydney. At the age of 17, he flew to Korea and trained under JYP entertainment for a year. The language barrier proved to be a difficult obstacle for the expat who was not fluent in Korean. 

Soon after, he was picked by his Australian sunbae (older colleague), Bang Chan, to form a team for the survival show Stray Kids (2017). After being eliminated in episode 8, Felix’s journey seemed to have come to an end. However, his talents and charisma won fans over with a public vote reuniting him with Stray Kids. Stray Kids debuted with nine members in 2018, and fans would not have it any other way.

Kickin’ It With Stray Kids 

As if the idol doesn’t have enough accolades under his belt, he is also a black belt in taekwondo. He spent 12 years mastering the Korean martial art and competing around Australia. In total, he earned himself 63 medals. His agility, balance, and skill from the sport shines through as one of the members of Stray Kids’ dance group, DANCERACHA. The subunit — consisting of Felix, Lee Know, and Hyunjin — debuted in 2018 with a self-choreographed dance video. However, Felix has been recognized for his dancing since his early days with his freestyle dance audition that landed him in JYP. He carved a niche for himself in stunt performance with spinning high kicks, back flips, and long jumps. In Kingdom: Legendary War (2021), Felix’s long jump and outstandingly stable landing on ATEEZ’s Wooyoung went viral. The performance alone has over 9 million views on YouTube. 

How Low Can You Go? 

One of the things Felix is most known for is his deep voice. YouTube is filled with compilations of people’s shocked reactions to his baritone rap in God’s Menu. The song became Stray Kids’ #1 most streamed song in the U.S with Felix’s verse “cookin’ like a chef, I’m a 5-star Michelin” being one of the most memorable to fans. On the popularity of his verse, he said, “If the song is memorable, I feel like I’ve done my part.” With one of the deeper voices in the K-pop industry, the vocalist and rapper sets Stray Kids apart. Felix recounts that when puberty hit him at 13 years old, he was taken by surprise when his deep voice kicked in. However, he now describes his “deep cave voice” as an integral part of his sound and identity. 

What’s Your MBTI? 

Despite his deep voice and dominating stage presence, Felix is nothing but warm and sweet with fans. His parents thought similarly, naming him Felix since it means happiness. As a child, the artist was described as a “hyperactive, happy ball of energy.” As if we needed confirmation of his good nature, he recently revealed his MBTI is an ENFJ. According to the MBTI test website 16 Personalities, ENFJs are “warm, forthright types [who] love helping others.” The former ENFP agrees with his new results, saying that it represents his maturity. “I listen closely to the concerns of others, and I give them comfort and energy which in turn gives me strength.” Fans have taken notice of his loving personality with several compilations of Felix showing physical affection to his members. He makes sure to pay close attention to his members and take care of them. As the idol said himself, “I’m happy when people around me are happy. Whenever I see other people smile, I feel happy and smile unknowingly.”

Cookin’ Like a Chef

Not only does Felix go viral for his personality, but also for his recipes. The K-pop industry has heard whispers of the famous Felix brownies. He’s gifted his pastries to his boss JYP, his members, and his fellow Kingdom: Legendary War participants (2021) SF9, ATEEZ, iKon, BTOB, and THE BOYZ. Baking is another way Felix likes to show his support and love for others. After spending hours making over 200 cookies for the Kingdom: Legendary War (2021) finale, he explained, “I wanted to give back in return for all the love I received, so I’ve put in my support and cheer in hopes that everyone does well.” He uses his “Felix: Sunshine Vlog” and V-LIVE streams to bake for Stays, the name for Stray Kids’ fandom. After a Stay from the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked for Felix’s brownie recipe, he decided to share it with the world. 

Sunbathe the Day Away 

Alongside his hobby of baking, Felix often spends his time outdoors. The Australian native enjoys taking walks and observing nature. “These days, I bike a lot. I like riding it where I can among the trees. I feel a lot better when I’m pedaling, while listening to music and taking in all the greenery,” he said. Between his busy schedule and world tour, the outdoors brings him a sense of relaxation. During the Australian leg of the Maniac tour, Felix described visiting the beaches, playing in the water, and enjoying the sun as healing. It not only does wonders for his soul, but also his creativity! Walks are Felix’s way of sorting through his emotions and thoughts. For his solo song “Deep end” in the SKZ-Replay album, he wanted to create a song with sincere lyrics to cheer up his fans through a hard time. After taking a stroll through the park, the singer-songwriter finished the lyrics to the single in one day. 

Counting Stars 

Felix has freckles to show for his love of the outdoors. As a child, he often took naps in the sun and refused to wear sunscreen playing outside, which is how he got them. He now considers it his charming point. However, it wasn’t always this way; he has expressed his insecurities about them. Felix used to scratch at his face to get rid of them since it made him stand out from his friends. In particular, he didn’t like how dark and noticeable the ones on his nose were. However, Stays often express their love for his freckles. At hi-touch and fan events, they would request to see them and count them like stars. Felix can be seen in fancams rubbing off his makeup for fans to do so. Felix sincerely thanked Stays and said, “Since Stays like them, I will like them more.” 

Want to learn more about Felix’s presence in the fashion world? EnVi covered his appearance at the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2024 show here.

The post 7 Things To Know About Stray Kids’ Felix appeared first on EnVi Media.

Ripped straight out of a Webtoon, the virtual quintet PLAVE have traveled across worlds to meet with fans! Only six months since their debut, PLAVE have not only solidified their fanbase but have also attained recognition and fame among many in the world of K-pop and pop culture. PLAVE show no limitations through their pursuit of music and connection with the public, as each step they’ve taken has created history. Join EnVi and dive into the virtual world as we unveil the seven things you need to know about PLAVE!

The Start of the 6th Summer

Managed under VLAST, PLAVE are a virtual boy group who debuted on March 12, 2023, and consists of five characters: Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin. Adopting the concept of being “an idol straight out of a comic,” all members are self-producing artists who write, choreograph, and compose their very own songs. In addition, each talent excels in departments such as vocals, rap, and dance, earning them the public recognition of “all-rounders.”

The group name PLAVE is a combination of the words “play” and “rêve,” which means “dream” in French. Giving the group name the overall meaning of “creating a new world to achieve their dreams.” Alongside PLAVE’s name significance, fans have been given the name PLLI, a compound word of “play” and “reality,” meaning to be together in reality.

PLAVE made their official debut on March 12, 2023, with their title track “Wait For You” from their single album ASTERUM. Soon after, PLAVE released their first digital single “Why?” on May 25 and later made a comeback on Aug. 24 with their title track “The 6th Summer” from their first mini album ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come.

But where exactly did PLAVE come from?

Pixel World

After receiving abilities from the developers of “Terra” (Earth), five characters (PLAVE) take their first steps from their virtual world, a star named Caelum, into the mysterious “space in between” called Asterum. Now able to communicate with those living in Terra, the five characters form a team via Asterum and aim to achieve their dreams and bring joy to those in Terra through their music and stages. From the ability to use magic to instant teleportation, PLAVE are unique and ready to realize their dreams through their songs.

PLAVE’s debut single album ASTERUM depicts PLAVE’s virtual worldview and portrays the story between Caelum, Terra, and PLAVE’s first steps into Asterum. PLAVE’s “Wait For You” music video takes viewers on a visual journey and encapsulates the members’ exploration between worlds where they wait for listeners.

The Shape of PLAVE

Let’s break the fourth wall for a moment and confront the question many want to have answered. How does this all work?

PLAVE members use motion capture technology which allows for the individual’s movements and facial expressions to be caught in real-time. PLAVE’s initial design was created by artist NAKDI, who also participated in the pre-production of PLAVE’s music video “The 6th Summer” as an animation director and character advisor. Much like a VTuber (Virtual YouTuber), each member possesses a virtual avatar who performs using technology, having the members’ vocals, expressions, and body movements be captured and relayed in real-time. 

Viewers can witness this in action by watching PLAVE’s live stage and dance practice videos. PLAVE members showcase different movements within their choreography and display varying expressions throughout the entire performance. The five have not only acted in their debut music video “Wait For You,” but they have also executed live performances in music shows such as MBC’s Show! MusicCore and MBC Radio’s IDOL RADIO.

However, sometimes technology doesn’t always bend to our will and goes against our commands, and PLAVE are no exception. There have been many occurrences where glitches occur during a livestream, causing some very comedic and memorable moments to be clipped by fans. Yet this simply just adds to PLAVE’s charm and magnetism.

Understanding the technology used by PLAVE members is of utmost importance to ensure the distinction between PLAVE and A.I. In contrast to other groups who are animated and added on a screen later in production, PLAVE are always present. Behind these models and set of technology are aspiring idols who produce, work, and perform as any other idol in the industry, hence the usage of A.I. is nonexistent within PLAVE.

Waiting For You Pre-debut

While PLAVE did make their official debut on March 12, 2023, they were initially announced back on Sept. 20, 2022, with the group’s name officially making its debut on Oct. 24, 2022. PLAVE specifically announced the target members’ first solo livestream broadcast which was then followed with a visual reveal through a member open Concept illustration. The order in which PLAVE members were revealed went as followed: Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho, and Hamin.

After PLAVE members were finally introduced, the group immediately began to interact with fans. Members released various song and dance covers paired with multitudes of livestream broadcasts on their official YouTube ranging from talking segments to playthroughs. Through this, fans were able to get a glimpse of the members’ individuality and talents, while also taking notice of the overall chemistry between the team and the members’ love towards their fans before the group even made their official debut.

Where Our Worlds Collide

In company with being an idol group, PLAVE members not only specialize in singing and dancing, but are also ace entertainers. As previously mentioned, PLAVE do numerous livestream broadcasts on their official YouTube channel, paired up with posts for PLAVE’s weekly stream schedules indicating which members are attending. Through live broadcasts, PLAVE present their lively personalities and never fail to give the audience comical moments, amusing antics, and a meaningful time.

In July, PLAVE members Yejun, Noah, and Hamin guest-starred on MBC’s Idol Radio Broadcast with hosts ATEEZ members, Yunho and Hongjoong, not only comfortably chatting with their seniors but also putting on an amazing vocal and dance performance for fellow attendees. Not too long after, PLAVE were invited to KCON LA 2023 as a special guest, where they hosted a dance workshop on day one and a special stage on day two, becoming the first virtual boy group to perform at KCON LA.

Similarly, on Sept. 23, PLAVE also became the first virtual boy group to perform on MBC’s Idol Radio Live in Seoul, a concert held in the Seoul World Cup Stadium. They gained vast support and love from PLLIs attending as well as obtaining praise and admiration from MBC. PLAVE continuously show no limitations as they participated in recording challenges with fellow singers and conducting wholesome video call events with fellow PLLIs across the globe. PLAVE constantly interact with fans through their fancafe to show off just how much love they hold for PLLIs.

As of recent events, PLAVE members Yejun and Hamin were featured as guest MCs on MBC FM4U’s GOT7 Youngjae’s Close Friend on Oct. 8. Excitingly, PLAVE have been invited as guest MCs once again with members Yejun and Bamby on Oct.15. Right alongside this, PLAVE have posted their new weekly schedule of upcoming live broadcasts featuring all members.

Dear. PLLI

PLAVE’s debut track “Wait For You” from their single ASTERUM encapsulates PLAVE’s virtual worldview. Adopting a rock-band style with intermixed elements of pop and R&B, PLAVE convey their longing, hope, and resolve of always waiting for fans in the same place and wishing for this feeling to be properly expressed. 

The production of each track in PLAVE’s debut album was written and composed not only by PLAVE members themselves but also by well known HYBE producer EL CAPITXN, famous for working with K-pop idols such as BTS, IU, and PSY. EL CAPITXN also continued to work in production alongside PLAVE members for the rest of their discography. PLAVE’s debut single sold a total of 27,940 copies in the first week of release.

Switching up the ambiance and vibes, PLAVE came out with their first digital single “Why?” released alongside an official lyric video featuring vibrant color-coded lyrics (for member indication) and bubbly graphic designs. Conveying a fresh and vibrant feeling, just like the early summer breeze, PLAVE express their exhaustion towards their partner’s chaos, yet their emotional attachment makes them stay while still wishing to just stop it all.

Once again shifting gears in emotions and lyricism, PLAVE’s recently came back with their first mini album ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come and its title track “The 6th Summer.” A song about the first summer all five members spent together, “The 6th Summer” conveys the members’ various hardships and adversities through diverse shades of sorrow, overcoming them all, and uniting as a team. The soundscape embodies the unique ambiance of summer with its soft-rock and ballad-like melody, all smoothly delivered through the song’s lively guitar riffs, melancholy piano, and animated percussion.

According to Korea’s Hanteo Chart, on Aug. 25, ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come topped the daily physical album chart with 91,970 copies sold, equating to 110,364 in physical record index score. Since combined sales and the price of albums are now used by the platform to create rankings, a total of 63,480 copies were sold on the first day, and within two days since its release, the album had sold 155,450 copies. Reaching one million streams on Melon in less than a day, PLAVE’s mini album showed instantaneous results within two days.

PLAVE has surpassed one hundred million streams on Melon and remains the most-streamed 2023 Rookie Male group on Genie, with a total of 16,752,288 streams (all songs combined as of Sept. 29), crowning them the first Male Rookie of 2023 to achieve ten million stream remarks on said music platform.

We Just Love PLAVE

While many might second guess and question the restrictions and disadvantages PLAVE may have with certain executions of events and fan interactions, PLAVE pay no mind to such limitations and continue to create a world free of constraints. From live broadcasts to doing a live street busking performance with fans, the group shows how split worlds will not prevent members from communication, motivation, and innovation. The world is constantly developing in various ways, and PLAVE intend to make their presence known. This is only the beginning of PLAVE’s ultimate goal to captivate all Terra fans, and PLLIs can only imagine what PLAVE have hidden in Caelum.

Watch PLAVE’s latest music video release “The 6th Summer” on YouTube, and listen to their recent mini album ASTERUM: The Shape of Things to Come on Spotify and Apple Music!

On cloud nine after reading about PLAVE? Dream alongside them by following their social media accounts on Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.

Craving more up-and-coming groups? Check out our coverage on rising P-pop boy group HORI7ON from our latest 7 Things series here!

The post 7 Things to Know About PLAVE appeared first on EnVi Media.

Stray Kids’ Han is an artist who is full of surprises. From rising to be a vocal force within the eight-member team to spitting fire with his 3RACHA subunit, Han is a notable all-rounder in fourth generation K-pop. To celebrate his group’s 5-STAR comeback, here are seven things to know about the compassionate, fearless, and versatile Han of Stray Kids. 

Early Education 

Fans of Stray Kids — also known as STAY — usually know leader Bang Chan and deep-voiced Felix are the Australian-born and English-speaking members of Stray Kids. However, these two are not the only ones who are fluent in the language. Besides Bang Chan and Felix, honey vocalist Seungmin and all-rounder ace Han often help out during English-dominant interviews (sometimes’ the latter’s interesting British-tinged accent comes out, much to the delight of fans). Han member lived in South Korea before moving to Malaysia when he was nine years old. Once there, he was homeschooled to “know more about the world and be open-minded,” as he relayed on “Lee Mujin Service.”

While Han did not have a traditional school experience, this difference in background does not impede his imagination and empathy. In 2018, Han, Bang Chan, Changbin — the other two-thirds of 3RACHA — and the youngest member of Stray Kids, I.N, penned “School Life.” The track appears on the group’s Mixtape, which was released three months ahead of their official debut as Stray Kids. Aching exhaustion with the repetitiveness and the lack of empathy found in “School Life” filters through the upbeat song, with lyrics like “Feels the same every day, so sick of this / Wishing tomorrow would be a little different” hitting especially hard. Han contributed his lyrics based on the stories of his members as well as the way school life is portrayed in the media he consumes.

Becoming a JYP Trainee 

Every K-pop idol has a unique story of how they entered their company. Han is no different. Similar to many other artists, the young rapper was influenced by veterans in the industry, such as Epik High, to explore music, songwriting, and rapping. The 22-year-old revealed on his Lee Mujin Service episode that his curiosity in K-pop developed later when he came across Zico (from Block B) and other rap performances in the genre. 

Han’s journey to becoming a JYP trainee was one characterized by coincidence. While he returned to Korea from Malaysia to take exams, the aspiring musician “made a deal” with his parents. Han had realized that if he wanted to pursue a singing career, as he detailed to Seungmin in their 2018 “2 Kids Room” episode, it would be best to stay in Korea and audition to join a company. However, his parents expressed some understandable hesitation about this proposition. Thus, they came to an agreement: “If [Han couldn’t] enter a company in a year, [he’d] stop and go back to Malaysia to study.”   

In a dramatic fashion, Han and a friend heard about an audition at JYP Entertainment on the day he was supposed to return to Malaysia. They made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go but “just in case [they could] see a celebrity,” which Han admitted to Seungmin in their talk. Out of the five other people auditioning with him, Han was the only one invited to stay behind and join JYP. Thus began the burgeoning singer and rapper’s three years of training in the company before debuting as a member of Stray Kids in March of 2018.

Stray Kids x YG Trainees Battles 

Before Stray Kids became Stray Kids, they had to prove their debut worthiness through the JYP Entertainment-conceived survival show Stray Kids (2017). Unlike other idol survival productions, the 10-episode Stray Kids highlighted the nine trainees who were pre-selected to be a part of the final group. 

In the sixth episode, Stray Kids competed against seven former trainees at YG Entertainment — including some current members of TREASURE. They faced vocal, dance, and rap challenges in their respective teams. For the rap performance, Han and ‘99-liner Changbin shaped the words of their doubters into sharp spears of self-confidence on their 3RACHA track, “Matryoshka.” The two rappers compare themselves to the nestled matryoshka dolls; even when others try to strike them down or when doubt permeates their ability to make music, there is only more of themselves to be revealed. As Han raps, “Matryoshka version one, J.One / Shedding down, but it’s useless / I’m gonna be stronger, I’m not pretending (Mm) for real / Even if you cut me into smaller pieces, I’m spicy / I won’t disappear, I’ll be stronger.”

Han also participated in the vocal challenge alongside Bang Chan and former Stray Kids member Woojin. The three put their own Stray Kids spin on Blackpink’s hit song “As If It’s Your Last,” adding original rap and choreography to the 2016 single. In this performance, Han surprised the YG trainees with both his rap and vocal abilities.

3RACHA’s J.ONE 

The name “3RACHA” gets thrown around within the STAY community almost as much as “Stray Kids.” As the main rappers and production backbone of Stray Kids, 3RACHA are notable in their own right. Han claims the moniker J.ONE in this subunit with Bang Chan, known as CB97, and Changbin, known as SPEARB, rounding out the tight-knit group of three. 

3RACHA refer to themselves as “the clash of three rain clouds” in their unit track of the same name from the 2022 album Maxident. In an interview with PAPER Magazine, Han revealed that this is his favorite line of “3RACHA.” He elaborated on this detail, musing, “…these lyrics remind me that when the three of us come together, we can create something huge like a thundercloud.” And, boy, have they created. Currently, Han is credited on over 100 songs by the Korean Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). This February, the young rapper, plus Changbin and Bang Chan, were promoted to regular members by KOMCA. The top 25 junior members of the association are promoted to this status at the end of each year.

These “thunderstorms” were officially brought to the public’s attention, however, through J:2017/mixtape, 3RACHA’s first mixtape. This was released on Soundcloud in April of 2017, while the unit’s second mixtape followed four months later. Han produced two tracks on the latter project, entitled 3DAYS, including “I SEE,” which he produced alongside leader Bang Chan. Five years later, Han and his fellow 3RACHA members reflect on their journey in the self-titled song. Similar to his verse in “Matryoshka,” Han recognizes the artistic strength and skill he possesses thanks to his hard work: “I climb higher than anyone else, jumpin’ (Get it) / Even if I’m out of breath, there’s no stop.” The track, in Han’s eyes, is also a celebration of the “spirit, grit, and bravado” their team has, regardless of the change and growth they have undergone in the past few years.  

Versatile Vocalist and Songwriter  

Outside of his often spitfire rapping style, Han is known for his versatile vocals. Different songs have showcased different parts of his voice, allowing him to grow exponentially since his debut in 2018. From pop rock tracks to acoustic ballads, for Stray Kids or for his solo work, Han is a musical chameleon. As he noted in his “Lee Mujin Service” episode, music “itself” and singing came before rap. Han approaches his individual artistry and his role in Stray Kids with a mentality of no limitations in terms of what he does artistically. 

This perspective comes across clearly in his growing vocal abilities. While Stray Kids competed on Mnet’s 2021 show, Kingdom: Legendary War, Han stood out for his powerful high notes. During the group’s performance of BTOB’s striking song, “I’ll be your man,” the original singers and other contestants could not help but express their surprise when Han demonstrated his range. Main vocalist Eunkwang from BTOB cried out, “He’s vocal! His skill is not like a rapper!,” and fellow bandmate Minhyuk said in disbelief, “How come he can do this well [because he’s a rapper]?”

Han took the extended high notes with Seungmin as Stray Kids hurtled into the final, intense part of “I’ll be your man,” complete with Changbin furiously rapping behind the vocalists’ powerful singing. As Younghoon from The Boyz exclaimed, surprise written all over his features, “Isn’t he a rapper?”

Meanwhile, Han’s “lyrical” side—both as a vocalist and as a songwriter—comes out especially in his SKZ-Record tracks. Through the SKZ-Record project (also known as SKZ-Replay), Han has released original songs such as “Close,” “Wish You Back,” and “Volcano.” The “emotional rapper,” who often draws inspiration from movies, tends to pen “lyrical, sad, painful songs,” as he himself admitted to Lee Mujin. One only needs to briefly glance at the lyrics of “Volcano” to understand this: “I’ll protect you / It’s okay to hurt.” The pop-rock track pulls in an adamant electric guitar and resonant drum beats behind Han’s stable belting, adding to this song that begs for a cathartic scream.

The Quokka of Stray Kids

First of all, you might be wondering what on earth is a quokka. Secondly, you might be wondering why Han is considered the quokka of Stray Kids. To address the first question, a quokka is a macropod (kangaroos are also macropods), and their population is declining. Although they are already a bit round and fluffy, their mouths quirk up in a distinct way, making it look like they are smiling. 

Thus, when photos of quokkas are placed besides ones of Han, the similarities are surprisingly striking. Fans and members alike believe he looks like this adorable macropod, so much that the rapper’s SKZ Zoo cartoon character—plushies of the members’ representative animals/characters—is a quokka. Han takes it all in stride, adopting the nickname alongside his Stray Kids members, who refer to him as such in the 2022 track, “Fam.”

Han’s Signature Humor  

It’s difficult to not hear (or see) Han in interviews, on variety shows, including Stray Kids’ own “SKZ Code,” or on TikTok. When the group’s puppy interview with Buzzfeed took a quick detour into freestyle rap territory, the quick-thinking rapper created one about puppies and coffee (the two words rhyme in Korean). Meanwhile, Han’s sharp sarcasm—and his British accent—jumped out in another Buzzfeed interview, where he accidentally forgot that “Secret Secret” from NOEASY was written by him. In response, Han widened his eyes in astonishment and said as if he was dishing out juicy gossip, “Oh my god, ‘Secret Secret’ is so amazing! I love that song; that’s so beautiful.”

Another iconic Han moment was when he appeared on one of Bang Chan’s weekly VLives. Bang Chan’s show “Chan’s Room” used to be on VLive until the platform merged with Weverse. Although it is mostly Chan chatting with fans and playing music, he would occasionally bring in special guests, such as the highly-anticipated 3RACHA members and their chaotic dynamic. Viewers got their wish fulfilled many times over when Han plopped down in a chair, a rubber horse head sitting squarely on his shoulders. Stray Kids’ leader laughed for a solid minute, but showing up was not the end of Han’s stunt. Now imagine a horse head saying in Korean, “Excuse me, noona, do you have a boyfriend?”

Want to learn more about the members of Stray Kids? Check out how Felix is Louis Vuitton’s newest it boy here.

The post 7 Things to Know About Stray Kids’ Han appeared first on EnVi Media.

With P-pop on the rise, the Philippines has been making significant breakthroughs in mainstream media. This year, the boy group HORI7ON made strides as the first P-pop group to debut in South Korea. Members VINCI, KIM, KYLER, REYSTER, WINSTON, JEROMY and MARCUS first crossed paths on the survival program Dream Maker. The members would embark on their new journey as HORI7ON on July 24, 2023 with the title track, “SIX7EEN.” Get ready to dive into the world of HORI7ON as EnVi introduces you to the seven things you need to know about the team!

Chasing the Dream

“Dream. Everything starts here,” are the opening words by actress and host Kim Chiu for the survival program Dream Maker. In a global collaboration between ABS-CBN, MLD Entertainment, and Kamp Global, 62 hopefuls, dubbed as “Dream Chasers,” compete for the chance to debut in South Korea. Similar to South Korean survival programs, the contestants undergo a series of performance evaluations and are eliminated by viewer’s votes. To assist the “Dream Chasers” in achieving the performing standards of both South Korea and the Philippines, the mentor panel consists of esteemed industry names in both nations. Angeline Quinto, Bailey May, and Darren form the Filipino dream mentors. The Korean mentor team consists of Bae Wan-Hee, Seo Won Jin, BULL$EYE, JeA, Thunder, and even the Produce series’ very own Bae Yoon Jung. 

The first episode premiered on November 19, 2022, with the show’s official theme song, “Take My Hand” officially releasing six days later. Its center, VINCI, may be a familiar face, as he ranked fourth place and secured his debut in HORI7ON. HORI7ON’s two youngest, MARCUS and JEROMY, battled it out for first place — with JEROMY taking the honor and becoming HORI7ON’s center. KIM, KYLER, and REYSTER joined the aforementioned members on the debut seats. WINSTON earned the coveted final debut seat, and thus, completed the HORI7ON lineup.

ANCHOR of Support

To reflect the unwavering and immense support they gain from their fans, HORI7ON’s fandom is endearingly named “ANCHOR.” As posted on their official Twitter account, the name represents the idea that “fans will become the compass as the anchors of the boat that is HORI7ON.” The fandom name reveal is all the more special considering the circumstances of the announcement. One of HORI7ON’s very own fans submitted the name, alongside its touching meaning, through an official fandom name contest. On April 22, the name was also announced live to HORI7ON’s fans at their first fan meeting event.

Predebut Tracks 

In anticipation of their official debut, HORI7ON released three music videos to ease the waiting of ANCHORs. All three music videos would feature songs initially revealed during Dream Maker, but now re-recorded for the septet. 

The first release was the charismatic track, “DASH,” a little over a month after the Dream Maker finale.

Switching gears, HORI7ON would then release ‘Salamat (고마워),” an emotional ballad entirely in Tagalog.

To pick up the pace and show an image more similar to their debut track, their pre-release run concluded with the refreshing “Lovey Dovey.”

Miracle in the Making

HORI7ON invite fans on their journey to their official debut with their reality program, 100 Days Miracle, airing on Mnet and M2’s YouTube channel. The series features the boys in their preparation to stand onstage in South Korea. From setting foot in the Incheon Airport, to the filming site of the “Lovey Dovey” music video, viewers catch glimpses of HORI7ON’s daily life as they adjust to their new schedule as promoting idols.

Each episode features a special guest panel of idol commentators, featuring members of TFN, LAPILLUS, AB6IX, and WEi. The panel empathizes with the excitement that follows the early stages of debut, and reacts to the variety segments throughout the show. CHANTY of Lapillus, who has been a recurring panel member, particularly resonates with the boys simultaneously as a company senior and a Filipino promoting in South Korea. Whether you’re a dedicated ANCHOR, or just looking into checking out more about HORI7ON, be sure to tune in on Fridays for a new episode!

New Beginnings in Seoul

Fresh out of Dream Maker, HORI7ON promptly flew out to Seoul to begin preparing for their global debut. All hailing from the Philippines, the members are still adjusting to their new beginnings in a foreign country. Many of their first precious moments in South Korea are documented for ANCHORs, including their first stroll around the city as a complete unit. HORI7ON also frequently feature content revolving around the team practicing Korean culture and language. 

Afterschool HORI7ON is a YouTube mini-variety show where they practice their Korean through a series of classic broadcast games. One of the games being the staple K-pop fan-favorite, “Any Word in SIlence,” where pairs must guess a list of words from a partner whilst wearing headphones. The winning individual or team receives prizes at the end of each game. But even without this incentive, the members put in their utmost effort to diligently practice their Korean.
HORI7ON’s efforts are also present in their TikTok, where they practice their Korean dictation on small magnetic drawing boards. As their first promotions wrapped up, fans now eagerly await how much their Korean will improve by their next release.

Setting Sail with Friend-SHIP

HORI7ON’s debut studio album, Friend-SHIP, was released on July 24 to global anticipation. Featuring twelve tracks in Korean, Tagalog, and English — HORI7ON prove to be international idols. The title track, “SIX7EEN,” is a whimsical pop track perfect for the summer season. HORI7ON invites their listeners to live life in the moment: “I’m done thinking about tomorrow / You Only Live Once.” The reference to the number sixteen is in regards to the peak of their youth, as they sing “I feel like 16, I want to run without hesitation” and “I wanna love somebody, follow my heart, feel like 16.” The upbeat, tropical-house chorus sports with a bouncy choreography, proven to be an ideal fit for their promotional dance challenges. 

Friend-SHIP also debuts two sub-unit tracks, “How You Feel (Feat. Haeun of Lapillus)” and “Death or Paradise.” The former includes the two youngest of HORI7ON, MARCUS and JEROMY, featuring labelmate Lapillus’ youngest, HAEUN. The trio go full retro with a new-jack swing style song, complete with baggy outfits and groove-based choreography.

“Death or Paradise” showcases the older members’ more suave image, matched with a performance video in a classic suit and tie. Starting with sentimental guitar strings, later joined by elements of electropop — VINCI, KIM, KYLER, REYSTER, and WINSTON ask themselves, “Now where am I? / Between death or paradise.”

Voyage to Manila

ANCHORs have much to look forward to in the coming weeks, most notably, their first concert, “Friend-SHIP [Voyage To Manila].” ANCHORs anticipate what HORI7ON will deliver on September 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, especially since the team has only hosted fan-meeting events. Fans are also hopeful that HORI7ON will voyage to other cities, or perhaps even countries, in the coming future.

Broaden Your HORI7ON

Wrapping up their promotions for “SIX7EEN” and participating in KAMP FEST CDMX 2023, HORI7ON is steadily on the rise. HORI7ON recently released their self-produced music video for “Birthday,” coinciding with an accompanying episode of 100 Days Miracle where the boys set out to find popular K-Pop filming locations. Through their music, variety content, and performances, the seven boys of HORI7ON capture hearts all across the globe. This is only the beginning for the septet, leaving us wondering what new horizons they will conquer!

Can’t get enough HORI7ON? Check out their official social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Want more upcoming Asian groups on your radar? Check out “7 Things to Know About MXFRUIT” here!

The post 7 Things to Know About HORI7ON appeared first on EnVi Media.

Want to diversify your music collection? Meet singer-songwriter Dameer Khan! Dameer is an indie pop-rock artist making his name in Bangladesh. Pairing his Bangladeshi upbringing with his love of Western indie pop-rock by mixing modest beats with hypnotizing melodies, Dameer is leading a new era in Bangladeshi music. With hits like “Amar Jaan” and “Bashbo Bhalo,” here are seven things about Dameer!

Western Rock Influences

“I grew up like full Western music influenced. Of course, when I was young, I was into nu-metal, some dubstep, I was the biggest Skrillex fan for a while, but that’s just what we used to listen to. It was a lot of EDM, hard rock, metal… Basically, I had been listening to anything some suburban kid in America in 1997 was listening to, but in 2012,” Dameer shared with Majestic Journal. His older neighbor introduced him to classic rock artists such Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath.

He’s Global! Life in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Ghana, and Canada

Dameer was born and raised in Bangladesh, but moved to Malaysia as a teenager. He then spent a few months in Ghana, recorded music in Germany, and studied in Canada for college. His diverse experiences make him a multidisciplinary creative as he takes inspiration from artists around the world, such as Sweatshirt, Charli XCX, and Ezra Collective.

South Asian Music is Very Recent For His Career

Dameer has always been exposed to Bangladeshi music, but western rock was what inspired him originally. He told Majestic, “All of my Bangladeshi and Indian influences only started to come into my music in the last year or two.” With his admiration for Western rock and roots in Bengali classics, he is creating his own world of music by incorporating the best of both worlds. “Amar Jaan” and “Bashbo Bhalo” are just his Bangla beginnings.

Knows How to Put on a Show

Dameer has had several sold out shows in his home country of Bangladesh. After his headlining concert in Dhaka during December 2022, Dameer is set to hit the stage at Dhaka Groove, a new music festival in the capital city focusing on modern, diaspora musicians. With youthful anthems and ability to bridge the music of the East and West together, his fans, Dameeracles, sing along to every verse.

Makes Music that Resonates with Social Commentary on Gen Z

A lot of Dameer’s music comes from the world around him and the human experience, and a couple of his music videos even hit the one million views club! Ideated from themes such as politics, love, life, mental health, and friendship, he shares stories in a way that captures raw human emotions. “If we, as young people, as artists, are not trying to find something that makes Bangladesh beautiful, we are going to step into an artistic quagmire, a cultural quicksand that we will never get out of. This should be the start of a new movement re-aligning the public image of Bangladesh, because we can do so much more,” he shared with The Daily Star.

According to DIY, “Amar Jaan” is motivated by a long distance relationship that took place around a time of political unrest, both internationally and at home in Bangladesh. About the song, Dameer said, “I felt like the world was falling apart. I found that when it was going well, this relationship would relieve me of a lot of these existential anxieties, however we also had our issues that were further exacerbated by the distance. The song talks about how beautifully escapist it all was, and about how I felt like time was moving ever so painfully slowly as I adapted to a new home.”

His Father Introduced Him to Music

Dameer’s father, Pilu Khan, is a musician himself and a member of the legendary Bangladeshi band, Renaissance, yet never imposed music on him. From there, his passion grew into a steady love for music. Dameer’s musical diversity has taught him to play instruments, ranging from the piano to the guitar to flute and even dabbling in drums.

He Has a Huge Vision for the Bangladeshi Music Industry

Dameer dreams of a music industry in Bangladesh with more power to the artist through following regulations, organizing proper deals, and exploring new genres as a whole. “As soon as I started gaining some confidence in my production, I would send it to big YouTube channels, labels, music blogs, and stuff like that. I just kept sending them and years passed by and one of them finally replied. And that’s the company that eventually signed me,” he told The McGill Daily. He believes that the current state of the music industry in Bangladesh is very underdeveloped and doesn’t think he would be able to make it just from there. However, he does recognize that the industry is changing from what he used to feel as a kid. Overall, Dameer has a huge vision for the future.

Keep up with Dameer by following him on Instagram and TikTok!

Want more coverage of South Asian musicians? Check out our Artist Spotlight with Indian American singer Radha here!

The post 7 Things to Know About Dameer appeared first on EnVi Media.

Have you been looking for a new favorite group? MXFRUIT are here to answer your call. They are a Thai pop girl group under ILY LAB Company, a subsidiary of Tada Entertainment. The quintet has already shown fans their boundless talent despite having only two official releases. Their sound and personal identities set them apart and give fans every reason to check them out. Join EnVi as we unveil the world of MXFRUIT!

Predebut History

MXFRUIT are a five-member group. The members, all of which grew up in Thailand, are MiQuella, Oppapech, Rochelle, Knomjean, and Skawduan. With ages ranging from 18 to 21, they’re only just beginning their journey into the T-pop world. Although their debut is fresh, Rochelle and Oppapech are no strangers to the spotlight. Rochelle made her name known on The Voice Kids Thailand in 2017 at the age of 12. In 2018, she made her solo debut with the digital single “Gone” which showcases her incredible voice. Oppapech, born in 2003, was on the survival show Idol Paradise, but left the competition before it aired. Although they began their careers as solo artists, the stars aligned when bringing the five members of MXFRUIT together.

Strawberry Ice Cream

MXFRUIT debuted on March 8, 2023 with “Strawberry Ice Cream.” The English digital single is a punchy, upbeat pop hit. Paying homage to their name, the song includes several fruity lyrics like “I’m melting like strawberry ice cream, such a sweet daydream” and “tangerine sunset, you and me, lovin’”. The way they’re able to show ethereal, dream-like vocals in a pop song is reason enough to love them. Each member has their shining vocal moment lyrically and the music video will have you smiling ear-to-ear. The girls pair their vocals with compelling and colorful choreography. Right out of the gate, MXFRUIT colorfully cemented their place as the T-pop group to look out for.

Social Media Content

On the MXFRUIT official YouTube channel, the girls have been giving fans covers of popular songs as well as reacting to their own videos. Without spoiling all of the fun, some of their covers include “Wannabe” by Spice Girls and a solo cover of PP Krit’s “ลังเล” by Knomjean. All of the covers are live performances showcasing their incredible and refreshing vocal talent and harmonies. Hosted by themselves at their MXFRUIT MXHOUSE PARTY, they’ve posted several cannot miss performances.

In addition to covers, the girls have dipped their toes into the waters of reacting. Watching their own music videos as a group, they give entertaining and upbeat reactions as if they were YouTubers themselves. Feeling the emotions of debuting, the girls get teary-eyed watching their “Strawberry Ice Cream” music video.  These videos give fans a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of their hard work. While watching, member Rochelle added, “there’s no boring or dull moment” and fans would not agree more.

Comedy Queens

In addition to putting out songs made to be on loop, the girls of MXFRUIT lend their personalities to their own YouTube channel variety show, giving fans endless laughs. All five members compete in a show they call “Put Your Game Up” where they do various challenges against each other. In the first episode, they kept the fruit theme running with the games they played. Game 1 showed them racing against each other to be the first to ring a bell after uncovering matching fruits on various plates. The losers then had to eat said fruit with lime on top as a penalty.

The second game depicts the members blindfolded as they’re  attempting to decipher between two different fruits. Chaos ensues when Oppapech strongly proclaims she’s going to win the watermelon round as her “hometown is Srisaket, growing watermelon.” With the comedic timing and banter between the group, you’d never know they debuted in March as they already seem like variety experts. If you’d like to see the other Put Your Game Up episodes which include Thai Language games, a spy game, and more, check out the playlist below!

Follow-up Thai Single

After debuting with this century’s greatest pop hit, MXFRUIT returned on May 25, 2023 with Thai digital single  “ทำไมไม่รู้ (what do i do).” All eyes were on them following their melodious first release and they did not disappoint. The single, proclaimed by the label to be “a heartfelt ballad with a touching, moving line.”, lets fans see a new side of the girl group. With longing lyrics asking how to keep the guy they’re interested in by their side, they truly wore their hearts on their sleeves.

This single is more laid-back than their first as they focus on serenading fans vocally. Their range as a group can be heard and seen in the music video that follows each member with their own significant other with group dances scenes throughout. Reminiscent of ‘90s girl group ballads à la “Too Much” and “Viva Forever” by Spice Girls, MXFRUIT effortlessly ask fans “what do i do” in their follow-up single.

Musical Inspiration

As emerging pop stars themselves, the MXFRUIT girls have spoken about their musical interests and artists they follow. On the Vogue Thailand YouTube channel, they sat down to talk about the top songs that are in their playlists. When asked about the songs they liked to sing together when they were trainees, they named “Smokin Out The Window” by Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars, & Anderson .Paak, “Nan-Nan” by Fujii Kaze, and a few others. They’re also asked what songs they love dancing to, to which Skawduan comically answers “Strawberry Ice Cream” by MXFRUIT. Rochelle tells fans she loves “Good Boy” by G-DRAGON and Taeyang, leading the members to break into song and dance. They also tell us the K-pop songs they love with Rochelle naming “눈,코,입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips)” by Taeyang.

The MXFRUIT members have also posted songs they love on their personal accounts such as “Love Lies” by Normani & Khalid on MiQuella’s “playlist” highlight on her Instagram. On the official MXFRUIT Instagram account, they’ve shared posts of each member with a few fun facts. In them they included their favorite songs, including Knomjean’s “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child and MiQuella’s “Low” by SZA. With the girls sharing the artists they love in varying genres, we’ve been able to see their distinctive personalities a bit more.

Connect With MXFRUIT 

The members of MXFRUIT have given fans their music, variety shows, and covers in just a few short months. In that time, we’ve also been able to learn more about them, including what music they listen to and some of their hobbies. With each member having their own Instagram, TikTok, and a few YouTube accounts, they’re able to showcase their personalities. Dive into their personal world by following their Instagram accounts here: MiQuella, Oppapech, Skawduan, Knomjean, Rochelle

Looking Forward

While they’re only three months into their career, the future is looking bright for MXFRUIT. They’ve delivered two distinctive singles, variety shows, and much more in the short time fans have known them. MiQuella, Oppapech, Rochelle, Knomjean, and Skawduan are in for a sweet treat as they have the ability to be the next big thing in pop music. They’re well on their way to superstardom and fans are lucky to witness this exhilarating journey already in progress!

Want even more MXFRUIT? Check out their official social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube!

Looking for more Asian artists? Read our coverage of the Japanese band CHAI and their latest single, “PARA PARA,” here!

The post 7 Things to Know About MXFRUIT appeared first on EnVi Media.