“I don’t think starting your twenties is always filled with just beautiful and happy emotions; there’s also despair and failure. But I believe that all of that is what makes youth meaningful.” Aptly worded by Jihoon, it’s a refreshingly nuanced takeaway for the six members of TWS, namely Youngjae, Jihoon, Dohoon, Kyungmin, Hanjin, and Shinyu, who are all on the brink of their twenties, currently toeing the line between boyhood and adulthood. Since their debut early last year with EP Sparkling Blue—and viral lead title ‘plot twist’—the rookie group have been steadfast in staking their claim to the ‘boyhood pop’ sound that embodies the spirit of youth, sharing songs and stories of their school and adolescent years.
Their following EP, Summer Beat, truly sprung things into action in June, feeling very much like summer with songs like ‘hey! hey!’ and ‘If I’m S, Can You Be My N?’. All capturing the unbridled mood of teens with the fighting spirit to take on the days ahead of them—no holds barred on how they see the future. And in the later months of the year? Their whirlwind school series was brought to a nostalgic close, with the charming tune ‘Last Festival’.
Like the cherry blossoms that have begun to bloom on the streets of Seoul, these six boys are moving into a new chapter of their lives—and their music. Enter TWS’s third mini album, Try With Us, and led by title track ‘Countdown!’. Just like the album’s namesake, the music encapsulates a period of their lives that they acknowledge will be trying and riddled with its own complexities, but the most important thing would just be to face it with ardour.
So as for what this chapter brings for TWS? Here’s to finding out. Amid the release of Try With Us, the group shares with Vogue Singapore about what their new music brings, their favourite B-side tracks and what they hope to achieve next.
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It’s been just over a year since you first debuted. How has the year been?
Shinyu: It’s been truly fulfilling to spend a year full of amazing experiences that I’ve always dreamed of. With this new album, I’m excited to return to our fans, 42s, with great music and performances that we’ve poured our hearts into.
Hanjin: From our very first stage to the moments we met 42s—every second has been so meaningful and gratifying. Having our members by my side has always given me strength throughout this whole journey. We’ve worked hard to show our best selves again this time, so please look forward to it!
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Congratulations on the release of your third mini album, 'Try With Us'. Tell us more about it.
Jihoon: It reflects our transition into young adulthood on the brink of our twenties. I don’t think starting your twenties is always filled with just beautiful and happy emotions; there’s also despair and failure. But I believe that all of that is what makes youth meaningful. That’s why we wanted to share a message—that no matter what form the challenge takes, it’s okay to try, fall, and grow through it—and to express those feelings through our performance.
Youngjae: This album captures a wide range of emotions and experiences of what twenty-year-olds go through, while also carrying TWS’s vibrant and youthful energy through its refreshing sounds. I hope you’ll check it out.
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Could you share with us a bit more about your title track, 'Countdown!'?
Kyungmin: ‘Countdown!’ expresses our fearless spirit as we step into our twenties, grounded in TWS’s unique and refreshing energy. The choreography highlights our powerful synchronisation, while also reflecting the genuine fun we have performing together.
Dohoon: This track embodies TWS’s confident and bold energy. We hope to share this energy with listeners and also showcase how much we’ve grown since last year.
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What are your personal favourite B-side tracks?
Shinyu: I’d say it’s ‘Lucky to be loved’. The lyrics are deeply moving and I’m excited to show its performance that beautifully complements the emotion of the song.
Dohoon: ‘Lucky to be loved’. It reveals a new, emotional side of TWS that we’ve never shown before.
Youngjae: I’d choose ‘Now Playing’. I personally think it’s a hidden gem among the tracks in Try With Us. The lyrics are filled with excitement and it perfectly captures the thrill and heart-racing feelings of going to your first late-night movie.
Hanjin: My favourite B-side track is ‘Lucky to be loved’. It’s about the gratitude you feel for the people who stayed by your side even in your most uncertain moments and the warmth that their love brings. Every time I listen to it, I think of our 42s and the members, and it makes me realise how lucky I am. The melody is very emotional and calm, yet it carries an energy that grows on you more as you listen to it.
Jihoon: ‘Go back’ is my personal favourite out of the B-side tracks. It tells a relatable story that most people have experienced at one point in their life—like the first moment of falling in love—and I think TWS’s unique style brings it to life in an enjoyable way.
Kyungmin: There’s a bittersweet quality to ‘Lucky to be loved’ that’s unlike anything we’ve expressed before, which makes me more eager to share it with everyone.
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Let’s talk about your journey since debut so far—what have you learned about yourselves as TWS over the years?
Shinyu: Being a part of TWS, I’ve learned a lot of valuable life lessons from both my members and our staff along the way, which has helped me become a much calmer person.
Kyungmin: I think I’ve developed a stronger sense of responsibility as a member of TWS. As I spent more time reflecting on myself—learning what I like and don’t like—I’ve also come to understand myself better.
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Who inspires your musical journey as idols? Any advice that you’ve really taken to heart?
Jihoon: I’m constantly striving to grow musically and broaden my spectrum, so I enjoy listening to a wide range of artists and drawing inspiration from all of their music.
Youngjae: Rather than getting technical advice from our seniors, I’ve received more guidance about teamwork. I learned a lot about what it takes for a group to last a long time and stay strong together as a team.
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How did you feel meeting your fans at your first fan-meet earlier this year?
Hanjin: I was really nervous when we stood on stage for our first fan-meet, but seeing the faces of our 42s warmed my heart instantly. Being able to see and feel their love and support in-person made me promise myself to work even harder. It’s definitely a moment I’ll never forget and I hope we can meet our 42s more often in the future.
Dohoon: It brought me so much joy to finally share the performances and fun moments we had prepared for so long in front of so many 42s. I sincerely hope we’ll have more opportunities like that in the future.
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What are you hoping to achieve in the near future?
Dohoon: I’d really love to connect more deeply and frequently with 42s so that even more people will be drawn to TWS’s diverse charms and choose to join us on our journey.
Youngjae: It’s my hope that more people will get to discover and fall in love with the hidden charms and unique personalities of each and every member of TWS.
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What is something you'll like to challenge yourselves with next?
Shinyu: I truly hope we’ll have more chances to meet 42s through concerts and tours in the near future. I’m excited to create even more unforgettable memories together, hopefully, soon.
Jihoon: I’m eager to explore creating even more music and discovering new sounds as I continue to grow as an artist.
