With INYUN at the heart of their latest chapter, YOUNITE reflect on the connections that brought them here, the meaning behind POSE!, their willingness to embrace new challenges, and the bond they continue to build with YOUNIZ around the world.
For YOUNITE, INYUN is more than just the theme of their latest album. The Korean word refers to the ties that bring people together, an idea the group chose to explore through their own story and, above all, their relationship with YOUNIZ.
Currently consisting of seven members: KYUNGMUN, SION, WONHO, EUNHO, HYUNGSEOK, STEVE, and DEY, YOUNITE have built their journey together since their debut. With this comeback, the group takes the opportunity to reflect on what brought them here and the people who have been part of that story.
The members also took part in writing the album, giving them the opportunity to put more of their own thoughts and feelings into its story and explore the bond they share with their fans.
The Meaning of Connection
Léane: When you first learned that Inyun would become the theme of this album, what did the idea of connection mean to you personally?
YOUNITE: This album tells the story of the bond between YOUNITE and our fans. We wanted to show what our relationship with YOUNIZ means to us and how much we value each other. We also took part in writing the lyrics, which allowed us to express more of our own thoughts and feelings. We worked hard to capture that bond as sincerely as possible, which made this album especially meaningful to us.
But INYUN also made the members look back at the moment their own story began.
Léane: The idea of Inyun suggests that some connections happen for a reason. What moment in YOUNITE’s journey feels most like Inyun to you?
YOUNITE: I think our debut day itself was an important moment of inyun. Without that day, the seven of us wouldn’t be here together today. It was the moment that brought us together and marked the beginning of our journey as YOUNITE, so when I think about inyun in our story, that’s the moment that comes to mind.
POSE!
The idea of connection also runs through POSE!, where two different worlds come together and reveal a bond that was previously unseen. It was also the song YOUNITE wanted at the center of their latest comeback.
Léane: What made you feel that POSE! was the right song for YOUNITE’s comeback?
YOUNITE: We wanted to make our comeback with a song that the members could genuinely enjoy, so we shared that wish with the company. POSE! felt like the perfect fit because it was a song we all connected with and wanted to perform together. We’re really happy that we were able to make it our title track.
Léane: In a previous interview, SION mentioned YOUNITE’s desire to try different things and live without regrets. Looking back at your journey so far, is there something you’re especially glad you decided to take a chance on?
SION: Especially with this new album, I’m really glad we chose POSE! as the title track. Looking back, I feel like it was a good decision. And beyond the song itself, every time we come to the stage and perform for our fans, I have moments where I think, “I’m really glad we came.” Those moments make me feel that the choices we’ve made have been worthwhile.
Growing Through New Challenges
For YOUNITE, new challenges are also opportunities to learn, grow, and create meaningful experiences together.
Léane: When YOUNITE faces a new challenge, what makes you think, “Let’s give it a try”?
YOUNITE: We always talk to each other a lot when we face something new. We try to do our best and make the most of whatever we’re doing. We think of each new challenge as an experience, and we want to make that experience meaningful and make it work out. So I think that’s what helps us take on new things together.
That mindset also extends to the opportunities that take YOUNITE beyond Korea. At Asian Revolution in Mainz, the members had the chance to meet YOUNIZ from across Europe and experience a different kind of stage together.
Léane: Asian Revolution brings together artists and fans from different countries and backgrounds. What does it mean to YOUNITE to stand on this stage in Mainz and see so many YOUNIZ here?
YOUNITE: We’re really happy to meet so many YOUNIZ and fans here in Mainz. Being able to come to a big event like this, take part in it and perform on a stage like this feels like a great opportunity for us. We’re very grateful to be able to experience something like this and meet so many fans here.
For a group whose latest album is so closely tied to the idea of connection, meeting fans far from home gives that theme an especially tangible meaning.
Léane: Finally, after everything YOUNIZ have shared with you throughout this journey, what would you like to say to the fans who continue to support YOUNITE, wherever you are in the world?
YOUNITE: We are always so grateful to YOUNIZ for supporting us wherever we are and wherever we go. Even when we’re far away, you still come to see us and share these moments with us, and we feel incredibly lucky to have that.
Thank you to YOUNITE for this interview.
*Special thanks to the translator for facilitating the conversation and providing linguistic expertise on-site.