If the past few weeks have been a whirlwind for anyone, it would be NAZE. The seven members of the multinational K-pop group made their official debut under C9 Entertainment on May 4 with the four-track, self-titled EP NAZE. Similarly to their labelmates EPEX and CIX, NAZE went by the name C9ROOKIES during their trainee period before announcing their official name in August 2025.
Notably, their debut was not the members’ first time on stage — or in front of a camera. Prior to releasing their EP, the members of NAZE participated in the Japanese television drama DREAM STAGE, co-produced by their label and CJ ENM Japan. The nine-episode drama aired on January 16, giving fans a glimpse of NAZE before their late spring debut.
EnVi spoke with NAZE over Zoom about their debut, musical aspirations, and fun behind-the-scenes moments throughout it all. The septet — KAISEI, YOUNKI, ATO, TURN, YUYA, KIMKUN, and DOHYEOK — participated in a lively conversation despite the late hour in South Korea, happy to introduce themselves to the world.
Debut Daze
“Surreal” is the first word NAZE used to describe the past few weeks of their lives. EnVi’s conversation took place just two weeks after the group’s official debut, a time that ATO said was full of surprises, happiness, and thrilling moments. One of the most exciting moments for the team was being able to perform on Korean music show stages, like Show! Music Core or M Countdown. “To be able to perform there in front of the senior artists and the audience and all our fans,” ATO described with a bright smile, “it’s just so, so exciting.” As the members beside him nodded in agreement, YOUNKI added with a smile, “That’s right.”
NAZE first performed together on DREAM STAGE, playing a fictionalized version of themselves. In the series, the seven up-and-coming NAZE members worked alongside disgraced music producer Azuma Jun (played by Nakamura Tomoya) in Japan to make their debut. The group released a handful of songs on the official soundtrack and performed them live as part of a DREAM STAGE showcase tour. NAZE were already somewhat familiar with the stage by the time they debuted. However, the members had dreamt of actually standing on the music show stages, and only their debut could help them achieve it.
Images courtesy of C9 Entertainment
Behind-the-Scenes
The NAZE EP was a fun, pop-fusion debut, just like its title track, “People Talk.” The catchy chorus stood out the most to the members on first listen, making it an instant earworm amongst the group. The moment they received the demo, they knew they would have a blast singing it together. ATO shared the fact that TURN had handled the first recording of the track. At the first mention of his name, TURN flashed two peace signs and a smile.
“He did such a good job,” ATO reflected, “He really led the whole atmosphere of the recording session really well.” As ATO spoke, TURN placed a hand over his heart while YOUNKI gave him a quick thumbs-up for a job well-done.
A good atmosphere led to a fun recording session, especially the “la la la la la” lines in the chorus where all seven members sang together. Another fun memory, YOUNKI recounted, was the opportunity for ad libs and improvisations. “There were set lyrics for the songs,” he said, gesturing with his gloved hands, “but we were able to try some of the ad libs or improvise some parts on our own as we wished.” The final result effectively captured the vibes in the recording booth, leading to an enjoyable track and performance.
When sharing their favorite songs from the EP, TURN chose the self-confidence-booster “Awesome.” After the members chimed in with their agreement, TURN elaborated, “I’m the [type of] person that has to look at the mirror all the time. I have to check my face, have to check my hair, have to check my clothes, have to check it all the time.” The lyrics of “Awesome” inspired TURN to be more relaxed and confident in moments where he’s checking his reflection. In another chorus where the members sing in unison, the lyrics jubilantly declare, “I’m looking to the mirror and I say / Yo dude, you lookin’ pretty awesome.” TURN does just that, repeating the self-affirmation to his reflection. “It’s not just the lyrics, it’s my life,” he said simply.
When TURN passed the question to the members seated around him, they picked “Seoul” as their favorite. The track is a more personal reflection on the members and their lives as a multi-national group. YOUNKI, ATO, KIMKUN, and DOHYEOK were born across South Korea, while KAISEI and YUYA grew up in Japan and TURN came all the way to Seoul from Thailand. The chorus reflects their lives as they sing, “Hey, this might not be where I’m from / Seoul is now my new hood.” They each take turns in the verses detailing their day-to-day lives and “trivial moments” in the city.
“It not only carries just our daily lives, but it also includes how we talk, our tone, our voices,” KIMKUN added, “So I think it really captured our natural selves as NAZE.”
Images courtesy of C9 Entertainment
The members of NAZE had just as much fun filming the music videos for “People Talk” and “Pretty Pink Socks.” The youngest member, DOHYEOK, shared one particular memory from behind-the-scenes of “People Talk.” Part of the video was set in a hamburger shop, food and props included. He explained that they were under the impression they were not allowed to eat the props on set, namely the copious hamburgers. “But later, we got permission that we could actually eat [it]. We all did, and it was so good.” While DOHYEOK mimed holding a hamburger, YOUNKI added emphatically, “We really ate a lot of hamburgers there.”
The pastel-tinted music video for “Pretty Pink Socks” also carried some fun memories. They filmed the video in Japan on residential streets, where the various ensemble cast members left an impression. “We filmed with an older woman, and her reactions and everything were really cute,” YUYA shared, imitating her movements as she reacted to the members’ performance.
K-pop Inspirations and Musical Beginnings
Long before filming music videos or singing in the recording booth, the seven members of NAZE started on the idol path in different ways. For KAISEI, it began in elementary school. “We would have music performances, and I would have to dance,” he shared. KAISEI didn’t dislike dancing, but it wasn’t until he saw BTS in middle school that he started up dance lessons and began his idol journey.
YUYA also credited K-pop as the reason he made it to where he is now. Since he was a little kid, he had just been focused on breakdancing. When he discovered the world of K-pop, it seemed “bright and shining, it was just a whole different experience.” Despite now being an idol, YUYA still does breakdance from time to time, although he continues to challenge himself to try other genres of dance.
Conversely, DOHEYOK got his start in a different field: acting. During his lessons, he received feedback that learning how to dance would help inform the different actions and motions needed to excel in acting. “And then the more I saw K-pop stages and performances, that inspired me to think, oh, I want to be part of those performances as well,” DOHYEOK described.
Images courtesy of C9 Entertainment
NAZE’s sunbaenims (or senior artists) rank high on the group’s list of inspirations. “Since we are a K-pop idol group!” TURN explained quickly, before adding, “My K-pop role model is J-Hope sunbaenim from BTS.”
The other members chimed in with their role models across the Korean music industry, with names like singer Bang Yedam and Sohee from RIIZE. “Every time I hear Sohee sunbaenim singing, it’s so soft and very mellow,” ATO said earnestly, “but when he’s performing, it’s very explosive.” That duality inspires ATO and motivates him to perform as sincerely and happily as possible on stage.
There was plenty of inspiration to be found outside of K-pop as well. “I like artists such as Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars,” YOUNKI added. “Seeing them performing on the stage, and really connecting with the audience with such great energy, it really motivates me a lot.” Household name Michael Jackson and rapper Eminem made TURN’s list of musical inspirations, alongside J-Hope. The three names tick the boxes of TURN’s love of singing, rapping, and dancing. “The three of them are all my role models,” he said. “I really want to be big like them.”
A New Adventure
For now, NAZE are delighted to perform in front of their fans and on the stages they’ve dreamt of for so long. YUYA wants to see “not only our fans that saw us in Japan, but fans that are seeing us for the first time.” But make no mistake; NAZE intend to dream big. “A long-term goal is definitely to stand on a really big stage, like Coachella,” YUYA added with a soft smile.
Now that they’ve officially set foot on the K-pop stage, NAZE want to show that they are a team with infinite possibilities for the future. By combining each of their unique charms as individuals, all seven members intend to share their own expressions of the name NAZE.
“When we are gathered together as one group, we are definitely full of a lot of fun and free-spirited energy,” YOUNKI shared, describing the team’s chemistry. “So we can’t wait to share more of that.” The excitement was palpable as the members nodded in agreement.
TURN wrapped up the conversation in English. “We’re gonna keep going on and keep being NAZE together,” he concluded happily, “So don’t forget to check [the album] out!” Around him, the members chorused with renewed energy, “Yessir! Let’s get it!”
Keep an eye on what’s next for NAZE on their official Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok profiles.
Want to know more about the latest debuts in K-pop? Tap into KEYVITUP in EnVi’s exclusive interview!
