It was a cold and windy day in Midtown in New York Metropolis, however Okay-pop idols ITZY introduced heat to their photoshoot with StyleCaster in mid-November. All 5 members Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna had been glammed up of their greatest black apparel and as quickly because the digicam turned on them, their smiles grew to become enjoyable and alluring…like a Cheshire Cat.
Simply the day earlier than the shoot, the quintet wrapped up the US leg of their Checkmate World Tour at The Hulu Theater in Madison Sq. Backyard. The final time ITZY was within the States was in 2020, shortly earlier than the COVID-19 lockdowns, which halted abroad performances for some time. With a lot anticipation from ITZY’s followers, often called MIDZY, their efficiency was the right system and fruits of all of the laborious work since their debut. ITZY graced the MSG stage with their worldwide hits “Within the Morning,” “LOCO,” “DALLA DALLA” and “SNEAKERS”.
Every member had their very own solo stage the place they coated well-liked songs that matched their perspective and performing fashion, like Chaeryeong’s fierce cowl of Dua Lipa’s “Hotter than Hell” and Yuna’s bubbly rendition of Conan Grey’s “Maniac”. It’s no marvel that each single tune was met with vibrant leaping and cheers from the gang who had been additionally pumping their fists within the air with their colourful gentle rings. The group say they had been shocked and delighted by the quantity of vitality within the theater and expressed their gratitude for the fixed help. “Each efficiency was crammed with ardour, vitality and nice love from our fellow American MIDZY followers,” says Yuna.
Pictured: (Left to Proper) Prime: CHAERYEONG, YUNA, RYUJIN. Backside: LIA, YEJI. Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
Regardless of being recent off a tireless tour, the members had been prepared to leap onto their subsequent challenge. The group’s sixth EP Cheshire was launched on November 30, 2022, via JYP Leisure and it instantly went viral. The lead single’s music video “Cheshire” garnered thousands and thousands of views within the hours following its launch. Within the video, the women flaunt their grins with their fluid hand actions and choreography with the lyrics “Why so critical?” and it concludes with their signature hand crown. “The title tune “Cheshire” conveys a message of trusting your emotions as a result of there isn’t a proper reply amid quite a few unclear questions and considerations,” says Lia. The rhythm of the tune, with its “la la las”, is nearly hypnotic because it brings you down the identical rabbit gap Alice fell via to get to Wonderland.
“Snowy” affords the same sentiment with the interpolation of the acquainted Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” The four-track mini-album cools off with “Freaky” the place the women brush off their emotions for a boy with “I’m in my zone, simply depart me alone.” Rounding off the EP is the defiant English single “Boyz Like You” which was launched in October. Just like the third observe, the women inform off a boy who’s been utilizing them, “Nicely, you should be going loopy pondering I’ll be again, I’m sorry / ‘Trigger you’re crying like a child, however do I appear like your mommy?” The bounce from being elegant to being staunch of their very own emotions of their new EP highlights the truth that they’re certainly probably the most versatile fourth-generation Okay-Pop lady teams.
Pictured: YEJI. Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
It’s been nearly three years since your showcase and also you simply completed off the final cease of the North American leg of your world tour, how do you’re feeling and the way did it really feel to carry out in entrance of your worldwide followers once more?
YUNA: In my expertise, performing throughout US gave me a whole lot of power. Throughout this tour not solely did I really feel happiness inside, however I additionally wished to unfold my happiness. It was nice to expertise the identical degree of vitality we had three years in the past. I used to be thrilled and crammed with gratitude to our abroad followers who’ve been patiently ready for our efficiency.
YEJI: It appears that evidently time has flown by so quick that I can’t imagine that the long-awaited US tour has already ended. It was an excellent expertise as a result of we made a lot of recollections with MIDZY followers. Extra so, it appeared like we had been on the receiving finish of vitality all through your entire tour. I’m already trying ahead to the subsequent tour!
CHAERYEONG: Performing for our followers as soon as once more shortly made it a lot enjoyable and thrilling. Thanks so a lot for singing and dancing along with us!
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“We thought it was about time to indicate one other power of ours. This album borrowed the picture of the character Cheshire and tried to offer it a bit of little bit of an elegant and mysterious picture.” – Yeji
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Was there something that occurred that was very memorable on tour?
LIA: Getting room service on the resort with all of the members and hanging out like this for as soon as in a very long time was actually memorable.
RYUJIN: At some point after we all had a day without work, we received collectively, chatted and frolicked. To me, that was probably the most enjoyable and memorable episode.
Pictured: LIA. Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
What do you like to do if you’re taking a break from performing?
YEJI: I principally spend a whole lot of time alone. With the ability to do what I need to do with out worrying about others appears to be a stress reliever that additionally provides me a way of freedom.
CHAERYEONG: As an alternative of being lively, I take pleasure in resting in my room and restoring my bodily power! Restoration is essential when you will have an harm or muscle soreness, so I attempt to handle my physique each time I can.
What tune would you utilize to explain the US tour?
CHAERYEONG: “IT’z SUMMER”! I feel the eagerness we shared collectively matched “IT’z SUMMER” the most effective.
YEJI: It’s “WHAT I WANT”. It’s as a result of assembly our MIDZY followers via the tour was the second I actually wished.
Pictured: Ryujin. Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
Was there a second on tour when your friendship and bond with one another grew to become stronger?
YEJI: It looks as if each second of the tour was like that! It was our first tour and I feel it gave us extra confidence and power as a result of we had been capable of do all of the actions collectively and get nearer to 1 one other. Throughout this tour, we grew to become one another’s greatest help.
Inform us about your comeback with CHESHIRE. What’s the story behind it?
LIA: This album CHESHIRE consists of 4 tracks. The title tune “Cheshire” conveys a message of trusting your emotions as a result of there isn’t a proper reply amid quite a few unclear questions and considerations. “Snowy,” “Freaky,” and the one in English “Boys Like You,” which was pre-released in October, are additionally included. We hope you present us a whole lot of love!
What was one spotlight of recording CHESHIRE within the studio?
YUNA: Whereas getting ready for this album, there have been some songs I recorded in a dreamy ambiance. And since I normally do a whole lot of light-mood songs or hip-hop-style songs, it was a brand new expertise as a result of I used to be capable of uncover my new voice that modifications relying on the temper of the tune.
CHAERYEONG: I really feel that I attempted to document the verse atmospherically and the refrain energetically. For the ability of the refrain, I feel it’s the primary time I’ve recorded it with the fullest potential of my voice. It’s as if I’ve mastered it. Once I was performed recording, it appeared the recording studio was mine! I felt like I used to be making it occur.
Pictured: CHAERYEONG. Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
How did your fashion and trend sense evolve when planning this mini-album?
LIA: There are various strikes in CHESHIRE‘s choreography that contain a lot of curves and bodyline accents, which stands out particularly after we are carrying tight leggings and tight, bootcut pants. Remarks like this have been applied!
YUNA: Our particular person opinions had been considered with out deviating from the general staff idea. I really feel like I used to be capable of create a Cheshire YUNA fashion with a match or coloration in accordance with my physique sort.
This idea appears darker than your earlier one, how does it sound in comparison with the songs you launched this 12 months?
RYUJIN Whereas “Sneakers” was positively aimed to replicate a vibrant, refreshing, and thrilling summer time, I feel “Cheshire” is a unique tune that makes the sound and beat itself deeper and a bit of darker.
YEJI: We thought it was about time to indicate one other power of ours. This album borrowed the picture of the character Cheshire and tried to offer it a bit of little bit of an elegant and mysterious picture. I feel that can be effectively expressed within the sound of “Cheshire”.
What tune in CHESHIRE is a standout for you and why?
YUNA: I might say it’s “Cheshire”! I are inclined to improvise as my instinct tells me. And I feel this tune displays my self-image the most effective.
CHAERYEONG: For me, it’s a B-side observe referred to as “Snowy”! I feel the lyrics are fascinating and charming! And since I wished to be that sort of particular person, I picked this tune.
Pictured: YUNA Credit score: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
You point out that each member is multi-talented, well-versed in their very own craft and focus and there are not any set positions. Whereas making the album, did you discover something that you just weren’t precisely used to?
RYUJIN: Whereas recording, I really feel like I’ve a brand new expertise each time. With every of the numerous songs we had been recording, I attempted to make use of the tone that I usually don’t use. I feel it was fascinating and enjoyable doing varied takes.
What had been some challenges when conceptualizing CHESHIRE?
LIA: I’m normally removed from stylish, so being stylish was my problem!
RYUJIN: In contrast to earlier than, the place I’ve targeted on vitality all through your entire course of from recording to stage efficiency, this time I used to be targeted on allure. I assume that was difficult for me.
Pictured: (Left to Proper) Prime: CHAERYEONG, YUNA, RYUJIN Backside: LIA, YEJI Picture: Weston Wells for StyleCaster
Are they any ideas you want to attempt sooner or later?
RYUJIN: Truly, the ideas ITZY has performed and have been doing are the ideas that go well with me the most effective and I like them. So, I don’t assume there’s a idea I need to check out, but it surely’s simply winter and I like Christmas, so if there’s an opportunity, I’d prefer to attempt caroling.
The final time we spoke was if you had been releasing your first English album. You achieved a whole lot of your objectives in a span of a 12 months, like singing for MIDZY and exploring completely different ideas. What are your objectives for 2023?
LIA: I hope that subsequent 12 months, following this 12 months’s development, we may have the chance to take one other step ahead and develop, and current our music to extra individuals.
CHAERYEONG: In 2023, we need to present that ITZY nonetheless has loads to offer and our aim is to ship our optimistic vitality to extra individuals.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
Courtesy: JYP Leisure
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